Aruba Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990. Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela 12 30 N, 69 58 W Central America and the Caribbean total: 193 sq km land: 193 sq km water: 0 sq km slightly larger than Washington, DC 0 km 68.5 km territorial sea: 12 nm tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation flat with a few hills; scant vegetation lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m NEGL; white sandy beaches arable land: 10.53% permanent crops: 0% other: 89.47% (2005) 0.01 sq km (1998 est.) lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt NA a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit) 71,891 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 19.5% (male 7,175/female 6,849) 15-64 years: 68.2% (male 23,894/female 25,140) 65 years and over: 12.3% (male 3,616/female 5,217) (2006 est.) total: 38.5 years male: 36.4 years female: 40.3 years (2006 est.) 0.44% (2006 est.) 11.03 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 6.68 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 5.79 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 79.28 years male: 75.95 years female: 82.78 years (2006 est.) 1.79 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: Aruban(s) adjective: Aruban; Dutch mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80% Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish definition: NA total population: 97% male: NA% female: NA% conventional long form: none conventional short form: Aruba member country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs parliamentary democracy name: Oranjestad geographic coordinates: 12 33 N, 70 06 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Flag Day, 18 March 1 January 1986 based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence 18 years of age; universal chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Fredis REFUNJOL (since 11 May 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Nelson O. ODUBER (since 30 October 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last held 2005 (next to be held by 2009) election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 23 September 2005 (next to be held by in 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - MEP 43%, AVP 32%, MPA 7%, RED 7%, PDR 6%, OLA 4%, PPA 2%; seats by party - MEP 11, AVP 8, MPA 1, RED 1 Common Court of Justice of Aruba (judges are appointed by the monarch) Aliansa/Aruban Social Movement or MSA [Robert WEVER]; Aruban Liberal Organization or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Movement or MPA [Monica ARENDS-KOCK]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Mike EMAN]; People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; Real Democracy or PDR [Andin BIKKER]; RED [Rudy LAMPE]; Workers Political Platform or PTT [Gregorio WOLFF] NA ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WCL, WMO, WToO (associate) none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - Mr. Henry BAARH, Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Netherlands Antilles is accredited to Aruba blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Over 1.5 million tourists per year visit Aruba, with 75% of those from the US. Construction continues to boom, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the reopening of the country's oil refinery in 1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings, has further spurred growth. Tourist arrivals have rebounded strongly following a dip after the 11 September 2001 attacks. The island experiences only a brief low season, and hotel occupancy in 2004 averaged 80%, compared to 68% throughout the rest of the Caribbean. The newly re-elected government has made cutting the budget and trade deficits a high priority. $2.13 billion (2004 est.) NA 3.5% (2004 est.) $21,800 (2004 est.) agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% 41,500 (2004 est.) agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% note: most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining 7.3% (2004 est.) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 3.8% (2005 est.) revenues: $135.8 million expenditures: $147 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2000) aloes; livestock; fish tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining NA% 770 million kWh (2003) 716.1 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 2,363 bbl/day (2003) 6,500 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $80 million f.o.b.; note - includes oil reexports (2004 est.) live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment Netherlands 33.5%, Panama 16.7%, Colombia 11.9%, US 11.3%, Venezuela 10.1%, Netherlands Antilles 9% (2005) $875 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs US 55.9%, Netherlands 12.9%, UK 3.8% (2005) $453 million (2005 est.) $17.4 million (2004) Aruban guilder/florin (AWG) Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2005), 1.79 (2004), 1.79 (2003), 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001) calendar year 37,100 (2002) 53,000 (2001) general assessment: modern fully automatic telecommunications system domestic: increased competition through privatization; 3 wireless service providers are now licensed international: country code - 297; 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay links AM 2, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2004) 1 (1997) .aw 5,420 (2005) 24,000 (2002) 1 (2006) total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2006) total: 800 km paved: 513 km unpaved: 287 km Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Netherlands Navy and Marines, Coast Guard males age 18-49: 16,278 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 13,219 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 520 (2005 est.) defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands none Antigua and Barbuda The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak Indians populated the islands when Columbus landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early settlements by the Spanish and French were succeeded by the English who formed a colony in 1667. Slavery, established to run the sugar plantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981. Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico 17 03 N, 61 48 W Central America and the Caribbean total: 442.6 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km) land: 442.6 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Redonda, 1.6 sq km 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 153 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Boggy Peak 402 m NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism arable land: 18.18% permanent crops: 4.55% other: 77.27% (2005) NA hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts water management - a major concern because of limited natural fresh water resources - is further hampered by the clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to run off quickly party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a very large western harbor 69,108 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 27.6% (male 9,716/female 9,375) 15-64 years: 68.5% (male 23,801/female 23,524) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 1,020/female 1,672) (2006 est.) total: 30 years male: 29.5 years female: 30.5 years (2006 est.) 0.55% (2006 est.) 16.93 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 5.37 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -6.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 18.86 deaths/1,000 live births male: 22.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 72.16 years male: 69.78 years female: 74.66 years (2006 est.) 2.24 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s) adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan black, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, Syrian Christian (predominantly Anglican with other Protestant, and some Roman Catholic) English (official), local dialects definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling total population: 85.8% male: NA% female: NA% (2003 est.) conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antigua and Barbuda constitutional parliamentary democracy name: Saint John's geographic coordinates: 17 06 N, 61 51 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip 1 November 1981 (from UK) Independence Day (National Day), 1 November (1981) 1 November 1981 based on English common law 18 years of age; universal chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir James B. CARLISLE (since 10 June 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Winston Baldwin SPENCER (since 24 March 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general chosen by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17-member body appointed by the governor general) and the House of Representatives (17 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 23 March 2004 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ALP 4, UPP 13 Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction); member Caribbean Court of Justice Antigua Labor Party or ALP [Lester Bryant BIRD]; Barbuda People's Movement or BPM [Thomas H. FRANK]; National Democratic Congress [Tillman THOMAS]; United Progressive Party or UPP [Baldwin SPENCER] (a coalition of three opposition parties - Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement or ACLM, Progressive Labor Movement or PLM, United National Democratic Party or UNDP) Antigua Trades and Labor Union or ATLU [William ROBINSON]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Hugh MARSHALL] ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Deborah Mae LOVELL chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 362-5122 FAX: [1] (202) 362-5225 consulate(s) general: Miami the US does not have an embassy in Antigua and Barbuda (embassy closed 30 June 1994); the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda red, with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black (top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun in the black band Tourism continues to dominate the economy, accounting for more than half of GDP. Weak tourist arrival numbers since early 2000 have slowed the economy, however, and pressed the government into a tight fiscal corner. The dual-island nation's agricultural production is focused on the domestic market and constrained by a limited water supply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of higher wages in tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on income growth in the industrialized world, especially in the US, which accounts for slightly more than one-third of tourist arrivals. $750 million (2002 est.) NA 3% (2002 est.) $11,000 (2002 est.) agriculture: 3.9% industry: 19.2% services: 76.8% (2002) 30,000 agriculture: 7% industry: 11% services: 82% (1983) 11% (2001 est.) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 0.4% (2000 est.) revenues: $123.7 million expenditures: $145.9 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances) 6% (1997 est.) 100 million kWh (2003) 93 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003) 3,600 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $214 million (2004 est.) petroleum products 48%, manufactures 23%, machinery and transport equipment 17%, food and live animals 4%, other 8% Spain 33.6%, Germany 20.5%, Italy 7.6%, Singapore 5.7%, UK 4.8% (2005) $735 million (2004 est.) food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil US 20.8%, China 16.1%, Germany 13.1%, Singapore 12.5%, Spain 6.4% (2005) $231 million (1999) $2.3 million (1995) East Caribbean dollar (XCD) East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003), 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001) note: fixed rate since 1976 1 April - 31 March 38,000 (2004) 54,000 (2004) general assessment: NA domestic: good automatic telephone system international: country code - 1-268; 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth station - 2; tropospheric scatter to Saba (Netherlands Antilles) and Guadeloupe AM 4, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) 2 (1997) .ag 2,143 (2005) 20,000 (2005) 3 (2006) total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 1,165 km paved: 384 km unpaved: 781 km (2002) total: 1,011 ships (1000 GRT or over) 7,452,503 GRT/9,783,309 DWT by type: bulk carrier 40, cargo 596, chemical tanker 7, container 321, liquefied gas 11, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 12, roll on/roll off 21 foreign-owned: 984 (Australia 1, Bangladesh 4, Belgium 4, Colombia 2, Denmark 14, Estonia 12, France 1, Germany 858, Iceland 8, Isle of Man 2, Latvia 5, Lebanon 1, Lithuania 3, Netherlands 14, Norway 11, NZ 1, Poland 3, Russia 6, Singapore 1, Slovenia 6, Switzerland 4, Turkey 8, UK 7, US 7, Vietnam 1) (2006) Saint John's Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force: Infantry, Coast Guard (2004) 18 years of age (est.); no conscript military service (2001) males age 18-49: 18,952 females age 18-49: 18,360 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 14,859 females age 18-49: 14,947 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 507 females age 18-49: 494 (2005 est.) NA NA none United Arab Emirates The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is on par with those of leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a vital role in the affairs of the region. Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia 24 00 N, 54 00 E Middle East total: 82,880 sq km land: 82,880 sq km water: 0 sq km slightly smaller than Maine total: 867 km border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km 1,318 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin desert; cooler in eastern mountains flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m petroleum, natural gas arable land: 0.77% permanent crops: 2.27% other: 96.96% (2005) 760 sq km (2003) frequent sand and dust storms lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil 2,602,713 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 24.9% (male 331,012/female 317,643) 15-64 years: 71.2% (male 1,125,286/female 726,689) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 74,700/female 27,383) note: 73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2006 est.) total: 28.1 years male: 34.8 years female: 23.3 years (2006 est.) 1.52% (2006 est.) 18.96 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 4.4 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.55 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 2.73 male(s)/female total population: 1.43 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 14.09 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 75.44 years male: 72.92 years female: 78.08 years (2006 est.) 2.88 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.18% (2001 est.) NA NA noun: Emirati(s) adjective: Emirati Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982) note: less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982) Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4% Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 77.9% male: 76.1% female: 81.7% (2003 est.) conventional long form: United Arab Emirates conventional short form: none local long form: Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah local short form: none former: Trucial Oman, Trucial States abbreviation: UAE federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates name: Abu Dhabi geographic coordinates: 24 28 N, 54 22 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn (Quwayn) 2 December 1971 (from UK) Independence Day, 2 December (1971) 2 December 1971; made permanent in 1996 federal court system introduced in 1971; applies to all emirates except Dubayy (Dubai) and Ra's al Khaymah, which are not fully integrated into the federal judicial system; all emirates have secular courts to adjudicate criminal, civil, and commercial matters and Islamic courts to review family and religious disputes none chief of state: President KHALIFA bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 3 November 2004), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 4 November 2004); Vice President and Prime Minister MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006) head of government: Prime Minister and Vice President MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006); Deputy Prime Minister SULTAN bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990); Deputy Prime Minister HAMDAN bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 20 October 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the seven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets four times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power elections: president and vice president elected by the FSC for five-year terms (no term limits); election last held 3 November 2004 upon the death of the UAE's Founding Father and first President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (next to be held 2009); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president election results: KHALIFA bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan elected president by a unanimous vote of the FSC; MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum unanimously reaffirmed vice president unicameral Federal National Council (FNC) or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; members appointed by the rulers of the constituent states to serve two-year terms) elections: President KHALIFA in December 2005 announced that indirect elections would be held in early 2006 for half of the seats in the FNC; the other half would be filled by appointment note: reviews legislation, but cannot change or veto Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president) none NA ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Saqr Ghobash Said GHOBASH chancery: 3522 International Court NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 243-2400 FAX: [1] (202) 243-2432 consulate(s): New York, Houston chief of mission: Ambassador Michele J. SISON embassy: Embassies District, Plot 38 Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, Abu Dhabi mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi telephone: [971] (2) 414-2200 FAX: [971] (2) 414-2469 consulate(s) general: Dubai three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Its wealth is based on oil and gas output (about 30% of GDP), and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. Since the discovery of oil in the UAE more than 30 years ago, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. At present levels of production, oil and gas reserves should last for more than 100 years. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up its utilities to greater private sector involvement. Higher oil revenue, strong liquidity, and cheap credit in 2005 led to a surge in asset prices (shares and real estate) and consumer inflation. Any sharp correction to the UAE's equity markets could damage investor and consumer sentiment and affect bank asset quality. In April 2004, the UAE signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) with Washington and in November 2004 agreed to undertake negotiations toward a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US. $111.3 billion (2005 est.) $98.1 billion (2005 est.) 6.7% (2005 est.) $43,400 (2005 est.) agriculture: 4% industry: 58.5% services: 37.5% (2002 est.) 2.8 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 7% industry: 15% services: 78% (2000 est.) 2.4% (2001) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 10.5% (2005 est.) 20.7% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $34.93 billion expenditures: $29.41 billion; including capital expenditures of $3.4 billion (2005 est.) 17.5% of GDP (2005 est.) dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy products; fish petroleum and petrochemicals; fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, commercial ship repair, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, textiles 4% (2000) 45.12 billion kWh (2004) 38.32 billion kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2004) 0 kWh (2004) 2.396 million bbl/day (2005 est.) 310,000 bbl/day (2004 est.) 2.5 million bbl/day (2004 est.) 0 bbl/day (2004) 97.8 billion bbl (2005 est.) 44.79 billion cu m (2003 est.) 37.88 billion cu m (2003 est.) 7.19 billion cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) 6.006 trillion cu m (2005) $18.54 billion (2005 est.) $103.1 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) crude oil 45%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates Japan 24.4%, South Korea 9.7%, Thailand 5.5%, India 5.2% (2005) $60.15 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food UK 10%, China 9.7%, US 9.4%, India 9.3%, Germany 5.9%, Japan 5.4%, France 4.7%, Singapore 4.1% (2005) $23.53 billion (2005 est.) $34.47 billion (2005 est.) since its founding in 1971, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has given about $5.2 billion in aid to 56 countries (2004) Emirati dirham (AED) Emirati dirhams per US dollar - 3.6725 (2005), 3.6725 (2004), 3.6725 (2003), 3.6725 (2002), 3.6725 (2001) note: officially pegged to the US dollar since February 2002 calendar year 1,187,700 (2004) 3,683,100 (2004) general assessment: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile cellular telephones; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber optic and coaxial cable international: country code - 971; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; submarine cables to Qatar, Bahrain, India, and Pakistan; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia AM 13, FM 8, shortwave 2 (2004) 15 (2004) .ae 118,495 (2005) 1,384,800 (2005) 37 (2006) total: 23 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2006) total: 14 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (2006) 4 (2006) condensate 469 km; gas 2,655 km; liquid petroleum gas 300 km; oil 2,936 km; oil/gas/water 5 km (2004) total: 1,088 km paved: 1,088 km (including 253 km of expressways) (1999) total: 58 ships (1000 GRT or over) 656,003 GRT/891,837 DWT by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 7, chemical tanker 5, container 6, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 20, roll on/roll off 6, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 10 (Greece 2, Kuwait 8) registered in other countries: 259 (Bahamas 16, Barbados 1, Belize 5, Cambodia 1, Comoros 6, Cyprus 11, Dominica 2, Georgia 1, Hong Kong 2, India 6, Iran 1, Jordan 11, Kiribati 1, North Korea 6, Liberia 18, Malta 5, Marshall Islands 3, Mexico 1, Mongolia 5, Norway 1, Panama 105, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 19, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 11, Saudi Arabia 1, Sierra Leone 3, Singapore 7, Somalia 1, Sri Lanka 2, Syria 1, unknown 5) (2006) Al Fujayrah, Khawr Fakkan, Mina' Jabal 'Ali, Mina' Rashid, Mina' Saqr, Mina' Zayid, Sharjan Army, Navy (includes Marines and Coast Guard), Air and Air Defense Force, paramilitary forces (includes Federal Police Force) 18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001) males age 18-49: 653,181 females age 18-49: 497,394 (includes non-nationals; 2005 est.) males age 18-49: 526,671 females age 18-49: 419,975 (2005 est.) males: 30,706 females age 18-49: 29,617 (2005 est.) $1.6 billion (FY00) 3.1% (FY00) the United Arab Emirate 2006 Yearbook published a map and text rescinding the 1974 boundary with Saudi Arabia, as stipulated in a treaty filed with the UN in 1993, on the grounds that the agreement was not formally ratified; boundary agreement was signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves, but contents of the agreement and maps showing the alignment have not been published; Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island, which Iran occupies Afghanistan Ahmad Shah DURRANI unified the Pashtun tribes and founded Afghanistan in 1747. The country served as a buffer between the British and Russian empires until it won independence from notional British control in 1919. A brief experiment in democracy ended in a 1973 coup and a 1978 Communist counter-coup. The Soviet Union invaded in 1979 to support the tottering Afghan Communist regime, but withdrew 10 years later under relentless pressure by internationally supported anti-Communist mujahedin rebels. A civil war between mujahedin factions erupted following the 1992 fall of the Communist regime. The Taliban, a hardline Pakistani-sponsored movement that emerged in 1994 to end the country's civil war and anarchy, seized Kabul in 1996 and most of the country outside of opposition Northern Alliance strongholds by 1998. Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, a US, Allied, and Northern Alliance military action toppled the Taliban for sheltering Osama BIN LADIN. In late 2001, a conference in Bonn, Germany, established a process for political reconstruction that included the adoption of a new constitution and a presidential election in 2004, and National Assembly elections in 2005. On 7 December 2004, Hamid KARZAI became the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan. The National Assembly was inaugurated on 19 December 2005. Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran 33 00 N, 65 00 E Asia total: 647,500 sq km land: 647,500 sq km water: 0 sq km slightly smaller than Texas total: 5,529 km border countries: China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km, Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest lowest point: Amu Darya 258 m highest point: Nowshak 7,485 m natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones arable land: 12.13% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 87.66% (2005) 27,200 sq km (2003) damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; droughts limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building materials); desertification; air and water pollution party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation landlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast to southwest divide the northern provinces from the rest of the country; the highest peaks are in the northern Vakhan (Wakhan Corridor) 31,056,997 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 44.6% (male 7,095,117/female 6,763,759) 15-64 years: 53% (male 8,436,716/female 8,008,463) 65 years and over: 2.4% (male 366,642/female 386,300) (2006 est.) total: 17.6 years male: 17.6 years female: 17.6 years (2006 est.) 2.67% (2006 est.) 46.6 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 20.34 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 160.23 deaths/1,000 live births male: 164.77 deaths/1,000 live births female: 155.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 43.34 years male: 43.16 years female: 43.53 years (2006 est.) 6.69 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.01% (2001 est.) NA NA degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria is a high risk countrywide below 2,000 meters from March through November animal contact disease: rabies (2005) noun: Afghan(s) adjective: Afghan Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27%, Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%, Aimak 4%, Turkmen 3%, Baloch 2%, other 4% Sunni Muslim 80%, Shi'a Muslim 19%, other 1% Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%, Pashtu (official) 35%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 36% male: 51% female: 21% (1999 est.) of the estimated 4 million refugees in October 2001, 2.3 million have returned conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan conventional short form: Afghanistan local long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Afghanestan local short form: Afghanestan former: Republic of Afghanistan Islamic republic name: Kabul geographic coordinates: 34 31 N, 69 12 E time difference: UTC+4.5 (9.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 34 provinces (velayat, singular - velayat); Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Daykondi, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghowr, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabol, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khowst, Konar, Kondoz, Laghman, Lowgar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Nurestan, Oruzgan, Paktia, Paktika, Panjshir, Parvan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Takhar, Vardak, Zabol 19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs) Independence Day, 19 August (1919) new constitution drafted 14 December 2003-4 January 2004; signed 16 January 2004 according to the new constitution, no law should be "contrary to Islam"; the state is obliged to create a prosperous and progressive society based on social justice, protection of human dignity, protection of human rights, realization of democracy, and to ensure national unity and equality among all ethnic groups and tribes; the state shall abide by the UN charter, international treaties, international conventions that Afghanistan signed, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); Vice Presidents Ahmad Zia MASOOD and Abdul Karim KHALILI (since 7 December 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; former King ZAHIR Shah holds the honorific, "Father of the Country," and presides symbolically over certain occasions, but lacks any governing authority; the honorific is not hereditary head of government: President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); Vice Presidents Ahmad Zia MASOOD and Abdul Karim KHALILI (since 7 December 2004); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government cabinet: 27 ministers; note - under the new constitution, ministers are appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly elections: the president and two vice presidents are elected by direct vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if no candidate receives 50% or more of the vote in the first round of voting, the two candidates with the most votes will participate in a second round; a president can only be elected for two terms; election last held 9 October 2004 (next to be held in 2009) election results: Hamid KARZAI elected president; percent of vote - Hamid KARZAI 55.4%, Yunus QANOONI 16.3%, Ustad Mohammad MOHAQQEQ 11.6%, Abdul Rashid DOSTAM 10.0%, Abdul Latif PEDRAM 1.4%, Masooda JALAL 1.2% the bicameral National Assembly consists of the Wolesi Jirga or House of People (no more than 249 seats), directly elected for five-year terms, and the Meshrano Jirga or House of Elders (102 seats, one-third elected from provincial councils for four-year terms, one-third elected from local district councils for three-year terms - provincial councils elected temporary members to fill these seats until district councils are formed, and one-third presidential appointees for five-year terms; the presidential appointees will include 2 representatives of Kuchis and 2 representatives of the disabled; half of the presidential appointees will be women) note: on rare occasions the government may convene a Loya Jirga (Grand Council) on issues of independence, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity; it can amend the provisions of the constitution and prosecute the president; it is made up of members of the National Assembly and chairpersons of the provincial and district councils elections: last held 18 September 2005 (next to be held for the Wolesi Jirga by September 2009; next to be held for the provincial councils to the Meshrano Jirga by September 2008) election results: the single non-transferable vote (SNTV) system used in the election did not make use of political party slates; most candidates ran as independents the constitution establishes a nine-member Stera Mahkama or Supreme Court (its nine justices are appointed for 10-year terms by the president with approval of the Wolesi Jirga) and subordinate High Courts and Appeals Courts (note - nine supreme court justices were appointed in the interim in January 2005 pending National Assembly selection of the constitutionally mandated justices); there is also a minister of justice; a separate Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission established by the Bonn Agreement is charged with investigating human rights abuses and war crimes note - includes only political parties approved by the Ministry of Justice: Afghan Millat [Anwarul Haq AHADI]; De Afghanistan De Solay Ghorzang Gond [Shahnawaz TANAI]; De Afghanistan De Solay Mili Islami Gond [Shah Mahmood Polal ZAI]; Harakat-e-Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad Asif MOHSINEE]; Hezb-e-Aarman-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Iihaj Saraj-u-din ZAFAREE]; Hezb-e-Aazadee Afghanistan [Abdul MALIK]; Hezb-e-Adalat-e-Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad Kabeer MARZBAN]; Hezb-e-Afghanistan-e-Wahid [Mohammad Wasil RAHEEMEE]; Hezb-e-Afghan Watan Islami Gond; Hezb-e-Congra-e-Mili Afghanistan [Latif PEDRAM]; Hezb-e-Falah-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad ZAREEF]; Hezb-e-Hambastagee Mili Jawanan-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad Jamil KARZAI]; Hezb-e-Hamnbatagee-e-Afghanistan [Abdul Khaleq NEMAT]; Hezb-e-Harakat-e-Mili Wahdat-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad Nadir AATASH]; Hezb-e-Harak-e-Islami Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Ilhaj Said Hssain ANWARY]; Hezb-e-Ifazat Az Uqoq-e-Bashar Wa Inkishaf-e-Afghanistan [Baryalai NASRATEE]; Hezb-e-Istiqlal-e-Afghanistan [Dr. Gh. Farooq NIJZRABEE]; Hezb-e-Jamhoree Khwahan [Sibghatullah SANJAR]; Hezb-e-Kar Wa Tawsiha-e-Afghanistan [Zulfiar OMID]; Hezb-e-Libral-e-Aazadee Khwa-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Ajmal SOHAIL]; Hezb-e-Mili Afghanistan [Abdul Rasheed AARYAN]; Hezb-e-Mili Wahdat-e-Aqwam-e-Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad Shah KHOGYANEE]; Hezb-e-Nuhzhat-e-Mili Afghanistan [Ahmad Wali MASOUD]; Hezb-e-Paiwand-e-Mili Afghanistan [Said Mansoor NADIRI]; Hezb-e-Rastakhaiz-e-Islami Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Said ZAHIR]; Hezb-e-Refah-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Mia Gul WASEEQ]; Hezb-e-Risalat-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Noor Aqa ROEEN]; Hezb-e-Sahadat-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad Zubair PAIROZ]; Hezb-e-Sahadat-e-Mili Wa Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad Usman SALIGZADA]; Hezb-e-Sulh-e-Mili Islami Aqwam-e-Afghanistan [Abdul Qahir SHARYATEE]; Hezb-e-Sulh Wa Wahdat-e-Mili Afghanistan [Abdul Qadir IMAMEE]; Hezb-e-Tafahum-e-Wa Democracy Afghanistan [Ahamad SHAHEEN]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad Karim KHALILI]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Ustad Mohammad MOHAQQEQ]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Mili Afghanistan [Abdul Rasheed JALILI]; Jamahat-ul-Dahwat ilal Qurhan-wa-Sunat-ul-Afghanistan [Mawlawee Samiullah NAJEEBEE]; Jombesh-e Milli [Abdul Rashid DOSTAM]; Mahaz-e-Mili Islami Afghanistan [Said Ahmad GAILANEE]; Majmah-e-Mili Fahaleen-e-Sulh-e-Afghanistan [Shams ul Haq Noor SHAMS]; Nuhzat-e-Aazadee Wa Democracy Afghanistan [Abdul Raqeeb Jawid KUHISTANEE]; Nuhzat-e-Hambastagee Mili Afghanistan [Peer Said Ishaq GAILANEE]; Sazman-e-Islami Afghanistan-e-Jawan [Siad Jawad HUSSAINEE]; Tahreek Wahdat-e-Mili [Sultan Mahmood DHAZI] (30 Sep 2004) Jamiat-e Islami (Society of Islam) [former President Burhanuddin RABBANI]; Ittihad-e Islami (Islamic Union for the Liberation of Afghanistan) [Abdul Rasul SAYYAF]; there are also small monarchist, communist, and democratic groups AsDB, CP, ECO, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer) chief of mission: Ambassador Said Tayeb JAWAD chancery: 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] 202-483-6410 FAX: [1] 202-483-6488 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald E. NEUMANN embassy: The Great Masood Road, Kabul mailing address: 6180 Kabul Place, Dulles, VA 20189-6180 telephone: [00 93] (20) 230-0436 FAX: [00 93] (20) 230-1364 three equal vertical bands of black (hoist), red, and green, with a gold emblem centered on the red band; the emblem features a temple-like structure encircled by a wreath on the left and right and by a bold Islamic inscription above Afghanistan's economic outlook has improved significantly since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001 because of the infusion of over $8 billion in international assistance, recovery of the agricultural sector and growth of the service sector, and the reestablishment of market institutions. Real GDP growth is estimated to have slowed in the last fiscal year primarily because adverse weather conditions cut agricultural production, but is expected to rebound over 2005-06 because of foreign donor reconstruction and service sector growth. Despite the progress of the past few years, Afghanistan remains extremely poor, landlocked, and highly dependent on foreign aid, farming, and trade with neighboring countries. It will probably take the remainder of the decade and continuing donor aid and attention to significantly raise Afghanistan's living standards from its current status, among the lowest in the world. Much of the population continues to suffer from shortages of housing, clean water, electricity, medical care, and jobs, but the Afghan government and international donors remain committed to improving access to these basic necessities by prioritizing infrastructure development, education, housing development, jobs programs, and economic reform over the next year. Growing political stability and continued international commitment to Afghan reconstruction create an optimistic outlook for continuing improvements in the Afghan economy in 2006. Expanding poppy cultivation and a growing opium trade may account for one-third of GDP and looms as one of Kabul's most serious policy challenges. Other long-term challenges include: boosting the supply of skilled labor, reducing vulnerability to severe natural disasters, expanding health services, and rebuilding a war torn infrastructure. $21.5 billion (2004 est.) NA 8% (2005 est.) $800 (2004 est.) agriculture: 38% industry: 24% services: 38% note: data exclude opium production (2005 est.) 15 million (2004 est.) agriculture: 80% industry: 10% services: 10% (2004 est.) 40% (2005 est.) 53% (2003) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 16.3% (2005 est.) revenues: $269 million expenditures: $561 million; including capital expenditures of $41.7 million note: Afghanistan has also received $273 million from the Reconstruction Trust Fund and $63 million from the Law and Order Trust Fund (FY04-05 budget est.) opium, wheat, fruits, nuts; wool, mutton, sheepskins, lambskins small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper NA% 905 million kWh (2003) 1.042 billion kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 200 million kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003) 5,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 bbl (1 January 2002) 50 million cu m (2003 est.) 50 million cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 99.96 billion cu m (1 January 2002) $471 million; note - not including illicit exports or reexports (2005 est.) opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems US 26%, Pakistan 21.5%, India 19%, Finland 4.1% (2005) $3.87 billion (2005 est.) capital goods, food, textiles, petroleum products Pakistan 23.7%, US 11.7%, India 7.9%, Germany 6.8%, Turkmenistan 4.9%, Russia 4.7%, Kenya 4.4%, Turkey 4.3% (2005) $8 billion in bilateral debt, mostly to Russia; Afghanistan has $500 million in debt to Multilateral Development Banks (2004) international pledges made by more than 60 countries and international financial institutions at the Berlin Donors Conference for Afghan reconstruction in March 2004 reached $8.9 billion for 2004-09 afghani (AFA) afghanis per US dollar - 541 (2005), 48 (2004), 49 (2003), 41 (2002), 66 (2001) note: in 2002, the afghani was revalued and the currency stabilized at about 50 afghanis to the dollar; before 2002, the market rate varied widely from the official rate 21 March - 20 March 100,000 (2005) 600,000 (2004) general assessment: very limited telephone and telegraph service domestic: telephone service is improving with the licensing of four wireless telephone service providers by 2005; approximately 3 in 10 Afghans own a wireless telephone; telephone main lines remain limited with only 0.1 line per 10 people international: country code - 93; five VSAT's installed in Kabul, Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kandahar, and Jalalabad provide international and domestic voice and data connectivity AM 21, FM 23, shortwave 1 (broadcasts in Pashtu, Afghan Persian (Dari), Urdu, and English) (2003) at least 10 (one government-run central television station in Kabul and regional stations in nine of the 34 provinces; the regional stations operate on a reduced schedule; also, in 1997, there was a station in Mazar-e-Sharif reaching four northern Afghanistan provinces) (1998) .af 76 (2005) 25,000 (2005) in March 2003, 'af' was established as Afghanistan's domain name; Internet access is growing through Internet cafes as well as public "telekiosks" in Kabul (2002) 46 (2006) total: 11 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 35 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 9 (2006) 9 (2006) gas 387 km (2004) total: 34,789 km paved: 8,231 km unpaved: 26,558 km (2003) 1,200 km (chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to 500 DWT) (2005) Kheyrabad, Shir Khan Afghan National Army (includes Afghan Air Force) (2006) 22 years of age; inductees are contracted into service for a 4-year term (2005) males age 22-49: 4,952,812 females age 22-49: 4,663,963 (2005 est.) males age 22-49: 2,662,946 females age 22-49: 2,508,574 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 275,362 females age 22-49: 259,935 (2005 est.) $122.4 million (2005 est.) 1.7% (2005 est.) most Afghan refugees in Pakistan have been repatriated, but thousands still remain in Iran, many at their own choosing; Coalition and Pakistani forces continue to patrol remote tribal areas to control the borders and stem organized terrorist and other illegal cross-border activities; regular meetings between Pakistani and Coalition allies aim to resolve periodic claims of boundary encroachments; regional conflicts over water-sharing arrangements with Amu Darya and Helmand River states IDPs: 200,000-300,000 (mostly Pashtuns and Kuchis displaced in south and west due to drought and instability) (2005) Algeria After more than a century of rule by France, Algerians fought through much of the 1950s to achieve independence in 1962. Algeria's primary political party, the National Liberation Front (FLN), has dominated politics ever since. Many Algerians in the subsequent generation were not satisfied, however, and moved to counter the FLN's centrality in Algerian politics. The surprising first round success of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) in the December 1991 balloting spurred the Algerian army to intervene and postpone the second round of elections to prevent what the secular elite feared would be an extremist-led government from assuming power. The army began a crack down on the FIS that spurred FIS supporters to begin attacking government targets. The government later allowed elections featuring pro-government and moderate religious-based parties, but did not appease the activists who progressively widened their attacks. The fighting escalated into an insurgency, which saw intense fighting between 1992-98 and which resulted in over 100,000 deaths - many attributed to indiscriminate massacres of villagers by extremists. The government gained the upper hand by the late-1990s and FIS's armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, disbanded in January 2000. However, small numbers of armed militants persist in confronting government forces and conducting ambushes and occasional attacks on villages. The army placed Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA in the presidency in 1999 in a fraudulent election but claimed neutrality in his 2004 landslide reelection victory. Longstanding problems continue to face BOUTEFLIKA in his second term, including the ethnic minority Berbers' ongoing autonomy campaign, large-scale unemployment, a shortage of housing, unreliable electrical and water supplies, government inefficiencies and corruption, and the continuing - although significantly degraded - activities of extremist militants. Algeria must also diversify its petroleum-based economy, which has yielded a large cash reserve but which has not been used to redress Algeria's many social and infrastructure problems. Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia 28 00 N, 3 00 E Africa total: 2,381,740 sq km land: 2,381,740 sq km water: 0 sq km slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas total: 6,343 km border countries: Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km, Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km 998 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 32-52 nm arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow, discontinuous coastal plain lowest point: Chott Melrhir -40 m highest point: Tahat 3,003 m petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc arable land: 3.17% permanent crops: 0.28% other: 96.55% (2005) 5,690 sq km (2003) mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides and floods in rainy season soil erosion from overgrazing and other poor farming practices; desertification; dumping of raw sewage, petroleum refining wastes, and other industrial effluents is leading to the pollution of rivers and coastal waters; Mediterranean Sea, in particular, becoming polluted from oil wastes, soil erosion, and fertilizer runoff; inadequate supplies of potable water party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan) 32,930,091 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 28.1% (male 4,722,076/female 4,539,713) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 11,133,802/female 10,964,502) 65 years and over: 4.8% (male 735,444/female 834,554) (2006 est.) total: 24.9 years male: 24.7 years female: 25.1 years (2006 est.) 1.22% (2006 est.) 17.14 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 4.61 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 29.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 33.62 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 73.26 years male: 71.68 years female: 74.92 years (2006 est.) 1.89 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.1% ; note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.) 9,100 (2003 est.) less than 500 (2003 est.) degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: cutaneous leishmaniasis is a high risk in some locations (2005) noun: Algerian(s) adjective: Algerian Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1% note: almost all Algerians are Berber in origin, not Arab; the minority who identify themselves as Berber live mostly in the mountainous region of Kabylie east of Algiers; the Berbers are also Muslim but identify with their Berber rather than Arab cultural heritage; Berbers have long agitated, sometimes violently, for autonomy; the government is unlikely to grant autonomy but has offered to begin sponsoring teaching Berber language in schools Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1% Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 70% male: 78.8% female: 61% (2003 est.) conventional long form: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria conventional short form: Algeria local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah local short form: Al Jaza'ir republic name: Algiers geographic coordinates: 36 47 N, 2 03 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 48 provinces (wilayat, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen 5 July 1962 (from France) Revolution Day, 1 November (1954) 8 September 1963; revised 19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 November 1988, 23 February 1989, and 28 November 1996 socialist, based on French and Islamic law; judicial review of legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed of various public officials, including several Supreme Court justices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28 April 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Abdelaziz BELKHADEM cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 April 2004 (next to be held in April 2009); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA reelected president for second term; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA 85%, Ali BENFLIS 6.4%, Abdellah DJABALLAH 5% bicameral Parliament consisting of the National People's Assembly or Al-Majlis Ech-Chaabi Al-Watani (389 seats - formerly 380 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Council of Nations (Senate) (144 seats; one-third of the members appointed by the president, two-thirds elected by indirect vote; members serve six-year terms; the constitution requires half the council to be renewed every three years) elections: National People's Assembly - last held 30 May 2002 (next to be held in 2007); Council of Nations (Senate) - last held 30 December 2003 (next to be held in 2006) election results: National People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 199, RND 47, Islah 43, MSP 38, PT 21, FNA 8, EnNahda 1, PRA 1, MEN 1, independents 30; Council of Nations - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party NA Supreme Court Algerian National Front or FNA [Moussa TOUATI]; National Democratic Rally (Rassemblement National Democratique) or RND [Ahmed OUYAHIA, secretary general]; Islamic Salvation Front or FIS (outlawed April 1992) [Ali BELHADJ and Dr. Abassi MADANI, Rabeh KEBIR (self-exiled in Germany)]; National Entente Movement or MEN [Ali BOUKHAZNA]; National Liberation Front or FLN [Abdelaziz BELKHADEM, secretary general (also serves as minister of state and special representative of the head of state)]; National Reform Movement or Islah (formerly MRN) [Abdellah DJABALLAH]; National Renewal Party or PRA [Yacine TERKMANE]; Progressive Republican Party [Khadir DRISS]; Rally for Culture and Democracy or RCD [Said SAADI, secretary general]; Renaissance Movement or EnNahda Movement [Fatah RABEI]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Hocine Ait AHMED, secretary general (self-exiled in Switzerland)]; Social Liberal Party or PSL [Ahmed KHELIL]; Society of Peace Movement or MSP [Boudjerra SOLTANI]; Workers Party or PT [Louisa HANOUN] note: a law banning political parties based on religion was enacted in March 1997 The Algerian Human Rights League or LADH or LADDH [Yahia Ali ABDENOUR]; SOS Disparus [Nacera DUTOUR]; Somoud [Ali MERABET] ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BIS, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, ONUB, OPCW, OPEC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer) chief of mission: Ambassador Amine KHERBI chancery: 2137 Wyoming Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2800 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2174 chief of mission: Ambassador Robert S. FORD embassy: 4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, Algiers mailing address: B. P. 408, Alger-Gare, 16030 Algiers telephone: [213] (21) 69-12-55 FAX: [213] (21) 69-39-79 two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a red, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-color boundary; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam (the state religion) The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the seventh-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the second-largest gas exporter; it ranks 14th in oil reserves. Sustained high oil prices in recent years, along with macroeconomic policy reforms supported by the IMF, have helped improve Algeria's financial and macroeconomic indicators. Algeria is running substantial trade surpluses and building up record foreign exchange reserves. Real GDP has risen due to higher oil output and increased government spending. The government's continued efforts to diversify the economy by attracting foreign and domestic investment outside the energy sector, however, has had little success in reducing high unemployment and improving living standards. The population is becoming increasingly restive due to the lack of jobs and housing and frequently stages protests, which have resulted in arrests and injuries, including some deaths as government forces intervened to restore order. Structural reform within the economy, such as development of the banking sector and the construction of infrastructure, moves ahead slowly hampered by corruption and bureaucratic resistance. $233.2 billion (2005 est.) $85.31 billion (2005 est.) 6% (2005 est.) $7,200 (2005 est.) agriculture: 10.1% industry: 60% services: 29.8% (2005 est.) 10.15 million (2005 est.) agriculture 14%, industry 13.4%, construction and public works 10%, trade 14.6%, government 32%, other 16% (2003 est.) 17.1% (2005 est.) 25% (2005 est.) lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 26.8% (1995) 35.3 (1995) 1.9% (2005 est.) 22.6% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $42.05 billion expenditures: $30.75 billion; including capital expenditures of $5.8 billion (2005 est.) 30.2% of GDP (2005 est.) wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing 8% (2005 est.) 26.99 billion kWh (2003 est.) 24.9 billion kWh (2003 est.) 400 million kWh (2003 est.) 200 million kWh (2003 est.) 1.373 million bbl/day (2005 est.) 246,000 bbl/day (2004 est.) 1.127 million bbl/day (2004 est.) 0 bbl/day (2004 est.) 12.46 billion bbl (2005 est.) 82.4 billion cu m (2003 est.) 21.32 billion cu m (2003 est.) 57.98 billion cu m (2001 est.) 0 cu m (2005 est.) 4.531 trillion cu m (2005) $18.79 billion (2005 est.) $49.59 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97% US 22.9%, Italy 16.2%, Spain 10.4%, France 10%, Canada 8%, Brazil 6.1%, Belgium 4.4%, Germany 4.3% (2005) $22.53 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods France 27.9%, Italy 7.7%, Spain 7%, China 6.5%, Germany 6.2%, US 5.4%, Turkey 4.7% (2005) $56.58 billion (2005 est.) $19.45 billion (2005 est.) $122.8 million (2002 est.) Algerian dinar (DZD) Algerian dinars per US dollar - 73.276 (2005), 72.061 (2004), 77.395 (2003), 79.682 (2002), 77.215 (2001) calendar year 2.572 million (2005) 13.661 million (2005) general assessment: telephone density in Algeria is very low, not exceeding five telephones per 100 persons; the number of fixed main lines increased in the last few years to a little more than 2 million, but only about two-thirds of these have subscribers; much of the infrastructure is outdated and inefficient domestic: good service in north but sparse in south; domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations (20 additional domestic earth stations are planned) international: country code - 213; submarine cables - 5; microwave radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial cable to Morocco and Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel; satellite earth stations - 51 (Intelsat, Intersputnik, and Arabsat) (2005) AM 25, FM 1, shortwave 8 (1999) 46 (plus 216 repeaters) (1995) .dz 1,175 (2005) 845,000 (2005) 142 (2006) total: 52 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 90 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 39 under 914 m: 23 (2006) 1 (2006) condensate 1,344 km; gas 85,946 km; liquid petroleum gas 2,213 km; oil 6,496 km (2004) total: 3,973 km standard gauge: 2,888 km 1.435-m gauge (283 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,085 km 1.055-m gauge (2005) total: 104,000 km paved: 71,656 km unpaved: 32,344 km (1999) total: 41 ships (1000 GRT or over) 744,406 GRT/766,764 DWT by type: bulk carrier 7, cargo 10, chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas 9, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 3, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 13 (UK 13) (2006) Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda National Popular Army (ANP; includes Land Forces), Algerian National Navy (MRA), Air Force (QJJ), Territorial Air Defense Force (2005) 19-30 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (6 months basic training, 12 months civil projects) (2006) males age 19-49: 8,033,049 females age 19-49: 7,926,351 (2005 est.) males age 19-49: 6,590,079 females age 19-49: 6,711,285 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 374,639 females age 19-49: 369,021 (2005 est.) $3 billion (2005 est.) 3.2% (2005 est.) Algeria supports the exiled Sahrawi Polisario Front and rejects Moroccan administration of Western Sahara; most of the approximately 102,000 Western Saharan Sahrawi refugees are sheltered in camps in Tindouf, Algeria; Algeria's border with Morocco remains an irritant to bilateral relations, each nation accusing the other of harboring militants and arms smuggling; in an attempt to improve relations, Morocco, in mid-2004, unilaterally lifted the requirement that Algerians visiting Morocco possess entry visas - a gesture not reciprocated by Algeria; Algeria remains concerned about armed bandits operating throughout the Sahel who sometimes destabilize southern Algerian towns; dormant disputes include Libyan claims of about 32,000 sq km still reflected on its maps of southeastern Algeria and the FLN's assertions of a claim to Chirac Pastures in southeastern Morocco Azerbaijan Azerbaijan - a nation with a Turkic and majority-Muslim population - was briefly independent from 1918 to 1920; it regained its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite a 1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh enclave (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 528,000 internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict. Corruption is ubiquitous, and the promise of widespread wealth from Azerbaijan's undeveloped petroleum resources remains largely unfulfilled. Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range 40 30 N, 47 30 E Asia total: 86,600 sq km land: 86,100 sq km water: 500 sq km note: includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and the Nagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished by Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991 slightly smaller than Maine total: 2,013 km border countries: Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-proper) 432 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9 km 0 km (landlocked); note - Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (800 km est.) none (landlocked) dry, semiarid steppe large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, alumina arable land: 20.62% permanent crops: 2.61% other: 76.77% (2005) 14,550 sq km (2003) droughts local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe air, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution results from oil spills, from the use of DDT as a pesticide, and from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements both the main area of the country and the Naxcivan exclave are landlocked 7,961,619 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 25.8% (male 1,046,501/female 1,011,492) 15-64 years: 66.3% (male 2,573,134/female 2,706,275) 65 years and over: 7.8% (male 246,556/female 377,661) (2006 est.) total: 27.7 years male: 26.3 years female: 29.2 years (2006 est.) 0.66% (2006 est.) 20.74 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 9.75 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -4.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 79 deaths/1,000 live births male: 81.08 deaths/1,000 live births female: 76.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 63.85 years male: 59.78 years female: 68.13 years (2006 est.) 2.46 children born/woman (2006 est.) less than 0.1% (2003 est.) 1,400 (2003 est.) less than 100 (2001 est.) noun: Azerbaijani(s), Azeri(s) adjective: Azerbaijani, Azeri Azeri 90.6%, Dagestani 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.9% (1999 census) note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.) note: religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan; percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower Azerbaijani (Azeri) 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.8% male: 99.5% female: 98.2% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Azerbaijan conventional short form: Azerbaijan local long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi local short form: Azarbaycan former: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic republic name: Baku (Baki, Baky) geographic coordinates: 40 23 N, 49 51 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities (saharlar; sahar - singular), 1 autonomous republic (muxtar respublika) rayons: Abseron Rayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu, Agdas Rayonu, Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, Astara Rayonu, Balakan Rayonu, Barda Rayonu, Beylaqan Rayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu, Cabrayil Rayonu, Calilabad Rayonu, Daskasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu, Fuzuli Rayonu, Gadabay Rayonu, Goranboy Rayonu, Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu, Imisli Rayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu, Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu, Lacin Rayonu, Lankaran Rayonu, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli Rayonu, Neftcala Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, Qax Rayonu, Qazax Rayonu, Qobustan Rayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu, Qusar Rayonu, Saatli Rayonu, Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, Salyan Rayonu, Samaxi Rayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu, Siyazan Rayonu, Susa Rayonu, Tartar Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu, Xacmaz Rayonu, Xanlar Rayonu, Xizi Rayonu, Xocali Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, Yardimli Rayonu, Yevlax Rayonu, Zangilan Rayonu, Zaqatala Rayonu, Zardab Rayonu cities: Ali Bayramli Sahari, Baki Sahari, Ganca Sahari, Lankaran Sahari, Mingacevir Sahari, Naftalan Sahari, Saki Sahari, Sumqayit Sahari, Susa Sahari, Xankandi Sahari, Yevlax Sahari autonomous republic: Naxcivan Muxtar Respublikasi 30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, 28 May (1918) adopted 12 November 1995 based on civil law system 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 4 November 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Abbas ABBASOV (since 10 November 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote to a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 15 October 2003 (next to be held October 2008); prime minister and first deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly election results: Ilham ALIYEV elected president; percent of vote - Ilham ALIYEV 76.8%, Isa GAMBAR 14% unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 6 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Yeni 58, Azadliq coalition 8, CSP 2, YES 2, Motherland 2, other parties with single seats 7, independents 42, undetermined 4 Supreme Court Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF [Ali KARIMLI, leader of "Reform" faction; Mirmahmud MIRALI-OGLU, leader of "Classic" faction]; Civic Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLY]; Civic Union Party [Ayaz MUTALIBOV]; Communist Party of Azerbaijan or CPA [Ramiz AHMADOV]; Compatriot Party [Mais SAFARLI]; Democratic Party for Azerbaijan or DPA [Rasul QULIYEV, chairman]; Justice Party [Ilyas ISMAILOV]; Liberal Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shovkat HACIYEVA]; Motherland Party; Musavat [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; Yeni Azerbaijan Party; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan or PNIA [Etibar MAMMADLI, chairman]; Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan or SDP [Araz ALIZADE and Ayaz MUTALIBOV] note: opposition parties regularly factionalize and form new parties Sadval, Lezgin movement; self-proclaimed Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; Talysh independence movement; Union of Pro-Azerbaijani Forces (UPAF) AsDB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer) chief of mission: Ambassador Hafiz Mir Jalal PASHAYEV chancery: 2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 337-3500 FAX: [1] (202) 337-5911 chief of mission: Ambassador Anne E. DERSE embassy: 83 Azadlyg Prospecti, Baku AZ1007 mailing address: American Embassy Baku, Department of State, 7050 Baku Place, Washington, DC 20521-7050 telephone: [994] (12) 4980-335 through 337 FAX: [994] (12) 4656-671 three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red band Azerbaijan's number one export is oil. Azerbaijan's oil production declined through 1997, but has registered an increase every year since. Negotiation of production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with foreign firms, which have thus far committed $60 billion to long-term oilfield development, should generate the funds needed to spur future industrial development. Oil production under the first of these PSAs, with the Azerbaijan International Operating Company, began in November 1997. A consortium of Western oil companies is scheduled to begin pumping 1 million barrels a day from a large offshore field in early 2006, through a $4 billion pipeline it built from Baku to Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan. Economists estimate that by 2010 revenues from this project will double the country's current GDP. Azerbaijan shares all the formidable problems of the former Soviet republics in making the transition from a command to a market economy, but its considerable energy resources brighten its long-term prospects. Baku has only recently begun making progress on economic reform, and old economic ties and structures are slowly being replaced. Several other obstacles impede Azerbaijan's economic progress: the need for stepped up foreign investment in the non-energy sector, the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, and the pervasive corruption. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance while trade is building with Turkey and the nations of Europe. Long-term prospects will depend on world oil prices, the location of new pipelines in the region, and Azerbaijan's ability to manage its oil wealth. $37.92 billion (2005 est.) $10.4 billion (2005 est.) 26.4% (2005 est.) $4,800 (2005 est.) agriculture: 14.1% industry: 45.7% services: 40.2% (2002 est.) 5.45 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 41% industry: 7% services: 52% (2001) 1.1% official rate (2005 est.) 49% (2002 est.) lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 27.8% (1995) 36.5 (2001) 9.6% (2005 est.) 54.4% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $3.18 billion expenditures: $2.986 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 11.3% of GDP (2005 est.) cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore; cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles 40% (2005 est.) 20 billion kWh (2003) 20.25 billion kWh (2003) 700 million kWh (2003) 2.35 billion kWh (2003) 477,000 bbl/day (2005 est.) 123,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 589 million bbl (1 January 2002) 5.13 billion cu m (2003 est.) 9.2 billion cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 1 billion cu m (2001 est.) 849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2002) $167.3 million (2005 est.) $6.117 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) oil and gas 90%, machinery, cotton, foodstuffs Italy 29.1%, Czech Republic 14.3%, France 12%, Germany 9.5%, Russia 5%, Romania 4.5%, Georgia 4.4% (2005) $4.656 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, oil products, foodstuffs, metals, chemicals Russia 18.9%, Germany 12.1%, UK 8.5%, Turkey 7.4%, Ukraine 6.4%, Netherlands 5.3%, China 5.2%, France 4.1% (2005) $1.192 billion (2005 est.) $1.873 billion (2005 est.) ODA, $140 million (2000 est.) Azerbaijani manat (AZM) Azerbaijani manats per US dollar - 4,727.1 (2005), 4,913.48 (2004), 4,910.73 (2003), 4,860.82 (2002), 4,656.58 (2001) note: on 1 January 2006 Azerbaijan revalued its currency, with 5,000 old manats equal to 1 new manat calendar year 1,091,400 (2005) 1,456,500 (2004) general assessment: inadequate; requires considerable expansion and modernization; teledensity of 10 main lines per 100 persons is low (2002) domestic: the majority of telephones are in Baku and other industrial centers - about 700 villages still without public telephone service; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its exclave of Naxcivan international: country code - 994; the old Soviet system of cable and microwave is still serviceable; satellite earth stations - 2 (2005) AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998) 2 (1997) .az 460 (2005) 408,000 (2005) 36 (2006) total: 27 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2006) total: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 7 (2006) 1 (2006) gas 4,451 km; oil 1,518 km (2004) total: 2,957 km broad gauge: 2,957 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (2005) total: 27,016 km paved: 12,698 km (including 128 km of expressways) unpaved: 14,318 km (2003) total: 84 ships (1000 GRT or over) 405,395 GRT/436,666 DWT by type: cargo 26, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 8, petroleum tanker 43, roll on/roll off 2, specialized tanker 3 registered in other countries: 4 (Georgia 2, Malta 2) (2006) Baku (Baki) Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces men between 18 and 35 are liable for military service; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; length of military service is 18 months and 12 months for university graduates (2006) males age 18-49: 1,961,973 females age 18-49: 2,033,186 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 1,314,955 females age 18-49: 1,676,408 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 82,358 females age 18-49: 78,067 (2005 est.) $121 million (FY99) 2.6% (FY99) Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and since the early 1990s has militarily occupied 16% of Azerbaijan; over 800,000 mostly ethnic Azerbaijanis were driven from the occupied lands and Armenia; about 230,000 ethnic Armenians were driven from their homes in Azerbaijan into Armenia; Azerbaijan seeks transit route through Armenia to connect to Naxcivan exclave; Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia ratify Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on an even one-fifth allocation and challenges Azerbaijan's hydrocarbon exploration in disputed waters; bilateral talks continue with Turkmenistan on dividing the seabed and contested oilfields in the middle of the Caspian; Azerbaijan and Georgia continue to discuss the alignment of their boundary at certain crossing areas refugees (country of origin): 8,367 (Russia) IDPs: 528,000 (conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh) (2005) Albania Between 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated physical infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since first holding multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. International observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a decisive victory on pledges of reducing crime and corruption, promoting economic growth, and decreasing the size of government. The election, and particularly the orderly transition of power, was considered an important step forward. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure. Albania has played a largely helpful role in managing inter-ethnic tensions in southeastern Europe, and is continuing to work toward joining NATO and the EU. Albania, with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been a strong supporter of the global war on terrorism. Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece and Serbia and Montenegro 41 00 N, 20 00 E Europe total: 28,748 sq km land: 27,398 sq km water: 1,350 sq km slightly smaller than Maryland total: 720 km border countries: Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Montenegro 172 km, Serbia 115 km 362 km territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower arable land: 20.1% permanent crops: 4.21% other: 75.69% (2005) 3,530 sq km (2003) destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea) 3,581,655 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 24.8% (male 464,954/female 423,003) 15-64 years: 66.3% (male 1,214,942/female 1,158,562) 65 years and over: 8.9% (male 148,028/female 172,166) (2006 est.) total: 28.9 years male: 28.3 years female: 29.5 years (2006 est.) 0.52% (2006 est.) 15.11 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 5.22 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -4.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 20.75 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 77.43 years male: 74.78 years female: 80.34 years (2006 est.) 2.03 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: Albanian(s) adjective: Albanian Albanian 95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Roma (Gypsy), Serb, Macedonian, Bulgarian) (1989 est.) note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from 1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization) Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10% note: percentages are estimates; there are no available current statistics on religious affiliation; all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects definition: age 9 and over can read and write total population: 86.5% male: 93.3% female: 79.5% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Albania conventional short form: Albania local long form: Republika e Shqiperise local short form: Shqiperia former: People's Socialist Republic of Albania emerging democracy name: Tirana (Tirane) geographic coordinates: 41 20 N, 19 50 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Qarku i Beratit, Qarku i Dibres, Qarku i Durresit, Qarku i Elbasanit, Qarku i Fierit, Qarku i Gjirokastres, Qarku i Korces, Qarku i Kukesit, Qarku i Lezhes, Qarku i Shkodres, Qarku i Tiranes, Qarku i Vlores 28 November 1912 (from Ottoman Empire) Independence Day, 28 November (1912) adopted by popular referendum on 28 November 1998 has a civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; has accepted jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court for its citizens 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President of the Republic Alfred MOISIU (since 24 July 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Sali BERISHA (since 10 September 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, nominated by the president, and approved by parliament elections: president elected by the People's Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 24 June 2002 (next to be held June 2007); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Alfred MOISIU elected president; People's Assembly vote by number - total votes 116, for 97, against 19 unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi (140 seats; 100 are elected by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote for four-year terms) elections: last held 3 July 2005 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PD 56, PS 42, PR 11, PSD 7, LSI 5, other 19 Constitutional Court, Supreme Court (chairman is elected by the People's Assembly for a four-year term), and multiple appeals and district courts Agrarian Environmentalist Party or PAA [Lufter XHUVELI]; Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Nikolle LESI]; Communist Party of Albania or PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Neritan CEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; Legality Movement Party or PLL [Ekrem SPAHIU]; Liberal Union Party or PBL [Arjan STAROVA]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or BNK [Adriatik ALIMADHI]; New Democratic Party or PDR [Genc POLLO]; Party of National Unity or PUK [Idajet BEQIRI]; Renewed Democratic Party or PDRN [Dashamir SHEHI]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU]; Social Democracy Party or PDS [Paskal MILO]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI [Ilir META]; Socialist Party or PS [Edi RAMA]; Union for Human Rights Party or PBDNj [Vangjel DULE] Citizens Advocacy Office [Kreshnik SPAHIU]; Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania or KSSH [Kastriot MUCO]; Front for Albanian National Unification or FBKSH [Gafur ADILI]; Mjaft Movement [Erion VELIAJ]; Omonia [Jani JANI]; Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania or BSPSH [Gezim KALAJA] BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, OIC, OIF (associate member), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Kreshnik COLLAKU chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942 FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342 chief of mission: Ambassador Marcie B. RIES embassy: Rruga Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana mailing address: U. S. Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Dulles, VA 20189-9510 telephone: [355] (4) 247285 FAX: [355] (4) 374957 and [355] (4) 232222 red with a black two-headed eagle in the center Lagging behind its Balkan neighbors, Albania is making the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. The government has taken measures to curb violent crime and to spur economic activity and trade. The economy is bolstered by annual remittances from abroad of $600-$800 million, mostly from Greece and Italy; this helps offset the towering trade deficit. Agriculture, which accounts for about one-quarter of GDP, is held back because of frequent drought and the need to modernize equipment, to clarify property rights, and to consolidate small plots of land. Energy shortages and antiquated and inadequate infrastructure contribute to Albania's poor business environment, which make it difficult to attract and sustain foreign investment. The planned construction of a new thermal power plant near Vlore and improved transmission and distribution facilities will help relieve the energy shortages. Also, the government is moving slowly to improve the poor national road and rail network, a long-standing barrier to sustained economic growth. On the positive side: growth was strong in 2003-05 and inflation is not a problem. $18.97 billion note: Albania has a large gray economy that may be as large as 50% of official GDP (2005 est.) $8.657 billion (2005 est.) 5.5% (2005 est.) $4,900 (2005 est.) agriculture: 23.2% industry: 18.8% services: 57.9% (2005 est.) 1.09 million (not including 352,000 emigrant workers) (2004 est.) agriculture: 58% industry: 19% services: 23% (2004 est.) 14.3% official rate, but may exceed 30% (2005 est.) 25% (2004 est.) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 28.2 (2002) 2.4% (2005 est.) 22.4% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $1.96 billion expenditures: $2.377 billion; including capital expenditures of $500 million (2005 est.) wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower 3.1% (2004 est.) 5.68 billion kWh (2004) 6.76 billion kWh (2004) 200 million kWh (2003) 1.08 billion kWh (2004 est.) 3,600 bbl/day (2005 est.) 25,200 bbl/day (2005 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005 est.) 21,600 bbl/day (2005 est.) 185.5 million bbl (1 January 2002) 30 million cu m (2003 est.) 30 million cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 2.832 billion cu m (1 January 2002) -$416 million (2005 est.) $650.1 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco Italy 63%, France 9.5%, US 5.6%, Germany 4.1% (2005) $2.473 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals Italy 33%, Greece 18.7%, Turkey 8.5%, Germany 6.2% (2005) $1.461 billion (2005 est.) $1.55 billion (2004) ODA: $366 million (top donors were Italy, EU, Germany) (2003 est.) lek (ALL) leke per US dollar - 102.649 (2005), 102.78 (2004), 121.863 (2003), 140.155 (2002), 143.485 (2001) calendar year 255,000 (2003) 1.1 million (2003) general assessment: despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines remains the lowest in Europe with roughly eight lines per 100 people; however, cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective domestic: offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile phone service has been available since 1996; by 2003 two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of Albania's Balkan neighbors international: country code - 355; inadequate fixed main lines; adequate cellular connections; international traffic carried by fiber optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2003) AM 13, FM 46 (3 national, 62 local), shortwave 1 (2005) 65 (3 national, 62 local); note - 2 cable networks (2005) .al 749 (2005) 75,000 (2005) 11 (2006) total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2006) total: 8 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2006) 1 (2006) gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2004) total: 447 km standard gauge: 447 km 1.435-m gauge (2005) total: 18,000 km paved: 7,020 km unpaved: 10,980 km (2002) 43 km (2006) total: 24 ships (1000 GRT or over) 52,987 GRT/79,863 DWT by type: cargo 23, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 1 (Turkey 1) registered in other countries: 1 (Georgia 1) (2006) Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore General Staff Headquarters, Land Forces Command (Army), Naval Forces Command, Air Defense Command, Logistics Command, Training and Doctrine Command 19 years of age (2004) males age 19-49: 809,524 females age 19-49: 784,199 (2005 est.) males age 19-49: 668,526 females age 19-49: 648,334 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 37,407 females age 19-49: 34,587 (2005 est.) $56.5 million (FY02) 1.49% (FY02) the Albanian Government calls for the protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians in neighboring countries, and the peaceful resolution of interethnic disputes; some ethnic Albanian groups in neighboring countries advocate for a "greater Albania," but the idea has little appeal among Albanian nationals; thousands of unemployed Albanians emigrate annually to nearby Italy and other developed countries Armenia Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. During World War I in the western portion of Armenia, Ottoman Turkey instituted a policy of forced resettlement coupled with other harsh practices that resulted in an estimated 1 million Armenian deaths. The eastern area of Armenia was ceded by the Ottomans to Russia in 1828; this portion declared its independence in 1918, but was conquered by the Soviet Red Army in 1920. Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Muslim Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle escalated after both countries attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold, Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also a significant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of both sides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution. Turkey imposed an economic blockade on Armenia and closed the common border because of the Armenian occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas. Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey 40 00 N, 45 00 E Asia total: 29,800 sq km land: 28,400 sq km water: 1,400 sq km slightly smaller than Maryland total: 1,254 km border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) highland continental, hot summers, cold winters Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley lowest point: Debed River 400 m highest point: Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, alumina arable land: 16.78% permanent crops: 2.01% other: 81.21% (2005) 2,860 sq km (2003) occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; the energy crisis of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a seismically active zone party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range 2,976,372 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 20.5% (male 322,189/female 286,944) 15-64 years: 68.4% (male 949,975/female 1,085,484) 65 years and over: 11.1% (male 133,411/female 198,369) (2006 est.) total: 30.4 years male: 27.8 years female: 33.2 years (2006 est.) -0.19% (2006 est.) 12.07 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 8.23 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -5.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.17 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 22.47 deaths/1,000 live births male: 27.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 71.84 years male: 68.25 years female: 76.02 years (2006 est.) 1.33 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.1% (2003 est.) 2,600 (2003 est.) less than 200 (2003 est.) noun: Armenian(s) adjective: Armenian Armenian 97.9%, Yezidi (Kurd) 1.3%, Russian 0.5%, other 0.3% (2001 census) Armenian Apostolic 94.7%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (monotheist with elements of nature worship) 1.3% Armenian 97.7%, Yezidi 1%, Russian 0.9%, other 0.4% (2001 census) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.6% male: 99.4% female: 98% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Armenia conventional short form: Armenia local long form: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun local short form: Hayastan former: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic; Armenian Republic republic name: Yerevan geographic coordinates: 40 11 N, 44 30 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan 21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) Independence Day, 21 September (1991) adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995; amendments adopted through a nationwide referendum 27 November 2005 based on civil law system 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Robert KOCHARIAN (since 30 March 1998) head of government: Prime Minister Andranik MARGARYAN (since 12 May 2000) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 19 February and 5 March 2003 (next to be held in 2008); prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed with the majority support of the National Assembly; the prime minister and Council of Ministers must resign if the National Assembly refuses to accept their program election results: Robert KOCHARIAN reelected president; percent of vote - Robert KOCHARIAN 67.5%, Stepan DEMIRCHYAN 32.5% unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; 90 members elected by party list, 41 by direct vote) elections: last held 25 May 2003 (next to be held in the spring of 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - Republican Party 23.5%, Justice Bloc 13.6%, Rule of Law 12.3%, ARF (Dashnak) 11.4%, National Unity Party 8.8%, United Labor Party 5.7%; seats by faction - Republican Party 39, Rule of Law 20, Justice Bloc 14, ARF (Dashnak) 11, National Unity 7, United Labor 6, People's Deputy Group 16, independent (not in faction or group) 18; note - as of 10 March 2006; voting blocs in the legislature are more properly termed factions and can be composed of members of several parties; seats by faction change frequently as deputies switch parties or announce themselves independent Constitutional Court; Court of Cassation (Appeals Court) Agro-Industrial Party [Vladimir BADALYAN]; Armenia Party [Myasnik MALKHASYAN]; Armenian National Movement or ANM [Alex ARZUMANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Ramkavar Liberal Party or HRAK [Harutyun MIRZAKHANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Revolutionary Federation ("Dashnak" Party) or ARF [Levon MKRTCHYAN]; Democratic Party [Aram SARKISYAN]; Justice Bloc (comprised of the Democratic Party, National Democratic Party, National Democratic Union, the People's Party, and the Republic Party) [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; National Democratic Party [Shavarsh KOCHARIAN]; National Democratic Union or NDU [Vazgen MANUKIAN]; National Revival Party [Albert BAZEYAN]; National Unity Party [Artashes GEGHAMYAN, chairman]; People's Party of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; Republic Party [Aram SARKISYAN, chairman]; Republican Party or RPA [Andranik MARGARYAN]; Rule of Law Party [Samvel BALASANYAN]; Union of Constitutional Rights [Hrant KHACHATURYAN]; United Labor Party [Gurgen ARSENYAN] Yerkrapah Union [Manvel GRIGORIAN] ACCT (observer), AsDB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Tatoul MARKARIAN chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles chief of mission: Ambassador John M. EVANS embassy: 1 American Ave., Yerevan 375082 mailing address: American Embassy Yerevan, Department of State, 7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020 telephone: [374](10) 464-700 FAX: [374](10) 464-742 three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia had developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics in exchange for raw materials and energy. Since the implosion of the USSR in December 1991, Armenia has switched to small-scale agriculture away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet era. The agricultural sector has long-term needs for more investment and updated technology. The privatization of industry has been at a slower pace, but has been given renewed emphasis by the current administration. Armenia is a food importer, and its mineral deposits (copper, gold, bauxite) are small. The ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the breakup of the centrally directed economic system of the former Soviet Union contributed to a severe economic decline in the early 1990s. By 1994, however, the Armenian Government had launched an ambitious IMF-sponsored economic liberalization program that resulted in positive growth rates in 1995-2005. Armenia joined the WTO in January 2003. Armenia also has managed to slash inflation, stabilize its currency, and privatize most small- and medium-sized enterprises. Armenia's unemployment rate, however, remains high, despite strong economic growth. The chronic energy shortages Armenia suffered in the early and mid-1990s have been offset by the energy supplied by one of its nuclear power plants at Metsamor. Armenia is now a net energy exporter, although it does not have sufficient generating capacity to replace Metsamor, which is under international pressure to close. The electricity distribution system was privatized in 2002. Armenia's severe trade imbalance has been offset somewhat by international aid, remittances from Armenians working abroad, and foreign direct investment. Economic ties with Russia remain close, especially in the energy sector. The government made some improvements in tax and customs administration in 2005, but anti-corruption measures will be more difficult to implement. Investment in the construction and industrial sectors is expected to continue in 2006 and will help to ensure annual average real GDP growth of about 13.9%. $13.46 billion (2005 est.) $4.868 billion (2005 est.) 13.9% (2005 est.) $4,500 (2005 est.) agriculture: 23.9% industry: 34.3% services: 41.8% (2005 est.) 1.2 million (2005) agriculture: 45% industry: 25% services: 30% (2002 est.) 31.6% (2004 est.) 43% (2003 est.) lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 41.3% (2004) 41.3 (2004) 0.6% (2005 est.) 21.4% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $786.1 million expenditures: $930.7 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock diamond-processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, jewelry manufacturing, software development, food processing, brandy 7.5% (2005 est.) 6.317 billion kWh (2005) 4.374 billion kWh (2005) 650 million kWh; note - exports an unknown quantity to Georgia; includes exports to Nagorno-Karabakh region in Azerbaijan (2003) 463 million kWh; note - imports an unknown quantity from Iran (2003) 0 bbl/day (2005) 40,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2005 est.) 1.685 billion cu m (2005 est.) 0 cu m (2005 est.) 1.685 billion cu m (2005 est.) -$118 million (2005 est.) $800 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy Germany 15.6%, Netherlands 13.7%, Belgium 12.8%, Russia 12.2%, Israel 11.5%, US 11.2%, Georgia 4.8% (2005) $1.5 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds Russia 13.5%, Belgium 8%, Germany 7.9%, Ukraine 7%, Turkmenistan 6.3%, US 6.2%, Israel 5.8%, Iran 5%, Romania 4.2% (2005) $754.9 million (2005 est.) $1.819 billion (20 September 2005) ODA, $254 million (2004) dram (AMD) drams per US dollar - 457.69 (2005), 533.45 (2004), 578.76 (2003), 573.35 (2002), 555.08 (2001) calendar year 582,500 (2004) 203,300 (2004) general assessment: system inadequate; now 90% privately owned and undergoing modernization and expansion domestic: the majority of subscribers and the most modern equipment are in Yerevan (this includes paging and mobile cellular service) international: country code - 374; Yerevan is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable through Iran; additional international service is available by microwave radio relay and landline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States and through the Moscow international switch and by satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 3 (2005) AM 9, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998) 3 (plus an unknown number of repeaters) (1998) .am 8,852 (2005) 150,000 (2005) 13 (2006) total: 11 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2006) total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006) gas 1,871 km (2004) total: 845 km broad gauge: 845 km 1.520-m gauge (828 km electrified) note: some lines are out of service (2005) total: 7,633 km paved: 7,633 km (includes 1,561 km of expressways) (2003) Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Nagorno-Karabakh Self Defense Force (NKSDF), Air Force, Air Defense Force (2006) 18 to 27 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2004) males age 18-49: 722,836 females age 18-49: 795,084 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 551,938 females age 18-49: 656,493 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 31,774 females age 18-49: 31,182 (2005 est.) $135 million (FY01) 6.5% (FY01) Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and since the early 1990s, has militarily occupied 16% of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; over 800,000 mostly ethnic Azerbaijanis were driven from the occupied lands and Armenia; about 230,000 ethnic Armenians were driven from their homes in Azerbaijan into Armenia; Azerbaijan seeks transit route through Armenia to connect to Naxcivan exclave; border with Turkey remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakh dispute; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy; tens of thousands of Armenians emigrate, primarily to Russia, to seek employment refugees (country of origin): 235,101 (Azerbaijan) IDPs: 50,000 (conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh) (2005) Andorra For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes. Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain 42 30 N, 1 30 E Europe total: 468 sq km land: 468 sq km water: 0 sq km 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC total: 120.3 km border countries: France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys lowest point: Riu Runer 840 m highest point: Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead arable land: 2.13% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.87% (2005) NA avalanches deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal party to: Hazardous Wastes signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees 71,201 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 14.7% (male 5,456/female 4,994) 15-64 years: 71.4% (male 26,632/female 24,172) 65 years and over: 14% (male 4,918/female 5,029) (2006 est.) total: 40.9 years male: 41.2 years female: 40.7 years (2006 est.) 0.89% (2006 est.) 8.71 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 6.25 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 6.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/female total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 4.04 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 83.51 years male: 80.61 years female: 86.61 years (2006 est.) 1.3 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: Andorran(s) adjective: Andorran Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6% (1998) Roman Catholic (predominant) Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese definition: NA total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% conventional long form: Principality of Andorra conventional short form: Andorra local long form: Principat d'Andorra local short form: Andorra parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its chiefs of state a coprincipality; the two princes are the president of France and bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain, who are represented locally by coprinces' representatives name: Andorra la Vella geographic coordinates: 42 30 N, 1 30 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria 1278 (formed under the joint suzerainty of the French count of Foix and the Spanish bishop of Urgel) Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278) Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991, approved by referendum 14 March 1993, effective 4 May 1993 based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal chief of state: French Coprince Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995), represented by Philippe MASSONI (since 26 July 2002); Spanish Coprince Bishop Joan Enric VIVES i SICILIA (since 12 May 2003), represented by Nemesi MARQUES i OSTE (since NA) head of government: Executive Council President Albert PINTAT SANTOLARIA (since 27 May 2005) cabinet: Executive Council or Govern designated by the Executive Council president elections: Executive Council president elected by the General Council and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year term; election last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held April-May 2009) election results: Albert PINTAT SANTOLARIA elected executive council president; percent of General Council vote - NA unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de las Valls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 from a single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the seven parishes; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held March-April 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - PLA 41.2%, PS 38.1%, CDA-S21 11%, other 9.7%; seats by party - PLA 14, PS 12, CDA-S21 2 Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justice or Consell Superior de la Justicia; Fiscal Ministry or Ministeri Fiscal; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional Andorran Democratic Center Party or CDA (formerly Democratic Party or PD); Century 21 or S21 [Enric TARRADO]; Liberal Party of Andorra or PLA (formerly Liberal Union or UL) [Albert PINTAT]; Social Democratic Party or PS (formerly part of National Democratic Group or AND) [Jaume BARTUMEU CASSANY] NA CE, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, OIF (associate member), OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WToO, WTO (observer) chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jelena V. PIA-COMELLA chancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064 FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630 the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US Ambassador to Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; telephone: [34] (93) 280-2227; FAX: [34] (93) 280-6175 three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coat of arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for more than 80% of GDP. An estimated 11.6 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage has recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spain have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and lower tariffs. The banking sector, with its partial "tax haven" status, also contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is limited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most food has to be imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising. Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs) and as a non-EU member for agricultural products. $1.84 billion (2004) NA 4% (2004 est.) $24,000 (2004) agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% 48,740 (2004) agriculture: 0.34% industry: 19.63% services: 80.03% (2004) 0% (1996 est.) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 3.4% (2004) revenues: $373.5 million expenditures: $373.5 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2004) small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking NA% NA kWh NA kWh NA kWh NA kWh; note - most electricity supplied by Spain and France; Andorra generates a small amount of hydropower $145 million f.o.b. (2004) tobacco products, furniture Spain 58%, France 34% (2004) $1.077 billion (1998) consumer goods, food, electricity Spain 51.5%, France 22.3%, US 0.3% (2004) $NA none euro (EUR) euros per US dollar - 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001) calendar year 35,000 (2001) 51,900 (2003) general assessment: NA domestic: modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges international: country code - 376; landline circuits to France and Spain AM 0, FM 15, shortwave 0 (1998) 0 (1997) .ad 7,058 (2005) 11,000 (2004) total: 269 km paved: 198 km unpaved: 71 km no regular military forces, Police Service of Andorra males age 18-49: 18,418 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 14,721 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 369 (2005 est.) defense is the responsibility of France and Spain Angola Angola is slowly rebuilding its country after the end of a 27-year civil war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in 1975. Peace seemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, but UNITA renewed fighting after being beaten by the MPLA at the polls. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost - and 4 million people displaced - in the quarter century of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and strengthened the MPLA's hold on power. DOS SANTOS has pledged to hold legislative elections in 2006. Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo 12 30 S, 18 30 E Africa total: 1,246,700 sq km land: 1,246,700 sq km water: 0 sq km slightly less than twice the size of Texas total: 5,198 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km 1,600 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April) narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium arable land: 2.65% permanent crops: 0.23% other: 97.12% (2005) 800 sq km (2003) locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropical rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo 12,127,071 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 43.7% (male 2,678,185/female 2,625,933) 15-64 years: 53.5% (male 3,291,954/female 3,195,688) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 148,944/female 186,367) (2006 est.) total: 18 years male: 18 years female: 18 years (2006 est.) 2.45% (2006 est.) 45.11 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 24.2 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 3.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 185.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 197.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 172.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 38.62 years male: 37.47 years female: 39.83 years (2006 est.) 6.35 children born/woman (2006 est.) 3.9% (2003 est.) 240,000 (2003 est.) 21,000 (2003 est.) degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) are high risks in some locations respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2005) noun: Angolan(s) adjective: Angolan Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22% indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.) Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 66.8% male: 82.1% female: 53.8% (2001 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Angola conventional short form: Angola local long form: Republica de Angola local short form: Angola former: People's Republic of Angola republic; multiparty presidential regime name: Luanda geographic coordinates: 8 48 S, 13 14 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire 11 November 1975 (from Portugal) Independence Day, 11 November (1975) 11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March 1991, and 26 August 1992; note - a new constitution will likely be passed following the next legislative election based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recently modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; Fernando de Piedade Dias DOS SANTOS was appointed Prime Minister on 6 December 2002 cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by universal ballot for a five-year term (eligible for a second consecutive or discontinuous term) under the 1992 constitution; President DOS SANTOS originally elected (in 1979) without opposition under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held September 2006 or 2007) election results: Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; the run-off was not held and SAVIMBI's National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) repudiated the results of the first election; the civil war resumed leaving DOS SANTOS in his current position as the president unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held September 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 54%, UNITA 34%, other 12%; seats by party - MPLA 129, UNITA 70, PRS 6, FNLA 5, PLD 3, other 7 Supreme Court and separate provincial courts (judges are appointed by the president) Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Analia de Victoria PEREIRA]; National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [disputed leadership: Lucas NGONDA, Holden ROBERTO]; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA [Isaias SAMAKUVA] (largest opposition party); Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS] (ruling party in power since 1975); Social Renewal Party or PRS [disputed leadership: Eduardo KUANGANA, Antonio MUACHICUNGO] note: about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 elections but only won a few seats; they and the other 115 smaller parties have little influence in the National Assembly Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zita Henriques TIAGO, Antonio Bento BEMBE] note: FLEC's small-scale, highly factionalized armed struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province has largely ended ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKITI chancery: 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258 consulate(s) general: Houston, New York chief of mission: Ambassador Cynthia EFIRD embassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area of Luanda), Luanda mailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda; pouch: US Embassy Luanda, Department of State, 2550 Luanda Place, Washington, DC 20521-2550 telephone: [244] (222) 64-1000 FAX: [244] (222) 64-1232 two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle) Angola's high growth rate is driven by its oil sector, with record oil prices and rising petroleum production. Oil production and its supporting activities contribute about half of GDP and 90% of exports. Increased oil production supported 12% growth in 2004 and 19% growth in 2005. A postwar reconstruction boom and resettlement of displaced persons has led to high rates of growth in construction and agriculture as well. Much of the country's infrastructure is still damaged or undeveloped from the 27-year-long civil war. Remnants of the conflict such as widespread land mines still mar the countryside even though an apparently durable peace was established after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI in February 2002. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for half of the population, but half of the country's food must still be imported. In 2005, the government started using a $2 billion line of credit from China to rebuild Angola's public infrastructure, and several large-scale projects are scheduled for completion by 2006. The central bank in 2003 implemented an exchange rate stabilization program using foreign exchange reserves to buy kwanzas out of circulation, a policy that was more sustainable in 2005 because of strong oil export earnings, and has significantly reduced inflation. Consumer inflation declined from 325% in 2000 to about 18% in 2005, but the stabilization policy places pressure on international net liquidity. To fully take advantage of its rich national resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to continue reforming government policies and to reduce corruption. The government has made sufficient progress on reforms recommended by the IMF such as promoting greater transparency in government spending but continues to be without a formal monitoring agreement with the institution. $45.93 billion (2005 est.) $24.35 billion (2005 est.) 19.1% (2005 est.) $3,200 (2005 est.) agriculture: 9.6% industry: 65.8% services: 24.6% (2005 est.) 5.58 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 85% industry and services: 15% (2003 est.) extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than half the population (2001 est.) 70% (2003 est.) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 23% (2005 est.) 30.3% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $8.5 billion expenditures: $10 billion; including capital expenditures of $963 million (2005 est.) 38.3% of GDP (2005 est.) bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; ship repair 13.5% (2004) 2.24 billion kWh (2004) 1.9 billion kWh (2004) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 1.6 million bbl/day (2005 est.) 46,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 25 billion bbl (2005 est.) 720 million cu m (2003 est.) 720 million cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 45.87 billion cu m (2005) $4.054 billion (2005 est.) $26.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton US 39.8%, China 29.6%, France 7.8%, Chile 5.4%, Taiwan 4.4% (2005) $8.165 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods South Korea 21.1%, Portugal 13.8%, US 12.9%, South Africa 7.6%, Brazil 5.7%, France 5.4%, China 5.2% (2005) $3.197 billion (2005 est.) $9.401 billion (2005 est.) $383.5 million (1999) kwanza (AOA) kwanza per US dollar - 88.6 (2005), 83.541 (2004), 74.606 (2003), 43.53 (2002), 22.058 (2001) calendar year 94,300 (2005) 1,094,100 (2005) general assessment: telephone service limited mostly to government and business use; HF radiotelephone used extensively for military links domestic: limited system of wire, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter international: country code - 244; satellite earth stations - 29; fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia (2005) AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2000) 6 (2000) .ao 2,502 (2005) 172,000 (2005) 244 (2006) total: 31 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 213 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 30 914 to 1,523 m: 95 under 914 m: 81 (2006) gas 214 km; liquid natural gas 14 km; liquid petroleum gas 30 km; oil 837 km; refined products 56 km (2004) total: 2,761 km narrow gauge: 2,638 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2005) total: 51,429 km paved: 5,349 km unpaved: 46,080 km (2001) 1,300 km (2005) total: 4 ships (1000 GRT or over) 4,343 GRT/4,643 DWT by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1 registered in other countries: 5 (Bahamas 5) (2006) Cabinda, Luanda, Soyo Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra, MdG), Air and Air Defense Forces (FANA) (2006) 17 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - two years plus time for training (2001) males age 17-49: 2,548,455 females age 17-49: 2,462,601 (2005 est.) males age 17-49: 1,282,195 females age 17-49: 1,256,390 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 126,694 females age 17-49: 123,586 (2005 est.) $2 billion (2005 est.) 8.8% (2005 est.) many Cabinda exclave secessionists have sought shelter in neighboring states refugees (country of origin): 13,510 (Democratic Republic of Congo) IDPs: 40,000-60,000 (27-year civil war ending in 2002; 4 million IDPs already have returned) (2005) American Samoa Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered" by European explorers in the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year. Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand 14 20 S, 170 00 W Oceania total: 199 sq km land: 199 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island slightly larger than Washington, DC 0 km 116 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October); little seasonal temperature variation five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island) lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Lata Mountain 964 m pumice, pumicite arable land: 10% permanent crops: 15% other: 75% (2005) NA typhoons common from December to March limited natural fresh water resources; the water division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to improve water catchments and pipelines Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean 57,794 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 34.7% (male 10,388/female 9,654) 15-64 years: 62.4% (male 18,698/female 17,350) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 633/female 1,071) (2006 est.) total: 23.2 years male: 22.9 years female: 23.4 years (2006 est.) -0.19% (2006 est.) 22.46 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 3.27 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -21.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 9.07 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 76.05 years male: 72.48 years female: 79.82 years (2006 est.) 3.16 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: American Samoan(s) (US nationals) adjective: American Samoan native Pacific islander 92.9%, Asian 2.9%, white 1.2%, mixed 2.8%, other 0.2% (2000 census) Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30% Samoan 90.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 2.9%, Tongan 2.4%, other Pacific islander 2.1%, other 2% note: most people are bilingual (2000 census) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 98% female: 97% (1980 est.) conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa conventional short form: American Samoa abbreviation: AS unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior NA name: Pago Pago geographic coordinates: 14 16 S, 170 42 W time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three districts and two islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western none (territory of the US) Flag Day, 17 April (1900) ratified 2 June 1966, effective 1 July 1967 NA 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001) head of government: Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 7 April 2003) cabinet: Cabinet made up of 12 department directors elections: under the US Consitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as American Samoa, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 2 and 16 November 2004 (next to be held November 2008) election results: Togiola TULAFONO elected governor; percent of vote - Togiola TULAFONO 55.7%, Afoa Moega LUTU 44.3% bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the House of Representatives (21 seats - 20 of which are elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms) and the Senate (18 seats; members are elected from local chiefs and serve four-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2006); Senate - last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2008) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - independents 18 note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2006); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA (Democrat) reelected as delegate High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior) Democratic Party [Oreta M. TOGAFAU]; Republican Party [Tautai A. F. FAALEVAO] NA Interpol (subbureau), IOC, SPC, UPU none (territory of the US) none (territory of the US) blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the outer side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club American Samoa has a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the US with which American Samoa conducts most of its foreign trade. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well being. Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism is a promising developing sector. $500 million (2000 est.) NA NA% $5,800 (2005 est.) agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% 30,200 (2005) agriculture: 34% industry: 33% services: 33% (1990) 29.8% (2005) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% NA% revenues: $121 million (37% in local revenue and 63% in US grants) expenditures: $127 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (FY96/97) bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts NA% 130 million kWh (2003) 120.9 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003) 4,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $445.6 million (2004 est.) canned tuna 93% (2004 est.) Samoa 28.9%, Indonesia 26.8%, Australia 14.5%, Japan 10.6%, NZ 7.2% (2005) $308.8 million (2004 est.) materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%, machinery and parts 6% (2004 est.) Australia 74.1%, NZ 13.5%, UK 3.7% (2005) $NA important financial support from the US, more than $40 million in 1994 US dollar (USD) the US dollar is used 1 October - 30 September 15,000 (2001) 2,377 (1999) general assessment: NA domestic: good telex, telegraph, facsimile and cellular telephone services; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station international: country code - 1-684; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat-Pacific Ocean) AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2006) 1 (Low Power TV); note - one cable TV station (2006) .as 1,430 (2005) NA 3 (2006) total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006) total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 185 km (2004) Pago Pago defense is the responsibility of the US Argentina Following independence from Spain in 1816, Argentina experienced periods of internal political conflict between conservatives and liberals and between civilian and military factions. After World War II, a long period of Peronist authoritarian rule and interference in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983, and has persisted despite numerous challenges, the most formidable of which was a severe economic crisis in 2001-02 that led to violent public protests and the resignation of several interim presidents. Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay 34 00 S, 64 00 W South America total: 2,766,890 sq km land: 2,736,690 sq km water: 30,200 sq km slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US total: 9,665 km border countries: Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,224 km, Chile 5,150 km, Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 579 km 4,989 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border lowest point: Laguna del Carbon -105 m (located between Puerto San Julian and Comandante Luis Piedra Buena in the province of Santa Cruz) highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,960 m (located in the northwestern corner of the province of Mendoza) fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium arable land: 10.03% permanent crops: 0.36% other: 89.61% (2005) 15,500 sq km (2003) San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the pampas and northeast; heavy flooding environmental problems (urban and rural) typical of an industrializing economy such as deforestation, soil degradation, desertification, air pollution, and water pollution note: Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse gas targets party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Cerro Aconcagua is South America's tallest mountain, while Laguna del Carbon is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere 39,921,833 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 25.2% (male 5,153,164/female 4,921,625) 15-64 years: 64.1% (male 12,804,376/female 12,798,731) 65 years and over: 10.6% (male 1,740,118/female 2,503,819) (2006 est.) total: 29.7 years male: 28.8 years female: 30.7 years (2006 est.) 0.96% (2006 est.) 16.73 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 7.55 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 14.73 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 76.12 years male: 72.38 years female: 80.05 years (2006 est.) 2.16 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.7% (2001 est.) 130,000 (2001 est.) 1,500 (2003 est.) noun: Argentine(s) adjective: Argentine white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry), Amerindian, or other non-white groups 3% nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4% Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.1% male: 97.1% female: 97.1% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Argentine Republic conventional short form: Argentina local long form: Republica Argentina local short form: Argentina republic name: Buenos Aires geographic coordinates: 34 36 S, 58 27 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 autonomous city* (distrito federal); Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires Capital Federal*, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Cordoba, Corrientes, Entre Rios, Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquen, Rio Negro, Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, Tierra del Fuego - Antartida e Islas del Atlantico Sur, Tucuman note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica 9 July 1816 (from Spain) Revolution Day, 25 May (1810) 1 May 1853; revised August 1994 mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal and compulsory chief of state: President Nestor KIRCHNER (since 25 May 2003); Vice President Daniel SCIOLI (since 25 May 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Nestor KIRCHNER (since 25 May 2003); Vice President Daniel SCIOLI (since 25 May 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 27 April 2003 (next election to be held in 2007) election results: results of the presidential election of 27 April 2003: Carlos Saul MENEM 24.3%, Nestor KIRCHNER 22%, Ricardo Lopez MURPHY 16.4%, Adolfo Rodriguez SAA 14.4%, Elisa CARRIO 14.2%, other 8.7%; the subsequent runoff election slated for 25 May 2003 was awarded to KIRCHNER by default after MENEM withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the election bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate (72 seats; members are elected by direct vote; presently one-third of the members elected every two years to a six-year term) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; members are elected by direct vote; one-half of the members elected every two years to a four-year term) elections: Senate - last held 23 October 2005 (next to be held in 2007); Chamber of Deputies - last held last held 23 October 2005 (next to be held in 2007) election results: Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - FV 45.1%, FJ 17.2%, UCR 7.5%, other 30.2%; seats by bloc or party - FV 14, FJ 3, UCR 2, other 5; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by bloc or party - FV 29.9%, UCR 8.9%, ARI 7.2%, PJ 6.7%, PRO 6.2%, FJ 3.9%, other 37.2%; seats by bloc or party - FV 50, UCR 10, ARI 8, PJ 9, PRO 9, FJ 7, other 34 Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (the nine Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president with approval by the Senate) Alternative for a Republic of Equals or ARI [Elisa CARRIO]; Front for Victory or FV [Nestor KIRCHNER]; Interbloque Federal or IF (a broad coalition of approximately 12 parties including RECREAR); Justicialist Front or FJ [Eduardo DUHALDE]; Justicialist Party or PJ (Peronist umbrella political organization); Radical Civic Union or UCR [Roberto IGLESIAS]; Republican Initiative Alliance or PRO (including Federal Recreate Movement or RECREAR [Ricardo LOPEZ MURPHY] and Commitment for Change or CPC [Mauricio MACRI]); Socialist Party or PS [Ruben GIUSTINIANI]; Union For All [Patricia BULLRICH]; several provincial parties Argentine Association of Pharmaceutical Labs (CILFA); Argentine Industrial Union (manufacturers' association); Argentine Rural Society (large landowners' association); business organizations; Central of Argentine Workers or CTA (a radical union for employed and unemployed workers); General Confederation of Labor or CGT (Peronist-leaning umbrella labor organization); Peronist-dominated labor movement; Piquetero groups (popular protest organizations that can be either pro or anti-government); Roman Catholic Church; students ABEDA, AfDB, Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CSN, FAO, G-6, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMOVIC, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC chief of mission: Ambassador Jose Octavio BORDON chancery: 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 238-6400 FAX: [1] (202) 332-3171 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York chief of mission: Ambassador Lino GUTIERREZ embassy: Avenida Colombia 4300, C1425GMN Buenos Aires mailing address: international mail: use street address; APO address: Unit 4334, APO AA 34034 telephone: [54] (11) 5777-4533 FAX: [54] (11) 5777-4240 three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with a human face known as the Sun of May Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Over the past decade, however, the country has suffered problems of inflation, external debt, capital flight, and budget deficits. Growth in 2000 was a negative 0.8%, as both domestic and foreign investors remained skeptical of the government's ability to pay debts and maintain the peso's fixed exchange rate with the US dollar. The economic situation worsened in 2001 with the widening of spreads on Argentine bonds, massive withdrawals from the banks, and a further decline in consumer and investor confidence. Government efforts to achieve a "zero deficit," to stabilize the banking system, and to restore economic growth proved inadequate in the face of the mounting economic problems. The peso's peg to the dollar was abandoned in January 2002, and the peso was floated in February. The exchange rate plunged and real GDP fell by 10.9% in 2002, but by mid-year the economy had stabilized, albeit at a lower level. GDP expanded by about 9% per year from 2003 to 2005. Growth is being led by a revival in domestic demand, solid exports, and favorable external conditions. The government boosted spending ahead of the October 2005 midterm congressional elections, but strong revenue performance allowed Argentina to maintain a budget surplus. Inflation has been rising steadily and reached 12.3 percent in 2005. $518.1 billion (2005 est.) $182 billion (2005 est.) 8.7% (2005 est.) $13,100 (2005 est.) agriculture: 9.5% industry: 35.8% services: 54.7% (2004 est.) 15.34 million (2005 est.) agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% 11.6% (2005 est.) 38.5% (June 2005) lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA 52.2 (2001) 9.6% (2005 est.) 21.5% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $42.63 billion expenditures: $39.98 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 72.5% of GDP (2005 est.) sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco, peanuts, tea, wheat; livestock food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel 7.7% (2005 est.) 87.16 billion kWh (2004) 82.97 billion kWh (2004) 2.07 billion kWh (2004) 1.561 billion kWh (2004) 745,000 bbl/day (2005 est.) 450,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 2.95 billion bbl (2005 est.) 41.04 billion cu m (2003 est.) 34.58 billion cu m (2003 est.) 6.05 billion cu m (2001 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 663.5 billion cu m (2005) $5.448 billion (2005 est.) $40 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) edible oils, fuels and energy, cereals, feed, motor vehicles Brazil 15.4%, US 10.9%, Chile 10.5%, China 8.4%, Spain 4% (2005) $28.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal manufactures, plastics Brazil 34.7%, US 16.9%, China 5.5%, Germany 5.3% (2005) $28.09 billion (2005 est.) $118.2 billion (2005 est.) $10 billion (2001 est.) Argentine peso (ARS) Argentine pesos per US dollar - 2.9037 (2005), 2.9233 (2004), 2.9006 (2003), 3.0633 (2002), 0.9995 (2001) calendar year 8.8 million (2005) 13,512,400 (2004) general assessment: by opening the telecommunications market to competition and foreign investment with the "Telecommunications Liberalization Plan of 1998," Argentina encouraged the growth of modern telecommunications technology; fiber-optic cable trunk lines are being installed between all major cities; the major networks are entirely digital and the availability of telephone service is improving; however, telephone density is presently minimal, and making telephone service universally available will take time domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber-optic cable, and a domestic satellite system with 40 earth stations serve the trunk network; more than 110,000 pay telephones are installed and mobile telephone use is rapidly expanding international: country code - 54; satellite earth stations - 112; Atlantis II and Unisur submarine cables; two international gateways near Buenos Aires (2005) AM 260 (including 10 inactive stations), FM NA (probably more than 1,000, mostly unlicensed), shortwave 6 (1998) 42 (plus 444 repeaters) (1997) .ar 1,233,175 (2005) 10 million (2005) 1,381 (2006) total: 154 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 65 914 to 1,523 m: 50 under 914 m: 9 (2006) total: 1,227 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 49 914 to 1,523 m: 587 under 914 m: 587 (2006) gas 27,166 km; liquid petroleum gas 41 km; oil 3,668 km; refined products 2,945 km; unknown (oil/water) 13 km (2004) total: 31,902 km broad gauge: 20,858 km 1.676-m gauge (141 km electrified) standard gauge: 2,885 km 1.435-m gauge (26 km electrified) narrow gauge: 7,922 km 1.000-m gauge; 237 km 0.750-m gauge (2005) total: 229,144 km paved: 68,809 km (including 734 km of expressways) unpaved: 160,335 km (2004) 11,000 km (2005) total: 41 ships (1000 GRT or over) 435,969 GRT/707,767 DWT by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 10, chemical tanker 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 21, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 11 (Chile 6, UK 4, Uruguay 1) registered in other countries: 24 (Bolivia 1, Chile 1, Liberia 7, Panama 9, Paraguay 3, Uruguay 3) (2006) Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Concepcion del Uruguay, La Plata, Punta Colorada, Rosario, San Lorenzo-San Martin, San Nicolas Argentine Army, Navy of the Argentine Republic (includes naval aviation and naval infantry), Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Argentina, FAA) (2005) 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001) males age 18-49: 8,981,886 females age 18-49: 8,883,756 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 7,316,038 females age 18-49: 7,442,589 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 344,575 females age 18-49: 334,649 (2005 est.) $4.3 billion (FY99) 1.3% (FY00) the Argentine military is a well-organized force constrained by the country's prolonged economic hardship; the country has recently experienced a strong recovery, and the military is now implementing "Plan 2000," aimed at making the ground forces lighter and more responsive (2005) Argentina continues to assert its claims to the UK-administered Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands in its constitution, forcibly occupying the Falklands in 1982, but in 1995 agreed no longer to seek settlement by force; territorial claim in Antarctica partially overlaps UK and Chilean claims (see Antarctic disputes); unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations; uncontested dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim River leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question; action by the joint boundary commission, established by Chile and Argentina in 2001, for mapping and demarcating the disputed boundary in the Andean Southern Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur) remains pending Australia Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia about 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession in the name of Great Britain. Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. In recent decades, Australia has transformed itself into an internationally competitive, advanced market economy. It boasted one of the OECD's fastest growing economies during the 1990s, a performance due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s. Long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef. Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean 27 00 S, 133 00 E Oceania total: 7,686,850 sq km land: 7,617,930 sq km water: 68,920 sq km note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states 0 km 25,760 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum arable land: 6.15% (includes about 27 million hectares of cultivated grassland) permanent crops: 0.04% other: 93.81% (2005) 25,450 sq km (2003) cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited natural fresh water resources party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; the invigorating tropical sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor" affects the city of Perth on the west coast, and is one of the most consistent winds in the world 20,264,082 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 19.6% (male 2,031,313/female 1,936,802) 15-64 years: 67.3% (male 6,881,863/female 6,764,709) 65 years and over: 13.1% (male 1,170,589/female 1,478,806) (2006 est.) total: 36.9 years male: 36 years female: 37.7 years (2006 est.) 0.85% (2006 est.) 12.14 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 7.51 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 3.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 4.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 80.5 years male: 77.64 years female: 83.52 years (2006 est.) 1.76 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.1% (2003 est.) 14,000 (2003 est.) less than 200 (2003 est.) noun: Australian(s) adjective: Australian Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1% Catholic 26.4%, Anglican 20.5%, other Christian 20.5%, Buddhist 1.9%, Muslim 1.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 12.7%, none 15.3% (2001 Census) English 79.1%, Chinese 2.1%, Italian 1.9%, other 11.1%, unspecified 5.8% (2001 Census) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia conventional short form: Australia federal parliamentary democracy name: Canberra geographic coordinates: 35 17 S, 149 08 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in October; ends last Sunday in March (ended first Sunday in April 2006) note: Australia is divided into three time zones 6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island, Macquarie Island 1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies) Australia Day, 26 January (1788) 9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901 based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal and compulsory chief of state: Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Michael JEFFERY (since 11 August 2003) head of government: Prime Minister John Winston HOWARD (since 11 March 1996); Deputy Prime Minister Mark VAILE (since 6 July 2005) cabinet: prime minister nominates, from among members of Parliament, candidates who are subsequently sworn in by the governor general to serve as government ministers elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor general note: government coalition - Liberal Party and National Party bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats - 12 from each of the six states and 2 from each of the two mainland territories; one-half of state members are elected every three years by popular vote to serve six-year terms while all territory members are elected every three years) and the House of Representatives (150 seats; members elected by popular preferential voting to serve terms of up to three-years; no state can have fewer than 5 representatives) elections: Senate - last held 9 October 2004 (next to be held no later than June 2008); House of Representatives - last held 9 October 2004 (next to be called no later than November 2007) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 39, Australian Labor Party 28, Democrats 4, Australian Greens 4, Family First Party 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 87, Australian Labor Party 60, independents 3 High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general) Australian Democrats [Lyn ALLISON]; Australian Greens [Bob BROWN]; Australian Labor Party [Kim BEAZLEY]; Country Liberal Party [Jodeen CARNEY]; Family First Party [Steve FIELDING]; Liberal Party [John Winston HOWARD]; The Nationals [Mark VAILE] ANZUS, APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, Paris Club, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMIS, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC chief of mission: Ambassador Dennis J. RICHARDSON chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000 FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad interim William A. STANTON embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600 mailing address: APO AP 96549 telephone: [61] (02) 6214-5600 FAX: [61] (02) 6214-5970 consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as the Commonwealth or Federation Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the six original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories; on the fly half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars Australia has an enviable Western-style capitalist economy with a per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West European economies. Rising output in the domestic economy, robust business and consumer confidence, and rising exports of raw materials and agricultural products are fueling the economy. Australia's emphasis on reforms, low inflation, and growing ties with China are other key factors behind the economy's strength. The impact of drought, weak foreign demand, and strong import demand pushed the trade deficit up from $8 billion in 2002, to $18 billion in 2003, $13 billion in 2004, and nearly $17 billion in 2005. Housing prices probably peaked in 2005, diminishing the prospect that interest rates would be raised to prevent a speculative bubble. Conservative fiscal policies have kept Australia's budget in surplus from 2002 to 2005. $640.1 billion (2005 est.) $612.8 billion (2005 est.) 2.5% (2005 est.) $31,900 (2005 est.) agriculture: 3.8% industry: 26.2% services: 70% (2004 est.) 10.42 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 3.6% industry: 21.2% services: 75.2% (2004 est.) 5.1% (2005 est.) NA% lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 25.4% (1994) 35.2 (1994) 2.7% (2005 est.) 25.9% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $249.8 billion expenditures: $240.2 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 16.1% of GDP (2005 est.) wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits, cattle, sheep, poultry mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel 1.1% (2005 est.) 237 billion kWh (2004) 221 billion kWh (2004) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 530,000 bbl/day (2005 est.) 875,600 bbl/day (2003 est.) 523,400 bbl/day (2001) 530,800 bbl/day (2001) 3.664 billion bbl (1 January 2002) 35.6 billion cu m (2003 est.) 25.08 billion cu m (2003 est.) 9.744 billion cu m (2001 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 2.549 trillion cu m (1 January 2002) -$42.09 billion (2005 est.) $103 billion (2005 est.) coal, gold, meat, wool, alumina, iron ore, wheat, machinery and transport equipment Japan 20.3%, China 11.5%, South Korea 7.9%, US 6.7%, NZ 6.5%, India 5% (2005) $119.6 billion (2005 est.) machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products US 13.9%, China 13.7%, Japan 11%, Singapore 5.6%, Germany 5.6% (2005) $43.26 billion (2005 est.) $323.4 billion (2005 est.) ODA, $894 million (FY99/00) Australian dollar (AUD) Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003), 1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001) 1 July - 30 June 11.66 million (2004) 16.48 million (2004) general assessment: excellent domestic and international service domestic: domestic satellite system; much use of radiotelephone in areas of low population density; rapid growth of mobile cellular telephones international: country code - 61; submarine cables to New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia; satellite earth stations - 19 (10 Intelsat - 4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean, 2 Inmarsat - Indian and Pacific Ocean regions, 2 Globalstar, 5 other) (2005) AM 262, FM 345, shortwave 1 (1998) 104 (1997) .au 5,351,622 (2005) 14,189,544 (2005) 455 (2006) total: 311 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 133 914 to 1,523 m: 143 under 914 m: 13 (2006) total: 144 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 111 under 914 m: 15 (2006) 1 (2006) condensate/gas 492 km; gas 28,680 km; liquid petroleum gas 240 km; oil 4,773 km; oil/gas/water 110 km (2004) total: 47,738 km broad gauge: 4,015 km 1.600-m gauge standard gauge: 28,662 km 1.435-m gauge (1,397 km electrified) narrow gauge: 14,831 km 1.067-m gauge (2,462 km electrified) dual gauge: 230 km dual gauge (2005) total: 810,641 km paved: 336,962 km unpaved: 473,679 km (2004) 2,000 km (mainly used for recreation on Murray and Murray-Darling river systems) (2002) total: 53 ships (1000 GRT or over) 1,361,000 GRT/1,532,874 DWT by type: bulk carrier 17, cargo 4, chemical tanker 3, container 1, liquefied gas 4, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 6, roll on/roll off 5 foreign-owned: 17 (Canada 1, France 3, Germany 3, Japan 1, Netherlands 2, Norway 1, Philippines 1, UK 2, US 3) registered in other countries: 34 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Bahamas 2, Bermuda 3, Fiji 1, Hong Kong 1, Liberia 2, Marshall Islands 2, Netherlands 1, NZ 2, Panama 3, Portugal 1, Singapore 7, Tonga 1, UK 3, US 2, Vanuatu 2) (2006) Brisbane, Dampier, Fremantle, Gladstone, Hay Point, Melbourne, Newcastle, Port Hedland, Port Kembla, Port Walcott, Sydney Australian Defense Force (ADF): Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Special Operations Command 16 years of age for voluntary service; women allowed to serve in Army combat units in non-combat support roles (2001) males age 18-49: 4,943,676 females age 18-49: 4,821,264 males age 16-49: 4,092,717 females age 16-49: 3,983,447 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 142,158 females age 16-49: 135,675 (2005 est.) $17.84 billion (2005 est.) 2.7% (2005 est.) East Timor and Australia agreed in 2005 to defer the disputed portion of the boundary for fifty years and to split hydrocarbon revenues evenly outside the Joint Petroleum Development Area covered by the 2002 Timor Sea Treaty; East Timor dispute hampers creation of a revised maritime boundary with Indonesia (see also Ashmore and Cartier Islands dispute); regional states express concern over Australia's 2004 declaration of a 1,000-nautical mile-wide maritime identification zone; Australia asserts land and maritime claims to Antarctica (see Antarctica); in 2004 Australia submitted its claims to UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) to extend its continental margin from both its mainland and Antarctic claims Ashmore and Cartier Islands These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931; formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983, it became a National Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, is now a marine reserve. Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island 12 14 S, 123 05 E Southeast Asia total: 5 sq km land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC 0 km 74.1 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm tropical low with sand and coral lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m fish arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005) 0 sq km surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards NA Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 no indigenous inhabitants note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island (July 2006 est.) the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply none (territory of Australia) none (territory of Australia) the flag of Australia is used no economic activity none; offshore anchorage only defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force Austria Once the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in World War I. Following annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 and subsequent occupation by the victorious Allies in 1945, Austria's status remained unclear for a decade. A State Treaty signed in 1955 ended the occupation, recognized Austria's independence, and forbade unification with Germany. A constitutional law that same year declared the country's "perpetual neutrality" as a condition for Soviet military withdrawal. Following the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991 and Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995, some Austrians have called into question this neutrality. A prosperous, democratic country, Austria entered the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia 47 20 N, 13 20 E Europe total: 83,870 sq km land: 82,444 sq km water: 1,426 sq km slightly smaller than Maine total: 2,562 km border countries: Czech Republic 362 km, Germany 784 km, Hungary 366 km, Italy 430 km, Liechtenstein 35 km, Slovakia 91 km, Slovenia 330 km, Switzerland 164 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain and some snow in lowlands and snow in mountains; moderate summers with occasional showers in the west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the eastern and northern margins mostly flat or gently sloping lowest point: Neusiedler See 115 m highest point: Grossglockner 3,798 m oil, coal, lignite, timber, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, magnesite, tungsten, graphite, salt, hydropower arable land: 16.59% permanent crops: 0.85% other: 82.56% (2005) 40 sq km (2003) landslides; avalanches; earthquakes some forest degradation caused by air and soil pollution; soil pollution results from the use of agricultural chemicals; air pollution results from emissions by coal- and oil-fired power stations and industrial plants and from trucks transiting Austria between northern and southern Europe party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of central Europe with many easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys; major river is the Danube; population is concentrated on eastern lowlands because of steep slopes, poor soils, and low temperatures elsewhere 8,192,880 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 15.4% (male 645,337/female 614,602) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 2,782,712/female 2,749,620) 65 years and over: 17.1% (male 567,752/female 832,857) (2006 est.) total: 40.9 years male: 39.8 years female: 42 years (2006 est.) 0.09% (2006 est.) 8.74 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 9.76 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 1.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 4.6 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 79.07 years male: 76.17 years female: 82.11 years (2006 est.) 1.36 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.3% (2003 est.) 10,000 (2003 est.) less than 100 (2003 est.) noun: Austrian(s) adjective: Austrian Austrians 91.1%, former Yugoslavs 4% (includes Croatians, Slovenes, Serbs, and Bosniaks), Turks 1.6%, German 0.9%, other or unspecified 2.4% (2001 census) Roman Catholic 73.6%, Protestant 4.7%, Muslim 4.2%, other 3.5%, unspecified 2%, none 12% (2001 census) German (official nationwide), Slovene (official in Carinthia), Croatian (official in Burgenland), Hungarian (official in Burgenland) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: NA female: NA conventional long form: Republic of Austria conventional short form: Austria local long form: Republik Oesterreich local short form: Oesterreich federal republic name: Vienna geographic coordinates: 48 12 N, 16 22 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 9 states (Bundeslaender, singular - Bundesland); Burgenland, Kaernten (Carinthia), Niederoesterreich, Oberoesterreich, Salzburg, Steiermark (Styria), Tirol, Vorarlberg, Wien (Vienna) 17 September 1156 (Duchy of Austria founded); 11 August 1804 (Austrian Empire proclaimed); 12 November 1918 (republic proclaimed) National Day, 26 October (1955); note - commemorates the State Treaty restoring national sovereignty and the end of occupation and the passage of the law on permanent neutrality 1920; revised 1929 (reinstated 1 May 1945) civil law system with Roman law origin; judicial review of legislative acts by the Constitutional Court; separate administrative and civil/penal supreme courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Heinz FISCHER (since 8 July 2004) head of government: Chancellor Wolfgang SCHUESSEL (OeVP)(since 4 February 2000); Vice Chancellor Hubert GORBACH (since 21 October 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor elections: president elected by direct popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); presidential election last held 25 April 2004 (next to be held April 2010); chancellor traditionally chosen by the president from the plurality party in the National Council; vice chancellor chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor election results: Heinz FISCHER elected president; percent of vote - Heinz FISCHER (SPOe) 52.4%, Benita FERRERO-WALDNER (OeVP) 47.6% note: government coalition - OeVP and FPOe bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists of Federal Council or Bundesrat (62 members; members represent each of the states on the basis of population, but with each state having at least 3 representatives; members serve a five- or six-year term) and the National Council or Nationalrat (183 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: National Council - last held 24 November 2002 (next to be held in the fall of 2006) election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - OeVP 42.3%, SPOe 36.5%, FPOe 10.0%, Greens 9.5%; seats by party - OeVP 79, SPOe 69, FPOe 18, Greens 17; seating as of May 2005 after split within the Freedom Party: OeVP 79, SPOe 69, Greens 17, BZOe 11, FPOe 7 Supreme Judicial Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Administrative Court or Verwaltungsgerichtshof; Constitutional Court or Verfassungsgerichtshof Alliance for the Future of Austria or BZOe [Joerg HAIDER]; Austrian People's Party or OeVP [Wolfgang SCHUESSEL]; Freedom Party of Austria or FPOe [Heinz Christian STRACHE]; Social Democratic Party of Austria or SPOe [Alfred GUSENBAUER]; The Greens [Alexander VAN DER BELLEN] Austrian Trade Union Federation (nominally independent but primarily Socialist) or OeGB; Federal Economic Chamber; OeVP-oriented League of Austrian Industrialists or VOeI; Roman Catholic Church, including its chief lay organization, Catholic Action; three composite leagues of the Austrian People's Party or OeVP representing business, labor, and farmers and other non-government organizations in the areas of environment and human rights ACCT (observer), AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC chief of mission: Ambassador Eva NOWOTNY chancery: 3524 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008-3035 telephone: [1] (202) 895-6700 FAX: [1] (202) 895-6750 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York chief of mission: Ambassador Susan R. McCAW embassy: Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1090, Vienna mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [43] (1) 31339-0 FAX: [43] (1) 3100682 three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red Austria, with its well-developed market economy and high standard of living, is closely tied to other EU economies, especially Germany's. The Austrian economy also benefits greatly from strong commercial relations, especially in the banking and insurance sectors, with central, eastern, and southeastern Europe. The economy features a large service sector, a sound industrial sector, and a small, but highly developed agricultural sector. Membership in the EU has drawn an influx of foreign investors attracted by Austria's access to the single European market and proximity to the new EU economies. The current government has successfully pursued a comprehensive economic reform program, aimed at streamlining government, creating a more competitive business environment, further strengthening Austria's attractiveness as an investment location, pursuing a balanced budget, and implementing effective pension reforms. Weak domestic consumption and slow growth in Europe have held the economy to growth rates of 0.4% in 2002, 1.4% in 2003, 2.4% in 2004, and 1.8% in 2005. To meet increased competition from both EU and Central European countries, particularly the new EU members, Austria will need to continue restructuring, emphasizing knowledge-based sectors of the economy, and encouraging greater labor flexibility and greater labor participation by its aging population. $267.6 billion (2005 est.) $293.4 billion (2005 est.) 1.9% (2005 est.) $32,700 (2005 est.) agriculture: 1.8% industry: 30.4% services: 67.8% (2004 est.) 3.49 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 3% industry: 27% services: 70% (2005 est.) 5.2% (2005 est.) 5.9% (2004) lowest 10%: 3.3% highest 10%: 22.5% (2004) 31 (2002) 2.3% (2005 est.) 20.8% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $148.6 billion expenditures: $154.5 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 65.1% of GDP (2005 est.) grains, potatoes, sugar beets, wine, fruit; dairy products, cattle, pigs, poultry; lumber construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, metals, chemicals, lumber and wood processing, paper and paperboard, communications equipment, tourism 4.7% (2005 est.) 63.69 billion kWh (2004) 64.78 billion kWh (2004) 13.53 billion kWh (2004) 16.63 billion kWh (2004) 17,810 bbl/day (2004) 249,000 bbl/day (2004 est.) 30,140 bbl/day (2004) 152,600 bbl/day (2004) 84.3 million bbl (2004) 1.96 billion cu m (2004) 9.01 billion cu m (2004) 0 cu m (2004) 7.05 billion cu m (2004) 23.2 billion cu m (2004) $1.467 billion (2005 est.) $122.5 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, paper and paperboard, metal goods, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, foodstuffs Germany 31.2%, Italy 8.7%, US 5.8%, Switzerland 5.2%, France 4.2% (2005) $118.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods, oil and oil products; foodstuffs Germany 45.9%, Italy 6.6%, Switzerland 4.5% (2005) $11.83 billion (2005 est.) $510.6 billion (30 June 2005 est.) ODA, $681 million (2004) euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries euros per US dollar - 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001) calendar year 3.791 million (2004) 7.99 million (2004) general assessment: highly developed and efficient domestic: there are 48 main lines for every 100 persons; the fiber optic net is very extensive; all telephone applications and Internet services are available international: country code - 43; satellite earth stations - 15; in addition, there are about 600 VSAT (very small aperture terminals) (2005) AM 2, FM 65 (plus several hundred repeaters), shortwave 1 (2001) 10 (plus more than 1,000 repeaters) (2001) .at 1,812,776 (2005) 4.65 million (2005) 55 (2006) total: 25 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 15 (2006) total: 30 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 26 (2006) 1 (2006) gas 2,722 km; oil 663 km; refined products 149 km (2004) total: 6,011 km standard gauge: 5,568 km 1.435-m gauge (3,427 km electrified) narrow gauge: 21 km 1.000-m gauge; 422 km 0.760-m gauge (109 km electrified) (2005) total: 133,718 km paved: 133,718 km (including 1,677 km of expressways) (2003) 358 km (2003) total: 8 ships (1000 GRT or over) 34,072 GRT/44,437 DWT by type: cargo 6, container 2 foreign-owned: 2 (Netherlands 2) registered in other countries: 14 (Liberia 13, Malta 1) (2006) Enns, Krems, Linz, Vienna Land Forces (KdoLdSK), Air Forces (KdoLuSK) 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for voluntary service; from 2007, at the earliest, compulsory military service obligation will be reduced from eight months to six (2005) males age 18-49: 1,914,800 females age 18-49: 1,870,134 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 1,550,441 females age 18-49: 1,515,365 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 48,967 females age 18-49: 46,633 (2005 est.) $1.497 billion (FY01/02) 0.9% (2004) Austrian anti-nuclear activists have revived blockades of the Czech-Austrian border to protest operation of the Temelin nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic Anguilla Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated into a single British dependency, along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becoming a separate British dependency. Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico 18 15 N, 63 10 W Central America and the Caribbean total: 102 sq km land: 102 sq km water: 0 sq km about half the size of Washington, DC 0 km 61 km territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m salt, fish, lobster arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds) (2005) NA frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October) supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles 13,477 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 22.8% (male 1,557/female 1,510) 15-64 years: 70.4% (male 4,878/female 4,608) 65 years and over: 6.9% (male 412/female 512) (2006 est.) total: 31.2 years male: 31.2 years female: 31.1 years (2006 est.) 1.57% (2006 est.) 14.17 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 5.34 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 6.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 20.32 deaths/1,000 live births male: 26.67 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 77.28 years male: 74.35 years female: 80.3 years (2006 est.) 1.73 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: Anguillan(s) adjective: Anguillan black (predominant) 90.1%, mixed, mulatto 4.6%, white 3.7%, other 1.5% (2001 Census) Anglican 29%, Methodist 23.9%, other Protestant 30.2%, Roman Catholic 5.7%, other Christian 1.7%, other 5.2%, none or unspecified 4.3% (2001 Census) English (official) definition: age 12 and over can read and write total population: 95% male: 95% female: 95% (1984 est.) conventional long form: none conventional short form: Anguilla overseas territory of the UK NA name: The Valley geographic coordinates: 18 13 N, 63 04 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of the UK) Anguilla Day, 30 May Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990 based on English common law 18 years of age; universal chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Andrew N. GEORGE (since 10 July 2006) head of government: Chief Minister Osbourne FLEMING (since 3 March 2000) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among the elected members of the House of Assembly elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats total, 7 elected by direct popular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 21 February 2005 (next to be held 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - AUF 38.9%, ANSA 19.2%, AUM 19.4%, APP 9.5%, independents 13%; seats by party - AUF 4, ANSA 2, AUM 1 High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court) Anguilla United Movement or AUM [Hubert HUGHES]; The Anguilla United Front or AUF [Osbourne FLEMING, Victor BANKS], a coalition of the Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla National Alliance or ANA; Anguilla Progressive Party or APP [Roy ROGERS]; Anguilla Strategic Alternative or ANSA [Edison BAIRD] NA Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS (associate), UPU none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of the UK) blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design on a white background with blue wavy water below Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourism industry, which has spurred the growth of the construction sector, has contributed to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector, which is small, but growing. In the medium term, prospects for the economy will depend largely on the tourism sector and, therefore, on revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on favorable weather conditions. $112 million (2002 est.) NA 2.8% (2001 est.) $7,500 (2002 est.) agriculture: 4% industry: 18% services: 78% (2002 est.) 6,049 (2001) agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4%, manufacturing 3%, construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, commerce 36%, services 29% (2000 est.) 8% (2002) 23% (2002) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 2.3% revenues: $22.8 million expenditures: $22.5 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising tourism, boat building, offshore financial services 3.1% (1997 est.) NA kWh 42.6 million kWh $2.6 million (1999) lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum UK, US, Puerto Rico, Saint-Martin (2004) $80.9 million (1999) fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles US, Puerto Rico, UK (2004) $8.8 million (1998) $9 million (2004 est.) East Caribbean dollar (XCD) East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003), 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001) note: fixed rate since 1976 1 April - 31 March 6,200 (2002) 1,800 (2002) general assessment: NA domestic: modern internal telephone system international: country code - 1-264; microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2004) 1 (1997) .ai 395 (2005) 3,000 (2002) 3 (2006) total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006) total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2006) total: 105 km paved: 65 km unpaved: 40 km (2002) registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2006) Blowing Point, Road Bay males age 18-49: 3,614 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 2,986 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 120 (2005 est.) defense is the responsibility of the UK none Akrotiri By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers - Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The southernmost and smallest of these is the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the Western Sovereign Base Area. peninsula on the southwest coast of Cyprus 34 37 N, 32 58 E Middle East total: 123 sq km note: includes a salt lake and wetlands about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC total: 47.4 km border countries: Cyprus 47.4 km 56.3 km temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters shooting around the salt lake; note - breeding place for loggerhead and green turtles; only remaining colony of griffon vultures is on the base British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus no indigenous inhabitants note: approximately 1,300 military personnel are on the base; there are another 5,000 British citizens who are families of military personnel or civilian staff on both Akrotiri and Dhekelia; Cyprus citizens work on the base, but do not live there English, Greek conventional long form: Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area conventional short form: Akrotiri overseas territory of UK; administered by an administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus name: Episkopi Cantonment; also serves as capital of Dhekelia geographic coordinates: 34 40 N, 32 51 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Administrator Maj. Gen. Peter Thomas Clayton PEARSON (since 9 May 2003); note - reports to the British Ministry of Defence elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the administrator is appointed by the monarch none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of the UK) the flag of the UK is used Economic activity is limited to providing services to the military and their families located in Akrotiri. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. FM 1 note: British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1 and Radio 2 service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia (2006) British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia (2006) Antarctica Speculation over the existence of a "southern land" was not confirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercial operators and British and Russian national expeditions began exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south of the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established that Antarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands. Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20th century. Following World War II, there was an upsurge in scientific research on the continent. A number of countries have set up year-round research stations on Antarctica. Seven have made territorial claims, but not all countries recognize these claims. In order to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on the continent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither denies nor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in 1959, it entered into force in 1961. continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle 90 00 S, 0 00 E Antarctic Region total: 14 million sq km land: 14 million sq km (280,000 sq km ice-free, 13.72 million sq km ice-covered) (est.) note: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the subcontinent of Europe slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US 0 km note: see entry on Disputes - international 17,968 km Australia, Chile, and Argentina claim Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rights or similar over 200 nm extensions seaward from their continental claims, but like the claims themselves, these zones are not accepted by other countries; 21 of 28 Antarctic consultative nations have made no claims to Antarctic territory (although Russia and the US have reserved the right to do so) and do not recognize the claims of the other nations; also see the Disputes - international entry severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the coast and average slightly below freezing about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges up to nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area, and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves along about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelves constitute 11% of the area of the continent lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,555 m highest point: Vinson Massif 4,897 m note: the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in the Bentley Subglacial Trench; at its surface is the deepest ice yet discovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small uncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill, finfish, and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%) (2005) katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau; cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the coast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of West Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs may calve from ice shelf in 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the Antarctic ozone hole was the largest on record, covering 27 million square kilometers; researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet light passing through the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an Antarctic fish lacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown to harm one-celled Antarctic marine plants; in 2002, significant areas of ice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest continent; during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period; mostly uninhabitable no indigenous inhabitants, but there are both permanent and summer-only staffed research stations note: 26 nations, all signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, operate through their National Antarctic Program a number of seasonal-only (summer) and year-round research stations on the continent and its nearby islands south of 60 degrees south latitude (the region covered by the Antarctic Treaty); these stations' population of persons doing and supporting science or engaged in the management and protection of the Antarctic region varies from approximately 4,000 in summer to 1,000 in winter; in addition, approximately 1,000 personnel, including ship's crew and scientists doing onboard research, are present in the waters of the treaty region; peak summer (December-February) population - 3,822 total; Argentina 417, Australia 213, Brazil 40, Bulgaria 15, Chile 224, China 70, Ecuador 22, Finland 20, France 123, Germany 78, India 65, Italy 112, Japan 150, South Korea 60, NZ 85, Norway 44, Peru 28, Poland 40, Russia 429, South Africa 80, Spain 28, Sweden 20, Ukraine 24, UK 205, US 1,170, Uruguay 60 (2005-2006); winter (June-August) station population - 1,028 total; Argentina 176, Australia 62, Brazil 12, Chile 88, China 29, France 37, Germany 9, India 25, Italy 2, Japan 40, South Korea 15, NZ 10, Norway 7, Poland 12, Russia 148, South Africa 10, Ukraine 12, UK 37, US 288, Uruguay 9 (2005); research stations operated within the Antarctic Treaty area (south of 60 degrees south latitude) by members of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP): year-round stations - 37 total; Argentina 6, Australia 3, Brazil 1, Chile 3, China 2, France 1, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 1, South Korea 1, NZ 1, Norway 1, Poland 1, Russia 5, South Africa 1, Ukraine 1, UK 2, US 3, Uruguay 1, Italy and France jointly 1 (2005); seasonal-only (summer) stations - 15 total; Australia 1, Bulgaria 1, Chile 1, Ecuador 1, Finland 1, Germany 1, Italy 1, Japan 1, Norway 1, Peru 1, Russia 1, Spain 2, Sweden 1, UK 1 (2005-2006); in addition, during the austral summer some nations have numerous occupied locations such as tent camps, summer-long temporary facilities, and mobile traverses in support of research conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antarctica Antarctic Treaty Summary - the Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961, establishes the legal framework for the management of Antarctica; the 28th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was held in Stockholm, Sweden in June 2005; at these periodic meetings, decisions are made by consensus (not by vote) of all consultative member nations; at the end of 2005, there were 45 treaty member nations: 28 consultative and 17 non-consultative; consultative (decision-making) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and 21 non-claimant nations; the US and Russia have reserved the right to make claims; the US does not recognize the claims of others; Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations; decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; the years in parentheses indicate when a consultative member-nation acceded to the Treaty and when it was accepted as a consultative member, while no date indicates the country was an original 1959 treaty signatory; claimant nations are - Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and the UK. Nonclaimant consultative nations are - Belgium, Brazil (1975/1983), Bulgaria (1978/1998) China (1983/1985), Ecuador (1987/1990), Finland (1984/1989), Germany (1979/1981), India (1983/1983), Italy (1981/1987), Japan, South Korea (1986/1989), Netherlands (1967/1990), Peru (1981/1989), Poland (1961/1977), Russia, South Africa, Spain (1982/1988), Sweden (1984/1988), Ukraine (1992/2004), Uruguay (1980/1985), and the US; non-consultative members, with year of accession in parentheses, are - Austria (1987), Canada (1988), Colombia (1989), Cuba (1984), Czech Republic (1962/1993), Denmark (1965), Estonia (2001), Greece (1987), Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), North Korea (1987), Papua New Guinea (1981), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1962/1993), Switzerland (1990), Turkey (1996), and Venezuela (1999); note - Czechoslovakia acceded to the Treaty in 1962 and separated into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993; Article 1 - area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; Article 2 - freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue; Article 3 - free exchange of information and personnel, cooperation with the UN and other international agencies; Article 4 - does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force; Article 5 - prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes; Article 6 - includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south and reserves high seas rights; Article 7 - treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all expeditions and of the introduction of military personnel must be given; Article 8 - allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states; Article 9 - frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations; Article 10 - treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; Article 11 - disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the ICJ; Articles 12, 13, 14 - deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations; other agreements - some 200 recommendations adopted at treaty consultative meetings and ratified by governments include - Agreed Measures for Fauna and Flora (1964) which were later incorporated into the Environmental Protocol; Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980); a mineral resources agreement was signed in 1988 but remains unratified; the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed 4 October 1991 and entered into force 14 January 1998; this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment through six specific annexes: 1) environmental impact assessment, 2) conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora, 3) waste disposal and waste management, 4) prevention of marine pollution, 5) area protection and management and 6) liability arising from environmental emergencies; it prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research; a permanent Antarctic Treaty Secretariat was established in 2004 in Buenos Aires, Argentina Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations; decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; US law, including certain criminal offenses by or against US nationals, such as murder, may apply extraterritorially; some US laws directly apply to Antarctica; for example, the Antarctic Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. section 2401 et seq., provides civil and criminal penalties for the following activities, unless authorized by regulation of statute: the taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction of nonindigenous plants and animals; entry into specially protected areas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importation into the US of certain items from Antarctica; violation of the Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 in fines and one year in prison; the National Science Foundation and Department of Justice share enforcement responsibilities; Public Law 95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, as amended in 1996, requires expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify, in advance, the Office of Oceans, Room 5805, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plans to other nations as required by the Antarctic Treaty; for more information, contact Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone: (703) 292-8030, or visit their website at www.nsf.gov; more generally, access to the Antarctic Treaty area, that is to all areas between 60 and 90 degrees south latitude, is subject to a number of relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states party to the Antarctic Treaty Fishing off the coast and tourism, both based abroad, account for Antarctica's limited economic activity. Antarctic fisheries in 2003-04 (1 July-30 June) reported landing 136,262 metric tons (estimated fishing from the area covered by the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which extends slightly beyond the Antarctic Treaty area). Unregulated fishing, particularly of Patagonian toothfish, is a serious problem. The CCAMLR determines the recommended catch limits for marine species. A total of 23,175 tourists visited in the 2004-05 Antarctic summer, up from the 19,486 visitors the previous year. Nearly all of them were passengers on commercial (nongovernmental) ships and several yachts that make trips during the summer. Most tourist trips last approximately two weeks. 0; note - information for US bases only (2001) NA general assessment: local systems at some research stations domestic: commercial cellular networks operating in a small number of locations international: country code - 672; via satellite (including mobile Inmarsat and Iridium systems) from all research stations, ships, aircraft, and most field parties AM NA, FM 2, shortwave 1, note - information for US bases only (2002) 1 (cable system with six channels; American Forces Antarctic Network-McMurdo) note: information for US bases only (2002) .aq 8,018 (2005) 20 note: there are no developed public access airports or landing facilities; 28 stations or remote field locations, operated by 11 National Antarctic Programs from nations party to the Antarctic Treaty, have restricted aircraft landing facilities comprising a total of 11 runways and 22 skiways for fixed-wing aircraft; some stations have both runways and skiways; commercial enterprises operate two aircraft landing facilities at one station; helicopter pads are available at all 37 year-round and 15 seasonal stations operated by National Antarctic Programs; the 11 runways are suitable for wheeled, fixed-wing aircraft: three are gravel, four blue-ice, two sea-ice and two compacted snow; of these, five are 3 km in length, two are between 2 km and 3 km in length, three are between 1 km and 2 km in length and one is less than 1 km in length; the 22 snow surface skiways are limited to use by ski-equipped, fixed-wing aircraft; of these, three are equal to or greater than 3 km in length, one is between 2 km and 3 km in length, nine are between 1 km and 2 km in length, five are less than 1 km in length, and four are of unknown or variable length; snow surface skiways are generally prepared and maintained during specific periods only and during summer; all aircraft landing facilities subject to severe restrictions and limitations resulting from extreme seasonal and geographic conditions; aircraft landing facilities do not meet ICAO standards; advance approval from the respective governmental or nongovernmental operating organization required for using their facilities; landed aircraft are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; guidelines for the operation of aircraft near concentrations of birds in Antarctica were adopted in 2004; relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by states party to the Antarctic Treaty regulating access to the Antarctic Treaty area, that is to all areas between 60 and 90 degrees of latitude South, have to be complied with (see information under "Legal System"); an Antarctic Flight Information Manual (AFIM) providing up-to-date details of Antarctic air facilities and procedures is maintained and published by the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (2006) total: 28 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 4 length unknown or variable: 4 (2006) 37 note: all 37 year-round and 15 seasonal stations operated by National Antarctic Programs stations have restricted helicopter landing facilities (helipads) (2006) there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters; a few stations have a basic wharf facility; US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), and Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03 W); government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under "Legal System"); all ships at port are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent; relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states parties to the Antarctic Treaty regulating access to the Antarctic Treaty area, to all areas between 60 and 90 degrees of latitude south, have to be complied with (see "Legal System"); The Hydrographic Committee on Antarctica (HCA), a special hydrographic commission of International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), is responsible for hydrographic surveying and nautical charting matters in Antarctic Treaty area; it coordinates and facilitates provision of accurate and appropriate charts and other aids to navigation in support of safety of navigation in region; membership of HCA is open to any IHO Member State whose government has acceded to the Antarctic Treaty and which contributes resources and/or data to IHO Chart coverage of the area; members of HCA are Argentina, Australia, Chile, China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, NZ, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Spain, and the UK (2005) the Antarctic Treaty prohibits any measures of a military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military maneuvers, or the testing of any type of weapon; it permits the use of military personnel or equipment for scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes Bahrain Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian Gulf countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has transformed itself into an international banking center. Sheikh HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa, who came to power in 1999, has pushed economic and political reforms and has worked to improve relations with the Shi'a community. In February 2001, Bahraini voters approved a referendum on the National Action Charter - the centerpiece of Sheikh HAMAD's political liberalization program. In February 2002, Sheikh HAMAD pronounced Bahrain a constitutional monarchy and changed his status from amir to king. In October 2002, Bahrainis elected members of the lower house of Bahrain's reconstituted bicameral legislature, the National Assembly. Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia 26 00 N, 50 33 E Middle East total: 665 sq km land: 665 sq km water: 0 sq km 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 161 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls arable land: 2.82% permanent crops: 5.63% other: 91.55% (2005) 40 sq km (2003) periodic droughts; dust storms desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil refineries, and distribution stations; lack of freshwater resources, groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all water needs party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean 698,585 note: includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 27.4% (male 96,567/female 94,650) 15-64 years: 69.1% (male 280,272/female 202,451) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 12,753/female 11,892) (2006 est.) total: 29.4 years male: 32.4 years female: 25.8 years (2006 est.) 1.45% (2006 est.) 17.8 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 4.14 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.38 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.07 male(s)/female total population: 1.26 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 16.8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 19.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 74.45 years male: 71.97 years female: 77 years (2006 est.) 2.6 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.2% (2001 est.) less than 600 (2003 est.) less than 200 (2003 est.) noun: Bahraini(s) adjective: Bahraini Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6% (2001 census) Muslim (Shi'a and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census) Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89.1% male: 91.9% female: 85% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain conventional short form: Bahrain local long form: Mamlakat al Bahrayn local short form: Al Bahrayn former: Dilmun constitutional hereditary monarchy name: Manama geographic coordinates: 26 13 N, 50 35 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 5 governorates; Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq, Shamaliyah, Wasat note: each governorate administered by an appointed governor 15 August 1971 (from UK) National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 is the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 is the date of independence from British protection new constitution 14 February 2002 based on Islamic law and English common law 18 years of age; universal chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa al-Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad (son of the monarch, born 21 October 1969) head of government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman al-Khalifa (since 1971) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch bicameral Parliament consists of Shura Council (40 members appointed by the King) and House of Deputies (40 members directly elected to serve four-year terms) elections: House of Deputies - last held 31 October 2002 (next election to be held in September 2006) election results: House of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Sunni Islamists 12, Shia grouping 7, other groupings and independents 21 note: first elections since 7 December 1973; unicameral National Assembly dissolved 26 August 1975; National Action Charter created bicameral legislature on 23 December 2000; approved by referendum 14 February 2001; first legislative session of Parliament held on 25 December 2002 High Civil Appeals Court political parties prohibited but political societies were legalized per a July 2005 law Shi'a activists fomented unrest sporadically in 1994-97 and have recently engaged in protests and marches, demanding that more power be vested in the elected Council of Representatives and that the government do more to decrease unemployment; several small, clandestine leftist and Islamic fundamentalist groups are active ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Nasir bin Muhammad al-BALUSHI chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 342-0741 FAX: [1] (202) 362-2192 consulate(s) general: New York chief of mission: Ambassador William T. MONROE embassy: Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 331, Zinj District, Manama mailing address: American Embassy Manama, PSC 451, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama telephone: [973] 1724-2700 FAX: [973] 1727-0547 (consular) red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states, with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam Petroleum production and refining account for about 60% of Bahrain's export receipts, 60% of government revenues, and 30% of GDP. With its highly developed communication and transport facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. A large share of exports consists of petroleum products made from refining imported crude. Construction proceeds on several major industrial projects. Unemployment, especially among the young, and the depletion of oil and underground water resources are major long-term economic problems. In 2005 Bahrain and the US ratified a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the first FTA between the US and a Gulf state. $15.83 billion (2005 est.) $11.01 billion (2005 est.) 5.9% (2005 est.) $23,000 (2005 est.) agriculture: 0.5% industry: 38.7% services: 60.8% (2005 est.) 380,000 note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2005 est.) agriculture: 1% industry: 79% services: 20% (1997 est.) 15% (2005 est.) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 2.7% (2005 est.) 19.5% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $4.662 billion expenditures: $3.447 billion; including capital expenditures of $700 million (2005 est.) 33.5% of GDP (2005 est.) fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, offshore banking, ship repairing, tourism 2% (2000 est.) 7.345 billion kWh (2003) 6.83 billion kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 188,300 bbl/day (2005 est.) 26,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 124 million bbl (2005 est.) 9.65 billion cu m (2003 est.) 9.65 billion cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2002 est.) 0 cu m (2002 est.) 92.03 billion cu m (2005) $1.531 billion (2005 est.) $11.17 billion (2005 est.) petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles Saudi Arabia 3.3%, US 2.6%, UAE 2.3% (2005) $7.83 billion (2005 est.) crude oil, machinery, chemicals Saudi Arabia 36.5%, Japan 6.6%, Germany 6.4%, US 5.4%, UK 5%, UAE 4.1% (2005) $2.432 billion (2005 est.) $6.814 billion (2005 est.) $150 million; note - $50 million annually since 1992 from the UAE and Kuwait (2002) Bahraini dinar (BHD) Bahraini dinars per US dollar - 0.376 (2005), 0.376 (2004), 0.376 (2003), 0.376 (2002), 0.376 (2001) calendar year 196,500 (2005) 649,800 (2004) general assessment: modern system domestic: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile cellular telephones international: country code - 973; tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; submarine cable to Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 1 (1997) AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) 4 (1997) .bh 1,952 (2005) 152,700 (2005) 3 (2006) total: 3 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006) 1 (2006) gas 20 km; oil 53 km (2004) total: 3,498 km paved: 2,768 km unpaved: 730 km (2003) total: 8 ships (1000 GRT or over) 235,449 GRT/339,728 DWT by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 1, container 2, petroleum tanker 1 foreign-owned: 3 (Kuwait 3) (2006) Mina' Salman, Sitrah Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF): Ground Force (includes Air Defense), Navy, Air Force, National Guard 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001) males age 18-49: 202,126 females age 18-49: 151,734 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 161,372 females age 18-49: 125,488 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 6,013 females age 18-49: 5,852 (2005 est.) $627.7 million (2005 est.) 4.9% (2005 est.) Barbados The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance. Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela 13 10 N, 59 32 W Central America and the Caribbean total: 431 sq km land: 431 sq km water: 0 sq km 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 97 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm tropical; rainy season (June to October) relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Hillaby 336 m petroleum, fish, natural gas arable land: 37.21% permanent crops: 2.33% other: 60.46% (2005) 50 sq km (2003) infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements easternmost Caribbean island 279,912 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 20.1% (male 28,160/female 28,039) 15-64 years: 71.1% (male 97,755/female 101,223) 65 years and over: 8.8% (male 9,508/female 15,227) (2006 est.) total: 34.6 years male: 33.4 years female: 35.6 years (2006 est.) 0.37% (2006 est.) 12.71 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 8.67 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 11.77 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 72.79 years male: 70.79 years female: 74.82 years (2006 est.) 1.65 children born/woman (2006 est.) 1.5% (2003 est.) 2,500 (2003 est.) less than 200 (2003 est.) noun: Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial) adjective: Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial) black 90%, white 4%, Asian and mixed 6% Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other 12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, other 12% English definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 99.7% male: 99.7% female: 99.7% (2002 est.) conventional long form: none conventional short form: Barbados parliamentary democracy name: Bridgetown geographic coordinates: 13 06 N, 59 37 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 11 parishes; Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas; note - the city of Bridgetown may be given parish status 30 November 1966 (from UK) Independence Day, 30 November (1966) 30 November 1966 English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Clifford Straughn HUSBANDS (since 1 June 1996) head of government: Prime Minister Owen Seymour ARTHUR (since 7 September 1994); Deputy Prime Minister Mia MOTTLEY (since 26 May 2003) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (21-member body appointed by the governor general) and the House of Assembly (30 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly - last held 21 May 2003 (next to be held by May 2008) election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - BLP 23, DLP 7 Supreme Court of Judicature (judges are appointed by the Service Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Services) Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Owen ARTHUR]; Democratic Labor Party or DLP [David THOMPSON] Barbados Workers Union [Leroy TROTMAN]; Clement Payne Labor Union [David COMISSIONG]; People's Progressive Movement [Eric SEALY]; Worker's Party of Barbados [Dr. George BELLE] ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Michael Ian KING chancery: 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-9200 FAX: [1] (202) 332-7467 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York consulate(s): Los Angeles chief of mission: Ambassador Mary E. KRAMER embassy: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building, Broad Street, Bridgetown; (courier) ALICO Building-Cheapside, Bridgetown mailing address: P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown; CMR 1014, APO AA 34055 telephone: [1] (246) 436-4950 FAX: [1] (246) 429-5246, 429-3379 three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident) Historically, the Barbadian economy had been dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities, but production in recent years has diversified into light industry and tourism. Offshore finance and information services are important foreign exchange earners. The government continues its efforts to reduce unemployment, to encourage direct foreign investment, and to privatize remaining state-owned enterprises. The economy contracted in 2002-03 mainly due to a decline in tourism. Growth was positive in 2005, as economic conditions in the US and Europe moderately improved. $4.745 billion (2005 est.) $2.964 billion (2005 est.) 4.1% (2005 est.) $17,000 (2005 est.) agriculture: 6% industry: 16% services: 78% (2000 est.) 128,500 (2001 est.) agriculture: 10% industry: 15% services: 75% (1996 est.) 10.7% (2003 est.) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% -0.5% (2003 est.) revenues: $847 million (including grants) expenditures: $886 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) sugarcane, vegetables, cotton tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export -3.2% (2000 est.) 819 million kWh (2003) 761.7 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 1,000 bbl/day (2003) 10,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 1.254 million bbl (1 January 2002) 29.17 million cu m (2003 est.) 29.17 million cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 141.6 million cu m (1 January 2002) $209 million (2004 est.) sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages, chemicals, electrical components US 18.6%, Trinidad and Tobago 15%, UK 12.1%, Saint Lucia 8.4%, Jamaica 7.9%, Grenada 4.6%, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4.6% (2005) $1.476 billion (2004 est.) consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials, chemicals, fuel, electrical components NZ 45.9%, US 20.3%, Trinidad and Tobago 12% (2005) $668 million (2003) $9.1 million (1995) Barbadian dollar (BBD) Barbadian dollars per US dollar - 2 (2005), 2 (2004), 2 (2003), 2 (2002), 2 (2001) 1 April - 31 March 134,900 (2005) 200,100 (2004) general assessment: NA domestic: island-wide automatic telephone system international: country code - 1-246; satellite earth stations - 1 (Intelsat -Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Trinidad and Saint Lucia AM 2, FM 6, shortwave 0 (2004) 1 (plus two cable channels) (2004) .bb 241 (2005) 150,000 (2005) 1 (2006) total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2006) total: 1,600 km paved: 1,600 km (2003) total: 58 ships (1000 GRT or over) 433,390 GRT/664,998 DWT by type: bulk carrier 11, cargo 32, chemical tanker 7, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 2, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 57 (Bahamas, The 1, Canada 8, Greece 11, Lebanon 1, Monaco 1, Norway 29, UAE 1, UK 5) registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2006) Bridgetown Royal Barbados Defense Force: Troops Command, Coast Guard (2005) 18 years of age for voluntary military service; volunteers at earlier age with parental consent; no conscription (2001) males age 18-49: 71,524 females age 18-49: 72,302 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 54,510 females age 18-49: 54,889 (2005 est.) NA NA the Royal Barbados Defense Force includes a land-based Troop Command and a small Coast Guard; the primary role of the land element is to defend the island against external aggression; the Command consists of a single, part-time battalion with a small regular cadre that is deployed throughout the island; it increasingly supports the police in patrolling the coastline to prevent smuggling and other illicit activities (2005) in 2005, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago agreed to compulsory international arbitration that will result in a binding award challenging whether the northern limit of Trinidad and Tobago's and Venezuela's maritime boundary extends into Barbadian waters and the southern limit of Barbadian traditional fishing; joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea Botswana Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease. Southern Africa, north of South Africa 22 00 S, 24 00 E Africa total: 600,370 sq km land: 585,370 sq km water: 15,000 sq km slightly smaller than Texas total: 4,013 km border countries: Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) semiarid; warm winters and hot summers predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m highest point: Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver arable land: 0.65% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99.34% (2005) 10 sq km (2003) periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility overgrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resources party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country 1,639,833 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 38.3% (male 319,531/female 309,074) 15-64 years: 57.9% (male 460,692/female 488,577) 65 years and over: 3.8% (male 23,374/female 38,585) (2006 est.) total: 19.4 years male: 18.8 years female: 20 years (2006 est.) -0.04% (2006 est.) 23.08 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 29.5 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 6.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 53.7 deaths/1,000 live births male: 54.92 deaths/1,000 live births female: 52.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 33.74 years male: 33.9 years female: 33.56 years (2006 est.) 2.79 children born/woman (2006 est.) 37.3% (2003 est.) 350,000 (2003 est.) 33,000 (2003 est.) degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria (2005) noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7% Christian 71.6%, Badimo 6%, other 1.4%, unspecified 0.4%, none 20.6% (2001 census) Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English 2.1% (official), other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001 census) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 79.8% male: 76.9% female: 82.4% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Botswana conventional short form: Botswana local long form: Republic of Botswana local short form: Botswana former: Bechuanaland parliamentary republic name: Gaborone geographic coordinates: 24 45 S, 25 55 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 9 districts and 5 town councils*; Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Northeast, Northwest, Selebi-Pikwe*, Southeast, Southern 30 September 1966 (from UK) Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966) March 1965, effective 30 September 1966 based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Festus G. MOGAE (since 1 April 1998) and Vice President Seretse Ian KHAMA (since 13 July 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Festus G. MOGAE (since 1 April 1998) and Vice President Seretse Ian KHAMA (since 13 July 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president indirectly elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 20 October 2004 (next to be held in 2009); vice president appointed by the president election results: Festus G. MOGAE elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 52% bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely advisory 15-member body with 8 permanent members consisting of the chiefs of the principal tribes, and 7 non-permanent members serving 5-year terms, consisting of 4 elected subchiefs and 3 members selected by the other 12 members) and the National Assembly (63 seats, 57 members are directly elected by popular vote, 4 are appointed by the majority party, and 2, the President and Attorney-General, serve as ex-officio members; members serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly elections last held 30 October 2004 (next to be held October 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 51.7%, BNF 26.1%, BCP 16.6%, other 5%; seats by party - BDP 44, BNF 12, BCP 1 High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates' Courts (one in each district) Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Otlaadisa KOOSALETSE]; Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Festus G. MOGAE]; Botswana National Front or BNF [Otswoletse MOUPO]; Botswana Peoples Party or BPP; MELS Movement of Botswana or MELS; New Democratic Front or NDF note: a number of minor parties joined forces in 1999 to form the BAM but did not capture any parliamentary seats - includes the United Action Party [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; the Independence Freedom Party or IFP [Motsamai MPHO]; the Botswana Progressive Union [D. K. KWELE] NA ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Lapologang Caesar LEKOA chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990 FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164 chief of mission: Ambassador Katherine H. CANAVAN embassy: address NA, Gaborone mailing address: Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone telephone: [267] 353982 FAX: [267] 312782 light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest economic growth rates since independence in 1966. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of $10,000 in 2005. Two major investment services rank Botswana as the best credit risk in Africa. Diamond mining has fueled much of the expansion and currently accounts for more than one-third of GDP and for 70-80% of export earnings. Tourism, financial services, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are other key sectors. On the downside, the government must deal with high rates of unemployment and poverty. Unemployment officially is 23.8%, but unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%. HIV/AIDS infection rates are the second highest in the world and threaten Botswana's impressive economic gains. An expected leveling off in diamond mining production overshadows long-term prospects. $17.24 billion (2005 est.) $9.046 billion (2005 est.) 4.5% (2005 est.) $10,500 (2005 est.) agriculture: 2.4% industry: 46.9% (including 36% mining) services: 50.7% (2003 est.) 288,400 formal sector employees (2004) agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% 23.8% (2004) 30.3% (2003) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 63 (1993) 8.6% (2005 est.) 20.3% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $3.766 billion expenditures: $3.767 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 6.2% of GDP (2005 est.) livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing; textiles 7.5% (2005 est.) 891 million kWh (2004) 2.641 billion kWh (2004) 0 kWh (2002) 1.39 billion kWh (2002) 0 bbl/day (2003) 12,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day 16,000 bbl/day (2001) 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $1.584 billion (2005 est.) $3.68 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles European Free Trade Association (EFTA) 87%, Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 7%, Zimbabwe 4% (2004) $3.37 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 74%, EFTA 17%, Zimbabwe 4% (2004) $6.309 billion (2005 est.) $519 million (2005 est.) $73 million (1995) pula (BWP) pulas per US dollar - 5.1104 (2005), 4.6929 (2004), 4.9499 (2003), 6.3278 (2002), 5.8412 (2001) 1 April - 31 March 132,000 (2005) 823,100 (2005) general assessment: the system is expanding with the growth of mobile cellular service and participation in regional development domestic: small system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and a few radiotelephone communication stations; mobile cellular service is growing fast international: country code - 267; two international exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) AM 8, FM 13, shortwave 4 (2001) 1 (2001) .bw 1,621 (2005) 60,000 (2002) 85 (2006) total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006) total: 75 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 55 under 914 m: 17 (2006) total: 888 km narrow gauge: 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2005) total: 25,233 km paved: 8,867 km unpaved: 16,366 km (2003) Botswana Defense Force (includes an air wing) 18 is the apparent age of voluntary military service; the official qualifications for determining minimum age are unknown (2001) males age 18-49: 350,649 females age 18-49: 361,642 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 136,322 females age 18-49: 136,315 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 21,103 females age 18-49: 21,379 (2005 est.) $325.5 million (2005 est.) 3.4% (2005 est.) Bermuda Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. Although a referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995, the present government has reopened debate on the issue. North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South Carolina (US) 32 20 N, 64 45 W North America total: 53.3 sq km land: 53.3 sq km water: 0 sq km about one-third the size of Washington, DC 0 km 103 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter low hills separated by fertile depressions lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Town Hill 76 m limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% other: 80% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (2005) NA hurricanes (June to November) sustainable development consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995 65,773 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 18.6% (male 6,146/female 6,098) 15-64 years: 69.2% (male 22,562/female 22,954) 65 years and over: 12.2% (male 3,479/female 4,534) (2006 est.) total: 40.2 years male: 39.3 years female: 41 years (2006 est.) 0.61% (2006 est.) 11.4 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 7.74 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 2.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 8.3 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 77.96 years male: 75.85 years female: 80.1 years (2006 est.) 1.89 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.297% (2005) 163 (2005) 392 (2005) noun: Bermudian(s) adjective: Bermudian black 54.8%, white 34.1%, mixed 6.4%, other races 4.3%, unspecified 0.4% (2000 census) Anglican 23%, Roman Catholic 15%, African Methodist Episcopal 11%, other Protestant 18%, other 12%, unaffiliated 6%, unspecified 1%, none 14% (2000 census) English (official), Portuguese definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 99% (2005 est.) conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bermuda former: Somers Islands overseas territory of the UK parliamentary; self-governing territory name: Hamilton geographic coordinates: 32 17 N, 64 46 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in April; ends last Sunday in October 9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick none (overseas territory of the UK) Bermuda Day, 24 May 8 June 1968; amended 1989 and 2003 English law 18 years of age; universal chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Sir John VEREKER (since 11 April 2002) head of government: Premier William Alexander SCOTT (since 24 July 2003); Deputy Premier Ewart BROWN cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (an 11-member body appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve up to five-year terms) elections: last general election held 24 July 2003 (next to be held not later than July 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 51.7%, UBP 48%; seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14 Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts Progressive Labor Party or PLP [William Alexander SCOTT]; United Bermuda Party or UBP [Wayne FURBERT] Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Union or BPSU [Ed BALL]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES] Caricom (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU, WCO none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Consul General Gregory W. SLAYTON consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3 mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300 telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342 FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592, [1] (441) 296-9233 red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag Bermuda enjoys the highest per capita income in the world, more than 50% higher than that of the US. Its economy is primarily based on providing financial services for international business and luxury facilities for tourists. A number of reinsurance companies relocated to the island following 11 September 2001 and again after Hurricane Katrina, contributing to the expansion of an already robust international business sector. Bermuda's tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors from the US - continues to struggle but remains the island's number two industry. Most capital equipment and food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is small, although construction continues to be important; the average cost of a house in June 2003 had risen to $976,000. Agriculture is limited with only 20% of the land being arable. $4.5 billion (2004 est.) NA 4.6% (2004 est.) $69,900 (2004 est.) agriculture: 1% industry: 10% services: 89% (2002 est.) 38,360 (2004) agriculture and fishing 3%, laborers 17%, clerical 19%, professional and technical 21%, administrative and managerial 15%, sales 7%, services 19% (2004 est.) 2.1% (2004 est.) 19% (2000) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 2.8% (November 2005) revenues: $738 million expenditures: $665 million (FY04/05) bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products, honey international business, tourism, light manufacturing NA% 682.5 million kWh (2005) 616.7 million kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2005) 0 bbl/day (2003) 4,658 bbl/day (2005 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $1.469 billion (2004 est.) reexports of pharmaceuticals France 65.5%, Spain 11.7%, US 4.5% (2005) $982 million (2004 est.) clothing, fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals, food and live animals Kazakhstan 51.4%, France 19.2%, South Korea 10.3%, US 7.6% (2005) $160 million (FY99/00) $NA Bermudian dollar (BMD) Bermudian dollar per US dollar - 1.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar) 1 April - 31 March 56,000 (2002) 49,000 (2004) general assessment: good domestic: fully automatic digital telephone system; fiber optic trunk lines international: country code - 1-441; submarine cables - 3 (fiber optic); satellite earth stations - 3 (2005) AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2005) 3 (2005) .bm 12,286 (2005) 39,000 (2005) 1 (2006) total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2006) total: 447 km paved: 447 km note: public roads - 225 km; private roads - 222 km (2002) total: 132 ships (1000 GRT or over) 7,873,728 GRT/8,688,692 DWT by type: bulk carrier 25, cargo 1, container 24, liquefied gas 23, passenger 19, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 16, refrigerated cargo 13, roll on/roll off 5 foreign-owned: 116 (Australia 3, Belgium 4, France 1, Germany 21, Greece 2, Hong Kong 10, Indonesia 1, Ireland 1, Israel 3, Monaco 2, Nigeria 11, Norway 5, Sweden 14, Switzerland 2, UK 9, US 27) registered in other countries: 6 (Liberia 1, Marshall Islands 4, Panama 1) (2006) Hamilton, Saint George no regular military forces males age 18-49: 15,151 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 12,165 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 408 (2005 est.) $4.03 million (2001) 0.11% (FY00/01) defense is the responsibility of the UK Belgium Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands 50 50 N, 4 00 E Europe total: 30,528 sq km land: 30,278 sq km water: 250 sq km about the size of Maryland total: 1,385 km border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km 66.5 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: geographic coordinates define outer limit continental shelf: median line with neighbors temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast lowest point: North Sea 0 m highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m construction materials, silica sand, carbonates arable land: 27.42% permanent crops: 0.69% other: 71.89% note: includes Luxembourg (2005) 400 sq km (2003) flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) have slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO 10,379,067 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 16.7% (male 883,254/female 846,099) 15-64 years: 65.9% (male 3,450,879/female 3,389,565) 65 years and over: 17.4% (male 746,569/female 1,062,701) (2006 est.) total: 40.9 years male: 39.6 years female: 42.1 years (2006 est.) 0.13% (2006 est.) 10.38 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 10.27 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 4.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 78.77 years male: 75.59 years female: 82.09 years (2006 est.) 1.64 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.2% (2003 est.) 10,000 (2003 est.) less than 100 (2003 est.) noun: Belgian(s) adjective: Belgian Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11% Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25% Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium conventional short form: Belgium local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie local short form: Belgique/Belgie federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy name: Brussels geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 20 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch: provincies, singular - provincie) and 3 regions* (French: regions; Dutch: gewesten); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Brussels* (Bruxelles), Flanders*, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams-Brabant, Wallonia*, West-Vlaanderen note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities 4 October 1830 (a provisional government declares independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King Leopold I ascends to the throne) 21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King Leopold I 7 February 1831; amended many times; revised 14 July 1993 to create a federal state civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal and compulsory chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch head of government: Prime Minister Guy VERHOFSTADT (since 13 July 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers formally appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary and constitutional; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by parliament note: government coalition - VLD, MR, PS, SP.A-Spirit bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected by popular vote, 31 are indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 18 May 2003 (next to be held no later than May 2007) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - SP.A-Spirit 15.5%, VLD 15.4%, CD & V 12.7%, PS 12.8%, MR 12.1%, VB 9.4%, CDH 5.6%; seats by party - SP.A-Spirit 7, VLD 7, CD & V 6, PS 6, MR 5, VB 5, CDH 2, other 2 (note - there are also 31 indirectly elected senators); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - VLD 15.4%, SP.A-Spirit 14.9%, CD & V 13.3%, PS 13.0%, VB 11.6%, MR 11.4%, CDH 5.5%, Ecolo 3.1%; seats by party - VLD 25, SP.A-Spirit 23, CD & V 21, PS 25, VB 18, MR 24, CDH 8, Ecolo 4, other 2 note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments each with its own legislative assembly Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the government; candidacies have to be submitted by the High Justice Council) Flemish parties: Christian Democrats and Flemish or CD & V [Jo VANDEURZEN]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Bart SOMERS]; GROEN! (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens) [Vera DUA]; New Flemish Alliance or NVA [Bart DE WEVER]; Socialist Party.Alternative or SP.A [Johan Vande LANOTTE]; Spirit [Geert LAMBERT] (new party now associated with SP.A); Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Frank VANHECKE] Francophone parties: Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX, Isabelle DURANT, Claude BROUIR]; Humanist and Democratic Center of CDH [Joelle MILQUET]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET]; Reform Movement or MR [Didier REYNDERS]; Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; other minor parties Christian, Socialist, and Liberal Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries; numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC chief of mission: Ambassador Franciskus VAN DAELE chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900 FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York chief of mission: Ambassador Tom C. KOROLOGOS embassy: Regentlaan 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710 telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111 FAX: [32] (2) 511-2725 three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France This modern, private-enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Roughly three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt is nearly 100% of GDP. On the positive side, the government has succeeded in balancing its budget, and income distribution is relatively equal. Belgium began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply because of the global economic slowdown, with moderate recovery in 2004-05. $325 billion (2005 est.) $350.3 billion (2005 est.) 1.5% (2005 est.) $31,400 (2005 est.) agriculture: 1% industry: 24% services: 74.9% (2004 est.) 4.77 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 1.3% industry: 24.5% services: 74.2% (2003 est.) 8.4% (2005 est.) 4% (1989 est.) lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 23% (1996) 25 (1996) 2.8% (2005 est.) 19.9% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $180.4 billion expenditures: $180.5 billion; including capital expenditures of $1.56 billion (2005 est.) 94.3% of GDP (2005 est.) sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum -0.2% (2005 est.) 78.77 billion kWh (2003) 79.66 billion kWh (2003) 8.3 billion kWh (2003) 14.7 billion kWh (2003) 13,060 bbl/day (2003) 624,200 bbl/day (2003 est.) 450,000 bbl/day (2001) 1.042 million bbl/day (2001) 0 cu m (2003 est.) 15.48 billion cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 15.4 billion cu m (2001 est.) $6.305 billion (2005 est.) $269.6 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs Germany 19.4%, France 17.3%, Netherlands 11.7%, UK 8.2%, US 6.4%, Italy 5.3% (2005) $264.5 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products Netherlands 17.8%, Germany 17.2%, France 11.4%, UK 6.8%, Ireland 6.5%, US 5.4% (2005) $12 billion (2005 est.) $980.1 billion (30 June 2005 est.) ODA, $1.072 billion (2002) euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries euros per US dollar - 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001) calendar year 4.801 million (2004) 9,131,700 (2004) general assessment: highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network international: country code - 32; submarine cables - 5; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat - 3) (2005) FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998) 25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997) .be 2,238,900 (2005) 5.1 million (2005) 43 (2006) total: 25 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 7 (2006) total: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 16 (2006) 1 (2006) gas 1,485 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2004) total: 3,521 km standard gauge: 3,521 km 1.435-m gauge (2,927 km electrified) (2005) total: 149,757 km paved: 117,110 km (including 1,747 km of expressways) unpaved: 32,647 km (2003) 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2003) total: 66 ships (1000 GRT or over) 3,952,159 GRT/6,521,645 DWT by type: bulk carrier 19, cargo 4, chemical tanker 2, container 10, liquefied gas 15, petroleum tanker 12, roll on/roll off 4 foreign-owned: 10 (Denmark 4, Greece 4, UK 2) registered in other countries: 113 (Antigua and Barbuda 4, Bahamas 13, Bermuda 4, Cyprus 1, French Southern and Antarctic Lands 6, Georgia 1, Gibraltar 2, Greece 12, Hong Kong 3, Luxembourg 9, Malta 10, Mozambique 2, Netherlands 2, Netherlands Antilles 4, Panama 11, Portugal 8, Russia 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Singapore 12, Sweden 2) (2006) Antwerp, Brussels, Gent, Liege, Oostende, Zeebrugge Belgian Armed Forces: Land, Naval, and Air Operations Commands (2005) 16 years of age for voluntary military service; women comprise approx. 7% of the Belgian armed forces (2001) males age 16-49: 2,436,736 females age 16-49: 2,369,463 (2005 est.) males age 16-49: 1,998,003 females age 16-49: 1,940,918 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 64,263 females age 16-49: 61,402 (2005 est.) $3.999 billion (2003) 1.3% (2003) none Bahamas, The Lucayan Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher Columbus first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking and investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments to the US, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US. Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba 24 15 N, 76 00 W Central America and the Caribbean total: 13,940 sq km land: 10,070 sq km water: 3,870 sq km slightly smaller than Connecticut 0 km 3,542 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island 63 m salt, aragonite, timber, arable land arable land: 0.58% permanent crops: 0.29% other: 99.13% (2005) 10 sq km (2003) hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage coral reef decay; solid waste disposal party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited 303,770 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 27.5% (male 41,799/female 41,733) 15-64 years: 66.1% (male 98,847/female 102,074) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 7,891/female 11,426) (2006 est.) total: 27.8 years male: 27.1 years female: 28.6 years (2006 est.) 0.64% (2006 est.) 17.57 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 9.05 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -2.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 24.68 deaths/1,000 live births male: 30.29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 65.6 years male: 62.24 years female: 69.03 years (2006 est.) 2.18 children born/woman (2006 est.) 3% (2003 est.) 5,600 (2003 est.) less than 200 (2003 est.) noun: Bahamian(s) adjective: Bahamian black 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3% Baptist 35.4%, Anglican 15.1%, Roman Catholic 13.5%, Pentecostal 8.1%, Church of God 4.8%, Methodist 4.2%, other Christian 15.2%, none or unspecified 2.9%, other 0.8% (2000 census) English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.6% male: 94.7% female: 96.5% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas conventional short form: The Bahamas constitutional parliamentary democracy name: Nassau geographic coordinates: 25 05 N, 77 21 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in April; ends last Sunday in October 21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh Harbour, Mayaguana, New Providence, Nichollstown and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum Cay 10 July 1973 (from UK) Independence Day, 10 July (1973) 10 July 1973 based on English common law 18 years of age; universal chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Arthur D. HANNA (since 1 February 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Perry CHRISTIE (since 3 May 2002) and Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia PRATT (since 7 May 2002) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16-member body appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader for five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (40 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms); the government may dissolve the Parliament and call elections at any time elections: last held 1 May 2002 (next to be held by May 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 50.8%, FNM 41.1%, independents 5.2%; seats by party - PLP 29, FNM 7, independents 4 Privy Council (London); Courts of Appeal; Supreme (lower) Court; magistrates courts Free National Movement or FNM [Hubert INGRAHAM]; Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE] NA ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOM, IOC, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) chief of mission: vacant chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York chief of mission: Ambassador John D. ROOD embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau mailing address: local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; Department of State, 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC 20521-3370 telephone: [1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 (after hours) FAX: [1] (242) 356-0222 three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side The Bahamas is a stable, developing nation with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism together with tourism-driven construction and manufacturing accounts for approximately 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs half of the archipelago's labor force. Steady growth in tourism receipts and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and residences had led to solid GDP growth in recent years, but the slowdown in the US economy and the attacks of 11 September 2001 held back growth in these sectors in 2001-03. The current government has presided over a period of economic recovery and an upturn in large-scale private sector investments in tourism. Financial services constitute the second-most important sector of the Bahamian economy, accounting for about 15% of GDP. However, since December 2000, when the government enacted new regulations on the financial sector, many international businesses have left The Bahamas. Manufacturing and agriculture together contribute approximately a tenth of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. Overall growth prospects in the short run rest heavily on the fortunes of the tourism sector, which depends on growth in the US, the source of more than 80% of the visitors. $6.098 billion (2005 est.) $5.783 billion (2005 est.) 3.5% (2005 est.) $20,200 (2005 est.) agriculture: 3% industry: 7% services: 90% (2001 est.) 176,300 (2004) agriculture 5%, industry 5%, tourism 50%, other services 40% (2005 est.) 10.2% (2005 est.) 9.3% (2004) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: 27% 1.2% ( 2004) revenues: $1.03 billion expenditures: $1.03 billion; including capital expenditures of $130 million (FY04/05) citrus, vegetables; poultry tourism, banking, cement, oil transshipment, salt, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe NA% 1.81 billion kWh (2003) 1.683 billion kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003) 23,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) transhipments of 29,000 bbl/day (2003) NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $469.3 million (2004 est.) mineral products and salt, animal products, rum, chemicals, fruit and vegetables US 30.8%, Spain 29.5%, Poland 9.2%, Germany 5.5%, Guatemala 4% (2005) $1.82 billion (2004 est.) machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, mineral fuels; food and live animals US 22.7%, South Korea 20.4%, Spain 7.9%, Brazil 7.2%, Italy 6.5%, Germany 5.4% (2005) $342.6 million (2004 est.) $5 million (2004) Bahamian dollar (BSD) Bahamian dollars per US dollar - 1 (2005), 1 (2004), 1 (2003), 1 (2002), 1 (2001) 1 July - 30 June 139,900 (2004) 186,000 (2004) general assessment: modern facilities domestic: totally automatic system; highly developed international: country code - 1-242; tropospheric scatter and submarine cable to Florida; 3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth station - 2 (2005) AM 3, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2006) 2 (2006) .bs 359 (2005) 93,000 (2005) 64 (2006) total: 29 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 35 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 22 (2006) 1 (2006) total: 2,693 km paved: 1,546 km unpaved: 1,147 km (1999) total: 1,177 ships (1000 GRT or over) 37,743,270 GRT/50,918,747 DWT by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 253, cargo 250, chemical tanker 64, container 79, liquefied gas 35, livestock carrier 2, passenger 115, passenger/cargo 34, petroleum tanker 175, refrigerated cargo 114, roll on/roll off 20, specialized tanker 5, vehicle carrier 30 foreign-owned: 1,093 (Angola 5, Australia 2, Belgium 13, Canada 18, China 3, Cuba 1, Cyprus 13, Denmark 59, Estonia 1, Finland 8, France 37, Germany 22, Greece 232, Hong Kong 8, Iceland 1, India 1, Indonesia 4, Ireland 2, Israel 1, Italy 5, Japan 51, Jordan 2, Kenya 1, Latvia 1, Malaysia 12, Monaco 17, Montenegro 2, Netherlands 24, Nigeria 2, Norway 259, Philippines 1, Poland 15, Reunion 1, Russia 6, Saudi Arabia 12, Singapore 12, Slovenia 1, Spain 12, Sweden 6, Switzerland 2, Thailand 1, Turkey 8, UAE 16, UK 69, Uruguay 2, US 121, Venezuela 1) registered in other countries: 4 (Barbados 1, Liberia 1, Panama 2) (2006) Freeport, Nassau, South Riding Point Royal Bahamaian Defense Force (naval forces) (2004) 18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001) males age 18-49: 73,121 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 44,309 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 2,804 (2005 est.) NA NA disagrees with the US on the alignment of the maritime boundary; continues to monitor and interdict Haitian refugees fleeing economic privation and political instability Bangladesh Europeans began to set up trading posts in the area of Bangladesh in the 16th century; eventually the British came to dominate the region and it became part of British India. In 1947, West Pakistan and East Bengal (both primarily Muslim) separated from India (largely Hindu) and jointly became the new country of Pakistan. East Bengal became East Pakistan in 1955, but the awkward arrangement of a two-part country with its territorial units separated by 1,600 km left the Bengalis marginalized and dissatisfied. East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan in 1971 and was renamed Bangladesh. About a third of this extremely poor country floods annually during the monsoon rainy season, hampering economic development. Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India 24 00 N, 90 00 E Asia total: 144,000 sq km land: 133,910 sq km water: 10,090 sq km slightly smaller than Iowa total: 4,246 km border countries: Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km 580 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: up to the outer limits of the continental margin tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October) mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Keokradong 1,230 m natural gas, arable land, timber, coal arable land: 55.39% permanent crops: 3.08% other: 41.53% (2005) 47,250 sq km (2003) droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land; water-borne diseases prevalent in surface water; water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results from the use of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated by naturally occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; severe overpopulation party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements most of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers flowing from the Himalayas: the Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal 147,365,352 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 32.9% (male 24,957,997/female 23,533,894) 15-64 years: 63.6% (male 47,862,774/female 45,917,674) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 2,731,578/female 2,361,435) (2006 est.) total: 22.2 years male: 22.2 years female: 22.2 years (2006 est.) 2.09% (2006 est.) 29.8 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 8.27 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -0.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.16 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 60.83 deaths/1,000 live births male: 61.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 59.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 62.46 years male: 62.47 years female: 62.45 years (2006 est.) 3.11 children born/woman (2006 est.) less than 0.1% (2001 est.) 13,000 (2001 est.) 650 (2001 est.) degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in some locations water contact disease: leptospirosis animal contact disease: rabies (2005) noun: Bangladeshi(s) adjective: Bangladeshi Bengali 98%, tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims (1998) Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998) Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 43.1% male: 53.9% female: 31.8% (2003 est.) conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh conventional short form: Bangladesh local long form: Gana Prajatantri Banladesh local short form: Banladesh former: East Bengal, East Pakistan parliamentary democracy name: Dhaka geographic coordinates: 23 43 N, 90 25 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 6 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet 16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh Independence Day, 26 March (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972; suspended following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986; amended many times based on English common law 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Iajuddin AHMED (since 6 September 2002); note - the president's duties are normally ceremonial, but with the 13th amendment to the constitution ("Caretaker Government Amendment"), the president's role becomes significant at times when Parliament is dissolved and a caretaker government is installed - at presidential direction - to supervise the elections head of government: Prime Minister Khaleda ZIA (since 10 October 2001) cabinet: Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the president elections: president elected by National Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election scheduled for 16 September 2002 was not held since Iajuddin AHMED was the only presidential candidate; he was sworn in on 6 September 2002 (next election to be held by 2007); following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats is usually appointed prime minister by the president election results: Iajuddin AHMED declared by the Election Commission elected unopposed as president; percent of National Parliament vote - NA unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad; 300 seats elected by popular vote from single territorial constituencies (the constitutional amendment reserving 30 seats for women over and above the 300 regular parliament seats expired in May 2001); members serve five-year terms elections: last held 1 October 2001 (next to be held no later than January 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - BNP and alliance partners 41%, AL 40%; seats by party - BNP 193, AL 58, JI 17, JP (Ershad faction) 14, IOJ 2, JP (Manzur) 4, other 12; note - the election of October 2001 brought a majority BNP government aligned with three other smaller parties - JI, IOJ, and Jatiya Party (Manzur) Supreme Court (the chief justices and other judges are appointed by the president) Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]; Bangladesh Communist Party or BCP [Saifuddin Ahmed MANIK]; Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP [Khaleda ZIA]; Islami Oikya Jote or IOJ [Mufti Fazlul Haq AMINI]; Jamaat-e-Islami or JI [Motiur Rahman NIZAMI]; Jatiya Party or JP (Ershad faction) [Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD]; Jatiya Party (Manzur faction) [Naziur Rahman MANZUR] NA AsDB, BIMSTEC, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Shamsher Mobin CHOWDHURY chancery: 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 244-0183 FAX: [1] (202) 244-5366 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia A. BUTENIS embassy: Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212 mailing address: G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000 telephone: [880] (2) 885-5500 FAX: [880] (2) 882-3744 green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of center; the red sun of freedom represents the blood shed to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush countryside, and secondarily, the traditional color of Islam Despite sustained domestic and international efforts to improve economic and demographic prospects, Bangladesh remains a poor, overpopulated, and inefficiently-governed nation. Although half of GDP is generated through the service sector, nearly two-thirds of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as the single-most-important product. Major impediments to growth include frequent cyclones and floods, inefficient state-owned enterprises, inadequate port facilities, a rapidly growing labor force that cannot be absorbed by agriculture, delays in exploiting energy resources (natural gas), insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Reform is stalled in many instances by political infighting and corruption at all levels of government. Progress also has been blocked by opposition from the bureaucracy, public sector unions, and other vested interest groups. The BNP government, led by Prime Minister Khaleda ZIA, has the parliamentary strength to push through needed reforms, but the party's political will to do so has been lacking in key areas. One encouraging note: growth has been a steady 5% for the past several years. $304.3 billion (2005 est.) $63.56 billion (2005 est.) 5.7% (2005 est.) $2,100 (2005 est.) agriculture: 19.9% industry: 19.8% services: 60.3% (2004 est.) 66.6 million note: extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Malaysia; workers' remittances estimated at $1.71 billion in 1998-99 (2005 est.) agriculture: 63% industry: 11% services: 26% (FY95/96) 2.5% (includes underemployment) (2005 est.) 45% (2004 est.) lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 28.6% (1995-96 est.) 31.8 (2000) 7% (2005 est.) 24.4% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $5.993 billion expenditures: $8.598 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 44.5% of GDP (2005 est.) rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruit; beef, milk, poultry cotton textiles, jute, garments, tea processing, paper newsprint, cement, chemical fertilizer, light engineering, sugar 6.7% (2005 est.) 17.42 billion kWh (2003) 16.2 billion kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 6,825 bbl/day (2003) 84,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 28.45 million bbl (1 January 2002) 11.9 billion cu m (2003 est.) 11.9 billion cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 300.2 billion cu m (1 January 2002) $37 million (2005 est.) $9.372 billion (2005 est.) garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood (2001) US 23.6%, Germany 13.5%, UK 9.4%, France 6.4% (2005) $12.97 billion (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, foodstuffs, petroleum products, cement (2000) India 14.1%, China 13.5%, Kuwait 8.5%, Singapore 6.2%, Japan 4.1%, Hong Kong 4.1% (2005) $2.825 billion (2005 est.) $20.63 billion (2005 est.) $1.575 billion (2000 est.) taka (BDT) taka per US dollar - 64.328 (2005), 59.513 (2004), 58.15 (2003), 57.888 (2002), 55.807 (2001) 1 July - 30 June 1.07 million (2005) 2,781,600 (2004) general assessment: totally inadequate for a modern country domestic: modernizing; introducing digital systems; trunk systems include VHF and UHF microwave radio relay links, and some fiber-optic cable in cities international: country code - 880; satellite earth stations - 6; international radiotelephone communications and landline service to neighboring countries (2005) AM 15, FM 13, shortwave 2 (2006) 15 (1999) .bd 266 (2005) 300,000 (2005) 16 (2006) total: 15 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 5 (2006) total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006) gas 2,012 km (2004) total: 2,768 km broad gauge: 946 km 1.676-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,822 km 1.000-m gauge (2005) total: 239,226 km paved: 22,726 km unpaved: 216,500 km (2003) 8,372 km note: includes 5,635 km main cargo routes; network reduced to 5,200 km in dry season (2005) total: 42 ships (1000 GRT or over) 341,733 GRT/485,840 DWT by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 29, container 6, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 3 foreign-owned: 1 (China 1) registered in other countries: 10 (Antigua and Barbuda 4, Comoros 1, Malta 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Singapore 1) (2006) Chittagong, Mongla Port Bangladesh Defense Force: Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force (Bangladesh Biman Bahini, BAF) (2006) 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2005) males age 18-49: 35,170,019 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 26,841,255 (2005 est.) $1.01 billion (2005 est.) 1.8% (2005 est.) discussions with India remain stalled to delimit a small section of river boundary, exchange 162 miniscule enclaves in both countries, allocate divided villages, and stop illegal cross-border trade, migration, violence, and transit of terrorists through the porous border; Bangladesh resists India's attempts to fence or wall off high-traffic sections of the porous boundary; a joint Bangladesh-India boundary inspection in 2005 revealed 92 pillars are missing; dispute with India over New Moore/South Talpatty/Purbasha Island in the Bay of Bengal deters maritime boundary delimitation; Burmese Muslim refugees strain Bangladesh's meager resources refugees (country of origin): 20,402 (Burma) IDPs: 61,000 (land conflicts, religious persecution) (2005) Belize Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1854. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. Current concerns include high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, and increasing urban crime. Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico 17 15 N, 88 45 W Central America and the Caribbean total: 22,966 sq km land: 22,806 sq km water: 160 sq km slightly smaller than Massachusetts total: 516 km border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km 386 km territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for negotiating a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala exclusive economic zone: 200 nm tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May) flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Victoria Peak 1,160 m arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower arable land: 3.05% permanent crops: 1.39% other: 95.56% (2005) 30 sq km (2003) frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south) deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean 287,730 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 39.5% (male 57,923/female 55,678) 15-64 years: 57% (male 82,960/female 81,046) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 4,888/female 5,235) (2006 est.) total: 19.6 years male: 19.5 years female: 19.8 years (2006 est.) 2.31% (2006 est.) 28.84 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 5.72 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 24.89 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 68.3 years male: 66.43 years female: 70.26 years (2006 est.) 3.6 children born/woman (2006 est.) 2.4% (2003 est.) 3,600 (2003 est.) less than 200 (2003 est.) noun: Belizean(s) adjective: Belizean mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7% Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Pentecostal 7.4%, Anglican 5.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Mennonite 4.1%, Methodist 3.5%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), other 14%, none 9.4% (2000) English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.1% male: 94.1% female: 94.1% (2003 est.) conventional long form: none conventional short form: Belize former: British Honduras parliamentary democracy name: Belmopan geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 46 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo 21 September 1981 (from UK) Independence Day, 21 September (1981) 21 September 1981 English law 18 years of age; universal chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG, Sr. (since 17 November 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Said Wilbert MUSA (since 28 August 1998); Deputy Prime Minister John BRICENO (since 1 September 1998) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 members appointed by the governor general - 6 on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1 each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; members are appointed for five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (29 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 5 March 2003 (next to be held March 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PUP 21, UDP 8 Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister) People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean BARROW, party leader; Douglas SINGH, party chairman] Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Adele CATZIM] ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa M. SHOMAN chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles chief of mission: Ambassador Robert J. DIETER embassy: 29 Gabourel Lane, Belize City mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Belize City telephone: [501] 227-7161 through 7163 FAX: [501] 2-30802 blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland In this small, essentially private-enterprise economy the tourism industry is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to sturdy GDP growth averaging nearly 5% in 1999-2005. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit and foreign debt. A key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty with the help of international donors. $1.778 billion (2004 est.) $908 million (2005 est.) 3.8% (2005 est.) $6,800 (2005 est.) agriculture: 14.2% industry: 15.2% services: 61.2% (2004 est.) 90,000 note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (2001 est.) agriculture: 27% industry: 18% services: 55% (2001 est.) 12.9% (2003) 33% (1999 est.) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 3% (2005 est.) 17.8% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $262 million expenditures: $329 million; including capital expenditures of $70 million (2005 est.) bananas, coca, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber; garments garment production, food processing, tourism, construction 4.6% (1999) 120 million kWh (2003) 111.6 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003) 6,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) -$180 million (2005 est.) $349.9 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood US 30.7%, UK 25.1%, France 4.8% (2005) $622.4 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco US 31.5%, Mexico 10%, Russia 9%, Cuba 6.1%, Guatemala 5.7%, China 4.7%, Spain 4.4% (2005) $87 million (2005 est.) $1.362 billion (June 2004 est.) $NA Belizean dollar (BZD) Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2 (2005), 2 (2004), 2 (2003), 2 (2002), 2 (2001) 1 April - 31 March 33,300 (2005) 91,700 (2004) general assessment: above-average system domestic: trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay international: country code - 501; satellite earth station - 8 (Intelsat - 2, unknown - 6) (2005) AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998) 2 (1997) .bz 3,846 (2005) 35,000 (2005) 43 (2006) total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2006) total: 38 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 26 (2006) total: 2,872 km paved: 488 km unpaved: 2,384 km (1999) 825 km (navigable only by small craft) (2005) total: 285 ships (1000 GRT or over) 985,464 GRT/1,322,629 DWT by type: bulk carrier 36, cargo 203, chemical tanker 7, container 4, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 13, refrigerated cargo 12, roll on/roll off 6, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 225 (China 103, Croatia 1, Cyprus 2, Estonia 3, Germany 3, Greece 2, Hong Kong 8, Iceland 2, Indonesia 2, Italy 4, Japan 2, North Korea 2, South Korea 4, Latvia 6, Lithuania 1, Malaysia 1, Mexico 1, Norway 2, Poland 2, Russia 36, Singapore 6, Spain 3, Switzerland 1, Turkey 11, UAE 5, Ukraine 7, US 5) (2006) Belize City Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and Volunteer Guard 18 years of age for voluntary military service; laws allow for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient; conscription has never been implemented; volunteers typically outnumber available positions by 3:1 (2001) males age 18-49: 61,201 females age 18-49: 60,048 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 44,238 females age 18-49: 43,633 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 3,213 females age 18-49: 3,100 (2005 est.) $19 million (2005 est.) 1.7% (2005 est.) Guatemalan squatters continue to settle in the largely uninhabited rain forests of Belize's border region; OAS seeks to revive the 2002 failed Belize-Guatemala Differendum that created a small adjustment to land boundary, a Guatemalan maritime corridor in Caribbean, joint ecological park for disputed Sapodilla Cays, and substantial US-UK financial package Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina's declaration of sovereignty in October 1991 was followed by a declaration of independence from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia and Montenegro - responded with armed resistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and joining Serb-held areas to form a "Greater Serbia." In March 1994, Bosniaks and Croats reduced the number of warring factions from three to two by signing an agreement creating a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed a peace agreement that brought to a halt three years of interethnic civil strife (the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995). The Dayton Peace Accords retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundaries and created a joint multi-ethnic and democratic government charged with conducting foreign, diplomatic, and fiscal policy. Also recognized was a second tier of government comprised of two entities roughly equal in size: the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS governments were charged with overseeing most government functions. The Office of the High Representative (OHR) was established to oversee the implementation of the civilian aspects of the agreement. In 1995-96, a NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops served in Bosnia to implement and monitor the military aspects of the agreement. IFOR was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) whose mission was to deter renewed hostilities. European Union peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) replaced SFOR in December 2004; their mission is to maintain peace and stability throughout the country. Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia 44 00 N, 18 00 E Europe total: 51,129 sq km land: 51,129 sq km water: 0 sq km slightly smaller than West Virginia total: 1,459 km border countries: Croatia 932 km, Montenegro 225 km, Serbia 302 km 20 km no data available hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coast mountains and valleys lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Maglic 2,386 m coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, cobalt, manganese, nickel, clay, gypsum, salt, sand, forests, hydropower arable land: 19.61% permanent crops: 1.89% other: 78.5% (2005) 30 sq km (2003) destructive earthquakes air pollution from metallurgical plants; sites for disposing of urban waste are limited; water shortages and destruction of infrastructure because of the 1992-95 civil strife; deforestation party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements within Bosnia and Herzegovina's recognized borders, the country is divided into a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation (about 51% of the territory) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska or RS (about 49% of the territory); the region called Herzegovina is contiguous to Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro (Montenegro), and traditionally has been settled by an ethnic Croat majority in the west and an ethnic Serb majority in the east 4,498,976 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 15.5% (male 359,739/female 336,978) 15-64 years: 70.1% (male 1,590,923/female 1,564,665) 65 years and over: 14.4% (male 265,637/female 381,034) (2006 est.) total: 38.4 years male: 37.2 years female: 39.5 years (2006 est.) 1.35% (2006 est.) 8.77 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 8.27 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 13.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 9.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 78 years male: 74.39 years female: 81.88 years (2006 est.) 1.22 children born/woman (2006 est.) less than 0.1% (2001 est.) 900 (2003 est.) 100 (2001 est.) noun: Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s) adjective: Bosnian, Herzegovinian Bosniak 48%, Serb 37.1%, Croat 14.3%, other 0.6% (2000) note: Bosniak has replaced Muslim as an ethnic term in part to avoid confusion with the religious term Muslim - an adherent of Islam Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Roman Catholic 15%, other 14% Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.6% male: 98.4% female: 91.1% (2000 est.) conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bosnia and Herzegovina local long form: none local short form: Bosna i Hercegovina former: People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina emerging federal democratic republic name: Sarajevo geographic coordinates: 43 52 N, 18 25 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 2 first-order administrative divisions and 1 internationally supervised district* - Brcko district (Brcko Distrikt)*, the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska; note - Brcko district is in northeastern Bosnia and is an administrative unit under the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina; the district remains under international supervision 1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia; referendum for independence was completed 1 March 1992; independence was declared 3 March 1992) National Day, 25 November (1943) the Dayton Agreement, signed 14 December 1995, included a new constitution now in force; note - each of the entities also has its own constitution based on civil law system 18 years of age, universal chief of state: Chairman of the Presidency Sulejman TIHIC (chairman since 28 February 2006; presidency member since 5 October 2002 - Bosniak); other members of the three-member presidency rotating (every eight months): Borislav PARAVAC (since 10 April 2003 - Serb) and Ivo Miro JOVIC (since 28 June 2005 - Croat) head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Adnan TERZIC (since 20 December 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the council chairman; approved by the National House of Representatives elections: the three members of the presidency (one Bosniak, one Croat, one Serb) are elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term, but then ineligible for four years); the member with the most votes becomes the chairman unless he or she was the incumbent chairman at the time of the election, but the chairmanship rotates every eight months; election last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held in 2006); the chairman of the Council of Ministers is appointed by the presidency and confirmed by the National House of Representatives election results: percent of vote - Mirko SAROVIC with 35.5% of the Serb vote was elected chairman of the collective presidency for the first eight months; Dragan COVIC received 61.5% of the Croat vote; Sulejman TIHIC received 37% of the Bosniak vote; note - Mirko SAROVIC resigned 2 April 2003, replaced by Mirko PARAVAC, and Dragan COVIC was sacked by the High Representative serving the UN and EU on 29 March 2003, replaced by Ivo Miro JOVIC note: President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Niko LOZANCIC (since 27 January 2003); Vice Presidents Sahbaz DZIHANOVIC (since in 2003) and Desnica RADIVOJEVIC (since in 2003); President of the Republika Srpska: Dragan CAVIC (since 28 November 2002) bicameral Parliamentary Assembly or Skupstina consists of the national House of Representatives or Predstavnicki Dom (42 seats - elected by proportional representation, 28 seats allocated from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 14 seats from the Republika Srpska; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); and the House of Peoples or Dom Naroda (15 seats - 5 Bosniak, 5 Croat, 5 Serb; members elected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's House of Representatives and the Republika Srpska's National Assembly to serve four-year terms); note - Bosnia's election law specifies four-year terms for the state and first-order administrative division entity legislatures elections: national House of Representatives - elections last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held in 2006); House of Peoples - last constituted in January 2003 (next to be constituted in 2007) election results: national House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - SDA 21.9%, SDS 14.0%, SBiH 10.5%, SDP 10.4%, SNSD 9.8%, HDZ-BH 9.5%, PDP 4.6%, other 19.3%; seats by party/coalition - SDA 10, SDS 5, SBiH 6, SDP 4, SNSD 3, HDZ-BH 5, PDP 2, other 7; House of Peoples - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - NA note: the Bosniak/Croat Federation has a bicameral legislature that consists of a House of Representatives (98 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); elections last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held in October 2006); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party/coalition - SDA 32, HDZ-BH 16, SDP 15, SBiH 15, other 20; and a House of Peoples (60 seats - 30 Bosniak, 30 Croat); last constituted December 2002; the Republika Srpska has a National Assembly (83 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); elections last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held in the fall of 2006); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party/coalition - SDS 26, SNSD 19, PDP 9, SDA 6, SRS 4, SBH 4, SPRS 3, DNZ 3, SDP 3, other 6; as a result of the 2002 constitutional reform process, a 28-member Republika Srpska Council of Peoples (COP) was established in the Republika Srpska National Assembly including eight Croats, eight Bosniaks, eight Serbs, and four members of the smaller communities BH Constitutional Court (consists of nine members: four members are selected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's House of Representatives, two members by the Republika Srpska's National Assembly, and three non-Bosnian members by the president of the European Court of Human Rights); BH State Court (consists of nine judges and three divisions - Administrative, Appellate and Criminal - having jurisdiction over cases related to state-level law and appellate jurisdiction over cases initiated in the entities); note - a War Crimes Chamber opened in March 2005 note: the entities each have a Supreme Court; each entity also has a number of lower courts; there are 10 cantonal courts in the Federation, plus a number of municipal courts; the Republika Srpska has five municipal courts Alliance of Independent Social Democrats or SNSD [Milorad DODIK]; Bosnian Party or BOSS [Mirnes AJANOVIC]; Civic Democratic Party or GDS [Ibrahim SPAHIC]; Croat Christian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HKDU [Marin TOPIC]; Croat Party of Rights or HSP [Zvonko JURISIC]; Croat Peasants Party or HSS [Marko TADIC]; Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HDZ-BH [Dragan COVIC]; Croatian Peoples Union [Milenko BRKIC]; Democratic National Union or DNZ [Rifet DOLIC]; Democratic Peoples Alliance [Marko PAVIC]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDS [Rasim KADIC]; New Croat Initiative or NHI [Kresimir ZUBAK]; Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina or SBiH [Safet HALILOVIC]; Party for Democratic Action or SDA [Sulejman TIHIC]; Party of Democratic Progress or PDP [Mladen IVANIC]; Serb Democratic Party or SDS [Dragan CAVIC]; Serb Radical Party of the Republika Srpska or SRS-RS [Milanko MIHAJLICA]; Serb Radical Party-Dr. Vojislav Seselj or SRS-VS [Radislav KANJERIC]; Social Democratic Party of BIH or SDP [Zlatko LAGUMDZIJA]; Social Democratic Union or SDU [Sejfudin TOKIC]; Socialist Party of Republika Srpska or SPRS [Petar DJOKIC] NA BIS, CE, CEI, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer) chief of mission: Ambassador Bisera TURKOVIC chancery: 2109 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 337-1500 FAX: [1] (202) 337-1502 consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York chief of mission: Ambassador Douglas L. McELHANEY embassy: Alipasina 43, 71000 Sarajevo mailing address: use street address telephone: [387] (33) 445-700 FAX: [387] (33) 659-722 branch office(s): Banja Luka, Mostar a wide medium blue vertical band on the fly side with a yellow isosceles triangle abutting the band and the top of the flag; the remainder of the flag is medium blue with seven full five-pointed white stars and two half stars top and bottom along the hypotenuse of the triangle Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked next to Macedonia as the poorest republic in the old Yugoslav federation. Although agriculture is almost all in private hands, farms are small and inefficient, and the republic traditionally is a net importer of food. Industry remains greatly overstaffed, a holdover from the socialist economic structure of Yugoslavia. TITO had pushed the development of military industries in the republic with the result that Bosnia was saddled with a host of industrial firms with little commercial potential. The interethnic warfare in Bosnia caused production to plummet by 80% from 1992 to 1995 and unemployment to soar. With an uneasy peace in place, output recovered in 1996-99 at high percentage rates from a low base; but output growth slowed in 2000-02. Part of the lag in output was made up in 2003-05. National-level statistics are limited and do not capture the large share of black market activity. The konvertibilna marka (convertible mark or BAM)- the national currency introduced in 1998 - is pegged to the euro, and confidence in the currency and the banking sector has increased. Implementation of privatization, however, has been slow, and local entities only reluctantly support national-level institutions. Banking reform accelerated in 2001 as all the Communist-era payments bureaus were shut down; foreign banks, primarily from Western Europe, now control most of the banking sector. A sizeable current account deficit and high unemployment rate remain the two most serious economic problems. The country receives substantial amounts of reconstruction assistance and humanitarian aid from the international community but will have to prepare for an era of declining assistance. $22.89 billion note: Bosnia has a large informal sector that could also be as much as 50% of official GDP (2005 est.) $8.495 billion (2005 est.) 5.3% (2005 est.) $6,800 (2005 est.) agriculture: 14.2% industry: 30.8% services: 55% (2002) 1.026 million (2001) agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% 45.5% official rate; grey economy may reduce actual unemployment to 25-30% (31 December 2004 est.) 25% (2004 est.) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 26.2 (2001) 4.4% (2005 est.) revenues: $4.373 billion expenditures: $4.401 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables; livestock steel, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, bauxite, vehicle assembly, textiles, tobacco products, wooden furniture, tank and aircraft assembly, domestic appliances, oil refining 5.5% (2003 est.) 10.51 billion kWh (2003) 8.849 billion kWh (2003) 3.2 billion kWh (2003) 2.271 billion kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003) 21,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 160 million cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 300 million cu m (2001 est.) -$2.087 billion (2005 est.) $2.7 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) metals, clothing, wood products Croatia 18.8%, Italy 17.4%, Slovenia 14.9%, Germany 13.1%, Austria 6.6%, Hungary 5.3%, China 4.3% (2005) $6.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs Croatia 25.5%, Germany 14.1%, Slovenia 13.5%, Italy 11.3%, Austria 7.1%, Hungary 5.6% (2005) $2.531 billion (2005 est.) $3.116 billion (2005 est.) $650 million (2001 est.) marka (BAM) marka per US dollar - 1.5727 (2005), 1.5752 (2004), 1.7329 (2003), 2.0782 (2002), 2.1857 (2001) note: the marka is pegged to the euro calendar year 928,000 (2004) 1.05 million (2003) general assessment: telephone and telegraph network needs modernization and expansion; many urban areas are below average as contrasted with services in other former Yugoslav republics domestic: NA international: country code - 387; no satellite earth stations AM 8, FM 16, shortwave 1 (1998) 33 (plus 277 repeaters) (September 1995) .ba 8,525 (2005) 225,000 (2005) 28 (2006) total: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2006) total: 20 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 12 (2006) 5 (2006) total: 608 km (777 km electrified) standard gauge: 608 km 1.435-m gauge (2005) total: 21,846 km paved: 11,425 km (4,686 km of interurban roads) unpaved: 10,421 km (2005) Sava River (northern border) open to shipping but use limited (2006) Bosanska Gradiska, Bosanski Brod, Bosanski Samac, and Brcko (all inland waterway ports on the Sava), Orasje VF Army (the air and air defense forces are subordinate commands within the Army), VRS Army (the air and air defense forces are subordinate commands within the Army) 18 years of age for compulsory military service in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina; 16 years of age in times of war; 18 years of age for Republika Srpska; 17 years of age for voluntary military service in the Federation and in the Republika Srpska; by law, military obligations cover all healthy men between the ages of 18 and 60, and all women between the ages of 18 and 55; service obligation is four months (July 2004) males age 18-49: 1,119,508 females age 18-49: 1,079,435 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 910,539 females age 18-49: 881,446 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 32,942 females age 18-49: 31,466 (2005 est.) $234.3 million (FY02) 4.5% (FY02) Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro have delimited most of their boundary, but sections along the Drina River remain in dispute; discussions continue with Croatia on several small disputed sections of the boundary related to maritime access that hinder ratification of the 1999 border agreement refugees (country of origin): 19,213 (Croatia) IDPs: 309,200 (Bosnian Croats, Serbs, and Muslims displaced in 1992-95 war) (2005) Bolivia Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and countercoups. Democratic civilian rule was established in 1982, but leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and illegal drug production. In December 2005, Bolivians elected Movement Toward Socialism leader Evo MORALES president - by the widest margin of any leader since the restoration of civilian rule in 1982 - after he ran on a promise to change the country's traditional political class and empower the nation's poor majority. However, since taking office, his controversial strategies have exacerbated racial and economic tensions between the Amerindian populations of the Andean west and the non-indigenous communities of the eastern lowlands. Central South America, southwest of Brazil 17 00 S, 65 00 W South America total: 1,098,580 sq km land: 1,084,390 sq km water: 14,190 sq km slightly less than three times the size of Montana total: 6,743 km border countries: Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km, Chile 861 km, Paraguay 750 km, Peru 900 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin lowest point: Rio Paraguay 90 m highest point: Nevado Sajama 6,542 m tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower arable land: 2.78% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 97.03% (2005) 1,320 sq km (2003) flooding in the northeast (March-April) the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the international demand for tropical timber are contributing to deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification; loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used for drinking and irrigation party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru 8,989,046 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 35% (male 1,603,982/female 1,542,319) 15-64 years: 60.4% (male 2,660,806/female 2,771,807) 65 years and over: 4.6% (male 182,412/female 227,720) (2006 est.) total: 21.8 years male: 21.2 years female: 22.5 years (2006 est.) 1.45% (2006 est.) 23.3 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 7.53 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 51.77 deaths/1,000 live births male: 55.31 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 65.84 years male: 63.21 years female: 68.61 years (2006 est.) 2.85 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.1% (2003 est.) 4,900 (2003 est.) less than 500 (2003 est.) noun: Bolivian(s) adjective: Bolivian Quechua 30%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry) 30%, Aymara 25%, white 15% Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist) 5% Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87.2% male: 93.1% female: 81.6% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Bolivia conventional short form: Bolivia local long form: Republica de Bolivia local short form: Bolivia republic name: La Paz (adminstrative capital) geographic coordinates: 16 30 S, 68 09 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Sucre (constitutional capital) 9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Beni, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija 6 August 1825 (from Spain) Independence Day, 6 August (1825) 2 February 1967; revised in August 1994 based on Spanish law and Napoleonic Code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age, universal and compulsory (married); 21 years of age, universal and compulsory (single) chief of state: President Juan Evo MORALES Ayma (since 22 January 2006); Vice President Alvaro GARCIA Linera (since 22 January 2006); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Juan Evo MORALES Ayma (since 22 January 2006); Vice President Alvaro GARCIA Linera (since 22 January 2006); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held 18 December 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: Juan Evo MORALES Ayma elected president; percent of vote - Juan Evo MORALES Ayma 53.7%; Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramirez 28.6%; Samuel DORIA MEDINA Arana 7.8%; Michiaki NAGATANI Morishit 6.5%; Felipe QUISPE Huanca 2.2%; Guildo ANGULA Cabrera 0.7% bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (27 seats; members are elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130 seats; 69 are directly elected from their districts and 61 are elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies - last held 18 December 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PODEMOS 13, MAS 12, UN 1, MNR 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MAS 73, PODEMOS 43, UN 8, MNR 6 Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges appointed for 10-year terms by National Congress); District Courts (one in each department); provincial and local courts (to try minor cases) Bolivian Socialist Falange or FSB [Romel PANTOJA]; Civic Solidarity Union or UCS [Johnny FERNANDEZ]; Free Bolivia Movement or MBL [Franz BARRIOS]; Marshal of Ayacucho Institutional Vanguard or VIMA [Freddy ZABALA]; Movement of the Revolutionary Left or MIR [Jaime PAZ Zamora]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Juan Evo MORALES Ayma]; Movement Without Fear or MSM [Juan DEL GRANADO]; National Revolutionary Movement or MNR [Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA]; New Republican Force or NFR [Manfred REYES-VILLA]; Pachakuti Indigenous Movement or MIP [Felipe QUISPE Huanca]; Poder Democratico Nacional or PODEMOS [Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramirez]; Socialist Party or PS [Jeres JUSTINIANO] Cocalero groups; indigenous organizations; labor unions; Sole Confederation of Campesino Workers of Bolivia or CSUTCB [Roman LOAYZA] CAN, CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, ONUB, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Gustavo GUZMAN Saldana chancery: 3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4410 FAX: [1] (202) 328-3712 consulate(s) general: Houston, Miami, New York, Oklahoma City, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, DC chief of mission: Ambassador David N. GREENLEE embassy: Avenida Arce 2780, La Paz mailing address: P. O. Box 425, La Paz; APO AA 34032 telephone: [591] (2) 216-8000 FAX: [591] (2) 216-8111 three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band; similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band Bolivia, long one of the poorest and least developed Latin American countries, reformed its economy after suffering a disastrous economic crisis in the early 1980s. The reforms spurred real GDP growth, which averaged 4% in the 1990s, and poverty rates fell. Economic growth, however, lagged again beginning in 1999 because of a global slowdown and homegrown factors such as political turmoil, civil unrest, and soaring fiscal deficits, all of which hurt investor confidence. In 2003, violent protests against the pro-foreign investment economic policies of President SANCHEZ DE LOZADA led to his resignation and the cancellation of plans to export Bolivia's newly discovered natural gas reserves to large northern hemisphere markets. In 2005, the government passed a controversial natural gas law that imposes on the oil and gas firms significantly higher taxes as well as new contracts that give the state control of their operations. Bolivian officials are in the process of implementing the law; meanwhile, foreign investors have stopped investing and have taken the first legal steps to secure their investments. Real GDP growth in 2003-05 - helped by increased demand for natural gas in neighboring Brazil - was positive, but still below the levels seen during the 1990s. Bolivia's fiscal position has improved in recent years, but the country remains dependent on foreign aid from multilateral lenders and foreign governments to meet budget shortfalls. In 2005, the G8 announced a $2 billion debt-forgiveness plan over the next few decades that should help reduce some fiscal pressures on the government in the near term. $25.95 billion (2005 est.) $9.657 billion (2005 est.) 4% (2005 est.) $2,900 (2005 est.) agriculture: 12.8% industry: 35.2% services: 52% (2005 est.) 4.22 million (2005 est.) agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% 8% in urban areas; widespread underemployment (2005 est.) 64% (2004 est.) lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 32% (1999) 60.6 (2002) 5.4% (2005 est.) 12.5% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $2.848 billion expenditures: $3.189 billion; including capital expenditures of $741 million (2005 est.) soybeans, coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes; timber mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing 5.7% (2004 est.) 4.25 billion kWh (2003) 3.963 billion kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 10 million kWh (2003) 42,000 bbl/day (2005 est.) 48,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 458.8 million bbl (1 January 2002) 6.72 billion cu m (2003 est.) 1.74 billion cu m (2003 est.) 2.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 679.6 billion cu m (1 January 2002) $462 million (2005 est.) $2.371 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) natural gas, soybeans and soy products, crude petroleum, zinc ore, tin Brazil 41.6%, US 14.3%, Argentina 7.7%, Colombia 7%, Peru 5.5% (2005) $1.845 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) petroleum products, plastics, paper, aircraft and aircraft parts, prepared foods, automobiles, insecticides, soybeans Brazil 21.9%, Argentina 16.7%, US 13.8%, Chile 6.9%, Peru 6.5%, Japan 6.1%, China 5.8% (2005) $1.798 billion (2005 est.) $6.309 billion (2005 est.) $221 million (2005 est.) boliviano (BOB) bolivianos per US dollar - 8.0661 (2005), 7.9363 (2004), 7.6592 (2003), 7.17 (2002), 6.6069 (2001) calendar year 646,300 (2005) 1,800,800 (2004) general assessment: new subscribers face bureaucratic difficulties; most telephones are concentrated in La Paz and other cities; mobile cellular telephone use expanding rapidly domestic: primary trunk system, which is being expanded, employs digital microwave radio relay; some areas are served by fiber-optic cable; mobile cellular systems are being expanded international: country code - 591; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) AM 171, FM 73, shortwave 77 (1999) 48 (1997) .bo 16,045 (2005) 350,000 (2005) 1,084 (2006) total: 16 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2006) total: 1,068 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 60 914 to 1,523 m: 207 under 914 m: 797 (2006) gas 4,860 km; liquid petroleum gas 47 km; oil 2,457 km; refined products 1,589 km; unknown (oil/water) 247 km (2004) total: 3,519 km narrow gauge: 3,519 km 1.000-m gauge (2005) total: 60,762 km paved: 4,314 km (including 11 km of expressways) unpaved: 56,448 km (2003) 10,000 km (commercially navigable) (2005) total: 24 ships (1000 GRT or over) 127,297 GRT/198,525 DWT by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 8, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 10 foreign-owned: 10 (Argentina 1, China 1, Egypt 2, Iran 1, Singapore 3, Taiwan 1, Yemen 1) (2006) Puerto Aguirre (on the Paraguay/Parana waterway, at the Bolivia/Brazil border); also, Bolivia has free port privileges in maritime ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay Army (Ejercito Boliviano), Navy (Fuerza Naval; includes marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana) (2004) 18 years of age for voluntary military service; when annual number of volunteers falls short of goal, compulsory recruitment is effected, including conscription of boys as young as 14; one estimate holds that 40% of the armed forces are under the age of 18, with 50% of those under the age of 16; conscript tour of duty - 12 months (2002) males age 18-49: 1,923,234 females age 18-49: 2,007,315 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 1,311,414 females age 18-49: 1,502,177 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 101,101 females age 18-49: 98,671 (2005 est.) $130 million (2005 est.) 1.4% (2005 est.) Chile rebuffs Bolivia's reactivated claim to restore the Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, offering instead unrestricted but not sovereign maritime access through Chile for Bolivian natural gas and other commodities Burma Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; independence from the Commonwealth was attained in 1948. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as self-appointed president, and later as political kingpin. Despite multiparty legislative elections in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party - the National League for Democracy (NLD) - winning a landslide victory, the ruling junta refused to hand over power. NLD leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient AUNG SAN SUU KYI, who was under house arrest from 1989 to 1995 and 2000 to 2002, was imprisoned in May 2003 and subsequently transferred to house arrest, where she remains virtually incommunicado. In November 2005, the junta extended her detention for at least another six months. Her supporters, as well as all those who promote democracy and improved human rights, are routinely harassed or jailed. Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand 22 00 N, 98 00 E Southeast Asia total: 678,500 sq km land: 657,740 sq km water: 20,760 sq km slightly smaller than Texas total: 5,876 km border countries: Bangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km, India 1,463 km, Laos 235 km, Thailand 1,800 km 1,930 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April) central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands lowest point: Andaman Sea 0 m highest point: Hkakabo Razi 5,881 m petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, some marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower arable land: 14.92% permanent crops: 1.31% other: 83.77% (2005) 18,700 sq km (2003) destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes 47,382,633 note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 26.4% (male 6,335,236/female 6,181,216) 15-64 years: 68.5% (male 16,011,723/female 16,449,626) 65 years and over: 5.1% (male 1,035,853/female 1,368,979) (2006 est.) total: 27 years male: 26.4 years female: 27.6 years (2006 est.) 0.81% (2006 est.) 17.91 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 9.83 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 61.85 deaths/1,000 live births male: 72.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 50.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 60.97 years male: 58.07 years female: 64.03 years (2006 est.) 1.98 children born/woman (2006 est.) 1.2% (2003 est.) 330,000 (2003 est.) 20,000 (2003 est.) degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in some locations (2005) noun: Burmese (singular and plural) adjective: Burmese Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%, Mon 2%, other 5% Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%), Muslim 4%, animist 1%, other 2% Burmese, minority ethnic groups have their own languages definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 85.3% male: 89.2% female: 81.4% (2002) conventional long form: Union of Burma conventional short form: Burma local long form: Pyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw (translated by the US Government as Union of Myanma and by the Burmese as Union of Myanmar) local short form: Myanma Naingngandaw former: Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma note: since 1989 the military authorities in Burma have promoted the name Myanmar as a conventional name for their state; this decision was not approved by any sitting legislature in Burma, and the US Government did not adopt the name, which is a derivative of the Burmese short-form name Myanma Naingngandaw military junta name: Rangoon (Yangon) geographic coordinates: 16 47 N, 96 10 E time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 7 divisions (taing-myar, singular - taing) and 7 states (pyi ne-myar, singular - pyi ne) divisions: Ayeyarwady, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Yangon states: Chin State, Kachin State, Kayah State, Kayin State, Mon State, Rakhine State, Shan State 4 January 1948 (from UK) Independence Day, 4 January (1948); Union Day, 12 February (1947) 3 January 1974; suspended since 18 September 1988; national convention convened in 1993 to draft a new constitution but collapsed in 1996; reconvened in 2004 but does not include participation of democratic opposition has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal chief of state: Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Sr. Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992) head of government: Prime Minister, Gen SOE WIN (since 19 October 2004) cabinet: Cabinet is overseen by the SPDC; military junta, so named 15 November 1997, assumed power 18 September 1988 under the name State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) elections: none unicameral People's Assembly or Pyithu Hluttaw (485 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 May 1990, but Assembly never allowed by junta to convene election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NLD 392 (opposition), SNLD 23 (opposition), NUP 10 (pro-government), other 60 remnants of the British-era legal system are in place, but there is no guarantee of a fair public trial; the judiciary is not independent of the executive National League for Democracy or NLD [AUNG SHWE, chairman, AUNG SAN SUU KYI, general secretary]; National Unity Party or NUP (pro-regime) [THA KYAW] (at last report); Shan Nationalities League for Democracy or SNLD [HKUN HTUN OO]; and other smaller parties National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma or NCGUB (self-proclaimed government in exile) ["Prime Minister" Dr. SEIN WIN] consists of individuals, some legitimately elected to the People's Assembly in 1990 (the group fled to a border area and joined insurgents in December 1990 to form parallel government in exile); Kachin Independence Organization or KIO; Karen National Union or KNU; several Shan factions; United Wa State Army or UWSA; Union Solidarity and Development Association or USDA (pro-regime, a social and political mass-member organization) [HTAY OO, general secretary] APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires MYINT LWIN chancery: 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-3344 FAX: [1] (202) 332-4351 consulate(s) general: New York chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Shari VILLAROSA embassy: 581 Merchant Street, Rangoon (GPO 521) mailing address: Box B, APO AP 96546 telephone: [95] (1) 379-880, 379-881 FAX: [95] (1) 256-018 red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing, 14 white five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel containing a stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the seven administrative divisions and seven states Burma, a resource-rich country, suffers from pervasive government controls, inefficient economic policies, and rural poverty. The junta took steps in the early 1990s to liberalize the economy after decades of failure under the "Burmese Way to Socialism," but those efforts stalled, and some of the liberalization measures were rescinded. Burma does not have monetary or fiscal stability, so the economy suffers from serious macroeconomic imbalances - including inflation, multiple official exchange rates that overvalue the Burmese kyat, and a distorted interest rate regime. Most overseas development assistance ceased after the junta began to suppress the democracy movement in 1988 and subsequently refused to honor the results of the 1990 legislative elections. In response to the government of Burma's attack in May 2003 on AUNG SAN SUU KYI and her convoy, the US imposed new economic sanctions against Burma - including a ban on imports of Burmese products and a ban on provision of financial services by US persons. A poor investment climate further slowed the inflow of foreign exchange. The most productive sectors will continue to be in extractive industries, especially oil and gas, mining, and timber. Other areas, such as manufacturing and services, are struggling with inadequate infrastructure, unpredictable import/export policies, deteriorating health and education systems, and corruption. A major banking crisis in 2003 shuttered the country's 20 private banks and disrupted the economy. As of December 2005, the largest private banks operate under tight restrictions limiting the private sector's access to formal credit. Official statistics are inaccurate. Published statistics on foreign trade are greatly understated because of the size of the black market and unofficial border trade - often estimated to be as large as the official economy. Burma's trade with Thailand, China, and India is rising. Though the Burmese government has good economic relations with its neighbors, better investment and business climates and an improved political situation are needed to promote foreign investment, exports, and tourism. $78.74 billion (2005 est.) $7.464 billion (2005 est.) 2.9% (2005 est.) $1,700 (2005 est.) agriculture: 56.4% industry: 8.2% services: 35.3% (2005 est.) 27.75 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 70% industry: 7% services: 23% (2001) 5% (2005 est.) 25% (2000 est.) lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 32.4% (1998) 20.2% (2005 est.) 11.5% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $473.3 million expenditures: $716.6 million; including capital expenditures of $5.7 billion (FY04/05 est.) rice, pulses, beans, sesame, groundnuts, sugarcane; hardwood; fish and fish products agricultural processing; knit and woven apparel; wood and wood products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer; cement; natural gas NA% 7.393 billion kWh (2003) 6.875 billion kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2004) 18,500 bbl/day (2005 est.) 32,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) 3,356 bbl/day (2003) 49,230 bbl/day (2003) less than 1 billion bbl (2005) 9.98 billion cu m (2003 est.) 1.569 billion cu m (2003 est.) 8.424 billion cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) 283.2 billion cu m (2005) $700 million (2005 est.) $3.111 billion f.o.b. note: official export figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of timber, gems, narcotics, rice, and other products smuggled to Thailand, China, and Bangladesh (2004) clothing, gas, wood products, pulses, beans, fish, rice Thailand 44.9%, India 11.5%, China 6.9%, Japan 5.1% (2005) $3.454 billion f.o.b. note: import figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of consumer goods, diesel fuel, and other products smuggled in from Thailand, China, Malaysia, and India (2004) fabric, petroleum products, plastics, machinery, transport equipment, construction materials, crude oil; food products China 29.3%, Thailand 22.2%, Singapore 18.7%, Malaysia 5.4% (2005) $763 million (2005 est.) $6.99 billion (2005 est.) $127 million (2001 est.) kyat (MMK) kyats per US dollar - 5.761 (2005), 5.7459 (2004), 6.0764 (2003), 6.5734 (2002), 6.6841 (2001) note: these are official exchange rates; unofficial exchange rates ranged in 2004 from 815 kyat/US dollar to nearly 970 kyat/US dollar, and by year-end 2005, the unofficial exchange rate was 1,075 kyat/US dollar 1 April - 31 March 424,900 (2004) 92,500 (2004) general assessment: barely meets minimum requirements for local and intercity service for business and government; international service is fair domestic: NA international: country code - 95; satellite earth station - 2, Intelsat (Indian Ocean), and ShinSat AM 1, FM 1 (2004) 2 (2004) .mm 43 (2005) 63,700 (2005) 85 (2006) total: 21 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 64 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 32 (2006) 1 (2006) gas 2,056 km; oil 558 km (2004) total: 3,955 km narrow gauge: 3,955 km 1.000-m gauge (2005) total: 27,000 km paved: 3,200 km unpaved: 23,800 km (2005) 12,800 km (2005) total: 34 ships (1000 GRT or over) 402,699 GRT/620,642 DWT by type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 20, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 3, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 9 (Germany 5, Japan 4) (2006) Moulmein, Rangoon, Sittwe Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw): Army, Navy, Air Force (2005) 18 years of age for voluntary military service for both sexes (2004) males age 18-49: 12,268,850 females age 18-49: 12,469,771 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 7,946,701 females age 18-49: 8,543,705 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 469,841 females: 455,689 (2005 est.) $39 million (FY97) 2.1% (FY97) over half of Burma's population consists of diverse ethnic groups with substantial numbers of kin beyond its borders; despite continuing border committee talks, significant differences remain with Thailand over boundary alignment and the handling of ethnic rebels, refugees, and illegal cross-border activities; ethnic Karens flee into Thailand to escape fighting between Karen rebels and Burmese troops; in 2005 Thailand sheltered about 121,000 Burmese refugees; Karens also protest Thai support for a Burmese hydroelectric dam on the Salween River near the border; environmentalists in Burma and Thailand continue to voice concern over China's construction of hydroelectric dams upstream on the Nujiang/Salween River in Yunnan Province; India seeks cooperation from Burma to keep Indian Nagaland separatists from hiding in remote Burmese uplands IDPs: 550,000-1,000,000 (government offensives against ethnic insurgent groups near borders; most IDPs are ethnic Karen, Karenni, Shan, Tavoyan, and Mon) (2005) Benin Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged. Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo 9 30 N, 2 15 E Africa total: 112,620 sq km land: 110,620 sq km water: 2,000 sq km slightly smaller than Pennsylvania total: 1,989 km border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km 121 km territorial sea: 200 nm tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber arable land: 23.53% permanent crops: 2.37% other: 74.1% (2005) 120 sq km (2003) hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands 7,862,944 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 44.1% (male 1,751,709/female 1,719,138) 15-64 years: 53.5% (male 2,067,248/female 2,138,957) 65 years and over: 2.4% (male 75,694/female 110,198) (2006 est.) total: 17.6 years male: 17.2 years female: 18 years (2006 est.) 2.73% (2006 est.) 38.85 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 12.22 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 79.56 deaths/1,000 live births male: 84.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 74.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 53.04 years male: 51.9 years female: 54.22 years (2006 est.) 5.2 children born/woman (2006 est.) 1.9% (2003 est.) 68,000 (2003 est.) 5,800 (2003 est.) degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, yellow fever, and others are high risks in some locations respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2005) noun: Beninese (singular and plural) adjective: Beninese African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500 indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20% French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 33.6% male: 46.4% female: 22.6% (2002 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Benin conventional short form: Benin local long form: Republique du Benin local short form: Benin former: Dahomey republic name: Porto-Novo (official capital) geographic coordinates: 6 29 N, 2 37 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Cotonou (seat of government) 12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou 1 August 1960 (from France) National Day, 1 August (1960) December 1990 based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Yayi BONI (since 6 April 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Yayi BONI (since 6 April 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); runoff election held 19 March 2006 (next to be held March 2011) election results: Yayi BONI elected president; percent of vote - Yayi BONI 74.5%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI 25.5% unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 30 March 2003 (next to be held March 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Presidential Movement (UBF, MADEP, FC, Alliance MDC-PC-CPP, IPD, AFP, MDS, RDP) 52, opposition (PRB, PRD, E'toile, and 5 other small parties) 31 Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice Alliance of Progress Forces or AFP; African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD; Key Force or FC; Movement for Development and Solidarity or MDS; Movement for Development by the Culture-Salute Party-Congress of People for Progress Alliance or Alliance MDC-PS-CPP; New Alliance or NA; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP; Renaissance Party du Benin or RB [Nicephore SOGLO]; The Star Alliance (Alliance E'toile) [Sacca LAFIA]; Union of Tomorrow's Benin or UBF [Bruno AMOUSSOU] note: approximately 20 additional minor parties NA ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996 chief of mission: Ambassador Wayne NEILL embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou telephone: [229] 30-06-50 FAX: [229] 30-06-70 two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a vertical green band on the hoist side The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output has averaged around 5% in the past six years, but rapid population growth has offset much of this increase. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and communication technology. Many of these proposals are included in Benin's application to receive Millennium Challenge Account funding - for which it was a finalist in 2004-05. The 2001 privatization policy continues in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture in spite of government reluctance. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, with Benin benefiting from a G8 debt reduction announced in July 2005, while pressing for more rapid structural reforms. Benin continues to be hurt by Nigerian trade protection that bans imports of a growing list of products from Benin and elsewhere, which has resulted in increased smuggling and criminality in the border region. $8.553 billion (2005 est.) $4.34 billion (2005 est.) 3.5% (2005 est.) $1,100 (2005 est.) agriculture: 31.6% industry: 13.8% services: 54.6% (2004 est.) NA NA% 33% (2001 est.) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 3.5% (2005 est.) 19.9% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $766.8 million expenditures: $1.017 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts; livestock textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement 8.3% (2001 est.) 69 million kWh (2003) 538.2 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 474 million kWh (2003) 400 bbl/day (2003) 12,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 4.105 million bbl (1 January 2002) 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) 1.218 billion cu m (1 January 2002) -$400 million (2005 est.) $826.9 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa China 31.3%, Indonesia 8.1%, India 7.4%, Niger 6%, Togo 4.8%, Thailand 4.8%, Nigeria 4.6% (2005) $1.043 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products France 21.8%, Ghana 7.1%, Cote d'Ivoire 7%, China 6.7%, UK 5.2%, Belgium 4.9%, Togo 4.5%, Thailand 4.2%, Nigeria 4% (2005) $676 million (2005 est.) $1.6 billion (2000) $342.6 million (2000) Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001) calendar year 76,300 (2005) 75,100 (2005) general assessment: NA domestic: fair system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections international: country code - 229; satellite earth station - 7 (Intelsat-Atlantic Ocean); fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (2000) 1 (2001) .bj 814 (2005) 100,000 (2005) 5 (2006) total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006) total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2006) total: 578 km narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge (2005) total: 16,000 km paved: 1,400 km unpaved: 14,600 km (2005) 150 km (on River Niger along northern border) (2005) Cotonou Army, Navy, Air Force 21 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; in practice, volunteers may be taken at the age of 18; both sexes are eligible for military service; conscript tour of duty - 18 months (2004) males age 21-49: 1,295,230 females age 21-49: 1,301,936 (2005 est.) males age 21-49: 749,774 females age 21-49: 751,329 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 76,661 females: 75,068 (2005 est.) $100.9 million (2005 est.) 2.3% (2005 est.) Benin and Burkina Faso military clash in 2006 over sections of riverine boundary involving disputed villages and squatters; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated; in 2005, Nigeria ceded thirteen villages to Benin as a consequence of a 2004 joint task force to resolve maritime and land boundary disputes, but clashes among rival gangs along the border persist; a joint boundary commission continues to resurvey the boundary with Togo to verify Benin's claim that Togo moved boundary stones Belarus After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on 8 December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the accord, serious implementation has yet to take place. Since his election in July 1994 as the country's first president, Alexander LUKASHENKO has steadily consolidated his power through authoritarian means. Government restrictions on freedom of speech and the press, peaceful assembly, and religion continue. Eastern Europe, east of Poland 53 00 N, 28 00 E Europe total: 207,600 sq km land: 207,600 sq km water: 0 sq km slightly smaller than Kansas total: 2,900 km border countries: Latvia 141 km, Lithuania 502 km, Poland 407 km, Russia 959 km, Ukraine 891 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime generally flat and contains much marshland lowest point: Nyoman River 90 m highest point: Dzyarzhynskaya Hara 346 m forests, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, clay arable land: 26.77% permanent crops: 0.6% other: 72.63% (2005) 1,310 sq km (2003) NA soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident at Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea landlocked; glacial scouring accounts for the flatness of Belarusian terrain and for its 11,000 lakes 10,293,011 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 15.7% (male 825,823/female 791,741) 15-64 years: 69.7% (male 3,490,442/female 3,682,950) 65 years and over: 14.6% (male 498,976/female 1,003,079) (2006 est.) total: 37.2 years male: 34.5 years female: 39.9 years (2006 est.) -0.06% (2006 est.) 11.16 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 14.02 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 2.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 13 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.92 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 69.08 years male: 63.47 years female: 74.98 years (2006 est.) 1.43 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.3% (2001 est.) 15,000 (2001 est.) 1,000 (2001 est.) noun: Belarusian(s) adjective: Belarusian Belarusian 81.2%, Russian 11.4%, Polish 3.9%, Ukrainian 2.4%, other 1.1% (1999 census) Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 20% (1997 est.) Belarusian, Russian, other definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.6% male: 99.8% female: 99.5% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Belarus conventional short form: Belarus local long form: Respublika Byelarus' local short form: Byelarus' former: Belorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist Republic republic in name, although in fact a dictatorship name: Minsk geographic coordinates: 53 54 N, 27 34 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 6 provinces (voblastsi, singular - voblasts') and 1 municipality* (horad); Brest, Homyel', Horad Minsk*, Hrodna, Mahilyow, Minsk, Vitsyebsk note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers 25 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) Independence Day, 3 July (1944); note - 3 July 1944 was the date Minsk was liberated from German troops, 25 August 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union 15 March 1994; revised by national referendum of 24 November 1996 giving the presidency greatly expanded powers and became effective 27 November 1996; revised again 17 October 2004 removing presidential term limits based on civil law system 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Aleksandr LUKASHENKO (since 20 July 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Sergei SIDORSKIY (since 19 December 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir SEMASHKO (since December 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; first election took place 23 June and 10 July 1994; according to the 1994 constitution, the next election should have been held in 1999, however, Aleksandr LUKASHENKO extended his term to 2001 via a November 1996 referendum; subsequent election held 9 September 2001; an October 2004 referendum ended presidential term limits allowing president to run in a third election held on 19 March 2006; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Aleksandr LUKASHENKO reelected president; percent of vote - Aleksandr LUKASHENKO 82.6%, Aleksandr MILINKEVICH 6%, Aleksandr KOZULIN 2.3%; note - election marred by electoral fraud bicameral National Assembly or Natsionalnoye Sobranie consists of the Council of the Republic or Soviet Respubliki (64 seats; 56 members elected by regional councils and 8 members appointed by the president, all for four-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Palata Predstaviteley (110 seats; members elected by universal adult suffrage to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 17 and 31 October 2004; international observers widely denounced the elections as flawed and undemocratic, based on massive government falsification; pro-LUKASHENKO candidates won every seat, after many opposition candidates were disqualified for technical reasons election results: Soviet Respubliki - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Palata Predstaviteley - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Constitutional Court (half of the judges appointed by the president and half appointed by the Chamber of Representatives) pro-government parties: Agrarian Party or AP [Mikhail SHIMANSKY]; Belarusian Communist Party or KPB; Belarusian Patriotic Movement (Belarusian Patriotic Party) or BPR [Nikolai ULAKHOVICH, chairman]; Liberal Democratic Party of Belarus [Sergei GAYDUKEVICH]; Party of Labor and Justice [Viktor SOKOLOV]; Social-Sports Party [Vladimir ALEXANDROVICH] opposition parties: 10 Plus Coalition [Alyaksandr MILINKEVICH], includes: Belarusian Party of Communists or PKB [Syarhey KALYAKIN]; Belarusian Party of Labor (unregistered) [Aleksandr BUKHVOSTOV, Leonid LEMESHONAK]; Belarusian Popular Front or BPF [Vintsyuk VYACHORKA]; Belarusian Social-Democratic Gramada [Stanislav SHUSHKEVICH]; Green Party [Oleg GROMYKO]; Party of Freedom and Progress (unregistered) [Vladimir NOVOSYAD]; United Civic Party or UCP [Anatol LYABEDKA]; Women's Party "Nadezhda" [Valentina MATUSEVICH, chairperson] other opposition includes: Belarusian Social-Democratic Party Nardonaya Hromada or BSDP NH [Alyaksandr KOZULIN, chairman]; Christian Conservative BPF [Zyanon PAZNIAK]; Ecological Party of Greens [Mikhail KARTASH]; Party of Popular Accord [Sergei YERMAKK]; Republican Party [Vladimir BELAZOR] Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs [Sergey MATSKEVICH]; Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions [Alyaksandr YAROSHUK]; Belarusian Helsinki Committee [Tatiana PROTKO]; Belarusian Organization of Working Women [Irina ZHIKHAR]; Charter 97 [Andrey SANNIKOV]; Lenin Communist Union of Youth (youth wing of the Belarusian Party of Communists or PKB); National Strike Committee of Entrepreneurs [Aleksandr VASILYEV, Valery LEVONEVSKY]; Partnership NGO [Nikolay ASTREYKA]; Perspektiva kiosk watchdog NGO [Anatol SHUMCHENKO]; Vyasna [Ales BYALATSKY]; Women's Independent Democratic Movement [Ludmila PETINA]; Youth Front (Malady Front) [Dzmitryy DASHKEVICH, Syarhey BAKHUN]; Zubr youth group [Vladimir KOBETS] CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer) chief of mission: Ambassador Mikhail KHVOSTOV chancery: 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 986-1604 FAX: [1] (202) 986-1805 consulate(s) general: New York chief of mission: Ambassador Karen B. STEWART embassy: 46 Starovilenskaya St., Minsk 220002 mailing address: PSC 78, Box B Minsk, APO 09723 telephone: [375] (17) 210-12-83, 217-7347, 217-7348 FAX: [375] (17) 234-7853 red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side bears Belarusian national ornamentation in red Belarus's economy in 2005 posted 8% growth. The government has succeeded in lowering inflation over the past several years. Trade with Russia - by far its largest single trade partner - decreased in 2005, largely as a result of a change in the way the Value Added Tax (VAT) on trade was collected. Trade with European countries increased. Belarus has seen little structural reform since 1995, when President LUKASHENKO launched the country on the path of "market socialism." In keeping with this policy, LUKASHENKO reimposed administrative controls over prices and currency exchange rates and expanded the state's right to intervene in the management of private enterprises. During 2005, the government re-nationalized a number of private companies. In addition, businesses have been subject to pressure by central and local governments, e.g., arbitrary changes in regulations, numerous rigorous inspections, retroactive application of new business regulations, and arrests of "disruptive" businessmen and factory owners. A wide range of redistributive policies has helped those at the bottom of the ladder; the Gini coefficient is among the lowest in the world. Because of these restrictive economic policies, Belarus has had trouble attracting foreign investment, which remains low. Growth has been strong in recent years, despite the roadblocks in a tough, centrally directed economy with a high, but decreasing, rate of inflation. Belarus continues to receive heavily discounted oil and natural gas from Russia. Much of Belarus' growth can be attributed to the re-export of Russian oil at market prices. $70.68 billion (2005 est.) $26.69 billion (2005 est.) 8% (2005 est.) $6,900 (2005 est.) agriculture: 9.3% industry: 31.6% services: 59.1% (2005 est.) 4.3 million (31 December 2005) agriculture: 14% industry: 34.7% services: 51.3% (2003 est.) 1.6% officially registered unemployed; large number of underemployed workers (2005) 27.1% (2003 est.) lowest 10%: 5.1% highest 10%: 20% (1998) 30.4 (2000) 10.3% (2005 est.) 24.8% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $5.903 billion expenditures: $6.343 billion; including capital expenditures of $180 million (2005 est.) grain, potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, flax; beef, milk metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earthmovers, motorcycles, televisions, chemical fibers, fertilizer, textiles, radios, refrigerators 15.6% (2005 est.) 30 billion kWh (2004) 34.3 billion kWh (2004) 800 million kWh (2004) 7 billion kWh (2003) 36,000 bbl/day (2004 est.) 252,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) 14,500 bbl/day (2003 est.) 360,000 bbl/day (2004 est.) 250 million cu m (2004 est.) 20.5 billion cu m (2005 est.) 0 cu m (2004 est.) 20.5 billion cu m (2005 est.) $852 million (2005 est.) $16.14 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals, textiles, foodstuffs Russia 38%, Ukraine 7.7%, Poland 7%, Latvia 4.1%, UK 4.1%, China 4% (2005) $16.94 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) mineral products, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, metals Russia 57.5%, Germany 9.7%, Ukraine 6.3%, Poland 5.1% (2005) $1.215 billion (2005 est.) $4.662 billion (30 June 2005 est.) $194.3 million (1995) Belarusian ruble (BYB/BYR) Belarusian rubles per US dollar - 2,150 (2005), 2,160.26 (2004), 2,051.27 (2003), 1,790.92 (2002), 1,390 (2001) calendar year 3,284,300 (2005) 4.098 million (2005) general assessment: Belarus lags behind its neighbors in upgrading telecommunications infrastructure; state-owned Beltelcom, is the sole provider of fixed line local and long distance service; modernization of the network to digital switching progressing slowly domestic: fixed line penetration is improving although rural areas continue to be underserved; four GSM wireless networks are experiencing rapid growth; strict government controls on telecommunications technologies international: country code - 375; Belarus is a member of the Trans-European Line (TEL), Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line, and has access to the Trans-Siberia Line (TSL); three fiber-optic segments provide connectivity to Latvia, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine; worldwide service is available to Belarus through this infrastructure; additional analog lines to Russia; Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik earth stations AM 28, FM 37, shortwave 11 (1998) 47 (plus 27 repeaters) (1995) .by 20,973 (2005) 1.6 million (2005) 86 (2006) total: 41 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 22 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 12 (2006) total: 45 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 35 (2006) 1 (2006) gas 5,223 km; oil 2,443 km; refined products 1,686 km (2004) total: 5,512 km broad gauge: 5,497 km 1.520-m gauge (874 km electrified) standard gauge: 15 km 1.435 m (2005) total: 93,055 km paved: 93,055 km (2003) 2,500 km (use limited by location on perimeter of country and by shallowness) (2003) Mazyr Belarus Armed Forces: Land Force, Air and Air Defense Force (2006) 18-27 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2005) males age 18-49: 2,520,644 females age 18-49: 2,564,696 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 1,657,984 females age 18-49: 2,102,793 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 85,202 females age 18-49: 82,037 (2005 est.) $420.5 million (2006) 1.4% (FY02) 1997 boundary treaty with Ukraine remains unratified over unresolved financial claims, preventing demarcation and diminishing border security; the whole boundary with Latvia and more than half the boundary with Lithuania remains undemarcated; discussions toward economic and political union with Russia proceed slowly Solomon Islands The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. Some of the bitterest fighting of World War II occurred on this archipelago. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, and endemic crime have undermined stability and civil society. In June 2003, Prime Minister Sir Allen KEMAKEZA sought the assistance of Australia in reestablishing law and order; the following month, an Australian-led multinational force arrived to restore peace and disarm ethnic militias. The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has been very effective in restoring law and order and rebuilding government institutions. Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea 8 00 S, 159 00 E Oceania total: 28,450 sq km land: 27,540 sq km water: 910 sq km slightly smaller than Maryland 0 km 5,313 km measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Makarakomburu 2,447 m fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel arable land: 0.62% permanent crops: 2.04% other: 97.34% (2005) NA typhoons, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earth tremors; volcanic activity deforestation; soil erosion; many of the surrounding coral reefs are dead or dying party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements strategic location on sea routes between the South Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea 552,438 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 41.3% (male 116,370/female 111,834) 15-64 years: 55.4% (male 154,793/female 151,308) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 8,696/female 9,437) (2006 est.) total: 18.9 years male: 18.7 years female: 19 years (2006 est.) 2.61% (2006 est.) 30.01 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 3.92 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 20.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.54 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 72.91 years male: 70.4 years female: 75.55 years (2006 est.) 3.91 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: Solomon Islander(s) adjective: Solomon Islander Melanesian 94.5%, Polynesian 3%, Micronesian 1.2%, other 1.1%, unspecified 0.2% (1999 census) Church of Melanesia 32.8%, Roman Catholic 19%, South Seas Evangelical 17%, Seventh-Day Adventist 11.2%, United Church 10.3%, Christian Fellowship Church 2.4%, other Christian 4.4%, other 2.4%, unspecified 0.3%, none 0.2% (1999 census) Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca; English is official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the population note: 120 indigenous languages definition: NA total population: NA male: NA female: NA conventional long form: none conventional short form: Solomon Islands local long form: none local short form: Solomon Islands former: British Solomon Islands parliamentary democracy name: Honiara geographic coordinates: 9 26 S, 159 57 E time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 9 provinces and 1 capital territory*; Central, Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona, Temotu, Western 7 July 1978 (from UK) Independence Day, 7 July (1978) 7 July 1978 English common law, which is widely disregarded 21 years of age; universal chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Nathaniel WAENA (since 7 July 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Manasseh SOGAVARE (since 4 May 2006); note - Prime Minister Snyder RINI, elected on 18 April 2006 and sworn in on 20 April 2006, resigned on 26 April prior to no confidence vote in parliament; SOGAVARE elected on 4 May cabinet: Cabinet consists of 20 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of Parliament for up to five years (eligible for a second term); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament unicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members elected from single-member constituencies by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5 April 2006 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - National Party 6.9%, SIPRA 6.3%, Democratic 4.9%, PAP 6.3%, LAFARI 2.8%, Liberal 5%, SOCRED 4.3%, independents 60.3%; seats by party - National Party 4, SIPRA 4, Democratic 3, PAP 3, LAFARI 2, Liberal 2, SOCRED 2, independents 30 Court of Appeal Association of Independent Members or AIM [Thomas CHAN]; Christian Alliance Solomon Islands or CASI [Edward RONIA]; LAFARI Party [John GARO]; National Party [Francis HILLY]; People's Alliance Party or PAP [Sir Allan KEMAKEZA]; Social Credit Party or SOCRED [Manasseh Damukana SOGAVARE]; Solomon First Party [David QUAN]; Solomon Islands Democratic Party [Gabriel SURI]; Solomon Islands Labor Party or SILP [Joses TUHANUKU]; Solomon Islands Liberal Party [Bartholomew ULUFA'ALU]; Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement or SIPRA [Job D. TAUSINGA]; United Party [Sir Peter KENILOREA] note: in general, Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluid coalitions Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM); Malaita Eagle Force (MEF); note - these rival armed ethnic factions crippled the Solomon Islands in a wave of violence from 1999 to 2003 ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Collin David BECK chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400L, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6192, 6193 FAX: [1] (212) 661-8925 the US does not have an embassy in Solomon Islands (embassy closed July 1993); the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to the Solomon Islands divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green June 2003 Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA sought the intervention of Australia to aid in restoring order; parliament approved the request for intervention in July 2003; troops from Australia, NZ, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga arrived 24 July 2003; by 2006, the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) had been scaled back to 259 police officers and 20 military, in addition to civilian technical advisers; in response to rioting that broke out in mid-April 2006, Australia dispatched an addtional 220 troops and 70 police officers to help restore order The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of its livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. Prior to the arrival of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), severe ethnic violence, the closing of key businesses, and an empty government treasury culminated in economic collapse. RAMSI has enabled a return to law and order, a new period of economic stability, and modest growth as the economy rebuilds. $800 million (2002 est.) NA 5.8% (2003 est.) $1,700 (2002 est.) agriculture: 42% industry: 11% services: 47% (2000 est.) 26,840 (1999) agriculture: 75% industry: 5% services: 20% (2000 est.) NA% NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 10% (2003 est.) revenues: $49.7 million expenditures: $75.1 million; including capital expenditures of $0 (2003) cocoa beans, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit; timber; cattle, pigs; fish fish (tuna), mining, timber NA% 55 million kWh (2003) 51.15 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 1,270 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $171 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) timber, fish, copra, palm oil, cocoa China 40.9%, South Korea 13.2%, Thailand 6.9%, Japan 6.3%, Philippines 4.5%, Italy 4.1% (2005) $159 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) food, plant and equipment, manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals Australia 25.2%, Singapore 24.8%, NZ 6%, Fiji 4.1% (2005) $180.4 million (2002) $28 million annually, mainly from Australia (2003 est.) Solomon Islands dollar (SBD) Solomon Islands dollars per US dollar - 7.5299 (2005), 7.4847 (2004), 7.5059 (2003), 6.7488 (2002), 5.278 (2001) calendar year 6,200 (2003) 1,500 (2003) general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: country code - 677; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (2004) .sb 740 (2005) 8,400 (2005) 35 (2006) total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006) total: 33 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 23 (2006) total: 1,360 km paved: 34 km unpaved: 1,326 km (1999) Honiara, Malloco Bay, Shortland Harbor, Viru Harbor, Yandina no regular military forces; Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP) males age 18-49: 114,253 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 92,796 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 6,033 (2005 est.) NA NA Navassa Island This uninhabited island was claimed by the US in 1857 for its guano. Mining took place between 1865 and 1898. The lighthouse, built in 1917, was shut down in 1996 and administration of Navassa Island transferred from the Coast Guard to the Department of the Interior. A 1998 scientific expedition to the island described it as a unique preserve of Caribbean biodiversity; the following year it became a National Wildlife Refuge and annual scientific expeditions have continued. Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, 35 miles west of Tiburon Peninsula of Haiti 18 25 N, 75 02 W Central America and the Caribbean total: 5.4 sq km land: 5.4 sq km water: 0 sq km about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC 0 km 8 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm marine, tropical raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 m high) lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on southwest side 77 m guano arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) hurricanes NA strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock but with enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig-like trees, scattered cactus uninhabited note: transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the island (July 2006 est.) conventional long form: none conventional short form: Navassa Island unincorporated territory of the US; administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service, US Department of the Interior, from the Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge in Boqueron, Puerto Rico; in September 1996, the Coast Guard ceased operations and maintenance of Navassa Island Light, a 46-meter-tall lighthouse on the southern side of the island; there has also been a private claim advanced against the island the laws of the US, where applicable, apply the flag of the US is used Subsistence fishing and commercial trawling occur within refuge waters. none; offshore anchorage only defense is the responsibility of the US Brazil Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822 and a republic in 1889. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil overcame more than half a century of military intervention in the governance of the country when in 1985 the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution remains a pressing problem. Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean 10 00 S, 55 00 W South America total: 8,511,965 sq km land: 8,456,510 sq km water: 55,455 sq km note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo slightly smaller than the US total: 16,884 km border countries: Argentina 1,261 km, Bolivia 3,423 km, Colombia 1,644 km, French Guiana 730 km, Guyana 1,606 km, Paraguay 1,365 km, Peru 2,995 km, Suriname 593 km, Uruguay 1,068 km, Venezuela 2,199 km 7,491 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin mostly tropical, but temperate in south mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico da Neblina 3,014 m bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber arable land: 6.93% permanent crops: 0.89% other: 92.18% (2005) 29,200 sq km (2003) recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; there is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador 188,078,227 note: Brazil conducted a census in August 2000, which reported a population of 169,799,170; that figure was about 3.3% lower than projections by the US Census Bureau, and is close to the implied underenumeration of 4.6% for the 1991 census; estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 25.8% (male 24,687,656/female 23,742,998) 15-64 years: 68.1% (male 63,548,331/female 64,617,539) 65 years and over: 6.1% (male 4,712,675/female 6,769,028) (2006 est.) total: 28.2 years male: 27.5 years female: 29 years (2006 est.) 1.04% (2006 est.) 16.56 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 6.17 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -0.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 28.6 deaths/1,000 live births male: 32.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 71.97 years male: 68.02 years female: 76.12 years (2006 est.) 1.91 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.7% (2003 est.) 660,000 (2003 est.) 15,000 (2003 est.) noun: Brazilian(s) adjective: Brazilian white 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black 6.2%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%, unspecified 0.7% (2000 census) Roman Catholic (nominal) 73.6%, Protestant 15.4%, Spiritualist 1.3%, Bantu/voodoo 0.3%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.2%, none 7.4% (2000 census) Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.4% male: 86.1% female: 86.6% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Federative Republic of Brazil conventional short form: Brazil local long form: Republica Federativa do Brasil local short form: Brasil federative republic name: Brasilia geographic coordinates: 15 47 S, 47 55 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins third Sunday in October; ends third Sunday in February note: Brazil is divided into four time zones, including one for the Fernando de Noronha islands 26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins 7 September 1822 (from Portugal) Independence Day, 7 September (1822) 5 October 1988 based on Roman codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction voluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70; compulsory over 18 and under 70 years of age; note - military conscripts do not vote chief of state: President Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 6 October 2002 (next to be held 1 October 2006, with a runoff on 29 October 2006 if necessary); runoff election held 27 October 2002 election results: in runoff election 27 October 2002, Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (PT) elected with 61.3% of the vote; Jose SERRA (PSDB) 38.7% bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; 3 members from each state and federal district elected according to the principle of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third elected after a four-year period, two-thirds elected after the next four-year period) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Federal Senate - last held 6 October 2002 for two-thirds of the Senate (next to be held October 2006 for one-third of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held 6 October 2002 (next to be held October 2006) election results: Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PMDB 19, PFL 19, PT 14, PSDB 11, PDT 5, PSB 4, PL 3, PTB 3, PPS 1, PSD 1, PP 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PT 91, PFL 84, PMDB 74, PSDB 71, PP 49, PL 26, PTB 26, PSB 22, PDT 21, PPS 15, PCdoB 12, PRONA 6, PV 5, other 11; note - many congressmen have changed party affiliation since the most recent election Supreme Federal Tribunal (11 ministers are appointed for life by the president and confirmed by the Senate); Higher Tribunal of Justice; Regional Federal Tribunals (judges are appointed for life); note - though appointed "for life," judges, like all federal employees, have a mandatory retirement age of 70 Brazilian Democratic Movement Party or PMDB [Federal Deputy Michel TEMER]; Brazilian Labor Party or PTB [Flavio de CASTRO MARTINEZ]; Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB [Senator Tasso JEREISSATI]; Brazilian Socialist Party or PSB [Federal Deputy Eduardo Henrique Accioly CAMPOS]; Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB [Jose Renato RABELO]; Democratic Labor Party or PDT [Carlos Roberto LUPI]; Democratic Socialist Party or PSD [Luis Marques MENDES]; Green Party or PV [Jose Luiz de Franca PENNA]; Liberal Front Party or PFL [Senator Jorge BORNHAUSEN]; Liberal Party or PL [Federal Deputy Valdemar COSTA Neto]; National Order Reconstruction Party or PRONA [Federal Deputy Dr. Eneas Ferreira CARNEIRO]; Partido Municipalista Renovador or PMR [Natal Wellington Rodrigues FURUCHO]; Popular Socialist Party or PPS [Federal Deputy Roberto FREIRE]; Progressive Party or PP [Federal Deputy Pedro CORREA]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Vitor Jorge ABDALA NOSSEIS]; Workers' Party or PT [Ricardo Jose Ribeiro BERZOINI] Landless Worker's Movement; labor unions and federations; large farmers' associations; religious groups including evangelical Christian churches and the Catholic Church AfDB, BIS, CSN, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto P. ABDENUR chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-2700 FAX: [1] (202) 238-2827 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco chief of mission: Ambassador John DANILOVICH embassy: Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, Distrito Federal Cep 70403-900, Brasilia mailing address: Unit 3500, APO AA 34030 telephone: [55] (61) 3312-7000 FAX: [55] (61) 3225-9136 consulate(s) general: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo consulate(s): Recife green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress) Characterized by large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries and is expanding its presence in world markets. From 2001-03 real wages fell and Brazil's economy grew, on average only 2.2% per year, as the country absorbed a series of domestic and international economic shocks. That Brazil absorbed these shocks without financial collapse is a tribute to the resiliency of the Brazilian economy and the economic program put in place by former President CARDOSO and strengthened by President LULA DA SILVA. In 2004, Brazil enjoyed more robust growth that yielded increases in employment and real wages. The three pillars of the economic program are a floating exchange rate, an inflation-targeting regime, and tight fiscal policy, all reinforced by a series of IMF programs. The currency depreciated sharply in 2001 and 2002, which contributed to a dramatic current account adjustment; in 2003 to 2005, Brazil ran record trade surpluses and recorded its first current account surpluses since 1992. Productivity gains - particularly in agriculture - also contributed to the surge in exports, and Brazil in 2005 surpassed the previous year's record export level. While economic management has been good, there remain important economic vulnerabilities. The most significant are debt-related: the government's largely domestic debt increased steadily from 1994 to 2003 - straining government finances - before falling as a percentage of GDP in 2005, while Brazil's foreign debt (a mix of private and public debt) is large in relation to Brazil's small (but growing) export base. Another challenge is maintaining economic growth over a period of time to generate employment and make the government debt burden more manageable. $1.556 trillion (2005 est.) $619.7 billion (2005 est.) 2.4% (2005 est.) $8,400 (2005 est.) agriculture: 8.4% industry: 40% services: 51.6% (2005 est.) 90.41 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 20% industry: 14% services: 66% (2003 est.) 9.8% (2005 est.) 22% (1998 est.) lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 31.27% (2002) 59.7 (2004) 6.9% (2005 est.) 19.9% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $140.6 billion expenditures: $172.4 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2004) 51.6% of GDP (2005 est.) coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment 3.4% (2005 est.) 387.5 billion kWh (2004) 359.6 billion kWh (2004) 6 million kWh (2004) 37.4 billion kWh; note - supplied by Paraguay (2004) 2.01 million bbl/day (2005 est.) 1.61 million bbl/day (2004) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 15.12 billion bbl (2005 est.) 15.79 billion cu m (2005 est.) 21.74 billion cu m (2005 est.) 0 cu m (2005 est.) 5.947 billion cu m (2005 est.) 240 billion cu m (2005) $14.19 billion (2005 est.) $115.1 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, autos US 19.8%, China 7.5%, Argentina 7%, Germany 5.4% (2005) $78.02 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery, electrical and transport equipment, chemical products, oil US 19.7%, Germany 8.7%, Argentina 8.2%, China 6.2%, Nigeria 6.1% (2005) $53.8 billion (2005 est.) $188 billion (2005 est.) $30 billion (2002) real (BRL) reals per US dollar - 2.4344 (2005), 2.9251 (2004), 3.0771 (2003), 2.9208 (2002), 2.3577 (2001) calendar year 42,382,200 (2004) 65.605 million (2004) general assessment: good working system domestic: extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 64 earth stations international: country code - 55; 3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region east), connected by microwave relay system to Mercosur Brazilsat B3 satellite earth station AM 1,365, FM 296, shortwave 161 (of which 91 are collocated with AM stations) (1999) 138 (1997) .br 4,392,693 (2005) 25.9 million (2005) 4,276 (2006) total: 714 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 24 1,524 to 2,437 m: 164 914 to 1,523 m: 464 under 914 m: 54 (2006) total: 3,562 1,524 to 2,437 m: 81 914 to 1,523 m: 1,634 under 914 m: 1,847 (2006) 417 (2006) condensate/gas 244 km; gas 10,739 km; liquid petroleum gas 341 km; oil 5,212 km; refined products 4,755 km (2004) total: 29,252 km broad gauge: 4,877 km 1.600-m gauge (939 km electrified) standard gauge: 194 km 1.440-m gauge narrow gauge: 23,785 km 1.000-m gauge (581 km electrified) dual gauge: 396 km 1.000 m and 1.600-m gauges (three rails) (78 km electrified) (2005) total: 1,724,929 km paved: 94,871 km unpaved: 1,630,058 km (2000) 50,000 km (most in areas remote from industry and population) (2005) total: 137 ships (1000 GRT or over) 2,038,923 GRT/3,057,820 DWT by type: bulk carrier 21, cargo 21, chemical tanker 8, container 8, liquefied gas 12, passenger/cargo 12, petroleum tanker 47, roll on/roll off 8 foreign-owned: 15 (Chile 1, Germany 7, Norway 2, Spain 4, UK 1) registered in other countries: 5 (Ghana 1, Liberia 3, Marshall Islands 1) (2006) Gebig, Itaqui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, San Sebasttiao, Santos, Sepetiba Terminal, Tubarao, Vitoria Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil (MB), includes Naval Air and Marine Corps (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais)), Brazilian Air Force (Forca Aerea Brasileira, FAB) (2006) 21-45 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - nine to 12 months; 17-45 years of age for voluntary service; an increasing percentage of the ranks are "long-service" volunteer professionals; women were allowed to serve in the armed forces beginning in early 1980s when the Brazilian Army became the first army in South America to accept women into career ranks; women serve in Navy and Air Force only in Women's Reserve Corps (2001) males age 19-49: 45,586,036 females age 19-49: 45,728,704 (2005 est.) males age 19-49: 33,119,098 females age 19-49: 38,079,722 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 1,785,930 females age 19-49: 1,731,648 (2005 est.) $9.94 billion (2005 est.) 1.3% (2005 est.) unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations; uncontested dispute with Uruguay over certain islands in the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada boundary streams and the resulting tripoint with Argentina; in 2004 Brazil submitted its claims to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to extend its maritime continental margin Bhutan In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land to British India. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. A refugee issue of some 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of the refugees are housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the government's draft constitution - which would introduce major democratic reforms - and pledged to hold a national referendum for its approval. A referendum date has yet to be named. Southern Asia, between China and India 27 30 N, 90 30 E Asia total: 47,000 sq km land: 47,000 sq km water: 0 sq km about half the size of Indiana total: 1,075 km border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate arable land: 2.3% permanent crops: 0.43% other: 97.27% (2005) 400 sq km (2003) violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name, which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season soil erosion; limited access to potable water party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes 2,279,723 note: other estimates range as low as 810,000 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 38.9% (male 458,801/female 426,947) 15-64 years: 57.1% (male 671,057/female 631,078) 65 years and over: 4% (male 46,217/female 45,623) (2006 est.) total: 20.4 years male: 20.2 years female: 20.6 years (2006 est.) 2.1% (2006 est.) 33.65 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 12.7 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 98.41 deaths/1,000 live births male: 96.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 100.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 54.78 years male: 55.02 years female: 54.53 years (2006 est.) 4.74 children born/woman (2006 est.) less than 0.1% (2001 est.) less than 100 (1999 est.) NA noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15% Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 47% male: 60% female: 34% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan local long form: Druk Gyalkhap local short form: Druk Yul monarchy; special treaty relationship with India name: Thimphu geographic coordinates: 27 28 N, 89 39 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Dagana, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang note: there may be two new districts named Gasa and Yangtse 8 August 1949 (from India) National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907) no written constitution or bill of rights; note - in 2001, the king commissioned the drafting of a constitution, and in March 2005 publicly unveiled it; is awaiting national referendum based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction each family has one vote in village-level elections; note - in late 2003 Bhutan's legislature passed a new election law chief of state: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972) head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Sangay NGEDUP (since 5 September 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) nominated by the monarch, approved by the National Assembly; members serve fixed, five-year terms; note - there is also a Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde), members nominated by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reforms in July 1998 grant the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105 elected from village constituencies, 10 represent religious bodies, and 35 are designated by the monarch to represent government and other secular interests; members serve three-year terms) elections: local elections last held August 2005 (next to be held in 2008) election results: NA Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch) no legal parties Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled) AsDB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer) none; note - Bhutan has a Permanent Mission to the UN; address: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 826-1919; FAX [1] (212) 826-2998; the Bhutanese mission to the UN has consular jurisdiction in the US consulate(s) general: New York the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India) divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than 90% of the population. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and dependence on India's financial assistance. The industrial sector is technologically backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are key resources. Model education, social, and environment programs are underway with support from multilateral development organizations. Each economic program takes into account the government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. For example, the government, in its cautious expansion of the tourist sector, encourages visits by upscale, environmentally conscientious tourists. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. $2.9 billion (2003 est.) NA 5.3% (2003 est.) $1,400 (2003 est.) agriculture: 45% industry: 10% services: 45% (2002 est.) NA note: major shortage of skilled labor agriculture: 93% industry: 2% services: 5% NA% NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 3% (2002 est.) revenues: $146 million expenditures: $152 million; including capital expenditures of $NA note: the government of India fi$NAnces nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures (FY95/96 est.) rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide 9.3% (1996 est.) 1.882 billion kWh (2003) 250.3 million kWh (2003) 1.51 billion kWh (2003) 10 million kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003) 1,100 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $154 million f.o.b. (2000 est.) electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices Japan 33.2%, Germany 13.6%, France 13.5%, South Korea 7.8%, US 7.7%, Thailand 5.8%, Italy 5.1% (2005) $196 million c.i.f. (2000 est.) fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice Hong Kong 68.4%, Mexico 20.8%, France 3.9% (2005) $245 million (2000) substantial aid from India and other nations ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR) ngultrum per US dollar - 44.101 (2005), 45.317 (2004), 46.583 (2003), 48.61 (2002), 47.186 (2001) 1 July - 30 June 32,700 (2005) 22,000 (2005) general assessment: telecommunications facilities are poor domestic: very low teledensity; domestic service is very poor especially in rural areas; wireless service available since 2003 international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 (2005) AM 0, FM 9, shortwave 1 (2006) 1 (2006) .bt 3 (2005) 20,000 (2005) 2 (2006) total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006) total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006) total: 8,050 km paved: 4,991 km unpaved: 3,059 km (2003) Royal Bhutan Army: Royal Bodyguard, Royal Bhutan Police (2005) 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001) males age 18-49: 483,860 females age 18-49: 453,683 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 314,975 females age 18-49: 296,833 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 23,939 females age 18-49: 21,979 (2005 est.) $8.29 million (2005 est.) 1% (2005 est.) Bulgaria The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908. Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. Today, reforms and democratization keep Bulgaria on a path toward eventual integration into the EU. The country joined NATO in 2004. Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey 43 00 N, 25 00 E Europe total: 110,910 sq km land: 110,550 sq km water: 360 sq km slightly larger than Tennessee total: 1,808 km border countries: Greece 494 km, Macedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km, Serbia 318 km, Turkey 240 km 354 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Musala 2,925 m bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land arable land: 29.94% permanent crops: 1.9% other: 68.16% (2005) 5,880 sq km (2003) earthquakes, landslides air pollution from industrial emissions; rivers polluted from raw sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation; forest damage from air pollution and resulting acid rain; soil contamination from heavy metals from metallurgical plants and industrial wastes party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulfur 94 strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia 7,385,367 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 13.9% (male 527,881/female 502,334) 15-64 years: 68.7% (male 2,496,054/female 2,579,680) 65 years and over: 17.3% (male 527,027/female 752,391) (2006 est.) total: 40.8 years male: 38.7 years female: 42.9 years (2006 est.) -0.86% (2006 est.) 9.65 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 14.27 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -4.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 19.85 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.52 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 72.3 years male: 68.68 years female: 76.13 years (2006 est.) 1.38 children born/woman (2006 est.) less than 0.1% (2001 est.) 346 (2001 est.) 100 (2001 est.) noun: Bulgarian(s) adjective: Bulgarian Bulgarian 83.9%, Turk 9.4%, Roma 4.7%, other 2% (including Macedonian, Armenian, Tatar, Circassian) (2001 census) Bulgarian Orthodox 82.6%, Muslim 12.2%, other Christian 1.2%, other 4% (2001 census) Bulgarian 84.5%, Turkish 9.6%, Roma 4.1%, other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.6% male: 99.1% female: 98.2% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Bulgaria conventional short form: Bulgaria local long form: Republika Balgariya local short form: Balgariya parliamentary democracy name: Sofia geographic coordinates: 42 41 N, 23 19 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 28 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Khaskovo, Kurdzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Shumen, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofiya, Sofiya-Grad, Stara Zagora, Turgovishte, Varna, Veliko Turnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Yambol 3 March 1878 (as an autonomous principality within the Ottoman Empire); 22 September 1908 (complete independence from the Ottoman Empire) Liberation Day, 3 March (1878) adopted 12 July 1991 civil law and criminal law based on Roman law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Georgi PURVANOV (since 22 January 2002); Vice President Angel MARIN (since 22 January 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Sergei STANISHEV (since 16 August 2005); Deputy Prime Ministers Ivaylo KALFIN, Daniel VULCHEV, and Emel ETEM (since 16 August 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 11 and 18 November 2001 (next to be held in 2006); chairman of the Council of Ministers (prime minister) nominated by the president and elected by the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly election results: Georgi PURVANOV elected president; percent of vote - Georgi PURVANOV 54.13%, Petar STOYANOV 45.87%; Sergei STANISHEV elected prime minister, result of legislative vote - 168 to 67 unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sobranie (240 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 June 2005 (next to be held June 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - CfB 31.1%, NMS2 19.9%, MRF 12.7%, ATAKA 8.2%, UDF 7.7%, DSB 6.5%, BPU 5.2%; seats by party - CfB 83, NMS2 53, MRF 33, UDF 20, ATAKA 17, DSB 17, BPU 13, independents 4 Supreme Administrative Court; Supreme Court of Cassation; Constitutional Court (12 justices appointed or elected for nine-year terms); Supreme Judicial Council (consists of the chairmen of the two Supreme Courts, the Chief Prosecutor, and 22 other members; responsible for appointing the justices, prosecutors, and investigating magistrates in the justice system; members of the Supreme Judicial Council elected for five-year terms, 11 elected by the National Assembly and 11 by bodies of the judiciary) ATAKA (Attack Coalition) (coalition of parties headed by the Attack National Union); Attack National Union [Volen Siderov]; Bulgarian Agrarian National Union-People's Union or BANU [Anastasia MOZER]; Bulgarian People's Union or BPU (coalition of UFD, IMRO, and BANU); Bulgarian Socialist Party or BSP [Sergei STANISHEV]; Coalition for Bulgaria or CfB (coalition of parties dominated by BSP) [Sergei STANISHEV]; Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria or DSB [Ivan KOSTOV]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization or IMRO [Krasimir KARAKACHANOV]; Movement for Rights and Freedoms or MRF [Ahmed DOGAN]; National Movement for Simeon II or NMS2 [Simeon SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA]; New Time [Emil KOSHLUKOV]; Union of Democratic Forces or UDF [Petar STOYANOV]; Union of Free Democrats or UFD [Stefan SOFIYANSKI]; United Democratic Forces or UtDF (a coalition of center-right parties dominated by UDF) Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria or CITUB; Podkrepa Labor Confederation; numerous regional, ethnic, and national interest groups with various agendas ACCT, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate affiliate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC chief of mission: Ambassador Elena B. POPTODOROVA chancery: 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-0174 FAX: [1] (202) 234-7973 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York chief of mission: Ambassador John Ross BEYRLE embassy: 16 Kozyak Street, Sofia 1407 mailing address: American Embassy Sofia, Department of State, 5740 Sofia Place, Washington, DC 20521-5740 telephone: [359] (2) 937-5100 FAX: [359] (2) 937-5230 three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red; note - the national emblem, formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe, has been removed Bulgaria, a former communist country striving to enter the European Union, has experienced macroeconomic stability and strong growth since a major economic downturn in 1996 led to the fall of the then socialist government. As a result, the government became committed to economic reform and responsible fiscal planning. Minerals, including coal, copper, and zinc, play an important role in industry. In 1997, macroeconomic stability was reinforced by the imposition of a fixed exchange rate of the lev against the German D-mark and the negotiation of an IMF standby agreement. Low inflation and steady progress on structural reforms improved the business environment; Bulgaria has averaged 4% growth since 2000 and has begun to attract significant amounts of foreign direct investment. Corruption in the public administration, a weak judiciary, and the presence of organized crime remain the largest challenges for Bulgaria. $71.54 billion (2005 est.) $25.79 billion (2005 est.) 5.5% (2005 est.) $9,600 (2005 est.) agriculture: 9.3% industry: 30.4% services: 60.3% (2005 est.) 3.34 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 11% industry: 32.7% services: 56.3% (3rd qtr. 2004 est.) 11.5% (2005 est.) 13.4% (2002 est.) lowest 10%: 4.5% highest 10%: 22.8% (1997) 31.9 (2001) 5% (2005 est.) 23.8% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $11.18 billion expenditures: $10.9 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 31.9% of GDP (2005 est.) vegetables, fruits, tobacco, wine, wheat, barley, sunflowers, sugar beets; livestock electricity, gas, water; food, beverages, tobacco; machinery and equipment, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined petroleum, nuclear fuel 7.3% (2005 est.) 38.07 billion kWh (2003) 31.75 billion kWh (2003) 5.449 billion kWh (2003) 1.8 billion kWh (2003) 2,908 bbl/day (2003) 107,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 8.1 million bbl (1 January 2002) 1 million cu m (2003 est.) 5.401 billion cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 5.8 billion cu m (2001 est.) 5.947 billion cu m (1 January 2002) -$3.133 billion (2005 est.) $11.67 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) clothing, footwear, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, fuels Italy 12.8%, Germany 11.1%, Turkey 9.9%, Greece 6.1%, Belgium 5.9%, France 4.3%, US 4.1% (2005) $15.9 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment; metals and ores; chemicals and plastics; fuels, minerals, and raw materials Germany 14.6%, Russia 12.2%, Italy 9.8%, Turkey 6.7%, Greece 6.5%, France 4% (2005) $8.695 billion (2005 est.) $15.32 billion (2005 est.) $300 million (2000 est.) lev (BGL) leva per US dollar - 1.5741 (2005), 1.5751 (2004), 1.7327 (2003), 2.077 (2002), 2.1847 (2001) calendar year 2,726,800 (2004) 4,729,700 (2004) general assessment: extensive but antiquated domestic: more than two-thirds of the lines are residential; telephone service is available in most villages; a fairly modern digital cable trunk line now connects switching centers in most of the regions, the others are connected by digital microwave radio relay international: country code - 359; direct dialing to 58 countries; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); 2 Intelsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) AM 31, FM 63, shortwave 2 (2001) 39 (plus 1,242 repeaters) (2001) .bg 95,539 (2005) 630,000 (2002) 217 (2006) total: 132 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 96 (2006) total: 85 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 72 (2006) 4 (2006) gas 2,425 km; oil 339 km; refined products 156 km (2004) total: 4,294 km standard gauge: 4,049 km 1.435-m gauge (2,710 km electrified) narrow gauge: 245 km 0.760-m gauge (2005) total: 102,016 km paved: 93,855 km (including 328 km of expressways) unpaved: 8,161 km (2003) 470 km (2006) total: 75 ships (1000 GRT or over) 872,653 GRT/1,294,877 DWT by type: bulk carrier 40, cargo 17, chemical tanker 4, container 6, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 4 foreign-owned: 2 (Germany 1, Russia 1) registered in other countries: 41 (Cambodia 1, Comoros 1, Malta 13, Panama 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 17, Slovakia 7, unknown 1) (2006) Burgas, Varna Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 9 months; as of May 2006, 67% of the Bulgarian Army comprised of professional soldiers; conscription into the Army to end as of 1 January 2008; Air and Air Defense Forces and Naval Forces will become fully professional by end of 2006 (2006) males age 18-49: 1,661,211 females age 18-49: 1,660,982 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 1,302,037 females age 18-49: 1,365,126 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 51,023 females age 18-49: 48,651 (2005 est.) $356 million (FY02) 2.6% (2003) none Bouvet Island This uninhabited volcanic island is almost entirely covered by glaciers and is difficult to approach. It was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom the island was named. No claim was made until 1825, when the British flag was raised. In 1928, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island the previous year. In 1971, Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters were designated a nature reserve. Since 1977, Norway has run an automated meteorological station on the island. island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) 54 26 S, 3 24 E Antarctic Region total: 49 sq km land: 49 sq km water: 0 sq km about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 29.6 km territorial sea: 4 nm antarctic volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Olav Peak 935 m none arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (93% ice) (2005) 0 sq km NA NA covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve uninhabited (July 2006 est.) conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bouvet Island territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Police from Oslo the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply the flag of Norway is used no economic activity; declared a nature reserve .bv automatic meteorological station none; offshore anchorage only defense is the responsibility of Norway Brunei The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in the developing world. Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia 4 30 N, 114 40 E Southeast Asia total: 5,770 sq km land: 5,270 sq km water: 500 sq km slightly smaller than Delaware total: 381 km border countries: Malaysia 381 km 161 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line tropical; hot, humid, rainy flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m petroleum, natural gas, timber arable land: 2.08% permanent crops: 0.87% other: 97.05% (2005) 10 sq km (2003) typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia party to: Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave within Malaysia 379,444 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 28.1% (male 54,411/female 52,134) 15-64 years: 68.8% (male 138,129/female 123,017) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 5,584/female 6,169) (2006 est.) total: 27.4 years male: 28 years female: 26.7 years (2006 est.) 1.87% (2006 est.) 18.79 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 3.45 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 3.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 12.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.46 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 75.01 years male: 72.57 years female: 77.59 years (2006 est.) 2.28 children born/woman (2006 est.) less than 0.1% (2003 est.) less than 200 (2003 est.) less than 200 (2003 est.) noun: Bruneian(s) adjective: Bruneian Malay 67%, Chinese 15%, indigenous 6%, other 12% Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs and other 10% Malay (official), English, Chinese definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.9% male: 96.3% female: 91.4% (2002) conventional long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam conventional short form: Brunei local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam local short form: Brunei constitutional sultanate name: Bandar Seri Begawan geographic coordinates: 4 52 S, 114 55 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei and Muara, Temburong, Tutong 1 January 1984 (from UK) National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection 29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1 January 1984) based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Shari'a law supersedes civil law in a number of areas none chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also a Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises on religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the monarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines the succession to the throne if the need arises elections: none; the monarch is hereditary Legislative Council met on 25 September 2004 for first time in 20 years with 21 members appointed by the Sultan; passed constitutional amendments calling for a 45-seat council with 15 elected members; Sultan dissolved council on 1 September 2005 and appointed a new council with 29 members as of 2 September 2005 elections: last held in March 1962 (date of next election NA) Supreme Court - chief justice and judges are sworn in by monarch for three-year terms; Judicial Committee of Privy Council in London is final court of appeal for civil cases; Shariah courts deal with Islamic laws (2006) Brunei Solidarity National Party (PPKB) [Haji Mohd HATTA bin Haji Zainal Abidin]; National Development Party (NDP) [YASSIN Affendi]; People's Awareness Party (PAKAR) [Awang Haji MAIDIN bin Haji Ahmad] note: parties are small and have limited activity (2005) NA APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, C, EAS, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Pengiran Anak Dato PUTEH chancery: 3520 International Court NW #300, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838 FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560 chief of mission: Ambassador Emil SKODON embassy: Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan, BS8811 mailing address: PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507 telephone: [673] 222-0384 FAX: [673] 222-5293 yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands This small, well-to-do economy encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for nearly half of GDP and more than 90% of government revenues. Per capita GDP is far above most other Third World countries, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and free education through the university level and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration in the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion, although it became a more prominent player by serving as chairman for the 2000 APEC (Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum. Plans for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas. $6.842 billion (2003 est.) NA 1.7% (2004 est.) $23,600 (2003 est.) agriculture: 3.6% industry: 56.1% services: 40.3% (2004 est.) 146,300 note: includes foreign workers and military personnel; temporary residents make up about 40% of labor force (2003 est.) agriculture: 2.9% industry: 61.1% services: 36% (2003 est.) 4.8% (2004) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 0.9% (2004) revenues: $3.765 billion expenditures: $4.815 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2004 est.) rice, vegetables, fruits; chickens, water buffalo, eggs petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction 7.3% (2003 est.) 2.906 billion kWh (2004) 2.726 billion kWh (2004) 0 kWh (2004) 0 kWh (2004) 200,800 bbl/day (2005) 10,770 bbl/day (2005 est.) 192,700 bbl/day (2005) NA bbl/day 1.255 billion bbl (1 January 2002) 11.4 billion cu m (2003 est.) 1.73 billion cu m (2003 est.) 9 billion cu m (2001 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 390.8 billion cu m (1 January 2002) $4.514 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.) crude oil, natural gas, refined products Japan 36.3%, Indonesia 19.1%, South Korea 12.5%, US 9.4%, Australia 9.2% (2005) $1.641 billion c.i.f. (2004 est.) machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals Singapore 33.1%, Malaysia 24.2%, Japan 7%, UK 5.3%, Thailand 4.6%, South Korea 4.1% (2005) $NA $4.3 million (1995) Bruneian dollar (BND) Bruneian dollars per US dollar - 1.6644 (2005), 1.6902 (2004), 1.7422 (2003), 1.7906 (2002), 1.7917 (2001) calendar year 90,000 (2002) 137,000 (2002) general assessment: service throughout the country is excellent; international service is good to East Asia, Europe, and the US domestic: every service available international: country code - 673; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean); digital submarine cable links to Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore (2001) AM 1, FM 2 (transmitting on 18 different frequencies), shortwave 0 note: British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) station transmits two FM signals with English and Nepali service (2006) 4; note - including two UHF stations broadcasting a subscription service (2006) .bn 27 (2005) 56,000 (2005) 2 (2006) total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2006) total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006) 3 (2006) gas 665 km; oil 439 km (2004) total: 2,525 km paved: 2,338 km unpaved: 187 km (2000) 209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m) (2005) total: 8 ships (1000 GRT or over) 465,937 GRT/413,393 DWT by type: liquefied gas 8 foreign-owned: 8 (UK 8) (2006) Lumut, Muara, Seria Royal Brunei Armed Forces: Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei) (2005) 18 years of age (est.) (2004) males age 18-49: 103,885 females age 18-49: 93,024 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 85,045 females age 18-49: 77,436 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 3,478 females age 18-49: 3,342 (2005 est.) $290.7 million (2003 est.) 5.1% (2003 est.) in 2003 Brunei and Malaysia ceased gas and oil exploration in their disputed offshore and deepwater seabeds and negotiations have stalemated prompting consideration of international legal adjudication; Malaysia's land boundary with Brunei around Limbang is in dispute; Brunei established an exclusive economic fishing zone encompassing Louisa Reef in southern Spratly Islands in 1984 but makes no public territorial claim to the offshore reefs; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants Burundi Burundi's first democratically elected president was assassinated in October 1993 after only 100 days in office, triggering widespread ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions. Over 200,000 Burundians perished during the conflict that spanned almost a dozen years. Hundreds of thousands of Burundians were internally displaced or became refugees in neighboring countries. An internationally brokered power-sharing agreement between the Tutsi-dominated government and the Hutu rebels in 2003 paved the way for a transition process that led to an integrated defense force, established a new constitution in 2005, and elected a majority Hutu government in 2005. The new government, led by President Pierre NKURUNZIZA, signed a South African brokered ceasefire with the country's last rebel group in the summer of 2006 but still faces many challenges. Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo 3 30 S, 30 00 E Africa total: 27,830 sq km land: 25,650 sq km water: 2,180 sq km slightly smaller than Maryland total: 974 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m to 2,670 m above sea level); average annual temperature varies with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees centigrade but is generally moderate as the average altitude is about 1,700 m; average annual rainfall is about 150 cm; two wet seasons (February to May and September to November), and two dry seasons (June to August and December to January) hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m highest point: Heha 2,670 m nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum, vanadium, arable land, hydropower, niobium, tantalum, gold, tin, tungsten, kaolin, limestone arable land: 35.57% permanent crops: 13.12% other: 51.31% (2005) 210 sq km (2003) flooding, landslides, drought soil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion of agriculture into marginal lands; deforestation (little forested land remains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel); habitat loss threatens wildlife populations party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote headstream of the White Nile 8,090,068 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 46.3% (male 1,884,825/female 1,863,200) 15-64 years: 51.1% (male 2,051,451/female 2,082,017) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 83,432/female 125,143) (2006 est.) total: 16.6 years male: 16.4 years female: 16.9 years (2006 est.) 3.7% (2006 est.) 42.22 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 13.46 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 8.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 63.13 deaths/1,000 live births male: 70.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 55.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 50.81 years male: 50.07 years female: 51.58 years (2006 est.) 6.55 children born/woman (2006 est.) 6% (2003 est.) 250,000 (2003 est.) 25,000 (2003 est.) degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria (2005) noun: Burundian(s) adjective: Burundian Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%, Europeans 3,000, South Asians 2,000 Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous beliefs 23%, Muslim 10% Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 51.6% male: 58.5% female: 45.2% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Burundi conventional short form: Burundi local long form: Republique du Burundi/Republika y'u Burundi local short form: Burundi former: Urundi republic name: Bujumbura geographic coordinates: 3 23 S, 29 22 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 17 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura Rurale, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro, Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration) Independence Day, 1 July (1962) 28 February 2005; ratified by popular referendum based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction NA years of age; universal adult chief of state: President Pierre NKURUNZIZA (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Martin NDUWIMANA - Tutsi (since 29 August 2005); Second Vice President Marina BARAMPAMA - Hutu (since 8 September 2006) head of government: President Pierre NKURUNZIZA (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Martin NDUWIMANA - Tutsi (since 29 August 2005); Second Vice President Marina BARAMPAMA - Hutu (since 8 September 2006) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by president elections: the president is elected by popular vote to a five-year term (eligible for a second term); note - the constitution adopted in February 2005 permits the post-transition president to be elected by a two-thirds majority of the parliament; vice presidents nominated by the president, endorsed by parliament election results: Pierre NKURUNZIZA was elected president by the parliament by a vote of 151 to 9; note - the constitution adopted in February 2005 permits the post-transition president to be elected by a two-thirds majority of the legislature bicameral Parliament or Parlement, consists of a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (minimum 100 seats - 60% Hutu and 40% Tutsi with at least 30% being women; additional seats appointed by a National Independent Electoral Commission to ensure ethnic representation; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and a Senate (54 seats; 34 by indirect vote to serve five year terms, with remaining seats assigned to ethnic groups and former chiefs of state) elections: National Assembly - last held 4 July 2005 (next to be held in 2010); Senate - last held 29 July 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CNDD-FDD 58.6%, FRODEBU 21.7%, UPRONA 7.2%, CNDD 4.1%, MRC-Rurenzangemero 2.1%, others 6.2%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 59, FRODEBU 25, UPRONA 10, CNDD 4, MRC-Rurenzangemero 2; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 30, FRODEBU 3, CNDD 1 Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court; Courts of Appeal (there are three in separate locations); Tribunals of First Instance (17 at the province level and 123 small local tribunals) the three national, mainstream, governing parties are: Burundi Democratic Front or FRODEBU [Leonce NGENDAKUMANA, president]; National Council for the Defense of Democracy, Front for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD-FDD [Hussein RADJABU, president]; Unity for National Progress or UPRONA [Aloys RUBUKA, president] note: a multiparty system was introduced after 1998, included are: National Council for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD; National Resistance Movement for the Rehabilitation of the Citizen or MRC-Rurenzangemero [Epitace BANYAGANAKANDI]; Party for National Redress or PARENA [Jean-Baptiste BAGAZA] none ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Antoine NTAMOBWA chancery: Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 342-2574 FAX: [1] (202) 342-2578 chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia Newton MOLLER embassy: Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura mailing address: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura telephone: [257] 223454 FAX: [257] 222926 divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and fly side) with a white disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above, two stars below) Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly agricultural with more than 90% of the population dependent on subsistence agriculture. Economic growth depends on coffee and tea exports, which account for 90% of foreign exchange earnings. The ability to pay for imports, therefore, rests primarily on weather conditions and international coffee and tea prices. The Tutsi minority, 14% of the population, dominates the government and the coffee trade at the expense of the Hutu majority, 85% of the population. An ethnic-based war that lasted for over a decade resulted in more than 200,000 deaths, forced more than 48,000 refugees into Tanzania, and displaced 140,000 others internally. Only one in two children go to school, and approximately one in 10 adults has HIV/AIDS. Food, medicine, and electricity remain in short supply. Political stability and the end of the civil war have improved aid flows and economic activity has increased, but underlying weaknesses - a high poverty rate, poor education rates, a weak legal system, and low administrative capacity - risk undermining planned economic reforms. $5.654 billion (2005 est.) $730 million (2005 est.) 1.1% (2005 est.) $700 (2005 est.) agriculture: 46.3% industry: 20.3% services: 33.4% (2005 est.) 2.99 million (2002) agriculture: 93.6% industry: 2.3% services: 4.1% (2002 est.) NA% 68% (2002 est.) lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 32.9% (1998) 33.3 (1998) 16% (2005 est.) 11.6% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $215.4 million expenditures: $278 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, manioc (tapioca); beef, milk, hides light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing 18% (2001) 141.3 million kWh (2003) 141.4 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 10 million kWh; note - supplied by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003) 3,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) -$29 million (2005 est.) $52 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides Germany 24.7%, Belgium 11.2%, Netherlands 8.1%, Switzerland 5.9%, US 4.7%, Pakistan 4.1% (2005) $200 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs Kenya 13.1%, Tanzania 10.7%, Belgium 10.6%, Italy 8.2%, France 5.5%, Uganda 5.4%, China 5.1% (2005) $105 million (2005 est.) $1.2 billion (2003) $105.5 million (2003) Burundi franc (BIF) Burundi francs per US dollar - 1,138 (2005), 1,100.91 (2004), 1,082.62 (2003), 930.75 (2002), 830.35 (2001) calendar year 27,700 (2005) 153,000 (2005) general assessment: primitive system domestic: sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay international: country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) 1 (2001) .bi 155 (2005) 25,000 (2005) 8 (2006) total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2006) total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2006) total: 14,480 km paved: 1,028 km unpaved: 13,452 km (1999) mainly on Lake Tanganyika (2003) Bujumbura National Defense Force (Forces de Defense Nationales, FDN): Army (includes Naval Detachment and Air Wing), National Gendarmerie (being disbanded) (2006) 16 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001) males age 16-49: 1,676,855 females age 16-49: 1,656,366 (2005 est.) males age 16-49: 955,616 females age 16-49: 932,767 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 91,331 females age 16-49: 90,685 (2005 est.) $43.9 million (2005 est.) 5.6% (2005 est.) Tutsi, Hutu, other conflicting ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces continue fighting in the Great Lakes region, transcending the boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda in an effort to gain control over populated and natural resource areas; government heads pledge to end conflict, but localized violence continues despite the presence of about 6,000 peacekeepers from the UN Operation in Burundi (ONUB) since 2004; although some 150,000 Burundian refugees have been repatriated, as of February 2005, Burundian refugees still reside in camps in western Tanzania as well as the Democratic Republic of the Congo Canada A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across an unfortified border. Canada's paramount political problem is meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care and education services after a decade of budget cuts. Canada also faces questions about integrity in government following revelations regarding a corruption scandal in the federal government that has helped revive the fortunes of separatists in predominantly francophone Quebec. Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the conterminous US 60 00 N, 95 00 W North America total: 9,984,670 sq km land: 9,093,507 sq km water: 891,163 sq km somewhat larger than the US total: 8,893 km border countries: US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska) 202,080 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Logan 5,959 m iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower arable land: 4.57% permanent crops: 0.65% other: 94.78% (2005) 7,850 sq km (2003) continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of the mountains air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting lakes and damaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and forest productivity; ocean waters becoming contaminated due to agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Marine Life Conservation second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km of the US border 33,098,932 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 17.6% (male 2,992,811/female 2,848,388) 15-64 years: 69% (male 11,482,452/female 11,368,286) 65 years and over: 13.3% (male 1,883,008/female 2,523,987) (2006 est.) total: 38.9 years male: 37.8 years female: 39.9 years (2006 est.) 0.88% (2006 est.) 10.78 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 7.8 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 5.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 4.69 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 80.22 years male: 76.86 years female: 83.74 years (2006 est.) 1.61 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.3% (2003 est.) 56,000 (2003 est.) 1,500 (2003 est.) noun: Canadian(s) adjective: Canadian British Isles origin 28%, French origin 23%, other European 15%, Amerindian 2%, other, mostly Asian, African, Arab 6%, mixed background 26% Roman Catholic 42.6%, Protestant 23.3% (including United Church 9.5%, Anglican 6.8%, Baptist 2.4%, Lutheran 2%), other Christian 4.4%, Muslim 1.9%, other and unspecified 11.8%, none 16% (2001 census) English (official) 59.3%, French (official) 23.2%, other 17.5% definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) conventional long form: none conventional short form: Canada constitutional monarchy that is also a parliamentary democracy and a federation name: Ottawa geographic coordinates: 45 25 N, 75 40 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in April; ends first Sunday in November; note - beginning in 2007, DST will begin the second Sunday in March note: Canada is divided into six time zones 10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory* 1 July 1867 (union of British North American colonies); 11 December 1931 (independence recognized) Canada Day, 1 July (1867) made up of unwritten and written acts, customs, judicial decisions, and traditions; the written part of the constitution consists of the Constitution Act of 29 March 1867, which created a federation of four provinces, and the Constitution Act of 17 April 1982, which transferred formal control over the constitution from Britain to Canada, and added a Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as procedures for constitutional amendments based on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil law system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Michaelle JEAN (since 27 September 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Stephen HARPER (since 6 February 2006) cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from among the members of his own party sitting in Parliament elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition in the House of Commons is automatically designated prime minister by the governor general bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (members appointed by the governor general with the advice of the prime minister and serve until reaching 75 years of age; its normal limit is 105 senators) and the House of Commons or Chambre des Communes (308 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve for up to five-year terms) elections: House of Commons - last held 23 January 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: House of Commons - percent of vote by party - Conservative Party 36.3%, Liberal Party 30.2%, New Democratic Party 17.5%, Bloc Quebecois 10.5%, Greens 4.5%, other 1%; seats by party - Conservative Party 124, Liberal Party 103, New Democratic Party 29, Bloc Quebecois 51, other 1 Supreme Court of Canada (judges are appointed by the prime minister through the governor general); Federal Court of Canada; Federal Court of Appeal; Provincial Courts (these are named variously Court of Appeal, Court of Queens Bench, Superior Court, Supreme Court, and Court of Justice) Bloc Quebecois [Gilles DUCEPPE]; Conservative Party of Canada (a merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party) [Stephen HARPER]; Green Party [Elizabeth MAY]; Liberal Party [Bill GRAHAM]; New Democratic Party [Jack LAYTON] NA ACCT, AfDB, APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CDB, CE (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ESA (cooperating state), FAO, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAFTA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNMOVIC, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC chief of mission: Ambassador Michael WILSON chancery: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 telephone: [1] (202) 682-1740 FAX: [1] (202) 682-7726 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco, Seattle consulate(s): Anchorage, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Raleigh, San Diego chief of mission: Ambassador David H. WILKINS embassy: 490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8 mailing address: P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburgh, NY 13669-0430 telephone: [1] (613) 238-5335, 4470 FAX: [1] (613) 688-3082 consulate(s) general: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg two vertical bands of red (hoist and fly side, half width), with white square between them; an 11-pointed red maple leaf is centered in the white square; the official colors of Canada are red and white As an affluent, high-tech industrial society in the trillion dollar class, Canada resembles the US in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and affluent living standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. The 1989 US-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (which includes Mexico) touched off a dramatic increase in trade and economic integration with the US. Given its great natural resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant, Canada enjoys solid economic prospects. Top-notch fiscal management has produced consecutive balanced budgets since 1997, although public debate continues over how to manage the rising cost of the publicly funded healthcare system. Exports account for roughly a third of GDP. Canada enjoys a substantial trade surplus with its principal trading partner, the US, which absorbs more than 85% of Canadian exports. Canada is the US' largest foreign supplier of energy, including oil, gas, uranium, and electric power. $1.114 trillion (2005 est.) $1.035 trillion (2005 est.) 2.9% (2005 est.) $34,000 (2005 est.) agriculture: 2.2% industry: 29.4% services: 68.4% (2005 est.) 16.3 million (December 2005) agriculture 2%, manufacturing 14%, construction 5%, services 75%, other 3% (2004) 6.8% (2005 est.) 15.9%; note - this figure is the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), a calculation that results in higher figures than found in many comparable economies; Canada does not have an official poverty line (2003) lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 23.8% (1994) 33.1 (1998) 2.2% (2005 est.) 20.5% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $159.6 billion expenditures: $152.6 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2004) 69.6% of GDP (2005 est.) wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; forest products; fish transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, fish products, petroleum and natural gas 2.6% (2005 est.) 566.3 billion kWh (2003) 520.9 billion kWh (2003) 22 billion kWh (2004) 33 billion kWh (2004) 2.4 million bbl/day (2004) 2.3 million bbl/day (2004) 1.6 million bbl/day (2004) 963,000 bbl/day (2004) 178.9 billion bbl note: includes oil sands (2004 est.) 165.8 billion cu m (2003 est.) 90.95 billion cu m (2003 est.) 91.52 billion cu m (2003 est.) 8.73 billion cu m (2003 est.) 1.673 trillion cu m (2004) $24.96 billion (2005 est.) $364.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) motor vehicles and parts, industrial machinery, aircraft, telecommunications equipment; chemicals, plastics, fertilizers; wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, natural gas, electricity, aluminum US 84.2%, Japan 2.1%, UK 1.8% (2005) $317.7 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, crude oil, chemicals, electricity, durable consumer goods US 56.7%, China 7.8%, Mexico 3.8% (2005) $33.02 billion (2005 est.) $439.8 billion (30 November 2005) ODA, $2.6 billion (2004) Canadian dollar (CAD) Canadian dollars per US dollar - 1.2118 (2005), 1.301 (2004), 1.4011 (2003), 1.5693 (2002), 1.5488 (2001) 1 April - 31 March 18,276,400 (2005) 14,984,400 (2004) general assessment: excellent service provided by modern technology domestic: domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stations international: country code - 1-xxx; 5 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) and 2 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) AM 245, FM 582, shortwave 6 (2004) 80 (plus many repeaters) (1997) .ca 3,525,392 (2005) 20.9 million (2005) 1,337 (2006) total: 509 over 3,047 m: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 15 1,524 to 2,437 m: 151 914 to 1,523 m: 248 under 914 m: 77 (2006) total: 828 1,524 to 2,437 m: 66 914 to 1,523 m: 355 under 914 m: 407 (2006) 319 (2006) crude and refined oil 23,564 km; liquid petroleum gas 74,980 km (2003) total: 48,467 km standard gauge: 48,467 km 1.435-m gauge (2005) total: 1,042,300 km paved: 415,600 km (including 17,000 km of expressways) unpaved: 626,700 km (2005) 631 km note: Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint Lawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with United States (2003) total: 173 ships (1000 GRT or over) 2,129,243 GRT/2,716,340 DWT by type: bulk carrier 62, cargo 10, chemical tanker 9, container 2, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 63, petroleum tanker 13, roll on/roll off 8 foreign-owned: 7 (Germany 3, Netherlands 1, Norway 1, US 2) registered in other countries: 111 (Australia 1, Bahamas 18, Barbados 8, Cambodia 6, Cyprus 2, Denmark 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 28, Liberia 2, Malta 18, Marshall Islands 6, Panama 4, Russia 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, US 4, Vanuatu 5) (2006) Fraser River Port, Halifax, Montreal, Port Cartier, Quebec, Saint John's (Newfoundland), Sept Isles, Vancouver Canadian Forces: Land Forces Command, Maritime Command, Air Command, Canada Command (homeland security) (2006) 16 years of age for voluntary military service; women comprise approximately 11% of Canada's armed forces (2001) males age 16-49: 8,216,510 females age 16-49: 8,034,939 (2005 est.) males age 16-49: 6,740,490 females age 16-49: 6,580,868 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 223,821 females age 16-49: 212,900 (2005 est.) $9,801.7 million (2003) 1.1% (2003) managed maritime boundary disputes with the US at Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and around the disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; working toward greater cooperation with US in monitoring people and commodities crossing the border; uncontested sovereignty dispute with Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland Cambodia Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire ushering in a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French protection in 1863. Cambodia became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. In April 1975, after a five-year struggle, Communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A December 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off almost 13 years of civil war. The 1991 Paris Peace Accords mandated democratic elections and a ceasefire, which was not fully respected by the Khmer Rouge. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy under a coalition government. Factional fighting in 1997 ended the first coalition government, but a second round of national elections in 1998 led to the formation of another coalition government and renewed political stability. The remaining elements of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in early 1999. Some of the remaining leaders are awaiting trial by a UN-sponsored tribunal for crimes against humanity. Elections in July 2003 were relatively peaceful, but it took one year of negotiations between contending political parties before a coalition government was formed. Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos 13 00 N, 105 00 E Southeast Asia total: 181,040 sq km land: 176,520 sq km water: 4,520 sq km slightly smaller than Oklahoma total: 2,572 km border countries: Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km 443 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m oil and gas, timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential arable land: 20.44% permanent crops: 0.59% other: 78.97% (2005) 2,700 sq km (2003) monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts illegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand have resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); soil erosion; in rural areas, most of the population does not have access to potable water; declining fish stocks because of illegal fishing and overfishing party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap 13,881,427 note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 35.6% (male 2,497,595/female 2,447,754) 15-64 years: 61% (male 4,094,946/female 4,370,159) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 180,432/female 290,541) (2006 est.) total: 20.6 years male: 19.9 years female: 21.4 years (2006 est.) 1.78% (2006 est.) 26.9 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 9.06 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 68.78 deaths/1,000 live births male: 77.35 deaths/1,000 live births female: 59.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 59.29 years male: 57.35 years female: 61.32 years (2006 est.) 3.37 children born/woman (2006 est.) 2.6% (2003 est.) 170,000 (2003 est.) 15,000 (2003 est.) degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis are high risks in some locations note: at present, H5N1 avian influenza poses a minimal risk; during outbreaks among birds, rare cases could occur among US citizens who have close contact with infected birds or poultry (2005) noun: Cambodian(s) adjective: Cambodian Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4% Theravada Buddhist 95%, other 5% Khmer (official) 95%, French, English definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 73.6% male: 84.7% female: 64.1% (2004 est.) conventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia conventional short form: Cambodia local long form: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic pronunciation) local short form: Kampuchea former: Kingdom of Cambodia, Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, People's Republic of Kampuchea, State of Cambodia multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy name: Phnom Penh geographic coordinates: 11 33 N, 104 55 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 20 provinces (khaitt, singular and plural) and 4 municipalities* (krong, singular and plural) provinces: Banteay Mean Cheay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Krachen, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Cheay, Pouthisat, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanah Kiri, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev municipalities: Keb, Pailin, Phnum Penh, Preah Seihanu 9 November 1953 (from France) Independence Day, 9 November (1953) promulgated 21 September 1993 primarily a civil law mixture of French-influenced codes from the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) period, royal decrees, and acts of the legislature, with influences of customary law and remnants of communist legal theory; increasing influence of common law in recent years; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal chief of state: King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October 2004) head of government: Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985) and Deputy Prime Ministers SAR KHENG (since 3 February 1992); SOK AN, LU LAY SRENG, TEA BANH, HOR NAMHONG, NHEK BUNCHHAY (since 16 July 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers in theory appointed by the monarch; in practice named by the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is chosen by a Royal Throne Council; following legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition is named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the king bicameral, consists of the National Assembly (123 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Senate (61 seats; 2 members appointed by the monarch, 2 elected by the National Assembly, and 57 elected by parliamentarians and commune councils; members serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 27 July 2003 (next to be held in July 2008); Senate - last held 22 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2011) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP 47%, SRP 22%, FUNCINPEC 21%, other 10%; seats by party - CPP 73, FUNCINPEC 26, SRP 24; Senate - percent of vote by party - CPP 69%, FUNCINPEC 21%, SRP 10%; seats by party - CPP 45, FUNCINPEC 10, SRP 2 (January 2006) Supreme Council of the Magistracy (provided for in the constitution and formed in December 1997); Supreme Court (and lower courts) exercises judicial authority Cambodian Pracheachon Party (Cambodian People's Party) or CPP [CHEA SIM]; National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or FUNCINPEC [NHEK BUNCHHAY]; Sam Rangsi Party or SRP [SAM RANGSI] NA ACCT, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, EAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador EK SEREYWATH chancery: 4530 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-7742 FAX: [1] (202) 726-8381 chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph A. MUSSOMELI embassy: #1, Street 96, Sangkat Wat Phnom, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh mailing address: Box P, APO AP 96546 telephone: [855] (23) 728-000 FAX: [855] (23) 728-600 three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band; only national flag to incorporate an actual building in its design In 1999, the first full year of peace in 30 years, the government made progress on economic reforms. The US and Cambodia signed a Bilateral Textile Agreement, which gave Cambodia a guaranteed quota of US textile imports and established a bonus for improving working conditions and enforcing Cambodian labor laws and international labor standards in the industry. From 2001 to 2004, the economy grew at an average rate of 6.4%, driven largely by an expansion in the garment sector and tourism. With the January 2005 expiration of a WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, Cambodia-based textile producers were forced to compete directly with lower-priced producing countries such as China and India. Although initial 2005 GDP growth estimates were less than 3%, better-than-expected garment sector performance led the IMF to forecast 6% growth in 2005. Faced with the possibility that its vibrant garment industry, with more than 200,000 jobs, could be in serious danger, the Cambodian government has committed itself to a policy of continued support for high labor standards in an attempt to maintain favor with buyers. The tourism industry continues to grow rapidly, with foreign visitors surpassing 1 million for the year by September 2005. In 2005, exploitable oil and natural gas deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial waters, representing a new revenue stream for the government once commercial extraction begins in the coming years. The long-term development of the economy remains a daunting challenge. The Cambodian government continues to work with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the World Bank and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs. In December 2004, official donors pledged $504 million in aid for 2005 on the condition that the Cambodian government implement steps to reduce corruption. The major economic challenge for Cambodia over the next decade will be fashioning an economic environment in which the private sector can create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's demographic imbalance. More than 50% of the population is 20 years or younger. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the poverty-ridden countryside, which suffers from an almost total lack of basic infrastructure. Fully 75% of the population remains engaged in subsistence farming. $30.65 billion (2005 est.) $4.729 billion (2005 est.) 6% (2005 est.) $2,200 (2005 est.) agriculture: 35% industry: 30% services: 35% (2004) 7 million (2003 est.) agriculture: 75% industry: NA% services: NA% (2004 est.) 2.5% (2000 est.) 40% (2004 est.) lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 33.8% (1997) 40 (2004 est.) 5.8% (2005 est.) 23.3% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $559.4 million expenditures: $772 million; including capital expenditures of $291 million (2005 est.) rice, rubber, corn, vegetables, cashews, tapioca tourism, garments, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles 22% (2002 est.) 123.7 million kWh (2003) 115 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003) 3,700 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) -$166 million (2005 est.) $2.663 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, footwear US 48.6%, Hong Kong 24.4%, Germany 5.6%, Canada 4.6% (2005) $3.538 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction materials, machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products Hong Kong 16.1%, China 13.6%, France 12.1%, Thailand 11.2%, Taiwan 10.2%, South Korea 7.5%, Vietnam 7.1%, Singapore 4.9%, Japan 4.1% (2005) $1.145 billion (2005 est.) $800 million (2003 est.) $504 million pledged in grants and concessional loans for 2005 by international donors riel (KHR) riels per US dollar - 4,092.5 (2005), 4,016.25 (2004), 3,973.33 (2003), 3,912.08 (2002), 3,916.33 (2001) calendar year 36,400 (2003) 498,400 (2003) general assessment: adequate landline and/or cellular service in Phnom Penh and other provincial cities; mobile phone coverage is rapidly expanding in rural areas domestic: NA international: country code - 855; adequate but expensive landline and cellular service available to all countries from Phnom Penh and major provincial cities; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) AM 2, FM 17 (2003) 11 (including two TV relay stations with French and Vietnamese broadcasts); 12 regional low power TV stations (2006) .kh 1,315 (2005) 41,000 (2005) 20 (2006) total: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2006) total: 14 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 1 (2006) 2 (2006) total: 602 km narrow gauge: 602 km 1.000-m gauge (2005) total: 12,323 km paved: 1,996 km unpaved: 10,327 km (2000) 2,400 km (mainly on Mekong River) (2005) total: 544 ships (1000 GRT or over) 1,777,907 GRT/2,529,708 DWT by type: bulk carrier 41, cargo 443, chemical tanker 11, container 10, livestock carrier 3, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 19, roll on/roll off 2, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 407 (Bulgaria 1, Canada 6, China 128, Cyprus 12, Egypt 8, Gabon 1, Greece 8, Hong Kong 15, Indonesia 1, Japan 4, South Korea 23, Latvia 2, Lebanon 6, Nigeria 2, Norway 1, Philippines 1, Russia 105, Singapore 4, Spain 1, Syria 20, Taiwan 2, Turkey 26, UAE 1, Ukraine 17, US 8, Yemen 3, unknown 1) (2006) Phnom Penh Royal Cambodian Armed Forces: Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force (2005) 18-30 years of age for compulsory military service for all males; conscription law passed September 2004; service obligation is 18 months (September 2004) males age 18-49: 3,002,718 females age 18-49: 3,108,254 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 1,955,141 females age 18-49: 2,048,611 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 175,497 females age 18-49: 172,788 (2005 est.) $112 million (FY01 est.) 3% (FY01 est.) Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of boundary with missing boundary markers and Thai encroachments into Cambodian territory; maritime boundary with Vietnam is hampered by unresolved dispute over offshore islands; Cambodia accuses Thailand of obstructing access to Preah Vihear temple ruins awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962; in 2004, Cambodian-Laotian and Laotian-Vietnamese boundary commissions re-erected missing markers completing most of their demarcations Chad Chad, part of France's African holdings until 1960, endured three decades of civil warfare as well as invasions by Libya before a semblance of peace was finally restored in 1990. The government eventually drafted a democratic constitution, and held flawed presidential elections in 1996 and 2001. In 1998, a rebellion broke out in northern Chad, which sporadically flares up despite several peace agreements between the government and the rebels. In 2005 new rebel groups emerged in western Sudan and have made probing attacks into eastern Chad. Power remains in the hands of an ethnic minority. In June 2005, President Idriss DEBY held a referendum successfully removing constitutional term limits. Central Africa, south of Libya 15 00 N, 19 00 E Africa total: 1.284 million sq km land: 1,259,200 sq km water: 24,800 sq km slightly more than three times the size of California total: 5,968 km border countries: Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197 km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) tropical in south, desert in north broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south lowest point: Djourab Depression 160 m highest point: Emi Koussi 3,415 m petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad), gold, limestone, sand and gravel, salt arable land: 2.8% permanent crops: 0.02% other: 97.18% (2005) 300 sq km (2003) hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution; desertification party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel 9,944,201 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 47.9% (male 2,396,393/female 2,369,261) 15-64 years: 49.3% (male 2,355,940/female 2,550,535) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 107,665/female 164,407) (2006 est.) total: 16 years male: 15.3 years female: 16.6 years (2006 est.) 2.93% (2006 est.) 45.73 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 16.38 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -0.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 91.45 deaths/1,000 live births male: 100.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 82.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 47.52 years male: 45.88 years female: 49.21 years (2006 est.) 6.25 children born/woman (2006 est.) 4.8% (2003 est.) 200,000 (2003 est.) 18,000 (2003 est.) degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2005) noun: Chadian(s) adjective: Chadian 200 distinct groups; in the north and center: Arabs, Gorane (Toubou, Daza, Kreda), Zaghawa, Kanembou, Ouaddai, Baguirmi, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Hausa, Boulala, and Maba, most of whom are Muslim; in the south: Sara (Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye), Moundang, Moussei, Massa, most of whom are Christian or animist; about 1,000 French citizens live in Chad Muslim 51%, Christian 35%, animist 7%, other 7% French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects definition: age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic total population: 47.5% male: 56% female: 39.3% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Chad conventional short form: Chad local long form: Republique du Tchad/Jumhuriyat Tshad local short form: Tchad/Tshad republic name: N'Djamena geographic coordinates: 12 07 N, 15 03 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture); Batha, Biltine, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi, Guera, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mayo-Kebbi, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile note: instead of 14 prefectures, there may be a new administrative structure of 28 departments (departments, singular - department) and 1 city*; Assongha, Baguirmi, Bahr El Gazal, Bahr Koh, Batha Oriental, Batha Occidental, Biltine, Borkou, Dababa, Ennedi, Guera, Hadjer Lamis, Kabia, Kanem, Lac, Lac Iro, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mandoul, Mayo-Boneye, Mayo-Dallah, Monts de Lam, N'Djamena*, Ouaddai, Salamat, Sila, Tandjile Oriental, Tandjile Occidental, Tibesti 11 August 1960 (from France) Independence Day, 11 August (1960) passed by referendum 31 March 1996; a June 2005 referendum removed constitutional term limits based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno (since 4 December 1990) head of government: Prime Minister Pascal YOADIMNADJI (since 3 February 2005) cabinet: Council of State, members appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote to serve five-year term; if no candidate receives at least 50% of the total vote, the two candidates receiving the most votes must stand for a second round of voting; last held 3 May 2006 (next to be held by May 2011); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno reelected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY 64.7%, Delwa Kassire COUMAKOYE 15.1%, Albert Pahimi PADACKE 7.8%, Mahamat ABDOULAYE 7.1%, Brahim KOULAMALLAH 5.3%; note - a June 2005 national referendum altered the constitution removing presidential term limits and permitting Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno to run for reelection bicameral according to constitution, consists of a National Assembly (155 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and a Senate (not yet created and size unspecified, members to serve six-year terms, one-third of membership renewable every two years) elections: National Assembly - last held 21 April 2002 (next to be held by April 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MPS 110, RDP 12, FAR 9, RNDP 5, URD 5, UNDR 3, other 11 Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Magistrate Courts Federation Action for the Republic or FAR [Ngarledjy YORONGAR]; National Rally for Development and Progress or RNDP [Delwa Kassire COUMAKOYE]; National Union for Democracy and Renewal or UNDR [Saleh KEBZABO]; Party for Liberty and Development or PLD [Ibni Oumar Mahamat SALEH]; Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS [Mahamat Saleh AHMAT, chairman]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Lol Mahamat CHOUA]; Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR [Jean ALINGUE]; Union for Renewal and Democracy or URD [Gen. Wadal Abdelkader KAMOUGUE] NA ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Mahamat Adam BECHIR chancery: 2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 462-4009 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1937 chief of mission: Ambassador Marc WALL embassy: Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena mailing address: B. P. 413, N'Djamena telephone: [235] (51) 70-09 FAX: [235] (51) 56-54 three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flags of Andorra and Moldova, both of which have a national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France Chad's primarily agricultural economy will continue to be boosted by major foreign direct investment projects in the oil sector that began in 2000. Over 80% of Chad's population relies on subsistence farming and livestock raising for its livelihood. Chad's economy has long been handicapped by its landlocked position, high energy costs, and a history of instability. Chad relies on foreign assistance and foreign capital for most public and private sector investment projects. A consortium led by two US companies has been investing $3.7 billion to develop oil reserves - estimated at 1 billion barrels - in southern Chad. The nation's total oil reserves has been estimated to be 2 billion barrels. Oil production came on stream in late 2003. Chad began to export oil in 2004. Cotton, cattle, and gum arabic provide the bulk of Chad's non-oil export earnings. $14.79 billion (2005 est.) $4.799 billion (2005 est.) 6% (2005 est.) $1,500 (2005 est.) agriculture: 33.5% industry: 25.9% services: 40.6% (2005 est.) NA agriculture: 80% (subsistence farming, herding, and fishing) industry and services: 20% NA% 80% (2001 est.) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 3% (2005 est.) 18.2% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $765.2 million expenditures: $653.3 million; including capital expenditures of $146 million (2005 est.) cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca); cattle, sheep, goats, camels oil, cotton textiles, meatpacking, beer brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials 5% (1995) 120 million kWh (2003) 111.6 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 225,000 bbl/day (2005 est.) 1,450 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) -$602 million (2005 est.) $3.016 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) cotton, cattle, gum arabic, oil US 78%, China 9.9%, Taiwan 4.1% (2005) $749.1 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods, foodstuffs, textiles France 21.1%, Cameroon 15.5%, US 12.1%, Belgium 6.8%, Portugal 4.6%, Saudi Arabia 4.3%, Netherlands 4% (2005) $297 million (2005 est.) $1.5 billion (2003 est.) $238.3 million received; note - $125 million committed by Taiwan (August 1997); $30 million committed by African Development Bank; ODA $246.9 million (2003 est.) Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001) calendar year 13,000 (2004) 210,000 (2005) general assessment: primitive system domestic: fair system of radiotelephone communication stations international: country code - 235; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 5 (2002) 1 (2002) .td 7 (2005) 60,000 (2005) 52 (2006) total: 7 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 45 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 21 under 914 m: 10 (2006) oil 205 km (2004) total: 33,400 km paved: 267 km unpaved: 33,133 km (1999) Chari and Legone rivers are navigable only in wet season (2002) Chadian National Army (Armee Nationale Tchadienne, ANT), Air Force, Gendarmerie (2004) 20 years of age for conscripts, with three-year service obligation; 18 years of age for volunteers; no minimum age restriction for volunteers with consent from a guardian; women are subject to one year of compulsory military or civic service at age of 21 (2004) males age 20-49: 1,527,580 females age 20-49: 1,629,510 (2005 est.) males age 20-49: 794,988 females age 20-49: 849,500 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 94,536 females age 20-49: 93,521 (2005 est.) $68.95 million (2005 est.) 1% (2005 est.) since the expulsions of residents from Darfur in 2003 by Janjawid armed militia and Sudanese military, about 200,000 refugees remain in eastern Chad; Chad remains an important mediator in the Sudanese civil conflict, reducing tensions with Sudan arising from cross-border banditry; Chadian Aozou rebels reside in southern Libya; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty, which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries Sri Lanka The Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C., probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced beginning in about the mid-third century B.C., and a great civilization developed at the cities of Anuradhapura (kingdom from circa 200 B.C. to circa A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (from about 1070 to 1200). In the 14th century, a south Indian dynasty seized power in the north and established a Tamil kingdom. Occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century and by the Dutch in the 17th century, the island was ceded to the British in 1796, became a crown colony in 1802, and was united under British rule by 1815. As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted into war in 1983. Tens of thousands have died in an ethnic conflict that continues to fester. After two decades of fighting, the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam formalized a cease-fire in February 2002, with Norway brokering peace negotiations. Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India 7 00 N, 81 00 E Asia total: 65,610 sq km land: 64,740 sq km water: 870 sq km slightly larger than West Virginia 0 km 1,340 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October) mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower arable land: 13.96% permanent crops: 15.24% other: 70.8% (2005) 7,430 sq km (2003) occasional cyclones and tornadoes deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by poaching and urbanization; coastal degradation from mining activities and increased pollution; freshwater resources being polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff; waste disposal; air pollution in Colombo party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes 20,222,240 note: since the outbreak of hostilities between the government and armed Tamil separatists in the mid-1980s, several hundred thousand Tamil civilians have fled the island and more than 200,000 Tamils have sought refuge in the West (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 24.1% (male 2,488,689/female 2,379,233) 15-64 years: 68.6% (male 6,727,399/female 7,140,751) 65 years and over: 7.3% (male 687,842/female 798,326) (2006 est.) total: 29.8 years male: 28.7 years female: 30.9 years (2006 est.) 0.78% (2006 est.) 15.51 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 6.52 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 13.97 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.18 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 73.41 years male: 70.83 years female: 76.12 years (2006 est.) 1.84 children born/woman (2006 est.) less than 0.1% (2001 est.) 3,500 (2001 est.) less than 200 (2003 est.) noun: Sri Lankan(s) adjective: Sri Lankan Sinhalese 73.8%, Sri Lankan Moors 7.2%, Indian Tamil 4.6%, Sri Lankan Tamil 3.9%, other 0.5%, unspecified 10% (2001 census provisional data) Buddhist 69.1%, Muslim 7.6%, Hindu 7.1%, Christian 6.2%, unspecified 10% (2001 census provisional data) Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8% note: English is commonly used in government and is spoken competently by about 10% of the population definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.3% male: 94.8% female: 90% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka conventional short form: Sri Lanka local long form: Shri Lamka Prajatantrika Samajaya di Janarajaya/Ilankai Jananayaka Choshalichak Kutiyarachu local short form: Shri Lamka/Ilankai former: Serendib, Ceylon republic name: Colombo geographic coordinates: 6 56 N, 79 51 E time difference: UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital) 8 provinces; Central, North Central, North Eastern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western note: in 1998 the Government of Sri Lanka proposed a merger of the former Northern and Eastern provinces; while this merger was never ratified, the Government treats North Eastern Province as a de facto singular administrative unit 4 February 1948 (from UK) Independence Day, 4 February (1948) adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978 a highly complex mixture of English common law, Roman-Dutch, Muslim, Sinhalese, and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Mahinda RAJAPAKSE (since 19 November 2005); the president is considered both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mahinda RAJAPAKSE (since 19 November 2005); the president is considered both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 17 November 2005 (next to be held 2011) election results: Mahinda RAJAPAKSE elected president; percent of vote - Mahinda RAJAPAKSE 50.3%, Ranil WICKREMESINGHE 48.4%, other 1.3% unicameral Parliament (225 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of a modified proportional representation system by district to serve six-year terms) elections: last held 2 April 2004 (next to be held by 2010) election results: percent of vote by party or electoral alliance - SLFP and JVP (no longer in formal UPFA alliance) 45.6%, UNP 37.83%, TNA 6.84%, JHU 5.97%, SLMC 2.02%, UPF 0.54%, EPDP 0.27%, others 0.93%; seats by party - UNP 68, SLFP 57, JVP 39, UNP dissident 1, TNA 22, CWC 8, JHU 7, JHU dissidents 2, SLMC 6, SLMC dissidents 4, Communist Party 2, LSSP 2, MEP 2, NUA 2, UPF 2, EPDP 1 Supreme Court; Court of Appeals; judges for both courts are appointed by the president All Ceylon Tamil Congress or ACTC [KUMARGURUPARAM]; Ceylon Workers Congress or CWC [Arumugam THONDAMAN]; Communist Party or CP [D. GUNASEKERA]; Democratic United National (Lalith) Front or DUNLF [Shrimani ATULATHMUDALI]; Eelam People's Democratic Party or EPDP [Douglas DEVANANDA]; Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front or EPRLF [Suresh PREMACHANDRAN]; Janatha Vimukthi Perumuna or JVP [Somawansa AMARASINGHE]; Lanka Sama Samaja Party or LSSP; Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (People's United Front) or MEP [D. GUNAWARDENE]; National Heritage Party or JHU [Tilak KARUNARATNE]; National Unity Alliance or NUA [Ferial ASHRAFF]; People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam or PLOTE [D. SIDHARTHAN]; Sihala Urumaya or SU; Sri Lanka Freedom Party or SLFP [Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA]; Sri Lanka Muslim Congress or SLMC [Rauff HAKEEM]; Sri Lanka Progressive Front or SLPF [P. Nelson PERERA]; Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization or TELO [SABARATNAM]; Tamil National Alliance or TNA [R. SAMPANTHAN]; Tamil United Liberation Front or TULF [V. ANANDASANGAREE]; United National Party or UNP [Ranil WICKREMASINGHE]; Up-country People's Front or UPF [P. CHANDRASEKARAN]; several ethnic Tamil and Muslim parties, represented in either Parliament or provincial councils Buddhist clergy; labor unions; Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam or LTTE [Velupillai PRABHAKARAN](insurgent group fighting for a separate state); radical chauvinist Sinhalese groups such as the National Movement Against Terrorism; Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups AsDB, BIMSTEC, C, CP, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), ONUB, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Bernard GOONETILLEKE chancery: 2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4025 (through 4028) FAX: [1] (202) 232-7181 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York chief of mission: Ambassador Jeffrey J. LUNSTEAD embassy: 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3 mailing address: P. O. Box 106, Colombo telephone: [94] (11) 244-8007 FAX: [94] (11) 243-7345 yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other panel is a large dark red rectangle with a yellow lion holding a sword, and there is a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a border around the entire flag and extends between the two panels In 1977, Colombo abandoned statist economic policies and its import substitution trade policy for market-oriented policies and export-oriented trade. Sri Lanka's most dynamic sectors now are food processing, textiles and apparel, food and beverages, telecommunications, and insurance and banking. In 2003, plantation crops made up only 15% of exports (compared with 93% in 1970), while textiles and garments accounted for 63%. GDP grew at an average annual rate of about 5.5% in the 1990s, but 2001 saw the first contraction in the country's history, by 1.4%, due to a combination of power shortages, severe budgetary problems, the global slowdown, and continuing civil strife. Growth recovered to 5% between 2002 and 2005. About 800,000 Sri Lankans work abroad, 90% in the Middle East. They send home about $1 billion a year. The struggle by the Tamil Tigers of the north and east for a largely independent homeland continues to cast a shadow over the economy. In late December 2004, a major tsunami took about 31,000 lives, left more than 6,300 missing and 443,000 displaced, and destroyed an estimated $1.5 billion worth of property. $85.34 billion (2005 est.) $21.62 billion (2005 est.) 5.6% (2005 est.) $4,300 (2005 est.) agriculture: 17.8% industry: 27.6% services: 54.5% (2005 est.) 8.08 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 38% industry: 17% services: 45% (1998 est.) 7.7% (2005 est.) 22% (1997 est.) lowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 28% (1995) 34.4 (1995) 11.6% (2005 est.) 26.1% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $3.804 billion expenditures: $5.469 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 92.8% of GDP (2005 est.) rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, spices, tea, rubber, coconuts; milk, eggs, hides, beef; fish processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, tobacco and other agricultural commodities; telecommunications, insurance, banking; clothing, textiles; cement, petroleum refining 8.2% (2005 est.) 7.308 billion kWh (2003) 6.796 billion kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 79,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) -$776 million (2005 est.) $6.442 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) textiles and apparel, tea and spices; diamonds, emeralds, rubies; coconut products, rubber manufactures, fish US 30.9%, UK 11.6%, India 6.9%, Belgium 4.8%, Germany 4.5% (2005) $8.37 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) textile fabrics, mineral products, petroleum, foodstuffs, machinery and transportation equipment India 16.8%, China 10.5%, Singapore 7.6%, Iran 5.8%, Hong Kong 4.8% (2005) $2.737 billion (2005 est.) $11.05 billion (2005 est.) $577 million (1998) Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) Sri Lankan rupees per US dollar - 100.498 (2005), 101.194 (2004), 96.521 (2003), 95.662 (2002), 89.383 (2001) calendar year 1,130,923 (2005) 3,084,845 (2005) general assessment: very inadequate domestic service, particularly in rural areas; likely improvement with privatization of national telephone company and encouragement to private investment; good international service (1999) domestic: national trunk network consists mostly of digital microwave radio relay; fiber-optic links now in use in Colombo area and two fixed wireless local loops have been installed; competition is strong in mobile cellular systems; telephone density remains low at 2.6 main lines per 100 persons (1999) international: country code - 94; submarine cables to Indonesia and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (1999) AM 26, FM 45, shortwave 1 (1998) 21 (1997) .lk 6,025 (2005) 280,000 (2005) 16 (2006) total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2006) total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2006) total: 1,449 km broad gauge: 1,449 km 1.676-m gauge (2005) total: 97,287 km paved: 78,802 km unpaved: 18,485 km (2003) 160 km (primarily on rivers in southwest) (2005) total: 22 ships (1000 GRT or over) 144,066 GRT/196,418 DWT by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 17, container 2, petroleum tanker 2 foreign-owned: 7 (Germany 5, UAE 2) registered in other countries: 5 (Panama 5) (2006) Colombo, Galle Sri Lankan Army, Sri Lankan Navy, Sri Lankan Air Force (2006) 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001) males age 18-49: 4,933,217 females age 18-49: 5,153,597 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 3,789,627 females age 18-49: 4,281,043 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 174,049 females age 18-49: 167,201 (2005 est.) $606.2 million (2005 est.) 2.6% (2005 est.) none Congo, Republic of the Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government took office in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, and ushered in a period of ethnic and political unrest. Southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003, but the calm is tenuous and refugees continue to present a humanitarian crisis. The Republic of Congo was once one of Africa's largest petroleum producers, but with declining production it will need to hope for new offshore oil finds to sustain its oil earnings over the long term. Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon 1 00 S, 15 00 E Africa total: 342,000 sq km land: 341,500 sq km water: 500 sq km slightly smaller than Montana total: 5,504 km border countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon 1,903 km 169 km territorial sea: 200 nm tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower arable land: 1.45% permanent crops: 0.15% other: 98.4% (2005) 20 sq km (2003) seasonal flooding air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them 3,702,314 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 46.4% (male 864,407/female 853,728) 15-64 years: 50.7% (male 930,390/female 945,545) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 44,430/female 63,814) (2006 est.) total: 16.6 years male: 16.4 years female: 16.9 years (2006 est.) 2.6% (2006 est.) 42.57 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 12.93 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -3.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 85.29 deaths/1,000 live births male: 91 deaths/1,000 live births female: 79.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 52.8 years male: 51.65 years female: 53.98 years (2006 est.) 6.07 children born/woman (2006 est.) 4.9% (2003 est.) 90,000 (2003 est.) 9,700 (2003 est.) degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria (2005) noun: Congolese (singular and plural) adjective: Congolese or Congo Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3% Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2% French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.8% male: 89.6% female: 78.4% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of the Congo conventional short form: Congo (Brazzaville) local long form: Republique du Congo local short form: none former: Middle Congo, Congo/Brazzaville, Congo republic name: Brazzaville geographic coordinates: 4 16 S, 15 17 E time difference: UTC+1 (six hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 10 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha 15 August 1960 (from France) Independence Day, 15 August (1960) approved by referendum 20 January 2002 based on French civil law system and customary law 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 10 March 2002 (next to be held in 2009) election results: Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO reelected president; percent of vote - Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO 89.4%, Joseph Kignoumbi Kia MBOUNGOU 2.7% bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (66 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the National Assembly (137 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 11 July 2002 (next to be held July 2007); National Assembly - last held 27 May and 26 June 2002 (next to be held by May 2007) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FDP 56, other 10; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FDP 83, UDR 6, UPADS 3, other 45 Supreme Court or Cour Supreme the most important of the many parties are the Democratic and Patriotic Forces or FDP [Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, president] (an alliance of Convention for Alternative Democracy, Congolese Labor Party or PCT, Liberal Republican Party, National Union for Democracy and Progress, Patriotic Union for the National Reconstruction, and Union for the National Renewal); Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development or MCDDI [Michel MAMPOUYA]; Pan-African Union for Social Development or UPADS [Martin MBERI]; Rally for Democracy and Social Progress or RDPS [Jean-Pierre Thystere TCHICAYA, president]; Rally for Democracy and the Republic or RDR [Raymond Damasge NGOLLO]; Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR; Union of Democratic Forces or UFD [Sebastian EBAO] Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC; General Union of Congolese Pupils and Students or UGEEC; Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women or URFC; Union of Congolese Socialist Youth or UJSC ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW (signatory), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Serge MOMBOULI chancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500 FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860 chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Mark BIEDLINGMAIER embassy: NA mailing address: NA telephone: [243] (88) 43608 note: the embassy is temporarily collocated with the US Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (US Embassy Kinshasa, 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa) divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia The economy is a mixture of village agriculture and handicrafts, an industrial sector based largely on oil, support services, and a government characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s, rapidly rising oil revenues enabled the government to finance large-scale development projects with GDP growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest rates in Africa. The government has mortgaged a substantial portion of its oil earnings through oil-backed loans that have contributed to a growing debt burden and chronic revenue shortfalls. Economic reform efforts have been undertaken with the support of international organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF. However, the reform program came to a halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, who returned to power when the war ended in October 1997, publicly expressed interest in moving forward on economic reforms and privatization and in renewing cooperation with international financial institutions. Economic progress was badly hurt by slumping oil prices and the resumption of armed conflict in December 1998, which worsened the republic's budget deficit. The current administration presides over an uneasy internal peace and faces difficult economic challenges of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty. Recovery of oil prices has boosted the economy's GDP and near-term prospects. The Republic of Congo may be eligible for an IMF-World Bank heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative in early 2006, provided it meets the strict fiscal and monetary targets set out for it under a new three-year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) with the IMF. $4.631 billion (2005 est.) $4.694 billion (2005 est.) 8% (2005 est.) $1,300 (2005 est.) agriculture: 6.2% industry: 57% services: 36.9% (2005 est.) NA NA% NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 2.2% (2005 est.) 21.5% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $1.328 billion expenditures: $1.065 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes 0% (2002 est.) 343 million kWh (2003) 619 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 300 million kWh (2003) 267,100 bbl/day (2005 est.) 5,200 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 93.5 million bbl (1 January 2002) 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m 0 cu m 90.61 billion cu m (1 January 2002) $493 million (2005 est.) $2.209 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) petroleum, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds China 39.1%, US 29.1%, Taiwan 11.8%, South Korea 7.2% (2005) $806.5 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs France 28.6%, China 12.6%, US 9%, Italy 8.3%, Belgium 5.7%, Netherlands 4.7% (2005) $273 million (2005 est.) $5 billion (2000 est.) $159.1 million (1995) Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001) calendar year 13,800 (2004) 490,000 (2005) general assessment: services barely adequate for government use; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; intercity lines frequently out of order domestic: primary network consists of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable international: country code - 242; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2001) 1 (2002) .cg 46 (2004) 36,000 (2005) 32 (2006) total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2006) total: 28 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 11 (2006) gas 53 km; oil 646 km (2004) total: 894 km narrow gauge: 894 km 1.067-m gauge (2005) total: 12,800 km paved: 1,242 km unpaved: 11,558 km (1999) 4,385 km (on Congo and Oubanqui rivers) (2005) registered in other countries: 1 (Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1) (2006) Brazzaville, Djeno, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire Congolese Armed Forces (FAC): Army, Air Force (Armee de l'Air Congolaise), Navy, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard (2005) 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001) males age 18-49: 688,628 females age 18-49: 685,388 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 406,016 females age 18-49: 394,745 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 38,464 females age 18-49: 38,082 (2005 est.) $85.22 million (2005 est.) 1.4% (2005 est.) about 7,000 Congolese refugees fleeing internal civil conflicts since the mid-1990s still reside in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area Congo, Democratic Republic of the Established as a Belgian colony in 1908, the Republic of the Congo gained its independence in 1960, but its early years were marred by political and social instability. Col. Joseph MOBUTU seized power and declared himself president in a November 1965 coup. He subsequently changed his name - to MOBUTU Sese Seko - as well as that of the country - to Zaire. MOBUTU retained his position for 32 years through several subsequent sham elections, as well as through the use of brutal force. Ethnic strife and civil war, touched off by a massive inflow of refugees in 1994 from fighting in Rwanda and Burundi, led in May 1997 to the toppling of the MOBUTU regime by a rebellion led by Laurent KABILA. He renamed the country the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but in August 1998 his regime was itself challenged by an insurrection backed by Rwanda and Uganda. Troops from Angola, Chad, Namibia, Sudan, and Zimbabwe intervened to support the Kinshasa regime. A cease-fire was signed in July 1999 by the DRC, Congolese armed rebel groups, Angola, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zimbabwe but sporadic fighting continued. Laurent KABILA was assassinated in January 2001 and his son, Joseph KABILA, was named head of state. In October 2002, the new president was successful in negotiating the withdrawal of Rwandan forces occupying eastern Congo; two months later, the Pretoria Accord was signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and establish a government of national unity. A transitional government was set up in July 2003; Joseph KABILA remains as president and is joined by four vice presidents representing the former government, former rebel groups, and the political opposition. The transitional government held a successful constitutional referendum in December 2005, and plans to hold a series of elections in 2006 to determine the presidency and National Assembly seats. Central Africa, northeast of Angola 0 00 N, 25 00 E Africa total: 2,345,410 sq km land: 2,267,600 sq km water: 77,810 sq km slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US total: 10,730 km border countries: Angola 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of Angola's discontiguous Cabinda Province), Burundi 233 km, Central African Republic 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Rwanda 217 km, Sudan 628 km, Tanzania 459 km, Uganda 765 km, Zambia 1,930 km 37 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: boundaries with neighbors tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator - wet season (April to October), dry season (December to February); south of Equator - wet season (November to March), dry season (April to October) vast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in east lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley) 5,110 m cobalt, copper, niobium, tantalum, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium, coal, hydropower, timber arable land: 2.86% permanent crops: 0.47% other: 96.67% (2005) 110 sq km (2003) periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); in the east, in the Great Rift Valley, there are active volcanoes poaching threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; deforestation; refugees responsible for significant deforestation, soil erosion, and wildlife poaching; mining of minerals (coltan - a mineral used in creating capacitors, diamonds, and gold) causing environmental damage party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification straddles equator; has very narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo River and is only outlet to South Atlantic Ocean; dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands 62,660,551 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 47.4% (male 14,906,488/female 14,798,210) 15-64 years: 50.1% (male 15,597,353/female 15,793,350) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 632,143/female 933,007) (2006 est.) total: 16.2 years male: 16 years female: 16.4 years (2006 est.) 3.07% (2006 est.) 43.69 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 13.27 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: fighting between the Congolese Government and Uganda- and Rwanda-backed Congolese rebels spawned a regional war in DRC in August 1998, which left 2.33 million Congolese internally displaced and caused 412,000 Congolese refugees to flee to surrounding countries (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 88.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 96.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 80.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 51.46 years male: 50.01 years female: 52.94 years (2006 est.) 6.45 children born/woman (2006 est.) 4.2% (2003 est.) 1.1 million (2003 est.) 100,000 (2003 est.) degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, plague, and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) are high risks in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2005) noun: Congolese (singular and plural) adjective: Congolese or Congo over 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu; the four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of the population Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs 10% French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba definition: age 15 and over can read and write French, Lingala, Kingwana, or Tshiluba total population: 65.5% male: 76.2% female: 55.1% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Democratic Republic of the Congo conventional short form: none local long form: Republique Democratique du Congo local short form: none former: Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville, Congo/Kinshasa, Zaire abbreviation: DRC transitional government name: Kinshasa geographic coordinates: 4 18 S, 15 18 E time difference: UTC+1 (six hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 10 provinces (provinces, singular - province) and 1 city* (ville); Bandundu, Bas-Congo, Equateur, Kasai-Occidental, Kasai-Oriental, Katanga, Kinshasa*, Maniema, Nord-Kivu, Orientale, Sud-Kivu 30 June 1960 (from Belgium) Independence Day, 30 June (1960) 18 February 2006 a new constitution was adopted by referendum 18 December 2005; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal and compulsory chief of state: President Joseph KABILA (since 26 January 2001); note - following the assassination of his father, Laurent Desire KABILA, on 16 January 2001, Joseph KABILA succeeded to the presidency; the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Joseph KABILA (since 26 January 2001); note - following the assassination of his father, Laurent Desire KABILA, on 16 January 2001, Joseph KABILA succeeded to the presidency; the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the president elections: under the new constitution the president is elected by popular vote to a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 30 July 2006 (first round; second round scheduled for 29 October 2006; next to be held in 2011) election results: results of 30 July 2006 first round elections; Joseph KABILA 44.8%, Jean-Pierre BEMBA Gombo 20.0%, Antoine GIZENGA 13.1%, Francois Joseph MOBUTU Nzanga Ngangawe 4.8%, Oscar Kashala LUKUMUENDA 3.5%, 28 others 13.8% note: Joseph KABILA succeeded his father, Laurent Desire KABILA, following the latter's assassination in January 2001; negotiations with rebel leaders led to the establishment of a transitional government in July 2003 with free elections scheduled to be held 30 July 2006 bicameral legislature consists of a National Assembly (500 seats; 60 elected by majority vote and 440 by open list proportional representation; members serve 5-year terms) and a Senate (120 seats; members elected by indirect vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: NA; members of the National Assembly were appointed by leaders in the factions integrated into the new government; elections scheduled for 30 July 2006 will establish a new legislature under the February 2006 constitution Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Democratic Social Christian Party or PDSC [Andre BO-BOLIKO]; Forces for Renovation for Union and Solidarity or FONUS [Joseph OLENGHANKOY]; National Congolese Lumumbist Movement or MNC [Francois LUMUMBA]; Popular Movement of the Revolution or MPR (three factions: MPR-Fait Prive [Catherine NZUZI wa Mbombo]; MPR/Vunduawe [Felix VUNDUAWE]; MPR/Mananga [MANANGA Dintoka Mpholo]); Unified Lumumbast Party or PALU [Antoine GIZENGA]; Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Etienne TSHISEKEDI wa Mulumba]; Union of Federalists and Independent Republicans or UFERI (two factions: UFERI [Lokambo OMOKOKO]; UFERI/OR [Adolph Kishwe MAYA]) NA ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Faida MITIFU chancery: 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009: note - Consular Office at 1726 M Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7690, 7691 FAX: [1] (202) 234-2609 chief of mission: Ambassador Roger MEECE embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa mailing address: Unit 31550, APO AE 09828 telephone: [243] (88) 43608 FAX: [243] (88) 43467 sky blue field divided diagonally from the lower hoist corner to upper fly corner by a red stripe bordered by two narrow yellow stripes; a yellow, five-pointed star appears in the upper hoist corner The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - a nation endowed with vast potential wealth - has declined drastically since the mid-1980s. The war, which began in August 1998, dramatically reduced national output and government revenue, increased external debt, and resulted in the deaths of perhaps 3.5 million people from violence, famine, and disease. Foreign businesses curtailed operations due to uncertainty about the outcome of the conflict, lack of infrastructure, and the difficult operating environment. Conditions improved in late 2002 with the withdrawal of a large portion of the invading foreign troops. The transitional government has reopened relations with international financial institutions and international donors, and President KABILA has begun implementing reforms. Much economic activity lies outside the GDP data. Economic stability improved in 2003-05, although an uncertain legal framework, corruption, and a lack of openness in government policy continues to hamper growth. In 2005, renewed activity in the mining sector, the source of most exports, boosted Kinshasa's fiscal position and GDP growth. Business and economic prospects are expected to improve once a new government is installed after elections. $40.67 billion (2005 est.) $7.328 billion (2005 est.) 6.5% (2005 est.) $700 (2005 est.) agriculture: 55% industry: 11% services: 34% (2000 est.) NA agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% NA% NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 9% (2004 est.) revenues: $700 million expenditures: $750 million; including capital expenditures of $24 million (2004 est.) coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products mining (diamonds, copper, zinc), mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and beverages), cement, commercial ship repair NA% 6.036 billion kWh (2003) 4.324 billion kWh (2003) 1.3 billion kWh (2003) 10 million kWh (2003) 22,000 bbl/day (2003) 8,300 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 1.538 billion bbl (1 January 2002) 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) 991.1 million cu m (1 January 2002) $1.108 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.) diamonds, copper, crude oil, coffee, cobalt Belgium 38.3%, US 17.9%, China 11.7%, France 8%, Finland 7.8%, Chile 4.3% (2005) $1.319 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.) foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment, fuels South Africa 16.5%, Belgium 16.1%, France 9.1%, Zambia 8.5%, Kenya 5.7%, Germany 4.6%, US 4.5%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.3%, Netherlands 4.1% (2005) $10.6 billion (2003 est.) $2.2 billion (FY03/04) Congolese franc (CDF) Congolese francs per US dollar - 437.86 (2005), 401.04 (2004), 405.34 (2003), 346.49 (2002), 206.62 (2001) calendar year 10,600 (2005) 2.6 million (2005) general assessment: poor domestic: barely adequate wire and microwave radio relay service in and between urban areas; domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: country code - 243; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 2 (2001) 4 (2001) .cd 188 (2005) 50,000 (2002) 234 (2006) total: 25 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 209 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 94 under 914 m: 97 (2006) gas 54 km; oil 71 km (2004) total: 5,138 km narrow gauge: 3,987 km 1.067-m gauge (858 km electrified); 125 km 1.000-m gauge; 1,026 km 0.600-m gauge (2005) total: 157,000 km (including 30 km of expressways) (1999) 15,000 km (2005) total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 1,004 GRT/1,640 DWT by type: petroleum tanker 1 foreign-owned: 1 (Congo, Republic of the 1) (2006) Banana, Boma, Bukavu, Bumba, Goma, Kalemie, Kindu, Kinshasa, Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka Army, Navy, Air Force 18-45 years of age for military service males age 18-49: 11,365,610 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 6,464,223 (2005 est.) $103.7 million (2005 est.) 1.5% (2005 est.) heads of the Great Lakes states and UN pledge to end conflict but unchecked tribal, rebel, and militia fighting continues unabated in the northeastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, drawing in the neighboring states of Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda; the UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) has maintained over 14,000 peacekeepers in the region since 1999; thousands of Ituri refugees from the Congo continue to flee the fighting primarily into Uganda; 90,000 Angolan refugees were repatriated by 2004 with the remainder in the DRC expected to return in 2005; in 2005, DRC and Rwanda established a border verification mechanism to address accusations of Rwandan military supporting Congolese rebels and the DRC providing rebel Rwandan "Interhamwe" forces the means and bases to attack Rwandan forces; the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area refugees (country of origin): 5,277 (Republic of Congo) 11,816 (Rwanda) 18,953 (Uganda) 19,400 (Burundi) 45,226 (Sudan) 98,383 (Angola) IDPs: 2.33 million (fighting between government forces and rebels since mid-1990s; most IDPs are in eastern provinces) (2005) China For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, his successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight. Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam 35 00 N, 105 00 E Asia total: 9,596,960 sq km land: 9,326,410 sq km water: 270,550 sq km slightly smaller than the US total: 22,117 km border countries: Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km, India 3,380 km, Kazakhstan 1,533 km, North Korea 1,416 km, Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Mongolia 4,677 km, Nepal 1,236 km, Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605 km, Russia (northwest) 40 km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 km regional borders: Hong Kong 30 km, Macau 0.34 km 14,500 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east lowest point: Turpan Pendi -154 m highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m coal, iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, mercury, tin, tungsten, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc, uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest) arable land: 14.86% permanent crops: 1.27% other: 83.87% (2005) 545,960 sq km (2003) frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts; land subsidence air pollution (greenhouse gases, sulfur dioxide particulates) from reliance on coal produces acid rain; water shortages, particularly in the north; water pollution from untreated wastes; deforestation; estimated loss of one-fifth of agricultural land since 1949 to soil erosion and economic development; desertification; trade in endangered species party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements world's fourth largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US); Mount Everest on the border with Nepal is the world's tallest peak 1,313,973,713 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 20.8% (male 145,461,833/female 128,445,739) 15-64 years: 71.4% (male 482,439,115/female 455,960,489) 65 years and over: 7.7% (male 48,562,635/female 53,103,902) (2006 est.) total: 32.7 years male: 32.3 years female: 33.2 years (2006 est.) 0.59% (2006 est.) 13.25 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 6.97 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -0.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.12 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 23.12 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.6 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 72.58 years male: 70.89 years female: 74.46 years (2006 est.) 1.73 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.1% (2003 est.) 840,000 (2003 est.) 44,000 (2003 est.) noun: Chinese (singular and plural) adjective: Chinese Han Chinese 91.9%, Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities 8.1% Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Christian 3%-4%, Muslim 1%-2% note: officially atheist (2002 est.) Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages (see Ethnic groups entry) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.9% male: 95.1% female: 86.5% (2002) conventional long form: People's Republic of China conventional short form: China local long form: Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo local short form: Zhongguo abbreviation: PRC Communist state name: Beijing geographic coordinates: 39 56 N, 116 24 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: despite its size, all of China falls within one time zone 23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 4 municipalities (shi, singular and plural) provinces: Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang; (see note on Taiwan) autonomous regions: Guangxi, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Xinjiang, Xizang (Tibet) municipalities: Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianjin note: China considers Taiwan its 23rd province; see separate entries for the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau 221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty); 1 January 1912 (Manchu Dynasty replaced by a Republic); 1 October 1949 (People's Republic established) Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, 1 October (1949) most recent promulgation 4 December 1982 based on civil law system; derived from Soviet and continental civil code legal principles; legislature retains power to interpret statutes; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) and Vice President ZENG Qinghong (since 15 March 2003) head of government: Premier WEN Jiabao (since 16 March 2003); Executive Vice Premier HUANG Ju (since 17 March 2003), Vice Premiers WU Yi (17 March 2003), ZENG Peiyan (since 17 March 2003), and HUI Liangyu (since 17 March 2003) cabinet: State Council appointed by the National People's Congress (NPC) elections: president and vice president elected by the National People's Congress for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held 15-17 March 2003 (next to be held mid-March 2008); premier nominated by the president, confirmed by the National People's Congress election results: HU Jintao elected president by the 10th National People's Congress with a total of 2,937 votes (four delegates voted against him, four abstained, and 38 did not vote); ZENG Qinghong elected vice president by the 10th National People's Congress with a total of 2,578 votes (177 delegates voted against him, 190 abstained, and 38 did not vote); two seats were vacant unicameral National People's Congress or Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (2,985 seats; members elected by municipal, regional, and provincial people's congresses to serve five-year terms) elections: last held December 2002-February 2003 (next to be held late 2007-February 2008) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - NA Supreme People's Court (judges appointed by the National People's Congress); Local Peoples Courts (comprise higher, intermediate, and local courts); Special Peoples Courts (primarily military, maritime, and railway transport courts) Chinese Communist Party or CCP [HU Jintao]; eight registered small parties controlled by CCP no substantial political opposition groups exist, although the government has identified the Falungong spiritual movement and the China Democracy Party as subversive groups AfDB, APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BCIE, BIS, CDB, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), ONUB, OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SCO, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC chief of mission: Ambassador ZHOU Wenzhong chancery: 2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-2500 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2582 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco consulate(s): Los Angeles chief of mission: Ambassador Clark T. RANDT, Jr. embassy: Xiu Shui Bei Jie 3, 100600 Beijing mailing address: PSC 461, Box 50, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [86] (10) 6532-3831 FAX: [86] (10) 6532-3178 consulate(s) general: Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau, Shanghai, Shenyang red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner China's economy during the last quarter century has changed from a centrally planned system that was largely closed to international trade to a more market-oriented economy that has a rapidly growing private sector and is a major player in the global economy. Reforms started in the late 1970s with the phasing out of collectivized agriculture, and expanded to include the gradual liberalization of prices, fiscal decentralization, increased autonomy for state enterprises, the foundation of a diversified banking system, the development of stock markets, the rapid growth of the non-state sector, and the opening to foreign trade and investment. China has generally implemented reforms in a gradualist or piecemeal fashion. The process continues with key moves in 2005 including the sale of equity in China's largest state banks to foreign investors and refinements in foreign exchange and bond markets. The restructuring of the economy and resulting efficiency gains have contributed to a more than tenfold increase in GDP since 1978. Measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis, China in 2005 stood as the second-largest economy in the world after the US, although in per capita terms the country is still lower middle-income and 150 million Chinese fall below international poverty lines. Economic development has generally been more rapid in coastal provinces than in the interior, and there are large disparities in per capita income between regions. The government has struggled to: (a) sustain adequate job growth for tens of millions of workers laid off from state-owned enterprises, migrants, and new entrants to the work force; (b) reduce corruption and other economic crimes; and (c) contain environmental damage and social strife related to the economy's rapid transformation. From 100 to 150 million surplus rural workers are adrift between the villages and the cities, many subsisting through part-time, low-paying jobs. One demographic consequence of the "one child" policy is that China is now one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world. Another long-term threat to growth is the deterioration in the environment - notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the water table, especially in the north. China continues to lose arable land because of erosion and economic development. China has benefited from a huge expansion in computer Internet use, with more than 100 million users at the end of 2005. Foreign investment remains a strong element in China's remarkable expansion in world trade and has been an important factor in the growth of urban jobs. In July 2005, China revalued its currency by 2.1% against the US dollar and moved to an exchange rate system that references a basket of currencies. Reports of shortages of electric power in the summer of 2005 in southern China receded by September-October and did not have a substantial impact on China's economy. More power generating capacity is scheduled to come on line in 2006 as large scale investments are completed. Thirteen years in construction at a cost of $24 billion, the immense Three Gorges Dam across the Yangtze River will be essentially completed in 2006 and will revolutionize electrification and flood control in the area. The Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party in October 2005 approved the draft 11th Five-Year Plan and the National People's Congress is expected to give final approval in March 2006. The plan calls for a 20% reduction in energy consumption per unit of GDP by 2010 and an estimated 45% increase in GDP by 2010. The plan states that conserving resources and protecting the environment are basic goals, but it lacks details on the policies and reforms necessary to achieve these goals. $8.859 trillion (2005 est.) $2.225 trillion (2005 est.) 9.9% (official data) (2005 est.) $6,800 (2005 est.) agriculture: 12.5% industry: 47.3% services: 40.3% note: industry includes construction (2005 est.) 791.4 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 49% industry: 22% services: 29% (2003 est.) 9% official registered unemployment in urban areas in 2004; substantial unemployment and underemployment in rural areas; an official Chinese journal estimated overall unemployment (including rural areas) for 2003 at 20% (2005 est.) 10% (2001 est.) lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 30.4% (1998) 44 (2002) 1.8% (2005 est.) 44.4% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $392.1 billion expenditures: $424.3 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 24.4% of GDP (2005 est.) rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, apples, cotton, oilseed; pork; fish mining and ore processing, iron, steel, aluminum, and other metals, coal; machine building; armaments; textiles and apparel; petroleum; cement; chemicals; fertilizers; consumer products, including footwear, toys, and electronics; food processing; transportation equipment, including automobiles, rail cars and locomotives, ships, and aircraft; telecommunications equipment, commercial space launch vehicles, satellites 29.5% (2005 est.) 2.19 trillion kWh (2004) 2.17 trillion kWh (2004) 10.6 billion kWh (2003) 1.546 billion kWh (2003) 3.504 million bbl/day (2004) 6.391 million bbl/day (2004) 340,300 bbl/day (2004) 3.226 million bbl/day (2004) 18.26 billion bbl (2004) 35.02 billion cu m (2003) 33.44 billion cu m (2003 est.) 2.79 billion cu m (2004) 0 cu m (2004) 2.53 trillion cu m (2004) $160.8 billion (2005 est.) $752.2 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, plastics, optical and medical equipment, iron and steel US 21.4%, Hong Kong 16.3%, Japan 11%, South Korea 4.6%, Germany 4.3% (2005) $631.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, oil and mineral fuels, plastics, optical and medical equipment, organic chemicals, iron and steel Japan 15.2%, South Korea 11.6%, Taiwan 11.2%, US 7.4%, Germany 4.6% (2005) $825.6 billion (2005 est.) $252.8 billion (2005 est.) $NA yuan (CNY); note - also referred to as the Renminbi (RMB) yuan per US dollar - 8.1943 (2005), 8.2768 (2004), 8.277 (2003), 8.277 (2002), 8.2771 (2001) calendar year 350.433 million (2005) 334.824 million (2004) general assessment: domestic and international services are increasingly available for private use; unevenly distributed domestic system serves principal cities, industrial centers, and many towns domestic: interprovincial fiber-optic trunk lines and cellular telephone systems have been installed; a domestic satellite system with 55 earth stations is in place international: country code - 86; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean regions); several international fiber-optic links to Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Russia, and Germany (2000) AM 369, FM 259, shortwave 45 (1998) 3,240 (of which 209 are operated by China Central Television, 31 are provincial TV stations, and nearly 3,000 are local city stations) (1997) .cn 187,508 (2005) 111 million (2005) 486 (2006) total: 403 over 3,047 m: 56 2,438 to 3,047 m: 127 1,524 to 2,437 m: 138 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 60 (2006) total: 83 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 39 (2006) 32 (2006) gas 15,890 km; oil 14,478 km; refined products 3,280 km (2004) total: 74,408 km standard gauge: 74,408 km 1.435-m gauge (19,303 km electrified) (2004) total: 1,809,829 km paved: 1,447,682 km (with at least 29,745 km of expressways) unpaved: 362,147 km (2003) 123,964 km (2003) total: 1,723 ships (1000 GRT or over) 21,405,633 GRT/32,411,260 DWT by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 387, cargo 695, chemical tanker 45, combination ore/oil 1, container 152, liquefied gas 31, passenger 8, passenger/cargo 83, petroleum tanker 261, refrigerated cargo 30, roll on/roll off 8, specialized tanker 6, vehicle carrier 14 foreign-owned: 13 (Hong Kong 7, Japan 3, South Korea 2, Norway 1) registered in other countries: 1,191 (Bahamas 3, Bangladesh 1, Belize 103, Bolivia 1, Cambodia 128, Cyprus 11, Georgia 2, Honduras 3, Hong Kong 274, India 2, North Korea 1, Liberia 35, Malaysia 1, Malta 14, Mongolia 4, Norway 3, Panama 420, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 103, Sierra Leone 2, Singapore 23, Thailand 1, Tuvalu 23, unknown 33) (2006) Dalian, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai People's Liberation Army (PLA): Ground Forces, Navy (includes marines and naval aviation), Air Force (includes airborne forces), and II Artillery Corps (strategic missile force); People's Armed Police (PAP); Reserve and Militia Forces (2006) 18-22 years of age for compulsory military service, with 24-month service obligation; no minimum age for voluntary service (all officers are volunteers); 17 years of age for women who meet requirements for specific military jobs (2004) males age 18-49: 342,956,265 females age 18-49: 324,701,244 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 281,240,272 females age 18-49: 269,025,517 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 13,186,433 females age 18-49: 12,298,149 (2005 est.) $81.48 billion (2005 est.) 4.3% (2005 est.) in 2005, China and India began drafting principles to resolve all aspects of their extensive boundary and territorial disputes together with a security and foreign policy dialogue to consolidate discussions related to the boundary, regional nuclear proliferation, and other matters; recent talks and confidence-building measures have begun to defuse tensions over Kashmir, site of the world's largest and most militarized territorial dispute with portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; about 90,000 ethnic Tibetan exiles reside primarily in India as well as Nepal and Bhutan; China asserts sovereignty over the Spratly Islands together with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions in the Spratlys but is not the legally binding "code of conduct" sought by some parties; Vietnam and China continue to expand construction of facilities in the Spratlys and in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord on marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; China occupies some of the Paracel Islands also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; China and Taiwan have become more vocal in rejecting both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared equidistance line in the East China Sea, the site of intensive hydrocarbon prospecting; certain islands in the Yalu and Tumen rivers are in an uncontested dispute with North Korea and a section of boundary around Mount Paektu is considered indefinite; China seeks to stem illegal migration of tens of thousands of North Koreans; China and Russia prepare to demarcate the boundary agreed to in October 2004 between the long-disputed islands at the Amur and Ussuri; demarcation of the China-Vietnam boundary proceeds slowly and although the maritime boundary delimitation and fisheries agreements were ratified in June 2004, implementation has been delayed; environmentalists in Burma and Thailand remain concerned about China's construction of hydroelectric dams upstream on the Nujiang/Salween River in Yunnan Province refugees (country of origin): 299,287 (Vietnam) estimated 30,000-50,000 (North Korea) (2005) Chile Prior to the coming of the Spanish in the 16th century, northern Chile was under Inca rule while Araucanian Indians inhabited central and southern Chile; the latter were not completely subjugated by Spain until the early 1880s. Although Chile declared its independence in 1810, decisive victory over the Spanish was not achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-84), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia and won its present northern lands. A three-year-old Marxist government of Salvador ALLENDE was overthrown in 1973 by a dictatorial military regime led by Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until a freely elected president was installed in 1990. Sound economic policies, maintained consistently since the 1980s, have contributed to steady growth and have helped secure the country's commitment to democratic and representative government. Chile has increasingly assumed regional and international leadership roles befitting its status as a stable, democratic nation. Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru 30 00 S, 71 00 W South America total: 756,950 sq km land: 748,800 sq km water: 8,150 sq km note: includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana total: 6,339 km border countries: Argentina 5,308 km, Bolivia 860 km, Peru 171 km 6,435 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200/350 nm temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 m copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower arable land: 2.62% permanent crops: 0.43% other: 96.95% (2005) 19,000 sq km (2003) severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis widespread deforestation and mining threaten natural resources; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Atacama Desert is one of world's driest regions 16,134,219 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 24.7% (male 2,035,278/female 1,944,754) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 5,403,525/female 5,420,497) 65 years and over: 8.2% (male 555,075/female 775,090) (2006 est.) total: 30.4 years male: 29.5 years female: 31.4 years (2006 est.) 0.94% (2006 est.) 15.23 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 5.81 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 8.58 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 76.77 years male: 73.49 years female: 80.21 years (2006 est.) 2 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.3% (2003 est.) 26,000 (2003 est.) 1,400 (2003 est.) noun: Chilean(s) adjective: Chilean white and white-Amerindian 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2% Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish NEGL% Spanish definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.2% male: 96.4% female: 96.1% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Chile conventional short form: Chile local long form: Republica de Chile local short form: Chile republic name: Santiago geographic coordinates: 33 27 S, 70 40 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in October; ends second Sunday in March 13 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Atacama, Bio-Bio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana (Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica 18 September 1810 (from Spain) Independence Day, 18 September (1810) 11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 1989, 1991, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, and 2005 based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codes influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; note - in June 2005, Chile completed overhaul of its criminal justice system to a new, US-style adversarial system 18 years of age; universal and compulsory chief of state: President Michelle BACHELET Jeria (since 11 March 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Michelle BACHELET Jeria (since 11 March 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 11 December 2005, with runoff election held 15 January 2006 (next to be held December 2009) election results: Michelle BACHELET Jeria elected president; percent of vote - Michelle BACHELET Jeria 53.5%; Sebastian PINERA Echenique 46.5% bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (38 seats elected by popular vote; members serve eight-year terms - one-half elected every four years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 11 December 2005 (next to be held December 2009); Chamber of Deputies - last held 11 December 2005 (next to be held December 2009) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPD 20 (PDC 6, PS 8, PPD 3, PRSD 3), APC 17 (UDI 9, RN 8), independent 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPD 65 (PDC 21, PPD 22, PS 15, PRSD 7), APC 54 (UDI 34, RN 20), independent 1 Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is elected every three years by the 20-member court); Constitutional Tribunal Alliance for Chile ("Alianza") or APC (including National Renewal or RN [Sergio DIEZ Urzia] and Independent Democratic Union or UDI [Jovino NOVOA Vasquez]); Coalition of Parties for Democracy ("Concertacion") or CPD (including Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Adolfo ZALDIVAR Larrain], Socialist Party or PS [Ricardo NUNEZ], Party for Democracy or PPD [Victor BARRUETO], Radical Social Democratic Party or PRSD [Jose Antonio GOMEZ Urrutia]); Communist Party or PC [Guillermo TEILLIER] revitalized university student federations at all major universities; Roman Catholic Church; United Labor Central or CUT includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor confederations APEC, BIS, CSN, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Mariano FERNANDEZ chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 530-4104, 530-4106, 530-4107 FAX: [1] (202) 887-5579 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico) chief of mission: Ambassador Craig A. KELLY embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago mailing address: APO AA 34033 telephone: [56] (2) 232-2600 FAX: [56] (2) 330-3710 two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red stands for the blood spilled to achieve independence; design was influenced by the US flag Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade. During the early 1990s, Chile's reputation as a role model for economic reform was strengthened when the democratic government of Patricio AYLWIN - which took over from the military in 1990 - deepened the economic reform initiated by the military government. Growth in real GDP averaged 8% during 1991-97, but fell to half that level in 1998 because of tight monetary policies implemented to keep the current account deficit in check and because of lower export earnings - the latter a product of the global financial crisis. A severe drought exacerbated the recession in 1999, reducing crop yields and causing hydroelectric shortfalls and electricity rationing, and Chile experienced negative economic growth for the first time in more than 15 years. Despite the effects of the recession, Chile maintained its reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. By the end of 1999, exports and economic activity had begun to recover, and growth rebounded to 4.2% in 2000. Growth fell back to 3.1% in 2001 and 2.1% in 2002, largely due to lackluster global growth and the devaluation of the Argentine peso. Chile's economy began a slow recovery in 2003, growing 3.2%, and accelerated to 6.1% in 2004-05, while Chile maintained a low rate of inflation. GDP growth benefited from high copper prices, solid export earnings (particularly forestry, fishing, and mining), and stepped-up foreign direct investment. Unemployment, however, remains stubbornly high. Chile deepened its longstanding commitment to trade liberalization with the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, which took effect on 1 January 2004. Chile signed a free trade agreement with China in November 2005, and it already has several trade deals signed with other nations and blocs, including the European Union, Mercosur, South Korea, and Mexico. Record-high copper prices helped to strengthen the peso to a 5½-year high, as of December 2005, and will boost GDP in 2006. $187.1 billion (2005 est.) $115.6 billion (2005 est.) 6% (2005 est.) $11,300 (2005 est.) agriculture: 6% industry: 49.3% services: 44.7% (2005 est.) 6.3 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 13.6% industry: 23.4% services: 63% (2003) 8.1% (2005 est.) 18.2% (2005) lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 47% (2000) 57.1 (2000) 3.1% (2005 est.) 22.1% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $29.2 billion expenditures: $24.75 billion; including capital expenditures of $3.33 billion (2005 est.) 7.5% of GDP (2005 est.) grapes, apples, pears, onions, wheat, corn, oats, peaches, garlic, asparagus, beans; beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles 3.4% (2005 est.) 45.3 billion kWh (2003) 44.13 billion kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 2 billion kWh (2003) 4,000 bbl/day (2005 est.) 228,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) 0 bbl/day 221,500 bbl/day (2003 est.) 150 million bbl (1 January 2004) 1 billion cu m (2003 est.) 7.06 billion cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2002) 5.337 billion cu m (2002 est.) 97.98 billion cu m (1 January 2004) $702.7 million (2005 est.) $38.03 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) copper, fruit, fish products, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine US 15.8%, Japan 11.5%, China 11.1%, Netherlands 5.8%, South Korea 5.5%, Brazil 4.4%, Italy 4.2%, Mexico 4% (2005) $30.09 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, electrical and telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery, vehicles, natural gas Argentina 14.8%, US 14.6%, Brazil 11.7%, China 7.8%, South Korea 4.8%, Yemen 4.4% (2005) $16.93 billion (2005 est.) $47.45 billion (2005 est.) $0 (2002) Chilean peso (CLP) Chilean pesos per US dollar - 560.09 (2005), 609.37 (2004), 691.43 (2003), 688.94 (2002), 634.94 (2001) calendar year 3,435,900 (2005) 9,566,600 (2004) general assessment: modern system based on extensive microwave radio relay facilities domestic: extensive microwave radio relay links; domestic satellite system with three earth stations international: country code - 56; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) AM 180 (eight inactive), FM 64, shortwave 17 (one inactive) (1998) 63 (plus 121 repeaters) (1997) .cl 335,445 (2005) 5.6 million (2004) 363 (2006) total: 73 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 17 (2006) total: 290 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 58 under 914 m: 216 (2006) gas 2,583 km; gas/lpg 42 km; liquid petroleum gas 539 km; oil 1,003 km; refined products 757 km (2004) total: 6,585 km broad gauge: 2,831 km 1.676-m gauge (1,317 km electrified) narrow gauge: 3,754 km 1.000-m gauge (2005) total: 79,605 km paved: 16,080 km (including 407 km of expressways) unpaved: 63,525 km (2001) total: 46 ships (1000 GRT or over) 649,091 GRT/898,110 DWT by type: bulk carrier 10, cargo 6, chemical tanker 10, container 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 3 foreign-owned: 1 (Argentina 1) registered in other countries: 17 (Argentina 6, Brazil 1, Marshall Islands 1, Panama 9) (2006) Antofagasta, Arica, Huasco, Iquique, Lirquen, San Antonio, San Vicente, Valparaiso Army of the Nation, National Navy (Armada de Chile, includes naval air, marine corps, and Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine Directorate (Directemar)), Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Chile, FACh), Chilean Carabineros (National Police) (2006) all male citizens 18-45 are obligated to perform military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months for Army, 24 months for Navy and Air Force (2004) males age 18-49: 3,815,761 females age 18-49: 3,780,864 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 3,123,281 females age 18-49: 3,128,277 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 140,084 females age 18-49: 134,518 (2005 est.) $3.91 billion (2005 est.) 3.5% (2005 est.) Chile rebuffs Bolivia's reactivated claim to restore the Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, offering instead unrestricted but not sovereign maritime access through Chile to Bolivian gas and other commodities; Peru proposes changing its latitudinal maritime boundary with Chile to an equidistance line with a southwestern axis; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims; action by the joint boundary commission, established by Chile and Argentina in 2001, for mapping and demarcating the disputed boundary in the Andean Southern Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur) remains pending Cayman Islands The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries, and were administered by Jamaica after 1863. In 1959, the islands became a territory within the Federation of the West Indies, but when the Federation dissolved in 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to remain a British dependency. Caribbean, three island (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) group in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica 19 30 N, 80 30 W Central America and the Caribbean total: 262 sq km land: 262 sq km water: 0 sq km 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 160 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April) low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: The Bluff (Cayman Brac) 43 m fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism arable land: 3.85% permanent crops: 0% other: 96.15% (2005) NA hurricanes (July to November) no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments important location between Cuba and Central America 45,436 note: most of the population lives on Grand Cayman (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 20.7% (male 4,708/female 4,700) 15-64 years: 70.9% (male 15,707/female 16,504) 65 years and over: 8.4% (male 1,793/female 2,024) (2006 est.) total: 37.2 years male: 36.8 years female: 37.5 years (2006 est.) 2.56% (2006 est.) 12.74 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 4.89 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 17.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2006 est.) at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 80.07 years male: 77.45 years female: 82.74 years (2006 est.) 1.9 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: Caymanian(s) adjective: Caymanian mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20% United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Church of God, other Protestant, Roman Catholic English definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1970 est.) conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands overseas territory of the UK British crown colony name: George Town (on Grand Cayman) geographic coordinates: 19 20 N, 81 23 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western none (overseas territory of the UK) Constitution Day, first Monday in July 1959; revised 1962, 1972, and 1994 British common law and local statutes 18 years of age; universal chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Governor Stuart JACK (since 23 November 2005) head of government: Leader of Government Business Kurt TIBBETTS (since 18 May 2005) cabinet: Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor, four members elected by the Legislative Assembly) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or coalition is appointed by the governor Leader of Government Business unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats, 3 appointed members from the Executive Council and 15 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 11 May 2005 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPM 9, UDP 5, independent 1 Summary Court; Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal no national teams (loose groupings of political organizations) were formed for the 2000 elections; United Democratic Party or UDP [leader McKeeva BUSH]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [leader Kurt TIBBETTS] NA Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of the UK) blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 40,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 1998, including almost 600 banks and trust companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. A stock exchange was opened in 1997. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 1.2 million in 1997, with 600,000 from the US. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world. $1.391 billion (2004 est.) NA 1.7% (2002 est.) $32,300 (2004 est.) agriculture: 1.4% industry: 3.2% services: 95.4% (1994 est.) 19,820 (1995) agriculture: 1.4% industry: 12.6% services: 86% (1995) 4.1% (1997) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 2.8% (2002) revenues: $265.2 million expenditures: $248.9 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (1997) vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture NA% 441.9 million kWh (2003) 411 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003) 2,450 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $1.2 million (1999) turtle products, manufactured consumer goods mostly US (2004) $457.4 million (1999) foodstuffs, manufactured goods US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan (2004) $70 million (1996) $NA Caymanian dollar (KYD) Caymanian dollars per US dollar - 0.82 (29 October 2001), 0.83 (3 November 1995), 0.85 (22 November 1993) 1 April - 31 March 38,000 (2002) 17,000 (2002) general assessment: reasonably good system domestic: liberalization of telecom market in 2003 reflected in falling prices and improving services international: country code - 1-345; 2 submarine fiber optic cables (Maya-1, Cayman-Jamaica); satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (2004) 4 with cable system (2004) .ky 5,069 (2005) 9,909 (2003) 3 (2006) total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2006) total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006) total: 785 km paved: 785 km (2002) total: 132 ships (1000 GRT or over) 2,746,290 GRT/4,366,790 DWT by type: bulk carrier 32, cargo 14, chemical tanker 42, liquefied gas 1, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 14, refrigerated cargo 23, roll on/roll off 3, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 130 (Denmark 5, Germany 13, Greece 21, Italy 12, Japan 1, Malaysia 1, Netherlands 4, Norway 2, Philippines 1, Singapore 10, Sweden 9, UK 10, US 41) (2006) Cayman Brac, George Town no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force males age 18-49: 10,703 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 8,600 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 257 (2005 est.) defense is the responsibility of the UK none Cocos (Keeling) Islands There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William KEELING discovered the islands in 1609, but they remained uninhabited until the 19th century. Annexed by the UK in 1857, they were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island. Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway from Australia to Sri Lanka 12 30 S, 96 50 E Southeast Asia total: 14 sq km land: 14 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC 0 km 26 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year flat, low-lying coral atolls lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m fish arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) NA cyclone season is October to April fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation 574 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2006 est.) 0% (2006 est.) NA NA deaths/1,000 population NA total: NA male: NA female: NA total population: NA male: NA female: NA NA NA NA NA noun: Cocos Islander(s) adjective: Cocos Islander Europeans, Cocos Malays Sunni Muslim 80%, other 20% (2002 est.) Malay (Cocos dialect), English NA conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services NA name: West Island geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 96 55 E time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) none (territory of Australia) none (territory of Australia) Australia Day, 26 January (1788) Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 (23 November 1955) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992 based upon the laws of Australia and local laws NA chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Administrator (nonresident) Neil LUCAS (since 30 January 2006) cabinet: NA elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats) elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held in May 2005 (next to be held in May 2007) Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court none none none none (territory of Australia) none (territory of Australia) the flag of Australia is used Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia. There is a small tourist industry. $NA NA note: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers; tourism employs others 60% (2000 est.) revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts copra products and tourism $NA copra Australia (2004) $NA foodstuffs Australia (2004) $NA Australian dollar (AUD) Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003), 1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001) 1 July - 30 June 287 (1992) note - analog cellular service available general assessment: connected within Australia's telecommunication system domestic: NA international: country code - 61-891; telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; 1 INTELSAT satellite earth station AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2004) NA .cc NA 1 (2006) total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006) total: 22 km paved: 10 km unpaved: 12 km (2006) Port Refuge defense is the responsibility of Australia; the territory has a five-person police force Cameroon The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged in 1961 to form the present country. Cameroon has generally enjoyed stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite a slow movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of an ethnic oligarchy headed by President Paul BIYA. Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria 6 00 N, 12 00 E Africa total: 475,440 sq km land: 469,440 sq km water: 6,000 sq km slightly larger than California total: 4,591 km border countries: Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km, Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, Nigeria 1,690 km 402 km territorial sea: 50 nm varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Fako 4,095 m (on Mt. Cameroon) petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower arable land: 12.54% permanent crops: 2.52% other: 84.94% (2005) 260 sq km (2003) volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes waterborne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa; throughout the country there are areas of thermal springs and indications of current or prior volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in Sub-Saharan west Africa, is an active volcano 17,340,702 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 41.2% (male 3,614,430/female 3,531,047) 15-64 years: 55.5% (male 4,835,453/female 4,796,276) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 260,342/female 303,154) (2006 est.) total: 18.9 years male: 18.7 years female: 19 years (2006 est.) 2.04% (2006 est.) 33.89 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 13.47 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 63.52 deaths/1,000 live births male: 67.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 59.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 51.16 years male: 50.98 years female: 51.34 years (2006 est.) 4.39 children born/woman (2006 est.) 6.9% (2003 est.) 560,000 (2003 est.) 49,000 (2003 est.) degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever are high risks in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2005) noun: Cameroonian(s) adjective: Cameroonian Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African less than 1% indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20% 24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 79% male: 84.7% female: 73.4% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Cameroon conventional short form: Cameroon local long form: Republique du Cameroun/Republic of Cameroon local short form: Cameroun/Cameroon former: French Cameroon, British Cameroon, Federal Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Cameroon republic; multiparty presidential regime name: Yaounde geographic coordinates: 3 52 N, 11 31 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 10 provinces; Adamaoua, Centre, Est, Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Ouest 1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship) Republic Day (National Day), 20 May (1972) 20 May 1972 approved by referendum, 2 June 1972 formally adopted; revised January 1996 based on French civil law system, with common law influence; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 20 years of age; universal chief of state: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982) head of government: Prime Minister Ephraim INONI (since 8 December 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from proposals submitted by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 11 October 2004 (next to be held by October 2011); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote - Paul BIYA 70.9%, John FRU NDI 17.4%, Adamou Ndam NJOYA 4.5%, Garga Haman ADJI 3.7% unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (180 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - the president can either lengthen or shorten the term of the legislature elections: last held 23 June 2002 (next to be held in 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RDCP 133, SDF 21, UDC 5, other 21 note: the constitution calls for an upper chamber for the legislature, to be called a Senate, but it has yet to be established Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); High Court of Justice (consists of nine judges and six substitute judges, elected by the National Assembly) Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC [Adamou Ndam NJOYA]; Democratic Rally of the Cameroon People or RDCP [Paul BIYA]; Movement for the Defense of the Republic or MDR [Dakole DAISSALA]; Movement for the Liberation and Development of Cameroon or MLDC [Marcel YONDO]; Movement for the Youth of Cameroon or MYC [Dieudonne TINA]; National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Maigari BELLO BOUBA]; Social Democratic Front or SDF [John FRU NDI]; Union of Cameroonian Populations or UPC [Augustin Frederic KODOCK] Southern Cameroon National Council [Ayamba Ette OTUN]; Human Rights Defense Group [Albert MUKONG, president] ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, C, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Jerome MENDOUGA chancery: 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-8790 FAX: [1] (202) 387-3826 chief of mission: Ambassador Niels MARQUARDT embassy: Rue Nachtigal, Yaounde mailing address: P. O. Box 817, Yaounde; pouch: American Embassy, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520 telephone: [237] 220 15 00; Consular: [237] 220 16 03 FAX: [237] 220 16 20; Consular FAX: [237] 220 17 52 branch office(s): Douala three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Because of its oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as a top-heavy civil service and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade, and recapitalize the nation's banks. In June 2000, the government completed an IMF-sponsored, three-year structural adjustment program; however, the IMF is pressing for more reforms, including increased budget transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs. International oil and cocoa prices have considerable impact on the economy. $40.83 billion (2005 est.) $15.35 billion (2005 est.) 2.8% (2005 est.) $2,400 (2005 est.) agriculture: 44.8% industry: 17% services: 38.2% (2005 est.) 6.86 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 70% industry: 13% services: 17% 30% (2001 est.) 48% (2000 est.) lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 36.6% (1996) 44.6 (2001) 2% (2005 est.) 17.3% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $3.263 billion expenditures: $2.705 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 65.9% of GDP (2005 est.) coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, root starches; livestock; timber petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair 4.2% (1999 est.) 2.988 billion kWh (2003) 2.779 billion kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 82,300 bbl/day (2005 est.) 23,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 85 million bbl (2005 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) NA cu m NA cu m 110.4 billion cu m (2005) $39 million (2005 est.) $3.236 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee, cotton Spain 17.2%, Italy 13.7%, France 9.4%, South Korea 8.1%, UK 8%, Netherlands 7.1%, Belgium 4.8%, US 4.3% (2005) $2.514 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food France 25%, Nigeria 12.5%, Belgium 6.6%, China 5.8%, US 5.3%, Thailand 4.7%, Germany 4.4% (2005) $964.8 million (2005 est.) $9.168 billion (2005 est.) in January 2001, the Paris Club agreed to reduce Cameroon's debt of $1.3 billion by $900 million; debt relief now totals $1.26 billion Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001) 1 July - 30 June 99,400 (2004) 2.259 million (2005) general assessment: available only to business and government domestic: cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter international: country code - 237; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (2002) 1 (2002) .cm 34 (2005) 167,000 (2005) 47 (2006) total: 11 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 36 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 9 (2006) gas 90 km; liquid petroleum gas 9 km; oil 1,120 km (2004) total: 987 km narrow gauge: 987 km 1.000-m gauge (2005) total: 80,932 km paved: 5,398 km unpaved: 75,534 km (2002) navigation mainly on Benue River; limited during rainy season (2005) total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 38,613 GRT/68,820 DWT by type: petroleum tanker 1 foreign-owned: 1 (France 1) (2006) Douala, Limboh Terminal Cameroon Armed Forces: Army, Navy (includes naval infantry), Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Cameroun, AAC) (2006) 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (1999) males age 18-49: 3,525,307 females age 18-49: 3,461,406 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 1,946,767 females age 18-49: 1,834,600 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 191,619 females age 18-49: 187,082 (2005 est.) $230.2 million (2005 est.) 1.5% (2005 est.) ICJ ruled in 2002 on the entire Cameroon-Nigeria land and maritime boundary but the parties formed a Joint Border Commission, which continues to meet regularly to resolve differences bilaterally and have commenced with demarcation in less-contested sections of the boundary, starting in Lake Chad in the north; implementation of the ICJ ruling on the Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea is impeded by imprecisely defined coordinates and a sovereignty dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River; Nigeria initially rejected cession of the Bakassi Peninsula, then agreed, but much of the indigenous population opposes cession; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries Comoros Comoros has endured 19 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power. He pledged to resolve the secessionist crisis through a confederal arrangement named the 2000 Fomboni Accord. In December 2001, voters approved a new constitution and presidential elections took place in the spring of 2002. Each island in the archipelago elected its own president and a new union president took office in May 2002. Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique 12 10 S, 44 15 E Africa total: 2,170 sq km land: 2,170 sq km water: 0 sq km slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 340 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm tropical marine; rainy season (November to May) volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m NEGL arable land: 35.87% permanent crops: 23.32% other: 40.81% (2005) NA cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel 690,948 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 42.7% (male 148,009/female 147,038) 15-64 years: 54.3% (male 185,107/female 190,139) 65 years and over: 3% (male 9,672/female 10,983) (2006 est.) total: 18.6 years male: 18.4 years female: 18.9 years (2006 est.) 2.87% (2006 est.) 36.93 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 8.2 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 72.85 deaths/1,000 live births male: 81.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 64.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 62.33 years male: 60 years female: 64.72 years (2006 est.) 5.03 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.12% (2001 est.) NA NA noun: Comoran(s) adjective: Comoran Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2% Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 56.5% male: 63.6% female: 49.3% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Union of the Comoros conventional short form: Comoros local long form: Union des Comores local short form: Comores republic name: Moroni geographic coordinates: 11 41 S, 43 16 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 3 islands and 4 municipalities*; Grande Comore (Njazidja), Anjouan (Nzwani), Domoni*, Fomboni*, Moheli (Mwali), Moroni*, Moutsamoudou* 6 July 1975 (from France) Independence Day, 6 July (1975) 23 December 2001 French and Sharia (Islamic) law in a new consolidated code 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI (since 26 May 2006); head of government: President Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI (since 26 May 2006); cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: as defined by the 2001 constitution, the presidency rotates every four years among the elected presidents from the three main islands in the Union; election last held 14 May 2006 (next to be held by May 2010); prime minister appointed by the president; note - the post of Prime Minister has been vacant since May 2002 election results: Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI elected president; percent of vote - Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI 58.0%, Ibrahim HALIDI 28.3%, Mohamed DJAANFAMI 13.7% unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats; 15 deputies are selected by the individual islands' local assemblies and the 18 by universal suffrage; deputies serve for five years); elections: last held 18 and 25 April 2004 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CdIA 12, CRC 6; note - 15 additional seats are filled by deputies from local island assemblies Supreme Court or Cour Supremes (two members appointed by the president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one elected by the Council of each island, and others are former presidents of the republic) Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros [AZALI Assowmani]; Camp of the Autonomous Islands (a coalition of parties organized by the island Presidents in opposition to the Union President); Front National pour la Justice or FNJ [Ahmed RACHID] (Islamic party in opposition); Mouvement pour la Democratie et le Progress or MDP-NGDC [Abbas DJOUSSOUF]; Parti Comorien pour la Democratie et le Progress or PCDP [Ali MROUDJAE]; Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND [Omar TAMOU, Abdoulhamid AFFRAITANE] NA ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AMF, AU, COMESA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO chief of mission: Representative to the US and Ambassador to the UN Mahmoud M. ABOUD chancery: Mission to the US, 336 East 45th Street (2nd floor), New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 750-1637 the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Madagascar is accredited to Comoros four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros); the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government - which is hampered by internal political disputes - is struggling to upgrade education and technical training, privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, improve health services, diversify exports, promote tourism, and reduce the high population growth rate. Increased foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDP growth is to be met. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help supplement GDP. $441 million (2002 est.) $402 million (2005 est.) 3% (2005 est.) $600 (2005 est.) agriculture: 40% industry: 4% services: 56% (2001 est.) 144,500 (1996 est.) agriculture: 80% industry and services: 20% 20% (1996 est.) 60% (2002 est.) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 3% (2005 est.) revenues: $27.6 million expenditures: $NA (2001 est.) vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca) tourism, perfume distillation -2% (1999 est.) 18 million kWh (2003) 16.74 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003) 700 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) -$17 million (2005 est.) $34 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), cloves, copra France 27.9%, Singapore 16.9%, Japan 15.2%, Germany 13.8%, US 5.9%, Netherlands 5.1% (2005) $115 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, cement, transport equipment France 20.8%, South Africa 11.9%, UAE 9.2%, Kenya 8.1%, Pakistan 5.1%, Mauritius 4.5%, Belgium 4.3% (2005) $232 million (2000 est.) $24 million (2003 est.) Comoran franc (KMF) Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 395.6 (2005), 396.21 (2004), 435.9 (2003), 522.74 (2002), 549.78 (2001) note: the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677 Comoran francs per euro calendar year 16,900 (2005) 16,100 (2005) general assessment: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay international: country code - 269; HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) NA .km 6 (2005) 8,000 (2005) 4 (2006) total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2006) total: 880 km paved: 673 km unpaved: 207 km (1999) total: 121 ships (1000 GRT or over) 564,882 GRT/801,238 DWT by type: bulk carrier 10, cargo 85, chemical tanker 1, container 1, livestock carrier 1, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 72 (Bangladesh 1, Bulgaria 1, Greece 10, India 1, Kenya 1, Kuwait 1, Lebanon 6, Nigeria 2, Norway 1, Pakistan 2, Philippines 1, Russia 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Saudi Arabia 3, Syria 4, Turkey 11, UAE 6, Ukraine 14, US 2) (2006) Mayotte, Moutsamoudou Comoran Security Force males age 18-49: 138,940 females age 18-49: 139,491 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 98,792 females age 18-49: 106,415 (2005 est.) $12.87 million (2005 est.) 3% (2005 est.) Colombia Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A 40-year conflict between government forces and anti-government insurgent groups and illegal paramilitary groups - both heavily funded by the drug trade - escalated during the 1990s. The insurgents lack the military or popular support necessary to overthrow the government, and violence has been decreasing since about 2002, but insurgents continue attacks against civilians and large swaths of the countryside are under guerrilla influence. Paramilitary groups challenge the insurgents for control of territory and the drug trade. Most paramilitary members have demobilized since 2002 in an ongoing peace process, although their commitment to ceasing illicit activity is unclear. The Colombian Government has stepped up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, and now has a presence in every one of its municipalities. However, neighboring countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders. Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama 4 00 N, 72 00 W South America total: 1,138,910 sq km land: 1,038,700 sq km water: 100,210 sq km note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank slightly less than twice the size of Texas total: 6,004 km border countries: Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 1,496 km (est.), Venezuela 2,050 km 3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km) territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m note: nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevation petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower arable land: 2.01% permanent crops: 1.37% other: 96.62% (2005) 9,000 sq km (2003) highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea 43,593,035 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 30.3% (male 6,683,079/female 6,528,563) 15-64 years: 64.5% (male 13,689,384/female 14,416,439) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 996,022/female 1,279,548) (2006 est.) total: 26.3 years male: 25.4 years female: 27.2 years (2006 est.) 1.46% (2006 est.) 20.48 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 5.58 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 20.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 24.25 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 71.99 years male: 68.15 years female: 75.96 years (2006 est.) 2.54 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.7% (2003 est.) 190,000 (2003 est.) 3,600 (2003 est.) noun: Colombian(s) adjective: Colombian mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1% Roman Catholic 90%, other 10% Spanish definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.5% male: 92.4% female: 92.6% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Colombia conventional short form: Colombia local long form: Republica de Colombia local short form: Colombia republic; executive branch dominates government structure name: Bogota geographic coordinates: 4 36 N, 74 05 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) 32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada 20 July 1810 (from Spain) Independence Day, 20 July (1810) 5 July 1991 based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US procedures was enacted into law in 2004 and is gradually being implemented; judicial review of executive and legislative acts 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August 2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS (since 7 August 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August 2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS (since 7 August 2002) cabinet: Cabinet consists of a coalition of the two dominant parties - the PL and PSC - and independents elections: president and vice president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 28 May 2006 (next to be held in May 2010) election results: President Alvaro URIBE Velez reelected president; percent of vote - Alvaro URIBE Velez 62%, Carlos GAVIRIA Diaz 22%, Horacio SERPA Uribe 12%, other 4% bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (166 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 12 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2010); House of Representatives - last held 12 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PSUN 20, PC 18, PL 17, CR 15, PDI 11, other parties 21; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PL 36, PSUN 30, PC 29, CR 20, PDA 42, other parties 42 four roughly coequal, supreme judicial organs; Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (highest court of criminal law; judges are selected by their peers from the nominees of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms); Council of State (highest court of administrative law; judges are selected from the nominees of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms); Constitutional Court (guards integrity and supremacy of the constitution; rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the constitution, and international treaties); Superior Judicial Council (administers and disciplines the civilian judiciary; resolves jurisdictional conflicts arising between other courts; members are elected by three sister courts and Congress for eight-year terms) Clandestine Communist Party of Colombia or PCC [Jaime CAICEDO]; Colombian Conservative Party or PC [Carlos HOLGUIN Sardi]; Alternative Democratic Pole or PDA [Samuel MORENO Rojas]; Liberal Party or PL [Cesar GAVIRIA]; Social National Unity Party or PSUN [Juan Manuel SANTOS] note: Colombia has about 60 formally recognized political parties, most of which do not have a presence in either house of Congress two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia - Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC and National Liberation Army or ELN; largest illegal paramilitary group, a roughly organized umbrella group of disparate paramilitary forces, is United Self-Defense Groups of Colombia or AUC BCIE, CAN, CDB, CSN, FAO, G-3, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Carolina BARCO Isakson chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338 FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Washington, DC chief of mission: Ambassador William B. WOOD embassy: Calle 22D-BIS, numbers 47-51, Apartado Aereo 3831 mailing address: Carrera 45 #22D-45, Bogota, D.C., APO AA 34038 telephone: [57] (1) 315-0811 FAX: [57] (1) 315-2197 three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center Colombia's economy has been on a recovery trend during the past two years despite a serious armed conflict. The economy continues to improve thanks to austere government budgets, focused efforts to reduce public debt levels, an export-oriented growth strategy, and an improved security situation in the country. Ongoing economic problems facing President URIBE range from reforming the pension system to reducing high unemployment. New exploration is needed to offset declining oil production. On the positive side, several international financial institutions have praised the economic reforms introduced by URIBE, which succeeded in reducing the public-sector deficit below 1.5% of GDP. The government's economic policy and democratic security strategy have engendered a growing sense of confidence in the economy, particularly within the business sector. Coffee prices have recovered from previous lows as the Colombian coffee industry pursues greater market shares in developed countries such as the United States. $337.5 billion (2005 est.) $97.73 billion (2005 est.) 5.1% (2005 est.) $7,900 (2005 est.) agriculture: 12.5% industry: 34.2% services: 53.3% (2005 est.) 20.52 million (2005) agriculture: 22.7% industry: 18.7% services: 58.5% (2000 est.) 11.8% (2005 est.) 49.2% (2005) lowest 10%: 7.9% highest 10%: 34.3% (2004) 53.8 (2005) 5% (2005 est.) 18.6% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $46.82 billion expenditures: $48.77 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 49.5% of GDP (2005 est.) coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds 3.7% (2005 est.) 50.43 billion kWh (2003) 48.83 billion kWh (2003) 1.082 billion kWh (2003) 48.4 million kWh (2003) 512,400 bbl/day (2005 est.) 270,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 1.492 billion bbl (2005 est.) 6.08 billion cu m (2003 est.) 6.08 billion cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2004 est.) 0 cu m (2004 est.) 127.6 billion cu m (2005) -$1.931 billion (2005 est.) $19.3 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) petroleum, coffee, coal, apparel, bananas, cut flowers US 39.1%, Venezuela 11%, Ecuador 5.3% (2005) $18 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity US 29.1%, Venezuela 7.2%, Mexico 5.8%, Brazil 5.4%, China 5%, Germany 4.6%, Japan 4.3% (2005) $14.96 billion (2005 est.) $32.35 billion (2005 est.) $NA Colombian peso (COP) Colombian pesos per US dollar - 2,320.75 (2005), 2,628.61 (2004), 2,877.65 (2003), 2,504.24 (2002), 2,299.63 (2001) calendar year 7,678,800 (2005) 10,400,600 (2004) general assessment: modern system in many respects domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system; domestic satellite system with 41 earth stations; fiber-optic network linking 50 cities international: country code - 57; satellite earth stations - 6 Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat; 3 fully digitalized international switching centers; 8 submarine cables AM 454, FM 34, shortwave 27 (1999) 60 (includes seven low-power stations) (1997) .co 386,610 (2005) 3,585,688 (2004) 984 (2006) total: 101 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 38 914 to 1,523 m: 40 under 914 m: 12 (2006) total: 883 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 35 914 to 1,523 m: 275 under 914 m: 572 (2006) 2 (2006) gas 4,360 km; oil 6,134 km; refined products 3,140 km (2004) total: 3,304 km standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 3,154 km 0.914-m gauge (2005) total: 110,000 km paved: 26,000 km unpaved: 84,000 km (2000) 18,000 km (2005) total: 17 ships (1000 GRT or over) 42,413 GRT/58,737 DWT by type: cargo 13, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 3 registered in other countries: 7 (Antigua and Barbuda 2, Panama 5) (2006) Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Muelles El Bosque, Puerto Bolivar, Santa Marta, Turbo Army (Ejercito Nacional), Navy (Armada Nacional, includes naval aviation, marines, and coast guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Colombiana) 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 24 months (2004) males age 18-49: 10,212,456 females age 18-49: 10,561,562 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 6,986,228 females age 18-49: 8,794,465 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 389,735 females age 18-49: 383,146 (2005 est.) $3.3 billion (FY01) 3.4% (FY01) Nicaragua filed a claim against Honduras in 1999 and against Colombia in 2001 at the ICJ over disputed maritime boundary involving 50,000 sq km in the Caribbean Sea, including the Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank; dispute with Venezuela over maritime boundary and Los Monjes Islands near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics, guerrilla, and paramilitary activities penetrate all of its neighbors' borders and have created a serious refugee crisis with over 300,000 persons having fled the country, mostly into neighboring states IDPs: 2,900,000 - 3,400,000 (conflict between government and FARC; drug wars) (2004) Northern Mariana Islands Under US administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the 1970s not to seek independence but instead to forge closer links with the US. Negotiations for territorial status began in 1972. A covenant to establish a commonwealth in political union with the US was approved in 1975, and came into force on 24 March 1976. A new government and constitution went into effect in 1978. Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines 15 12 N, 145 45 E Oceania total: 477 sq km land: 477 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 1,482 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m arable land, fish arable land: 13.04% permanent crops: 4.35% other: 82.61% (2005) NA active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November) contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species conflicts with development strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean 82,459 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 19.4% (male 8,350/female 7,623) 15-64 years: 79% (male 26,715/female 38,442) 65 years and over: 1.6% (male 679/female 650) (2006 est.) total: 29.5 years male: 31.7 years female: 28.5 years (2006 est.) 2.54% (2006 est.) 19.43 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 2.29 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 8.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.7 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/female total population: 0.77 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 6.98 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.92 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 76.09 years male: 73.5 years female: 78.83 years (2006 est.) 1.24 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: NA (US citizens) adjective: NA Asian 56.3%, Pacific islander 36.3%, Caucasian 1.8%, other 0.8%, mixed 4.8% (2000 census) Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found) Philippine languages 24.4%, Chinese 23.4%, Chamorro 22.4%, English 10.8%, other Pacific island languages 9.5%, other 9.6% (2000 census) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 97% female: 96% (1980 est.) conventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands conventional short form: Northern Mariana Islands abbreviation: CNMI former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Mariana Islands District commonwealth in political union with the US; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs commonwealth; self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature name: Saipan geographic coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) none (commonwealth in political union with the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are four municipalities at the second order: Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian none (commonwealth in political union with the US) Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978) Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective 1 January 1978; Covenant Agreement fully effective 4 November 1986 based on US system, except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxation 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001) head of government: Governor Benigno R. FITIAL (since 9 January 2006); Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. VILLAGOMEZ (since 9 January 2006) cabinet: the cabinet consists of the heads of the 10 principal departments under the executive branch who are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate; other members include Special Assistants to the governor and office heads appointed by and reporting directly to the governor elections: under the US Consitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 5 November 2005 (next to be held November 2009) election results: Benigno R. FITIAL elected governor in a four-way race; percent of vote - Benigno R. FITIAL (Covenant Party) 28.07%, Heinz HOFSCHNEIDER (Independent) 27.34%, Juan BABAUTA (Republican) 26.6%, Froilan TENORIO (Democrat) 17.99% bicameral Legislature consists of the Senate (9 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year staggered terms) and the House of Representatives (18 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 5 November 2005 (next to be held November 2009); House of Representatives - last held 5 November 2005 (next to be held November 2007) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Covenant Party 3, Republican Party 3, Democratic Party 2, independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Covenant Party 7, Republican Party 7, Democratic Party 2, independent 2 note: the Northern Mariana Islands does not have a nonvoting delegate in the US Congress; instead, it has an elected official or "resident representative" located in Washington, DC; seats by party - Republican Party 1 (Pedro A. TENORIO) Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court Covenant Party [Benigno R. FITIAL]; Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO]; Republican Party [Juan S. REYES] NA Interpol (subbureau), SPC blue, with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on the gray silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the US. The rate of funding has declined as locally generated government revenues have grown. The key tourist industry employs about 50% of the work force and accounts for roughly one-fourth of GDP. Japanese tourists predominate. Annual tourist entries have exceeded one-half million in recent years, but financial difficulties in Japan have caused a temporary slowdown. The agricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Garment production is by far the most important industry with the employment of 17,500 mostly Chinese workers and sizable shipments to the US under duty and quota exemptions. $900 million note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy (2000 est.) NA NA% $12,500 (2000 est.) agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% 44,470 total indigenous labor force; 2,699 unemployed; 28,717 foreign workers (2000) agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% NA% NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% -0.8% (2000) revenues: $193 million expenditures: $223 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (FY01/02 est.) coconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle tourism, construction, garments, handicrafts NA% NA kWh NA kWh 0 kWh 0 kWh $NA garments US (2004) $NA food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products US, Japan (2004) $NA extensive funding from US US dollar (USD) the US dollar is used 1 October - 30 September 21,000 (2000) 3,000 (2000) general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: country code - 1-670; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 1 (2006) 1 (Low Power TV on Saipan; in addition, two cable services on Saipan provide varied programming from satellite networks) (2006) .mp 20 (2005) 10,000 (2003) 5 (2006) total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006) total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2006) 1 (2006) total: 536 km (2004) Saipan, Tinian defense is the responsibility of the US Coral Sea Islands Scattered over more than three-quarters of a million square kilometers of ocean, the Coral Sea Islands were declared a territory of Australia in 1969. They are uninhabited except for a small meteorological staff on the Willis Islets. Automated weather stations, beacons, and a lighthouse occupy many other islands and reefs. Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia 18 00 S, 152 00 E Oceania total: less than 3 sq km land: less than 3 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 780,000 sq km, with the Willis Islets the most important NA 0 km 3,095 km territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm tropical sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m NEGL arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2005) 0 sq km occasional tropical cyclones no permanent fresh water resources important nesting area for birds and turtles no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station (2005 est.) conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories none (territory of Australia) none (territory of Australia) the flag of Australia is used no economic activity there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland none; offshore anchorage only defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors Costa Rica Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including: disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance by natives, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two and a half centuries. In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Two years later it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic development. Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread. Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama 10 00 N, 84 00 W Central America and the Caribbean total: 51,100 sq km land: 50,660 sq km water: 440 sq km note: includes Isla del Coco slightly smaller than West Virginia total: 639 km border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km 1,290 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m hydropower arable land: 4.4% permanent crops: 5.87% other: 89.73% (2005) 1,080 sq km (2003) occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65 4,075,261 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 28.3% (male 590,261/female 563,196) 15-64 years: 66% (male 1,359,750/female 1,329,346) 65 years and over: 5.7% (male 108,041/female 124,667) (2006 est.) total: 26.4 years male: 26 years female: 26.9 years (2006 est.) 1.45% (2006 est.) 18.32 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 4.36 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 9.7 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 77.02 years male: 74.43 years female: 79.74 years (2006 est.) 2.24 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.6% (2003 est.) 12,000 (2003 est.) 900 (2003 est.) noun: Costa Rican(s) adjective: Costa Rican white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1% Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2% Spanish (official), English definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: 95.9% female: 96.1% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica conventional short form: Costa Rica local long form: Republica de Costa Rica local short form: Costa Rica democratic republic name: San Jose geographic coordinates: 9 56 N, 84 05 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Independence Day, 15 September (1821) 7 November 1949 based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal and compulsory chief of state: President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May 2006); First Vice President Laura CHINCHILLA (since 8 May 2006); Second Vice President Kevin CASAS Zamora (since 8 May 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May 2006); First Vice President Laura CHINCHILLA (since 8 May 2006); Second Vice President Kevin CASAS Zamora (since 8 May 2006) cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 5 February 2006 (next to be held February 2010) election results: Oscar ARIAS Sanchez elected president; percent of vote - Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (PLN) 40.9%; Otto SOLIS (PAC) 39.8%, Otto GUEVARA Guth (PML) 8%, Ricardo TOLEDO (PUSC) 3%; note - official results pending the resolution of election challenges unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5 February 2006 (next to be held February 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLN 25, PAC 18, PML 6, PUSC 4, other 4 Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly) Authentic Member from Heredia [Jose SALAS]; Citizen Action Party or PAC [Otton SOLIS]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Gerardo Justo OROZCO Alvarez]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Vladimir DE LA CRUZ]; General Union Party or PUGEN [Carlos Alberto FERNANDEZ Vega]; Homeland First or PP [Juan Jose VARGAS Fallas]; Independent Worker Party or PIO [Jose Alberto CUBERO Carmona]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Juan Carlos CHAVEZ Mora]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National Liberation Party or PLN [Francisco Antonio PACHECO]; National Patriotic Party or PPN [Daniel Enrique REYNOLDS Vargas]; National Restoration Party or PRN [Carlos AVENDANO]; Nationalist Democratic Alliance or ADN [Jose Miguel VILLALOBOS Umana]; Patriotic Union or UP [Humberto ARCE Salas]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Lorena VASQUEZ Badilla]; Union for Change Party or UPC [Antonio ALVAREZ Desanti]; United Leftist Coalition or IU [Humberto VARGAS Carbonel] Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party affiliate); Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association of Educators or ANDE; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert BROWN] BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Tomas DUENAS chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-2945 FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Hammond (temporary location in Louisiana), Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa (temporarily closed), Washington, DC consulate(s): San Francisco chief of mission: Ambassador Mark LANGDALE embassy: Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose mailing address: APO AA 34020 telephone: [506] 519-2000 FAX: [506] 519-2305 five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has been put into place. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and high education levels, and tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange. Low prices for coffee and bananas have hurt the agricultural sector. The government continues to grapple with its large internal and external deficits and sizable internal debt. The reduction of inflation remains a difficult problem because of rises in the price of imports, labor market rigidities, and fiscal deficits. The country also needs to reform its tax system and its pattern of public expenditure. Costa Rica is the only signatory to the US-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) that has not ratified it. CAFTA implementation would result in economic reforms and an improved investment climate. $44.68 billion (2005 est.) $19.38 billion (2005 est.) 4% (2005 est.) $11,100 (2005 est.) agriculture: 8.8% industry: 29.9% services: 61.4% (2005 est.) 1.82 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 20% industry: 22% services: 58% (1999 est.) 6.6% (2005 est.) 18% (2004 est.) lowest 10%: 1.1% highest 10%: 36.8% (2002) 46.5 (2000) 13.8% (2005 est.) 19.6% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $2.722 billion expenditures: $3.195 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 56.8% of GDP (2005 est.) coffee, pineapples, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef; timber microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products 5.7% (2005 est.) 7.726 billion kWh (2003) 7.12 billion kWh (2003) 115 million kWh (2003) 50 million kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003) 40,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) -$955 million (2005 est.) $7.005 billion (2005 est.) coffee, bananas, sugar, pineapples; textiles, electronic components, medical equipment US 29.8%, Netherlands 14.2%, UK 8.4%, China 7.6% (2005) $9.69 billion (2005 est.) raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum US 43.4%, Japan 5.8%, Mexico 5.3%, Venezuela 4.9%, Brazil 4.4% (2005) $2.313 billion (2005 est.) $5.049 billion (2005 est.) Costa Rican colon (CRC) Costa Rican colones per US dollar - 477.79 (2005), 437.91 (2004), 398.66 (2003), 359.82 (2002), 328.87 (2001) calendar year 1,388,500 (2005) 923,100 (2004) general assessment: good domestic telephone service in terms of breadth of coverage; restricted cellular telephone service domestic: point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available international: country code - 506; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); two submarine cables (1999) AM 65, FM 51, shortwave 19 (2002) 20 (plus 43 repeaters) (2002) .cr 12,578 (2005) 1 million (2005) 157 (2006) total: 32 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 19 under 914 m: 9 (2006) total: 125 914 to 1,523 m: 24 under 914 m: 101 (2006) refined products 242 km (2004) total: 278 km narrow gauge: 278 km 1.067-m gauge (2005) total: 35,889 km paved: 8,075 km unpaved: 27,814 km (2003) 730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2005) total: 2 ships (1000 GRT or over) 2,308 GRT/743 DWT by type: passenger/cargo 2 (2006) Caldera, Puerto Limon no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security, Government, and Police 18 years of age (2004) males age 18-49: 997,690 females age 18-49: 968,290 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 829,874 females age 18-49: 809,343 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 41,097 females age 18-49: 39,243 $83.46 million (2005 est.) 0.4% (2005 est.) in September 2005, Costa Rica took its case before the ICJ to advocate the navigation, security, and commercial rights of Costa Rican vessels using the Río San Juan over which Nicaragua retains sovereignty refugees (country of origin): 8,266 (Colombia) (2005) Central African Republic The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was established in 1993 and lasted for one decade. President Ange-Felix PATASSE's civilian government was plagued by unrest, and in March 2003 he was deposed in a military coup led by General Francois BOZIZE, who established a transitional government. Though the government has the tacit support of civil society groups and the main parties, a wide field of candidates contested the municipal, legislative, and presidential elections held in March and May of 2005 in which General BOZIZE was affirmed as president. The government still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist. Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo 7 00 N, 21 00 E Africa total: 622,984 sq km land: 622,984 sq km water: 0 sq km slightly smaller than Texas total: 5,203 km border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m highest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower arable land: 3.1% permanent crops: 0.15% other: 96.75% (2005) 20 sq km (2003) hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished the country's reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa 4,303,356 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 41.9% (male 907,629/female 897,153) 15-64 years: 53.9% (male 1,146,346/female 1,173,268) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 71,312/female 107,648) (2006 est.) total: 18.4 years male: 18 years female: 18.8 years (2006 est.) 1.53% (2006 est.) 33.91 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 18.65 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 85.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 92.44 deaths/1,000 live births female: 78.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 43.54 years male: 43.46 years female: 43.62 years (2006 est.) 4.41 children born/woman (2006 est.) 13.5% (2003 est.) 260,000 (2003 est.) 23,000 (2003 est.) degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2005) noun: Central African(s) adjective: Central African Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2% indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15% note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 51% male: 63.3% female: 39.9% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Central African Republic conventional short form: none local long form: Republique Centrafricaine local short form: none former: Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire abbreviation: CAR republic name: Bangui geographic coordinates: 4 22 N, 18 35 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga 13 August 1960 (from France) Republic Day, 1 December (1958) ratified by popular referendum 5 December 2004; effective 27 December 2004 based on French law 21 years of age; universal chief of state: President Francois BOZIZE (since 15 March 2003 coup) head of government: Prime Minister Elie DOTE (since 13 June 2005); note - Celestin GAOMBALET resigned 11 June 2005 cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: under the new constitution, the president elected to a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held 13 March and 8 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010); prime minister appointed by the political party with a parliamentary majority election results: Francois BOZIZE elected president; percent of second round balloting - Francois BOZIZE (KNK) 64.6%, Martin ZIGUELE (MLPC) 35.4% unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (109 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 13 March 2005 and 8 May 2005 (next to be held NA 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - MLPC 43%, RDC 18%, MDD 9%, FPP 6%, PSD 5%, ADP 4%, PUN 3%, FODEM 2%, PLD 2%, UPR 1%, FC 1%, independents 6%; seats by party - MLPC 47, RDC 20, MDD 8, FPP 7, PSD 6, ADP 5, PUN 3, FODEM 2, PLD 2, UPR 1, FC 1, independents 7 Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (3 judges appointed by the president, 3 by the president of the National Assembly, and 3 by fellow judges); Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Inferior Courts Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Jacques MBOLIEDAS]; Central African Democratic Assembly or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Forum for Modernity or FODEM [Charles MASSI]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [Ange-Felix PATASSE] (the party of deposed president); National Convergence or KNK; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; People's Union for the Republic or UPR [Pierre Sammy MAKFOY]; National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE] NA ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC (observer), OIF, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Emmanuel TOUABOY chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800 FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893 chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires James PANOS embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui telephone: [236] 61 02 00 FAX: [236] 61 44 94 note: the embassy is currently operating with a minimal staff four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates half of GDP. Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry, for 40%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. Factional fighting between the government and its opponents remains a drag on economic revitalization, with GDP growth at only 0.5% in 2004 and 2.5% in 2005. Distribution of income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs. $4.784 billion (2005 est.) $1.462 billion (2005 est.) 2.2% (2005 est.) $1,100 (2005 est.) agriculture: 55% industry: 20% services: 25% (2001 est.) NA 8% (23% for Bangui) (2001 est.) NA% lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 47.7% (1993) 61.3 (1993) 3.6% (2001 est.) revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles 3% (2002) 106 million kWh (2003) 98.58 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003) 2,400 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $131 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco Belgium 34.2%, France 9.5%, Spain 8.5%, Italy 7.9%, China 7%, Indonesia 6.2%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 4.6%, US 4.4% (2005) $203 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals France 16.5%, Netherlands 10.3%, Cameroon 9.7%, US 7.3% (2005) $1.06 billion (2002 est.) ODA, $59.8 million; note - traditional budget subsidies from France (2002 est.) Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001) calendar year 10,000 (2004) 60,000 (2004) general assessment: fair system domestic: network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication international: country code - 236; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002) 1 (2001) .cf 13 (2005) 9,000 (2005) 50 (2006) total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2006) total: 47 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 13 (2006) total: 23,810 km (1999) 2,800 km (primarily on the Oubangui and Sangha rivers) (2005) Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga Central African Armed Forces (FACA): Ground Forces, Military Air Service; General Directorate of Gendarmerie Inspection (DGIG), Republican Guard, National Police (2006) 18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service; conscript service obligation is two years (2005) males age 18-49: 853,760 females age 18-49: 835,426 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 416,091 females age 18-49: 383,056 (2005 est.) $16.37 million (2005 est.) 1% (2005 est.) about 30,000 refugees fleeing the 2002 civil conflict in the CAR still reside in southern Chad; periodic skirmishes over water and grazing rights among related pastoral populations along the border with southern Sudan persist Cuba The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the European discovery of the island by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492 and following its development as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to work the coffee and sugar plantations, and Havana became the launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule, marked initially by neglect, became increasingly repressive, provoking an independence movement and occasional rebellions that were harshly suppressed. It was US intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 that finally overthrew Spanish rule. The subsequent Treaty of Paris established Cuban independence, which was granted in 1902 after a three-year transition period. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959; his iron rule has held the regime together since then. Cuba's Communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The country is now slowly recovering from a severe economic recession in 1990, following the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies, worth $4 billion to $6 billion annually. Cuba portrays its difficulties as the result of the US embargo in place since 1961. Illicit migration to the US - using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, air flights, or via the southwest border - is a continuing problem. The US Coast Guard intercepted 2,712 individuals attempting to cross the Straits of Florida in fiscal year 2005. Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida 21 30 N, 80 00 W Central America and the Caribbean total: 110,860 sq km land: 110,860 sq km water: 0 sq km slightly smaller than Pennsylvania total: 29 km border countries: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and remains part of Cuba 3,735 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October) mostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains in the southeast lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Pico Turquino 2,005 m cobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land arable land: 27.63% permanent crops: 6.54% other: 65.83% (2005) 8,700 sq km (2003) the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to November (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common air and water pollution; biodiversity loss; deforestation party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation largest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the Greater Antilles 11,382,820 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 19.1% (male 1,117,677/female 1,058,512) 15-64 years: 70.3% (male 4,001,161/female 3,999,303) 65 years and over: 10.6% (male 554,148/female 652,019) (2006 est.) total: 35.9 years male: 35.2 years female: 36.5 years (2006 est.) 0.31% (2006 est.) 11.89 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 7.22 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -1.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 6.22 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 77.41 years male: 75.11 years female: 79.85 years (2006 est.) 1.66 children born/woman (2006 est.) less than 0.1% (2003 est.) 3,300 (2003 est.) less than 200 (2003 est.) noun: Cuban(s) adjective: Cuban mulatto 51%, white 37%, black 11%, Chinese 1% nominally 85% Roman Catholic prior to CASTRO assuming power; Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also represented Spanish definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 97.2% female: 96.9% (2003 est.) illicit migration is a continuing problem; Cubans attempt to depart the island and enter the US using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, direct flights, or falsified visas; Cubans also use non-maritime routes to enter the US including direct flights to Miami and over-land via the southwest border conventional long form: Republic of Cuba conventional short form: Cuba local long form: Republica de Cuba local short form: Cuba Communist state name: Havana geographic coordinates: 23 08 N, 82 22 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 14 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 special municipality* (municipio especial); Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Ciudad de La Habana, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla de la Juventud*, La Habana, Las Tunas, Matanzas, Pinar del Rio, Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa Clara 20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US from 1898 to 1902) Independence Day, 10 December (1898); note - 10 December 1898 is the date of independence from Spain, 20 May 1902 is the date of independence from US administration; Rebellion Day, 26 July (1953) 24 February 1976; amended July 1992 and June 2002 based on Spanish and American law, with large elements of Communist legal theory; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 16 years of age; universal chief of state: President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (prime minister from February 1959 until 24 February 1976 when office was abolished; president since 2 December 1976); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December 1976); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (prime minister from February 1959 until 24 February 1976 when office was abolished; president since 2 December 1976); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December 1976); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the president of the Council of State and appointed by the National Assembly or the 31-member Council of State, elected by the Assembly to act on its behalf when it is not in session elections: president and vice presidents elected by the National Assembly for a term of five years; election last held 6 March 2003 (next to be held in 2008) election results: Fidel CASTRO Ruz reelected president; percent of legislative vote - 100%; Raul CASTRO Ruz elected vice president; percent of legislative vote - 100% unicameral National Assembly of People's Power or Asemblea Nacional del Poder Popular (609 seats, elected directly from slates approved by special candidacy commissions; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 19 January 2003 (next to be held in 2008) election results: percent of vote - PCC 97.6%; seats - PCC 609 People's Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo Popular (president, vice president, and other judges are elected by the National Assembly) only party - Cuban Communist Party or PCC [Fidel CASTRO Ruz, first secretary] NA ACP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since 1962), OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO none; note - Cuba has an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer Bernardo GUANCHE Hernandez; address: Cuban Interests Section, Swiss Embassy, 2630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone: [1] (202) 797-8518; FAX: [1] (202) 797-8521 none; note - the US has an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer Michael E. PARMLY; address: USINT, Swiss Embassy, Calzada between L and M Streets, Vedado, Havana; telephone: [53] (7) 833-3551 through 3559 (operator assistance required); FAX: [53] (7) 833-3700; protecting power in Cuba is Switzerland five equal horizontal bands of blue (top, center, and bottom) alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center The government continues to balance the need for economic loosening against a desire for firm political control. It has rolled back limited reforms undertaken in the 1990s to increase enterprise efficiency and alleviate serious shortages of food, consumer goods, and services. The average Cuban's standard of living remains at a lower level than before the downturn of the 1990s, which was caused by the loss of Soviet aid and domestic inefficiencies. The government in 2005 strengthened its controls over dollars coming into the economy from tourism, remittances, and trade. External financing has helped growth in the mining, oil, construction, and tourism sectors. $39.17 billion (2005 est.) NA 8% (2005 est.) $3,500 (2005 est.) agriculture: 5.5% industry: 26.1% services: 68.4% (2005 est.) 4.6 million note: state sector 78%, non-state sector 22% (2005 est.) agriculture: 21.2% industry: 14.4% services: 64.4% (2004) 1.9% (2005 est.) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 7% (2005 est.) 11.5% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $22.11 billion expenditures: $23.65 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) sugar, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes, beans; livestock sugar, petroleum, tobacco, construction, nickel, steel, cement, agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals 5.1% (2005 est.) 15.65 billion kWh (2004) 13.27 billion kWh (2004) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 72,000 bbl/day (2005 est.) 205,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 532 million bbl (1 January 2002) 704 million cu m (2004) 704 million cu m (2004) 0 cu m (2004) 0 cu m (2004) 70.79 billion cu m (1 January 2002) $49 million (2005 est.) $2.388 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) sugar, nickel, tobacco, fish, medical products, citrus, coffee Netherlands 25.1%, Canada 20.6%, China 9.7%, Spain 6.7% (2005) $6.916 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) petroleum, food, machinery and equipment, chemicals China 15%, Spain 14.1%, Canada 8.7%, US 8.5%, Germany 7.5%, Italy 5.8%, Mexico 4.8%, Japan 4.2% (2005) $2.618 billion (2005 est.) $12.56 billion (convertible currency); another $15-20 billion owed to Russia (2005 est.) $68.2 million (1997 est.) Cuban peso (CUP) and Convertible peso (CUC) Convertible pesos per US dollar - 0.93 note: Cuba has three currencies in circulation: the Cuban peso (CUP), the convertible peso (CUC), and the US dollar (USD), although the dollar is being withdrawn from circulation; in April 2005 the official exchange rate changed from $1 per CUC to $1.08 per CUC (0.93 CUC per $1), both for individuals and enterprises; individuals can buy 24 Cuban pesos (CUP) for each CUC sold, or sell 25 Cuban pesos for each CUC bought; enterprises, however, must exchange CUP and CUC at a 1:1 ratio. calendar year 849,900 (2005) 75,800 (2004) general assessment: greater investment beginning in 1994 and the establishment of a new Ministry of Information Technology and Communications in 2000 has resulted in improvements in the system; wireless service is expensive and remains restricted to foreigners and regime elites, many Cubans procure wireless service illegally with the help of foreigners domestic: national fiber-optic system under development; 85% of switches digitized by end of 2004; telephone line density remains low, at 10 per 100 inhabitants; domestic cellular service expanding international: country code - 53; fiber-optic cable laid to but not linked to US network; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) AM 169, FM 55, shortwave 1 (1998) 58 (1997) .cu 1,918 (2005) 150,000 note: private citizens are prohibited from buying computers or accessing the Internet without special authorization; foreigners may access the Internet in large hotels but are subject to firewalls; some Cubans buy illegal passwords on the black market or take advantage of public outlets, to access limited email and the government-controlled "intranet" (2005) 170 (2006) total: 78 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 37 (2006) total: 92 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 29 under 914 m: 62 (2006) gas 49 km; oil 230 km (2004) total: 4,226 km standard gauge: 4,226 km 1.435-m gauge (140 km electrified) note: an additional 7,742 km of track is used by sugar plantations; about 65% of this track is standard gauge; the rest is narrow gauge (2005) total: 60,858 km paved: 29,820 km (including 638 km of expressway) unpaved: 31,038 km (1999) 240 km (2005) total: 11 ships (1000 GRT or over) 33,932 GRT/48,791 DWT by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 2 foreign-owned: 1 (Spain 1) registered in other countries: 17 (Bahamas 1, Cyprus 2, Netherlands Antilles 1, Panama 11, Spain 1, unknown 1) (2006) Cienfuegos, Havana, Matanzas Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR): Revolutionary Army (ER), Revolutionary Navy (MGR), Air and Air Defense Force (DAAFAR), Territorial Militia Troops (MTT), Youth Labor Army (EJT) 17 years of age; both sexes are eligible for military service (2004) males age 17-49: 2,967,865 females age 17-49: 2,913,559 (2005 est.) males age 17-49: 2,441,927 females age 17-49: 2,396,741 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 91,901 females: 87,500 (2005 est.) $694 million (2005 est.) 1.8% (2005 est.) Moscow, for decades the key military supporter and supplier of Cuba, cut off almost all military aid by 1993 US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to US and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease Cape Verde The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cape Verde subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following independence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification with Guinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continues to exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments. Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century caused significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result, Cape Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one. Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents. Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal 16 00 N, 24 00 W Political Map of the World total: 4,033 sq km land: 4,033 sq km water: 0 sq km slightly larger than Rhode Island 0 km 965 km measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island) salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum arable land: 11.41% permanent crops: 0.74% other: 87.85% (2005) 30 sq km (2003) prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active soil erosion; deforestation due to demand for wood used as fuel; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site 420,979 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 37.9% (male 80,594/female 79,126) 15-64 years: 55.3% (male 113,450/female 119,423) 65 years and over: 6.7% (male 10,542/female 17,844) (2006 est.) total: 19.8 years male: 19 years female: 20.7 years (2006 est.) 0.64% (2006 est.) 24.87 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 6.55 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -11.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 46.52 deaths/1,000 live births male: 51.63 deaths/1,000 live births female: 41.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 70.73 years male: 67.41 years female: 74.15 years (2006 est.) 3.38 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.035% (2001 est.) 775 (2001) 225 (as of 2001) noun: Cape Verdean(s) adjective: Cape Verdean Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1% Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs); Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene) Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 76.6% male: 85.8% female: 69.2% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verde conventional short form: Cape Verde local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde local short form: Cabo Verde republic name: Praia geographic coordinates: 14 55 N, 23 31 W time difference: UTC-1 (4 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 17 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao Miguel, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal 5 July 1975 (from Portugal) Independence Day, 5 July (1975) new constitution came into force 25 September 1992; underwent a major revision on 23 November 1995, substantially increasing the powers of the president; a 1999 revision created the position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica) derived from the legal system of Portugal 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Pedro Verona PIRES (since 22 March 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1 February 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 12 February 2006 (next to be held February 2011); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president election results: Pedro PIRES reelected president; percent of vote - Pedro PIRES (PAICV) 51.2%, Carlos VIEGA (MPD) 48.8% unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 22 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - PAICV 52.3%, MPD 44%, UCID 2.7%; seats by party - PAICV 41, MPD 29, ADM 2 Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV [Jose Maria Pereira NEVES, chairman]; Democratic Alliance for Change or ADM [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO] (a coalition of PCD, PTS, and UCID); Democratic Christian Party or PDC [Manuel RODRIGUES, chairman]; Democratic Renovation Party or PRD [Victor FIDALGO, president]; Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean Union or UCID [Antonio MONTEIRO]; Movement for Democracy or MPD [Agostinho LOPES, president]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO, president]; Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS [Isaias RODRIGUES, president]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Joao ALEM, president] NA ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer) chief of mission: Ambassador Jose BRITO chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820 FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207 consulate(s) general: Boston chief of mission: Ambassador Roger D. PIERCE embassy: Rua Abilio m. Macedo 81, Praia mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia telephone: [238] 261 56 16, 261 56 17 FAX: [238] 261 13 55 three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width), white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and light blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower blue bands This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for 66% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of agriculture in GDP in 2004 was only 12%, of which fishing accounted for 1.5%. About 82% of food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by foreign aid and remittances from emigrants; remittances supplement GDP by more than 20%. Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Future prospects depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, the encouragement of tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program. $2.99 billion (2005 est.) $1.128 billion (2005 est.) 5.5% (2005 est.) $6,200 (2005 est.) agriculture: 12.1% industry: 21.9% services: 66% (2004 est.) NA 21% (2000 est.) 30% (2000) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 0.4% (2005 est.) 24.8% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $328.1 million expenditures: $393.1 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair NA% 44.15 million kWh (2003) 41.06 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003) 1,200 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) -$82 million (2005 est.) $73.35 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides Spain 40.3%, Portugal 35.1%, US 9.7% (2005) $500 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels Portugal 41.2%, Italy 7.9%, Netherlands 7%, Spain 5.4%, France 4.7%, Belgium 4.6%, Brazil 4.3% (2005) $150 million (2005 est.) $325 million (2002) $136 million (1999) Cape Verdean escudo (CVE) Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 88.67 (2005), 88.808 (2004), 97.703 (2003), 117.168 (2002), 123.228 (2001) calendar year 71,400 (2005) 81,700 (2005) general assessment: effective system, extensive modernization from 1996-2000 following partial privatization in 1995 domestic: major service provider is Cabo Verde Telecom (CVT); fiber optic ring, completed in 2001, links all islands providing Internet access and ISDN services; cellular service introduced in 1998 international: country code - 238; 2 coaxial submarine cables; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) AM 0, FM 22 (and 12 low power repeaters), shortwave 0 (2002) 1 (and 7 repeaters) (2002) .cv 155 (2005) 25,000 (2005) 7 (2006) total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 1,350 km paved: 932 km unpaved: 418 km (2000) total: 7 ships (1000 GRT or over) 12,300 GRT/7,726 DWT by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 4 foreign-owned: 2 (Spain 1, UK 1) (2006) Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP): Army, Coast Guard (includes maritime air wing) males age 18-49: 84,641 females age 18-49: 87,310 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 65,614 females age 18-49: 73,662 (2005 est.) $7.18 million (2005 est.) 0.7% (2005 est.) none Cook Islands Named after Captain COOK, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965 residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems. Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand 21 14 S, 159 46 W Oceania total: 240 sq km land: 240 sq km water: 0 sq km 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 120 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin tropical; moderated by trade winds low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Te Manga 652 m NEGL arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 8.33% other: 75% (2005) NA typhoons (November to March) NA party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives 21,388 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2006 est.) NA NA NA deaths/1,000 population NA total: NA male: NA female: NA total population: NA male: NA female: NA NA children born/woman NA NA NA noun: Cook Islander(s) adjective: Cook Islander Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census) Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Roman Catholic 16.8%, Seventh-Day Adventists 7.9%, Church of Latter Day Saints 3.8%, other Protestant 5.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001 census) English (official), Maori definition: NA total population: 95% male: NA% female: NA% conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cook Islands former: Harvey Islands self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands self-governing parliamentary democracy name: Avarua geographic coordinates: 21 12 S, 159 46 W time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) none none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action) Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965) 4 August 1965 based on New Zealand law and English common law NA years of age; universal adult chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New Zealand High Commissioner Kurt MEYER (since July 2001), representative of New Zealand head of government: Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December 2004); Deputy Prime Minister Terepai MAOATE (since 9 August 2005) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 7 September 2004 (next to be held by 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CIP 10, DAP 9, Demo Tumu 4, independent 1; note - one seat undecided pending by-election note: the House of Ariki (chiefs) advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence, but has no legislative powers High Court Cook Islands National Party or CIN [Teariki HEATHER]; Cook Islands People's Party or CIP [Geoffrey HENRY]; Demo Party Tumu [Robert WOONTON]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Terepai MAOATE]; New Alliance Party or NAP [Norman GEORGE] NA ACP, AsDB, FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IOC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth. $105 million (2001 est.) NA 7.1% (2001 est.) $5,000 (2001 est.) agriculture: 17% industry: 7.8% services: 75.2% (2000 est.) 8,000 (1996) agriculture: 29% industry: 15% services: 56% (1995) 13% (1996) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 3.2% (2000 est.) revenues: $28 million expenditures: $27 million (FY00/01 est.) copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts 1% (2002) 28 million kWh (2003) 26.04 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003) 400 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $9.1 million (2000) copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing Australia 34%, Japan 27%, New Zealand 25%, US 8% (2004) $50.7 million (2000) foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods New Zealand 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6%, Japan 2% (2004) $141 million (1996 est.) $13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995) New Zealand dollar (NZD) New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004), 1.7221 (2003), 2.1622 (2002), 2.3788 (2001) 1 April - 31 March 6,200 (2002) 1,500 (2002) general assessment: Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex domestic: the individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable international: country code - 682; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) 1 (outer islands receive satellite broadcasts) (2004) .ck 542 (2005) 3,600 (2002) 9 (2006) total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2006) total: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 320 km paved: 33 km unpaved: 287 km (2003) total: 6 ships (1000 GRT or over) 48,422 GRT/51,900 DWT by type: cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3 foreign-owned: 5 (Norway 1, NZ 1, Sweden 3) (2006) Avatiu no regular military forces; Ministry of Police and Disaster Management (2004) defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request Cyprus A former British colony, Cyprus became independent in 1960 following years of resistance to British rule. Tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head in December 1963, when violence broke out in the capital of Nicosia. Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers in 1964, sporadic intercommunal violence continued forcing most Turkish Cypriots into enclaves throughout the island. In 1974, a Greek Government-sponsored attempt to seize control of Cyprus was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled more than a third of the island. In 1983, the Turkish-held area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," but it is recognized only by Turkey. The latest two-year round of UN-brokered talks - between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to reach an agreement to reunite the divided island - ended when the Greek Cypriots rejected the UN settlement plan in an April 2004 referendum. The entire island entered the EU on 1 May 2004, although the EU acquis - the body of common rights and obligations - applies only to the areas under direct Republic of Cyprus control, and is suspended in the areas administered by Turkish Cypriots. At present, every Cypriot carrying a Cyprus passport has the status of a European citizen; however, EU laws do not apply to north Cyprus. Nicosia continues to oppose EU efforts to establish direct trade and economic links to north Cyprus as a way of encouraging the Turkish Cypriot community to continue to support reunification. Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey 35 00 N, 33 00 E Middle East total: 9,250 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in north Cyprus) land: 9,240 sq km water: 10 sq km about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut total: NA; note - boundary with Dhekelia is being resurveyed border countries: Akrotiri 47.4 km, Dhekelia NA 648 km territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Olympus 1,951 m copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment arable land: 10.81% permanent crops: 4.32% other: 84.87% (2005) 400 sq km (2003) moderate earthquake activity; droughts water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall, sea water intrusion to island's largest aquifer, increased salination in the north); water pollution from sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of wildlife habitats from urbanization party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia) 784,301 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 20.4% (male 81,776/female 78,272) 15-64 years: 68% (male 270,254/female 263,354) 65 years and over: 11.6% (male 39,536/female 51,109) (2006 est.) total: 34.9 years male: 33.9 years female: 35.9 years (2006 est.) 0.53% (2006 est.) 12.56 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 7.68 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 7.04 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 77.82 years male: 75.44 years female: 80.31 years (2006 est.) 1.82 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.1% (2003 est.) less than 1,000 (1999 est.) NA noun: Cypriot(s) adjective: Cypriot Greek 77%, Turkish 18%, other 5% (2001) Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and other 4% Greek, Turkish, English definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.6% male: 98.9% female: 96.3% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus conventional short form: Cyprus local long form: Kypriaki Dimokratia/Kibris Cumhuriyeti local short form: Kypros/Kibris note: the Turkish Cypriot community (north Cyprus) refers to itself as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC) republic note: a separation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the island began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified after the Turkish intervention in July 1974 that followed a Greek junta-supported coup attempt gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized government; on 15 November 1983 Turkish Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTASH declared independence and the formation of a "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC), which is recognized only by Turkey name: Nicosia (Lefkosia) geographic coordinates: 35 10 N, 33 22 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos; note - Turkish Cypriot area's administrative divisions include Kyrenia, all but a small part of Famagusta, and small parts of Lefkosia (Nicosia) and Larnaca 16 August 1960 (from UK); note - Turkish Cypriots proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 and independence in 1983, but these proclamations are only recognized by Turkey Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriots celebrate 15 November (1983) as Independence Day 16 August 1960; from December 1963, the Turkish Cypriots no longer participated in the government; negotiations to create the basis for a new or revised constitution to govern the island and for better relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held intermittently since the mid-1960s; in 1975, following the 1974 Turkish intervention, Turkish Cypriots created their own constitution and governing bodies within the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus," which became the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" when the Turkish Cypriots declared their independence in 1983; a new constitution for the "TRNC" passed by referendum on 5 May 1985 based on common law, with civil law modifications; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Tassos PAPADOPOULOS (since 1 March 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the 1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot head of government: President Tassos PAPADOPOULOS (since 1 March 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the 1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed jointly by the president and vice president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 16 February 2003 (next to be held February 2008) election results: Tassos PAPADOPOULOS elected president; percent of vote - Tassos PAPADOPOULOS 51.5%, Glafkos KLIRIDIS 38.8%, Alekos MARKIDIS 6.6% note: Mehmet Ali TALAT became "president" of north Cyprus, 24 April 2005, after "presidential" elections on 17 April 2005; results - Mehmet Ali TALAT 55.6%, Dervis EROGLU 22.7%; Ferdi Sabit SOYER is "prime minister"; there is a Council of Ministers (cabinet) in north Cyprus, appointed by the "prime minister" unicameral - Republic of Cyprus: House of Representatives or Vouli Antiprosopon (80 seats; 56 assigned to the Greek Cypriots, 24 to Turkish Cypriots; note - only those assigned to Greek Cypriots are filled; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); north Cyprus: Assembly of the Republic or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Republic of Cyprus: last held 27 May 2001 (next to be held 21 May 2006); north Cyprus: last held 14 December 2003 (next to be held in 2008) election results: Republic of Cyprus: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - AKEL 34.71%, DISY 34%, DIKO 14.84%, KISOS 6.51%, others 9.94%; seats by party - AKEL (Communist) 20, DISY 19, DIKO 9, KISOS 4, other 4; north Cyprus: Assembly of the Republic - percent of vote by party - CTP 35.8%, UBP 32.3%, Peace and Democratic Movement 13.4%, DP 12.3%; seats by party - CTP 19, UBP 18, Peace and Democratic Movement 6, DP 7 Supreme Court (judges are appointed jointly by the president and vice president) note: there is also a Supreme Court in north Cyprus Republic of Cyprus: Democratic Party or DIKO [Tassos PAPADOPOULOS]; Democratic Rally or DISY [Nikos ANASTASIADHIS]; European Democracy or EURO.DE [Prodromos PRODROMOU] (evolved from For Europe which merged with New Horizons); European Party or EURO.KO [Demetris SYLLOURIS]; Fighting Democratic Movement or ADIK [Dinos MIKHAILIDIS]; Green Party of Cyprus [George PERDIKIS]; Movement for Social Democracy United Democratic Union of Center or KISOS [Yannakis OMIROU]; Progressive Party of the Working People or AKEL (Communist Party) [Dimitrios CHRISTOFIAS]; United Democrats Movement or EDE [Michalis PAPAPETROU]; north Cyprus: Democratic Party or DP [Serder DENKTASH]; National Birth Party or UDP [Enver EMIN]; National Unity Party or UBP [Dervis EROGLU]; Our Party or BP [Okyay SADIKOGLU]; Patriotic Unity Movement or YBH [Alpay DURDURAN]; Peace and Democratic Movement [Mustafa AKINCI]; Republican Turkish Party or CTP [Mehmet ALI TALAT] Confederation of Cypriot Workers or SEK (pro-West); Confederation of Revolutionary Labor Unions or Dev-Is; Federation of Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions or Turk-Sen; Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation or PEO (Communist controlled) Australia Group, C, CE, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Euripides L. EVRIVIADES chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-5772 FAX: [1] (202) 483-6710 consulate(s) general: New York note: representative of the Turkish Cypriot community in the US is Osman ERTUG; office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC; telephone [1] (202) 887-6198 chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald L. SCHLICHER embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, 2407 Engomi, Nicosia mailing address: P. O. Box 24536, 1385 Nicosia telephone: [357] (22) 393939 FAX: [357] (22) 780944 white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities note: the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" flag has a horizontal red stripe at the top and bottom between which is a red crescent and red star on a white field The Republic of Cyprus has a market economy dominated by the service sector, which accounts for 76% of GDP. Tourism and financial services are the most important sectors; erratic growth rates over the past decade reflect the economy's reliance on tourism, which often fluctuates with political instability in the region and economic conditions in Western Europe. Nevertheless, the economy grew a healthy 3.7% per year in 2004 and 2005, well above the EU average. Cyprus joined the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM2) in May 2005. The government has initiated an aggressive austerity program, which has cut the budget deficit to below 3% but continued fiscal discipline is necessary if Cyprus is to meet its goal of adopting the euro on 1 January 2008. As in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots, water shortages are a perennial problem; a few desalination plants are now on line. After 10 years of drought, the country received substantial rainfall from 2001-03 alleviating immediate concerns. The Turkish Cypriot economy has roughly one-third of the per capita GDP of the south, and economic growth tends to be volatile, given north Cyprus's relative isolation, bloated public sector, reliance on the Turkish lira, and small market size. The Turkish Cypriot economy grew 15.4% in 2004, fueled by growth in the construction and education sectors, as well as increased employment of Turkish Cypriots in the Republic of Cyprus. The Turkish Cypriots are heavily dependent on transfers from the Turkish Government. Under the 2003-06 economic protocol, Ankara plans to provide around $550 million to the "TRNC." Agriculture and services, together, employ more than half of the work force. Republic of Cyprus: $16.78 billion; north Cyprus: $4.54 billion (2005 est.) Republic of Cyprus: $15.4 billion (2005 est.) Republic of Cyprus: 3.8%; north Cyprus: 10.6% (2005 est.) Republic of Cyprus: $21,500 (2005 est.); north Cyprus: $7,135 (2004 est.) Republic of Cyprus: agriculture 3.7%; industry 19.8%; services 76.5% (2005 est.) north Cyprus: agriculture 10.6%; industry 20.5%; services 68.9% (2003 est.) Republic of Cyprus: 370,000, north Cyprus: 95,025 (2005 est.) Republic of Cyprus: agriculture 7.4%, industry 38.2%, services 54.4% (2004 est.) north Cyprus: agriculture 14.5%, industry 29%, services 56.5% (2004 est.) Republic of Cyprus: 4% (2005 est.); north Cyprus: 5.6% (2004 est.) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Republic of Cyprus: 2.6% (2005 est.); north Cyprus: 9.1% (2004 est.) Republic of Cyprus: 19.2% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: Republic of Cyprus - $6.698 billion (2005 est.) expenditures: Republic of Cyprus - $7.122 billion (2005 est.) revenues: north Cyprus - $231.3 million (2003 est.) expenditures: north Cyprus - $432.8 million (2003 est.) Republic of Cyprus: 70.3% of GDP (2005 est.) citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, vegetables; poultry, pork, lamb; dairy, cheese tourism, food and beverage processing, cement and gypsum production, ship repair and refurbishment, textiles, light chemicals, metal products, wood, paper, stone, and clay products Republic of Cyprus: 0.4% (2005 est.); north Cyprus: -0.3% (2002 est.) Republic of Cyprus: 3.801 billion kWh; north Cyprus: NA kWh (2003) Republic of Cyprus: 3.535 billion kWh (2004); north Cyprus: NA kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) Republic of Cyprus: 300 bbl/day (2005 est.) Republic of Cyprus: 52,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) Republic of Cyprus: $-962.3 million (2005 est.) Republic of Cyprus: $1.237 billion f.o.b.; north Cyprus: $69 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) Republic of Cyprus: citrus, potatoes, pharmaceuticals, cement, clothing and cigarettes; north Cyprus: citrus, potatoes, textiles France 17.7%, UK 17%, Greece 12.2%, Germany 5.7% (2005) Republic of Cyprus: $5.552 billion f.o.b.;; north Cyprus: $415.2 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) Republic of Cyprus: consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, intermediate goods, machinery, transport equipment; north Cyprus: vehicles, fuel, cigarettes, food, minerals, chemicals, machinery Greece 17.3%, Italy 10.3%, UK 9%, Germany 8.4%, Israel 7.1% (2005) Republic of Cyprus: $4.429 billion; north Cyprus $NA (2005 est.) Republic of Cyprus: $10.53 billion; north Cyprus: $NA (2005 est.) Republic of Cyprus - $NA; north Cyprus - $700 million from Turkey in grants and loans, which are usually forgiven (2003-06) Republic of Cyprus: Cypriot pound (CYP); Turkish Cypriot area: Turkish New lira (YTL) Cypriot pounds per US dollar - 0.4641 (2005), 0.4686 (2004), 0.5174 (2003), 0.6107 (2002), 0.6431 (2001), Turkish lira per US dollar - 1.36 (2005), 1.426 million (2004), 1.501 million (2003), 1.507 million (2002), 1.226 million (2001) calendar year Republic of Cyprus: 418,400 (2004); north Cyprus: 86,228 (2002) Republic of Cyprus: 640,500 (2004); north Cyprus: 143,178 (2002) general assessment: excellent in both Republic of Cyprus and north Cyprus areas domestic: open-wire, fiber-optic cable, and microwave radio relay international: country code - 357 (area administered by Turkish Cypriots uses the country code of Turkey - 90); tropospheric scatter; 3 coaxial and 5 fiber-optic submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 2 Eutelsat, 2 Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat Republic of Cyprus: AM 5, FM 76, shortwave 0 north Cyprus: AM 1, FM 20, shortwave 1 (2004) Republic of Cyprus: 8 north Cyprus: 2 (plus 4 relay) (2004) .cy 46,863 (2005) 298,000 (2005) 16 (2006) total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2006) 10 (2006) total: 14,496 km (Republic of Cyprus: 12,146 km; north Cyprus: 2,350 km) paved: Republic of Cyprus: 7,845 km (including 276 km of expressways); north Cyprus: 1,370 km unpaved: Republic of Cyprus: 4,301 km; north Cyprus: 980 km (2005/1996 est.) total: 884 ships (1000 GRT or over) 19,477,944 GRT/31,157,473 DWT by type: bulk carrier 354, cargo 210, chemical tanker 44, container 145, liquefied gas 8, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 23, petroleum tanker 64, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 9, vehicle carrier 5 foreign-owned: 777 (Belgium 1, Canada 2, China 11, Croatia 2, Cuba 2, Denmark 1, Estonia 6, Germany 214, Greece 337, Greenland 1, Hong Kong 1, India 5, Iran 2, Ireland 3, Israel 3, Italy 2, Japan 17, South Korea 1, Latvia 4, Netherlands 18, Norway 16, Philippines 1, Poland 20, Portugal 2, Russia 53, Singapore 1, Slovakia 1, Slovenia 4, Spain 7, Sweden 3, Switzerland 4, Syria 3, UAE 11, UK 6, Ukraine 4, US 7, unknown 1) registered in other countries: 87 (Bahamas 13, Belize 2, Cambodia 12, Georgia 1, Gibraltar 1, Greece 1, Isle of Man 1, Liberia 3, Malta 15, Marshall Islands 15, Norway 2, Panama 14, Portugal 1, Russia 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Sierra Leone 1, Turkey 2) (2006) Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Vasilikos Republic of Cyprus: Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG; includes air and naval elements); north Cyprus: Turkish Cypriot Security Force (GKK) 18 years of age (2004) Greek Cyriot National Guard (GCNG): males age 18-49: 184,352 females age 18-49: 175,567 (2005 est.) Greek Cyriot National Guard (GCNG): males age 18-49: 150,750 females age 18-49: 144,344 (2005 est.) Greek Cyriot National Guard (GCNG): males age 18-49: 6,578 females age 18-49: 6,200 (2005 est.) $384 million (FY02) 3.8% (FY02) hostilities in 1974 divided the island into two de facto autonomous entities, the internationally recognized Cypriot Government and a Turkish-Cypriot community (north Cyprus); the 1,000-strong UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has served in Cyprus since 1964 and maintains the buffer zone between north and south; March 2003 reunification talks failed, but Turkish-Cypriots later opened their borders to temporary visits by Greek Cypriots; on 24 April 2004, the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities voted in simultaneous and parallel referenda on whether to approve the UN-brokered Annan Plan that would have ended the 30-year division of the island by establishing a new "United Cyprus Republic," a majority of Greek Cypriots voted "no"; on 1 May 2004, Cyprus entered the European Union still divided, with the EU's body of legislation and standards (acquis communitaire) suspended in the north IDPs: 265,000 (both Turkish and Greek Cypriots; many displaced for over 30 years) (2005) Denmark Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. However, the country has opted out of certain elements of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), European defense cooperation, and issues concerning certain justice and home affairs. Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes two major islands (Sjaelland and Fyn) 56 00 N, 10 00 E Europe total: 43,094 sq km land: 42,394 sq km water: 700 sq km note: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of metropolitan Denmark (the Jutland Peninsula, and the major islands of Sjaelland and Fyn), but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts total: 68 km border countries: Germany 68 km 7,314 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers low and flat to gently rolling plains lowest point: Lammefjord -7 m highest point: Yding Skovhoej 173 m petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, chalk, stone, gravel and sand arable land: 52.59% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 47.22% (2005) 4,490 sq km (2003) flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g., parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant emissions; nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking and surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes and pesticides party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greater Copenhagen 5,450,661 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 18.7% (male 523,257/female 496,697) 15-64 years: 66.1% (male 1,815,240/female 1,787,406) 65 years and over: 15.2% (male 355,656/female 472,405) (2006 est.) total: 39.8 years male: 38.9 years female: 40.7 years (2006 est.) 0.33% (2006 est.) 11.13 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 10.36 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 2.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 4.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.54 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 77.79 years male: 75.49 years female: 80.22 years (2006 est.) 1.74 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.2% (2003 est.) 5,000 (2003 est.) less than 100 (2003 est.) noun: Dane(s) adjective: Danish Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, Muslim 2% Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority) note: English is the predominant second language definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Kingdom of Denmark conventional short form: Denmark local long form: Kongeriget Danmark local short form: Danmark constitutional monarchy name: Copenhagen geographic coordinates: 55 40 N, 12 35 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October metropolitan Denmark - 14 counties (amter, singular - amt) and 2 boroughs* (amtskommuner, singular - amtskommune); Arhus, Bornholm, Frederiksberg*, Frederiksborg, Fyn, Kobenhavn, Kobenhavn (Copenhagen)*, Nordjylland, Ribe, Ringkobing, Roskilde, Sonderjylland, Storstrom, Vejle, Vestsjalland, Viborg note: as a result of an extensive 2005 local government reform, with 2006 being a transition year, 275 municipalities will be merged to 99 by 1 January 2007, and the 14 counties will be reorganized into five regions first organized as a unified state in 10th century; in 1849 became a constitutional monarchy none designated; Constitution Day, 5 June (1849) is generally viewed as the National Day 5 June 1849 adoption of original constitution; a major overhaul of 5 June 1953 allowed for a unicameral legislature and a female chief of state civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born 26 May 1968) head of government: Prime Minister Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN (since 27 November 2001) cabinet: Council of State appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch unicameral People's Assembly or Folketinget (179 seats, including 2 from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 8 February 2005 (next to be held February 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 29%, Social Democrats 25.9%, Danish People's Party 13.2%, Conservative Party 10.3%, Social Liberal Party 9.2%, Socialist People's Party 6%, Unity List 3.4%; seats by party - Liberal Party 52, Social Democrats 47, Danish People's Party 24, Conservative Party 18, Social Liberal Party 17, Socialist People's Party 11, Unity List 6; note - does not include the 2 seats from Greenland and the 2 seats from the Faroe Islands Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch for life) Christian Democrats (was Christian People's Party) [Bodil KORNBEK]; Conservative Party (sometimes known as Conservative People's Party) [Bendt BENDTSEN]; Danish People's Party [Pia KJAERSGAARD]; Liberal Party [Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN]; Red-Green Unity List (bloc includes Left Socialist Party, Communist Party of Denmark, Socialist Workers' Party) [collective leadership]; Social Democratic Party [Helle THORNING-SCHMIDT]; Social Liberal Party (sometimes called the Radical Left) [Marianne JELVED, leader; Soren BALD, chairman]; Socialist People's Party [Villy SOEVNDAL] NA AfDB, Arctic Council, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC chief of mission: Ambassador Friis PETERSEN chancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4300 FAX: [1] (202) 328-1470 consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York chief of mission: Ambassador James P. CAIN embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen mailing address: PSC 73, APO AE 09716 telephone: [45] 33 41 71 00 FAX: [45] 35 43 02 23 red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side, and that design element of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden This thoroughly modern market economy features high-tech agriculture, up-to-date small-scale and corporate industry, extensive government welfare measures, comfortable living standards, a stable currency, and high dependence on foreign trade. Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy and enjoys a comfortable balance of payments surplus. Government objectives include streamlining the bureaucracy and further privatization of state assets. The government has been successful in meeting, and even exceeding, the economic convergence criteria for participating in the third phase (a common European currency) of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), but Denmark has decided not to join 12 other EU members in the euro. Nonetheless, the Danish krone remains pegged to the euro. Economic growth gained momentum in 2004 and the upturn accelerated through 2005. Because of high GDP per capita, welfare benefits, a low Gini index, and political stability, the Danish people enjoy living standards topped by no other nation. A major long-term issue will be the sharp decline in the ratio of workers to retirees. $188.1 billion (2005 est.) $243.4 billion (2005 est.) 3.4% (2005 est.) $34,600 (2005 est.) agriculture: 1.8% industry: 24.6% services: 73.5% (2005 est.) 2.9 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 3% industry: 21% services: 76% (2004 est.) 5.7% (2005 est.) NA% lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 24% (2000 est.) 23.2 (2002) 1.8% (2005 est.) 20.8% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $144 billion expenditures: $135 billion; including capital expenditures of $4.6 billion (2005 est.) 37% of GDP (2005 est.) barley, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets; pork, dairy products; fish iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, food processing, machinery and transportation equipment, textiles and clothing, electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products, shipbuilding and refurbishment, windmills, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment 1.6% (2005 est.) 43.32 billion kWh (2003) 31.68 billion kWh (2003) 15.6 billion kWh (2003) 7 billion kWh (2003) 376,900 bbl/day (2003) 188,300 bbl/day (2003 est.) 332,100 bbl/day (2001) 195,000 bbl/day (2001) 1.23 billion bbl (1 January 2002) 7.965 billion cu m (2003 est.) 5.173 billion cu m (2003 est.) 3.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 73.51 billion cu m (1 January 2002) $7.753 billion (2005 est.) $84.95 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, chemicals, furniture, ships, windmills Germany 17.6%, Sweden 13.2%, UK 8.8%, US 6.4%, France 5.5%, Netherlands 5.3%, Norway 5.1% (2005) $74.69 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, raw materials and semimanufactures for industry, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, consumer goods Germany 20.5%, Sweden 13.7%, Norway 7.1%, Netherlands 6.6%, UK 6%, China 4.7%, France 4.2%, Italy 4% (2005) $34.03 billion (2005 est.) $352.9 billion (30 June 2005) ODA, $2 billion (2004) Danish krone (DKK) Danish kroner per US dollar - 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003), 7.8947 (2002), 8.3228 (2001) calendar year 3,487,800 (2004) 5.168 million (2004) general assessment: excellent telephone and telegraph services domestic: buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form trunk network, 4 cellular mobile communications systems international: country code - 45; 18 submarine fiber-optic cables linking Denmark with Canada, Faroe Islands, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and UK; satellite earth stations - 6 Intelsat, 10 Eutelsat, 1 Orion, 1 Inmarsat (Blaavand-Atlantic-East); note - the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) share the Danish earth station and the Eik, Norway, station for worldwide Inmarsat access (1997) AM 2, FM 355, shortwave 0 (1998) 26 (plus 51 repeaters) (1998) .dk 2,110,002 (2005) 3,762,500 (2005) 92 (2006) total: 28 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 3 (2006) total: 64 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 61 (2006) condensate 12 km; gas 3,892 km; oil 455 km; oil/gas/water 2 km; unknown (oil/water) 64 km (2004) total: 2,673 km standard gauge: 2,673 km 1.435-m gauge (601 km electrified) (2005) total: 72,257 km paved: 72,257 km (including 1,032 km of expressways) (2005) 400 km (2001) total: 293 ships (1000 GRT or over) 7,986,735 GRT/9,936,431 DWT by type: bulk carrier 7, cargo 63, chemical tanker 48, container 86, liquefied gas 4, livestock carrier 2, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 40, petroleum tanker 23, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 8, specialized tanker 4 foreign-owned: 25 (Canada 1, Germany 13, Greece 5, Greenland 1, Norway 3, Sweden 1, UK 1) registered in other countries: 409 (Antigua and Barbuda 14, Bahamas 59, Belgium 4, Cayman Islands 5, Cyprus 1, Egypt 1, Estonia 2, France 1, French Southern and Antarctic Lands 2, Gibraltar 1, Hong Kong 6, Isle of Man 53, North Korea 1, Liberia 8, Lithuania 10, Malta 6, Marshall Islands 1, Mexico 2, Netherlands 9, Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 32, Panama 34, Portugal 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 14, Singapore 52, South Africa 1, Spain 1, Sweden 4, UK 46, US 24, Vanuatu 6, Venezuela 3, Vietnam 1) (2006) Aalborg, Aarhus, Asnaesvaerkets, Copenhagen, Elsinore, Ensted, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Frederikshavn, Graasten, Kalundborg, Odense, Roenne Defense Command: Army Operational Command, Admiral Danish Fleet, Tactical Air Command, Home Guard (Hjemmevaernet) (2005) 18 years of age for compulsory and volunteer military service; conscripts serve an initial training period that varies from four to 12 months according to specialization; reservists are assigned to mobilization units following completion of their conscript service; women eligible to volunteer for military service (2004) males age 18-49: 1,175,108 females age 18-49: 1,150,627 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 955,168 females age 18-49: 935,643 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 31,317 females age 18-49: 29,558 (2005 est.) $3,271.6 million (2003) 1.5% (2004) Djibouti The French Territory of the Afars and the Issas became Djibouti in 1977. Hassan Gouled APTIDON installed an authoritarian one-party state and proceeded to serve as president until 1999. Unrest among the Afars minority during the 1990s led to a civil war that ended in 2001 following the conclusion of a peace accord between Afar rebels and the Issa-dominated government. In 1999, Djibouti's first multi-party presidential elections resulted in the election of Ismail Omar GUELLEH; he was re-elected to a second and final term in 2005. Djibouti occupies a strategic geographic location at the mouth of the Red Sea and serves as an important transshipment location for goods entering and leaving the east African highlands. The present leadership favors close ties to France, which maintains a significant military presence in the country, but is also developing stronger ties with the US. Djibouti hosts the only US military base in sub-Saharan Africa and is a front-line state in the global war on terrorism. Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia 11 30 N, 43 00 E Africa total: 23,000 sq km land: 22,980 sq km water: 20 sq km slightly smaller than Massachusetts total: 516 km border countries: Eritrea 109 km, Ethiopia 349 km, Somalia 58 km 314 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm desert; torrid, dry coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains lowest point: Lac Assal -155 m highest point: Moussa Ali 2,028 m geothermal areas, gold, clay, granite, limestone, marble, salt, diatomite, gypsum, pumice, petroleum arable land: 0.04% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.96% (2005) 10 sq km (2003) earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods inadequate supplies of potable water; limited arable land; desertification; endangered species party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly wasteland; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in Africa 486,530 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 43.3% (male 105,760/female 105,068) 15-64 years: 53.3% (male 135,119/female 124,367) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 8,183/female 8,033) (2006 est.) total: 18.2 years male: 18.7 years female: 17.7 years (2006 est.) 2.02% (2006 est.) 39.53 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 19.31 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 102.44 deaths/1,000 live births male: 110.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 94.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 43.17 years male: 41.86 years female: 44.52 years (2006 est.) 5.31 children born/woman (2006 est.) 2.9% (2003 est.) 9,100 (2003 est.) 690 (2003 est.) degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria (2005) noun: Djiboutian(s) adjective: Djiboutian Somali 60%, Afar 35%, French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian 5% Muslim 94%, Christian 6% French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 67.9% male: 78% female: 58.4% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Djibouti conventional short form: Djibouti local long form: Republique de Djibouti/Jumhuriyat Jibuti local short form: Djibouti/Jibuti former: French Territory of the Afars and Issas, French Somaliland republic name: Djibouti geographic coordinates: 11 30 N, 43 15 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 5 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); 'Ali Sabih, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjoura 27 June 1977 (from France) Independence Day, 27 June (1977) multiparty constitution approved by referendum 4 September 1992 based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and Islamic law 18 years of age; universal adult chief of state: President Ismail Omar GUELLEH (since 8 May 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed Dileita DILEITA (since 4 March 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 April 2005 (next to be held by April 2011); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Ismail Omar GUELLEH reelected president; percent of vote - Ismail Omar GUELLEH 100% unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (65 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: last held 10 January 2003 (next to be held January 2008) election results: percent of vote - RPP 62.2%, FRUD 36.9%; seats - RPP 65, FRUD 0; note - RPP (the ruling party) dominated the election Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Democratic National Party or PND [ADEN Robleh Awaleh]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Abdillahi HAMARITEH]; Djibouti Development Party or PDD [Mohamed Daoud CHEHEM]; Front pour la Restauration de l'Unite Democratique or FRUD [Ali Mohamed DAOUD]; People's Progress Assembly or RPP [Ismail Omar GUELLEH] (governing party); Peoples Social Democratic Party or PPSD [Moumin Bahdon FARAH]; Republican Alliance for Democracy or ARD [Ahmed Dini AHMED]; Union for Democracy and Justice or UDJ Union for Presidential Majority UMP (coalition includes RPP, FRUD, PPSD and PND); Union for Democratic Changeover or UAD (opposition coalition includes ARD, MRDD, UDJ, and PDD) [Ahmed Dini AHMED] ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Roble OLHAYE Oudine chancery: Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 331-0270 FAX: [1] (202) 331-0302 chief of mission: Ambassador Marguerita RAGSDALE embassy: Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti mailing address: B. P. 185, Djibouti telephone: [253] 35 39 95 FAX: [253] 35 39 40 two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star in the center The economy is based on service activities connected with the country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in northeast Africa. Two-thirds of the inhabitants live in the capital city; the remainder are mostly nomadic herders. Scanty rainfall limits crop production to fruits and vegetables, and most food must be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. An unemployment rate of at least 50% continues to be a major problem. While inflation is not a concern, due to the fixed tie of the Djiboutian franc to the US dollar, the artificially high value of the Djiboutian franc adversely affects Djibouti's balance of payments. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% over the last seven years because of recession, civil war, and a high population growth rate (including immigrants and refugees). Faced with a multitude of economic difficulties, the government has fallen in arrears on long-term external debt and has been struggling to meet the stipulations of foreign aid donors. $619 million (2002 est.) NA 3.5% (2002 est.) $1,300 (2002 est.) agriculture: 3.5% industry: 15.8% services: 80.7% (2001 est.) 282,000 (2000) agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% 50% (2004 est.) 50% (2001 est.) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 2% (2002 est.) revenues: $135 million expenditures: $182 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.) fruits, vegetables; goats, sheep, camels, animal hides construction, agricultural processing, salt 3% (1996 est.) 240 million kWh (2003) 223.2 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003) 12,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $250 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) reexports, hides and skins, coffee (in transit) Somalia 55.3%, Yemen 19.6%, Ethiopia 17.9% (2005) $987 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products Saudi Arabia 23.4%, India 12.4%, China 10.9%, Ethiopia 5.2%, France 4.9%, US 4.7%, Japan 4.5%, Indonesia 4.1% (2005) $366 million (2002 est.) $36 million (2001) Djiboutian franc (DJF) Djiboutian francs per US dollar - 177.72 (2005), 177.72 (2004), 177.72 (2003), 177.72 (2002), 177.72 (2001) calendar year 11,100 (2004) 34,500 (2004) general assessment: telephone facilities in the city of Djibouti are adequate, as are the microwave radio relay connections to outlying areas of the country domestic: microwave radio relay network international: country code - 253; submarine cable to Jiddah, Suez, Sicily, Marseille, Colombo, and Singapore; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; Medarabtel regional microwave radio relay telephone network AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001) 1 (2002) .dj 506 (2005) 9,000 (2005) 13 (2006) total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006) total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 3 (2006) total: 100 km (Djibouti segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway) narrow gauge: 100 km 1.000-m gauge note: railway under joint control of Djibouti and Ethiopia (2005) total: 2,890 km paved: 364 km unpaved: 2,526 km (1999) total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 1,369 GRT/3,030 DWT by type: cargo 1 (2006) Djibouti Djibouti National Army (includes Navy and Air Force) 18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001) males age 18-49: 95,328 females age 18-49: 87,795 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 46,020 females age 18-49: 42,181 (2005 est.) $29.05 million (2005 est.) 4.3% (2005 est.) Djibouti maintains economic ties and border accords with "Somaliland" leadership while maintaining some political ties to various factions in Somalia; thousands of Somali refugees await repatriation in UNHCR camps in Djibouti Dominica Dominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonized by Europeans due chiefly to the fierce resistance of the native Caribs. France ceded possession to Great Britain in 1763, which made the island a colony in 1805. In 1980, two years after independence, Dominica's fortunes improved when a corrupt and tyrannical administration was replaced by that of Mary Eugenia CHARLES, the first female prime minister in the Caribbean, who remained in office for 15 years. Some 3,000 Carib Indians still living on Dominica are the only pre-Columbian population remaining in the eastern Caribbean. Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago 15 25 N, 61 20 W Central America and the Caribbean total: 754 sq km land: 754 sq km water: 0 sq km slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 148 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall rugged mountains of volcanic origin lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Morne Diablatins 1,447 m timber, hydropower, arable land arable land: 6.67% permanent crops: 21.33% other: 72% (2005) NA flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be expected during the late summer months NA party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its spectacular, lush, and varied flora and fauna, which are protected by an extensive natural park system; the most mountainous of the Lesser Antilles, its volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters and include Boiling Lake, the second-largest, thermally active lake in the world 68,910 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 26.1% (male 9,084/female 8,885) 15-64 years: 66% (male 23,419/female 22,079) 65 years and over: 7.9% (male 2,186/female 3,257) (2006 est.) total: 30.1 years male: 29.8 years female: 30.4 years (2006 est.) -0.08% (2006 est.) 15.27 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 6.73 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -9.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 13.71 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 74.87 years male: 71.95 years female: 77.93 years (2006 est.) 1.94 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican black, mixed black and European, European, Syrian, Carib Amerindian Roman Catholic 77%, Protestant 15% (Methodist 5%, Pentecostal 3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Baptist 2%, other 2%), other 6%, none 2% English (official), French patois definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 94% male: 94% female: 94% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Commonwealth of Dominica conventional short form: Dominica parliamentary democracy name: Roseau geographic coordinates: 15 18 N, 61 24 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter 3 November 1978 (from UK) Independence Day, 3 November (1978) 3 November 1978 based on English common law 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Nicholas J. O. LIVERPOOL (since October 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Roosevelt SKERRIT (since 8 January 2004); note - assumed post after death of Prime Minister Pierre CHARLES cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by the House of Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 1 October 2003 (next to be held October 2008); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Nicholas LIVERPOOL elected president; percent of legislative vote - NA% unicameral House of Assembly (30 seats, 9 appointed senators, 21 elected by popular vote; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 5 May 2005 (next to be held by 5 August 2010); note - tradition dictates that the election will be held within five years of the last election, but technically it is five years from the first seating of parliament (12 May 2005) plus a 90-day grace period election results: percent of vote by party - DLP 52.07%, UWP 43.6%, DFP 3.15%; seats by party - DLP 12, UWP 8, independent 1 Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the Court of Appeal and the High Court (located in Saint Lucia; one of the six judges must reside in Dominica and preside over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction) Dominica Freedom Party or DFP [Charles SAVARIN]; Dominica Labor Party or DLP [Roosevelt SKERRIT]; Dominica United Workers Party or UWP [Earl WILLIAMS] Dominica Liberation Movement or DLM (a small leftist party) ACCT, ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Judith Anne ROLLE, Third Secretary chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6781 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6791 consulate(s) general: New York the US does not have an embassy in Dominica; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Dominica green, with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white and the horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 green, five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes) The Dominican economy depends on agriculture, primarily bananas, and remains highly vulnerable to climatic conditions and international economic developments. Production of bananas dropped precipitously in 2003, a major reason for the 1% decline in GDP. Tourism increased in 2003 as the government sought to promote Dominica as an "ecotourism" destination. Development of the tourism industry remains difficult, however, because of the rugged coastline, lack of beaches, and the absence of an international airport. The government began a comprehensive restructuring of the economy in 2003 - including elimination of price controls, privatization of the state banana company, and tax increases - to address Dominica's economic crisis and to meet IMF targets. In order to diversify the island's production base, the government is attempting to develop an offshore financial sector and is planning to construct an oil refinery on the eastern part of the island. $384 million (2003 est.) NA -1% (2003 est.) $5,500 (2003 est.) agriculture: 18% industry: 24% services: 58% (2002 est.) 25,000 (1999 est.) agriculture: 40% industry: 32% services: 28% 23% (2000 est.) 30% (2002 est.) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 1% (2001 est.) revenues: $73.9 million expenditures: $84.4 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2001) bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts, cocoa; forest and fishery potential not exploited soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes -10% (1997 est.) 69.98 million kWh (2003) 65.09 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003) 800 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $74 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges UK 26.1%, Jamaica 9.7%, South Korea 8.6%, Antigua and Barbuda 8.5%, Guyana 7.2%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.6% (2005) $234 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food, chemicals US 25%, China 20.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 12.2%, South Korea 7%, Japan 4.6%, UK 4.3% (2005) $161.5 million (2001) $22.8 million (2003 est.) East Caribbean dollar (XCD) East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003), 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001) 1 July - 30 June 21,000 (2004) 41,800 (2004) general assessment: NA domestic: fully automatic network international: country code - 1-767; microwave radio relay and SHF radiotelephone links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; VHF and UHF radiotelephone links to Saint Lucia AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 0 (2004) 1 (2004) .dm 446 (2005) 18,500 (2005) 2 (2006) total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2006) total: 780 km paved: 393 km unpaved: 387 km (1999) total: 48 ships (1000 GRT or over) 634,668 GRT/1,100,558 DWT by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 24, chemical tanker 4, container 2, petroleum tanker 6, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 45 (Estonia 11, Germany 1, Greece 5, Latvia 1, Norway 1, NZ 4, Russia 2, Saudi Arabia 3, Singapore 9, Syria 1, Turkey 3, UAE 2, Ukraine 2) (2006) Portsmouth, Roseau no regular military forces; Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (includes coast guard) males age 18-49: 18,227 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 15,136 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 602 (2005 est.) NA NA Dominica is the only Caribbean state to challenge Venezuela's sovereignty claim over Aves Island and joins the other island nations in challenging whether the feature sustains human habitation, a criterion under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which permits Venezuela to extend its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf claims over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea Dominican Republic Explored and claimed by Christopher COLUMBUS on his first voyage in 1492, the island of Hispaniola became a springboard for Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland. In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, which in 1804 became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821, but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. In 1861, the Dominicans voluntarily returned to the Spanish Empire, but two years later they launched a war that restored independence in 1865. A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative rule followed, capped by the dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas TRUJILLO from 1930-1961. Juan BOSCH was elected president in 1962, but was deposed in a military coup in 1963. In 1965, the United States led an intervention in the midst of a civil war sparked by an uprising to restore BOSCH. In 1966, Joaquin BALAGUER defeated BOSCH in an election to become president. BALAGUER maintained a tight grip on power for most of the next 30 years when international reaction to flawed elections forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then, regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition candidates have won the presidency. Former President (1996-2000) Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna won election to a second term in 2004 following a constitutional amendment allowing presidents to serve more than one term. Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti 19 00 N, 70 40 W Central America and the Caribbean total: 48,730 sq km land: 48,380 sq km water: 350 sq km slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire total: 360 km border countries: Haiti 360 km 1,288 km territorial sea: 6 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m highest point: Pico Duarte 3,175 m nickel, bauxite, gold, silver arable land: 22.49% permanent crops: 10.26% other: 67.25% (2005) 2,750 sq km (2003) lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs; deforestation party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti 9,183,984 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 32.6% (male 1,531,145/female 1,464,076) 15-64 years: 61.9% (male 2,902,098/female 2,782,608) 65 years and over: 5.5% (male 235,016/female 269,041) (2006 est.) total: 24.1 years male: 24 years female: 24.3 years (2006 est.) 1.47% (2006 est.) 23.22 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 5.73 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -2.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 28.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 30.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 71.73 years male: 70.21 years female: 73.33 years (2006 est.) 2.83 children born/woman (2006 est.) 1.7% (2003 est.) 88,000 (2003 est.) 7,900 (2003 est.) noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican mixed 73%, white 16%, black 11% Roman Catholic 95% Spanish definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 84.7% male: 84.6% female: 84.8% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Dominican Republic conventional short form: The Dominican local long form: Republica Dominicana local short form: La Dominicana representative democracy name: Santo Domingo geographic coordinates: 18 28 N, 69 54 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 31 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 district* (distrito); Azua, Baoruco, Barahona, Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*, Duarte, El Seibo, Elias Pina, Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samana, San Cristobal, San Jose de Ocoa, San Juan, San Pedro de Macoris, Sanchez Ramirez, Santiago, Santiago Rodriguez, Santo Domingo, Valverde 27 February 1844 (from Haiti) Independence Day, 27 February (1844) 28 November 1966; amended 25 July 2002 based on French civil codes; Criminal Procedures Code modified in 2004 to include important elements of an accusatory system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age, universal and compulsory; married persons regardless of age note: members of the armed forces and national police cannot vote chief of state: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16 August 2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro (since 16 August 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16 August 2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro (since 16 August 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 16 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2008) election results: Leonel FERNANDEZ elected president; percent of vote - Leonel FERNANDEZ (PLD) 57.1%, Rafael Hipolito MEJIA Dominguez (PRD) 33.7%, Eduardo ESTRELLA (PRSC) 8.7% bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (32 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Diputados (150 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 16 May 2002 (next to be held in May 2006); House of Representatives - last held 16 May 2002 (next to be held in May 2006) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRD 29, PLD 2, PRSC 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRD 73, PLD 41, PRSC 36 Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the National Judicial Council comprised of the president, the leaders of both chambers of congress, the president of the Supreme Court, and an additional non-governing party congressional representative) Dominican Liberation Party or PLD [Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna]; Dominican Revolutionary Party or PRD [Ramon ALBURQUERQUE]; National Progressive Front [Vincent CASTILLO, Pelegrin CASTILLO]; Social Christian Reformist Party or PRSC [Enrique ATUN] Citizen Participation Group (Participacion Ciudadania); Collective of Popular Organizations or COP; Foundation for Institution-Building and Justice (FINJUS) ACP, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Flavio Dario ESPINAL Jacobo chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-6280 FAX: [1] (202) 265-8057 consulate(s) general: Anchorage, Boston, Chicago, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico) chief of mission: Ambassador Hans H. HERTELL embassy: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo Domingo mailing address: Unit 5500, APO AA 34041-5500 telephone: [1] (809) 221-2171 FAX: [1] (809) 686-7437 a centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms featuring a shield supported by an olive branch (left) and a palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross; above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD (God, Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean representative democracy that enjoyed strong GDP growth until 2003. Although the country has long been viewed primarily as an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, in recent years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer due to growth in tourism and free trade zones. Growth turned negative in 2003 with reduced tourism, a major bank fraud, and limited growth in the US economy (the source of about 80% of export revenues), but recovered in 2004 and 2005. With the help of strict fiscal targets agreed in the 2004 renegotiation of an IMF standby loan, President FERNANDEZ has stabilized the country's financial situation. Although the economy continues to grow at a respectable rate, unemployment remains an important challenge. The country suffers from marked income inequality; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GNP, while the richest 10% enjoys nearly 40% of national income. The Dominican Republic's development prospects improved with the ratification of the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) in September 2005. $63.73 billion (2005 est.) $18.15 billion (2005 est.) 9.3% (2005 est.) $7,000 (2005 est.) agriculture: 11.2% industry: 30.6% services: 58.2% (2003) 2.3 million-2.6 million (2000 est.) agriculture: 17% industry: 24.3% services: 58.7% (1998 est.) 17% (2005 est.) 25% lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 37.9% (1998) 47.4 (1998) 4.2% (2005 est.) 24.1% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $5.322 billion expenditures: $5.485 billion; including capital expenditures of $1.1 billion (2005) 45.5% of GDP (2005 est.) sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, beef, eggs tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco 2% (2001 est.) 12.6 billion kWh (2003) 11.71 billion kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003) 128,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day 129,900 bbl/day (2003) 0 cu m (2003 est.) 300 million cu m (2003 est.) NA cu m -$143 million (2005 est.) $5.818 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) ferronickel, sugar, gold, silver, coffee, cocoa, tobacco, meats, consumer goods US 79.9%, Netherlands 2.4%, Canada 1.8% (2005) $9.747 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals US 51%, Colombia 5.4%, Mexico 5.3% (2005) $1.853 billion (2005 est.) $7.687 billion (2005 est.) $571.6 million (2004) Dominican peso (DOP) Dominican pesos per US dollar - 30.409 (2005), 42.12 (2004), 30.831 (2003), 18.61 (2002), 16.952 (2001) calendar year 894,500 (2005) 2,534,100 (2004) general assessment: NA domestic: relatively efficient system based on island-wide microwave radio relay network international: country code - 1-809; 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) AM 120, FM 56, shortwave 4 (1998) 25 (2003) .do 81,598 (2005) 800,000 (2005) 33 (2006) total: 14 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 10 (2006) total: 517 km standard gauge: 375 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 142 km 0.762-m gauge note: additional 1,226 km operated by sugar companies in 1.076 m, 0.889 m, and 0.762-m gauges (2005) total: 12,600 km paved: 6,224 km unpaved: 6,376 km (1999) total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 1,587 GRT/1,165 DWT by type: cargo 1 (2006) Boca Chica, Puerto Plata, Rio Haina, Santo Domingo Army, Navy, Air Force 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001) males age 18-49: 2,133,142 females age 18-49: 2,032,840 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 1,671,493 females age 18-49: 1,536,257 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 91,699 females age 18-49: 87,550 (2005 est.) $0 (2002 est.) 0% (2002 est.) increasing numbers of illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage each year to Puerto Rico to find work Dhekelia By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers - Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The larger of these is the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the Eastern Sovereign Base Area. on the southeast coast of Cyprus near Famagusta 34 59 N, 33 45 E Middle East total: 130.8 sq km note: area surrounds three Cypriot enclaves about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC total: NA; note - boundary with Cyprus is being resurveyed 27.5 km temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters netting and trapping of small migrant songbirds in the spring and autumn British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus no indigenous personnel note: approximately 2,200 military personnel are on the base; there are another 5,000 British citizens who are families of military personnel or civilian staff on both the bases of Akrotiri and Dhekelia; Cyprus citizens work on the base, but do not live there English, Greek conventional long form: Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area conventional short form: Dhekelia overseas territory of UK; administered by an administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus name: Episkopi Cantonment; located in Akrotiri geographic coordinates: 34 40 N, 32 51 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Administrator Maj. Gen. Peter Thomas Clayton PEARSON (since 9 May 2003); note - reports to the British Ministry of Defence elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the administrator is appointed by the monarch none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of the UK) the flag of the UK is used Economic activity is limited to providing services to the military and their families located in Dhekelia. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. none FM 1 (located in Akrotiri) note: British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1 and Radio 2 service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia (2006) British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia (2006) Ecuador What is now Ecuador formed part of the northern Inca Empire until the Spanish conquest in 1533. Quito became a seat of Spanish colonial government in 1563 and part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada in 1717. The territories of the Viceroyalty - New Granada (Colombia), Venezuela, and Quito - gained their independence by 1819 and formed a federation known as Gran Colombia. When Quito withdrew in 1830, the traditional name was changed in favor of the "Republic of the Equator." Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. Although Ecuador marked 25 years of civilian governance in 2004, the period has been marred by political instability. Seven presidents have governed Ecuador since 1996. Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru 2 00 S, 77 30 W South America total: 283,560 sq km land: 276,840 sq km water: 6,720 sq km note: includes Galapagos Islands slightly smaller than Nevada total: 2,010 km border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km 2,237 km territorial sea: 200 nm continental shelf: 100 nm from 2,500 meter isobath tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente) lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 4.81% other: 89.48% (2005) 8,650 sq km (2003) frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; floods; periodic droughts deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastes in ecologically sensitive areas of the Amazon Basin and Galapagos Islands party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world 13,547,510 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 33% (male 2,281,499/female 2,195,551) 15-64 years: 61.9% (male 4,178,653/female 4,210,766) 65 years and over: 5% (male 319,719/female 361,322) (2006 est.) total: 23.6 years male: 23.1 years female: 24 years (2006 est.) 1.5% (2006 est.) 22.29 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 4.23 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -3.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 22.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 27.42 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 76.42 years male: 73.55 years female: 79.43 years (2006 est.) 2.68 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.3% (2003 est.) 21,000 (2003 est.) 1,700 (2003 est.) noun: Ecuadorian(s) adjective: Ecuadorian mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish and others 7%, black 3% Roman Catholic 95%, other 5% Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.5% male: 94% female: 91% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador conventional short form: Ecuador local long form: Republica del Ecuador local short form: Ecuador republic name: Quito geographic coordinates: 0 13 S, 78 30 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) 22 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe 24 May 1822 (from Spain) Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809) 10 August 1998 based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate persons ages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters chief of state: President Alfredo PALACIO (since 20 April 2005); Vice President Nicanor Alejandro SERRANO Aguilar (since 5 May 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; former President Lucio GUTIERREZ was removed from office by congress effective 20 April 2005 head of government: President Alfredo PALACIO (since 20 April 2005); Vice President Nicanor Alejandro SERRANO Aguilar (since 5 May 2005) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: the president and vice president are elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a four-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 20 October 2002; runoff election held 24 November 2002 (next to be held October 2006) election results: results of the 24 November 2002 runoff election - Lucio GUTIERREZ elected president; percent of vote - Lucio GUTIERREZ 54.3%; Alvaro NOBOA 45.7%; note - Vice President Alfredo PALACIO assumed the presidency on 20 April 2005 after congress removed Lucio GUTIERREZ from office unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (100 seats; members are popularly elected by province to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 October 2002 (next to be held October 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PSC 25, ID 16, PRE 15, PRIAN 10, PSP 9, Pachakutik Movement 6, MPD 5, DP 4, PS-FA 3, independents 7; note - defections by members of National Congress are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (according to the Constitution, new justices are elected by the full Supreme Court; in December 2004, however, Congress successfully replaced the entire court via a simple-majority resolution) Concentration of Popular Forces or CFP [Averroes BUCARAM]; Democratic Left or ID [Guillermo LANDAZURI]; National Action Institutional Renewal Party or PRIAN [Alvaro NOBOA]; Pachakutik Movement [Gilberto TALAHUA]; Patriotic Society Party or PSP [Lucio GUTIERREZ Borbua]; Popular Democracy or DP [Dr. Juan Manuel FUERTES]; Popular Democratic Movement or MPD [Gustavo TERAN Acosta]; Radical Alfarista Front or FRA [Fabian ALARCON, director]; Roldosist Party or PRE [Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz, director]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Leon FEBRES CORDERO]; Socialist Party - Broad Front or PS-FA [Victor GRANDA] Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or CONAIE [Luis MACAS, president]; Coordinator of Social Movements or CMS [F. Napoleon SANTOS]; Federation of Indigenous Evangelists of Ecuador or FEINE [Marco MURILLO, president]; National Federation of Indigenous Afro-Ecuatorianos and Peasants or FENOCIN [Pedro DE LA CRUZ, president] CAN, CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Luis Benigno GALLEGOS Chiriboga chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200 FAX: [1] (202) 667-3482 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Jersey City (New Jersey), Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, Washington, DC chief of mission: Ambassador Linda J. JEWELL embassy: Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria, Quito mailing address: APO AA 34039 telephone: [593] (2) 256-2890 FAX: [593] (2) 250-2052 consulate(s) general: Guayaquil three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms Ecuador has substantial petroleum resources, which have accounted for 40% of the country's export earnings and one-third of central government budget revenues in recent years. Consequently, fluctuations in world market prices can have a substantial domestic impact. In the late 1990s, Ecuador suffered its worst economic crisis, with natural disasters and sharp declines in world petroleum prices driving Ecuador's economy into free fall in 1999. Real GDP contracted by more than 6%, with poverty worsening significantly. The banking system also collapsed, and Ecuador defaulted on its external debt later that year. The currency depreciated by some 70% in 1999, and, on the brink of hyperinflation, the MAHAUD government announced it would dollarize the economy. A coup, however, ousted MAHAUD from office in January 2000, and after a short-lived junta failed to garner military support, Vice President Gustavo NOBOA took over the presidency. In March 2000, Congress approved a series of structural reforms that also provided the framework for the adoption of the US dollar as legal tender. Dollarization stabilized the economy, and growth returned to its pre-crisis levels in the years that followed. Under the administration of Lucio GUTIERREZ - January 2003 to April 2005 - Ecuador benefited from higher world petroleum prices. However, the government under Alfredo PALACIO has reversed economic reforms that reduced Ecuador's vulnerability to petroleum price swings and financial crises, allowing the central government greater access to oil windfalls and disbursing surplus retirement funds. $56.9 billion (2005 est.) $30.7 billion (2005 est.) 3.9% (2005 est.) $4,300 (2005 est.) agriculture: 7% industry: 31.2% services: 61.8% (2005 est.) 4.6 million (urban) (2005 est.) agriculture: 8% industry: 24% services: 68% (2001) 10.7% official rate; but underemployment of 47% (2005 est.) 41% (2006) lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 32% note: data for urban households only (October 2003) 42 note: data are for urban households (2003) 2.1% (2005 est.) 22.4% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $8.822 billion expenditures: planned $8.153 billion; including capital expenditures of $1.6 billion (2005 est.) 40.1% of GDP (2005 est.) bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals 2.1% (2005 est.) 11.27 billion kWh (2003) 10.55 billion kWh (2003) 65 million kWh (2003) 140 million kWh (2003) 493,200 bbl/day (2005 est.) 155,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) 387,000 bbl/day (2004 est.) NA bbl/day 4.512 billion bbl (2005 est.) 50 million cu m (2003 est.) 50 million cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 9.769 billion cu m (2005) -$566 million (2005 est.) $9.224 billion (2005 est.) petroleum, bananas, cut flowers, shrimp US 52.7%, Peru 8.3%, Germany 4.5% (2005) $8.436 billion (2005 est.) vehicles, medicinal products, telecommunications equipment, electricity US 22.4%, Colombia 13%, Venezuela 7.9%, Brazil 6%, China 5.3% (2005) $2.148 billion (2005 est.) $18.09 billion (2005 est.) $216 million (2002) US dollar (USD) 25,000 (2005), 25,000 (2004), 25,000 (2003), 25,000 (2002), 25,000 (2001) calendar year 1,701,500 (2005) 3,544,200 (2004) general assessment: generally elementary but being expanded domestic: facilities generally inadequate and unreliable international: country code - 593; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) AM 392, FM 35, shortwave 29 (2001) 7 (plus 14 repeaters) (2001) .ec 16,217 (2005) 624,600 (2005) 359 (2006) total: 98 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 29 under 914 m: 43 (2006) total: 261 914 to 1,523 m: 33 under 914 m: 228 (2006) 1 (2006) extra heavy crude 578 km; gas 71 km; oil 1,386 km; refined products 1,185 km (2004) total: 966 km narrow gauge: 966 km 1.067-m gauge (2005) total: 43,197 km paved: 7,287 km unpaved: 35,910 km (2003) 1,500 km (most inaccessible) (2005) total: 31 ships (1000 GRT or over) 184,819 GRT/300,339 DWT by type: chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger 7, petroleum tanker 21, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 2 (Norway 1, Paraguay 1) registered in other countries: 1 (Georgia 1) (2006) Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, La Libertad, Manta, Puerto Bolivar Army, Navy (includes naval infantry, naval aviation, coast guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana, FAE) 20 years of age for conscript military service; 12-month service obligation (2004) males age 20-49: 2,792,770 females age 20-49: 2,849,519 (2005 est.) males age 20-49: 2,338,428 females age 20-49: 2,380,327 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 133,922 females age 20-49: 129,758 (2005 est.) $650 million (2005 est.) 2% (2005 est.) organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia penetrate across Ecuador's shared border and caused over 20,000 refugees to flee into Ecuador in 2004 refugees (country of origin): 8,270 (Colombia) (2005) European Union The evolution of the European Union (EU) from a regional economic agreement among six neighboring states in 1951 to today's supranational organization of 25 countries across the European continent stands as an unprecedented phenomenon in the annals of history. Dynastic unions for territorial consolidation were long the norm in Europe. On a few occasions even country-level unions were arranged - the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Austro-Hungarian Empire were examples - but for such a large number of nation-states to cede some of their sovereignty to an overarching entity is truly unique. Although the EU is not a federation in the strict sense, it is far more than a free-trade association such as ASEAN, NAFTA, or Mercosur, and it has many of the attributes associated with independent nations: its own flag, anthem, founding date, and currency, as well as an incipient common foreign and security policy in its dealings with other nations. In the future, many of these nation-like characteristics are likely to be expanded. Thus, inclusion of basic intelligence on the EU has been deemed appropriate as a new, separate entity in The World Factbook. However, because of the EU's special status, this description is placed after the regular country entries. Following the two devastating World Wars of the first half of the 20th century, a number of European leaders in the late 1940s became convinced that the only way to establish a lasting peace was to unite the two chief belligerent nations - France and Germany - both economically and politically. In 1950, the French Foreign Minister Robert SCHUMAN proposed an eventual union of all Europe, the first step of which would be the integration of the coal and steel industries of Western Europe. The following year the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was set up when six members, Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, signed the Treaty of Paris. The ECSC was so successful that within a few years the decision was made to integrate other parts of the countries' economies. In 1957, the Treaties of Rome created the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), and the six member states undertook to eliminate trade barriers among themselves by forming a common market. In 1967, the institutions of all three communities were formally merged into the European Community (EC), creating a single Commission, a single Council of Ministers, and the European Parliament. Members of the European Parliament were initially selected by national parliaments, but in 1979 the first direct elections were undertaken and they have been held every five years since. In 1973, the first enlargement of the EC took place with the addition of Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The 1980s saw further membership expansion with Greece joining in 1981 and Spain and Portugal in 1986. The 1992 Treaty of Maastricht laid the basis for further forms of cooperation in foreign and defense policy, in judicial and internal affairs, and in the creation of an economic and monetary union - including a common currency. This further integration created the European Union (EU). In 1995, Austria, Finland, and Sweden joined the EU, raising the membership total to 15. A new currency, the euro, was launched in world money markets on 1 January 1999; it became the unit of exchange for all of the EU states except the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Denmark. In 2002, citizens of the 12 euro-area countries began using the euro banknotes and coins. Ten new countries joined the EU in 2004 - Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia - bringing the current membership to 25. In order to ensure that the EU can continue to function efficiently with an expanded membership, the 2003 Treaty of Nice set forth rules streamlining the size and procedures of EU institutions. An EU Constitutional Treaty, signed in Rome on 29 October 2004, gave member states two years to ratify the document before it was scheduled to take effect on 1 November 2006. Referenda held in France and the Netherlands in May-June 2005 rejected the proposed constitution. This development suspended the ratification effort and left the longer-term political integration of the EU in limbo. Europe between Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, southeastern Europe, and the North Atlantic Ocean Europe total: 3,976,372 sq km less than one-half the size of the US total: 11,214.8 km border countries: Albania 282 km, Andorra 120.3 km, Belarus 1,050 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Croatia 999 km, Holy See 3.2 km, Liechtenstein 34.9 km, Macedonia 246 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Norway 2,348 km, Romania 443 km, Russia 2,257 km, San Marino 39 km, Serbia 151 km, Switzerland 1,811 km, Turkey 206 km, Ukraine 726 km note: data for European Continent only 65,413.9 km NA cold temperate; potentially subarctic in the north to temperate; mild wet winters; hot dry summers in the south fairly flat along the Baltic and Atlantic coast; mountainous in the central and southern areas lowest point: Lammefjord, Denmark -7 m; Zuidplaspolder, Netherlands -7 m highest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m; note - situated on the border between France and Italy iron ore, arable land, natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, lead, zinc, hydropower, uranium, potash, fish arable land: NA permanent crops: NA other: NA 131,250 sq km (2003) flooding along coasts; avalanches in mountainous area; earthquakes in the south; volcanic eruptions in Italy; periodic droughts in Spain; ice floes in the Baltic NA party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 82, Tropical Timber 94 signed but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds 456,953,258 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 16.03% (male 37,608,010/female 35,632,351) 15-64 years: 67.17% (male 154,439,536/female 152,479,619) 65 years and over: 16.81% (male 31,515,921/female 45,277,821) (2006 est.) NA 0.15% (2006 est.) 10 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 10.1 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: NA under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and older: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female total: 5.1 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.6 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 78.3 years male: 75.1 years female: 81.6 years (2006 est.) 1.47 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish; note - only official languages are listed; Irish (Gaelic) will become the 21st language on 1 January 2007 conventional long form: European Union abbreviation: EU a hybrid intergovernmental and supranational organization name: Brussels (Belgium) geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 20 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: the Council of the European Union meets in Brussels, the European Parliament meets in Strasbourg, France, and the Court of Justice of the European Communities meets in Luxembourg 25 countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK; note - Canary Islands (Spain), Azores and Madeira (Portugal), French Guyana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion (France) are sometimes listed separately even though they are legally a part of Spain, Portugal, and France; candidate countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Romania, Turkey 7 February 1992 (Maastricht Treaty signed establishing the EU); 1 November 1993 (Maastricht Treaty entered into force) Europe Day 9 May (1950); note - a Union-wide holiday, the day that Robert SCHUMAN proposed the creation of an organized Europe based on a series of treaties: the Treaty of Paris, which set up the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1951; the Treaties of Rome, which set up the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) in 1957; the Single European Act in 1986; the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht) in 1992; the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1997; and the Treaty of Nice in 2001; note - a new draft Constitutional Treaty, signed on 29 October 2004 in Rome, gave member states two years for ratification either by parliamentary vote or national referendum before it was scheduled to take effect on 1 November 2006; defeat in French and Dutch referenda in May-June 2005 caused a suspension of the ratification process 18 years of age; universal chief of union: President of the European Commission Jose Manuel DURAO BARROSO (since 22 November 2004) cabinet: European Commission (composed of 25 members, one from each member country; each commissioner responsible for one or more policy areas) elections: the president of the European Commission is designated by member governments; the president-designate then chooses the other Commission members; the European Parliament confirms the entire Commission for a five-year term; election last held 18 November 2004 (next to be held 2009) election results: European Parliament approved the European Commission by an approval vote of 449 to 149 with 82 abstentions note: the European Council brings together heads of state and government and the president of the European Commission and meets at least twice a year; its aim is to provide the impetus for the major political issues relating to European integration and to issue general policy guidelines Council of the European Union (25 member-state ministers having 321 votes; the number of votes is roughly proportional to member-states' population); note - the Council is the main decision-making body of the EU; European Parliament (732 seats; seats allocated among member states by proportion to population); members elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year term elections: last held 10-13 June 2004 (next to be held June 2009) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats by party - EPP-ED 268, PES 202, ALDE 88, Greens/EFA 42, EUL/NGL 41, IND/DEM 36, UEN 27, independents 28 Court of Justice of the European Communities (ensures that the treaties are interpreted and applied correctly) - 25 justices (one from each member state) appointed for a six-year term; note - for the sake of efficiency, the court can sit with 11 justices known as the "Grand Chamber"; Court of First Instance - 25 justices appointed for a six-year term Confederal Group of the European United Left-Nordic Green Left or EUL/NGL [Francis WURTZ]; European People's Party-European Democrats or EPP-ED [Hans-Gert POETTERING]; Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe or ALDE [Graham R. WATSON]; Group of Greens/European Free Alliance or Greens/EFA [Monica FRASSONI and Daniel Marc COHN-BENDIT]; Independence/Democracy Group or IND/DEM [Jens-Peter BONDE and Nigel FARAGE]; Socialist Group in the European Parliament or PES [Martin SCHULZ]; Union for Europe of the Nations Group or UEN [Brian CROWLEY and Cristiana MUSCARDINI] European Union: ASEAN (dialogue member), ARF (dialogue member), EBRD, FAO, IDA, OAS (observer), OECD, UN (observer), WTO European Commission: Australian Group, CBSS, CERN, G-10, NSG (observer) European Central Bank: BIS European Investment Bank: EBRD, WADB (nonregional member) chief of mission: Ambassador John BRUTON chancery: 2300 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 862-9500 FAX: [1] (202) 429-1766 chief of mission: Ambassador C. Boyden GRAY embassy: 13 Zinnerstraat/Rue Zinner, B-1000 Brussels mailing address: same as above telephone: [32] (2) 508-2222 FAX: [32] (2) 512-5720 on a blue field, 12 five-pointed gold stars arranged in a circle, representing the union of the peoples of Europe; the number of stars is fixed Domestically, the European Union attempts to lower trade barriers, adopt a common currency, and move toward convergence of living standards. Internationally, the EU aims to bolster Europe's trade position and its political and economic power. Because of the great differences in per capita income (from $15,000 to $56,000) and historic national animosities, the European Community faces difficulties in devising and enforcing common policies. For example, since 2003 Germany and France have flouted the member states' treaty obligation to prevent their national budgets from running more than a 3% deficit. In 2004, the EU admitted 10 central and eastern European countries that are, in general, less advanced technologically and economically than the other 15. Twelve EU member states introduced the euro as their common currency on 1 January 1999, but the UK, Sweden, and Denmark do not participate. The 10 new member states may choose to adopt the euro when they meet the EU's fiscal and monetary criteria and the other euro states so agree. $12.18 trillion (2005 est.) $13.31 trillion (2005 est.) 1.7% (2005 est.) $28,100 (2005 est.) agriculture: 2.2% industry: 27.3% services: 70.5% (2004 est.) 218.5 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 4.4% industry: 27.2% services: 67.2% note: the remainder is in miscellaneous public and private sector industries and services (2005 est.) 9.4% (2005 est.) see individual country listings lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 25.5% (1995 est.) 32 (2003 est.) 2.2% (2005 est.) 19.6% of GDP (2005 est.) wheat, barley, oilseeds, sugar beets, wine, grapes; dairy products, cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry; fish among the world's largest and most technologically advanced, the European Union industrial base includes: ferrous and non-ferrous metal production and processing, metal products, petroleum, coal, cement, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, rail transportation equipment, passenger and commercial vehicles, construction equipment, industrial equipment, shipbuilding, electrical power equipment, machine tools and automated manufacturing systems, electronics and telecommunications equipment, fishing, food and beverage processing, furniture, paper, textiles, tourism 1.3% (2005 est.) 2.925 trillion kWh (2002 est.) 2.711 trillion kWh (2002 est.) 282.6 billion kWh (2002) 281.2 billion kWh (2002 est.) 3.424 million bbl/day (2001) 14.59 million bbl/day (2001) 5.322 million bbl/day (2001) 15.69 million bbl/day (2001) 7.294 billion bbl (1 January 2002) 239.2 billion cu m (2001) 465.6 billion cu m (2001) 78.1 billion cu m (2001) 297.8 billion cu m (2001) 3.256 trillion cu m (1 January 2002) $NA $1.318 trillion; note - external exports, excluding intra-EU trade (2004) machinery, motor vehicles, aircraft, plastics, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, fuels, iron and steel, nonferrous metals, wood pulp and paper products, textiles, meat, dairy products, fish, alcoholic beverages. US 24.2%, Switzerland 7.7%, China 5%, Russia 4.7% (2004) $1.402 trillion; note - external imports, excluding intra-EU trade (2004) machinery, vehicles, aircraft, plastics, crude oil, chemicals, textiles, metals, foodstuffs, clothing US 15.3%, China 12.4%, Russia 7.8%, Japan 7.2% (2004) $NA euro, British pound, Cypriot pound, Czech koruna, Danish krone, Estonian kroon, Hungarian forint, Latvian lat, Lithuanian litas, Maltese lira, Polish zloty, Slovak koruna, Slovenian tolar, Swedish krona euros per US dollar - 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001) NA 238,763,162 (2002) 314,644,700 (2002) note - see individual country entries of member states AM 866, FM 13,396, shortwave 73 (1998); note - sum of individual country radio broadcast stations; there is also a European-wide station (Euroradio) 2,791 (1995); note - does not include repeaters; sum of individual country television broadcast stations; there is also a European-wide station (Eurovision) .eu (effective 2005); note - see country entries of member states for individual country codes 22,000,414 (2004); note - sum of individual country Internet hosts 230,097,055 (2005) 3,115 (2006) 1,863 (2006) 1,252 (2006) 93 (2006) total: 222,293 km broad gauge: 28,438 km standard gauge: 186,405 km narrow gauge: 7,427 km other: 23 km (2003) total: 4,634,810 km (including 56,704 km of expressways) paved: 4,161,318 km unpaved: 473,492 km (1999-2000) 53,512 km Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Bremen (Germany), Copenhagen (Denmark), Gdansk (Poland), Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands, Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille (France), Naples (Italy), Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Riga (Latvia), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Stockholm (Sweden), Talinn (Estonia) In November 2004, the European Union heads of government signed a "Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe" that offers possibilities - with some limits - for increased defense and security cooperation. If ratified, in a process that may take some two years, this treaty will in effect make operational the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) approved in the 2000 Nice Treaty. Despite limits of cooperation for some EU members, development of a European military planning unit is likely to continue. So is creation of a rapid-reaction military force and a humanitarian aid system, which the planning unit will support. France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Italy continue to press for wider coordination. The five-nation Eurocorps - created in 1992 by France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, and Luxembourg - has already deployed troops and police on peacekeeping missions to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo and assumed command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan in August 2004. Eurocorps directly commands the 5,000-man Franco-German Brigade, the Multinational Command Support Brigade, and EUFOR, which took over from SFOR in Bosnia in December 2004. Other troop contributions are under national command - commitments to provide 67,100 troops were made at the Helsinki EU session in 2000. Some 56,000 EU troops were actually deployed in 2003. In August 2004, the new European Defense Agency, tasked with promoting cooperative European defense capabilities, began operations. In November 2004, the EU Council of Ministers formally committed to creating thirteen 1,500-man "battle groups" by the end of 2007, to respond to international crises on a rotating basis. Twenty-two of the EU's 25 nations have agreed to supply troops. France, Italy, and the UK are to form the first three battle groups in 2005, with Spain to follow. In May 2005, Norway, Sweden, and Finland agreed to establish one of the battle groups, possibly to include Estonian forces. The remaining groups are to be formed by 2007. (2005) Egypt The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C., and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the Mamluks took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517. Following the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, Egypt became an important world transportation hub, but also fell heavily into debt. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882, but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Partially independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty following World War II. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have altered the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to ready the economy for the new millennium through economic reform and massive investment in communications and physical infrastructure. Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula 27 00 N, 30 00 E Africa total: 1,001,450 sq km land: 995,450 sq km water: 6,000 sq km slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico total: 2,665 km border countries: Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 266 km, Libya 1,115 km, Sudan 1,273 km 2,450 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta lowest point: Qattara Depression -133 m highest point: Mount Catherine 2,629 m petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc arable land: 2.92% permanent crops: 0.5% other: 96.58% (2005) 34,220 sq km (2003) periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash floods, landslides; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms, sandstorms agricultural land being lost to urbanization and windblown sands; increasing soil salination below Aswan High Dam; desertification; oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, and marine habitats; other water pollution from agricultural pesticides, raw sewage, and industrial effluents; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Nile, which is the only perennial water source; rapid growth in population overstraining the Nile and natural resources party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics; dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues; prone to influxes of refugees 78,887,007 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 32.6% (male 13,172,641/female 12,548,346) 15-64 years: 62.9% (male 25,102,754/female 24,519,698) 65 years and over: 4.5% (male 1,510,280/female 2,033,288) (2006 est.) total: 24 years male: 23.6 years female: 24.3 years (2006 est.) 1.75% (2006 est.) 22.94 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 5.23 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 31.33 deaths/1,000 live births male: 32.04 deaths/1,000 live births female: 30.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 71.29 years male: 68.77 years female: 73.93 years (2006 est.) 2.83 children born/woman (2006 est.) less than 0.1% (2001 est.) 12,000 (2001 est.) 700 (2003 est.) noun: Egyptian(s) adjective: Egyptian Egyptian 98%, Berber, Nubian, Bedouin, and Beja 1%, Greek, Armenian, other European (primarily Italian and French) 1% Muslim (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9%, other Christian 1% Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 57.7% male: 68.3% female: 46.9% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egypt conventional short form: Egypt local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah local short form: Misr former: United Arab Republic (with Syria) republic name: Cairo geographic coordinates: 30 03 N, 31 15 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Friday in April; ends last Thursday in September 26 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Isma'iliyah, Al Jizah, Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid, As Suways, Ash Sharqiyah, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id, Dumyat, Janub Sina', Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina', Suhaj 28 February 1922 (from UK) Revolution Day, 23 July (1952) 11 September 1971; amended 22 May 1980 based on English common law, Islamic law, and Napoleonic codes; judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal and compulsory chief of state: President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (since 14 October 1981) head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed NAZIF (since 9 July 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term (no term limits); note - a national referendum in May 2005 approved a constitutional amendment that changed the presidential election to a multicandidate popular vote; previously the president was nominated by the People's Assembly and the nomination was validated by a national, popular referendum; last referendum held 26 September 1999; first election under terms of constitutional amendment held 7 September 2005; next election scheduled for 2011 election results: Hosni MUBARAK reelected president; percent of vote - Hosni MUBARAK 88.6%, Ayman NOUR 7.6%, Noman GOMAA 2.9% bicameral system consists of the People's Assembly or Majlis al-Sha'b (454 seats; 444 elected by popular vote, 10 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) and the Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura - which functions only in a consultative role (264 seats; 176 elected by popular vote, 88 appointed by the president; members serve six-year terms; mid-term elections for half the members) elections: People's Assembly - three-phase voting - last held 7 and 20 November, 1 December 2005;(next to be held November-December 2010); Advisory Council - last held May-June 2004 (next to be held May-June 2007) election results: People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDP 311, NWP 6, Tagammu 2, Tomorrow Party 1, independents 112 (12 seats to be determined by rerun elections, 10 seats appointed by President); Advisory Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA Supreme Constitutional Court National Democratic Party or NDP [Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (governing party)]; National Progressive Unionist Grouping or Tagammu [Rifaat EL-SAID]; New Wafd Party or NWP [No'man GOMAA]; Tomorrow Party [Ayman NOUR] note: formation of political parties must be approved by the government despite a constitutional ban against religious-based parties, the technically illegal Muslim Brotherhood constitutes Hosni MUBARAK's potentially most significant political opposition; MUBARAK tolerated limited political activity by the Brotherhood for his first two terms, but moved more aggressively since then to block its influence; civic society groups are sanctioned, but constrained in practical terms; trade unions and professional associations are officially sanctioned ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, BSEC (observer), CAEU, COMESA, EBRD, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, ONUB, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Nabil FAHMY chancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 895-5400 FAX: [1] (202) 244-4319 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco chief of mission: Ambassador designate Francis J. RICCIARDONE, Jr. embassy: 8 Kamal El Din Salah St., Garden City, Cairo mailing address: Unit 64900, Box 15, APO AE 09839-4900 telephone: [20] (2) 797-3300 FAX: [20] (2) 797-3200 three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the national emblem (a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist side with a shield superimposed on its chest above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; design is based on the Arab Liberation flag and similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars, Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band, and Yemen, which has a plain white band Occupying the northeast corner of the African continent, Egypt is bisected by the highly fertile Nile valley, where most economic activity takes place. In the last 30 years, the government has reformed the highly centralized economy it inherited from President NASSER. In 2005, Prime Minister Ahmed NAZIF reduced personal and corporate tax rates, reduced energy subsidies, and privatized several enterprises. The stock market boomed, and GDP grew nearly 5%. Despite these achievements, the government has failed to raise living standards for the average Egyptian, and has had to continue providing subsidies for basic necessities. The subsidies have contributed to a growing budget deficit - more than 8% of GDP in 2005 - and represent a significant drain on the economy. Foreign direct investment remains low. To achieve higher GDP growth the NAZIF government will need to continue its aggressive pursuit of reform, especially in the energy sector. Egypt's export sectors - particularly natural gas - have bright prospects. $303.5 billion (2005 est.) $92.6 billion (2005 est.) 4.9% (2005 est.) $3,900 (2005 est.) agriculture: 14.9% industry: 35.7% services: 49.3% (2005 est.) 21.34 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 32% industry: 17% services: 51% (2001 est.) 9.5% (2005 est.) 20% (2005 est.) lowest 10%: 4.4% highest 10%: 25% (1995) 34.4 (2001) 4.9% (2005 est.) 17.2% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $20.29 billion expenditures: $27.68 billion; including capital expenditures of $2.7 billion (2005 est.) 104.7% of GDP (2005 est.) cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals, light manufactures 5% (2005 est.) 84.26 billion kWh (2003) 78.16 billion kWh (2003) 450 million kWh (2003) 250 million kWh (2003) 700,000 bbl/day (2005 est.) 566,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 2.7 billion bbl (2005 est.) 27 billion cu m (2003 est.) 27 billion cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 1.9 trillion cu m (2005) $2.207 billion (2005 est.) $14.33 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) crude oil and petroleum products, cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals US 13.6%, Italy 9.6%, Spain 7.8%, Syria 5.8%, Germany 5%, France 5%, UK 4.2% (2005) $24.1 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, wood products, fuels US 10.7%, Germany 7.1%, China 6.5%, France 6.4%, Italy 5.8%, Saudi Arabia 4.8% (2005) $21.39 billion (2005 est.) $35.26 billion (2005 est.) ODA, $1.12 billion (2002) Egyptian pound (EGP) Egyptian pounds per US dollar - 5.78 (2005), 6.1962 (2004), 5.8509 (2003), 4.4997 (2002), 3.973 (2001) 1 July - 30 June 10,396,100 (2005) 14,045,134 (2005) general assessment: large system; underwent extensive upgrading during 1990s and is reasonably modern; Internet access and cellular service are available domestic: principal centers at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah, Ismailia, Suez, and Tanta are connected by coaxial cable and microwave radio relay international: country code - 20; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat; 5 coaxial submarine cables; tropospheric scatter to Sudan; microwave radio relay to Israel; a participant in Medarabtel AM 42 (plus 15 repeaters), FM 14, shortwave 3 (1999) 98 (September 1995) .eg 1,702 (2005) 5 million (2005) 88 (2006) total: 72 over 3,047 m: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 38 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 under 914 m: 5 (2006) total: 16 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 7 (2006) 3 (2006) condensate 289 km; condensate/gas 94 km; gas 6,115 km; liquid petroleum gas 852 km; oil 5,032 km; oil/gas/water 36 km; refined products 246 km (2004) total: 5,063 km standard gauge: 5,063 km 1.435-m gauge (62 km electrified) (2005) total: 64,000 km paved: 49,984 km unpaved: 14,016 km (1999) 3,500 km note: includes Nile River, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in delta; Suez Canal (193.5 km including approaches) navigable by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 17.68 m (2005) total: 76 ships (1000 GRT or over) 987,524 GRT/1,467,139 DWT by type: bulk carrier 14, cargo 33, container 2, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 13, roll on/roll off 9 foreign-owned: 9 (Denmark 1, Greece 6, Lebanon 2) registered in other countries: 49 (Bolivia 2, Cambodia 8, Georgia 8, Honduras 4, North Korea 2, Panama 16, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Sao Tome and Principe 1, Saudi Arabia 2, Sierra Leone 1, Thailand 1, unknown 1) (2006) Alexandria, Damietta, El Dekheila, Port Said, Suez, Zeit Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command 18 years of age for conscript military service; three-year service obligation (2001) males age 18-49: 18,347,560 females age 18-49: 17,683,904 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 15,540,234 females age 18-49: 14,939,378 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 802,920 females age 18-49: 764,176 (2005 est.) $2.44 billion (2003) 3.4% (2004) Egypt and Sudan retain claims to administer the two triangular areas that extend north and south of the 1899 Treaty boundary along the 22nd Parallel, but have withdrawn their military presence; Egypt is developing the Hala'ib Triangle north of the Treaty line; since the attack on Taba and other Egyptian resort towns on the Red Sea in October 2004, Egypt vigilantly monitors the Sinai and borders with Israel and the Gaza Strip; Egypt does not extend domestic asylum to some 70,000 persons who identify themselves as Palestinians but who largely lack UNRWA assistance and, until recently, UNHCR recognition as refugees refugees (country of origin): 70,245 (Palestinian Territories) 14,904 (Sudan) (2005) Ireland Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the UK. In 1948 Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland, known as the Good Friday Agreement and approved in 1998, is being implemented with some difficulties. Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain 53 00 N, 8 00 W Europe total: 70,280 sq km land: 68,890 sq km water: 1,390 sq km slightly larger than West Virginia total: 360 km border countries: UK 360 km 1,448 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite arable land: 16.82% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 83.15% (2005) NA NA water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Marine Life Conservation strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 100 km of Dublin 4,062,235 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 20.9% (male 437,903/female 409,774) 15-64 years: 67.6% (male 1,373,771/female 1,370,452) 65 years and over: 11.6% (male 207,859/female 262,476) (2006 est.) total: 34 years male: 33.2 years female: 34.8 years (2006 est.) 1.15% (2006 est.) 14.45 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 7.82 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 4.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 5.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 77.73 years male: 75.11 years female: 80.52 years (2006 est.) 1.86 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.1% (2001 est.) 2,800 (2001 est.) less than 100 (2003 est.) noun: Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural) adjective: Irish Celtic, English Roman Catholic 88.4%, Church of Ireland 3%, other Christian 1.6%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2%, none 3.5% (2002 census) English (official) is the language generally used, Irish (official) (Gaelic or Gaeilge) spoken mainly in areas located along the western seaboard definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) conventional long form: none conventional short form: Ireland local long form: none local short form: Eire republic, parliamentary democracy name: Dublin geographic coordinates: 53 20 N, 6 15 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 26 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow note: Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan are part of Ulster Province 6 December 1921 (from UK by treaty) Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March adopted 1 July 1937 by plebiscite; effective 29 December 1937 based on English common law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Mary MCALEESE (since 11 November 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Bertie AHERN (since 26 June 1997) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with previous nomination by the prime minister and approval of the House of Representatives elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 31 October 1997 (next scheduled for October 2011); note - Mary MCALEESE appointed to a second term when no other candidate qualified for the 2004 presidential election; prime minister (taoiseach) nominated by the House of Representatives and appointed by the president election results: Mary MCALEESE elected president; percent of vote - Mary MCALEESE 44.8%, Mary BANOTTI 29.6% note: government coalition - Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of the Senate or Seanad Eireann (60 seats - 49 elected by the universities and from candidates put forward by five vocational panels, 11 are nominated by the prime minister; members serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Dail Eireann (166 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 16 and 17 July 2002 (next to be held by July 2007); House of Representatives - last held 17 May 2002 (next to be held by May 2007) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Fianna Fail 30, Fine Gael 15, Labor Party 5, Progressive Democrats 4, independents and other 6; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Fianna Fail 41.5%, Fine Gael 22.5%, Labor Party 10.8%, Sinn Fein 6.5%, Progressive Democrats 4.0%, Green Party 3.8%, other 10.9%; seats by party - Fianna Fail 81, Fine Gael 31, Labor Party 21, Sinn Fein 5, Progressive Democrats 8, Green Party 6, other 14 Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister and cabinet) Fianna Fail [Bertie AHERN]; Fine Gael [Enda KENNY]; Green Party [Trevor SARGENT]; Labor Party [Pat RABITTE]; Progressive Democrats [Mary HARNEY]; Sinn Fein [Gerry ADAMS]; Socialist Party [Joe HIGGINS]; The Workers' Party [Sean GARLAND] NA Australia Group, BIS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC chief of mission: Ambassador Noel FAHEY chancery: 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3939 FAX: [1] (202) 232-5993 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco chief of mission: Ambassador James C. KENNY embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [353] (1) 668-8777 FAX: [353] (1) 668-9946 three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange; similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colors of green (hoist side), white, and red Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy with growth averaging a robust 7% in 1995-2004. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry and services. Industry accounts for 46% of GDP, about 80% of exports, and 29% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Ireland's growth, the economy has also benefited from a rise in consumer spending, construction, and business investment. Per capita GDP is 10% above that of the four big European economies and the second highest in the EU behind Luxembourg. Over the past decade, the Irish Government has implemented a series of national economic programs designed to curb price and wage inflation, reduce government spending, increase labor force skills, and promote foreign investment. Ireland joined in circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU nations. $164.6 billion (2005 est.) $188.4 billion (2005 est.) 4.7% (2005 est.) $41,000 (2005 est.) agriculture: 5% industry: 46% services: 49% (2002 est.) 2.03 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 8% industry: 29% services: 64% (2002 est.) 4.3% (2005 est.) 10% (1997 est.) lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 27.3% (1997) 35.9 (1996) 2.4% (2005 est.) 27% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $70.46 billion expenditures: $69.4 billion; including capital expenditures of $5.5 billion (2005 est.) 26.7% of GDP (2005 est.) turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat; beef, dairy products steel, lead, zinc, silver, aluminum, barite, and gypsum mining processing; food products, brewing, textiles, clothing; chemicals, pharmaceuticals; machinery, rail transportation equipment, passenger and commercial vehicles, ship construction and refurbishment; glass and crystal; software, tourism 3% (2005 est.) 23.41 billion kWh (2003) 22.97 billion kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 1.2 billion kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 175,600 bbl/day (2003 est.) 27,450 bbl/day (2001) 178,600 bbl/day (2001) 0 bbl (1 January 2002) 673 million cu m (2003 est.) 4.298 billion cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 3.384 billion cu m (2001 est.) 19.82 billion cu m (1 January 2002) -$3.833 billion (2005 est.) $102 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; live animals, animal products US 18.7%, UK 17.3%, Belgium 15.1%, Germany 7.3%, France 6.4%, Netherlands 4.8% (2005) $65.47 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing UK 36.8%, US 13.8%, Germany 9.1%, Netherlands 4.5% (2005) $869.3 million (2005 est.) $1.049 trillion (30 June 2005) ODA, $607 million (2004) euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries euros per US dollar - 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001) calendar year 2,019,100 (2004) 3.78 million (2004) general assessment: modern digital system using cable and microwave radio relay domestic: microwave radio relay international: country code - 353; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) AM 9, FM 106, shortwave 0 (1998) 4 (many low-power repeaters) (2001) .ie 238,706 (2005) 2.06 million (2005) 36 (2006) total: 15 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 6 (2006) total: 21 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 17 (2006) gas 1,795 km (2004) total: 3,312 km broad gauge: 1,947 km 1.600-m gauge (46 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,365 km 0.914-m gauge (operated by the Irish Peat Board to transport peat to power stations and briquetting plants) (2005) total: 95,736 km paved: 95,736 km (including 125 km of expressways) (2002) 753 km (pleasure craft only) (2005) total: 23 ships (1000 GRT or over) 103,589 GRT/145,044 DWT by type: cargo 19, chemical tanker 2, container 1, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 4 (Germany 2, US 2) registered in other countries: 21 (Bahamas 2, Bermuda 1, Cyprus 3, Gibraltar 1, Netherlands 10, Panama 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, UK 1) (2006) Cork, Dublin, New Ross, Shannon Foynes, Waterford Irish Defense Forces (Oglaigh na h-Eireann): Army (includes Naval Service and Air Corps) (2006) 17 years of age for voluntary military service; enlistees under the age of 17 can be recruited for specialist positions (2001) males age 17-49: 977,092 females age 17-49: 978,465 (2005 est.) males age 17-49: 814,768 females age 17-49: 813,981 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 29,327 females age 17-49: 28,139 (2005 est.) $700 million (FY00/01) 0.9% (FY00/01) Ireland, Iceland, and the UK dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule. This tiny country, composed of a mainland portion plus five inhabited islands, is one of the smallest on the African continent. President Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO has ruled the country since 1979 when he seized power in a coup. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991, the 1996 and 2002 presidential elections - as well as the 1999 and 2004 legislative elections - were widely seen as flawed. The president exerts almost total control over the political system and has discouraged political opposition. Equatorial Guinea has experienced rapid economic growth due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves, and in the last decade has become Sub-Saharan Africa's third largest oil exporter. Despite the country's economic windfall from oil production resulting in a massive increase in government revenue in recent years, there have been few improvements in the population's living standards. Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon 2 00 N, 10 00 E Africa total: 28,051 sq km land: 28,051 sq km water: 0 sq km slightly smaller than Maryland total: 539 km border countries: Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km 296 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm tropical; always hot, humid coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico Basile 3,008 m petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay arable land: 4.63% permanent crops: 3.57% other: 91.8% (2005) NA violent windstorms, flash floods tap water is not potable; deforestation party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements insular and continental regions widely separated 540,109 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 41.7% (male 113,083/female 111,989) 15-64 years: 54.5% (male 141,914/female 152,645) 65 years and over: 3.8% (male 8,886/female 11,592) (2006 est.) total: 18.8 years male: 18.2 years female: 19.4 years (2006 est.) 2.05% (2006 est.) 35.59 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 15.06 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 89.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 95.22 deaths/1,000 live births female: 83.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 49.54 years male: 48 years female: 51.13 years (2006 est.) 4.55 children born/woman (2006 est.) 3.4% (2001 est.) 5,900 (2001 est.) 370 (2001 est.) degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria (2005) noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s) adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean Bioko (primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos), Rio Muni (primarily Fang), Europeans less than 1,000, mostly Spanish nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices Spanish (official), French (official), pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 85.7% male: 93.3% female: 78.4% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guinea conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial/Republique de Guinee equatoriale local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial/Guinee equatoriale former: Spanish Guinea republic name: Malabo geographic coordinates: 3 45 N, 8 47 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas 12 October 1968 (from Spain) Independence Day, 12 October (1968) approved by national referendum 17 November 1991; amended January 1995 partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom 18 years of age; universal adult chief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup) head of government: Prime Minister Ricardo Mangue Obama NFUBEA (since 14 August 2006); First Deputy Prime Minister Mercelino Oyono NTUTUMU (since 15 June 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits); election last held 15 December 2002 (next to be held December 2009); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected president; percent of vote - Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO 97.1%, Celestino Bonifacio BACALE 2.2%; elections marred by widespread fraud unicameral House of People's Representatives or Camara de Representantes del Pueblo (100 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 25 April 2004 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDGE 98, CPDS 2 note: Parliament has little power since the constitution vests all executive authority in the president Supreme Tribunal Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS [Placido MIKO Abogo]; Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE [Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO] (ruling party); Party for Progress of Equatorial Guinea or PPGE [Severo MOTO]; Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE [Miguel Esono EMAN]; Popular Union or UP [Andres Moises Bda ADA]; Progressive Democratic Alliance or ADP [Victorino Bolekia BONAY]; Union of Independent Democrats of UDI [Daniel OYONO] NA ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WToO, WTO (observer) chief of mission: Ambassador Purificacion ANGUE ONDO chancery: 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 518-5700 FAX: [1] (202) 518-5252 chief of mission: the US ambassador to Cameroon is accredited to Equatorial Guinea embassy: adjacent to the golf course at the base of Mont Febe; note - relocated embassy is opened for limited functions; inquiries should continue to be directed to the US Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon mailing address: B.P. 817, Yaounde, Cameroon; US Embassy Yaounde, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520 telephone: [237] 220 15 00 FAX: [237] 220 16 20 three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice) The discovery and exploitation of large oil reserves have contributed to dramatic economic growth in recent years. Forestry, farming, and fishing are also major components of GDP. Subsistence farming predominates. Although pre-independence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the neglect of the rural economy under successive regimes has diminished potential for agriculture-led growth (the government has stated its intention to reinvest some oil revenue into agriculture). A number of aid programs sponsored by the World Bank and the IMF have been cut off since 1993, because of corruption and mismanagement. No longer eligible for concessional financing because of large oil revenues, the government has been trying to agree on a "shadow" fiscal management program with the World Bank and IMF. Businesses, for the most part, are owned by government officials and their family members. Undeveloped natural resources include titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold. Growth remained strong in 2005, led by oil. Equatorial Guinea now has the second highest per capita income in the world, after Luxembourg. $25.69 billion (2005 est.) $7.644 billion (2005 est.) 18.6% (2005 est.) $50,200 (2005 est.) agriculture: 3% industry: 90.6% services: 6.2% (2005 est.) NA 30% (1998 est.) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 5% (2005 est.) 39.9% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $1.973 billion expenditures: $711.5 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca), bananas, palm oil nuts; livestock; timber petroleum, fishing, sawmilling, natural gas 30% (2002 est.) 29.43 million kWh (2003) 27.37 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 420,000 bbl/day (2005 est.) 1,200 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 563.5 million bbl (1 January 2002) 1.27 billion cu m (2003 est.) 1.27 billion cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 36.81 billion cu m (1 January 2002) $264 million (2005 est.) $6.727 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) petroleum, methanol, timber, cocoa US 25.9%, China 23%, Spain 11.5%, Canada 7.7%, Taiwan 7.6%, Portugal 5.7%, Netherlands 5.3%, France 4.2% (2005) $1.864 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) petroleum sector equipment, other equipment US 24.6%, Italy 20.7%, France 12.1%, Spain 10.7%, Cote d'Ivoire 8.6%, UK 7% (2005) $2.103 billion (2005 est.) $353 million (2005 est.) $NA Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001) calendar year 10,000 (2005) 55,500 (2004) general assessment: poor system with adequate government services domestic: NA international: country code - 240; international communications from Bata and Malabo to African and European countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 5 (2002) 1 (2002) .gq 18 (2005) 5,000 (2005) 4 (2006) total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2006) condensate 37 km; gas 39 km; liquid natural gas 4 km; oil 24 km (2004) total: 2,880 km (1999) total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 1,745 GRT/3,434 DWT by type: cargo 1 (2006) Malabo Army, Navy, Air Force (2005) 18 years of age (est.) (2004) males age 18-49: 104,563 females age 18-49: 109,923 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 56,462 females age 18-49: 59,260 (2005 est.) $152.2 million (2005 est.) 2.1% (2005 est.) Estonia After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940, it regained its freedom in 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with Western Europe. It joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004. Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia 59 00 N, 26 00 E Europe total: 45,226 sq km land: 43,211 sq km water: 2,015 sq km note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined total: 681.6 km border countries: Latvia 343 km, Russia 338.6 km 3,794 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: limits fixed in coordination with neighboring states maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m oil shale, peat, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, sea mud arable land: 12.05% permanent crops: 0.35% other: 87.6% (2005) 40 sq km (2003) sometimes flooding occurs in the spring air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; however, the amount of pollutants emitted to the air have fallen steadily, the emissions of 2000 were 80% less than in 1980; the amount of unpurified wastewater discharged to water bodies in 2000 was one twentieth the level of 1980; in connection with the start-up of new water purification plants, the pollution load of wastewater decreased; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas need to be monitored; coastal seawater is polluted in certain locations party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore lie more than 1,500 islands 1,324,333 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 15.2% (male 103,367/female 97,587) 15-64 years: 67.6% (male 427,043/female 468,671) 65 years and over: 17.2% (male 75,347/female 152,318) (2006 est.) total: 39.3 years male: 35.8 years female: 42.6 years (2006 est.) -0.64% (2006 est.) 10.04 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 13.25 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -3.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female total population: 0.84 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 7.73 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.91 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 72.04 years male: 66.58 years female: 77.83 years (2006 est.) 1.4 children born/woman (2006 est.) 1.1% (2001 est.) 7,800 (2003 est.) less than 200 (2003 est.) noun: Estonian(s) adjective: Estonian Estonian 67.9%, Russian 25.6%, Ukrainian 2.1%, Belarusian 1.3%, Finn 0.9%, other 2.2% (2000 census) Evangelical Lutheran 13.6%, Orthodox 12.8%, other Christian (including Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal) 1.4%, unaffiliated 34.1%, other and unspecified 32%, none 6.1% (2000 census) Estonian (official) 67.3%, Russian 29.7%, other 2.3%, unknown 0.7% (2000 census) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.8% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Estonia conventional short form: Estonia local long form: Eesti Vabariik local short form: Eesti former: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic parliamentary republic name: Tallinn geographic coordinates: 59 25 N, 24 45 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 15 counties (maakonnad, singular - maakond): Harjumaa (Tallinn), Hiiumaa (Kardla), Ida-Virumaa (Johvi), Jarvamaa (Paide), Jogevamaa (Jogeva), Laanemaa (Haapsalu), Laane-Virumaa (Rakvere), Parnumaa (Parnu), Polvamaa (Polva), Raplamaa (Rapla), Saaremaa (Kuressaare), Tartumaa (Tartu), Valgamaa (Valga), Viljandimaa (Viljandi), Vorumaa (Voru) note: counties have the administrative center name following in parentheses 20 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 is the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia; 20 August 1991 is the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union adopted 28 June 1992 based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens chief of state: President Arnold RUUTEL (since 8 October 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Andrus ANSIP (since 12 April 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if a candidate does not secure two-thirds of the votes after three rounds of balloting in the Parliament, then an electoral assembly (made up of Parliament plus members of local governments) elects the president, choosing between the two candidates with the largest percentage of votes; election last held 23 September 2006 (next to be held in the fall of 2010); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament election results: Toomas Hendrik ILVES elected president on 23 September 2006 by a 345-member electoral assembly; ILVES received 174 votes to incumbent Arnold RUUTEL's 162; the remaining 9 ballots were either left blank or invalid; note - ILVES is to take office 9 October 2006 unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 2 March 2003 (next to be held March 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - Center Party of Estonia 25.4%, Res Publica 24.6%, Estonian Reform Party 17.7%, Estonian People's Union 13%, Pro Patria Union (Fatherland League) 7.3% People's Party Moodukad 7%; seats by party - Res Publica 26, Center Party 20, Reform Party 19, Estonian People's Union 13, Pro Patria Union 7, Social Democrats (formerly People's Party Moodukad) 6, non-affiliated (Social Liberals and independents) 10 National Court (chairman appointed by Parliament for life) Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) [Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman]; Estonian People's Union (Rahvaliit) [Villu REILJAN, chairman]; Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) [Andrus ANSIP]; Estonian United Russian People's Party or EUVRP [Yevgeniy TOMBERG, chairman]; Pro Patria Union (Isamaaliit) [Tonis LUKAS, chairman]; Res Publica [Taavi VESKIMAGI, chairman]; Social Democratic Party (formerly People's Party Moodukad or Moderates) [Ivari PADAR, chairman]; Social Liberals (group of eight parliamentarians, former Center Party members) [Peeter KREITZBERG] NA Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Juri LUIK chancery: 2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101 FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108 consulate(s) general: New York chief of mission: Ambassador Aldona Zofia WOS embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [372] 668-8100 FAX: [372] 668-8134 pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white Estonia, as a new member of the World Trade Organization and the European Union, has transitioned effectively to a modern market economy with strong ties to the West, including the pegging of its currency to the euro. The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and is greatly influenced by developments in Finland, Sweden, and Germany, three major trading partners. The current account deficit remains high; however, the state budget is essentially in balance, and public debt is low. $22.29 billion (2005 est.) $12.19 billion (2005 est.) 9.6% (2005 est.) $16,700 (2005 est.) agriculture: 4% industry: 29.4% services: 66.6% (2005 est.) 670,000 (2005 est.) agriculture: 11% industry: 20% services: 69% (1999 est.) 7.9% (2005 est.) NA% (2000) lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 29.8% (1998) 37.2 (2000) 4.1% (2005 est.) 29.1% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $5.126 billion expenditures: $5.017 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 4.8% of GDP (2005 est.) potatoes, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textile; information technology, telecommunications 9.7% (2005 est.) 9.017 billion kWh (2003) 7.024 billion kWh (2003) 1.562 billion kWh (2003) 200 million kWh (2003) 6,100 bbl/day (2003 est.) 25,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 1.41 billion cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 1.27 billion cu m (2001 est.) -$1.375 billion (2005 est.) $7.439 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment 33%, wood and paper 15%, textiles 14%, food products 8%, furniture 7%, metals, chemical products (2001) Finland 26.5%, Sweden 12.9%, Latvia 8.8%, Russia 6.5%, Germany 6.2%, Lithuania 4.8% (2005) $9.189 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment 33.5%, chemical products 11.6%, textiles 10.3%, foodstuffs 9.4%, transportation equipment 8.9% (2001) Finland 19.8%, Germany 13.8%, Russia 9.4%, Sweden 8.8%, Lithuania 6.1%, Latvia 4.7% (2005) $1.948 billion (2005 est.) $11.03 billion (2005 est.) $108 million (2000) Estonian kroon (EEK) krooni per US dollar - 12.584 (2005), 12.596 (2004), 13.856 (2003), 16.612 (2002), 17.478 (2001), note - the krooni is pegged to the euro calendar year 444,000 (2004) 1,255,700 (2004) general assessment: foreign investment in the form of joint business ventures greatly improved telephone service; substantial fiber-optic cable systems carry telephone, TV, and radio traffic in the digital mode; Internet services are available throughout most of the country domestic: a wide range of high quality voice, data, and Internet services is available throughout the country international: country code - 372; fiber-optic cables to Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet-switched service; two international switches are located in Tallinn (2001) AM 0, FM 98, shortwave 0 (2001) 3 (2001) .ee 50,440 (2005) 670,000 (2005) 24 (2006) total: 12 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2006) total: 12 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 5 (2006) 1 (2006) gas 859 km (2004) total: 958 km broad gauge: 958 km 1.520 m/1.524-m gauge (2005) total: 56,849 km paved: 13,303 km (including 99 km of expressways) unpaved: 45,546 km (2003) 500 km (2005) total: 35 ships (1000 GRT or over) 388,723 GRT/98,393 DWT by type: cargo 7, passenger/cargo 26, petroleum tanker 2 foreign-owned: 4 (Denmark 2, Norway 2) registered in other countries: 72 (Antigua and Barbuda 12, Bahamas 1, Belize 3, Cyprus 6, Dominica 11, Isle of Man 2, Liberia 1, Malta 4, Norway 1, Panama 3, Russia 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 25, Slovakia 1, Vanuatu 1) (2006) Kopli, Kuivastu, Muuga, Tallinn, Virtsu Estonian Defense Forces: Land Force, Navy, Air Force, Volunteer Defense League (Kaitseliit, KL) (2006) compulsory military service for men between 19 and 28; conscription lasts 11 months for junior NCOs and reserve platoon leaders; reserve officers and designated specialists have a different conscript service obligation; Estonia has committed to retaining conscription for men up to 2010 and, unlike Latvia and Lithuania, has no plan to transition to a contract armed forces; 17 years of age for volunteers; reserve commitment up to the age of 60 (2006) males age 18-49: 291,696 females age 18-49: 304,961 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 200,382 (in 2004, 51% of the young men called up for service were determined to be unfit; main obstacles to conscription were psychiatric and behavioral) females age 18-49: 250,351 (2005 est.) males: 11,146 females age 18-49: 10,605 (2005 est.) $155 million (2002 est.) 2% (2002 est.) in 2005, Russia refuses to sign the 1996 technical border agreement with Estonia when Estonia prepares a unilateral declaration referencing Soviet occupation and territorial losses; Russia demands better accommodation of Russian-speaking population in Estonia; Estonian citizen groups continue to press for realignment of the boundary based on the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty that would bring the now divided ethnic Setu people and parts of the Narva region within Estonia; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Estonia must implement the strict Schengen border rules Eritrea Eritrea was awarded to Ethiopia in 1952 as part of a federation. Ethiopia's annexation of Eritrea as a province 10 years later sparked a 30-year struggle for independence that ended in 1991 with Eritrean rebels defeating governmental forces; independence was overwhelmingly approved in a 1993 referendum. A two-and-a-half-year border war with Ethiopia that erupted in 1998 ended under UN auspices in December 2000. Eritrea currently hosts a UN peacekeeping operation that is monitoring a 25 km-wide Temporary Security Zone on the border with Ethiopia. An international commission, organized to resolve the border dispute, posted its findings in 2002 but final demarcation is on hold due to Ethiopian objections. Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti and Sudan 15 00 N, 39 00 E Africa total: 121,320 sq km land: 121,320 sq km water: 0 sq km slightly larger than Pennsylvania total: 1,626 km border countries: Djibouti 109 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Sudan 605 km 2,234 km (mainland on Red Sea 1,151 km, islands in Red Sea 1,083 km) territorial sea: 12 nm hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually, heaviest June to September); semiarid in western hills and lowlands dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending highlands, descending on the east to a coastal desert plain, on the northwest to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling plains lowest point: near Kulul within the Denakil depression -75 m highest point: Soira 3,018 m gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, possibly oil and natural gas, fish arable land: 4.78% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 95.19% (2005) 210 sq km (2003) frequent droughts; locust swarms deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; overgrazing; loss of infrastructure from civil warfare party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes; Eritrea retained the entire coastline of Ethiopia along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia on 24 May 1993 4,786,994 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 44% (male 1,059,458/female 1,046,955) 15-64 years: 52.5% (male 1,244,153/female 1,268,189) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 82,112/female 86,127) (2006 est.) total: 17.8 years male: 17.6 years female: 18 years (2006 est.) 2.47% (2006 est.) 34.33 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 9.6 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 46.3 deaths/1,000 live births male: 52.22 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 59.03 years male: 57.44 years female: 60.66 years (2006 est.) 5.08 children born/woman (2006 est.) 2.7% (2003 est.) 60,000 (2003 est.) 6,300 (2003 est.) degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria is a high risk in some locations (2005) noun: Eritrean(s) adjective: Eritrean Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea coast dwellers) 3%, other 3% Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant Afar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 58.6% male: 69.9% female: 47.6% (2003 est.) conventional long form: State of Eritrea conventional short form: Eritrea local long form: Hagere Ertra local short form: Ertra former: Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia transitional government note: following a successful referendum on independence for the Autonomous Region of Eritrea on 23-25 April 1993, a National Assembly, composed entirely of the People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ, was established as a transitional legislature; a Constitutional Commission was also established to draft a constitution; ISAIAS Afworki was elected president by the transitional legislature; the constitution, ratified in May 1997, did not enter into effect, pending parliamentary and presidential elections; parliamentary elections had been scheduled in December 2001, but were postponed indefinitely; currently the sole legal party is the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) name: Asmara (Asmera) geographic coordinates: 15 20 N, 38 53 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 6 regions (zobatat, singular - zoba); Anseba, Debub (Southern), Debubawi K'eyih Bahri (Southern Red Sea), Gash Barka, Ma'akel (Central), Semenawi Keyih Bahri (Northern Red Sea) 24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia) Independence Day, 24 May (1993) a transitional constitution, decreed on 19 May 1993, was replaced by a new constitution adopted on 23 May 1997, but not yet implemented primary basis is the Ethiopian legal code of 1957, with revisions; new civil, commercial, and penal codes have not yet been promulgated; also relies on customary and post-independence-enacted laws and, for civil cases involving Muslims, Sharia law 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government and is head of the State Council and National Assembly head of government: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government and is head of the State Council and National Assembly cabinet: State Council is the collective executive authority; members appointed by the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 June 1993 (next election date uncertain as the National Assembly did not hold a presidential election in December 2001 as anticipated) election results: ISAIAS Afworki elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - ISAIAS Afworki 95% unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; term limits not established) elections: in May 1997, following the adoption of the new constitution, 75 members of the PFDJ Central Committee (the old Central Committee of the EPLF), 60 members of the 527-member Constituent Assembly, that had been established in 1997 to discuss and ratify the new constitution, and 15 representatives of Eritreans living abroad were formed into a Transitional National Assembly to serve as the country's legislative body until countrywide elections to a National Assembly were held; although only 75 of 150 members of the Transitional National Assembly were elected, the constitution stipulates that once past the transition stage, all members of the National Assembly will be elected by secret ballot of all eligible voters; National Assembly elections scheduled for December 2001 were postponed indefinitely High Court - regional, subregional, and village courts; also have military and special courts People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ, the only party recognized by the government [ISAIAS Afworki]; note - a National Assembly committee drafted a law on political parties in January 2001, but the full National Assembly has not yet debated or voted on it Eritrean Islamic Jihad or EIJ (also including Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement or EIJM (also known as the Abu Sihel Movement)); Eritrean Islamic Salvation or EIS (also known as the Arafa Movement); Eritrean Liberation Front or ELF [ABDULLAH Muhammed]; Eritrean National Alliance or ENA (a coalition including EIJ, EIS, ELF, and a number of ELF factions) [HERUY Tedla Biru]; Eritrean Public Forum or EPF [ARADOM Iyob] ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer), IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO chief of mission: Ambassador GIRMA Asmerom chancery: 1708 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 319-1991 FAX: [1] (202) 319-1304 consulate(s) general: Oakland (California) chief of mission: Ambassador Scott H. DELISI embassy: Franklin D. Roosevelt Street, Asmara mailing address: P. O. Box 211, Asmara telephone: [291] (1) 120004 FAX: [291] (1) 127584 red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is centered on the hoist side of the red triangle Since independence from Ethiopia in 1993, Eritrea has faced the economic problems of a small, desperately poor country. Like the economies of many African nations, the economy is largely based on subsistence agriculture, with 80% of the population involved in farming and herding. The Ethiopian-Eritrea war in 1998-2000 severely hurt Eritrea's economy. GDP growth fell to zero in 1999 and to -12.1% in 2000. The May 2000 Ethiopian offensive into northern Eritrea caused some $600 million in property damage and loss, including losses of $225 million in livestock and 55,000 homes. The attack prevented planting of crops in Eritrea's most productive region, causing food production to drop by 62%. Even during the war, Eritrea developed its transportation infrastructure, asphalting new roads, improving its ports, and repairing war-damaged roads and bridges. Since the war ended, the government has maintained a firm grip on the economy, expanding the use of the military and party-owned businesses to complete Eritrea's development agenda. Erratic rainfall and the delayed demobilization of agriculturalists from the military kept cereal production well below normal, holding down growth in 2002-05. Eritrea's economic future depends upon its ability to master social problems such as illiteracy, unemployment, and low skills, as well as the willingness to open its economy to private enterprise so that the diaspora's money and expertise can foster economic growth. $4.471 billion (2005 est.) $1.244 billion (2005 est.) 2% (2005 est.) $1,000 (2005 est.) agriculture: 10.2% industry: 25.4% services: 64.3% (2005 est.) NA agriculture: 80% industry and services: 20% NA% 50% (2004 est.) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 15% (2005 est.) 25.1% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $248.8 million expenditures: $409.4 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) sorghum, lentils, vegetables, corn, cotton, tobacco, coffee, sisal; livestock, goats; fish food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles, salt, cement, commercial ship repair NA% 270.9 million kWh (2003) 251.9 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 4,600 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) -$291 million (2005 est.) $33.58 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) livestock, sorghum, textiles, food, small manufactures (2000) Italy 39.3%, US 14.9%, Belarus 7.3%, Germany 5.8%, UK 4.9% (2005) $676.5 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery, petroleum products, food, manufactured goods (2000) Germany 22.2%, Italy 20.3%, France 15.9%, US 12.8%, Ireland 8.2% (2005) $30 million (2005 est.) $311 million (2000 est.) $77 million (1999) nakfa (ERN) nakfa (ERN) per US dollar - 14.5 (2005), 13.788 (2004), 13.878 (2003), 13.958 (2002), 11.31 (2001) calendar year 37,700 (2005) 20,000 (2004) general assessment: inadequate domestic: inadequate; most telephones are in Asmara; government is seeking international tenders to improve the system (2002) international: country code - 291; note - international connections exist AM 2, FM NA, shortwave 2 (2000) 1 (2000) .er 1,047 (2005) 50,000 (2005) 17 (2006) total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2006) total: 13 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2006) total: 306 km narrow gauge: 306 km 0.950-m gauge (2005) total: 4,010 km paved: 874 km unpaved: 3,136 km (1999) total: 6 ships (1000 GRT or over) 19,506 GRT/23,649 DWT by type: cargo 3, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2006) Assab, Massawa Army, Navy, Air Force 18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 16 months (2004) males age 18-49: 893,361 females age 18-49: 891,662 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 555,553 females age 18-49: 562,426 (2005) males age 18-49: 50,156 females age 18-49: 49,746 (2005 est.) $220.1 million (2005 est.) 17.7% (2005 est.) Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by 2002 Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission's (EEBC) delimitation decision, but despite international intervention, mutual animosities, accusations, and armed posturing have prevented demarcation; Ethiopia refuses to withdraw to the delimited boundary until claimed technical errors made by the EEBC that ignored "human geography" are addressed, including the award of Badme, the focus of the 1998-2000 war; Eritrea insists that the EEBC decision be implemented immediately without modifications; in 2005 Eritrea began severely restricting the operations of the UN Peacekeeping Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) monitoring the 25km-wide Temporary Security Zone in Eritrea since 2000; Sudan sustains over 110,000 Eritrean refugees and accuses Eritrea of supporting Sudanese rebel groups El Salvador El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war, which cost about 75,000 lives, was brought to a close in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for military and political reforms. Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras 13 50 N, 88 55 W Central America and the Caribbean total: 21,040 sq km land: 20,720 sq km water: 320 sq km slightly smaller than Massachusetts total: 545 km border countries: Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km 307 km territorial sea: 200 nm tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land arable land: 31.37% permanent crops: 11.88% other: 56.75% (2005) 450 sq km (2003) known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on Caribbean Sea 6,822,378 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 36.3% (male 1,265,080/female 1,212,216) 15-64 years: 58.5% (male 1,900,372/female 2,092,251) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 156,292/female 196,167) (2006 est.) total: 21.8 years male: 20.7 years female: 22.9 years (2006 est.) 1.72% (2006 est.) 26.61 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 5.78 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -3.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 24.39 deaths/1,000 live births male: 27.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 71.49 years male: 67.88 years female: 75.28 years (2006 est.) 3.12 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.7% (2003 est.) 29,000 (2003 est.) 2,200 (2003 est.) noun: Salvadoran(s) adjective: Salvadoran mestizo 90%, white 9%, Amerindian 1% Roman Catholic 83%, other 17% note: there is extensive activity by Protestant groups throughout the country; by the end of 1992, there were an estimated 1 million Protestant evangelicals in El Salvador Spanish, Nahua (among some Amerindians) definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 80.2% male: 82.8% female: 77.7% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of El Salvador conventional short form: El Salvador local long form: Republica de El Salvador local short form: El Salvador republic name: San Salvador geographic coordinates: 13 42 N, 89 12 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) 14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, San Vicente, Santa Ana, Sonsonate, Usulutan 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Independence Day, 15 September (1821) 23 December 1983 based on civil and Roman law with traces of common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez (since 1 June 2004); Vice President Ana Vilma DE ESCOBAR (since 1 June 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez (since 1 June 2004); Vice President Ana Vilma DE ESCOBAR (since 1 June 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held 21 March 2004 (next to be held March 2009) election results: Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez elected president; percent of vote - Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez (ARENA) 57.7%, Schafik HANDAL (FMLN) 35.6%, Hector SILVA (CDU-PDC) 3.9%, other 2.8% unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (84 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 12 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - ARENA 34, FMLN 32, PCN 10, PDC 6, CD 2 Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are selected by the Legislative Assembly) Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Rodolfo PARKER, secretary general]; Democratic Convergence or CD (formerly United Democratic Center or CDU) [Ruben ZAMORA, secretary general]; Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN [Medardo GONZALEZ, coordinator general]; National Conciliation Party or PCN [Ciro CRUZ ZEPEDA, president]; National Republican Alliance or ARENA [Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez]; Popular Social Christian Party or PPSC [Rene AGUILUZ]; Revolutionary Democratic Front or FDR [Julio Cesar HERNANDEZ Carcamo, coordinator general] labor organizations - Electrical Industry Union of El Salvador or SIES; Federation of the Construction Industry, Similar Transport and other activities, or FESINCONTRANS; National Confederation of Salvadoran Workers or CNTS; National Union of Salvadoran Workers or UNTS; Port Industry Union of El Salvador or SIPES; Salvadoran Union of Ex-Petrolleros and Peasant Workers or USEPOC; Salvadoran Workers Central or CTS; Workers Union of Electrical Corporation or STCEL; business organizations - National Association of Small Enterprise or ANEP; Salvadoran Assembly Industry Association or ASIC; Salvadoran Industrial Association or ASI BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Rene Antonio LEON Rodriguez chancery: 2308 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-9671 FAX: [1] (202) 234-3834 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Dallas, Elizabeth (New Jersey), Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York (2), Nogales (Arizona), Santa Ana (California), San Francisco, Washington, DC consulate(s): Boston chief of mission: Ambassador H. Douglas BARCLAY embassy: Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad, San Salvador mailing address: Unit 3116, APO AA 34023 telephone: [503] 2278-4444 FAX: [503] 2278-5522 three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band The smallest country in Central America, El Salvador has the third largest economy, but growth has been minimal in recent years. Hoping to stimulate the sluggish economy, the government is striving to open new export markets, encourage foreign investment, and modernize the tax and healthcare systems. Implementation in 2006 of the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement, which El Salvador was the first to ratify, is viewed as a key policy to help achieve these objectives. The trade deficit has been offset by annual remittances from Salvadorans living abroad - 16.6% of GDP in 2005 - and external aid. With the adoption of the US dollar as its currency in 2001, El Salvador has lost control over monetary policy and must concentrate on maintaining a disciplined fiscal policy. $31.24 billion (2005 est.) $16.52 billion (2005 est.) 2.8% (2005 est.) $4,700 (2005 est.) agriculture: 9.9% industry: 30.2% services: 59.9% (2005 est.) 2.81 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 17.1% industry: 17.1% services: 65.8% (2003 est.) 6.5% official rate; but the economy has much underemployment (2005 est.) 36.1% (2004 est.) lowest 10%: 1.4% highest 10%: 39.3% (2001) 52.5 (2001) 4.7% (2005 est.) 15.8% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $2.84 billion expenditures: $3.167 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2006 est.) 46.7% of GDP (2005 est.) coffee, sugar, corn, rice, beans, oilseed, cotton, sorghum; beef, dairy products; shrimp food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals 1.5% (2005 est.) 4.158 billion kWh (2004) 4.45 billion kWh (2005) 91 million kWh (2004) 473 million kWh (2004) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 40,000 bbl/day (2005 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) -$778 million (2005 est.) $3.586 billion (2005 est.) offshore assembly exports, coffee, sugar, shrimp, textiles, chemicals, electricity US 61%, Guatemala 12.1%, Honduras 7.4%, Nicaragua 4.2% (2005) $6.678 billion (2005 est.) raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels, foodstuffs, petroleum, electricity US 43.4%, Guatemala 8.2%, Mexico 7.8% (2005) $1.833 billion (2005 est.) $8.087 billion (2005 est.) $125 million of which, $53 million from US (2003) US dollar (USD) the US dollar became El Salvador's currency in 2001 calendar year 971,500 (2005) 1,832,600 (2004) general assessment: NA domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system international: country code - 503; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System AM 61 (plus 24 repeaters), FM 30, shortwave 0 (1998) 5 (1997) .sv 4,404 (2005) 587,500 (2005) 75 (2006) total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2006) total: 71 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 56 (2006) 1 (2006) total: 283 km narrow gauge: 283 km 0.914-m gauge note: length of operational route reduced from 562 km to 283 km by disuse and lack of maintenance (2005) total: 10,029 km paved: 1,986 km unpaved: 8,043 km (1999) Rio Lempa partially navigable (2004) Acajutla, Puerto Cutuco Salvadoran Army (ES), Salvadoran Navy (FNES), Salvadoran Air Force (FAS) (2006) 18 years of age for compulsory military service, with 12-month service obligation; 16 years of age for volunteers (2002) males age 18-49: 1,391,278 females age 18-49: 1,542,323 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 960,315 females age 18-49: 1,310,466 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 70,286 females age 18-49: 69,526 (2005 est.) $161.7 million (2005 est.) 1% (2005 est.) in 1992, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras boundary, but despite Organization of American States (OAS) intervention and a further ICJ ruling in 2003, full demarcation of the border remains stalled; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca advocating Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not identified in the ICJ decision, off Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca Ethiopia Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule with the exception of the 1936-41 Italian occupation during World War II. In 1974, a military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile SELASSIE (who had ruled since 1930) and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups, uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problems, the regime was finally toppled in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). A constitution was adopted in 1994, and Ethiopia's first multiparty elections were held in 1995. A border war with Eritrea late in the 1990's ended with a peace treaty in December 2000. Final demarcation of the boundary is currently on hold due to Ethiopian objections to an international commission's finding requiring it to surrender territory considered sensitive to Ethiopia. Eastern Africa, west of Somalia 8 00 N, 38 00 E Africa total: 1,127,127 sq km land: 1,119,683 sq km water: 7,444 sq km slightly less than twice the size of Texas total: 5,328 km border countries: Djibouti 349 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 861 km, Somalia 1,600 km, Sudan 1,606 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley lowest point: Denakil Depression -125 m highest point: Ras Dejen 4,620 m small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas, hydropower arable land: 10.01% permanent crops: 0.65% other: 89.34% (2005) 2,900 sq km (2003) geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water shortages in some areas from water-intensive farming and poor management party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 24 May 1993; the Blue Nile, the chief headstream of the Nile by water volume, rises in T'ana Hayk (Lake Tana) in northwest Ethiopia; three major crops are believed to have originated in Ethiopia: coffee, grain sorghum, and castor bean 74,777,981 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 43.7% (male 16,373,718/female 16,280,766) 15-64 years: 53.6% (male 19,999,482/female 20,077,014) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 929,349/female 1,117,652) (2006 est.) total: 17.8 years male: 17.7 years female: 17.9 years (2006 est.) 2.31% (2006 est.) 37.98 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 14.86 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: repatriation of Ethiopian refugees residing in Sudan is expected to continue for several years; some Sudanese, Somali, and Eritrean refugees, who fled to Ethiopia from the fighting or famine in their own countries, continue to return to their homes (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 93.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 103.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 83.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 49.03 years male: 47.86 years female: 50.24 years (2006 est.) 5.22 children born/woman (2006 est.) 4.4% (2003 est.) 1.5 million (2003 est.) 120,000 (2003 est.) degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, and hepatitis E vectorborne diseases: malaria and cutaneous leishmaniasis are high risks in some locations respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2005) noun: Ethiopian(s) adjective: Ethiopian Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigre 32%, Sidamo 9%, Shankella 6%, Somali 6%, Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, other 1% Muslim 45%-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%-40%, animist 12%, other 3%-8% Amharic, Tigrinya, Oromigna, Guaragigna, Somali, Arabic, other local languages, English (major foreign language taught in schools) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.7% male: 50.3% female: 35.1% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia conventional short form: Ethiopia local long form: Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik local short form: Ityop'iya former: Abyssinia, Italian East Africa abbreviation: FDRE federal republic name: Addis Ababa geographic coordinates: 9 02 N, 38 42 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 9 ethnically-based states (kililoch, singular - kilil) and 2 self-governing administrations* (astedaderoch, singular - astedader); Adis Abeba* (Addis Ababa), Afar, Amara (Amhara), Binshangul Gumuz, Dire Dawa*, Gambela Hizboch (Gambela Peoples), Hareri Hizb (Harari People), Oromiya (Oromia), Sumale (Somali), Tigray, Ye Debub Biheroch Bihereseboch na Hizboch (Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples) oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world - at least 2,000 years National Day (defeat of MENGISTU regime), 28 May (1991) ratified December 1994, effective 22 August 1995 currently transitional mix of national and regional courts 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President GIRMA Woldegiorgis (since 8 October 2001) head of government: Prime Minister MELES Zenawi (since NA August 1995) cabinet: Council of Ministers as provided for in the December 1994 constitution; ministers are selected by the prime minister and approved by the House of People's Representatives elections: president elected by the House of People's Representatives for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 October 2001 (next to be held October 2007); prime minister designated by the party in power following legislative elections election results: GIRMA Woldegiorgis elected president; percent of vote by the House of People's Representatives - 100% bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Federation or upper chamber (108 seats; members are chosen by state assemblies to serve five-year terms) and the House of People's Representatives or lower chamber (547 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote from single-member districts to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 15 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats by party - EPRDF 327, CUD 109, UEDF 52, SPDP 23, OFDM 11, BGPDUF 8, ANDP 8, independent 1, others 6, undeclared 2 note: irregularities at some polling stations necessitated the rescheduling of voting in certain constituencies Federal Supreme Court (the president and vice president of the Federal Supreme Court are recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the House of People's Representatives; for other federal judges, the prime minister submits to the House of People's Representatives for appointment candidates selected by the Federal Judicial Administrative Council) Afar National Democratic Party or ANDP; Benishangul Gumuz People's Democratic Unity Front or BGPDUF [Mulualem BESSE]; Coalition for Unity and Democracy or CUD [HAILU Shawel]; Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front or EPRDF [MELES Zenawi] (an alliance of Amhara National Democratic Movement or ANDM, Oromo People's Democratic Organization or OPDO, the South Ethiopean People's Democratic Front or SEPDF, and TigrAyan Peoples' Liberation Front or TPLF); Gurage Nationalities' Democratic Movement or GNDM; Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement or OFDM [BULCHA Demeksa]; Somali People's Democratic Party or SPDP; United Ethopian Democratic Forces or UEDF [BEYENE Petros]; dozens of small parties Afar Revolutionary Democratic Union Front or ARDUF; Oromo Liberation Front or OLF [DAOUD Ibsa]; Oromo National Liberation Front or ONLF ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer) chief of mission: Ambassador Ayele KASSAHUN chancery: 3506 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 364-1200 FAX: [1] (202) 686-9551 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Vicki HUDDLESTON embassy: Entoto Street, Addis Ababa mailing address: P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa telephone: [251] (1) 517-4000 FAX: [251] (1) 517-4888 three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from the angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on the three bands; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the three main colors of her flag were so often adopted by other African countries upon independence that they became known as the pan-African colors Ethiopia's poverty-stricken economy is based on agriculture, accounting for half of GDP, 60% of exports, and 80% of total employment. The agricultural sector suffers from frequent drought and poor cultivation practices. Coffee is critical to the Ethiopian economy with exports of some $156 million in 2002, but historically low prices have seen many farmers switching to qat to supplement income. The war with Eritrea in 1998-2000 and recurrent drought have buffeted the economy, in particular coffee production. In November 2001, Ethiopia qualified for debt relief from the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, and in December 2005 the International Monetary Fund voted to forgive Ethiopia's debt to the body. Under Ethiopia's land tenure system, the government owns all land and provides long-term leases to the tenants; the system continues to hamper growth in the industrial sector as entrepreneurs are unable to use land as collateral for loans. Drought struck again late in 2002, leading to a 2% decline in GDP in 2003. Normal weather patterns late in 2003 helped agricultural and GDP growth recover in 2004-05. $62.88 billion (2005 est.) $8.819 billion (2005 est.) 8.9% (2005 est.) $900 (2005 est.) agriculture: 47.5% industry: 9.9% services: 42.6% (2005 est.) NA agriculture: 80% industry: 8% services: 12% (1985) NA% 50% (2004 est.) lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 33.7% (1995) 30 (2000) 11.6% (2005 est.) 21.9% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $2.338 billion expenditures: $2.88 billion; including capital expenditures of $788 million (2005 est.) cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseed, cotton, sugarcane, potatoes, qat, cut flowers; hides, cattle, sheep, goats; fish food processing, beverages, textiles, leather, chemicals, metals processing, cement 6.7% (2001 est.) 2.058 billion kWh (2003) 1.914 billion kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 27,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 214,000 bbl (1 January 2002) 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) 24.92 billion cu m (1 January 2002) -$844 million (2005 est.) $612 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) coffee, qat, gold, leather products, live animals, oilseeds Germany 15.5%, China 10.5%, Japan 8.5%, Saudi Arabia 6.9%, Djibouti 6.8%, Switzerland 6.4%, Italy 5.9%, US 5.5%, Netherlands 4.2% (2005) $2.722 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) food and live animals, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, machinery, motor vehicles, cereals, textiles Saudi Arabia 14.7%, China 12.6%, US 12.4%, **COUNTRY** 9.6%, India 6.7%, Italy 4.6% (2005) $1.226 billion (2005 est.) $5.101 billion (2005 est.) $308 million (FY00/01) birr (ETB) birr per US dollar - 8.68 (2005), 8.6356 (2004), 8.5997 (2003), 8.5678 (2002), 8.4575 (2001) note: since 24 October 2001 exchange rates are determined on a daily basis via interbank transactions regulated by the Central Bank 8 July - 7 July 610,300 (2005) 178,000 (2004) general assessment: adequate for government use domestic: open-wire; microwave radio relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; two domestic satellites provide the national trunk service international: country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) AM 8, FM 0, shortwave 1 (2001) 1 plus 24 repeaters (2002) .et 87 (2005) 113,000 (2005) 84 (2006) total: 14 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006) total: 70 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 28 under 914 m: 23 (2006) total: 681 km (Ethiopian segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad) narrow gauge: 681 km 1.000-m gauge note: railway under joint control of Djibouti and Ethiopia (2005) total: 33,856 km paved: 4,367 km unpaved: 29,489 km (2003) total: 8 ships (1000 GRT or over) 79,441 GRT/97,669 DWT by type: cargo 6, roll on/roll off 2 (2006) Ethiopia is landlocked and has used ports of Assab and Massawa in Eritrea and port of Djibouti Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF): Ground Forces, Ethiopian Air Force note: Ethiopia is landlocked and has no navy; following the secession of Eritrea, Ethiopian naval facilities remained in Eritrean possession 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001) males age 18-49: 14,568,277 females age 18-49: 14,482,885 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 8,072,755 females age 18-49: 7,902,660 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 803,777 females age 18-49: 801,789 (2005 est.) $295.9 million (2005 est.) 3.4% (2005 est.) Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by the 2002 Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission's (EEBC) delimitation decision, but mutual animosities, accusations, and armed posturing prevail, preventing demarcation despite international intervention; Ethiopia refuses to withdraw to the delimited boundary until technical errors made by the EEBC that ignored "human geography" are addressed, including the award of Badme, the focus of the 1998-2000 war; Eritrea insists that the EEBC decision be implemented immediately without modifications; Ethiopia has only an administrative line and no international border with the Oromo region of southern Somalia where it maintains alliances with local clans in opposition to the unrecognized Somali Interim Government in Mogadishu; "Somaliland" secessionists provide port facilities and trade ties to landlocked Ethiopia; efforts to demarcate the porous boundary with Sudan have been delayed by civil war refugees (country of origin): 90,451 (Sudan) 16,470 (Somalia) 8,719 (Eritrea) IDPs: 132,000 (border war with Eritrea from 1998-2000 and ethnic clashes in Gambela; most IDPs are in Tigray and Gambela Provinces) (2005) Czech Republic Following the First World War, the closely related Czechs and Slovaks of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire merged to form Czechoslovakia. During the interwar years, the new country's leaders were frequently preoccupied with meeting the demands of other ethnic minorities within the republic, most notably the Sudeten Germans and the Ruthenians (Ukrainians). After World War II, a truncated Czechoslovakia fell within the Soviet sphere of influence. In 1968, an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country's leaders to liberalize Communist party rule and create "socialism with a human face." Anti-Soviet demonstrations the following year ushered in a period of harsh repression. With the collapse of Soviet authority in 1989, Czechoslovakia regained its freedom through a peaceful "Velvet Revolution." On 1 January 1993, the country underwent a "velvet divorce" into its two national components, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. Central Europe, southeast of Germany 49 45 N, 15 30 E Europe total: 78,866 sq km land: 77,276 sq km water: 1,590 sq km slightly smaller than South Carolina total: 1,881 km border countries: Austria 362 km, Germany 646 km, Poland 658 km, Slovakia 215 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of very hilly country lowest point: Elbe River 115 m highest point: Snezka 1,602 m hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite, timber arable land: 38.82% permanent crops: 3% other: 58.18% (2005) 240 sq km (2003) flooding air and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia and in northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks; acid rain damaging forests; efforts to bring industry up to EU code should improve domestic pollution party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube in central Europe 10,235,455 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 14.4% (male 755,098/female 714,703) 15-64 years: 71.2% (male 3,656,021/female 3,629,036) 65 years and over: 14.5% (male 576,264/female 904,333) (2006 est.) total: 39.3 years male: 37.5 years female: 41.1 years (2006 est.) -0.06% (2006 est.) 9.02 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 10.59 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 3.89 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 76.22 years male: 72.94 years female: 79.69 years (2006 est.) 1.21 children born/woman (2006 est.) less than 0.1% (2001 est.) 2,500 (2001 est.) less than 10 (2001 est.) noun: Czech(s) adjective: Czech Czech 90.4%, Moravian 3.7%, Slovak 1.9%, other 4% (2001 census) Roman Catholic 26.8%, Protestant 2.1%, other 3.3%, unspecified 8.8%, unaffiliated 59% (2001 census) Czech definition: NA total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Czech Republic conventional short form: Czech Republic local long form: Ceska Republika local short form: Cesko parliamentary democracy name: Prague geographic coordinates: 40 55 N, 21 00 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 13 regions (kraje, singular - kraj) and 1 capital city* (hlavni mesto); Jihocesky Kraj, Jihomoravsky Kraj, Karlovarsky Kraj, Kralovehradecky Kraj, Liberecky Kraj, Moravskoslezsky Kraj, Olomoucky Kraj, Pardubicky Kraj, Plzensky Kraj, Praha (Prague)*, Stredocesky Kraj, Ustecky Kraj, Vysocina, Zlinsky Kraj 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia) Czech Founding Day, 28 October (1918) ratified 16 December 1992, effective 1 January 1993 civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to bring it in line with Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Vaclav KLAUS (since 7 March 2003) note: the Czech Republic's first president Vaclav HAVEL stepped down from office on 2 February 2003 having served exactly 10 years; parliament finally elected a successor on 28 February 2003 after two inconclusive elections in January 2003 head of government: Prime Minister Mirek TOPOLANEK (since 4 September 2006), Deputy Prime Minister Petr NECAS (since 4 September 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); last successful election held 28 February 2003 (after earlier elections held 15 and 24 January 2003 were inconclusive; next election to be held January 2008); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Vaclav KLAUS elected president on 28 February 2003; Vaclav KLAUS 142 votes, Jan SOKOL 124 votes (third round; combined votes of both chambers of parliament) bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Poslanecka Snemovna (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held in two rounds 5-6 November and 12-13 November 2004 (next to be held November 2006); Chamber of Deputies - last held 2-3 June 2006 (next to be held by June 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ODS 37, KDU-CSL 14, Open Democracy 13, CSSD 7, Caucus Open Democracy 7, independents 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - ODS 35.4%, CSSD 32.3%, KSCM 12.8%, KDU-CSL 7.2%, Greens 6.3%, other 6%; seats by party - ODS 81, CSSD 74, KSCM 26, KDU-CSL 13, Greens 6 Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; chairman and deputy chairmen are appointed by the president for a 10-year term Association of Independent Candidates or SNK [Josef ZIELENIEC, chairman]; Caucus Open Democracy; Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party or KDU-CSL [Miroslav KALOUSEK, chairman]; Civic Democratic Alliance or ODA [Jirina NOVAKOVA, chairwoman]; Civic Democratic Party or ODS [Mirek TOPOLANEK, chairman]; Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia or KSCM [Vojtech FILIP, chairman]; Czech Social Democratic Party or CSSD [Bohuslav SOBOTKA, acting chairman]; European Democrats [Jan KASL]; Freedom Union-Democratic Union or US-DEU [Pavel NEMEC, chairman]; Green Party [Martin BURSIK, chairman]; Independent Democrats (NEZDEM) [Vladimir ZELEZNY, chairman]; Open Democracy; Party of Open Society (SOS) [Pavel NOVACEK, chairman]; Path of Change [Jiri LOBKOWITZ, chairman] Bohemian and Moravian Trade Union Confederation [Milan STECH] ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU (new member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC chief of mission: Ambassador Petr KOLAR chancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 274-9100 FAX: [1] (202) 966-8540 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York chief of mission: Ambassador William J. CABANISS embassy: Trziste 15, 11801 Prague 1 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [420] 257 022 000 FAX: [420] 257 022 809 two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side (identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia) The Czech Republic is one of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist states of Central and Eastern Europe. Growth in 2000-05 was supported by exports to the EU, primarily to Germany, and a strong recovery of foreign and domestic investment. Domestic demand is playing an ever more important role in underpinning growth as interest rates drop and the availability of credit cards and mortgages increases. Current account deficits of around 5% of GDP are beginning to decline as demand for Czech products in the European Union increases. Inflation is under control. Recent accession to the EU gives further impetus and direction to structural reform. In early 2004 the government passed increases in the Value Added Tax (VAT) and tightened eligibility for social benefits with the intention to bring the public finance gap down to 4% of GDP by 2006, but more difficult pension and healthcare reforms will have to wait until after the next elections. Privatization of the state-owned telecommunications firm Cesky Telecom took place in 2005. Intensified restructuring among large enterprises, improvements in the financial sector, and effective use of available EU funds should strengthen output growth. $199.4 billion (2005 est.) $109.4 billion (2005 est.) 6% (2005 est.) $19,500 (2005 est.) agriculture: 3.4% industry: 39.3% services: 57.3% (2004 est.) 5.27 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 4% industry: 38% services: 58% (2002 est.) 8.9% (2005 est.) NA% lowest 10%: 4.3% highest 10%: 22.4% (1996) 25.4 (1996) 1.9% (2005 est.) 26.4% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $48.16 billion expenditures: $53.04 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 25.9% of GDP (2005 est.) wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, poultry metallurgy, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, glass, armaments 6.3% (2005 est.) 78.18 billion kWh (2003) 56.5 billion kWh (2003) 26.3 billion kWh (2003) 10.1 billion kWh (2003) 12,380 bbl/day (2003) 185,200 bbl/day (2003 est.) 26,670 bbl/day (2001) 192,300 bbl/day (2001) 17.25 million bbl (1 January 2002) 133 million cu m (2003 est.) 9.623 billion cu m (2003 est.) 1 million cu m (2001 est.) 9.521 billion cu m (2001 est.) 3.964 billion cu m (1 January 2002) -$2.496 billion (2005 est.) $78.37 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and transport equipment 52%, chemicals 5%, raw materials and fuel 9% (2003) Germany 33.5%, Slovakia 8.7%, Austria 5.5%, Poland 5.5%, France 5.3%, UK 4.6%, Italy 4.3% (2005) $76.59 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and transport equipment 46%, raw materials and fuels 15%, chemicals 10% (2003) Germany 30%, Russia 5.7%, Slovakia 5.4%, China 5.1%, Poland 5%, Italy 4.8%, France 4.5%, Netherlands 4% (2005) $29.36 billion (2005 est.) $49.14 billion (2005 est.) $2.4 billion in available EU structural adjustment and cohesion funds (2004-06) Czech koruna (CZK) koruny per US dollar - 23.957 (2005), 25.7 (2004), 28.209 (2003), 32.739 (2002), 38.035 (2001) calendar year 3,427,700 (2004) 10,782,600 (2004) general assessment: privatization and modernization of the Czech telecommunication system got a late start but is advancing steadily; growth in the use of mobile cellular telephones is particularly vigorous domestic: 86% of exchanges now digital; existing copper subscriber systems now being enhanced with Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) equipment to accommodate Internet and other digital signals; trunk systems include fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay international: country code - 420; satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 1 Globalstar AM 31, FM 304, shortwave 17 (2000) 150 (plus 1,434 repeaters) (2000) .cz 819,773 (2005) 4.8 million (2005) 121 (2006) total: 46 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 19 (2006) total: 75 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 49 (2006) 2 (2006) gas 7,020 km; oil 547 km; refined products 94 km (2004) total: 9,572 km standard gauge: 9,473 km 1.435-m gauge (2,951 km electrified) narrow gauge: 99 km 0.760-m gauge (2005) total: 127,747 km paved: 127,747 km (including 518 km of expressways) (2003) 664 km (principally on Elbe as well as Vltava and Oder rivers) (2005) registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2006) Decin, Prague, Usti nad Labem Army of the Czech Republic (ACR): Joint Forces Command (includes air forces), Support and Training Forces Command (2006) 18-50 years of age for voluntary military service; on-going transformation of military service into a fully professional, all-volunteer force no longer dependent on conscription began in January 2004 and is scheduled to be completed by 2007 (2005) males age 18-49: 2,414,728 females age 18-49: 2,329,412 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 1,996,631 females age 18-49: 1,923,508 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 66,583 females age 18-49: 63,363 (2005 est.) $2.17 billion (2004) 1.81% FY05 in February 2005, the ICJ refused to rule on the restitution of Liechtenstein's land and property assets in the Czech Republic confiscated in 1945 as German property; individual Sudeten Germans seek restitution for property confiscated in connection with their expulsion from Czechoslovakia after World War II; Austrian anti-nuclear activists have revived blockades of the Czech-Austrian border to protest operation of the Temelin nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic French Guiana First settled by the French in 1604, French Guiana was the site of notorious penal settlements until 1951. The European Space Agency launches its communication satellites from Kourou. Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname 4 00 N, 53 00 W South America total: 91,000 sq km land: 89,150 sq km water: 1,850 sq km slightly smaller than Indiana total: 1,183 km border countries: Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km 378 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Bellevue de l'Inini 851 m bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered), petroleum, kaolin, fish, niobium, tantalum, clay arable land: 0.13% permanent crops: 0.04% other: 99.83% (90% forest, 10% other) (2005) 20 sq km (2003) high frequency of heavy showers and severe thunderstorms; flooding NA mostly an unsettled wilderness; the only non-independent portion of the South American continent 199,509 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 28.9% (male 29,540/female 28,210) 15-64 years: 64.8% (male 69,302/female 59,980) 65 years and over: 6.3% (male 6,350/female 6,127) (2006 est.) total: 28.6 years male: 29.6 years female: 27.4 years (2006 est.) 1.96% (2006 est.) 20.46 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 4.88 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 4.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.16 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 11.76 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 77.27 years male: 73.95 years female: 80.75 years (2006 est.) 2.98 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: French Guianese (singular and plural) adjective: French Guianese black or mulatto 66%, white 12%, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian 12%, other 10% Roman Catholic French definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83% male: 84% female: 82% (1982 est.) conventional long form: Department of Guiana conventional short form: French Guiana local long form: none local short form: Guyane overseas department of France NA name: Cayenne geographic coordinates: 4 56 N, 52 20 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) none (overseas department of France) none (overseas department of France) Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) French legal system 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Jean-Pierre LAFLAQUIERE (since 19 July 2006) head of government: President of the General Council Pierre DESERT (since 26 March 2004); President of the Regional Council Antoine KARAM (since 22 March 1992) cabinet: NA elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; presidents of the General and Regional Councils are appointed by the members of those councils unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a unicameral Regional Council or Conseil Regional (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: General Council - last held in March 2000 (next to be held March 2006); Regional Council - last held 21 and 28 March 2004 (next to be held in 2010) election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PSG 5, various left-wing parties 5, independents 7, other 2; Regional Council - (second election results) percent of vote by party - PS 37.24%, UMP 31.58%, FDG/Walwari 31.18%; seats by party - PS 17, UMP 7, FDG/Walwari 7 note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 27 September 1998 (next to be held September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; 2 seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held in 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP/RPR 1, Walwari Committee 1 Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel (highest local court based in Martinique with jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana) Guyana Democratic Forces or FDG [Georges OTHILY]; Guyanese Democratic Action or ADG [Andre LECANTE]; Guyanese Socialist Party or PSG [Marie-Claude VERDAN]; Popular National Guyanese Party or PNPG [Jose DORCY]; Socialist Party or PS [Alix LABBE]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Georges HABRAN-MERY]; Union for a Popular Movement or UMP (includes RPR) [Remi Louis DUBOC]; Walwari Committee (aligned with the PRG in France) [Christine TAUBIRA-DELANON] NA UPU, WCL, WFTU none (overseas department of France) none (overseas department of France) the flag of France is used The economy is tied closely to the much larger French economy through subsidies and imports. Besides the French space center at Kourou (which accounts for 25% of GDP), fishing and forestry are the most important economic activities. Forest and woodland cover 90% of the country. The large reserves of tropical hardwoods, not fully exploited, support an expanding sawmill industry that provides sawn logs for export. Cultivation of crops is limited to the coastal area, where the population is largely concentrated; rice and manioc are the major crops. French Guiana is heavily dependent on imports of food and energy. Unemployment is a serious problem, particularly among younger workers. $1.551 billion (2003 est.) NA NA% $8,300 (2003 est.) agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% 58,800 (1997) agriculture: 18.2% industry: 21.2% services: 60.6% (1980) 19.2% (December 2003) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 1% (2003) revenues: $135.5 million expenditures: $135.5 million; including capital expenditures of $105 million (1996) corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sugar, cocoa, vegetables, bananas; cattle, pigs, poultry construction, shrimp processing, forestry products, rum, gold mining NA% 465.2 million kWh (2003) 432.6 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 6,600 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $137.5 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) shrimp, timber, gold, rum, rosewood essence, clothing France 62%, Switzerland 7%, US 2% (2004) $625 million c.i.f. (2002 est.) food (grains, processed meat), machinery and transport equipment, fuels and chemicals France 63%, US, Trinidad and Tobago, Italy (2004) $800.3 million (2003) $NA euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries euros per US dollar - 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001) calendar year 51,000 (2001) 138,200 (2002) general assessment: NA domestic: fair open-wire and microwave radio relay system international: country code - 594; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) AM 2, FM 14 (including 6 repeaters), shortwave 6 (including 5 repeaters) (1998) 3 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997) .gf 107 (2005) 38,000 (2005) 11 (2006) total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 5 (2006) total: 817 km (1998) 3,760 km note: 460 km navigable by small oceangoing vessels and coastal and river steamers, 3,300 km by native craft (2003) Degrad des Cannes no regular military forces; Gendarmerie males age 18-49: 47,809 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 38,676 (2005 est.) NA NA defense is the responsibility of France Suriname claims area between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa) in French Guiana Finland Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries and an autonomous grand duchy of Russia after 1809. It won its complete independence in 1917. During World War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and resist invasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory. In the subsequent half century, the Finns made a remarkable transformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is now on par with Western Europe. As a member of the European Union, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999. Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia 64 00 N, 26 00 E Europe total: 338,145 sq km land: 304,473 sq km water: 33,672 sq km slightly smaller than Montana total: 2,681 km border countries: Norway 727 km, Sweden 614 km, Russia 1,340 km 1,250 km territorial sea: 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 nm) continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm; extends to continental shelf boundary with Sweden cold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Haltiatunturi 1,328 m timber, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, nickel, gold, silver, limestone arable land: 6.54% permanent crops: 0.02% other: 93.44% (2005) 640 sq km (2003) NA air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain 5,231,372 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 17.1% (male 455,420/female 438,719) 15-64 years: 66.7% (male 1,766,674/female 1,724,858) 65 years and over: 16.2% (male 337,257/female 508,444) (2006 est.) total: 41.3 years male: 39.7 years female: 42.8 years (2006 est.) 0.14% (2006 est.) 10.45 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 9.86 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 3.55 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 78.5 years male: 74.99 years female: 82.17 years (2006 est.) 1.73 children born/woman (2006 est.) less than 0.1% (2003 est.) 1,500 (2003 est.) less than 100 (2003 est.) noun: Finn(s) adjective: Finnish Finn 93.4%, Swede 5.7%, Russian 0.4%, Estonian 0.2%, Roma 0.2%, Sami 0.1% Lutheran National Church 84.2%, Greek Orthodox in Finland 1.1%, other Christian 1.1%, other 0.1%, none 13.5% (2003) Finnish 92% (official), Swedish 5.6% (official), other 2.4% (small Sami- and Russian-speaking minorities) (2003) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2000 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Finland conventional short form: Finland local long form: Suomen tasavalta/Republiken Finland local short form: Suomi/Finland republic name: Helsinki geographic coordinates: 60 10 N, 24 58 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 6 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Aland, Etela-Suomen Laani, Ita-Suomen Laani, Lansi-Suomen Laani, Lappi, Oulun Laani 6 December 1917 (from Russia) Independence Day, 6 December (1917) 1 March 2000 civil law system based on Swedish law; the president may request the Supreme Court to review laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Matti VANHANEN (since 24 June 2003) and Deputy Prime Minister Eero HEINALUOMA (since 24 September 2005) cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to parliament elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 15 January 2006 (next to be held January 2012); the president appoints the prime minister and deputy prime minister from the majority party or the majority coalition after parliamentary elections and the parliament must approve the appointment election results: percent of vote - Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 46.3%, Sauli NIINISTO (Kok) 24.1%, Matti Vanhanen (Kesk) 18.6%, Heidi HAUTALA (VIHR) 3.5%; a runoff election between HALONEN and NIINISTO was held 29 January 2006 - HOLONEN 51.8%, NIINISTO 48.2% note: government coalition - Kesk, SDP, and SFP unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 16 March 2003 (next to be held March 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - Kesk 24.7%, SDP 24.5%, Kok 18.5%, VAS 9.9%, VIHR 8%, KD 5.3%, SFP 4.6%; seats by party - Kesk 55, SDP 53, Kok 40, VAS 19, VIHR 14, KD 7, SFP 8, other 4 Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president) Center Party or Kesk [Matti VANHANEN]; Christian Democrats or KD [Paivi RASANEN]; Green League or VIHR [Tarja CRONBERG]; Left Alliance or VAS composed of People's Democratic League and Democratic Alternative [Martti KORHONEN]; National Coalition (conservative) Party or Kok [Jyrki KATAINEN]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Eero HEINALUOMA]; Swedish People's Party or SFP [Stefan WALLIN] AfDB, Arctic Council, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC chief of mission: Ambassador Pekka LINTU chancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800 FAX: [1] (202) 298-6030 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York chief of mission: Ambassador Marilyn WARE embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14B, 00140 Helsinki mailing address: APO AE 09723 telephone: [358] (9) 616250 FAX: [358] (9) 6162 5800 white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy with per capita output roughly that of the UK, France, Germany, and Italy. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally the wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronics industries. Trade is important; exports equal two-fifths of GDP. Finland excels in high-tech exports, e.g., mobile phones. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an important export earner, provides a secondary occupation for the rural population. Rapidly increasing integration with Western Europe - Finland was one of the 12 countries joining the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) - will dominate the economic picture over the next several years. High unemployment remains a persistent problem. $161.5 billion (2005 est.) $184.2 billion (2005 est.) 2.2% (2005 est.) $30,900 (2005 est.) agriculture: 2.8% industry: 29.5% services: 67.6% (2005 est.) 2.61 million (2005 est.) agriculture and forestry 8%, industry 22%, construction 6%, commerce 14%, finance, insurance, and business services 10%, transport and communications 8%, public services 32% 8.4% (2005 est.) NA% lowest 10%: 4.2% highest 10%: 21.6% (1991) 26.9 (2000) 0.9% (2005 est.) 19.2% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $99.61 billion expenditures: $97.14 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 39.6% of GDP (2005 est.) barley, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish metals and metal products, electronics, machinery and scientific instruments, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing -2% (2005 est.) 79.61 billion kWh (2003) 78.94 billion kWh (2003) 7 billion kWh (2003) 11.9 billion kWh (2003) 9,013 bbl/day (2003 est.) 219,700 bbl/day (2003 est.) 101,000 bbl/day (2001) 318,300 bbl/day (2001) 0 cu m (2003 est.) 5.028 billion cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 4.567 billion cu m (2001 est.) $5.043 billion (2005 est.) $67.88 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals; timber, paper, pulp (1999) Russia 11.2%, Sweden 10.7%, Germany 10.5%, UK 6.6%, US 6.2%, Netherlands 4.8% (2005) $56.45 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, grains Germany 16.2%, Sweden 14.1%, Russia 13.9%, Netherlands 6.2%, Denmark 4.6%, UK 4.3%, China 4.2% (2005) $11.4 billion (2005 est.) $211.7 billion (30 June 2005) ODA, $379 million (2001) euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries euros per US dollar - 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001) calendar year 2.368 million (2004) 4.988 million (2004) general assessment: modern system with excellent service domestic: digital fiber-optic fixed-line network and an extensive cellular network provide domestic needs international: country code - 358; 1 submarine cable (Finland Estonia Connection); satellite earth stations - access to Intelsat transmission service via a Swedish satellite earth station, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Finland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) AM 2, FM 186, shortwave 1 (1998) 120 (plus 431 repeaters) (1999) .fi; note - the IANA has assigned the ccTLD of .ax to the Aland Islands 1,503,976 (2005) 3.286 million (2005) 148 (2006) total: 76 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 14 (2006) total: 72 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 67 (2006) gas 694 km (2004) total: 5,741 km broad gauge: 5,741 km 1.524-m gauge (2,619 km electrified) (2005) total: 78,189 km paved: 50,633 km (including 653 km of expressways) unpaved: 27,556 km (2006) 7,842 km note: includes Saimaa Canal system of 3,577 km; southern part leased from Russia (2005) total: 87 ships (1000 GRT or over) 1,250,600 GRT/952,072 DWT by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 22, chemical tanker 6, container 1, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 20, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 25 foreign-owned: 3 (Norway 1, Russia 1, UK 1) registered in other countries: 48 (Bahamas 8, Germany 2, Gibraltar 3, Luxembourg 4, Marshall Islands 2, Netherlands 13, Norway 4, Sweden 11, UK 1) (2006) Hamina, Hanko, Helsinki, Kotka, Naantali, Pori, Porvoo, Raahe, Rauma, Turku Finnish Defense Forces: Army, Navy (includes coastal defense forces), Air Force (2003) 18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service (October 2004) males age 18-49: 1,121,275 females age 18-49: 1,076,684 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 913,617 females age 18-49: 875,689 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 32,040 females age 18-49: 30,519 (2005 est.) $1.8 billion (FY98/99) 2% (FY98/99) Fiji Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987, caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). The coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji, led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand 18 00 S, 175 00 E Oceania total: 18,270 sq km land: 18,270 sq km water: 0 sq km slightly smaller than New Jersey 0 km 1,129 km measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation mostly mountains of volcanic origin lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower arable land: 10.95% permanent crops: 4.65% other: 84.4% (2005) 30 sq km (2003) cyclonic storms can occur from November to January deforestation; soil erosion party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements includes 332 islands; approximately 110 are inhabited 905,949 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 31.1% (male 143,847/female 138,061) 15-64 years: 64.6% (male 293,072/female 292,312) 65 years and over: 4.3% (male 17,583/female 21,074) (2006 est.) total: 24.6 years male: 24.1 years female: 25 years (2006 est.) 1.4% (2006 est.) 22.55 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 5.65 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -2.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 12.3 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.63 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 69.82 years male: 67.32 years female: 72.45 years (2006 est.) 2.73 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.1% (2003 est.) 600 (2003 est.) less than 200 (2003 est.) noun: Fijian(s) adjective: Fijian Fijian 51% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 44%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5% (1998 est.) Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim 8%, other 2% note: Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is a Muslim minority English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.7% male: 95.5% female: 91.9% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands conventional short form: Fiji local long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands/Matanitu ko Viti local short form: Fiji/Viti republic name: Suva (on Viti Levu) geographic coordinates: 18 08 S, 178 25 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western 10 October 1970 (from UK) Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970) enacted on 25 July 1997 to encourage multiculturalism and make multiparty government mandatory; effective 28 July 1998 based on British system 21 years of age; universal chief of state: President Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda (since 18 July 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since 10 September 2000) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament elections: president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president; election last held 8 March 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda elected president by the Great Council of Chiefs; percent of vote - NA bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (32 seats; 14 appointed by the president on the advice of the Great Council of Chiefs, 9 appointed by the president on the advice of the Prime Minister, 8 on the advice of the Opposition Leader, and 1 appointed on the advice of the council of Rotuma) and the House of Representatives (71 seats; 23 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnic Indians, 3 reserved for other ethnic groups, 1 reserved for the council of Rotuma constituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and 25 open seats; members serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 25 August through 1 September and 19 September 2001 (next to be held 6-13 May 2006) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - SDL 27.5%, FLP 26.5%, MV 4.2%, NLUP 1.3%, NFP 1.2%, independents 1.4%, UGP .3%; seats by party - SDL 32, FLP 27, MV 6, NLUP 2, NFP 1, independents 2, UGP 1 Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court of Appeal; High Court; Magistrates' Courts Conservative Alliance Party/Matanitu Vanua or CAMV [Ratu Josefa DIMURI]; Dodonu Ni Taukei Party or DNT [Fereti S. DEWA]; Fiji Democratic Party or FDP [Filipe BOLE] (a merger of the Christian Democrat Alliance or VLV [Poesci Waqalevu BUNE], Fijian Association Party or FAP, Fijian Political Party or SVT (primarily Fijian) [Sitiveni RABUKA], and New Labor Unity Party or NLUP [Ofa SWANN]); Fiji Labor Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDHRY]; General Voters Party or GVP (became part of United General Party); Girmit Heritage Party or GHP; Justice and Freedom Party or AIM; Lio 'On Famor Rotuma Party or LFR; National Federation Party or NFP (primarily Indian) [Pramond RAE]; Nationalist Vanua Takolavo Party or NVTLP [Saula TELAWA]; Party of National Unity or PANU [Ponipate LESAVUA]; Party of the Truth or POTT; United Fiji Party/Sogosogo Duavata ni Lewenivanua or SDL [Laisenia QARASE]; United General Party or UGP [Millis Mick BEDDOES] NA ACP, AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Jesoni VITUSAGAVULU chancery: 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 240, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 337-8320 FAX: [1] (202) 337-1996 chief of mission: Ambassador Larry Miles DINGER embassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suva mailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suva telephone: [679] 331-4466 FAX: [679] 330-0081 light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies, though still with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports, remittances from Fijians working abroad, and a growing tourist industry - with 300,000 to 400,000 tourists annually - are the major sources of foreign exchange. Fiji's sugar has special access to European Union markets, but will be harmed by the EU's decision to cut sugar subsidies. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity but is not efficient. Long-term problems include low investment, uncertain land ownership rights, and the government's ability to manage its budget. Yet, because of a tourist boom, short-run economic prospects are good, provided tensions do not again erupt between indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians. Overseas remittances from Fijians working in Kuwait and Iraq have increased significantly. $5.38 billion (2005 est.) $1.937 billion (2005 est.) 1.7% (2005 est.) $6,000 (2005 est.) agriculture: 16.6% industry: 22.4% services: 61% (2001 est.) 137,000 (1999) agriculture: 70% industry and services: 30% (2001 est.) 7.6% (1999) 25.5% (1990-91) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 1.6% (2002 est.) revenues: $427.9 million expenditures: $531.4 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries NA% 775.7 million kWh (2003) 721.4 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 10,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $862 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil US 19.1%, Australia 16.4%, UK 11.9%, Samoa 7.1%, Japan 5.3% (2005) $1.235 billion c.i.f. (2004 est.) manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, chemicals Singapore 27.4%, Australia 23.7%, NZ 18.8%, Thailand 4.5% (2005) $188.1 million (2001 est.) $40.3 million (1995) Fijian dollar (FJD) Fijian dollars per US dollar - 1.691 (2005), 1.7331 (2004), 1.8958 (2003), 2.1869 (2002), 2.2766 (2001) calendar year 102,000 (2003) 109,900 (2003) general assessment: modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communications center domestic: NA international: country code - 679; access to important cable links between US and Canada as well as between NZ and Australia; 2 satellite earth stations - 2 INMARSAT (Pacific Ocean) AM 13, FM 40, shortwave 0 (1998) NA .fj 1,722 (2005) 61,000 (2004) 28 (2006) total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006) total: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 18 (2006) total: 597 km narrow gauge: 597 km 0.600-m gauge note: belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation; used to haul sugarcane during harvest season (May to December) (2005) total: 3,440 km paved: 1,692 km unpaved: 1,748 km (1999) 203 km note: 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges (2004) total: 7 ships (1000 GRT or over) 15,867 GRT/8,432 DWT by type: passenger 3, passenger/cargo 2, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 1 (Australia 1) (2006) Lambasa, Lautoka, Suva Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF): Land Forces, Naval Division (2005) 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001) males age 18-49: 215,104 females age 18-49: 212,739 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 163,960 females age 18-49: 178,714 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 9,266 females age 18-49: 8,916 (2005 est.) $36 million (2004) 2.2% (FY02) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Although first sighted by an English navigator in 1592, the first landing (English) did not occur until almost a century later in 1690, and the first settlement (French) was not established until 1764. The colony was turned over to Spain two years later and the islands have since been the subject of a territorial dispute, first between Britain and Spain, then between Britain and Argentina. The UK asserted its claim to the islands by establishing a naval garrison there in 1833. Argentina invaded the islands on 2 April 1982. The British responded with an expeditionary force that landed seven weeks later and after fierce fighting forced Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982. Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina 51 45 S, 59 00 W South America total: 12,173 sq km land: 12,173 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands slightly smaller than Connecticut 0 km 1,288 km territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 24 inches in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (2005) NA strong winds persist throughout the year overfishing by unlicensed vessels is a problem; reindeer were introduced to the islands in 2001 for commercial reasons; this is the only commercial reindeer herd in the world unaffected by the Chornobyl disaster deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season 2,967 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2006 est.) 2.44% (2006 est.) NA births/1,000 population (2006 est.) NA deaths/1,000 population NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) total: NA male: NA female: NA total population: NA male: NA female: NA NA children born/woman NA NA NA noun: Falkland Islander(s) adjective: Falkland Island British primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist English NA conventional long form: none conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina NA name: Stanley geographic coordinates: 51 42 S, 57 41 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends third Sunday in April none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) 3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998 English common law 18 years of age; universal chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor Alan HUCKLE (since 25 August 2006); Chief Executive Chris SIMPKINS (since March 2003); Financial Secretary Derek F. HOWATT (since NA) cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats - two ex officio, eight elected by popular vote, members serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor elections: last held 17 November 2005 (next to be held November 2009) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8 Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction none; all independents none ICFTU, UPU none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising was once the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, but today fishing contributes the bulk of economic activity. In 1987 the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falkland Islands' exclusive fishing zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year, which goes to support the island's health, education, and welfare system. Squid accounts for 75% of the fish taken. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands in 1993, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day; to date, no exploitable site has been identified. An agreement between Argentina and the UK in 1995 seeks to defuse licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign interest in exploiting potential oil reserves. Tourism, especially eco-tourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 30,000 visitors in 2001. Another large source of income is interest paid on money the government has in the bank. The British military presence also provides a sizeable economic boost. $75 million (2002 est.) NA NA% $25,000 (2002 est.) agriculture: 95% industry: NA% services: NA% 1,100 (est.) agriculture: 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing) industry and services: 5% full employment; labor shortage (2001) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 3.6% (1998) revenues: $66.2 million expenditures: $67.9 million; including capital expenditures of $23.2 million (FY98/99 est.) fodder and vegetable crops; sheep, dairy products fish and wool processing; tourism NA% 22.23 million kWh (2003) 20.68 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 200 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $125 million (2004 est.) wool, hides, meat Spain 81.9%, US 6%, UK 4.5% (2005) $90 million (2004 est.) fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing UK 72.1%, US 15%, Netherlands 8.5% (2005) $NA $0 (1997 est.) Falkland pound (FKP) Falkland pounds per US dollar - 0.55 (2005), 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003), 0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001) note: the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound 1 April - 31 March 2,400 (2002) 0 (2001) general assessment: NA domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands international: country code - 500; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries AM 1, FM 7, shortwave 0 note: British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1 (FM) and Radio 2 (AM) service (2006) 2 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite service to members of UK Forces as well as islanders) note: cable television is available in Stanley (2006) .fk 103 (2005) 1,900 (2002) 5 (2006) total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006) total: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2006) total: 440 km paved: 50 km unpaved: 390 km (2003) Stanley no regular military forces NA NA defense is the responsibility of the UK Micronesia, Federated States of In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory under US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the US, which was amended and renewed in 2004. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid. Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia 6 55 N, 158 15 E Oceania total: 702 sq km land: 702 sq km water: 0 sq km (fresh water only) note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie) four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only) 0 km 6,112 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 45.71% other: 48.58% (2005) NA typhoons (June to December) overfishing, climate change, pollution party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements four major island groups totaling 607 islands 108,004 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 36.6% (male 20,116/female 19,391) 15-64 years: 60.4% (male 32,620/female 32,659) 65 years and over: 3% (male 1,413/female 1,805) (2006 est.) total: 20.9 years male: 20.5 years female: 21.4 years (2006 est.) -0.11% (2006 est.) 24.68 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 4.75 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -21.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) NA total: 29.16 deaths/1,000 live births male: 32.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 70.05 years male: 68.24 years female: 71.95 years (2006 est.) 3.16 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: Micronesian(s) adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%, other 3% English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89% male: 91% female: 88% (1980 est.) conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia conventional short form: none local long form: Federated States of Micronesia local short form: none former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts abbreviation: FSM constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force May 2004 name: Palikir geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 08 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship) Constitution Day, 10 May (1979) 10 May 1979 based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003); Vice President Redley KILLION (11 May 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003); Vice President Redley KILLION (11 May 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the eight executive departments elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators at large for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 11 May 2003 (next to be held May 2007); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for president and vice president failed election results: Joseph J. URUSEMAL elected president; percent of Congress vote - NA%; Redley KILLION elected vice president; percent of Congress vote - NA% unicameral Congress (14 seats; 4 - one elected from each state to serve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population to serve two-year terms; members elected by popular vote) elections: elections for four-year term seats last held 4 March 2003 (next to be held March 2007); elections for two-year term seats last held 8 March 2005 (next to be held March 2007) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14 Supreme Court no formal parties ACP, AsDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO chief of mission: Ambassador Jesse Bibiano MAREHALAU chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383 FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391 consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Tamuning (Guam) chief of mission: Ambassador Suzanne K. HALE embassy: 101 Upper Pics Road, Kolonia mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941 telephone: [691] 320-2187 FAX: [691] 320-2186 light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remote location, a lack of adequate facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. The Amended Compact of Free Association with the US guarantees the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) millions of dollars in annual aid through 2023, and establishes a Trust Fund into which the US and the FSM make annual contributions in order to provide annual payouts to the FSM in perpetuity after 2023. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US assistance but also to the slow growth of the private sector. $277 million; note - supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually (2002 est.) NA 1% (2002 est.) $3,900 (2000 est.) agriculture: 50% industry: 4% services: 46% (2000 est.) NA note: two-thirds are government employees 22% (2000 est.) 26.7% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 2% (2001 est.) revenues: $161 million ($69 million less grants) expenditures: $160 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens; fish tourism, construction; fish processing, specialized aquaculture; craft items from shell, wood, and pearls NA% 192 million kWh (2002) 178.6 million kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2002) $22 million (f.o.b.) (FY99/00 est.) fish, garments, bananas, black pepper Japan, US, Guam (2004) $82.5 million f.o.b. (1997) food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages US, Australia, Japan (2004) $53.1 million (FY02/03 est.) under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US pledged $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001; the level of aid has been subsequently reduced US dollar (USD) the US dollar is used 1 October - 30 September 12,000 (2004) 12,800 (2004) general assessment: adequate system domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes), satellite (Intelsat) ground stations, and some coaxial and fiber-optic cable; cellular service available on Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap international: country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002) AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) 3; note - cable TV also available (2004) .fm 433 (2005) 12,000 (2005) 6 (2006) total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2006) total: 240 km paved: 42 km unpaved: 198 km (1999) total: 2 ships (1000 GRT or over) 2,423 GRT/1,551 DWT by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 1 (2006) Tomil Harbor no ministry of defense and no standing armed forces; the paramilitary Maritime Wing, a small maritime law enforcement unit, is responsible to the Division of Maritime Surveillance within the Office of the Attorney General (2003) males age 18-49: 23,816 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 18,914 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 1,305 (2005 est.) defense is the responsibility of the US Faroe Islands The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high degree of self government was attained in 1948. Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland to Norway 62 00 N, 7 00 W Europe total: 1,399 sq km land: 1,399 sq km water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams) eight times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 1,117 km territorial sea: 3 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas arable land: 2.14% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.86% (2005) 0 sq km NA NA archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands 47,246 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 20.9% (male 4,940/female 4,952) 15-64 years: 65.1% (male 16,247/female 14,522) 65 years and over: 13.9% (male 2,976/female 3,609) (2006 est.) total: 35 years male: 34.7 years female: 35.5 years (2006 est.) 0.58% (2006 est.) 14.05 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 8.7 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 6.12 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 79.35 years male: 75.91 years female: 82.8 years (2006 est.) 2.17 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: Faroese (singular and plural) adjective: Faroese Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% note: probably 100%, the same as Denmark proper conventional long form: none conventional short form: Faroe Islands local long form: none local short form: Foroyar part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948 NA name: Torshavn geographic coordinates: 62 01 N, 6 46 W time difference: UTC (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 49 municipalities none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Olaifest (Olavasoka), 29 July 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution) Danish 18 years of age; universal chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chief administrative officer (since 1 November 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Joannes EIDESGAARD (since 3 February 2004) cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held 20 January 2004 (next to be held no later than January 2008) election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister; percent of parliamentary vote - NA note: coalition of Social Democrats, Union Party, and People's Party unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (32 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 January 2004 (next to be held no later than January 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 23.7%, Social Democratic Party 21.8%, Republican Party 21.7%, People's Party 20.6%, Center Party 5.2%, Independence Party 4.6%; seats by party - Union Party 7, Social Democratic Party 7, Republican Party 8, People's Party 7, Center Party 2, Independence Party 1 note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 8 February 2005 (next to be held February 2009); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, People's Party 1 none Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; People's Party [Anfinn KALLSBERG]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN] NA Arctic Council, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UPU none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) The Faroese economy has had a strong performance since 1994, mostly as a result of increasing fish landings and high and stable export prices. Unemployment is minimal and there are signs of labor shortages in several sectors. The positive economic development has helped the Faroese Home Rule Government produce increasing budget surpluses, which in turn have helped reduce the large public debt, most of it owed to Denmark. However, the total dependence on fishing makes the Faroese economy extremely vulnerable, and the present fishing efforts appear in excess of what is a sustainable level of fishing in the long term. Oil finds close to the Faroese area give hope for deposits in the immediate Faroese area, which may eventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and thus lessen dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (about 15% of GDP) from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living not far below the Danes and other Scandinavians. $1 billion (2001 est.) NA 10% (2001 est.) $22,000 (2001 est.) agriculture: 27% industry: 11% services: 62% (1999) 24,250 (October 2000) agriculture: 33% industry: 33% services: 34% 1% (October 2000) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 5.1% (1999) revenues: $488 million expenditures: $484 million; including capital expenditures of $21 million (1999) milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts 8% (1999 est.) 260.2 million kWh (2003) 242 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 4,500 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $533 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999) Denmark 38%, UK 29.4%, Nigeria 8.9%, Norway 6.6%, Netherlands 4.3% (2005) $639 million c.i.f. (2004 est.) consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, machinery and transport equipment 29%, fuels, fish, salt (1999) Denmark 46.2%, Norway 18.1%, Germany 8.2%, Spain 7.6%, Iceland 4.8% (2005) $64 million (1999) $135 million (annual subsidy from Denmark) (1998) Danish krone (DKK) Danish kroner per US dollar - 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003), 7.8947 (2002), 8.3228 (2001) calendar year 24,000 (2004) 41,300 (2004) general assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities domestic: digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed international: country code - 298; satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) 3 (plus 43 low-power repeaters) (September 1995) .fo 3,146 (2005) 31,000 (2005) 1 (2006) total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006) total: 458 km note: no roads between towns (2003) total: 18 ships (1000 GRT or over) 19,265 GRT/9,171 DWT by type: cargo 10, container 2, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 2 foreign-owned: 8 (Iceland 4, Norway 4) (2006) Torshavn no regular military forces males age 18-49: 10,695 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 8,852 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 366 (2005 est.) NA NA defense is the responsibility of Denmark French Polynesia The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during the 19th century. In September 1995, France stirred up widespread protests by resuming nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll after a three-year moratorium. The tests were suspended in January 1996. In recent years, French Polynesia's autonomy has been considerably expanded. Oceania, archipelagoes in the South Pacific Ocean about one-half of the way from South America to Australia 15 00 S, 140 00 W Oceania total: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls) land: 3,660 sq km water: 507 sq km slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut 0 km 2,525 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm tropical, but moderate mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Orohena 2,241 m timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower arable land: 0.75% permanent crops: 5.5% other: 93.75% (2005) 10 sq km (2003) occasional cyclonic storms in January NA includes five archipelagoes (4 volcanic, 1 coral); Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru 274,578 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 26.1% (male 36,541/female 34,999) 15-64 years: 67.9% (male 96,769/female 89,593) 65 years and over: 6.1% (male 8,428/female 8,248) (2006 est.) total: 27.9 years male: 28.2 years female: 27.5 years (2006 est.) 1.48% (2006 est.) 16.68 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 4.69 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 2.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 8.29 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.55 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 76.1 years male: 73.69 years female: 78.63 years (2006 est.) 2.01 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: French Polynesian(s) adjective: French Polynesian Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4% Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6% French 61.1% (official), Polynesian 31.4% (official), Asian languages 1.2%, other 0.3%, unspecified 6% (2002 census) definition: age 14 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1977 est.) conventional long form: Overseas Lands of French Polynesia conventional short form: French Polynesia local long form: Pays d'outre-mer de la Polynesie Francaise local short form: Polynesie Francaise former: French Colony of Oceania overseas lands of France; overseas territory of France from 1946-2004 NA name: Papeete geographic coordinates: 17 32 S, 149 34 W time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) none (overseas lands of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are five archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, Iles Sous-le-Vent note: Clipperton Island is administered by France from French Polynesia none (overseas lands of France) Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) based on French system 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Anne BOQUET (since September 2005) head of government: President of French Polynesia Oscar TEMARU (since 3 March 2005); President of the Territorial Assembly Antony GEROS (since 9 May 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the territorial government and the president of the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly for five-year terms (no term limits) unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (57 seats - changed from 49 seats for May 2004 election; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 23 May 2004 (next to be held May 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 28, Union for Democracy 27, New Star 1, This Country is Yours 1; after by-elections of 13 February 2005 seating was as follows: People's Rally for the Republic 27, Union for Democracy 27, and Alliance for a New Democracy 3 note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 27 September 1998 (next to be held September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; two seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held in 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP/RPR 1, UMP 1 Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif Alliance for a New Democracy or ADN [Nicole BOUTEAU and Philip SCHYLE](includes the parties The New Star and This Country is Yours); Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia (Tavini Huiraatira) [Oscar TEMARU]; New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api) [Emile VERNAUDON]; People's Rally for the Republic of Polynesia or RPR (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) [Gaston FLOSSE]; Union for Democracy or UPD [Oscar TEMARU] NA FZ, ICFTU, PIF (observer), SPC, UPU, WMO none (overseas lands of France) none (overseas lands of France) two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white band; centered on the white band is a disk with blue and white wave pattern on the lower half and gold and white ray pattern on the upper half; a stylized red, blue and white ship rides on the wave pattern; the French flag is used for official occasions under certain acts of France, French Polynesia has acquired autonomy in all areas except those relating to police and justice, monetary policy, tertiary education, immigration, and defense and foreign affairs; the duties of its president are fashioned after those of the French prime minister Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence agricultural economy to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. With the halt of French nuclear testing in 1996, the military contribution to the economy fell sharply. Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. Other sources of income are pearl farming and deep-sea commercial fishing. The small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural products. The territory benefits substantially from development agreements with France aimed principally at creating new businesses and strengthening social services. $4.58 billion (2003 est.) NA NA% (2001 est.) $17,500 (2003 est.) agriculture: 6% industry: 18% services: 76% (2002) 63,300 (December 20004) agriculture: 13% industry: 19% services: 68% (2002) 11.8% (1994) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 2.3% (2005 est.) revenues: $865 million expenditures: $644.1 million; including capital expenditures of $185 million (1996) coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits, coffee; poultry, beef, dairy products tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates NA% 493.7 million kWh (2003) 459.2 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 4,800 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $211 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) cultured pearls, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat France 46.3%, Japan 20.8%, Niger 12.8%, US 12.5% (2005) $1.706 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) fuels, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment France 52.5%, Singapore 14.8%, NZ 7.1%, US 6.5% (2005) $NA $367 million (1997) Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF) Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003), 126.71 (2002), 133.26 (2001) note: pegged at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the euro calendar year 53,300 (2004) 90,000 (2002) general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: country code - 689; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) AM 2, FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998) 7 (plus 17 low-power repeaters) (1997) .pf 6,151 (2005) 61,000 (2005) 51 (2006) total: 39 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 7 (2006) total: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 7 (2006) 1 (2006) total: 2,590 km paved: 1,735 km unpaved: 855 km (1999) total: 13 ships (1000 GRT or over) 23,684 GRT/17,291 DWT by type: cargo 4, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 5, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 1 (France 1) registered in other countries: 2 (Wallis and Futuna 2) (2006) Papeete no regular military forces; Gendarmerie and National Police Force males age 18-49: 69,679 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 55,305 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 2,747 (2005 est.) defense is the responsibility of France France Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a presidential democracy resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentary democracies. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of a common exchange currency, the euro, in January 1999. At present, France is at the forefront of efforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplement progress toward an EU foreign policy. Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain 46 00 N, 2 00 E Europe total: 547,030 sq km land: 545,630 sq km water: 1,400 sq km note: includes only metropolitan France; excludes the overseas administrative divisions slightly less than twice the size of Colorado total: 2,889 km border countries: Andorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573 km 3,427 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (does not apply to the Mediterranean) continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east lowest point: Rhone River delta -2 m highest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar, fluorospar, gypsum, timber, fish arable land: 33.46% permanent crops: 2.03% other: 64.51% (2005) 26,000 sq km (2003) flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural runoff party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements largest West European nation 60,876,136 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 18.3% (male 5,704,152/female 5,427,213) 15-64 years: 65.3% (male 19,886,228/female 19,860,506) 65 years and over: 16.4% (male 4,103,883/female 5,894,154) (2006 est.) total: 39.1 years male: 37.6 years female: 40.7 years (2006 est.) 0.35% (2006 est.) 11.99 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 9.14 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 4.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 79.73 years male: 76.1 years female: 83.54 years (2006 est.) 1.84 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.4% (2003 est.) 120,000 (2003 est.) less than 1,000 (2003 est.) noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women) adjective: French Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4% French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) conventional long form: French Republic conventional short form: France local long form: Republique francaise local short form: France republic name: Paris geographic coordinates: 48 52 N, 2 20 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 22 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, Basse-Normandie, Bourgogne, Bretagne, Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Corse, Franche-Comte, Haute-Normandie, Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Rhone-Alpes note: metropolitan France is divided into 22 regions (including the "territorial collectivity" of Corse or Corsica) and is subdivided into 96 departments; see separate entries for the overseas departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion) and the overseas territorial collectivities (Mayotte, Saint Pierre, Miquelon) Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, New Caledonia, Tromelin Island, Wallis and Futuna note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica 486 (unified by Clovis) Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) adopted by referendum 28 September 1958, effective 4 October 1958; amended concerning election of president in 1962; amended to comply with provisions of 1992 EC Maastricht Treaty, 1996 Amsterdam Treaty, 2000 Treaty of Nice; amended to tighten immigration laws in 1993; amended in 2000 to change the seven-year presidential term to a five-year term civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not legislative acts 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995) head of government: Prime Minister Dominique DE VILLEPIN (since 31 May 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the suggestion of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (changed from seven-year term in October 2000); election last held 21 April and 5 May 2002 (next to be held, first round April 2007, second round May 2007); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly majority and appointed by the president election results: Jacques CHIRAC reelected president; percent of vote, second ballot - Jacques CHIRAC (RPR) 81.96%, Jean-Marie LE PEN (FN) 18.04% bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (321 seats - 296 for metropolitan France, 13 for overseas departments and territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad; members are indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve nine-year terms; elected by thirds every three years); note - between 2004 and 2010, 25 new seats will be added to the Senate for a total of 346 seats - 326 for metropolitan France and overseas departments, 2 for New Caledonia, 2 for Mayotte, 1 for Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, 3 for overseas territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad; starting in 2008, members will be indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve six-year terms, with one-half the seats being renewed every three years; and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (577 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a single-member majority system to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 26 September 2004 (next to be held September 2008); National Assembly - last held 8-16 June 2002 (next to be held not later than June 2007) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 156, PS 97, UDF 33, PCF 23, RDSE 15, other 7; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 355, PS 140, UDF 29, PCF 21, Left Radical Party 7, Greens 3, other 22 Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de Cassation (judges are appointed by the president from nominations of the High Council of the Judiciary); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel (three members appointed by the president, three appointed by the president of the National Assembly, and three appointed by the president of the Senate); Council of State or Conseil d'Etat Citizen and Republican Movement or MRC [Jean Pierre CHEVENEMENT]; Democratic and European Social Rally or RDSE (mainly Radical Republican and Socialist Parties, and PRG) [Jacques PELLETIER]; French Communist Party or PCF [Marie-George BUFFET]; Greens [Yan WEHRLING, national secretary]; Left Radical Party or PRG (previously Radical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left Radical Movement or MRG) [Jean-Michel BAYLET]; Movement for France or MPF [Philippe DE VILLIERS]; National Front or FN [Jean-Marie LE PEN]; Rally for France or RPF [Charles PASQUA]; Socialist Party or PS [Francois HOLLANDE]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Francois BAYROU]; Union for a Popular Movement or UMP [Nicolas SARKOZY] historically-Communist labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail) or CGT, approximately 700,000 members (claimed); left-leaning labor union (Confederation Francaise Democratique du Travail) or CFDT, approximately 889,000 members (claimed); independent labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail - Force Ouvriere) or FO, 300,000 members (est.); independent white-collar union (Confederation Generale des Cadres) or CGC, 196,000 members (claimed); employers' union (Mouvement des Entreprises de France) or MEDEF, 750,000 companies as members (claimed) ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, Arctic Council (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FZ, G- 5, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC chief of mission: Ambassador Jean-David LEVITTE chancery: 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 944-6000 FAX: [1] (202) 944-6166 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco chief of mission: Ambassador Craig R. STAPLETON embassy: 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08 mailing address: PSC 116, APO AE 09777 telephone: [33] (1) 43-12-22-22 FAX: [33] (1) 42 66 97 83 consulate(s) general: Marseille, Strasbourg three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the "Le drapeau tricolore" (French Tricolor), the origin of the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution; the design and/or colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, Luxembourg, and Netherlands; the official flag for all French dependent areas France is in the midst of transition from a well-to-do modern economy that has featured extensive government ownership and intervention to one that relies more on market mechanisms. The government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, banks, and insurers. It retains controlling stakes in several leading firms, including Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales, and is dominant in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries. The telecommunications sector is gradually being opened to competition. France's leaders remain committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that reduce income disparity and the impact of free markets on public health and welfare. The government has lowered income taxes and introduced measures to boost employment and reform the pension system. In addition, it is focusing on the problems of the high cost of labor and labor market inflexibility resulting from the 35-hour workweek and restrictions on lay-offs. The tax burden remains one of the highest in Europe (nearly 50% of GDP in 2005). The lingering economic slowdown and inflexible budget items have pushed the budget deficit above the eurozone's 3%-of-GDP limit; unemployment stands at 10%. $1.816 trillion (2005 est.) $2.055 trillion (2005 est.) 1.4% (2005 est.) $29,900 (2005 est.) agriculture: 2.2% industry: 21.4% services: 76.4% (2005 est.) 27.72 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 4.1% industry: 24.4% services: 71.5% (1999) 9.9% (2005 est.) 6.5% (2000) lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 25.1% (1995) 32.7 (1995) 1.7% (2005 est.) 19.6% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $1.06 trillion expenditures: $1.144 trillion; including capital expenditures of $23 billion (2005 est.) 66.2% of GDP (2005 est.) wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; beef, dairy products; fish machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics; textiles, food processing; tourism 0.2% (2005 est.) 536.9 billion kWh (2003) 433.3 billion kWh (2003) 72.2 billion kWh (2003) 6.2 billion kWh (2003) 76,300 bbl/day (2003 est.) 2.06 million bbl/day (2003 est.) 409,600 bbl/day (2001) 2.281 million bbl/day (2001) 144.3 million bbl (1 January 2002) 1.566 billion cu m (2003 est.) 43.74 billion cu m (2003 est.) 1.725 billion cu m (2001 est.) 40.26 billion cu m (2001 est.) 14.33 billion cu m (1 January 2002) -$38.78 billion (2005 est.) $443.4 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beverages Germany 14.7%, Spain 9.6%, Italy 8.7%, UK 8.3%, US 7.2%, Belgium 7.1% (2005) $473.3 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics, chemicals Germany 18.9%, Belgium 10.7%, Italy 8.2%, Spain 7%, Netherlands 6.5%, UK 5.9%, US 5.1% (2005) $74.36 billion (2005 est.) $2.826 trillion (30 June 2005) ODA, $5.4 billion (2002) euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries euros per US dollar - 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001) calendar year 33,870,200 (2004) 44,551,800 (2004) general assessment: highly developed domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay; extensive introduction of fiber-optic cable; domestic satellite system international: country code - 33; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (with total of 5 antennas - 2 for Indian Ocean and 3 for Atlantic Ocean), NA Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region); HF radiotelephone communications with more than 20 countries AM 41, FM about 3,500 (this figure is an approximation and includes many repeaters), shortwave 2 (1998) 584 (plus 9,676 repeaters) (1995) .fr 2,922,040 (2005) 26,214,174 (2005) 477 (2006) total: 292 over 3,047 m: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 28 1,524 to 2,437 m: 96 914 to 1,523 m: 81 under 914 m: 74 (2006) total: 185 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 73 under 914 m: 108 (2006) 3 (2006) gas 14,232 km; oil 3,024 km; refined products 4,889 km (2004) total: 29,085 km standard gauge: 28,918 km 1.435-m gauge (14,481 km electrified) narrow gauge: 167 km 1.000-m gauge (2005) total: 891,290 km paved: 891,290 km (including 10,390 km of expressways) (2003) 8,500 km (1,686 km accessible to craft of 3,000 metric tons) (2000) total: 61 ships (1000 GRT or over) 875,777 GRT/1,318,605 DWT by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 3, container 5, liquefied gas 6, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 32, petroleum tanker 10, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 13 (Denmark 1, Hong Kong 1, Italy 2, Monaco 1, Norway 1, NZ 1, Singapore 2, Sweden 2, Switzerland 2) registered in other countries: 154 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Australia 3, Bahamas 37, Bermuda 1, Cameroon 1, French Polynesia 1, French Southern and Antarctic Lands 36, Gibraltar 1, Indonesia 1, Isle of Man 2, Italy 1, South Korea 12, Liberia 3, Luxembourg 14, Malta 6, Mexico 1, Morocco 1, Panama 15, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 8, UK 4, Wallis and Futuna 5) (2006) Bordeaux, Calais, Dunkerque, La Pallice, Le Havre, Marseille, Nantes, Paris, Rouen, Strasbourg Army (includes marines, Foreign Legion, light aviation), Navy (includes naval air), Air Force (includes air defense), National Gendarmerie 17 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription ended in the 1990s; women serve in non-combat military posts (2001) males age 17-49: 13,676,509 females age 17-49: 13,504,539 (2005 est.) males age 17-49: 11,262,661 females age 17-49: 11,079,472 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 389,204 females age 17-49: 372,719 (2005 est.) $45 billion FY06 (2005) 2.6% FY06 (2005 est.) Madagascar claims the French territories of Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; territorial dispute between Suriname and the French overseas department of French Guiana; France asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land); France and Vanuatu claim Matthew and Hunter Islands, east of New Caledonia French Southern and Antarctic Lands The Southern Lands consist of two archipelagos, Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen, and two volcanic islands, Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul. They contain no permanent inhabitants and are visited only by researchers studying the native fauna. The Antarctic portion consists of "Adelie Land," a thin slice of the Antarctic continent discovered and claimed by the French in 1840. southeast of Africa, islands in the southern Indian Ocean, about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia; note - French Southern and Antarctic Lands include Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, and Iles Kerguelen in the southern Indian Ocean, along with the French-claimed sector of Antarctica, "Adelie Land"; the US does not recognize the French claim to "Adelie Land" 43 00 S, 67 00 E Antarctic Region total: 7,829 sq km land: 7,829 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, and Iles Kerguelen; excludes "Adelie Land" claim of about 500,000 sq km in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US slightly less than 1.3 times the size of Delaware 0 km 1,232 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm from Iles Kerguelen (does not include the rest of French Southern and Antarctic Lands) antarctic volcanic lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Ross on Iles Kerguelen 1,850 m fish, crayfish arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) 0 sq km Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes NA islands component is widely scattered across remote locations in the southern Indian Ocean no indigenous inhabitants note: in 2002, there were 145 researchers whose numbers vary from winter (July) to summer (January) (July 2006 est.) conventional long form: Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands conventional short form: French Southern and Antarctic Lands local long form: Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises local short form: Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises abbreviation: TAAF overseas territory of France since 1955; administered from Paris by Administrateur Superieur Michel CHAMPON (since 20 December 2004), assisted by Secretary General Jean-Yves HERMOSO (since NA) none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three districts named Ile Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, Iles Saint-Paul et Amsterdam; excludes "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US the laws of France, where applicable, apply chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Senior Administrator Michel CHAMPON none (overseas territory of France) none (overseas territory of France) the flag of France is used Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and geophysical research stations and French and other fishing fleets. The fish catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported to France and Reunion. .tf 39 (2005) total: 77 ships (1000 GRT or over) 3,432,833 GRT/5,345,291 DWT by type: bulk carrier 2, chemical tanker 27, container 18, liquefied gas 5, petroleum tanker 15, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle carrier 4 foreign-owned: 76 (Belgium 6, Denmark 2, France 36, Germany 2, Hong Kong 2, Japan 4, Norway 12, Saudi Arabia 1, Sweden 9, Switzerland 1, UK 1) (2006) none; offshore anchorage only defense is the responsibility of France Gambia, The The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965; it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia with Senegal between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty. A military coup in 1994 overthrew the president and banned political activity, but a 1996 constitution and presidential elections, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. The country undertook another round of presidential and legislative elections in late 2001 and early 2002. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH, the leader of the coup, has been elected president in all subsequent elections. Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal 13 28 N, 16 34 W Africa total: 11,300 sq km land: 10,000 sq km water: 1,300 sq km slightly less than twice the size of Delaware total: 740 km border countries: Senegal 740 km 80 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: not specified exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May) flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 53 m fish, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon, silica sand, clay, petroleum arable land: 27.88% permanent crops: 0.44% other: 71.68% (2005) 20 sq km (2003) drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years) deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa 1,641,564 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 44.3% (male 365,157/female 361,821) 15-64 years: 53% (male 431,627/female 438,159) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 22,889/female 21,911) (2006 est.) total: 17.7 years male: 17.6 years female: 17.8 years (2006 est.) 2.84% (2006 est.) 39.37 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 12.25 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 1.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 71.58 deaths/1,000 live births male: 78.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 64.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 54.14 years male: 52.3 years female: 56.03 years (2006 est.) 5.3 children born/woman (2006 est.) 1.2% (2003 est.) 6,800 (2003 est.) 600 (2003 est.) degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, yellow fever are high risks in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2005) noun: Gambian(s) adjective: Gambian African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1% English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 40.1% male: 47.8% female: 32.8% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia conventional short form: The Gambia republic name: Banjul geographic coordinates: 12 28 N, 16 39 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, Western 18 February 1965 (from UK) Independence Day, 18 February (1965) 24 April 1970; suspended July 1994; rewritten and approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; reestablished January 1997 based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); note - from 1994 to 1996 he was chairman of the Junta); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); note - from 1994 to 1996 he was chairman of the Junta); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 22 September 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH reelected president; percent of vote - Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 67.3%, Ousainou DARBOE 26.6% unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 elected by popular vote, 5 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 17 January 2002 (next to be held February 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APRC 45, PDOIS 2, NRP 1, Supreme Court Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC [Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH] (the ruling party); Gambian People's Party-Progressive People's Party-United Democratic Party or GPP-PPP-UDP Coalition [Ousainou DARBOE]; National Convention Party or NCP [Sheriff DIBBA]; National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat N. K. BAH]; People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Sidia JATTA] note: in August 2001, an independent electoral commission allowed the reregistration of the GPP, NCP, and PPP, three parties banned since 1996 NA ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Dodou Bammy JAGNE chancery: Suite 1000, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1379 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430 chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph D. STAFFORD, III embassy: Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, Banjul mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul telephone: [220] 392856, 392858, 391971 FAX: [220] 392475 three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green The Gambia has no significant mineral or natural resource deposits and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population depends on crops and livestock for its livelihood. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. Reexport trade normally constitutes a major segment of economic activity, but a 1999 government-imposed preshipment inspection plan, and instability of the Gambian dalasi (currency) have drawn some of the reexport trade away from The Gambia. The government's 1998 seizure of the private peanut firm Alimenta eliminated the largest purchaser of Gambian groundnuts. Despite an announced program to begin privatizing key parastatals, no plans have been made public that would indicate that the government intends to follow through on its promises. Unemployment and underemployment rates remain extremely high; short-run economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, on continued technical assistance from the IMF and bilateral donors, and on expected growth in the construction sector. $3.024 billion (2005 est.) $429 million (2005 est.) 5.5% (2005 est.) $1,900 (2005 est.) agriculture: 30.8% industry: 14.2% services: 54.9% (2005 est.) 400,000 (1996) agriculture: 75% industry: 19% services: 6% NA% NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 8.8% (2005 est.) 20% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $46.63 million expenditures: $62.66 million; including capital expenditures of $4.1 million (2005 est.) rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava (tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing NA% 140 million kWh (2003) 130.2 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 2,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) -$53 million (2005 est.) $140.3 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels, re-exports India 34.9%, UK 18.1%, Indonesia 8.2%, Malaysia 6.1%, Senegal 4.6%, Belgium 4.2% (2005) $197 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment China 21%, Senegal 11.1%, Cote d'Ivoire 8.3%, Brazil 5.9%, US 5.1%, UK 5% (2005) $82 million (2005 est.) $628.8 million (2003 est.) $59.8 million (2003) dalasi (GMD) dalasi per US dollar - 30.38 (2005), 30.03 (2004), 27.306 (2004), 19.918 (2003), 15.687 (2002), 15.687 (2001) calendar year 44,000 (2005) 175,000 (2004) general assessment: adequate; a packet switched data network is available domestic: adequate network of microwave radio relay and open-wire international: country code - 220; microwave radio relay links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001) 1 (government-owned) (1997) .gm 13 (2005) 49,000 (2005) 1 (2006) total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2006) total: 3,742 km paved: 723 km unpaved: 3,019 km (2003) 390 km (on River Gambia; small ocean-going vessels can reach 190 km) (2004) total: 5 ships (1000 GRT or over) 32,064 GRT/9,751 DWT by type: passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 1 (2006) Banjul Gambian National Army (GNA), Gambian Navy (GN), Presidential Guard, National Guard 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001) males age 18-49: 311,025 females age 18-49: 316,214 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 183,057 females age 18-49: 194,551 (2005 est.) $1.55 million (2005 est.) 0.4% (2005 est.) Gabon Only two autocratic presidents have ruled Gabon since independence from France in 1960. The current president of Gabon, El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba - one of the longest-serving heads of state in the world - has dominated the contry's political scene for almost four decades. President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s. However, allegations of electoral fraud during local elections in 2002-03 and the presidential elections in 2005 have exposed the weaknesses of formal political structures in Gabon. Gabon's political opposition remains weak, divided, and financially dependent on the current regime. Despite political conditions, a small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous and stable African countries. Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea 1 00 S, 11 45 E Africa total: 267,667 sq km land: 257,667 sq km water: 10,000 sq km slightly smaller than Colorado total: 2,551 km border countries: Cameroon 298 km, Republic of the Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350 km 885 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm tropical; always hot, humid narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Iboundji 1,575 m petroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower arable land: 1.21% permanent crops: 0.64% other: 98.15% (2005) 70 sq km (2003) NA deforestation; poaching party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements a small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity 1,424,906 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 42.1% (male 300,914/female 299,141) 15-64 years: 53.9% (male 383,137/female 384,876) 65 years and over: 4% (male 23,576/female 33,262) (2006 est.) total: 18.6 years male: 18.4 years female: 18.8 years (2006 est.) 2.13% (2006 est.) 36.16 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 12.25 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -2.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 54.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 63.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 45.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 54.49 years male: 53.21 years female: 55.81 years (2006 est.) 4.74 children born/woman (2006 est.) 8.1% (2003 est.) 48,000 (2003 est.) 3,000 (2003 est.) degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria (2005) noun: Gabonese (singular and plural) adjective: Gabonese Bantu tribes, including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Bapounou, Nzebi, Obamba); other Africans and Europeans, 154,000, including 10,700 French and 11,000 persons of dual nationality Christian 55%-75%, animist, Muslim less than 1% French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 63.2% male: 73.7% female: 53.3% (1995 est.) conventional long form: Gabonese Republic conventional short form: Gabon local long form: Republique gabonaise local short form: Gabon republic; multiparty presidential regime name: Libreville geographic coordinates: 0 23 N, 9 27 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem 17 August 1960 (from France) Founding of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), 12 March (1968) adopted 14 March 1991 based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 21 years of age; universal chief of state: President El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba (since 2 December 1967) head of government: Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe NDONG (since 20 January 2006) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits); election last held 27 November 2005 (next to be held in 2012); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba reelected; percent of vote - El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba 79.2%, Pierre MAMBOUNDOU 13.6%, Zacharie MYBOTO 6.6% bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (91 seats; members elected by members of municipal councils and departmental assemblies) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (120 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 26 January and 9 February 2003 (next to be held by January 2009); National Assembly - last held 9 and 23 December 2001 (next to be held December 2006) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 53, RNB 20, PGP 4, ADERE 3, RDP 1, CLR 1, independents 9; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 86, RNB-RPG 8, PGP 3, ADERE 3, CLR 2, PUP 1, PSD 1, independents 13, others 3 Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consisting of three chambers - Judicial, Administrative, and Accounts; Constitutional Court; Courts of Appeal; Court of State Security; County Courts Circle of Liberal Reformers or CLR [General Jean Boniface ASSELE]; Congress for Democracy and Justice or CDJ [Jules Aristide Bourdes OGOULIGUENDE]; Democratic and Republican Alliance or ADERE [Divungui-di-Ndinge DIDJOB]; Gabonese Democratic Party or PDG [Simplice Nguedet MANZELA] (former sole party); Gabonese Party for Progress or PGP [Pierre-Louis AGONDJO-OKAWE]; National Rally of Woodcutters or RNB; National Rally of Woodcutters-Rally for Gabon or RNB-RPG (Bucherons) [Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE]; People's Unity Party or PUP [Louis Gaston MAYILA]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Pierre EMBONI]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Pierre Claver MAGANGA-MOUSSAVOU]; Union for Democracy and Social Integration or UDIS; Union of Gabonese People or UPG [Pierre MAMBOUNDOU] NA ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Jules Marius OGOUEBANDJA chancery: Suite 200, 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 797-1000 FAX: [1] (202) 332-0668 consulate(s): New York chief of mission: Ambassador Barrie R. WALKLEY embassy: Boulevard du Bord de Mer, Libreville mailing address: Centre Ville, B. P. 4000, Libreville telephone: [241] 76 20 03 through 76 20 04, after hours - 74 34 92 FAX: [241] 74 55 07 three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most of sub-Saharan African nations. This has supported a sharp decline in extreme poverty; yet, because of high income inequality, a large proportion of the population remains poor. Gabon depended on timber and manganese until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s. The oil sector now accounts for 50% of GDP. Gabon continues to face fluctuating prices for its oil, timber, and manganese exports. Despite the abundance of natural wealth, poor fiscal management hobbles the economy. Devaluation of its currency by 50% in January 1994 sparked a one-time inflationary surge, to 35%; the rate dropped to 6% in 1996. The IMF provided a one-year standby arrangement in 1994-95, a three-year Enhanced Financing Facility (EFF) at near commercial rates beginning in late 1995, and stand-by credit of $119 million in October 2000. Those agreements mandated progress in privatization and fiscal discipline. France provided additional financial support in January 1997 after Gabon met IMF targets for mid-1996. In 1997, an IMF mission to Gabon criticized the government for overspending on off-budget items, overborrowing from the central bank, and slipping on its schedule for privatization and administrative reform. The rebound of oil prices in 1999-2000 helped growth, but drops in production hampered Gabon from fully realizing potential gains. In December 2000, Gabon signed a new agreement with the Paris Club to reschedule its official debt. A follow-up bilateral repayment agreement with the US was signed in December 2001. Gabon signed a 14-month Stand-By Arrangement with the IMF in May 2004, and received Paris Club debt rescheduling later that year. Short-term progress depends on an upbeat world economy and fiscal and other adjustments in line with IMF policies. $9.535 billion (2005 est.) $6.697 billion (2005 est.) 2.1% (2005 est.) $6,800 (2005 est.) agriculture: 6.1% industry: 59.2% services: 34.8% (2005 est.) 640,000 (2005 est.) agriculture: 60% industry: 15% services: 25% 21% (1997 est.) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% -0.1% (2005 est.) 24.7% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $2.463 billion expenditures: $1.618 billion; including capital expenditures of $325 million (2005 est.) 33.6% of GDP (2005 est.) cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber; cattle; okoume (a tropical softwood); fish petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, gold; chemicals, ship repair, food and beverages, textiles, lumbering and plywood, cement 1.6% (2002 est.) 1.487 billion kWh (2003) 1.383 billion kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 268,900 bbl/day (2005 est.) 12,250 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 1.921 billion bbl (2005 est.) 90 million cu m (2003 est.) 90 million cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 33.98 billion cu m (2005) $675 million (2005 est.) $5.813 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) crude oil 77%, timber, manganese, uranium (2001) US 53.7%, France 6.4%, China 6.3%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.1% (2005) $1.533 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, construction materials France 41%, US 6.5%, Cameroon 4.2%, Belgium 4% (2005) $675.2 million (2005 est.) $3.903 billion (2005 est.) $331 million (1995) Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001) calendar year 39,100 (2005) 489,400 (2004) general assessment: adequate service by African standards and improving with the help of the growing mobile cell system domestic: adequate system of cable, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, radiotelephone communication stations, and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations international: country code - 241; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia AM 6, FM 7 (and 11 repeaters), shortwave 4 (2001) 4 (plus four low-power repeaters) (2001) .ga 310 (2005) 40,000 (2005) 56 (2006) total: 11 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006) total: 45 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 23 (2006) gas 210 km; oil 1,385 km (2004) total: 814 km standard gauge: 814 km 1.435-m gauge (2005) total: 32,333 km paved: 6,247 km unpaved: 26,086 km (2003) 1,600 km (310 km on Ogooue River) (2005) registered in other countries: 2 (Cambodia 1, Panama 1) (2006) Gamba, Libreville, Lucinda, Owendo, Port-Gentil Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001) males age 18-49: 278,826 females age 18-49: 279,865 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 159,198 females age 18-49: 156,122 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 15,325 females age 18-49: 15,367 (2005 est.) $253.5 million (2005 est.) 3.4% (2005 est.) Georgia The region of present-day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D. and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. An attempt by the incumbent Georgian government to manipulate national legislative elections in November 2003 touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. New elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his National Movement Party. Progress on market reforms and democratization has been made in the years since independence, but this progress has been complicated by two civil conflicts in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. These two territories remain outside the control of the central government and are ruled by de facto, unrecognized governments, supported by Russia. Russian-led peacekeeping operations continue in both regions. The Georgian Government put forward a new peace initiative for the peaceful resolution of the status of South Ossetia in 2005. Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia 42 00 N, 43 30 E Asia total: 69,700 sq km land: 69,700 sq km water: 0 sq km slightly smaller than South Carolina total: 1,461 km border countries: Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 km 310 km NA warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (Kolkhida Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; good soils in river valley flood plains, foothills of Kolkhida Lowland lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Mt'a Shkhara 5,201 m forests, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth arable land: 11.51% permanent crops: 3.79% other: 84.7% (2005) 4,690 sq km (2003) earthquakes air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them 4,661,473 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 17.3% (male 428,056/female 380,193) 15-64 years: 66.2% (male 1,482,908/female 1,602,064) 65 years and over: 16.5% (male 308,905/female 459,347) (2006 est.) total: 37.7 years male: 35.3 years female: 40.1 years (2006 est.) -0.34% (2006 est.) 10.41 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 9.23 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -4.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.15 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 17.97 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 76.09 years male: 72.8 years female: 79.87 years (2006 est.) 1.42 children born/woman (2006 est.) less than 0.1% (2001 est.) 3,000 (2003 est.) less than 200 (2003 est.) noun: Georgian(s) adjective: Georgian Georgian 83.8%, Azeri 6.5%, Armenian 5.7%, Russian 1.5%, other 2.5% (2002 census) Orthodox Christian 83.9%, Muslim 9.9%, Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%, Catholic 0.8%, other 0.8%, none 0.7% (2002 census) Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7% note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2004 est.) conventional long form: none conventional short form: Georgia local long form: none local short form: Sak'art'velo former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic republic name: T'bilisi geographic coordinates: 41 43 N, 44 49 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 9 cities (k'alak'ebi, singular - k'alak'i), and 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika) regions: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli cities: Chiat'ura, Gori, K'ut'aisi, P'ot'i, Rust'avi, T'bilisi, Tqibuli, Tsqaltubo, Zugdidi autonomous republics: Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika (Bat'umi) note: the administrative centers of the two autonomous republics are shown in parentheses 9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union) Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union adopted 24 August 1995 based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25 January 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government for the power ministries: state security (includes interior) and defense head of government: President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25 January 2004); Prime Minister Zurab NOGHAIDELI (since 17 February 2005); note - the president is the chief of state and head of government for the power ministries: state security (includes interior) and defense; the prime minister is head of the remaining ministries of government cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 January 2004 (next to be held in 2009) election results: Mikheil SAAKASHVILI elected president; percent of vote - Mikheil SAAKASHVILI 96.3%, Temur SHASHIASHVILI 1.9% unicameral Supreme Council (commonly referred to as Parliament) or Umaghiesi Sabcho (235 seats - 150 elected by party lists); members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 28 March 2004 (next to be held spring 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - National Movement-Democratic Front 67.6%, Rightist Opposition 7.6%, all other parties received less than 7% each; seats by party - National Movement-Democratic Front 135, Rightist Opposition 15 Supreme Court (judges elected by the Supreme Council on the president's or chairman of the Supreme Court's recommendation); Constitutional Court; first and second instance courts Burjanadze-Democrats [Nino BURJANADZE]; Georgian People's Front [Nodar NATADZE]; Georgian United Communist Party or UCPG [Panteleimon GIORGADZE]; Greens [Giorgi GACHECHILADZE]; Industry Will Save Georgia (Industrialists) or IWSG [Georgi TOPADZE]; Labor Party [Shalva NATELASHVILI]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Bachuki KARDAVA]; National Movement Democratic Front [Mikheil SAAKASHVILI] bloc composed of National Movement and Burjanadze-Democrats; National Movement [Mikheil SAAKASHVILI]; New Rights [David GAMKRELIDZE]; Republican Party [David USUPASHVILI]; Rightist Opposition [David GAMKRELIDZE] bloc composed of Industrialists and New Right Party; Socialist Party or SPG [Irakli MINDELI]; Traditionalists [Akaki ASATIANI]; Union of National Forces-Conservatives [Koba DAVITASHVILI and Zviad DZIDZIGURI] Georgian independent deputies from Abkhaz government in exile; separatists in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia; supporters of former President Zviad GAMSAKHURDYA ousted in 1991 ACCT (observer), BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Vasil SIKHARULIDZE chancery: 1615 New Hampshire Ave. NW, No. 300, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 387-2390 FAX: [1] (202) 393-6060 chief of mission: Ambassador John F. TEFFT embassy: 11 George Balanchine St., T'bilisi 0131 mailing address: 7060 Tbilisi Place, Washington, DC 20521-7060 telephone: [995] (32) 27-70-00 FAX: [995] (32) 53-23-10 white rectangle, in its central portion a red cross connecting all four sides of the flag; in each of the four corners is a small red bolnur-katskhuri cross; the five-cross flag appears to date back to the 14th century Georgia's main economic activities include the cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese and copper; and output of a small industrial sector producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, and chemicals. The country imports the bulk of its energy needs, including natural gas and oil products. It has sizeable but underdeveloped hydropower capacity. Despite the severe damage the economy has suffered due to civil strife, Georgia, with the help of the IMF and World Bank, has made substantial economic gains since 2000, achieving positive GDP growth and curtailing inflation. Georgia had suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues; however, the new government is making progress and has reformed the tax code, improved tax administration, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on corruption. In addition, the reinvigorated privatization process has met with success, supplementing government expenditures on infrastructure, defense, and poverty reduction. Despite customs and financial (tax) enforcement improvements, smuggling is a drain on the economy. Georgia also suffers from energy shortages due to aging and badly maintained infrastructure, as well as poor management. Due to concerted reform efforts, collection rates have improved considerably to roughly 60%, both in T'bilisi and throughout the regions. Continued reform in the management of state-owned power entities is essential to successful privatization and onward sustainability in this sector. The country is pinning its hopes for long-term growth on its role as a transit state for pipelines and trade. The construction on the Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku-T'bilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline have brought much-needed investment and job opportunities. Nevertheless, high energy prices in 2006 will compound the pressure on the country's inefficient energy sector. Restructuring the sector and finding energy supply alternatives to Russia remain major challenges. $15.56 billion (2005 est.) $6.4 billion (2005 est.) 7% (2005 est.) $3,300 (2005 est.) agriculture: 17.2% industry: 27.5% services: 55.3% (2005 est.) 2.04 million (2004 est.) agriculture: 40% industry: 20% services: 40% (1999 est.) 12.6% (2004 est.) 54% (2001 est.) lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 27.9% (1996) 38 (2003) 8.2% (2005 est.) 24% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $1.43 billion expenditures: $1.56 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) citrus, grapes, tea, hazelnuts, vegetables; livestock steel, aircraft, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining (manganese and copper), chemicals, wood products, wine 3% (2000) 8.634 billion kWh (2003) 9.8 billion kWh (2005) 71 million kWh (2004) 1.2 billion kWh (2004) 1,982 bbl/day (2003) 13,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 20 million cu m (2003 est.) 1.5 billion cu m (2005 est.) NA cu m 1.5 billion cu m (2005 est.) -$625 million (2005 est.) $1.4 billion (2005 est.) scrap metal, machinery, chemicals; fuel reexports; citrus fruits, tea, wine US 16.1%, Turkey 15.5%, Russia 12.3%, Turkmenistan 11.3% (2005) $2.5 billion (2005 est.) fuels, machinery and parts, transport equipment, grain and other foods, pharmaceuticals Russia 16%, Turkey 10.3%, US 9.6%, Ukraine 9%, Azerbaijan 7.4%, Germany 6.5%, Italy 4.3% (2005) $474.2 million (2005 est.) $2.04 billion (2004) ODA, $150 million (2000 est.) lari (GEL) lari per US dollar - 1.8127 (2005), 1.9167 (2004), 2.1457 (2003), 2.1957 (2002), 2.073 (2001) calendar year 683,200 (2004) 840,600 (2004) general assessment: NA domestic: local - T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi have cellular telephone networks; urban telephone density is about 20 per 100 people; rural telephone density is about 4 per 100 people; intercity facilities include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi; nationwide pager service is available international: country code - 995; Georgia and Russia are working on a fiber-optic line between P'ot'i and Sochi (Russia); present international service is available by microwave, landline, and satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service are available AM 7, FM 12, shortwave 4 (1998) 12 (plus repeaters) (1998) .ge 8,942 (2005) 175,600 (2005) 23 (2006) total: 19 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2006) total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2006) 3 (2006) gas 1,697 km; oil 1,027 km; refined products 232 km (2004) total: 1,612 km broad gauge: 1,575 km 1.520-m gauge (1,575 electrified) narrow gauge: 37 km 0.912-m gauge (37 electrified) (2005) total: 20,247 km paved: 7,973 km unpaved: 12,274 km (2003) total: 222 ships (1000 GRT or over) 1,059,386 GRT/1,538,746 DWT by type: bulk carrier 27, cargo 176, container 4, liquefied gas 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 2, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 188 (Albania 1, Azerbaijan 2, Belgium 1, China 2, Cyprus 1, Ecuador 1, Egypt 8, Germany 1, Greece 8, Indonesia 1, South Korea 1, Lebanon 7, Monaco 13, Romania 11, Russia 28, Slovakia 1, Slovenia 1, Syria 43, Turkey 30, UAE 1, UK 4, Ukraine 22) (2006) Bat'umi, P'ot'i transportation network is in poor condition resulting from ethnic conflict, criminal activities, and fuel shortages; network lacks maintenance and repair Ground Forces (includes National Guard), Air and Air Defense Forces, Navy (2006) 18 to 34 years of age for compulsory and voluntary active duty military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2005) males age 18-49: 1,038,736 females age 18-49: 1,105,910 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 827,281 females age 18-49: 903,791 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 38,857 females age 18-49: 38,238 (2005 est.) $23 million (FY00) 0.59% (FY00) a CIS peacekeeping force of Russian troops is deployed in the Abkhazia region of Georgia together with a UN military observer group; a Russian peacekeeping battalion is deployed in South Ossetia Russia and Georgia agree on delimiting 80% of their common border, leaving certain small, strategic segments and the maritime boundary unresolved; OSCE observers monitor volatile areas such as the Pankisi Gorge in the Akhmeti region and the Argun Gorge in Abkhazia; UN Observer Mission in Georgia has maintained a peacekeeping force in Georgia since 1993; Meshkheti Turks scattered throughout the former Soviet Union seek to return to Georgia; boundary with Armenia remains undemarcated; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy from the Georgian government; Azerbaijan and Georgia continue to discuss the alignment of their boundary at certain crossing areas IDPs: 260,000 (displaced from Abkhazia and South Ossetia) (2005) Ghana Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. A long series of coups resulted in the suspension of the constitution in 1981 and a ban on political parties. A new constitution, restoring multiparty politics, was approved in 1992. Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS, head of state since 1981, won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996, but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in 2000. John KUFUOR, who defeated former Vice President Atta MILLS in a free and fair election, succeeded him. Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo 8 00 N, 2 00 W Africa total: 239,460 sq km land: 230,940 sq km water: 8,520 sq km slightly smaller than Oregon total: 2,094 km border countries: Burkina Faso 549 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo 877 km 539 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Afadjato 880 m gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, limestone arable land: 17.54% permanent crops: 9.22% other: 73.24% (2005) 310 sq km (2003) dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds occur from January to March; droughts recurrent drought in north severely affects agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake 22,409,572 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 38.8% (male 4,395,744/female 4,288,720) 15-64 years: 57.7% (male 6,450,828/female 6,483,781) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 371,428/female 419,071) (2006 est.) total: 19.9 years male: 19.7 years female: 20.1 years (2006 est.) 2.07% (2006 est.) 30.52 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 9.72 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -0.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 55.02 deaths/1,000 live births male: 59.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 50.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 58.87 years male: 58.07 years female: 59.69 years (2006 est.) 3.99 children born/woman (2006 est.) 3.1% (2003 est.) 350,000 (2003 est.) 30,000 (2003 est.) degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever are high risks in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2005) noun: Ghanaian(s) adjective: Ghanaian African 98.5% (includes Akan 44%, Moshi-Dagomba 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga 8%, Gurma 3%, Yoruba 1%), European and other 1.5% (1998) Christian 63%, Muslim 16%, indigenous beliefs 21% English (official), African languages (including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 74.8% male: 82.7% female: 67.1% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Ghana conventional short form: Ghana former: Gold Coast constitutional democracy name: Accra geographic coordinates: 5 33 N, 0 13 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western 6 March 1957 (from UK) Independence Day, 6 March (1957) approved 28 April 1992 based on English common law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President John Agyekum KUFUOR (since 7 January 2001); Vice President Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (since 7 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President John Agyekum KUFUOR (since 7 January 2001); Vice President Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (since 7 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject to approval by Parliament elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 7 December 2004 (next to be held December 2008) election results: John Agyekum KUFUOR reelected president in election; percent of vote - John KUFUOR 53.4%, John Atta MILLS 43.7% unicameral Parliament (230 seats; note - increased from 200 seats in last election; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 7 December 2004 (next to be held December 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NPP 128, NDC 92, other 10 Supreme Court Convention People's Party or CPP [Nii Noi DOWUONA, general secretary]; Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere or EGLE [Owuraku AMOFA, chairman]; Great Consolidated Popular Party or GCPP [Dan LARTY]; National Convention Party or NCP [Sarpong KUMA-KUMA]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [Dr. Huudu YAHAYA, general secretary]; New Patriotic Party or NPP [Samuel Arthur ODOI-SYKES]; People's Convention Party or PCP [P. K. DONKOH-AYIFI, acting chairman]; People's Heritage Party or PHP [Emmanuel Alexander ERSKINE]; People's National Convention or PNC [Edward MAHAMA]; Reform Party [Kyeretwie OPUKU, general secretary] NA ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Fritz Kwabena POKU chancery: 1156 15th St. NW #905, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1379 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430 consulate(s) general: New York chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Carlin YATES embassy: 6th and 10th Lanes, 798/1 Osu, Accra mailing address: P. O. Box 194, Accra telephone: [233] (21) 775-347, 775-348 FAX: [233] (21) 701-813 three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band Well endowed with natural resources, Ghana has roughly twice the per capita output of the poorer countries in West Africa. Even so, Ghana remains heavily dependent on international financial and technical assistance. Gold, timber, and cocoa production are major sources of foreign exchange. The domestic economy continues to revolve around subsistence agriculture, which accounts for 34% of GDP and employs 60% of the work force, mainly small landholders. Ghana opted for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) program in 2002, but was included in a G-8 debt relief program decided upon at the Gleneagles Summit in July 2005. Priorities under its current $38 million Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) include tighter monetary and fiscal policies, accelerated privatization, and improvement of social services. Receipts from the gold sector helped sustain GDP growth in 2005 along with record high prices for Ghana's largest cocoa crop to date. Inflation should ease but remains a major internal problem. Ghana also remains a candidate country to benefit from Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) funding that could assist in transforming Ghana's agricultural export sector. A final decision on its MCC bid is expected in spring 2006. $54.45 billion (2005 est.) $9.413 billion (2005 est.) 4.3% (2005 est.) $2,500 (2005 est.) agriculture: 36.6% industry: 24.6% services: 38.7% (2005 est.) 10.62 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 60% industry: 15% services: 25% (1999 est.) 20% (1997 est.) 31.4% (1992 est.) lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 30.1% (1999) 30 (1999) 15.1% (2005 est.) 23.3% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $3.216 billion expenditures: $3.506 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 75.9% of GDP (2005 est.) cocoa, rice, coffee, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas; timber mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing, cement, small commercial ship building 3.8% (2000 est.) 5.356 billion kWh (2003) 5.081 billion kWh (2003) 400 million kWh (2003) 500 million kWh (2003) 7,433 bbl/day (2003 est.) 39,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 8.255 million bbl (1 January 2002) 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) 23.79 billion cu m (1 January 2002) -$790 million (2005 est.) $2.911 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, diamonds Netherlands 12.8%, UK 8.5%, US 6.8%, Belgium 5.9%, France 5.7%, Germany 4.5% (2005) $4.273 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs Nigeria 15.4%, China 12.7%, US 6.4%, UK 5.3%, South Africa 4.1%, Netherlands 4% (2005) $1.897 billion (2005 est.) $6.999 billion (2005 est.) $6.9 billion (1999) cedi (GHC) cedis per US dollar - 9,072.5 (2005), 9,004.6 (2004), 8,677.4 (2003), 7,932.7 (2002), 7,170.8 (2001) calendar year 321,500 (2005) 1.695 million (2004) general assessment: poor to fair system; Internet accessible; many rural communities not yet connected; expansion of services is underway domestic: primarily microwave radio relay; wireless local loop has been installed international: country code - 233; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay link to Panaftel system connects Ghana to its neighbors; fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia AM 0, FM 49, shortwave 3 (2001) 10 (2001) .gh 384 (2005) 368,000 (2005) 12 (2006) total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2006) total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2006) refined products 74 km (2004) total: 953 km narrow gauge: 953 km 1.067-m gauge (2005) total: 42,623 km paved: 3,267 km unpaved: 39,356 km (2004) 1,293 km note: 168 km for launches and lighters on Volta, Ankobra, and Tano rivers; 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways on Lake Volta (2005) total: 4 ships (1000 GRT or over) 6,308 GRT/9,418 DWT by type: cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2 foreign-owned: 1 (Brazil 1) (2006) Takoradi, Tema Ghanaian Army, Ghanaian Navy, Ghanaian Air Force (2006) 18 years of age for compulsory and volunteer military service (2001) males age 18-49: 4,808,451 females age 18-49: 4,762,459 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 3,011,081 females age 18-49: 2,991,551 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 251,056 females age 18-49: 247,777 (2005 est.) $83.65 million (2005 est.) 0.8% (2005 est.) Ghana struggles to accommodate returning nationals who worked in the cocoa plantations and escaped fighting in Cote d'Ivoire refugees (country of origin): 40,853 (Liberia) (2005) Gibraltar Strategically important, Gibraltar was reluctantly ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830. In a referendum held in 1967, Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency. Although the current 1969 Constitution for Gibraltar states that the British government will never allow the people of Gibraltar to pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes, a series of talks were held by the UK and Spain between 1997 and 2002 on establishing temporary joint sovereignty over Gibraltar. In response to these talks, the Gibraltarian Government set up a referendum in late 2002 in which a majority of the citizens voted overwhelmingly against any sharing of sovereignty with Spain. Since the referendum, tripartite talks have been held with Spain, the UK, and Gibraltar, and in September 2006 a three-way agreement was signed. Spain agreed to allow airlines other than British to serve Gibraltar, to speed up customs procedures, and to add more telephone lines into Gibraltar. Britain agreed to pay pensions to Spaniards who had been employed in Gibraltar before the border closed in 1969. Spain will be allowed to open a cultural institute from which the Spanish flag will fly. Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain 36 8 N, 5 21 W Europe total: 6.5 sq km land: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC total: 1.2 km border countries: Spain 1.2 km 12 km territorial sea: 3 nm Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m none arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) NA NA limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinking water) and adequate desalination plant strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea 27,928 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 17.5% (male 2,499/female 2,388) 15-64 years: 66% (male 9,443/female 8,999) 65 years and over: 16.5% (male 2,059/female 2,540) (2006 est.) total: 39.8 years male: 39.4 years female: 40.1 years (2006 est.) 0.14% (2006 est.) 10.74 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 9.31 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 5.06 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.63 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 79.8 years male: 76.92 years female: 82.83 years (2006 est.) 1.65 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: Gibraltarian(s) adjective: Gibraltar Spanish, Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese, German, North Africans Roman Catholic 78.1%, Church of England 7%, other Christian 3.2%, Muslim 4%, Jewish 2.1%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 0.9%, none 2.9% (2001 census) English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese definition: NA total population: above 80% male: NA female: NA conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gibraltar overseas territory of the UK NA name: Gibraltar geographic coordinates: 39 11 N, 5 22 W time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of the UK) National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or go with Spain 30 May 1969 English law 18 years of age; universal, plus other British citizens who have been residents six months or more chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor and Commander-in-Chief Sir Francis RICHARDS (since 27 May 2003) head of government: Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 15 elected members of the House of Assembly by the governor in consultation with the chief minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor unicameral House of Assembly (18 seats - 15 elected by popular vote, 1 appointed for the Speaker, and 2 ex officio members; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 November 2003 (next to be held not later than February 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - GSD 58%, GSLP 41%; seats by party - GSD 8, GSLP 7 Supreme Court; Court of Appeal Gibraltar Liberal Party [Joseph GARCIA]; Gibraltar Social Democrats or GSD [Peter CARUANA]; Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP [Joseph John BOSSANO] Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives Organization; Women's Association Interpol (subbureau), UPU none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of the UK) two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band Self-sufficient Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international conference center. The British military presence has been sharply reduced and now contributes about 7% to the local economy, compared with 60% in 1984. The financial sector, tourism (almost 5 million visitors in 1998), shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. The financial sector, the shipping sector, and tourism each contribute 25%-30% of GDP. Telecommunications accounts for another 10%. In recent years, Gibraltar has seen major structural change from a public to a private sector economy, but changes in government spending still have a major impact on the level of employment. $769 million (2000 est.) NA NA% $27,900 (2000 est.) agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% 14,800 (including non-Gibraltar laborers) (1999) agriculture: negligible industry: 40% services: 60% 2% (2001 est.) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 1.5% (1998) revenues: $307 million expenditures: $284 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (FY00/01 est.) none tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco NA% 106.1 million kWh (2003) 98.69 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 23,500 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $271 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) (principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods 41%, other 8% UK 30.1%, Spain 22.2%, Germany 13.4%, Turkmenistan 10.2%, Switzerland 8.2%, Italy 6.6% (2005) $2.967 billion c.i.f. (2004 est.) fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs Spain 23%, Russia 12.1%, Italy 11.8%, UK 8.9%, France 8.8%, Netherlands 6.6%, US 4.6% (2005) $NA (2000 est.) $NA Gibraltar pound (GIP) Gibraltar pounds per US dollar - 0.55 (2005), 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003), 0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001) note: the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound 1 July - 30 June 24,512 (2002) 9,797 (2002) general assessment: adequate, automatic domestic system and adequate international facilities domestic: automatic exchange facilities international: country code - 350; radiotelephone; microwave radio relay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998) 1 (plus three low-power repeaters) (1997) .gi 629 (2005) 6,200 (2002) 1 (2006) total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006) total: 29 km paved: 29 km (2002) total: 180 ships (1000 GRT or over) 1,129,379 GRT/1,437,754 DWT by type: barge carrier 3, bulk carrier 1, cargo 105, chemical tanker 26, container 26, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off 6, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 165 (Belgium 2, Cyprus 1, Denmark 1, Finland 3, France 1, Germany 108, Greece 7, Iceland 1, Ireland 1, Italy 6, Latvia 2, Netherlands 5, Norway 18, Sweden 5, UK 4) (2006) Gibraltar Royal Gibraltar Regiment males age 18-49: 5,959 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 4,893 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 187 (2005 est.) defense is the responsibility of the UK; the last British regular infantry forces left Gibraltar in 1992, replaced by the Royal Gibraltar Regiment Grenada Carib Indians inhabited Grenada when COLUMBUS discovered the island in 1498, but it remained uncolonized for more than a century. The French settled Grenada in the 17th century, established sugar estates, and imported large numbers of African slaves. Britain took the island in 1762 and vigorously expanded sugar production. In the 19th century, cacao eventually surpassed sugar as the main export crop; in the 20th century, nutmeg became the leading export. In 1967, Britain gave Grenada autonomy over its internal affairs. Full independence was attained in 1974 making Grenada one of the smallest independent countries in the Western Hemisphere. Grenada was seized by a Marxist military council on 19 October 1983. Six days later the island was invaded by US forces and those of six other Caribbean nations, which quickly captured the ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. Free elections were reinstituted the following year and have continued since that time. Hurricane Ivan struck Grenada in September of 2004 causing severe damage. Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago 12 07 N, 61 40 W Central America and the Caribbean total: 344 sq km land: 344 sq km water: 0 sq km twice the size of Washington, DC 0 km 121 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds volcanic in origin with central mountains lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Saint Catherine 840 m timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors arable land: 5.88% permanent crops: 29.41% other: 64.71% (2005) NA lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November NA party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada 89,703 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 33.4% (male 15,097/female 14,820) 15-64 years: 63.4% (male 30,106/female 26,764) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 1,394/female 1,522) (2006 est.) total: 21.7 years male: 22.1 years female: 21.2 years (2006 est.) 0.26% (2006 est.) 22.08 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 6.88 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -12.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 14.27 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 64.87 years male: 63.06 years female: 66.68 years (2006 est.) 2.34 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: Grenadian(s) adjective: Grenadian black 82%, mixed black and European 13%, European and East Indian 5%, and trace of Arawak/Carib Amerindian Roman Catholic 53%, Anglican 13.8%, other Protestant 33.2% English (official), French patois definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: NA% female: NA% (2003 est.) conventional long form: none conventional short form: Grenada parliamentary democracy name: Saint George's geographic coordinates: 12 03 N, 61 45 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petit Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick 7 February 1974 (from UK) Independence Day, 7 February (1974) 19 December 1973 based on English common law 18 years of age; universal chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Daniel WILLIAMS (since 9 August 1996) head of government: Prime Minister Keith MITCHELL (since 22 June 1995) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (a 13-member body, 10 appointed by the government and 3 by the leader of the opposition) and the House of Representatives (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 27 November 2003 (next to be held by November 2008) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NNP 46.65%, NDC 44.12%; seats by party - NNP 8, NDC 7 Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of a court of Appeal and a High Court of Justice (a High Court judge is assigned to and resides in Grenada) Good Old Democracy or GOD [Justin MCBURNIE]; Grenada United Labor Party or GULP [Gloria Payne BANFIELD]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [Tillman THOMAS]; New National Party or NNP [Keith MITCHELL]; People Labor Movement or PLM [Dr. Francis ALEXIS] NA ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Denis G. ANTOINE chancery: 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2561 FAX: [1] (202) 265-2468 consulate(s) general: New York chief of mission: the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Grenada embassy: Lance-aux-Epines Stretch, Saint George's mailing address: P. O. Box 54, Saint George's, Grenada, West Indies telephone: [1] (473) 444-1173 through 1176 FAX: [1] (473) 444-4820 a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a red border around the flag; there are seven yellow, five-pointed stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven administrative divisions Grenada relies on tourism as its main source of foreign exchange, especially since the construction of an international airport in 1985. Strong performances in construction and manufacturing, together with the development of an offshore financial industry, have also contributed to growth in national output. $440 million (2002 est.) NA 2.5% (2002 est.) $5,000 (2002 est.) agriculture: 7.7% industry: 23.9% services: 68.4% (2000) 42,300 (1996) agriculture: 24% industry: 14% services: 62% (1999 est.) 12.5% (2000) 32% (2000) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 2.8% (2001 est.) revenues: $85.8 million expenditures: $102.1 million; including capital expenditures of $28 million (1997) bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, mace, citrus, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, vegetables food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction 0.7% (1997 est.) 159.8 million kWh (2003) 148.6 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 1,800 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $40 million (2004 est.) bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace Saint Lucia 12.1%, US 11.3%, Antigua and Barbuda 8.2%, Germany 7.9%, Netherlands 7.8%, Saint Kitts & Nevis 7.4%, Dominica 7.4%, UK 6.8%, France 4.2% (2005) $276 million (2004 est.) food, manufactured goods, machinery, chemicals, fuel Trinidad and Tobago 27.8%, US 27%, UK 6% (2005) $196 million (2000) $8.3 million (1995) East Caribbean dollar (XCD) East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003), 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001) calendar year 32,700 (2004) 43,300 (2004) general assessment: automatic, islandwide telephone system domestic: interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links international: country code - 1-473; new SHF radiotelephone links to Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to Trinidad AM 2, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) 2 (1997) .gd 18 (2005) 8,000 (2005) 3 (2006) total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 1,127 km paved: 687 km unpaved: 440 km (1999) Saint George's no regular military forces; Royal Grenada Police Force males age 18-49: 24,031 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 17,483 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 1,274 (2005 est.) NA NA none Guernsey The island of Guernsey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy, which held sway in both France and England. The islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. Guernsey is a British crown dependency, but is not part of the UK. Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France 49 28 N, 2 35 W Europe total: 78 sq km land: 78 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands about one-half the size of Washington, DC 0 km 50 km territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast mostly level with low hills in southwest lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Sark 114 m cropland arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% other: NA% NA NA NA large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port 65,409 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 15% (male 4,998/female 4,842) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 21,752/female 22,170) 65 years and over: 17.8% (male 4,926/female 6,721) (2006 est.) total: 41.3 years male: 40.4 years female: 42.2 years (2006 est.) 0.26% (2006 est.) 8.81 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 10.01 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 3.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 4.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 80.42 years male: 77.41 years female: 83.53 years (2006 est.) 1.39 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander UK and Norman-French descent with small percentages from other European countries Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% conventional long form: Bailiwick of Guernsey conventional short form: Guernsey British crown dependency NA name: Saint Peter Port geographic coordinates: 49 27 N, 2 32 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October none (British crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 10 parishes including Castel, Forest, Saint Andrew, Saint Martin, Saint Peter Port, Saint Pierre du Bois, Saint Sampson, Saint Saviour, Torteval, Vale none (British crown dependency) Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice English law and local statutes; justice is administered by the Royal Court 18 years of age; universal chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Fabian MALBON (since 28 October 2005) head of government: Chief Minister Laurie MORGAN (since 1 May 2004) cabinet: Policy Council elected by the States of Deliberation elections: the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch; chief minister is elected by States of Delibertion election results: Laurie MORGAN elected chief minister, percent of vote of the States of Deliberation NA unicameral States of Deliberation (45 seats; members are elected by popular vote for four years); note - Alderney and Sark have their own parliaments elections: last held 21 April 2004 (next to be held in 2008) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - all independents Royal Court none; all independents none UPU none (British crown dependency) none (British crown dependency) white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross Financial services - banking, fund management, insurance - account for about 55% of total income in this tiny, prosperous Channel Island economy. Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Light tax and death duties make Guernsey a popular tax haven. The evolving economic integration of the EU nations is changing the environment under which Guernsey operates. $2.59 billion (2003 est.) NA 3% (2003 est.) $40,000 (2003 est.) agriculture: 3% industry: 10% services: 87% (2000) 32,290 (2001) 0.5% (1999 est.) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 4.9% (2004 est.) revenues: $539.2 million expenditures: $448.3 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2002) tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, fruit; Guernsey cattle tourism, banking NA% NA kWh NA kWh 0 kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2002) $NA tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables UK; note - regarded as internal trade (2004) $NA coal, gasoline, oil, machinery and equipment UK; note - regarded as internal trade (2004) $NA $NA British pound (GBP); note - there is also a Guernsey pound Guernsey pounds per US dollar - 0.55 (2005), 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003), 0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001) note: the Guernsey pound is at par with the British pound calendar year 55,100 (2004) 43,800 (2004) general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: 1 submarine cable AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) 1 (1997) .gg 1,168 (2005) 36,000 (2005) 2 (one on Alderney) (2006) total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: NA Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson defense is the responsibility of the UK Greenland Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 81% ice-capped. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland was made an integral part of Denmark in 1953. It joined the European Community (now the EU) with Denmark in 1973 but withdrew in 1985 over a dispute over stringent fishing quotas. Greenland was granted self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament. The law went into effect the following year. Denmark continues to exercise control of Greenland's foreign affairs. Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada 72 00 N, 40 00 W Arctic Region total: 2,166,086 sq km land: 2,166,086 sq km (410,449 sq km ice-free, 1,755,637 sq km ice-covered) (2000 est.) slightly more than three times the size of Texas 0 km 44,087 km territorial sea: 3 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Gunnbjorn 3,700 m coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, gold, platinum, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) NA continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island protection of the arctic environment; preservation of the Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast, but close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital, Nuuk; world's second largest ice cap 56,361 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 24.5% (male 7,072/female 6,740) 15-64 years: 68.9% (male 20,904/female 17,919) 65 years and over: 6.6% (male 1,768/female 1,958) (2006 est.) total: 34 years male: 35.3 years female: 32.3 years (2006 est.) -0.03% (2006 est.) 15.93 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 7.84 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -8.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.17 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 15.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 69.94 years male: 66.36 years female: 73.6 years (2006 est.) 2.4 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA 100 (1999) NA noun: Greenlander(s) adjective: Greenlandic Greenlander 88% (Inuit and Greenland-born whites), Danish and others 12% (2000) Evangelical Lutheran Greenlandic (East Inuit), Danish, English definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2001 est.) conventional long form: none conventional short form: Greenland local long form: none local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979 parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy name: Nuuk (Godthab) geographic coordinates: 64 11 N, 51 44 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: Greenland is divided into four time zones 3 districts (landsdele); Avannaa (Nordgronland), Tunu (Ostgronland), Kitaa (Vestgronland) note: there are 18 municipalities in Greenland none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; foreign affairs is the responsibility of Denmark, but Greenland actively participates in international agreements relating to Greenland) June 21 (longest day) 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution) Danish 18 years of age; universal chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Soren MOLLER (since April 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Hans ENOKSEN (since 14 December 2002) cabinet: Home Rule Government is elected by the parliament (Landstinget) on the basis of the strength of parties elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; prime minister is elected by parliament (usually the leader of the majority party); election last held 3 December 2002 (next to be held December 2006) election results: Hans ENOKSEN elected prime minister note: government coalition - Siumut and Inuit Ataqatigiit unicameral Parliament or Landstinget (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 15 November 2005 (next to be held by December 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - Siumut 30.7%, Demokratiit 22.8%, Inuit Ataqatigiit 22.6%, Atassut Party 19.1%; Katusseqatigiit 4.1%, other 0.7%; seats by party - Siumut 10, Demokratiit 7, Inuit Ataqatigiit 7, Atassut 6, Katusseqatigiit 1 note: two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 8 February 2005 (next to be held February 2009); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Siumut 1, Inuit Ataqatigiit 1 High Court or Landsret (appeals can be made to the Ostre Landsret or Eastern Division of the High Court or Supreme Court in Copenhagen) Atassut Party (Solidarity, a conservative party favoring continuing close relations with Denmark) [Finn KARLSEN]; Demokratiit [Per BERTHELSEN]; Inuit Ataqatigiit or IA (Eskimo Brotherhood, a leftist party favoring complete independence from Denmark rather than home rule) [Josef MOTZFELDT]; Issituup (Polar Party) [Nicolai HEINRICH]; Kattusseqatigiit (Candidate List, an independent right-of-center party with no official platform; Siumut (Forward Party, a social democratic party advocating more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark) [Hans ENOKSEN] NA Arctic Council, NC, NIB, UPU none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white The economy remains critically dependent on exports of fish and substantial support from the Danish Government, which supplies about half of government revenues. The public sector, including publicly-owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays the dominant role in the economy. Despite several interesting hydrocarbon and mineral exploration activities, it will take a number of years before production can materialize. Tourism is the only sector offering any near-term potential, and even this is limited due to a short season and high costs. $1.1 billion (2001 est.) NA 1.8% (2001 est.) $20,000 (2001 est.) agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% 24,500 (1999 est.) 10% (2000 est.) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 1.6% (1999 est.) revenues: $646 million expenditures: $629 million; including capital expenditures of $85 million (1999) forage crops, garden and greenhouse vegetables; sheep, reindeer; fish fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut); gold, niobium, tantalite, uranium, iron and diamond mining; handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards NA% 242.2 million kWh (2003) 225.3 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 3,850 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $480 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) fish and fish products 94% (prawns 63%) Denmark 62.2%, Japan 12.3%, China 5.2% (2005) $601 million c.i.f. (2004 est.) machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, petroleum products Denmark 67.2%, Sweden 19.4%, Ireland 3.6% (2005) $25 million (1999) $380 million subsidy from Denmark (1997) Danish krone (DKK) Danish kroner per US dollar - 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003), 7.8947 (2002), 8.3228 (2001) calendar year 25,300 (2002) 19,900 (2002) general assessment: adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables and microwave radio relay; totally digitalized in 1995 domestic: microwave radio relay and satellite international: country code - 299; satellite earth stations - 12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean) AM 5, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998) 1 publicly-owned station, some local low-power stations, and three AFRTS (US Air Force) stations (1997) .gl 8,775 (2005) 38,000 (2005) 14 (2006) total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 5 (2006) total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2006) total: NA note: while there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-town transport takes place either by sea or air (2005) total: 3 ships (1000 GRT or over) 5,540 GRT/2,540 DWT by type: cargo 1, passenger 2 registered in other countries: 2 (Cyprus 1, Denmark 1) (2006) Sisimiut males age 18-49: 14,653 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 10,199 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 440 (2005 est.) defense is the responsibility of Denmark Germany As Europe's largest economy and second most populous nation, Germany remains a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key Western economic and security organizations, the EC, which became the EU, and NATO, while the Communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German unification in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring Eastern productivity and wages up to Western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU countries introduced a common European exchange currency, the euro. Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark 51 00 N, 9 00 E Europe total: 357,021 sq km land: 349,223 sq km water: 7,798 sq km slightly smaller than Montana total: 3,621 km border countries: Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 646 km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577 km, Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km 2,389 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm mountain (foehn) wind lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south lowest point: Neuendorf bei Wilster -3.54 m highest point: Zugspitze 2,963 m coal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel, uranium, potash, salt, construction materials, timber, arable land arable land: 33.13% permanent crops: 0.6% other: 66.27% (2005) 4,850 sq km (2003) flooding emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to air pollution; acid rain, resulting from sulfur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in eastern Germany; hazardous waste disposal; government established a mechanism for ending the use of nuclear power over the next 15 years; government working to meet EU commitment to identify nature preservation areas in line with the EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to the Baltic Sea 82,422,299 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 14.1% (male 5,973,437/female 5,665,971) 15-64 years: 66.4% (male 27,889,936/female 26,874,858) 65 years and over: 19.4% (male 6,602,478/female 9,415,619) (2006 est.) total: 42.6 years male: 41.3 years female: 43.9 years (2006 est.) -0.02% (2006 est.) 8.25 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 10.62 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 4.12 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 78.8 years male: 75.81 years female: 81.96 years (2006 est.) 1.39 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.1% (2001 est.) 43,000 (2001 est.) less than 1,000 (2003 est.) noun: German(s) adjective: German German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of Greek, Italian, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish) Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 3.7%, unaffiliated or other 28.3% German definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Federal Republic of Germany conventional short form: Germany local long form: Bundesrepublik Deutschland local short form: Deutschland former: German Empire, German Republic, German Reich federal republic name: Berlin geographic coordinates: 52 31 N, 13 24 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 13 states (Laender, singular - Land) and 3 free states* (Freistaaten, singular - Freistaat); Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bayern*, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Sachsen*, Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thueringen* 18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; unification of West Germany and East Germany took place 3 October 1990; all four powers formally relinquished rights 15 March 1991 Unity Day, 3 October (1990) 23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution of the united German people 3 October 1990 civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Horst KOEHLER (since 1 July 2004) head of government: Chancellor Angela MERKEL (since 22 November 2005) cabinet: Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) appointed by the president on the recommendation of the chancellor elections: president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term) by a Federal Convention, including all members of the Federal Assembly and an equal number of delegates elected by the state parliaments; election last held 23 May 2004 (next to be held 23 May 2009); chancellor elected by an absolute majority of the Federal Assembly for a four-year term; election last held 22 November 2005 (next to be held November 2009) election results: Horst KOEHLER elected president; received 604 votes of the Federal Convention against 589 for Gesine SCHWAN; Angela MERKEL elected chancellor; vote by Federal Assembly 397 to 202 with 12 abstentions bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Federal Assembly or Bundestag (613 seats; elected by popular vote under a system combining direct and proportional representation; a party must win 5% of the national vote or three direct mandates to gain representation; members serve four-year terms) and the Federal Council or Bundesrat (69 votes; state governments are directly represented by votes; each has three to six votes depending on population and are required to vote as a block) elections: Federal Assembly - last held 18 September 2005 (next to be held September 2009); note - there are no elections for the Bundesrat; composition is determined by the composition of the state-level governments; the composition of the Bundesrat has the potential to change any time one of the 16 states holds an election election results: Federal Assembly - percent of vote by party - CDU/CSU 35.2%, SPD 34.3%, FDP 9.8%, Left 8.7%, Greens 8.1%; seats by party - CDU/CSU 225, SPD 222, FDP 61, Left 54, Greens 51 Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (half the judges are elected by the Bundestag and half by the Bundesrat) Alliance '90/Greens [Claudia ROTH and Reinhard BUETIKOFER]; Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Angela MERKEL]; Christian Social Union or CSU [Edmund STOIBER, chairman]; Free Democratic Party or FDP [Guido WESTERWELLE, chairman]; Left Party (Linkspartei. was Party of Democratic Socialism) or PDS [Lothar BISKY]; Social Democratic Party or SPD [Kurt BECK] business associations, employers' organizations; expellee, refugee, trade unions, and veterans groups AfDB, Arctic Council (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 5, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC chief of mission: Ambassador Klaus SCHARIOTH chancery: 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 298-4000 FAX: [1] (202) 298-4249 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco chief of mission: Ambassador William R. TIMKEN, Jr. embassy: Neustaedtische Kirchstrasse 4-5, 10117 Berlin; note - a new embassy will be built near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin; ground was broken in October 2004 and completion is scheduled for 2008 mailing address: PSC 120, Box 1000, APO AE 09265 telephone: [49] (030) 2385 174 FAX: [49] (030) 8305-1215 consulate(s) general: Duesseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold Germany's affluent and technologically powerful economy - the fifth largest in the world - has become one of the slowest growing economies in the euro zone. A quick turnaround is not in the offing in the foreseeable future. Growth in 2001-03 fell short of 1%, rising to 1.7% in 2004 before falling back to 0.9% in 2005. The modernization and integration of the eastern German economy continues to be a costly long-term process, with annual transfers from west to east amounting to roughly $70 billion. Germany's aging population, combined with high unemployment, has pushed social security outlays to a level exceeding contributions from workers. Structural rigidities in the labor market - including strict regulations on laying off workers and the setting of wages on a national basis - have made unemployment a chronic problem. Corporate restructuring and growing capital markets are setting the foundations that could allow Germany to meet the long-term challenges of European economic integration and globalization, particularly if labor market rigidities are further addressed. In the short run, however, the fall in government revenues and the rise in expenditures have raised the deficit above the EU's 3% debt limit. $2.504 trillion (2005 est.) $2.73 trillion (2005 est.) 0.9% (2005 est.) $30,400 (2005 est.) agriculture: 0.9% industry: 29.6% services: 69.5% (2005 est.) 43.32 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 2.8% industry: 33.4% services: 63.8% (1999) 11.7% (2005 est.) NA% lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 25.1% (1997) 28.3 (2000) 2% (2005 est.) 17.1% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $1.249 trillion expenditures: $1.362 trillion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 67.3% of GDP (2005 est.) potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbages; cattle, pigs, poultry among the world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages, shipbuilding, textiles 2.9% (2005 est.) 558.1 billion kWh (2003) 510.4 billion kWh (2003) 54.1 billion kWh (2003) 45.4 billion kWh (2003) 158,700 bbl/day (2003) 2.677 million bbl/day (2003) 12,990 bbl/day (2003) 2.135 million bbl/day (2003) 395.8 million bbl (1 January 2004) 22.22 billion cu m (2003 est.) 93.88 billion cu m (2003 est.) 7.731 billion cu m (2003) 85.02 billion cu m (2003) 305.8 billion cu m (1 January 2004) $115.5 billion (2005 est.) $1.016 trillion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery, vehicles, chemicals, metals and manufactures, foodstuffs, textiles France 10.2%, US 8.8%, UK 7.9%, Italy 6.9%, Netherlands 6.1%, Belgium 5.6%, Austria 5.4%, Spain 5.1% (2005) $801 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery, vehicles, chemicals, foodstuffs, textiles, metals France 8.7%, Netherlands 8.5%, US 6.6%, China 6.4%, UK 6.3%, Italy 5.7%, Belgium 5%, Austria 4% (2005) $101.7 billion (2005 est.) $3.626 trillion (30 June 2005) ODA, $5.6 billion (1998) euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries euros per US dollar - 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001) calendar year 54.574 million (2004) 71.3 million (2004) general assessment: Germany has one of the world's most technologically advanced telecommunications systems; as a result of intensive capital expenditures since reunification, the formerly backward system of the eastern part of the country, dating back to World War II, has been modernized and integrated with that of the western part domestic: Germany is served by an extensive system of automatic telephone exchanges connected by modern networks of fiber-optic cable, coaxial cable, microwave radio relay, and a domestic satellite system; cellular telephone service is widely available, expanding rapidly, and includes roaming service to many foreign countries international: country code - 49; Germany's international service is excellent worldwide, consisting of extensive land and undersea cable facilities as well as earth stations in the Inmarsat, Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik satellite systems (2001) AM 51, FM 787, shortwave 4 (1998) 373 (plus 8,042 repeaters) (1995) .de 7,657,162 (2005) 48,722,055 (2005) 554 (2006) total: 332 over 3,047 m: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 54 1,524 to 2,437 m: 58 914 to 1,523 m: 72 under 914 m: 135 (2006) total: 222 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 33 under 914 m: 185 (2006) 32 (2006) condensate 325 km; gas 25,293 km; oil 3,540 km; refined products 3,827 km (2004) total: 47,201 km standard gauge: 46,948 km 1.435-m gauge (19,674 km electrified) narrow gauge: 229 km 1.000-m gauge (16 km electrified); 24 km 0.750-m gauge (2005) total: 231,581 km paved: 231,581 km (including 12,200 km of expressways) (2005) 7,467 km note: Rhine River carries most goods; Main-Danube Canal links North Sea and Black Sea (2005) total: 394 ships (1000 GRT or over) 11,017,754 GRT/13,091,194 DWT by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 60, chemical tanker 13, container 273, liquefied gas 3, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 25, petroleum tanker 10, roll on/roll off 3 foreign-owned: 4 (Finland 2, Italy 1, Switzerland 1) registered in other countries: 2,491 (Antigua and Barbuda 858, Australia 3, Bahamas 22, Belize 3, Bermuda 21, Brazil 7, Bulgaria 1, Burma 5, Canada 3, Cayman Islands 13, Cyprus 214, Denmark 13, Dominica 1, French Southern and Antarctic Lands 2, Georgia 1, Gibraltar 108, Guyana 1, Hong Kong 6, Indonesia 1, Ireland 2, Isle of Man 56, Jamaica 3, Liberia 587, Luxembourg 10, Malaysia 2, Malta 64, Marshall Islands 194, Morocco 2, Netherlands 56, Netherlands Antilles 60, NZ 1, Panama 35, Portugal 17, Russia 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 8, Samoa 1, Singapore 9, Spain 12, Sri Lanka 5, Sweden 3, Turkey 1, UK 76, US 2) (2006) Bremen, Bremerhaven, Brunsbuttel, Duisburg, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Mainz, Rostock, Wilhemshaven Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr): Army (Heer), Navy (Deutsche Marine, includes naval air arm), Air Force (Luftwaffe), Joint Support Service, Central Medical Service 18 years of age (conscripts serve a nine-month tour of compulsory military service) (2004) males age 18-49: 18,917,537 females age 18-49: 17,913,113 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 15,258,931 females age 18-49: 14,443,412 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 497,048 females age 18-49: 470,537 (2005 est.) $35.063 billion (2003) 1.5% (2003) none Guadeloupe Guadeloupe has been a French possession since 1635. The island of Saint Martin is shared with the Netherlands; its southern portion is named Sint Maarten and is part of the Netherlands Antilles and its northern portion is named Saint-Martin and is part of Guadeloupe Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Puerto Rico 16 15 N, 61 35 W Central America and the Caribbean total: 1,780 sq km land: 1,706 sq km water: 74 sq km note: Guadeloupe is an archipelago of nine inhabited islands, including Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Desirade, Iles des Saintes (2), Saint-Barthelemy, Iles de la Petite Terre, and Saint-Martin (French part of the island of Saint Martin) 10 times the size of Washington, DC total: 10.2 km border countries: Netherlands Antilles (Sint Maarten) 10.2 km 306 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven other islands are volcanic in origin lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Soufriere 1,484 m cultivable land, beaches and climate that foster tourism arable land: 11.7% permanent crops: 2.92% other: 85.38% (2005) 60 sq km (2003) hurricanes (June to October); Soufriere de Guadeloupe is an active volcano NA a narrow channel, the Riviere Salee, divides Guadeloupe proper into two islands: the larger, western Basse-Terre and the smaller, eastern Grande-Terre 452,776 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 23.6% (male 54,725/female 52,348) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 150,934/female 153,094) 65 years and over: 9.2% (male 17,353/female 24,322) (2006 est.) total: 32.2 years male: 31.3 years female: 33.2 years (2006 est.) 0.88% (2006 est.) 15.05 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 6.09 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 8.41 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 78.06 years male: 74.91 years female: 81.37 years (2006 est.) 1.9 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: Guadeloupian(s) adjective: Guadeloupe black or mulatto 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less than 5% Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 4%, Protestant 1% French (official) 99%, Creole patois definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90% male: 90% female: 90% (1982 est.) conventional long form: Department of Guadeloupe conventional short form: Guadeloupe local long form: Departement de la Guadeloupe local short form: Guadeloupe overseas department of France NA name: Basse-Terre geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 61 44 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) none (overseas department of France) none (overseas department of France) Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) French legal system 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Jean-Jacques BROT (since 12 June 2006) head of government: President of the General Council Jacques GILLOT (since 26 March 2001); President of the Regional Council Victorin LUREL (since 2 April 2004) cabinet: NA elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; the presidents of the General and Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councils election results: NA unicameral General Council or Conseil General (42 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the unicameral Regional Council or Conseil Regional (41 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: General Council - last held March 2004 (next to be held by in 2010); Regional Council - last held 28 March 2004 (next to be held in March 2008 to elect half of the body) election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - left-wing candidates 11, PS 8, RPR 8, PPDG 6, right-wing candidates 5, PCG 3, UDF 1; Regional Council (second round) - percent of vote by party - PS 58.4%, UMP 41.6%; seats by party - PS 29, UMP 12 note: Guadeloupe elects two representatives to the French Senate; elections last held September 2004 (next to be held September 2013); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA, Guadeloupe elects four representatives to the French National Assembly; elections last held 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held June 2007); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPR 2, PS 1, different right parties 1 Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel with jurisdiction over Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and Martinique Communist Party of Guadeloupe or PCG [Mona CADOCE]; FGPS [Dominique LARIFLA]; Left Radical Party or PRG [Flavien FERRANT]; Progressive Democratic Party or PPDG [Henri BANGOU]; Socialist Party or PS [Jules OTTO]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Claudine LACAVE]; Union for a Popular Movement or UMP (including Rassemblement pour la Republique or RPR) [Gabrielle LOUIS-CARABIN] Christian Movement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe or KLPG; General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers or CGT-G; General Union of Guadeloupe Workers or UGTG; Movement for Independent Guadeloupe or MPGI; The Socialist Renewal Movement WCL, WFTU none (overseas department of France) none (overseas department of France) unofficial, local flag based upon the arms of the city of Pointe-a-Pitre; the field is divided horizontally with a narrow, blue stripe along the top edge charged with three gold fleurs-de-lis; the wider, lower portion of the field is black and charged with green sugar cane leaves - representing one of Guadeloupe's main crops - surmounted by a gold radiant sun representing the tropical climate; the only official flag is the national flag of France This Caribbean economy depends on agriculture, tourism, light industry, and services. It also depends on France for large subsidies and imports. Tourism is a key industry, with most tourists from the US; an increasingly large number of cruise ships visit the islands. The traditional sugarcane crop is slowly being replaced by other crops, such as bananas (which now supply about 50% of export earnings), eggplant, and flowers. Other vegetables and root crops are cultivated for local consumption, although Guadeloupe is still dependent on imported food, mainly from France. Light industry features sugar and rum production. Most manufactured goods and fuel are imported. Unemployment is especially high among the young. Hurricanes periodically devastate the economy. $3.513 billion (2003 est.) NA NA% $7,900 (2003 est.) agriculture: 15% industry: 17% services: 68% (2002 est.) 191,400 (1999) agriculture: 15% industry: 20% services: 65% (2002) 26.9% (2003) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% NA% revenues: $637.7 million expenditures: $680.1 million; including capital expenditures of $112.5 million (2002) bananas, sugarcane, tropical fruits and vegetables; cattle, pigs, goats construction, cement, rum, sugar, tourism NA% 1.165 billion kWh (2003) 1.084 billion kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 13,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $147.8 million f.o.b. (2002) bananas, sugar, rum, melons, spring water France 60%, Martinique 18%, US 4% (2004) $1.766 billion c.i.f. (2002) foodstuffs, fuels, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods, construction materials France 63%, Germany 4%, US 3%, Japan 2%, Netherlands Antilles 2% (2004) $NA $NA; note - substantial annual French subsidies (2004) euro (EUR) euros per US dollar - 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 j(2001) calendar year 210,000 (2001) 323,500 (2002) general assessment: domestic facilities inadequate domestic: NA international: country code - 590; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Martinique AM 1, FM 17, shortwave 0 (1998) 5 (plus several low-power repeaters) (1997) .gp 418 (2005) 79,000 (2005) 9 (2006) total: 8 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 5 (2006) total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 947 km (2002) Basse-Terre, Gustavia, Pointe-a-Pitre no regular military forces males age 18-49: 112,551 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 92,834 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 3,364 (2005 est.) defense is the responsibility of France Guam Guam was ceded to the US by Spain in 1898. Captured by the Japanese in 1941, it was retaken by the US three years later. The military installation on the island is one of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific. Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines 13 28 N, 144 47 E Oceania total: 541.3 sq km land: 541.3 sq km water: 0 sq km three times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 125.5 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season (January to June), rainy season (July to December); little seasonal temperature variation volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills in center, mountains in south lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism (especially from Japan) arable land: 3.64% permanent crops: 18.18% other: 78.18% (2005) NA frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons (June - December) extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean 171,019 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 29% (male 25,703/female 23,903) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 56,020/female 53,894) 65 years and over: 6.7% (male 5,391/female 6,108) (2006 est.) total: 28.6 years male: 28.3 years female: 28.8 years (2006 est.) 1.43% (2006 est.) 18.79 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 4.48 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 6.81 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 78.58 years male: 75.52 years female: 81.83 years (2006 est.) 2.58 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: Guamanian(s) (US citizens) adjective: Guamanian Chamorro 37.1%, Filipino 26.3%, other Pacific islander 11.3%, white 6.9%, other Asian 6.3%, other ethnic origin or race 2.3%, mixed 9.8% (2000 census) Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.) English 38.3%, Chamorro 22.2%, Philippine languages 22.2%, other Pacific island languages 6.8%, Asian languages 7%, other languages 3.5% (2000 census) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (1990 est.) conventional long form: Territory of Guam conventional short form: Guam local long form: Guahan local short form: Guahan organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior NA name: Hagatna (Agana) geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 45 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) none (territory of the US) none (territory of the US) Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521) Organic Act of Guam, 1 August 1950 modeled on US; US federal laws apply 18 years of age; universal; US citizens, but do not vote in US presidential elections chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001) head of government: Governor Felix P. CAMACHO (since 6 January 2003) and Lieutenant Governor Kaleo MOYLAN (since 6 January 2003) cabinet: heads of executive departments; appointed by the governor with the consent of the Guam legislature elections: under the US Consitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as Guam, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year term (can serve two consecutive terms, then must wait a full term before running again); election last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held November 2006) election results: Felix P. CAMACHO elected governor; percent of vote - Felix P. CAMACHO (Republican Party) 55.4%, Robert A. UNDERWOOD (Democratic Party) 44.6% unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 6, Republican Party 9 note: Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2006); results - Madeleine BORDALLO (Democratic Party) was elected as delegate; percent of vote by party - Democratic Party 64.6%, Republican Party 35.4%; seats by party - Democratic Party 1 Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president); Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms by the governor) Democratic Party [leader Michael PHILLIPS]; Republican Party (controls the legislature) [leader Philip J. FLORES] NA IOC, SPC, UPU none (territory of the US) none (territory of the US) territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the national flag The economy depends largely on US military spending and tourism. Total US grants, wage payments, and procurement outlays amounted to $1.3 billion in 2004. Over the past 30 years, the tourist industry has grown to become the largest income source following national defense. The Guam economy continues to experience expansion in both its tourism and military sectors. $2.5 billion (2005 est.) NA NA% $15,000 (2005 est.) agriculture: NA industry: NA services: NA 62,050 (2002 est.) agriculture: 26% industry: 10% services: 64% (2004 est.) 11.4% (2002 est.) 23% (2001 est.) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 2.5% (2005 est.) revenues: $342.6 million expenditures: $306.9 million (2002 est.) fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles NA% 840.1 million kWh (2003) 781.3 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 19,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $45 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) mostly transshipments of refined petroleum products; construction materials, fish, food and beverage products Japan 68.9%, Singapore 11.9%, UK 5% (2005) $701 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods Singapore 50%, South Korea 21.4%, Japan 14%, Hong Kong 4.6% (2005) $NA Guam receives large transfer payments from the US Federal Treasury ($143 million in 1997) into which Guamanians pay no income or excise taxes; under the provisions of a special law of Congress, the Guam Treasury, rather than the US Treasury, receives federal income taxes paid by military and civilian Federal employees stationed in Guam (2001 est.) US dollar (USD) the US dollar is used 1 October - 30 September 84,134 (2001) 32,600 (2001) general assessment: modern system, integrated with US facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers domestic: modern digital system, including cellular mobile service and local access to the Internet international: country code - 1-671; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); submarine cables to US and Japan (Guam is a trans-Pacific communications hub for MCI, Sprint, AT&T, IT&E, and GTE, linking the US and Asia) AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 2 (2006) 3; 6 (Low Power TV) (2006) .gu 95 (2005) 79,000 (2004) 5 (2006) total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006) total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 977 km (2004) Apra Harbor defense is the responsibility of the US Greece Greece achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. In World War II, Greece was first invaded by Italy (1940) and subsequently occupied by Germany (1941-44); fighting endured in a protracted civil war between supporters of the king and Communist rebels. Following the latter's defeat in 1949, Greece joined NATO in 1952. A military dictatorship, which in 1967 suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country, lasted seven years. The 1974 democratic elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. In 1981 Greece joined the EC (now the EU); it became the 12th member of the euro zone in 2001. Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey 39 00 N, 22 00 E Europe total: 131,940 sq km land: 130,800 sq km water: 1,140 sq km slightly smaller than Alabama total: 1,228 km border countries: Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km, Macedonia 246 km 13,676 km territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Olympus 2,917 m lignite, petroleum, iron ore, bauxite, lead, zinc, nickel, magnesite, marble, salt, hydropower potential arable land: 20.45% permanent crops: 8.59% other: 70.96% (2005) 14,530 sq km (2003) severe earthquakes air pollution; water pollution party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago of about 2,000 islands 10,688,058 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 14.3% (male 790,291/female 742,902) 15-64 years: 66.7% (male 3,562,251/female 3,566,097) 65 years and over: 19% (male 891,620/female 1,134,897) (2006 est.) total: 40.8 years male: 39.7 years female: 42 years (2006 est.) 0.18% (2006 est.) 9.68 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 10.24 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 2.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 5.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 79.24 years male: 76.72 years female: 81.91 years (2006 est.) 1.34 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.2% (2001 est.) 9,100 (2001 est.) less than 100 (2003 est.) noun: Greek(s) adjective: Greek Greek 98%, other 2% note: the Greek Government states there are no ethnic divisions in Greece Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7% Greek 99% (official), English, French definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.5% male: 98.6% female: 96.5% (2003 est.) women, men, and children are trafficked to and within Greece for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor conventional long form: Hellenic Republic conventional short form: Greece local long form: Elliniki Dhimokratia local short form: Ellas or Ellada former: Kingdom of Greece parliamentary republic name: Athens geographic coordinates: 37 59 N, 23 44 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 51 prefectures (nomoi, singular - nomos) and 1 autonomous region*; Achaia, Agion Oros* (Mt. Athos), Aitolia kai Akarnania, Argolis, Arkadia, Arta, Attiki, Chalkidiki, Chanion, Chios, Dodekanisos, Drama, Evros, Evrytania, Evvoia, Florina, Fokidos, Fthiotis, Grevena, Ileia, Imathia, Ioannina, Irakleion, Karditsa, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkyra, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani, Kyklades, Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lefkas, Lesvos, Magnisia, Messinia, Pella, Pieria, Preveza, Rethynnis, Rodopi, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakynthos 1829 (from the Ottoman Empire) Independence Day, 25 March (1821) 11 June 1975; amended March 1986 and April 2001 based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil, criminal, and administrative courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal and compulsory chief of state: President Karolos PAPOULIAS (since 12 March 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Konstandinos KARAMANLIS (since 7 March 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 February 2005 (next to be held by February 2010); according to the Greek Constitution, presidents may only serve two terms; president appoints leader of the party securing plurality of vote in election to become prime minister and form a government election results: Karolos PAPOULIAS elected president; number of parlimentary votes, 279 out of 300 unicameral Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon (300 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: elections last held 7 March 2004 (next to be held by March 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - ND 45.4%, PASOK 40.6%, KKE 5.9%, Synaspismos 3.3%; seats by party - ND 165, PASOK 117, KKE 12, Synaspismos 6 Supreme Judicial Court; Special Supreme Tribunal; all judges appointed for life by the president after consultation with a judicial council Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) [Alekos ALAVANOS]; Communist Party of Greece or KKE [Aleka PAPARIGA]; New Democracy or ND (conservative) [Konstandinos KARAMANLIS]; Panhellenic Socialist Movement or PASOK [Yiorgos PAPANDREOU]; Popular Orthodox Rally or LAOS [Yeoryios KARATZAFERIS] General Confederation of Greek Workers or GSEE [Khristos POLYZOGOPOULOS]; Federation of Greek Industries or SEV [Odysseas KYRIAKOPOULOS]; Civil Servants Confederation or ADEDY [Spyros PAPASPYROS] Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, G- 6, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (associate member), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UPU, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC chief of mission: Ambassador Alexandros MALLIAS chancery: 2221 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-1300 FAX: [1] (202) 939-1324 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Tampa consulate(s): Atlanta, Houston chief of mission: Ambassador Charles P. RIES embassy: 91 Vasilissis Sophias Avenue, 10160 Athens mailing address: PSC 108, APO AE 09842-0108 telephone: [30] (210) 721-2951 FAX: [30] (210) 645-6282 consulate(s) general: Thessaloniki nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country Greece has a capitalist economy with the public sector accounting for about 40% of GDP and with per capita GDP at least 75% of the leading euro-zone economies. Tourism provides 15% of GDP. Immigrants make up nearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in menial jobs. Greece is a major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to about 3.3% of annual GDP. The Greek economy grew by about 4.0% for the between 2003 and 2005, largely because of an investment boom and infrastructure upgrades for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Economic growth slowed to about 3% in 2005. Greece has not met the EU's Growth and Stability Pact budget deficit criteria of 3% of GDP since 2000. Public debt, inflation, and unemployment are above the euro-zone average. To overcome these challenges, the Greek Government is expected to continue cutting government spending, reducing the size of the public sector, and reforming the labor and pension systems. $236.8 billion (2005 est.) $209.7 billion (2005 est.) 3.7% (2005 est.) $22,200 (2005 est.) agriculture: 5.4% industry: 21.3% services: 73.3% (2005 est.) 4.72 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 12% industry: 20% services: 68% (2004 est.) 9.9% (2005 est.) NA% lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 28.3% (1998 est.) 35.1 (2003) 3.5% (2005 est.) 24.6% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $94.13 billion expenditures: $103.4 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 106.8% of GDP (2005 est.) wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco, potatoes; beef, dairy products tourism, food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, metal products; mining, petroleum -0.3% (2005 est.) 54.56 billion kWh (2003) 53.5 billion kWh (2005 est.) 2.1 billion kWh (2002) 4.2 billion kWh (2002) 5,805 bbl/day (2003 est.) 435,700 bbl/day (2005 est.) 84,720 bbl/day (2001) 468,300 bbl/day (2001) 4.5 million bbl (1 January 2002) 27 million cu m (2003 est.) 2.34 billion cu m (2005 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 2.018 billion cu m (2001 est.) 991.1 million cu m (1 January 2002) -$17.86 billion (2005 est.) $18.54 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) food and beverages, manufactured goods, petroleum products, chemicals, textiles Germany 12.4%, Italy 10.4%, UK 6.7%, Bulgaria 5.9%, US 5.3%, Cyprus 5.2%, Turkey 5.1%, France 4.2% (2005) $48.2 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery, transport equipment, fuels, chemicals Germany 12.7%, Italy 12.4%, Russia 7.8%, France 5.7%, Netherlands 5.5%, Saudi Arabia 4.1% (2005) $2.287 billion (2005 est.) $75.18 billion (2005 est.) $8 billion from EU (2000-06) euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries euros per US dollar - 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001) calendar year 6,348,800 (2004) 9,305,700 (2004) general assessment: adequate, modern networks reach all areas; good mobile telephone and international service domestic: microwave radio relay trunk system; extensive open-wire connections; submarine cable to offshore islands international: country code - 30; tropospheric scatter; 8 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region) AM 26, FM 88, shortwave 4 (1998) 36 (plus 1,341 low-power repeaters); also two stations in the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (1995) .gr 414,724 (2005) 3.8 million (2005) 82 (2006) total: 66 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 9 (2006) total: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 13 (2006) 8 (2006) gas 1,166 km; oil 94 km (2004) total: 2,571 km standard gauge: 1,565 km 1.435-m gauge (764 km electrified) narrow gauge: 961 km 1.000-m gauge; 22 km 0.750-m gauge dual gauge: 23 km combined 1.435 m and 1.000-m gauges (three rail system) (2005) total: 116,470 km paved: 106,920 km (including 880 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,550 km (1999) 6 km note: Corinth Canal (6 km) crosses the Isthmus of Corinth; shortens sea voyage by 325 km (2006) total: 817 ships (1000 GRT or over) 31,895,832 GRT/54,341,584 DWT by type: bulk carrier 270, cargo 61, chemical tanker 47, container 47, liquefied gas 5, passenger 11, passenger/cargo 114, petroleum tanker 244, roll on/roll off 17, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 24 (Belgium 12, Cyprus 1, Hong Kong 1, UK 9, US 1) registered in other countries: 2,363 (Bahamas 232, Barbados 11, Belgium 4, Belize 2, Bermuda 2, Cambodia 8, Cayman Islands 21, Comoros 10, Cyprus 337, Denmark 5, Dominica 5, Egypt 6, Georgia 8, Gibraltar 7, Honduras 3, Hong Kong 27, Isle of Man 45, Italy 6, Jamaica 6, North Korea 1, Lebanon 3, Liberia 267, Malta 495, Marshall Islands 199, Norway 1, Panama 524, Philippines 5, Portugal 4, Russia 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 82, Sao Tome and Principe 1, Singapore 9, Slovakia 4, UAE 2, UK 7, Uruguay 1, US 1, Venezuela 3, unknown 7) (2006) Agioitheodoroi, Aspropyrgos, Irakleion, Pachi, Piraeus, Thessaloniki Hellenic Army (Ellinikos Stratos, ES), Hellenic Navy (Ellinikos Polemiko Navtiko, EPN), Hellenic Air Force (Ellinikos Polemiki Aeroporia, EPA) (2006) 18 years of age for compulsory military service; during wartime the law allows for recruitment beginning January of the year of inductee's 18th birthday, thus including 17 year olds; 17 years of age for volunteers; conscript service obligation - 12 months for the Army, Air Force; 15 months for Navy; women are eligible for military service (2005) males age 18-49: 2,459,988 females age 18-49: 2,442,818 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 2,018,557 females age 18-49: 2,000,650 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 58,399 females age 18-49: 55,571 (2005 est.) $5.89 billion (2004) 4.3% (2003) Greece and Turkey continue discussions to resolve their complex maritime, air, territorial, and boundary disputes in the Aegean Sea; Cyprus question with Turkey; Greece rejects the use of the name Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia Guatemala The Maya civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments, as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the conflict, which had left more than 100,000 people dead and had created some 1 million refugees. Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize 15 30 N, 90 15 W Central America and the Caribbean total: 108,890 sq km land: 108,430 sq km water: 460 sq km slightly smaller than Tennessee total: 1,687 km border countries: Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km 400 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower arable land: 13.22% permanent crops: 5.6% other: 81.18% (2005) 1,300 sq km (2003) numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements no natural harbors on west coast 12,293,545 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 41.1% (male 2,573,359/female 2,479,098) 15-64 years: 55.5% (male 3,353,630/female 3,468,184) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 194,784/female 224,490) (2006 est.) total: 18.9 years male: 18.5 years female: 19.4 years (2006 est.) 2.27% (2006 est.) 29.88 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -1.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 30.94 deaths/1,000 live births male: 33.55 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 69.38 years male: 67.65 years female: 71.18 years (2006 est.) 3.82 children born/woman (2006 est.) 1.1% (2003 est.) 78,000 (2003 est.) 5,800 (2003 est.) noun: Guatemalan(s) adjective: Guatemalan Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) and European 59.4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q'eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%, other 0.1% (2001 census) Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 70.6% male: 78% female: 63.3% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Guatemala conventional short form: Guatemala local long form: Republica de Guatemala local short form: Guatemala constitutional democratic republic name: Guatemala geographic coordinates: 14 38 N, 90 31 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in April; ends last Friday in September; note - there is no DST planned for 2007-2009 22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Independence Day, 15 September (1821) 31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986; note - suspended 25 May 1993 by former President Jorge SERRANO; reinstated 5 June 1993 following ouster of president; amended November 1993 civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal (active duty members of the armed forces may not vote and are restricted to their barracks on election day) chief of state: President Oscar Jose Rafael BERGER Perdomo (since 14 January 2004); Vice President Eduardo STEIN Barillas (since 14 January 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Oscar Jose Rafael BERGER Perdomo (since 14 January 2004); Vice President Eduardo STEIN Barillas (since 14 January 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 9 November 2003; runoff held 28 December 2003 (next to be held September 2007) election results: Oscar BERGER Perdomo elected president; percent of vote - Oscar BERGER Perdomo (GANA) 54.1%, Alvarado COLOM (UNE) 45.9% unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica (158 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 9 November 2003 (next to be held September 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - GANA 49, FRG 41, UNE 33, PAN 17, other 18 note: for the 9 November 2003 election, the number of congressional seats increased from 113 to 158 Constitutional Court or Corte de Constitutcionalidad is Guatemala's highest court (five judges are elected for concurrent five-year terms by Congress, each serving one year as president of the Constitutional Court; one is elected by Congress, one elected by the Supreme Court of Justice, one appointed by the president, one elected by Superior Counsel of Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala, and one by Colegio de Abogados); Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (13 members serve concurrent five-year terms and elect a president of the Court each year from among their number; the president of the Supreme Court of Justice also supervises trial judges around the country, who are named to five-year terms) Authentic Integral Development or DIA [Eduardo SUGER]; Grand National Alliance or GANA (an alliance of smaller parties) [Alfredo VILA Giron, secretary general]; Green Party or LOV [Rodolfo ROSALES Garcis-Salaz]; Guatemalan Christian Democracy or DCG [Vinicio CEREZO Arevalo]; Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity or URNG [Alba ESTELA Maldonado, secretary general]; Guatemalan Republican Front or FRG [Efrain RIOS Montt]; Movement for Guatemalan Unity or MGU [Jacobo ARBENZ Villanueva]; Movement for Principals and Values or MPV [Francisco BIANCHI]; National Advancement Party or PAN [Leonel LOPEZ Rodas, secretary general]; National Unity for Hope or UNE [Alvarado COLOM Caballeros]; New Nation Alliance or ANN (formed by an alliance of DIA, URNG, and several splinter groups most of whom subsequently defected) [led by three co-equal partners - Nineth Varenca MONTENEGRO Cottom, Rodolfo BAUER Paiz, and Jorge Antonio BALSELLS TUT]; Patriot Party or PP [Ret. Gen. Otto PEREZ Molina]; Progressive Liberator Party or PLP [Acisclo VALLADARES Molina]; Reform Movement or MR [Alfredo SKINNER-KLEE, secretary general]; Unionista Party Agrarian Owners Group or UNAGRO; Alliance Against Impunity or AAI; Committee for Campesino Unity or CUC; Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations or CACIF; Mutual Support Group or GAM BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, ONUB, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Guillermo CASTILLO chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 745-4952 FAX: [1] (202) 745-1908 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Providence, San Francisco chief of mission: Ambassador James M. DERHAM embassy: 7-01 Avenida Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City mailing address: APO AA 34024 telephone: [502] 2326-4000 FAX: [502] 2334-8477 three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath Guatemala is the largest and most populous of the Central American countries with a GDP per capita roughly one-half that of Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. The agricultural sector accounts for about one-fourth of GDP, two-thirds of exports, and half of the labor force. Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products. The 1996 signing of peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment, but widespread political violence and corruption scandals continue to dampen investor confidence. The distribution of income remains highly unequal with perhaps 75% of the population below the poverty line. Other ongoing challenges include increasing government revenues, negotiating further assistance from international donors, upgrading both government and private financial operations, curtailing drug trafficking, and narrowing the trade deficit. $56.86 billion (2005 est.) $26.98 billion (2005 est.) 3.2% (2005 est.) $4,700 (2005 est.) agriculture: 22.7% industry: 18.8% services: 58.5% (2005 est.) 3.76 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 50% industry: 15% services: 35% (1999 est.) 7.5% (2003 est.) 75% (2004 est.) lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 46% (1998) 48.3 (2000) 9.1% (2005 est.) 15.6% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $3.374 billion expenditures: $4.041 billion; including capital expenditures of $750 million (2005 est.) 25.9% of GDP (2005 est.) sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism 4.1% (1999) 6.898 billion kWh (2003) 6.025 billion kWh (2003) 425 million kWh (2003) 35 million kWh (2003) 22,300 bbl/day (2005 est.) 66,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) 3,104 bbl/day (2003) NA bbl/day 263 million bbl (1 January 2002) 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) 3.087 billion cu m (1 January 2002) -$1.341 billion (2005 est.) $3.94 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) coffee, sugar, petroleum, apparel, bananas, fruits and vegetables, cardamom US 50.1%, El Salvador 12.1%, Honduras 7.3%, Mexico 4% (2005) $7.744 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, grain, fertilizers, electricity US 38.1%, Mexico 7.6%, El Salvador 4.8%, South Korea 4.8%, Panama 4.4% (2005) $3.673 billion (2005 est.) $5.503 billion (2005 est.) $250 million (2000 est.) quetzal (GTQ), US dollar (USD), others allowed quetzales per US dollar - 7.6339 (2005), 7.9465 (2004), 7.9409 (2003), 7.8217 (2002), 7.8586 (2001) calendar year 1,132,100 (2004) 3,168,300 (2004) general assessment: fairly modern network centered in the city of Guatemala domestic: NA international: country code - 502; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) AM 130, FM 487, shortwave 15 (2000) 26 (plus 27 repeaters) (1997) .gt 40,405 (2005) 756,000 (2005) 450 (2006) total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2006) total: 439 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 111 under 914 m: 319 (2006) oil 480 km (2004) total: 886 km narrow gauge: 886 km 0.914-m gauge (2005) total: 14,095 km paved: 4,863 km (including 75 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,232 km (1999) 990 km note: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during high-water season (2004) Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomas de Castilla Army, Navy (includes marines), Air Force all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 50 are liable for military service; conscript service obligation varies from 12 to 24 months (2005) males age 18-49: 2,429,033 females age 18-49: 2,503,482 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 1,911,412 females age 18-49: 2,070,806 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 134,032 females age 18-49: 130,641 (2005 est.) $169.8 million (2005 est.) 0.5% (2005 est.) Guatemalan squatters continue to settle in the rain forests of Belize's border region; Organization of American States (OAS) is attempting to revive the 2002 failed Differendum that created a small adjustment to land boundary, a Guatemalan maritime corridor in Caribbean, a joint ecological park for the disputed Sapodilla Cays, and a substantial US-UK financial package; Guatemalans enter Mexico illegally seeking work or transit to the US IDPs: 250,000 (government's scorched-earth offensive in 1980s against indigenous people) 30,000 (Hurricane "Stan" October 2005) (2005) Guinea Guinea has had only two presidents since gaining its independence from France in 1958. Lansana CONTE came to power in 1984 when the military seized the government after the death of the first president, Sekou TOURE. Guinea did not hold democratic elections until 1993 when Gen. CONTE (head of the military government) was elected president of the civilian government. He was reelected in 1998 and again in 2003. Unrest in Sierra Leone and Liberia has spilled over into Guinea on several occasions over the past decade, threatening stability and creating humanitarian emergencies. Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone 11 00 N, 10 00 W Africa total: 245,857 sq km land: 245,857 sq km water: 0 sq km slightly smaller than Oregon total: 3,399 km border countries: Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km 320 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish, salt arable land: 4.47% permanent crops: 2.64% other: 92.89% (2005) 950 sq km (2003) hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led to environmental damage party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their sources in the Guinean highlands 9,690,222 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 44.4% (male 2,171,733/female 2,128,027) 15-64 years: 52.5% (male 2,541,140/female 2,542,847) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 134,239/female 172,236) (2006 est.) total: 17.7 years male: 17.4 years female: 17.9 years (2006 est.) 2.63% (2006 est.) 41.76 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 15.48 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: as a result of conflict in neighboring countries, Guinea is host to approximately 141,500 refugees from Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, and Sierra Leone (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 90 deaths/1,000 live births male: 95.16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 84.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 49.5 years male: 48.34 years female: 50.7 years (2006 est.) 5.79 children born/woman (2006 est.) 3.2% (2003 est.) 140,000 (2003 est.) 9,000 (2003 est.) degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever are high risks in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2005) noun: Guinean(s) adjective: Guinean Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10% Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7% French (official); note - each ethnic group has its own language definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 35.9% male: 49.9% female: 21.9% (1995 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Guinea conventional short form: Guinea local long form: Republique de Guinee local short form: Guinee former: French Guinea republic name: Conakry geographic coordinates: 9 31 N, 13 43 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 33 prefectures and 1 special zone (zone special)*; Beyla, Boffa, Boke, Conakry*, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Dubreka, Faranah, Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia, Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola, Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele, Tougue, Yomou 2 October 1958 (from France) Independence Day, 2 October (1958) 23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale) based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; legal codes currently being revised; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Lansana CONTE (head of military government since 5 April 1984, elected president 19 December 1993) head of government: vacant; note - Prime Minister Cellou Dalein DIALLO was dismissed on 5 April 2006 cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits); candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president; election last held 21 December 2003 (next to be held December 2010); the prime minister is appointed by the president election results: Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote - Lansana CONTE (PUP) 95.3%, Mamadou Boye BARRY (UPR) 4.6% unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 30 June 2002 (next to be held in 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - PUP 61.6%, UPR 26.6%, other 11.8%; seats by party - PUP 85, UPR 20, other 9 Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel Democratic Party of Guinea-African Democratic Rally or PDG-RDA [El Hadj Ismael Mohamed Gassim GUSHEIN]; National Union for Progress or UPN [Mamadou Bhoye BARRY]; Party for Unity and Progress or PUP [Lansana CONTE] (the governing party); People's Party of Guinea or PPG [Pascal TOLNO]; Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE]; Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea or UFDG [Mamadou BA]; Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE]; Union for Progress of Guinea or UPG [Jean-Marie DORE, secretary-general]; Union for Progress and Renewal or UPR [Ousmane BAH] Student and teacher unions ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OIF, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Alpha Oumar Rafiou BARRY chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 986-4300 FAX: [1] (202) 478-3010 chief of mission: Ambassador Jackson MCDONALD embassy: Rue Ka 038, Conakry mailing address: B. P. 603, Conakry telephone: [224] 41 15 20, 41 15 21, 41 15 23 FAX: [224] 41 15 22 three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The country possesses almost half of the world's bauxite reserves and is the second-largest bauxite producer. The mining sector accounted for over 70% of exports in 2004. Long-run improvements in government fiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. Fighting along the Sierra Leonean and Liberian borders, as well as refugee movements, have caused major economic disruptions, aggravating a loss in investor confidence. Panic buying has created food shortages and inflation and caused riots in local markets. Guinea is not receiving multilateral aid; the IMF and World Bank cut off most assistance in 2003. Growth rose slightly in 2005, primarily due to increases in global demand and commodity prices on world markets. $18.99 billion (2005 est.) $3.576 billion (2005 est.) 2% (2005 est.) $2,000 (2005 est.) agriculture: 23.7% industry: 36.2% services: 40.1% (2005 est.) 3 million (1999) agriculture: 80% industry and services: 20% (2000 est.) NA% 40% (2003 est.) lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 32% (1994) 40.3 (1994) 25% (2005 est.) 17.3% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $305.6 million expenditures: $590.4 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber bauxite, gold, diamonds; alumina refining; light manufacturing and agricultural processing industries 3.2% (1994) 775 million kWh (2003) 720.8 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 8,400 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) -$268.4 million (2005 est.) $612.1 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products Russia 15.7%, South Korea 12.2%, Spain 10.9%, Ukraine 8.5%, US 6.6%, Ireland 6.5%, France 6.2%, Germany 5.4%, Belgium 4.8% (2005) $680 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs China 8.6%, US 7.5%, France 7.3%, Cote d'Ivoire 5.3%, Italy 4.8%, Belgium 4.2% (2005) $69.83 million (2005 est.) $3.46 billion (2003 est.) $237.5 million (2003) Guinean franc (GNF) Guinean francs per US dollar - 2,550 (2005), 2,225 (2004), 1,984.9 (2003), 1,975.8 (2002), 1,950.6 (2001) calendar year 26,200 (2003) 111,500 (2003) general assessment: poor to fair system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system domestic: microwave radio relay and radiotelephone communication international: country code - 224; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) AM 4 (one station is inactive), FM 1 (plus 7 repeaters), shortwave 3 (2001) 6 low-power stations (2001) .gn 364 (2005) 46,000 (2005) 16 (2006) total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2006) total: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2006) total: 837 km standard gauge: 175 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 662 km 1.000-m gauge (2005) total: 44,348 km paved: 4,342 km unpaved: 40,006 km (2003) 1,300 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft) (2005) Kamsar Army (includes Presidential Guard, Republican Guard), Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, General Directorate of National Police 18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 24 months (2004) males age 18-49: 1,852,534 females age 18-49: 1,827,560 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 1,034,006 females age 18-49: 1,032,885 (2005 est.) $119.7 million (2005 est.) 2.9% (2005 est.) conflicts among rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in neighboring states have spilled over into Guinea, resulting in domestic instability; Sierra Leone has pressured Guinea to remove its forces from the town of Yenga, occupied since 1998 Guyana Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to black settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. This ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, and since then it has been ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. After his death five years later, his wife, Jane JAGAN, became president but resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was reelected in 2001. Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela 5 00 N, 59 00 W South America total: 214,970 sq km land: 196,850 sq km water: 18,120 sq km slightly smaller than Idaho total: 2,462 km border countries: Brazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km 459 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January) mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Roraima 2,835 m bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish arable land: 2.23% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 97.63% (2005) 1,500 sq km (2003) flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively 767,245 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 26.2% (male 102,551/female 98,772) 15-64 years: 68.6% (male 265,193/female 260,892) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 17,043/female 22,794) (2006 est.) total: 27.4 years male: 26.9 years female: 27.9 years (2006 est.) 0.25% (2006 est.) 18.28 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 8.28 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -7.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 32.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 35.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 65.86 years male: 63.21 years female: 68.65 years (2006 est.) 2.04 children born/woman (2006 est.) 2.5% (2003 est.) 11,000 (2003 est.) 1,100 (2003 est.) noun: Guyanese (singular and plural) adjective: Guyanese East Indian 50%, black 36%, Amerindian 7%, white, Chinese, and mixed 7% Christian 50%, Hindu 35%, Muslim 10%, other 5% English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi, Urdu definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98.8% male: 99.1% female: 98.5% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Cooperative Republic of Guyana conventional short form: Guyana former: British Guiana republic name: Georgetown geographic coordinates: 6 48 N, 58 10 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo 26 May 1966 (from UK) Republic Day, 23 February (1970) 6 October 1980 based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 11 August 1999); note - assumed presidency after resignation of President Janet JAGAN and reelected in 2001 head of government: Prime Minister Samuel HINDS (since October 1992, except for a period as chief of state after the death of President Cheddi JAGAN on 6 March 1997) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the legislature elections: president elected by popular vote as leader of a party list in parliamentary elections, which must be held at least every five years (no term limits); elections last held 19 March 2001 (next to be held by 28 August 2006); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Bharrat JAGDEO reelected; percent of vote 52.9% unicameral National Assembly (65 members elected by popular vote, also not more than four non-elected non-voting ministers and two non-elected non-voting parliamentary secretaries appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 19 March 2001 (next to be held by 28 August 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - PPP/C 52.9%, PNC/R 41.9%, GAP/WPA 2.4%, ROAR 0.9%, TUF 0.7%, other 1.2%; seats by party - PPP/C 34, PNC/R 27, GAP/WPA 2, ROAR 1, TUF 1 Supreme Court of Judicature, consisting of the High Court and the Judicial Court of Appeal, with right of final appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice Alliance for Change or AFC [Raphael TROTMAN and Khemraj RAMJATTAN]; Guyana Action Party or GAP [Paul HARDY]; Justice for All Party [C.N. SHARMA]; People's National Congress/Reform or PNC/R [Robert Herman Orlando CORBIN]; People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C [Bharrat JAGDEO]; Rise, Organize, and Rebuild or ROAR [Ravi DEV]; The United Force or TUF [Manzoor NADIR]; The Unity Party [Joey JAGAN]; Vision Guyana [Peter RAMSAROOP]; Working People's Alliance or WPA [Rupert ROOPNARAINE] Amerindian People's Association; Guyana Citizens Initiative; Guyana Bar Association; Guyana Human Rights Association; Guyana Public Service Union or GPSU; Private Sector Commission; Trades Union Congress ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Bayney KARRAN chancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900 FAX: [1] (202) 232-1297 consulate(s) general: New York chief of mission: Ambassador Roland W. BULLEN embassy: 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown mailing address: P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown telephone: [592] 225-4900 through 4909 FAX: [592] 225-8497 green, with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow, black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border between the yellow and the green The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in 2001-02, based on expansion in the agricultural and mining sectors, a more favorable atmosphere for business initiatives, a more realistic exchange rate, fairly low inflation, and the continued support of international organizations. Growth slowed in 2003 and came back gradually in 2004, buoyed largely by increased export earnings; it slowed again in 2005. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure. The government is juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment. The bauxite mining sector should benefit in the near term from restructuring and partial privatization. Export earnings from agriculture and mining have fallen sharply, while the import bill has risen, driven by higher energy prices. Guyana's entrance into the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) in January 2006 might broaden the country's export market, primarily in the raw materials sector. $3.549 billion (2005 est.) $782 million (2005 est.) -2.5% (2005 est.) $4,600 (2005 est.) agriculture: 37% industry: 20.3% services: 42.7% (2005 est.) 418,000 (2001 est.) agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% 9.1% (understated) (2000) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 6.9% (2005 est.) 34.4% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $320.1 million expenditures: $362.6 million; including capital expenditures of $93.4 million (2005 est.) sugarcane, rice, wheat, vegetable oils; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish, shrimp bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining NA% 779 million kWh (2003) 724.5 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 11,300 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) -$112 million (2005 est.) $587.2 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) sugar, gold, bauxite/alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum, timber Canada 19.2%, US 19.2%, UK 12%, Portugal 8.2%, Jamaica 5.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.3% (2005) $681.6 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food US 27%, Trinidad and Tobago 24.1%, Cuba 6.7%, UK 5.1%, China 4.2% (2005) $261 million (2005 est.) $1.2 billion (2002) $84 million (1995), Heavily Indebted Poor Country Initiative (HIPC) $253 million (1997) Guyanese dollar (GYD) Guyanese dollars per US dollar - 200.79 (2005), 198.31 (2004), 193.88 (2003), 190.67 (2002), 187.32 (2001) calendar year 110,100 (2005) 104,600 (2004) general assessment: fair system for long-distance service domestic: microwave radio relay network for trunk lines international: country code - 592; tropospheric scatter to Trinidad; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998) 3 (one public station; two private stations which relay US satellite services) (1997) .gy 914 (2005) 145,000 (2005) 90 (2006) total: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 under 914 m: 6 (2006) total: 81 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 65 (2006) total: 187 km standard gauge: 139 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 48 km 0.914-m gauge note: all dedicated to ore transport (2001 est.) total: 7,970 km paved: 590 km unpaved: 7,380 km (1999) Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km respectively (2005) total: 7 ships (1000 GRT or over) 12,461 GRT/15,155 DWT by type: cargo 5, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1 foreign-owned: 1 (Germany 1) registered in other countries: 4 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, unknown 1) (2006) Georgetown Guyana Defense Force: Ground Forces, Coast Guard, Air Corps (2006) males age 18-49: 206,098 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 137,964 (2005 est.) $6.48 million (2003 est.) 0.9% (2003 est.) all of the area west of the Essequibo (river) is claimed by Venezuela preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before UNCLOS that Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela extends into their waters; Suriname claims a triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyne; Guyana seeks arbitration under provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to resolve the long-standing dispute with Suriname over the axis of the territorial sea boundary in potentially oil-rich waters Gaza Strip The Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements (the DOP), signed in Washington on 13 September 1993, provided for a transitional period not exceeding five years of Palestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Under the DOP, Israel agreed to transfer certain powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority (PA) as part of the interim self-governing arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza Strip and Jericho took place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and in additional areas of the West Bank pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28 September 1995 Interim Agreement, the Israel-PLO 15 January 1997 Protocol Concerning Redeployment in Hebron, the Israel-PLO 23 October 1998 Wye River Memorandum, and the 4 September 1999 Sharm el-Sheikh Agreement. The DOP provides that Israel will retain responsibility during the transitional period for external and internal security and for public order of settlements and Israeli citizens. Direct negotiations to determine the permanent status of Gaza and West Bank began in September 1999 after a three-year hiatus, but were derailed by a second intifadah that broke out in September 2000. In April 2003 the Quartet (US, EU, UN, and Russia) presented a roadmap to a final settlement of the conflict by 2005 based on reciprocal steps by the two parties leading to two states, Israel and a democratic Palestine. The proposed date for a permanent status agreement has been postponed indefinitely due to violence and accusations that both sides have not followed through on their commitments. Longtime Palestinian leader Yasir ARAFAT died in November 2004 and Mahmud ABBAS was elected PA president in January 2005, bringing hope of a turning point in the conflict. In February 2005 Israel and the PA agreed to the Sharm el-Sheikh Commitments, focused on security issues, in an effort to move the peace process forward. Progress has been slow because of different interpretations of the verbal agreement by the two sides. In September 2005, Israel withdrew all its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip and four northern West Bank settlements. Nonetheless, Israel controls maritime, airspace, and most access to the Gaza Strip. An agreement signed by the PA and Israel in November 2005 authorized the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt under joint PA and Egyptian control, with monitoring provided by the EU. Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Israel 31 25 N, 34 20 E Middle East total: 360 sq km land: 360 sq km water: 0 sq km slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC total: 62 km border countries: Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km 40 km Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Abu 'Awdah (Joz Abu 'Auda) 105 m arable land, natural gas arable land: 29% permanent crops: 21% other: 50% (2002) 150 sq km; note - includes West Bank (2003) droughts desertification; salination of fresh water; sewage treatment; water-borne disease; soil degradation; depletion and contamination of underground water resources strategic strip of land along Mideast-North African trade routes has experienced an incredibly turbulent history; the town of Gaza itself has been besieged countless times in its history 1,428,757 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 48.1% (male 351,642/female 335,060) 15-64 years: 49.4% (male 360,147/female 345,318) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 15,231/female 21,359) (2006 est.) total: 15.8 years male: 15.7 years female: 16 years (2006 est.) 3.71% (2006 est.) 39.45 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 3.8 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 1.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 22.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 71.97 years male: 70.67 years female: 73.34 years (2006 est.) 5.78 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: NA adjective: NA Palestinian Arab and other 99.4%, Jewish 0.6% Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 98.7%, Christian 0.7%, Jewish 0.6% Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by many Palestinians), English (widely understood) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.9% male: 96.3% female: 87.4% (2003 est.) conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gaza Strip local long form: none local short form: Qita Ghazzah High population density, limited land access, and strict internal and external controls have kept economic conditions in the Gaza Strip - the smaller of the two areas under the Palestinian Authority (PA)- even more degraded than in the West Bank. The beginning of the second intifadah in September 2000 sparked an economic downturn, largely the result of Israeli closure policies; these policies, which were imposed in response to security interests in Israel, disrupted labor and commodity relationships with the Gaza Strip. In 2001, and even more severely in 2003, Israeli military measures in PA areas resulted in the destruction of much capital plant, the disruption of administrative structure, and widespread business closures. Including the West Bank, the UN estimates that more than 100,000 Palestinians out of the 125,000 who used to work in Israel or in joint industrial zones have lost their jobs. Half the labor force is unemployed. Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in September 2005 offers some medium-term opportunities for economic growth, especially given the removal of restrictions on internal movement. In addition, recent agreements and continuing negotiations on the administration of Gaza's border crossings increase the prospects for trade. $768 million (2003 est.) NA 4.5% (2003 est.) $600 (2003 est.) agriculture: 9% industry: 28% services: 63% (includes West Bank) (2002 est.) 278,000 (April-June 2005) agriculture: 11.9% industry: 18% services: 70.1% (2nd qtr. 2005) 31% (includes West Bank) (January-September 2005 avg.) 81% (2004 est.) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 3% (includes West Bank) (2004) revenues: $964 million expenditures: $1.34 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA; note - these budget data include West Bank (2004) olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products generally small family businesses that produce textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established some small-scale modern industries in an industrial center, but operations ceased prior to Israel's evacuation of Gaza Strip settlements NA% NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by the Gaza Strip power plant and by an Israeli utility NA kWh 0 kWh (2001) NA kWh; note - some electricity supplied by an Israeli utility (2005) $270 million f.o.b.; note - includes West Bank (2003) citrus, flowers, textiles Israel, Egypt, West Bank (2004) $1.952 billion c.i.f.; note - includes West Bank (2003) food, consumer goods, construction materials Israel, Egypt, West Bank (2004) $0; note - includes West Bank (2002) $2 billion; note - includes West Bank (2004 est.) new Israeli shekel (ILS) new Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.4877 (2005), 4.482 (2004), 4.5541 (2003), 4.7378 (2002), 4.2057 (2001) calendar year 357,300 (total for Gaza Strip and West Bank) (2004) 974,300 (cellular subscribers in both Gaza Strip and West Bank) (2004) general assessment: NA domestic: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for fixed line services in the Gaza Strip; the Palestinian JAWAL company provides cellular services international: country code - 970 AM 0, FM 8, shortwave 0 (2005) 1 (2005) .ps 160,000 (includes West Bank) (2004) 2 note: includes Gaza International Airport closed since its runway was destroyed by the Israeli Defense Forces in December 2001 (2006) total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2006) total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2006) 1 (2006) note: see entry for West Bank Gaza in accordance with the peace agreement, the Palestinian Authority is not permitted conventional military forces; there are, however, public security forces (2002) males age 18-49: 260,855 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 221,530 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 15,196 (2005 est.) NA NA West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel removed settlers and military personnel from the Gaza Strip in August 2005 Haiti The native Taino Amerindians - who inhabited the island of Hispaniola when it was discovered by COLUMBUS in 1492 - were virtually annihilated by Spanish settlers within 25 years. In the early 17th century, the French established a presence on Hispaniola, and in 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the island, which later became Haiti. The French colony, based on forestry and sugar-related industries, became one of the wealthiest in the Caribbean, but only through the heavy importation of African slaves and considerable environmental degradation. In the late 18th century, Haiti's nearly half million slaves revolted under Toussaint L'OUVERTURE. After a prolonged struggle, Haiti became the first black republic to declare its independence in 1804. The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti has been plagued by political violence for most of its history. After an armed rebellion led to the departure of President Jean-Betrand ARISTIDE in February 2004, an interim government took office to organize new elections under the auspices of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Continued violence and technical delays have prompted repeated postponements, and Haiti missed the constitutionally-mandated presidential inauguration date of 7 February 2006. Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic 19 00 N, 72 25 W Central America and the Caribbean total: 27,750 sq km land: 27,560 sq km water: 190 sq km slightly smaller than Maryland total: 360 km border countries: Dominican Republic 360 km 1,771 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: to depth of exploitation tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds mostly rough and mountainous lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m bauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, hydropower arable land: 28.11% permanent crops: 11.53% other: 60.36% (2005) 920 sq km (2003) lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; periodic droughts extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land is being cleared for agriculture and used as fuel); soil erosion; inadequate supplies of potable water party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic) 8,308,504 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 42.4% (male 1,770,523/female 1,749,853) 15-64 years: 54.2% (male 2,201,957/female 2,301,886) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 125,298/female 158,987) (2006 est.) total: 18.2 years male: 17.8 years female: 18.6 years (2006 est.) 2.3% (2006 est.) 36.44 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 12.17 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -1.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 71.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 78.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 65.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 53.23 years male: 51.89 years female: 54.6 years (2006 est.) 4.94 children born/woman (2006 est.) 5.6% (2003 est.) 280,000 (2003 est.) 24,000 (2003 est.) noun: Haitian(s) adjective: Haitian black 95%, mulatto and white 5% Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% note: roughly half of the population practices Voodoo French (official), Creole (official) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 52.9% male: 54.8% female: 51.2% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Haiti conventional short form: Haiti local long form: Republique d'Haiti/Repiblik d' Ayiti local short form: Haiti/Ayiti elected government name: Port-au-Prince geographic coordinates: 18 32 N, 72 20 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in April; ends last Sunday in October 10 departments (departements, singular - departement); Artibonite, Centre, Grand 'Anse, Nippes, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est 1 January 1804 (from France) Independence Day, 1 January (1804) approved March 1987; suspended June 1988 with most articles reinstated March 1989; constitutional government ousted in a military coup in September 1991, although in October 1991, military government claimed to be observing the constitution; returned to constitutional rule in October 1994; constitution remains technically in force but has not been observed since Aristide's departure in 2004 based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Rene PREVAL (since 14 May 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Jacques-Edouard ALEXIS (since 30 May 2006) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 7 February 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister appointed by the president, ratified by the National Assembly election results: Rene PREVAL elected president; percent of vote - Rene PREVAL 51% bicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale consists of the Senate (30 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies (99 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); note - in reestablishing the Senate, the candidate in each department receiving the most votes in the last election serves six years, the candidate with the second most votes serves four years, and the candidate with the third most votes serves two years elections: Senate - last held 21 April 2006, run-off elections to be determined (next regular election, for one third of seats, to be held in 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held 21 April 2006, run-off elections to be determined (next regular election to be held in 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - L'ESPWA 11, OPL 4, FL 3, FUSION 3, LAAA 2, UNCRH 2, ALYANS 1, PONT 1, 3 seats subject to run-off election; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - L'ESPWA 19, FUSION 15, ALYANS 10, OPL 8, FL 6, UNCRH 6, MPH 4, RDNP 4, LAAA 3,KONBA 3, FRN 1, MOCHRENHA 1, MRN 1, Tet-Ansanm 1, MIRN 1, JPDN 1, UNITE 1, PLH 1, 13 seats subject to run-off election Supreme Court or Cour de Cassation Artibonite in Action or LAAA [Youri LATORTUE]; Assembly of Progressive National Democrats or RDNP [Leslie MANIGAT]; Convention for Democratic Unity or KID [Evans PAUL]; Cooperative Action to Build Haiti or KONBA [Evans LESCOUFALIR]; Democratic Alliance or ALYANS (coalition composed of KID and PPRH) [Evans PAUL]; Effort and Solidarity to Create an Alternative for the People or ESKAMP [Joseph JASME]; For Us All or PONT [Jean-Marie CHERESTAL]; Front for Hope or L'ESPWA (alliance of ESKAMP, PLB, and grass-roots organizations Grand-Anse Resistance Committee, the Central Plateau Peasants' Group, and Kombit Sudest) [Rene PREVAL]; Grand Center Right Front coalition (composed of MDN, MRN, and PDCH) [Hubert de RONCERAY]; Haitian Christian Democratic Party or PDCH [Osner FEVRY and Marie-Denise CLAUDE]; Haitian Democratic and Reform Movement or MODEREH [Dany TOUSSAINT and Pierre Soncon PRINCE]; Heads Together or Tet-Ansanm [Dr. Gerard BLOT]; Independent Movement for National Reconciliation or MIRN [Luc FLEURINORD]; Justice for Peace and National Development or JPDN [Rigaud DUPLAN]; Fanmi Lavalas or FL [Rudy HERIVEAUX]; Liberal Party of Haiti or PLH [Gehy MICHEL]; Merging of Haitian Social Democratic Parties or FUSION or FPSDH (merged Ayiti Capable, Haitian National Revolutionary Party, and National Congress of Democratic Movements) [Serge GILLES]; Mobilization for Haiti's Development or MPH [Samir MOURRA]; Mobilization for National Development or MDN [Hubert de RONCERAY]; Movement for National Reconstruction or MRN [Jean Henold BUTEAU]; Movement for the Installation of Democracy in Haiti or MIDH [Marc BAZIN]; National Christian Union for the Reconstruction of Haiti or UNCRH [Marie Claude GERMAIN]; National Front for the Reconstruction of Haiti or FRN [Guy PHILIPPE]; New Christian Movement for a New Haiti or MOCHRENA [Luc MESADIEU]; Open the Gate Party or PLB [Anes LUBIN]; Popular Party for the Renewal of Haiti or PPRH [Claude ROMAIN and Daniel SUPPLICE]; Struggling People's Organization or OPL [Edgard LEBLANC]; Union for Haiti or UPH (coalition of MIDH and FL) [Marc BAZIN]; Union of Nationalist and Progressive Haitians or UNITE [Edouard FRANCISQUE] Autonomous Organizations of Haitian Workers or CATH [Fignole ST-CYR]; Confederation of Haitian Workers or CTH; Federation of Workers Trade Unions or FOS; Grand-Anse Resistance Committee, or KOREGA; Group of 184 Civil Society Organizations, or G-184 [Andy APAID]; National Popular Assembly or APN; Papaye Peasants Movement or MPP [Chavannes JEAN-BAPTISTE]; Popular Organizations Gathering Power or PROP; Roman Catholic Church; Protestant Federation of Haiti ACCT, ACP, Caricom, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, MIGA, OAS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond JOSEPH (as of October 2005) chancery: 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-4090 FAX: [1] (202) 745-7215 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico) chief of mission: Ambassador Timothy M. CARNEY embassy: 5 Harry S Truman Boulevard, Port-au-Prince mailing address: P. O. Box 1761, Port-au-Prince telephone: [509] 222-0200 FAX: [509] 223-9038 two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength) In this poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, 80% of the population lives in abject poverty. Two-thirds of all Haitians depend on the agriculture sector, mainly small-scale subsistence farming, and remain vulnerable to damage from frequent natural disasters, exacerbated by the country's widespread deforestation. The economy grew 1.5% in 2005, the highest growth rate since 1999. Haiti suffers from rampant inflation, a lack of investment, and a severe trade deficit. In early 2005, Haiti paid its arrears to the World Bank, paving the way for reengagement with the Bank. The government is reliant on formal international economic assistance for fiscal sustainability. Remittances are the primary source of foreign exchange, equaling nearly a quarter of GDP in 2005. $14.15 billion (2005 est.) $4.321 billion (2005 est.) 2% (2005 est.) $1,700 (2005 est.) agriculture: 28% industry: 20% services: 52% (2004 est.) 3.6 million note: shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (1995) agriculture: 66% industry: 9% services: 25% widespread unemployment and underemployment; more than two-thirds of the labor force do not have formal jobs (2002 est.) 80% (2003 est.) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 15.7% (2005 est.) 27.4% of GDP (2004 est.) revenues: $400 million expenditures: $600.8 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) coffee, mangoes, sugarcane, rice, corn, sorghum; wood sugar refining, flour milling, textiles, cement, light assembly industries based on imported parts NA% 546 million kWh (2003) 507.8 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 11,800 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) $23 million (2005 est.) $390.7 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) manufactures, coffee, oils, cocoa, mangoes US 81.1%, Dominican Republic 6.9%, Canada 4% (2005) $1.471 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) food, manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, raw materials US 49.4%, Netherlands Antilles 12.1%, Malaysia 3.4% (2005) $100 million (2005 est.) $1.313 billion (2005 est.) $153 million (FY05 est.) gourde (HTG) gourdes per US dollar - 40.449 (2005), 38.352 (2004), 42.367 (2003), 29.251 (2002), 24.429 (2001) 1 October - 30 September 140,000 (2004) 400,000 (2004) general assessment: domestic facilities barely adequate; international facilities slightly better domestic: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay trunk service international: country code - 509; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) AM 41, FM 26, shortwave 0 (1999) 2 (plus a cable TV service) (1997) .ht 3 (2005) 500,000 (2005) 12 (2006) total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2006) total: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 7 (2006) total: 4,160 km paved: 1,011 km unpaved: 3,149 km (1999) Cap-Haitien the regular Haitian Armed Forces (FAdH) - Army, Navy, and Air Force - have been demobilized but still exist on paper unless they are constitutionally abolished 18 years of age for voluntary recruitment into the police force (2001) males age 18-49: 1,626,491 females age 18-49: 1,637,657 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 948,320 females age 18-49: 931,972 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 98,554 females age 18-49: 97,690 (2005 est.) $25.96 million (2003 est.) 0.9% (2003 est.) since 2004, about 8,000 peacekeepers from the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) maintain civil order in Haiti; despite efforts to control illegal migration, Haitians fleeing economic privation and civil unrest continue to cross into the Dominican Republic and sail to neighboring countries; Haiti claims US-administered Navassa Island Hong Kong Occupied by the UK in 1841, Hong Kong was formally ceded by China the following year; various adjacent lands were added later in the 19th century. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK on 19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 1 July 1997. In this agreement, China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system will not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years. Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China 22 15 N, 114 10 E Southeast Asia total: 1,092 sq km land: 1,042 sq km water: 50 sq km six times the size of Washington, DC total: 30 km regional border: China 30 km 733 km territorial sea: 3 nm subtropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Tai Mo Shan 958 m outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar arable land: 5.05% permanent crops: 1.01% other: 93.94% (2001) 20 sq km (1998 est.) occasional typhoons air and water pollution from rapid urbanization party to: Marine Dumping (associate member) more than 200 islands 6,940,432 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 13.5% (male 488,607/female 445,593) 15-64 years: 73.7% (male 2,495,679/female 2,620,336) 65 years and over: 12.8% (male 413,031/female 477,186) (2006 est.) total: 40.7 years male: 40.4 years female: 40.9 years (2006 est.) 0.59% (2006 est.) 7.29 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 6.29 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 4.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 2.95 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.13 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 81.59 years male: 78.9 years female: 84.5 years (2006 est.) 0.95 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.1% (2003 est.) 2,600 (2003 est.) less than 200 (2003 est.) noun: Chinese/Hong Konger adjective: Chinese/Hong Kong Chinese 95%, other 5% eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10% Chinese (Cantonese), English; both are official definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 93.5% male: 96.9% female: 89.6% (2002) conventional long form: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region conventional short form: Hong Kong local long form: Xianggang Tebie Xingzhengqu local short form: Xianggang abbreviation: HK special administrative region of China limited democracy none (special administrative region of China) none (special administrative region of China) National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 1 July 1997 is celebrated as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day Basic Law, approved in March 1990 by China's National People's Congress, is Hong Kong's "mini-constitution" based on English common law direct election 18 years of age; universal for permanent residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years; indirect election limited to about 200,000 members of functional constituencies and an 800-member election committee drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government bodies chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) head of government: Chief Executive Donald TSANG (since 24 June 2005) cabinet: Executive Council consists of 14 official members and 15 non-official members elections: previous chief executive TUNG Chee-hwa was elected to second five-year term in March 2002 by 800-member election committee dominated by pro-Beijing forces, resignation accepted 12 March 2005; Donald TSANG acted as chief executive between 12 March 2005 and 25 May 2005; Henry TANG acted as chief executive between 25 May 2005 and 24 June 2005; TSANG was elected on 16 June 2005 to fill final two years of TUNG's term (next election to be held in March 2007) unicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO (60 seats; in 2004 30 seats indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 30 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 12 September 2004 (next to be held in September 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - pro-democracy group 62%; seats by party - (pro-Beijing 34) DAB 12, Liberal Party 10, independents 11, FTU 1; (pro-democracy 25) independents 11, Democratic Party 9, CTU 2, ADPL 1, Frontier Party 1, NWSC 1; non-voting LEGCO president 1 Court of Final Appeal in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood or ADPL [Frederick FUNG Kin-kee]; Citizens Party [Alex CHAN Kai-chung]; Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong or DAB [MA Lik]; Democratic Party [LEE Wing-tat]; Frontier Party [Emily LAU Wai-hing]; Liberal Party [James TIEN Pei-chun] note: political blocs include: pro-democracy - ADPL, Democratic Party, Frontier Party; pro-Beijing - DAB, Liberal Party Article 45 Concern Group (pro-democracy); Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Confederation of Trade Unions or CTU (pro-democracy) [LAU Chin-shek, president; LEE Cheuk-yan, general secretary]; Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Federation of Trade Unions or FTU (pro-China) [CHENG Yiu-tong, executive councilor]; Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China [Szeto WAH, chairman]; Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union [CHEUNG Man-kwong, president]; Neighborhood and Workers' Service Center or NWSC (pro-democracy); The Alliance [Bernard CHAN, exco member] APEC, AsDB, BIS, ICC, ICFTU, IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), IOC, ISO (correspondent), UPU, WCL, WCO, WMO, WToO (associate), WTO none (special administrative region of China) chief of mission: Consul General James B. CUNNINGHAM consulate(s) general: 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong mailing address: PSC 461, Box 1, FPO AP 96521-0006 telephone: [852] 2523-9011 FAX: [852] 2845-1598 red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in the center Hong Kong has a free market, entrepot economy, highly dependent on international trade. Natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. Gross imports and exports (i.e., including reexports to and from third countries) each exceed GDP in dollar value. Even before Hong Kong reverted to Chinese administration on 1 July 1997, it had extensive trade and investment ties with China. Hong Kong has been further integrating its economy with China because China's growing openness to the world economy has made manufacturing in China much more cost effective. Hong Kong's reexport business to and from China is a major driver of growth. Per capita GDP is comparable to that of the four big economies of Western Europe. GDP growth averaged a strong 5% from 1989 to 2005, but Hong Kong suffered two recessions in the past eight years because of the Asian financial crisis in 1997-1998 and the global downturn in 2001-2002. Although the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003 also battered Hong Kong's economy, a solid rise in exports, a boom in tourism from the mainland because of China's easing of travel restrictions, and a return of consumer confidence resulted in the resumption of strong growth from late 2003 through 2005. $227.3 billion (2005 est.) $172.6 billion (2005 est.) 7.3% (2005 est.) $32,900 (2005 est.) agriculture: 0.1% industry: 9.2% services: 90.6% (2005 est.) 3.61 million (October 2005) manufacturing 7.5%, construction 2.9%, wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels 43.9%, financing, insurance, and real estate 19.6%, transport and communications 7.1%, community and social services 18.8% note: above data exclude public sector (2005 est.) 5.5% (2005 est.) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 43.4 (1996) 0.9% (2005 est.) 20.8% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $31.31 billion expenditures: $32.3 billion; including capital expenditures of $5.9 billion (2005 est.) 1.8% of GDP (2005 est.) fresh vegetables; poultry, pork; fish textiles, clothing, tourism, banking, shipping, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks -0.6% (2005 est.) 37.3 billion kWh (2004) 39.22 billion kWh (2004) 3.086 billion kWh (2004) 9.84 billion kWh (2004) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 293,000 bbl/day (2004 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day NA cu m 692.2 million cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2004 est.) 71.15 million cu m (2004 est.) $19.7 billion (2005 est.) $286.3 billion f.o.b., including reexports (2005 est.) electrical machinery and appliances, textiles, apparel, footwear, watches and clocks, toys, plastics, precious stones, printed material China 45%, US 16.1%, Japan 5.3% (2005) $291.6 billion (2005 est.) raw materials and semi-manufactures, consumer goods, capital goods, foodstuffs, fuel (most is re-exported) China 45%, Japan 11%, Taiwan 7.2%, Singapore 5.8%, US 5.1%, South Korea 4.4% (2005) $124.3 billion (2005 est.) $72.04 billion (2005 est.) Hong Kong dollar (HKD) Hong Kong dollars per US dollar - 7.7773 (2005), 7.788 (2004), 7.7868 (2003), 7.7989 (2002), 7.7988 (2001) 1 April - 31 March 3,794,600 (2005) 8.214 million (2004) general assessment: modern facilities provide excellent domestic and international services domestic: microwave radio relay links and extensive fiber-optic network international: country code - 852; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China; access to 5 international submarine cables providing connections to ASEAN member nations, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe AM 5, FM 9, shortwave 0 (2004) 55 low power stations note: two TV networks, each one broadcasting on two channels (2006) .hk 859,926 (2005) 4,878,713 (2005) 3 (2006) total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2006) 3 (2006) total: 1,955 km paved: 1,955 km (2005) total: 924 ships (1000 GRT or over) 30,838,025 GRT/51,957,682 DWT by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 495, cargo 121, chemical tanker 44, container 133, liquefied gas 22, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 76, roll on/roll off 3, specialized tanker 7, vehicle carrier 8 foreign-owned: 562 (Australia 1, Belgium 3, Canada 28, China 274, Denmark 6, Germany 6, Greece 27, Indonesia 4, Japan 67, South Korea 6, Norway 26, Philippines 16, Portugal 1, Singapore 24, Syria 1, Taiwan 6, UAE 2, UK 43, US 21) registered in other countries: 417 (Bahamas 8, Belize 8, Bermuda 10, Cambodia 15, China 7, Cyprus 1, France 1, French Southern and Antarctic Lands 2, Greece 1, Honduras 2, India 1, Liberia 37, Malaysia 14, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 7, Norway 55, Panama 169, Philippines 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Singapore 50, Taiwan 3, Tuvalu 8, unknown 7) (2006) Hong Kong no regular indigenous military forces; Hong Kong garrison of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) includes elements of the PLA Ground Forces, PLA Navy, and PLA Air Force; these forces are under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission in Beijing and under administrative control of the adjacent Guangzhou Military Region 18 years of age (2004) males age 18-49: 1,743,972 females age 18-49: 1,904,967 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 1,403,088 females age 18-49: 1,527,278 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 40,343 females age 18-49: 38,234 (2005 est.) Hong Kong garrison is funded by China; figures are NA NA defense is the responsibility of China none Heard Island and McDonald Islands These uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic islands were transferred from the UK to Australia in 1947. Populated by large numbers of seal and bird species, the islands have been designated a nature preserve. islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica 53 06 S, 72 31 E Antarctic Region total: 412 sq km land: 412 sq km water: 0 sq km slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 101.9 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm antarctic Heard Island - 80% ice-covered, bleak and mountainous, dominated by a large massif (Big Ben) and an active volcano (Mawson Peak); McDonald Islands - small and rocky lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m fish arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) 0 sq km Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island NA uninhabited (July 2006 est.) conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment and Heritage the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply none (territory of Australia) none (territory of Australia) the flag of Australia is used No indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing around the islands. .hm none; offshore anchorage only defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols Honduras Once part of Spain's vast empire in the New World, Honduras became an independent nation in 1821. After two and a half decades of mostly military rule, a freely elected civilian government came to power in 1982. During the 1980s, Honduras proved a haven for anti-Sandinista contras fighting the Marxist Nicaraguan Government and an ally to Salvadoran Government forces fighting leftist guerrillas. The country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which killed about 5,600 people and caused approximately $2 billion in damage. Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the Gulf of Fonseca (North Pacific Ocean), between El Salvador and Nicaragua 15 00 N, 86 30 W Central America and the Caribbean total: 112,090 sq km land: 111,890 sq km water: 200 sq km slightly larger than Tennessee total: 1,520 km border countries: Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua 922 km 820 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: natural extension of territory or to 200 nm subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Cerro Las Minas 2,870 m timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish, hydropower arable land: 9.53% permanent crops: 3.21% other: 87.26% (2005) 800 sq km (2003) frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; extremely susceptible to damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbean coast urban population expanding; deforestation results from logging and the clearing of land for agricultural purposes; further land degradation and soil erosion hastened by uncontrolled development and improper land use practices such as farming of marginal lands; mining activities polluting Lago de Yojoa (the country's largest source of fresh water), as well as several rivers and streams, with heavy metals party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements has only a short Pacific coast but a long Caribbean shoreline, including the virtually uninhabited eastern Mosquito Coast 7,326,496 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 39.9% (male 1,491,170/female 1,429,816) 15-64 years: 56.7% (male 2,076,727/female 2,077,975) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 113,747/female 137,061) (2006 est.) total: 19.5 years male: 19.1 years female: 19.8 years (2006 est.) 2.16% (2006 est.) 28.24 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 5.28 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -1.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 25.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 69.33 years male: 67.75 years female: 70.98 years (2006 est.) 3.59 children born/woman (2006 est.) 1.8% (2003 est.) 63,000 (2003 est.) 4,100 (2003 est.) noun: Honduran(s) adjective: Honduran mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European) 90%, Amerindian 7%, black 2%, white 1% Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant 3% Spanish, Amerindian dialects definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 76.2% male: 76.1% female: 76.3% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Honduras conventional short form: Honduras local long form: Republica de Honduras local short form: Honduras democratic constitutional republic name: Tegucigalpa geographic coordinates: 14 06 N, 87 13 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in May; ends first Saturday in August; note - beginning in 2007, DST will begin the second Sunday in March and end the first Sunday in November 18 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Atlantida, Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Independence Day, 15 September (1821) 11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982; amended 1995 rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law with increasing influence of English common law; recent judicial reforms include abandoning Napoleonic legal codes in favor of the oral adversarial system; accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal and compulsory chief of state: President Manuel ZELAYA Rosales (since 27 January 2006); First Vice President Elvin Ernesto SANTOS Ordonez (since 27 January 2006); Second Vice President (vacant); Third Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Manuel ZELAYA Rosales (since 27 January 2006); First Vice President Elvin Ernesto SANTOS Ordonez (since 27 January 2006); Second Vice President (vacant); Third Vice President (vacant) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 27 November 2005 (next to be held November 2009) election results: Manuel ZELAYA Rosales (PL) elected president - 49.8%, Porfirio "Pepe" LOBO Sosa (PN) 46.1%, other 4.1% unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (128 seats; members are elected proportionally to the number of votes their party's presidential candidate receives to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 November 2005 (next to be held November 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PL 62, PN 55, PUD 5, PDC 4, PINU 2 Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are elected for seven-year terms by the National Congress) Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Saul ESCOBAR Andrade]; Democratic Unification Party or PUD [Matias FUNES]; Liberal Party or PL [Patricia RODAS]; National Innovation and Unity Party or PINU [Olban F. VALLADARES]; National Party of Honduras or PN [Gilberto GOLDSTEIN] Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras or CODEH; Confederation of Honduran Workers or CTH; Coordinating Committee of Popular Organizations or CCOP; General Workers Confederation or CGT; Honduran Council of Private Enterprise or COHEP; National Association of Honduran Campesinos or ANACH; National Union of Campesinos or UNC; Popular Bloc or BP; United Confederation of Honduran Workers or CUTH BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto FLORES Bermudez chancery: Suite 4-M, 3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-7702 FAX: [1] (202) 966-9751 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco honorary consulate(s): Boston, Detroit, Jacksonville chief of mission: Ambassador Charles A. FORD embassy: Avenida La Paz, Apartado Postal No. 3453, Tegucigalpa mailing address: American Embassy, APO AA 34022, Tegucigalpa telephone: [504] 236-9320 FAX: [504] 236-9037 three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with five blue, five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere with an extraordinarily unequal distribution of income and massive unemployment, is banking on expanded trade under the US-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and on debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. The country has met most of its macroeconomic targets, and began a three-year IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PGRF) program in February 2004. Growth remains dependent on the economy of the US, its largest trading partner, on continued exports of non-traditional agricultural products (such as melons, chiles, tilapia, and shrimp), and on reduction of the high crime rate. $20.59 billion (2005 est.) $7.812 billion (2005 est.) 4.2% (2005 est.) $2,900 (2005 est.) agriculture: 13.9% industry: 31.2% services: 54.9% (2005 est.) 2.54 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 34% industry: 21% services: 45% (2001 est.) 28% (2005 est.) 53% (1993 est.) lowest 10%: 0.6% highest 10%: 42.7% (1998) 55 (1999) 8.8% (2005 est.) 23.2% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $1.693 billion expenditures: $1.938 billion; including capital expenditures of $106 million (2005 est.) 68.4% of GDP (2005 est.) bananas, coffee, citrus; beef; timber; shrimp sugar, coffee, textiles, clothing, wood products 7.7% (2003 est.) 4.338 billion kWh (2003) 4.369 billion kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 335 million kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 37,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) -$42.3 million (2005 est.) $1.726 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) coffee, shrimp, bananas, gold, palm oil, fruit, lobster, lumber US 74.4%, Guatemala 3%, El Salvador 2.9% (2005) $4.161 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and transport equipment, industrial raw materials, chemical products, fuels, foodstuffs (2000) US 53.7%, Guatemala 6.5%, El Salvador 4.2% (2005) $2.339 billion (2005 est.) $5.795 billion (2005 est.) $557.8 million (1999) lempira (HNL) lempiras per US dollar - 18.92 (2005), 18.206 (2004), 17.345 (2003), 16.433 (2002), 15.474 (2001) calendar year 494,400 (2005) 707,200 (2004) general assessment: inadequate system domestic: NA international: country code - 504; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System AM 241, FM 53, shortwave 12 (1998) 11 (plus 17 repeaters) (1997) .hn 4,763 (2005) 223,000 (2005) 116 (2006) total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2006) total: 105 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 19 under 914 m: 84 (2006) total: 699 km narrow gauge: 279 km 1.067-m gauge; 420 km 0.914-m gauge (2005) total: 13,603 km paved: 2,775 km unpaved: 10,828 km (1999) 465 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2005) total: 136 ships (1000 GRT or over) 405,984 GRT/557,179 DWT by type: bulk carrier 11, cargo 61, chemical tanker 5, container 1, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 1, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 29, refrigerated cargo 8, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 43 (Canada 1, China 3, Egypt 4, Greece 3, Hong Kong 2, Israel 1, Japan 4, South Korea 6, Lebanon 1, Mexico 1, Qatar 1, Singapore 11, Taiwan 2, Tanzania 1, US 1, Vietnam 1) (2006) Puerto Castilla, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo, Tela Army, Navy (includes naval infantry), Honduran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Hondurena, FAH) (2006) 18 years of age for voluntary two-three year military service (2004) males age 18-49: 1,537,232 females age 18-49: 1,515,120 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 1,100,991 females age 18-49: 1,121,649 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 82,105 females age 18-49: 78,971 (2005 est.) $52.8 million (2005 est.) 2.55% (2005 est.) in 1992, International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras border, but despite Organization of American States (OAS) intervention and a further ICJ ruling in 2003, full demarcation of the border remains stalled; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca with consideration of Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not mentioned in the ICJ ruling, off Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca; Honduras claims Sapodilla Cays off the coast of Belize, but agreed to creation of a joint ecological park and Guatemalan corridor in the Caribbean in the failed 2002 Belize-Guatemala Differendum, which the OAS is attempting to revive; Nicaragua filed a claim against Honduras in 1999 and against Colombia in 2001 at the ICJ over a complex dispute over islands and maritime boundaries in the Caribbean Sea Croatia The lands that today comprise Croatia were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the close of World War I. In 1918, the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became a federal independent Communist state under the strong hand of Marshal TITO. Although Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, it took four years of sporadic, but often bitter, fighting before occupying Serb armies were mostly cleared from Croatian lands. Under UN supervision, the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was returned to Croatia in 1998. Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia 45 10 N, 15 30 E Europe total: 56,542 sq km land: 56,414 sq km water: 128 sq km slightly smaller than West Virginia total: 2,197 km border countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina 932 km, Hungary 329 km, Serbia 241 km, Montenegro 25 km, Slovenia 670 km 5,835 km (mainland 1,777 km, islands 4,058 km) territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border, low mountains and highlands near Adriatic coastline and islands lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Dinara 1,830 m oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, gypsum, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, hydropower arable land: 25.82% permanent crops: 2.19% other: 71.99% (2005) 110 sq km (2003) destructive earthquakes air pollution (from metallurgical plants) and resulting acid rain is damaging the forests; coastal pollution from industrial and domestic waste; landmine removal and reconstruction of infrastructure consequent to 1992-95 civil strife party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits 4,494,749 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 16.2% (male 373,638/female 354,261) 15-64 years: 67% (male 1,497,958/female 1,515,314) 65 years and over: 16.8% (male 288,480/female 465,098) (2006 est.) total: 40.3 years male: 38.3 years female: 42.1 years (2006 est.) -0.03% (2006 est.) 9.61 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 11.48 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 1.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 6.72 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 74.68 years male: 71.03 years female: 78.53 years (2006 est.) 1.4 children born/woman (2006 est.) less than 0.1% (2001 est.) 200 (2001 est.) less than 10 (2001 est.) noun: Croat(s), Croatian(s) adjective: Croatian Croat 89.6%, Serb 4.5%, other 5.9% (including Bosniak, Hungarian, Slovene, Czech, and Roma) (2001 census) Roman Catholic 87.8%, Orthodox 4.4%, other Christian 0.4%, Muslim 1.3%, other and unspecified 0.9%, none 5.2% (2001 census) Croatian 96.1%, Serbian 1%, other and undesignated 2.9% (including Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and German) (2001 census) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.5% male: 99.4% female: 97.8% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Croatia conventional short form: Croatia local long form: Republika Hrvatska local short form: Hrvatska former: People's Republic of Croatia, Socialist Republic of Croatia presidential/parliamentary democracy name: Zagreb geographic coordinates: 45 48 N, 15 58 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 20 counties (zupanije, zupanija - singular) and 1 city* (grad - singular); Bjelovarsko-Bilogorska Zupanija, Brodsko-Posavska Zupanija, Dubrovacko-Neretvanska Zupanija, Istarska Zupanija, Karlovacka Zupanija, Koprivnicko-Krizevacka Zupanija, Krapinsko-Zagorska Zupanija, Licko-Senjska Zupanija, Medimurska Zupanija, Osjecko-Baranjska Zupanija, Pozesko-Slavonska Zupanija, Primorsko-Goranska Zupanija, Sibensko-Kninska Zupanija, Sisacko-Moslavacka Zupanija, Splitsko-Dalmatinska Zupanija, Varazdinska Zupanija, Viroviticko-Podravska Zupanija, Vukovarsko-Srijemska Zupanija, Zadarska Zupanija, Zagreb*, Zagrebacka Zupanija 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia) Independence Day, 8 October (1991); note - 25 June 1991 is the day the Croatian Parliament voted for independence; following a three-month moratorium to allow the European Community to solve the Yugoslav crisis peacefully, Parliament adopted a decision on 8 October 1991 to sever constitutional relations with Yugoslavia adopted on 22 December 1990; revised 2000, 2001 based on civil law system 18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed) chief of state: President Stjepan (Stipe) MESIC (since 18 February 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Ivo SANADER (since 9 December 2003); Deputy Prime Ministers Jadranka KOSOR (since 23 December 2003) and Damir POLANCEC (since 15 February 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and approved by the parliamentary Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 16 January 2005 (next to be held January 2010); the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president and then approved by the Assembly election results: Stjepan MESIC reelected president; percent of vote - Stjepan MESIC 66%, Jadranka KOSOR (HDZ) 34% in the second round unicameral Assembly or Sabor (152 seats; note - one seat was added in the November 2003 parliamentary elections; members elected from party lists by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 23 November 2003 (next to be held in 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; number of seats by party - HDZ 66, SDP 34, HSS 10, HNS 10, HSP 8, IDS 4, Libra 3, HSU 3, SDSS 3, other 11 note: minority government coalition - HDZ, DC, HSLS, HSU, SDSS Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; judges for both courts appointed for eight-year terms by the Judicial Council of the Republic, which is elected by the Assembly Croatian Bloc or HB [Ivic PASALIC]; Croatian Christian Democratic Union or HKDU [Anto KOVACEVIC]; Croatian Democratic Union or HDZ [Ivo SANADER]; Croatian Party of Rights or HSP [Anto DJAPIC]; Croatian Peasant Party or HSS [Josip FRISCIC]; Croatian Pensioner Party or HSU [Vladimir JORDAN]; Croatian People's Party or HNS [Vesna PUSIC] (in 2005 party merged with Libra to become Croatian People's Party-Liberal Democrats or NS-LD [Vesna PUSIC]); Croatian Social Liberal Party or HSLS [Djurdja ADLESIC]; Croatian True Revival Party or HIP [Miroslav TUDJMAN]; Democratic Centre or DC [Vesna SKARE-OZBOLT]; Independent Democratic Serb Party or SDSS [Vojislav STANIMIROVIC]; Istrian Democratic Assembly or IDS [Ivan JAKOVCIC]; Social Democratic Party of Croatia or SDP [Ivica RACAN] NA ACCT (observer), BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Neven JURICA chancery: 2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-5899 FAX: [1] (202) 588-8936 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York chief of mission: Ambassador Robert A. BRADTKE embassy: 2 Thomas Jefferson Street, 10010 Zagreb mailing address: use street address telephone: [385] (1) 661-2200 FAX: [385] (1) 661-2373 three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue superimposed by the Croatian coat of arms (red and white checkered) Before the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the Republic of Croatia, after Slovenia, was the most prosperous and industrialized area with a per capita output perhaps one-third above the Yugoslav average. The economy emerged from a mild recession in 2000 with tourism, banking, and public investments leading the way. Unemployment remains high, at about 18%, with structural factors slowing its decline. While macroeconomic stabilization has largely been achieved, structural reforms lag because of deep resistance on the part of the public and lack of strong support from politicians. Growth, while impressive at about 3% to 4% for the last several years, has been stimulated, in part, through high fiscal deficits and rapid credit growth. The EU accession process should accelerate fiscal and structural reform. $55.76 billion (2005 est.) $34.94 billion (2005 est.) 4% (2005 est.) $11,600 (2005 est.) agriculture: 7% industry: 30.8% services: 62.2% (2005 est.) 1.71 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 2.7% industry: 32.8% services: 64.5% (2004) 18% official rate; labor force surveys indicate unemployment around 14% (2005 est.) 11% (2003) lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 24.5% (2003 est.) 29 (2001) 3.3% (2005 est.) 28.6% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $17.69 billion expenditures: $19.35 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 49.7% of GDP (2005 est.) wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, barley, alfalfa, clover, olives, citrus, grapes, soybeans, potatoes; livestock, dairy products chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated metal, electronics, pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum, paper, wood products, construction materials, textiles, shipbuilding, petroleum and petroleum refining, food and beverages, tourism 5.1% (2005 est.) 11.15 billion kWh (2003) 15.81 billion kWh (2003) 550 million kWh (2003) 5.99 billion kWh (2003) 20,500 bbl/day (2005 est.) 90,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 93.6 million bbl (1 January 2002) 1.85 billion cu m (2003 est.) 2.99 billion cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 1.08 billion cu m (2001 est.) 24.72 billion cu m (1 January 2002) -$2.541 billion (2005 est.) $10.3 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) transport equipment, textiles, chemicals, foodstuffs, fuels Italy 21.8%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 14.7%, Germany 10.7%, Slovenia 8.1%, Austria 7.3% (2005) $18.93 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery, transport and electrical equipment; chemicals, fuels and lubricants; foodstuffs Italy 15.9%, Germany 14.9%, Russia 9.1%, Slovenia 6.8%, Austria 5.8%, China 4.7%, France 4.2% (2005) $8.8 billion (2005 est.) $30.62 billion (2005 est.) ODA, $166.5 million (2002) kuna (HRK) kuna per US dollar - 5.9473 (2005), 6.0358 (2004), 6.7035 (2003), 7.8687 (2002), 8.34 (2001) calendar year 1,887,600 (2004) 2.553 million (2003) general assessment: NA domestic: reconstruction plan calls for replacement of all analog circuits with digital and enlarging the network; a backup will be included in the plan for the main trunk international: country code - 385; digital international service is provided through the main switch in Zagreb; Croatia participates in the Trans-Asia-Europe (TEL) fiber-optic project, which consists of two fiber-optic trunk connections with Slovenia and a fiber-optic trunk line from Rijeka to Split and Dubrovnik; Croatia is also investing in ADRIA 1, a joint fiber-optic project with Germany, Albania, and Greece AM 16, FM 98, shortwave 5 (1999) 36 (plus 321 repeaters) (September 1995) .hr 19,369 (2005) 1.014 million (2003) 68 (2006) total: 23 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 9 (2006) total: 45 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 37 (2006) 2 (2006) gas 1,340 km; oil 583 km (2004) total: 2,726 km standard gauge: 2,726 km 1.435-m gauge (1,199 km electrified) (2005) total: 28,344 km paved: 24,186 km (including 742 km of expressways) unpaved: 4,158 km (2004) 785 km (2006) total: 72 ships (1000 GRT or over) 1,079,286 GRT/1,724,698 DWT by type: bulk carrier 22, cargo 11, chemical tanker 3, passenger/cargo 27, petroleum tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 3 registered in other countries: 36 (Belize 1, Cyprus 2, Liberia 7, Malta 10, Marshall Islands 2, Panama 5, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9) (2006) Omisalj, Ploce, Rijeka, Sibenik, Vukovar (on Danube) Ground Forces (Hrvatska Kopnena Vojska, HKoV), Naval Forces (Hrvatska Ratna Mornarica, HRM), Air and Air Defense Forces (Hrvatsko Ratno Zrakoplovstvo i Protuzrakoplovna Obrana, HRZiPZO), Joint Education and Training Command, Logistics Command; Military Police Force supports each of the three Croatian military forces (2006) 18 years of age for compulsory military service, with six-month service obligation; 16 years of age with consent for voluntary service (December 2004) males age 18-49: 1,005,058 females age 18-49: 1,008,511 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 725,914 females age 18-49: 823,611 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 29,020 females age 18-49: 27,897 (2005 est.) $620 million (2004) 2.39% (2002 est.) discussions continue with Bosnia and Herzegovina over several small disputed sections of the boundary related to maritime access that hinders ratification of the 1999 border agreement; the Croatia-Slovenia land and maritime boundary agreement, which would have ceded most of Pirin Bay and maritime access to Slovenia and several villages to Croatia, remains un-ratified and in dispute; as a European Union peripheral state, neighboring Slovenia must conform to the strict Schengen border rules to curb illegal migration and commerce through southeastern Europe while encouraging close cross-border ties with Croatia IDPs: 12,600 (Croats and Serbs displaced in 1992-95 war) (2005) Hungary Hungary was part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed during World War I. The country fell under Communist rule following World War II. In 1956, a revolt and announced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive military intervention by Moscow. Under the leadership of Janos KADAR in 1968, Hungary began liberalizing its economy, introducing so-called "Goulash Communism." Hungary held its first multiparty elections in 1990 and initiated a free market economy. It joined NATO in 1999 and the EU in 2004. Central Europe, northwest of Romania 47 00 N, 20 00 E Europe total: 93,030 sq km land: 92,340 sq km water: 690 sq km slightly smaller than Indiana total: 2,171 km border countries: Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km, Serbia 151 km, Slovakia 677 km, Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the Slovakian border lowest point: Tisza River 78 m highest point: Kekes 1,014 m bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land arable land: 49.58% permanent crops: 2.06% other: 48.36% (2005) 2,300 sq km (2003) the upgrading of Hungary's standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution to meet EU requirements will require large investments party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulfur 94 landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin; the north-south flowing Duna (Danube) and Tisza Rivers divide the country into three large regions 9,981,334 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 15.6% (male 799,163/female 755,389) 15-64 years: 69.2% (male 3,403,375/female 3,505,640) 65 years and over: 15.2% (male 550,297/female 967,470) (2006 est.) total: 38.7 years male: 36.3 years female: 41.4 years (2006 est.) -0.25% (2006 est.) 9.72 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 13.11 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 8.39 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 72.66 years male: 68.45 years female: 77.14 years (2006 est.) 1.32 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.1% (2001 est.) 2,800 (2001 est.) less than 100 (2001 est.) noun: Hungarian(s) adjective: Hungarian Hungarian 92.3%, Roma 1.9%, other or unknown 5.8% (2001 census) Roman Catholic 51.9%, Calvinist 15.9%, Lutheran 3%, Greek Catholic 2.6%, other Christian 1%, other or unspecified 11.1%, unaffiliated 14.5% (2001 census) Hungarian 93.6%, other or unspecified 6.4% (2001 census) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.4% male: 99.5% female: 99.3% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Hungary conventional short form: Hungary local long form: Magyar Koztarsasag local short form: Magyarorszag parliamentary democracy name: Budapest geographic coordinates: 47 30 N, 19 05 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 19 counties (megyek, singular - megye), 22 urban counties (singular - megyei varos), and 1 capital city (fovaros) counties: Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Csongrad, Fejer, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Komarom-Esztergom, Nograd, Pest, Somogy, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Zala urban counties: Bekescsaba, Debrecen, Dunaujvaros, Eger, Gyor, Hodmezovasarhely, Kaposvar, Kecskemet, Miskolc, Nagykanizsa, Nyiregyhaza, Pecs, Salgotarjan, Sopron, Szeged, Szekesfehervar, Szekszard, Szolnok, Szombathely, Tatabanya, Veszprem, Zalaegerszeg capital city: Budapest 1001 (unification by King Stephen I) Saint Stephen's Day, 20 August 18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949; revised 19 April 1972; 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and also established the principle of parliamentary oversight; 1997 amendment streamlined the judicial system rule of law based on Western model; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal chief of state: Laszlo SOLYOM (since 5 August 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Ferenc GYURCSANY (since 29 September 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 6-7 June 2005 (next to be held by June 2010); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president; election last held 29 September 2004 election results: Laszlo SOLYOM elected president by a simple majority in the third round of voting, 185 to 182; Ferenc GYURCSANY elected prime minister; result of legislative vote - 197 to 12 note: to be elected, the president must win two-thirds of legislative vote in the first two rounds or a simple majority in the third round unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (386 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a system of proportional and direct representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 9 and 23 April 2006 (next to be held April 2010) election results: percent of vote by party (5% or more of the vote required for parliamentary representation in the first round) - MSzP 43.2%, Fidesz-KDNP 42%, SzDSz 6.5%, MDF 5%, other 3.3%; seats by party - MSzP 190, Fidesz 141, KDNP 23, SzDSz 20, MDF 11, independent 1 Constitutional Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly for nine-year terms) Alliance of Free Democrats or SzDSz [Gabor KUNCZE]; Christian Democratic People's Party or KDNP [Zsolt SEMJEN]; Hungarian Civic Alliance or Fidesz [Viktor ORBAN, chairman]; Hungarian Democratic Forum or MDF [Ibolya DAVID]; Hungarian Socialist Party or MSzP [Istvan HILLER, chairman] NA ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU (new member), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC chief of mission: Ambassador Andras SIMONYI chancery: 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 362-6730 FAX: [1] (202) 966-8135 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York chief of mission: Ambassador George Herbert WALKER embassy: Szabadsag ter 12, H-1054 Budapest mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Budapest, 5270 Budapest Place, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270 telephone: [36] (1) 475-4400 FAX: [36] (1) 475-4764 three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green Hungary has made the transition from a centrally planned to a market economy, with a per capita income one-half that of the Big Four European nations. Hungary continues to demonstrate strong economic growth and acceded to the EU in May 2004. The private sector accounts for over 80% of GDP. Foreign ownership of and investment in Hungarian firms are widespread, with cumulative foreign direct investment totaling more than $60 billion since 1989. Hungarian sovereign debt was upgraded in 2000 and together with the Czech Republic holds the highest rating among the Central European transition economies; however, ratings agencies have expressed concerns over Hungary's unsustainable budget and current account deficits. Inflation has declined from 14% in 1998 to 3.7% in 2005. Unemployment has persisted around the 6% level, but Hungary's labor force participation rate of 57% is one of the lowest in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Germany is by far Hungary's largest economic partner. Policy challenges include cutting the public sector deficit to 3% of GDP by 2008, from about 6.5% in 2005, and orchestrating an orderly interest rate reduction without sparking capital outflows. $162.6 billion (2005 est.) $106.4 billion (2005 est.) 4.1% (2005 est.) $16,300 (2005 est.) agriculture: 3.7% industry: 31.2% services: 65.1% (2005 est.) 4.18 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 6.2% industry: 27.1% services: 66.7% (2002) 7.2% (2005 est.) 8.6% (1993 est.) lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 20.5% (1998) 24.4 (1999) 3.6% (2005 est.) 23.1% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $51.4 billion expenditures: $58.34 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 58.9% of GDP (2005 est.) wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar beets; pigs, cattle, poultry, dairy products mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles 7.3% (2005 est.) 32.21 billion kWh (2003) 36.96 billion kWh (2003) 7.1 billion kWh (2003) 14.1 billion kWh (2003) 43,920 bbl/day (2003 est.) 134,100 bbl/day (2003 est.) 47,180 bbl/day (2001) 136,600 bbl/day (2001) 110.7 million bbl (1 January 2002) 2.94 billion cu m (2003 est.) 14.58 billion cu m (2003 est.) 4 million cu m (2001 est.) 9.587 billion cu m (2001 est.) 34.26 billion cu m (1 January 2002) -$7.963 billion (2005 est.) $61.75 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment 61.1%, other manufactures 28.7%, food products 6.5%, raw materials 2%, fuels and electricity 1.6% (2003) Germany 29.4%, Austria 5.9%, Italy 5.6%, France 5%, UK 4.7% (2005) $64.83 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment 51.6%, other manufactures 35.7%, fuels and electricity 7.7%, food products 3.1%, raw materials 2.0% (2003) Germany 27.2%, Russia 7.5%, China 7.2%, Austria 6.7%, Italy 4.9%, France 4.8%, Netherlands 4.3% (2005) $18.59 billion (2005 est.) $66.22 billion (2005 est.) $4.2 billion in available EU structural adjustment and cohesion funds (2004-06) forint (HUF) forints per US dollar - 199.58 (2005), 202.75 (2004), 224.31 (2003), 257.89 (2002), 286.49 (2001) calendar year 3,577,300 (2004) 8,727,200 (2004) general assessment: the telephone system has been modernized and is capable of satisfying all requests for telecommunication service domestic: the system is digitalized and highly automated; trunk services are carried by fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay; a program for fiber-optic subscriber connections was initiated in 1996; heavy use is made of mobile cellular telephones international: country code - 36; Hungary has fiber-optic cable connections with all neighboring countries; the international switch is in Budapest; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Inmarsat, 1 very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system of ground terminals AM 17, FM 57, shortwave 3 (1998) 35 (plus 161 low-power repeaters) (1995) .hu 261,294 (2005) 3.05 million (2005) 46 (2006) total: 20 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2006) total: 26 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 10 (2006) 5 (2006) gas 4,397 km; oil 990 km; refined products 335 km (2004) total: 7,937 km broad gauge: 36 km 1.524-m gauge standard gauge: 7,682 km 1.435-m gauge (2,628 km electrified) narrow gauge: 219 km 0.760-m gauge (2005) total: 159,568 km paved: 70,050 km (30,874 km of interurban roads including 626 km of expressways) unpaved: 89,518 km (2005) 1,622 km (most on Danube River) (2006) Budapest, Dunaujvaros, Gyor-Gonyu, Csepel, Baja, Mohacs (2003) Ground Forces, Air Forces 18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in June 2004 (2004) males age 18-49: 2,303,116 females age 18-49: 2,265,463 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 1,780,513 females age 18-49: 1,864,580 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 63,847 females age 18-49: 61,037 (2005 est.) $1.08 billion (2002 est.) 1.75% (2002 est.) in 2004, Hungary amended the status law extending special social and cultural benefits - and voted down a referendum to extend dual citizenship - to ethnic Hungarians living in neighboring states, which have objected to such measures; consultations continue between Slovakia and Hungary over Hungary's completion of its portion the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros hydroelectric dam project along the Danube; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Hungary must implement the strict Schengen border rules Iceland Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing, established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of the island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Limited home rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independence attained in 1944. Literacy, longevity, income, and social cohesion are first-rate by world standards. Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK 65 00 N, 18 00 W Arctic Region total: 103,000 sq km land: 100,250 sq km water: 2,750 sq km slightly smaller than Kentucky 0 km 4,970 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,110 m (at Vatnajokull glacier) fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite arable land: 0.07% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.93% (2005) NA earthquakes and volcanic activity water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Transboundary Air Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe 299,388 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 21.7% (male 33,021/female 32,021) 15-64 years: 66.5% (male 100,944/female 98,239) 65 years and over: 11.7% (male 15,876/female 19,287) (2006 est.) total: 34.2 years male: 33.8 years female: 34.7 years (2006 est.) 0.87% (2006 est.) 13.64 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 6.72 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 1.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 3.29 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 80.31 years male: 78.23 years female: 82.48 years (2006 est.) 1.92 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.2% (2001 est.) 220 (2001 est.) less than 100 (2003 est.) noun: Icelander(s) adjective: Icelandic homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%, population of foreign origin 6% Lutheran Church of Iceland 85.5%, Reykjavik Free Church 2.1%, Roman Catholic Church 2%, Hafnarfjorour Free Church 1.5%, other Christian 2.7%, other or unspecified 3.8%, unaffiliated 2.4% (2004) Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Iceland conventional short form: Iceland local long form: Lydveldid Island local short form: Island constitutional republic name: Reykjavik geographic coordinates: 64 09 N, 21 57 W time difference: UTC (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 8 regions; Austurland, Hofudhborgarsvaedhi, Nordhurland Eystra, Nordhurland Vestra, Sudhurland, Sudhurnes, Vestfirdhir, Vesturland 1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown); 17 June 1944 (from Denmark) Independence Day, 17 June (1944) 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944; amended many times civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August 1996) head of government: Prime Minister Geir H. HAARDE (since 7 June 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: president, largely a ceremonial post, is elected by popular vote for a four-year term (no term limits); election last held 26 June 2004 (next to be held June 2008); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually the prime minister election results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON 85.6%, Baldur AGUSTSSON 12.5%, Astthor MAGNUSSON 1.9% unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 10 May 2003 (next to be held by May 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - Independence Party 33.7%, Social Democratic Alliance 31%, Progressive Party 17.7%, Left-Green Movement 8.8%, Liberal Party 7.4%; seats by party - Independence Party 22, Social Democratic Alliance 20, Progressive Party 12, Left-Green Alliance 5, Liberal Party 4 Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice); eight district courts (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice) Independence Party or IP [Geir HAARDE]; Left-Green Movement or LGM [Steingrimur SIGFUSSON]; Liberal Party or LP [Gudjon KRISTJANSSON]; Progressive Party or PP [Halldor ASGRIMSSON - will step down in August 2006]; Social Democratic Alliance (includes People's Alliance or PA, Social Democratic Party or SDP, Women's List) or SDA [Ingibjorg Solrun GISLADOTTIR] NA Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Helgi AGUSTSSON chancery: Suite 1200, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1704 telephone: [1] (202) 265-6653 FAX: [1] (202) 265-6656 consulate(s) general: New York chief of mission: Ambassador Carol VAN VOORST embassy: Laufasvegur 21, 101 Reykjavik mailing address: US Embassy, PSC 1003, Box 40, FPO AE 09728-0340 telephone: [354] 562-9100 FAX: [354] 562-9118 blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, yet with an extensive welfare system (including generous housing subsidies), low unemployment, and remarkably even distribution of income. In the absence of other natural resources (except for abundant geothermal power), the economy depends heavily on the fishing industry, which provides 70% of export earnings and employs 4% of the work force. The economy remains sensitive to declining fish stocks as well as to fluctuations in world prices for its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon. Government policies include reducing the current account deficit, limiting foreign borrowing, containing inflation, revising agricultural and fishing policies, and diversifying the economy. The government remains opposed to EU membership, primarily because of Icelanders' concern about losing control over their fishing resources. Iceland's economy has been diversifying into manufacturing and service industries in the last decade, and new developments in software production, biotechnology, and financial services are taking place. The tourism sector is also expanding, with the recent trends in ecotourism and whale watching. Growth had been remarkably steady in 1996-2001 at 3%-5%, but could not be sustained in 2002 in an environment of global recession. Growth resumed in 2003, and estimates call for strong growth until 2007, slowly dropping until the end of the decade. $10.57 billion (2005 est.) $13.05 billion (2005 est.) 5.7% (2005 est.) $35,600 (2005 est.) agriculture: 8.6% industry: 15% services: 76.5% (2005 est.) 165,900 (2005 est.) agriculture: 10.3% industry: 18.3% services: 71.4% (2003) 2.1% (2005 est.) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 4% (2005 est.) 28.7% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $6.995 billion expenditures: $6.761 billion; including capital expenditures of $467 million (2005 est.) 31.6% of GDP (2005 est.) potatoes, green vegetables; mutton, dairy products; fish fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production; geothermal power, tourism 14.2% (2005 est.) 8.619 billion kWh (2004) 8.619 billion kWh (2004) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 17,280 bbl/day (2003 est.) 0 bbl/day (2001) 15,470 bbl/day (2001) 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) -$2.607 billion (2005 est.) $3.215 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) fish and fish products 70%, aluminum, animal products, ferrosilicon, diatomite UK 17.9%, Germany 16.4%, Netherlands 13%, US 8.1%, Spain 7.7%, Denmark 4.3% (2005) $4.582 billion (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, petroleum products, foodstuffs, textiles Germany 13.4%, US 9.1%, Sweden 8.6%, Denmark 7.3%, Norway 7.2%, UK 5.9%, China 5.3%, Netherlands 5%, Japan 4.7% (2005) $1.069 billion (2005 est.) $3.073 billion (2002) $NA Icelandic krona (ISK) Icelandic kronur per US dollar - 62.982 (2005), 70.192 (2004), 76.709 (2003), 91.662 (2002), 97.425 (2001) calendar year 190,500 (2004) 290,100 (2004) general assessment: extensive domestic service domestic: the trunk network consists of coaxial and fiber-optic cables and microwave radio relay links international: country code - 354; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Iceland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden) AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998) 14 (plus 156 low-power repeaters) (1997) .is 190,140 (2005) 225,000 (2005) 98 (2006) total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006) total: 93 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 29 under 914 m: 61 (2006) total: 13,028 km paved/oiled gravel: 4,241 km (does not include urban roads) unpaved: 8,787 km (2005) total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 3,354 GRT/480 DWT by type: passenger/cargo 1 registered in other countries: 34 (Antigua and Barbuda 8, Bahamas 1, Belize 2, Faroe Islands 4, Gibraltar 1, Malta 4, Norway 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10) (2006) Grundartangi, Hafnarfjordur, Hornafjordhur, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur no regular armed forces; Icelandic National Police, Icelandic Coast Guard (Islenska Landhelgisgaeslan) subordinate to Ministry of Justice, Icelandic Crisis Response Unit (2006) males age 18-49: 69,038 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 56,777 (2005 est.) 0 0% defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik Indonesia The Dutch began to colonize Indonesia in the early 17th century; the islands were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. Indonesia declared its independence after Japan's surrender, but it required four years of intermittent negotiations, recurring hostilities, and UN mediation before the Netherlands agreed to relinquish its colony. Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic state and home to the world's largest Muslim population. Current issues include: alleviating poverty, preventing terrorism, consolidating democracy after four decades of authoritarianism, implementing financial sector reforms, stemming corruption, and holding the military and police accountable for human rights violations. Indonesia was the nation worst hit by the December 2004 tsunami, which particularly affected Aceh province causing over 100,000 deaths and over $4 billion in damage. An additional earthquake in March 2005 created heavy destruction on the island of Nias. Reconstruction in these areas may take up to a decade. In 2005, Indonesia reached a historic peace agreement with armed separatists in Aceh, but it continues to face a low intensity separatist guerilla movement in Papua. Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean 5 00 S, 120 00 E Southeast Asia total: 1,919,440 sq km land: 1,826,440 sq km water: 93,000 sq km slightly less than three times the size of Texas total: 2,830 km border countries: East Timor 228 km, Malaysia 1,782 km, Papua New Guinea 820 km 54,716 km measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior mountains lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Puncak Jaya 5,030 m petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver arable land: 11.03% permanent crops: 7.04% other: 81.93% (2005) 45,000 sq km (2003) occasional floods, severe droughts, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes, forest fires deforestation; water pollution from industrial wastes, sewage; air pollution in urban areas; smoke and haze from forest fires party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation archipelago of 17,508 islands (6,000 inhabited); straddles equator; strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean 245,452,739 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 28.8% (male 35,995,919/female 34,749,582) 15-64 years: 65.8% (male 80,796,794/female 80,754,238) 65 years and over: 5.4% (male 5,737,473/female 7,418,733) (2006 est.) total: 26.8 years male: 26.4 years female: 27.3 years (2006 est.) 1.41% (2006 est.) 20.34 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 6.25 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 34.39 deaths/1,000 live births male: 39.36 deaths/1,000 live births female: 29.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 69.87 years male: 67.42 years female: 72.45 years (2006 est.) 2.4 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.1% (2003 est.) 110,000 (2003 est.) 2,400 (2003 est.) degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and chikungunya are high risks in some locations note: at present, H5N1 avian influenza poses a minimal risk; during outbreaks among birds, rare cases could occur among US citizens who have close contact with infected birds or poultry (2005) noun: Indonesian(s) adjective: Indonesian Javanese 45%, Sundanese 14%, Madurese 7.5%, coastal Malays 7.5%, other 26% Muslim 88%, Protestant 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 2%, Buddhist 1%, other 1% (1998) Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects, the most widely spoken of which is Javanese definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87.9% male: 92.5% female: 83.4% (2002 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Indonesia conventional short form: Indonesia local long form: Republik Indonesia local short form: Indonesia former: Netherlands East Indies; Dutch East Indies republic name: Jakarta geographic coordinates: 6 10 S, 106 48 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Indonesia is divided into three time zones 30 provinces (propinsi-propinsi, singular - propinsi), 2 special regions* (daerah-daerah istimewa, singular - daerah istimewa), and 1 special capital city district** (daerah khusus ibukota); Aceh*, Bali, Banten, Bengkulu, Gorontalo, Irian Jaya Barat, Jakarta Raya**, Jambi, Jawa Barat, Jawa Tengah, Jawa Timur, Kalimantan Barat, Kalimantan Selatan, Kalimantan Tengah, Kalimantan Timur, Kepulauan Bangka Belitung, Kepulauan Riau, Lampung, Maluku, Maluku Utara, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Papua, Riau, Sulawesi Barat, Sulawesi Selatan, Sulawesi Tengah, Sulawesi Tenggara, Sulawesi Utara, Sumatera Barat, Sumatera Selatan, Sumatera Utara, Yogyakarta* note: following the implementation of decentralization beginning on 1 January 2001, the 440 districts or regencies have become the key administrative units responsible for providing most government services 17 August 1945 (independence proclaimed); 27 December 1949 (Netherlands recognizes Indonesian independence) Independence Day, 17 August (1945) August 1945; abrogated by Federal Constitution of 1949 and Provisional Constitution of 1950, restored 5 July 1959; series of amemdments concluded in 2002 based on Roman-Dutch law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts and by new criminal procedures and election codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 17 years of age; universal and married persons regardless of age chief of state: President Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO (since 20 October 2004) and Vice President Muhammad Yusuf KALLA (since 20 October 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO (since 20 October 2004) and Vice President Muhammad Yusuf KALLA (since 20 October 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president were elected for five-year terms (eligible for a second term) by direct vote of the citizenry; last held 20 September 2004 (next to be held in 2009) election results: Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO elected president receiving 60.6% of vote; MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri received 39.4% House of Representatives or Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR) (550 seats; members elected to serve five-year terms); House of Regional Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Daerah or DPD), constitutionally mandated role includes providing legislative input to DPR on issues affecting regions; People's Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat or MPR) has role in inaugurating and impeaching president and in amending constitution; consists of popularly-elected members in DPR and DPD; MPR does not formulate national policy elections: last held 5 April 2004 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - Golkar 21.6%, PDI-P 18.5%, PKB 10.6%, PPP 8.2%, PD 7.5%, PKS 7.3%, PAN 6.4%, others 19.9%; seats by party - Golkar 128, PDI-P 109, PPP 58, PD 55, PAN 53, PKB 52, PKS 45, others 50 note: because of election rules, the number of seats won does not always follow the percentage of votes received by parties Supreme Court or Mahkamah Agung (justices appointed by the president from a list of candidates approved by the legislature); a separate Constitutional Court or Mahkamah Konstitusi was invested by the president on 16 August 2003; in March 2004 the Supreme Court assumed administrative and financial responsibility for the lower court system from the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights; Labor Court under supervision of Supreme Court began functioning in January 2006 Crescent Moon and Star Party or PBB [Yusril Ihza MAHENDRA]; Democratic Party or PD [Subur BUDHISANTOSO]; Functional Groups Party or Golkar [Yusuf KALLA]; Indonesia Democratic Party-Struggle or PDI-P [MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri]; National Awakening Party or PKB [Alwi SHIHAB]; National Mandate Party or PAN [Sutrisno BACHIR]; Prosperous Justice Party or PKS [Tifatul SEMBIRING]; United Development Party or PPP [Hamzah HAZ] NA APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, CP, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador SUDJADNAN Parnohadiningrat chancery: 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 775-5200 FAX: [1] (202) 775-5365 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco chief of mission: Ambassador B. Lynn PASCOE embassy: Jalan 1 Medan Merdeka Selatan 4-5, Jakarta 10110 mailing address: Unit 8129, Box 1, FPO AP 96520 telephone: [62] (21) 3435-9000 FAX: [62] (21) 3435-9922 consulate(s) general: Surabaya consulate(s): Medan; Denpasar, Bali two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Monaco, which is shorter; also similar to the flag of Poland, which is white (top) and red Indonesia, a vast polyglot nation, has struggled to overcome the Asian financial crisis, and still grapples with high unemployment, a fragile banking sector, endemic corruption, inadequate infrastructure, a poor investment climate, and unequal resource distribution among regions. Indonesia became a net oil importer in 2004 because of declining production and lack of new exploration investment. The cost of subsidizing domestic fuel placed increasing strain on the budget in 2005, and combined with indecisive monetary policy, contributed to a run on the currency in August, prompting the government to enact a 126% average fuel price hike in October. The resulting inflation and interest rate hikes will dampen growth prospects in 2006. Keys to future growth remain internal reform, building up the confidence of international and domestic investors, and strong global economic growth. In late December 2004, the Indian Ocean tsunami took 131,000 lives with another 37,000 missing, left some 570,000 displaced persons, and caused an estimated $4.5 billion in damages and losses. Terrorist incidents in 2005 have slowed tourist arrivals. Indonesia experienced several human cases of avian influenza in late 2005, sparking concerns of a pandemic. $865.6 billion (2005 est.) $270 billion (2005 est.) 5.6% (2005 est.) $3,600 (2005 est.) agriculture: 13.4% industry: 45.8% services: 40.8% (2005 est.) 94.2 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 46.5% industry: 11.8% services: 41.7% (1999 est.) 11.8% (2005 est.) 16.7% (2004) lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 28.5% (2002) 34.3 (2002) 10.5% (2005 est.) 22% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $54.3 billion expenditures: $57.7 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 49.9% of GDP (2005 est.) rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, rubber, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, copra; poultry, beef, pork, eggs petroleum and natural gas, textiles, apparel, footwear, mining, cement, chemical fertilizers, plywood, rubber, food, tourism 4.8% (2005 est.) 120.2 billion kWh (2004) 105.4 billion kWh (2004) 0 kWh (2004) 0 kWh (2004) 1.061 million bbl/day (2005 est.) 1.084 million bbl/day (2005 est.) 431,500 bbl/day (2004 est.) 345,700 bbl/day (2005 est.) 4.6 billion bbl (2005 est.) 83.4 billion cu m (2005 est.) 22.5 billion cu m (2005 est.) 37.5 billion cu m (2005 est.) 0 cu m (2005 est.) 2.557 trillion cu m (2005) $2.016 billion (2005 est.) $83.64 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, textiles, rubber Japan 21.1%, US 11.5%, Singapore 9.2%, South Korea 8.3%, China 7.8%, Malaysia 4% (2005) $62.02 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs Singapore 16.4%, Japan 12%, China 10.1%, US 6.7%, Thailand 6%, South Korea 5%, Saudi Arabia 4.7%, Australia 4.4% (2005) $34.58 billion (2005 est.) $135 billion (2005 est.) $43 billion note: Indonesia finished its IMF program in December 2003 but still receives bilateral aid through the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI), which pledged $2.8 billion in grants and loans for 2004 and again in 2005; nearly $5 billion in aid money pledged by a variety bilateral, multilateral, and non-governmental organization (NGO) donors following the 2004 tsunami; money is slated for use in relief and rebuilding efforts in Aceh (2002) Indonesian rupiah (IDR) Indonesian rupiahs per US dollar - 9,704.7 (2005), 8,938.9 (2004), 8,577.1 (2003), 9,311.2 (2002), 10,260.9 (2001) calendar year; note - previously was 1 April - 31 March, but starting with 2001, has been changed to calendar year 9.99 million (2004) 30 million (2004) general assessment: domestic service fair, international service good domestic: interisland microwave system and HF radio police net; domestic satellite communications system international: country code - 62; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) AM 678, FM 43, shortwave 82 (1998) 54 local TV stations note: 11 national TV networks; each with their own group of local, often low power, transmitters (2006) .id 134,735 (2005) 18 million (2005) 662 (2006) total: 159 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 15 1,524 to 2,437 m: 49 914 to 1,523 m: 49 under 914 m: 42 (2006) total: 503 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 26 under 914 m: 471 (2006) 23 (2006) condensate 850 km; condensate/gas 128 km; gas 8,506 km; oil 7,472 km; oil/gas/water 66 km; refined products 1,329 km (2004) total: 6,458 km narrow gauge: 5,961 km 1.067-m gauge (125 km electrified); 497 km 0.750-m gauge (2005) total: 368,360 km paved: 213,649 km unpaved: 154,711 km (2002) 21,579 km (2005) total: 824 ships (1000 GRT or over) 3,773,771 GRT/4,887,614 DWT by type: bulk carrier 43, cargo 451, chemical tanker 21, container 50, liquefied gas 7, livestock carrier 1, passenger 41, passenger/cargo 58, petroleum tanker 132, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 12, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 2 foreign-owned: 30 (France 1, Germany 1, Japan 3, South Korea 1, Norway 1, Philippines 1, Singapore 17, Switzerland 3, UK 2) registered in other countries: 122 (Bahamas 4, Belize 2, Bermuda 1, Cambodia 1, Georgia 1, Hong Kong 4, Liberia 1, Panama 50, Singapore 56, Thailand 1, unknown 1) (2006) Banjarmasin, Belawan, Ciwandan, Krueg Geukueh, Palembang, Panjang, Sungai Pakning, Tanjung Perak, Tanjung Priok Indonesia Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia, TNI): Army (TNI-AD), Navy (TNI-AL, includes marines, naval air arm), Air Force (TNI-AU) note: the TNI is directly subordinate to the president but the government is making efforts to incorporate it into the Department of Defense 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - two years (2002) males age 18-49: 60,543,028 females age 18-49: 59,981,730 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 48,687,234 females age 18-49: 50,252,911 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 2,201,047 females age 18-49: 2,139,573 (2005 est.) $1.3 billion (2004) 3% (2004) East Timor-Indonesia Boundary Committee continues to meet, survey, and delimit land boundary, but several sections of the boundary remain unresolved; many East Timorese refugees who left in 2003 still reside in Indonesia and refuse repatriation; Indonesia and East Timor contest the sovereignty of the uninhabited coral island of Pulau Batek/Fatu Sinai, which hinders a decision on a northern maritime boundary; a 1997 treaty between Indonesia and Australia settled some parts of their maritime boundary but outstanding issues remain; ICJ's award of Sipadan and Ligitan islands to Malaysia in 2002 left maritime boundary in the hydrocarbon-rich Celebes Sea in dispute, culminating in hostile confrontations in March 2005 over concessions to the Ambalat oil block; the ICJ decision has prompted Indonesia to assert claims to and to establish a presence on its smaller outer islands; Indonesia and Singapore pledged in 2005 to finalize their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of Batam Island; Indonesian secessionists, squatters, and illegal migrants create repatriation problems for Papua New Guinea; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait IDPs: 570,000 (resulting from 26 December 2004 tsunami) 500,000 (government offensives against rebels in Aceh; most IDPs in Aceh, Central Kalimantan, Maluku, and Central Sulawesi Provinces); (2005) Isle of Man Part of the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides until the 13th century when it was ceded to Scotland, the isle came under the British crown in 1765. Current concerns include reviving the almost extinct Manx Gaelic language. Isle of Man is a British crown dependency, but is not part of the UK. Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland 54 15 N, 4 30 W Europe total: 572 sq km land: 572 sq km water: 0 sq km slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 160 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm temperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast about one-third of the time hills in north and south bisected by central valley lowest point: Irish Sea 0 m highest point: Snaefell 621 m none arable land: 9% permanent crops: 0% other: 91% (permanent pastures, forests, mountain, and heathland) (2002) 0 sq km NA waste disposal (both household and industrial); transboundary air pollution one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest, and is a bird sanctuary 75,441 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 17.3% (male 6,669/female 6,350) 15-64 years: 65.7% (male 24,884/female 24,678) 65 years and over: 17% (male 5,197/female 7,663) (2006 est.) total: 39.6 years male: 38.4 years female: 41 years (2006 est.) 0.52% (2006 est.) 11.05 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 11.19 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 5.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 5.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 78.49 years male: 75.14 years female: 82.02 years (2006 est.) 1.65 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: Manxman (men), Manxwoman (women) adjective: Manx Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), Briton Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends English, Manx Gaelic definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% conventional long form: none conventional short form: Isle of Man British crown dependency parliamentary democracy name: Douglas geographic coordinates: 54 09 N, 4 28 W time difference: UTC 0 (five hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 24 local authorities each with its own elections none (British crown dependency) Tynwald Day, 5 July unwritten; note - The Isle of Man Constitution Act of 1961 does not embody the unwritten Manx Constitution English common law and Manx statute 16 years of age; universal chief of state: Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Paul K. HADDACKS (since 17 October 2005) head of government: Chief Minister Donald GELLING (since 14 December 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch for a five-year term; the chief minister is elected by the Tynwald; election last held 14 December 2004 (next to be held December 2006) election results: Donald GELLING elected chief minister by the Tynwald; note - Richard CORKILL resigned 2 December 2004 bicameral Tynwald consists of the Legislative Council (an 11-member body composed of the President of Tynwald, the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, a nonvoting attorney general, and eight others named by the House of Keys) and the House of Keys (24 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Keys - last held 22 November 2001 (next to be held November 2006) election results: House of Keys - percent of vote by party - Man Labor Party 17.3%, Alliance for Progressive Government 14.6%; seats by party - Man Labor Party 2, Alliance for Progressive Government 3, independents 19 High Court of Justice (justices are appointed by the Lord Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor) Alliance for Progressive Government; Man Labor Party; Man Nationalist Party (branch of the British National Party) note: most members sit as independents none UPU none (British crown dependency) none (British crown dependency) red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government offers incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island; this has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their shares of GDP. Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to EU markets. $2.113 billion (2003 est.) NA NA% $28,500 (2003 est.) agriculture: 1% industry: 13% services: 86% (2000 est.) 39,690 (2001) agriculture, forestry and fishing 3%, manufacturing 11%, construction 10%, transport and communication 8%, wholesale and retail distribution 11%, professional and scientific services 18%, public administration 6%, banking and finance 18%, tourism 2%, entertainment and catering 3%, miscellaneous services 10% 0.6% (2004 est.) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 3.6% (March 2003 est.) revenues: $485 million expenditures: $463 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (FY00/01 est.) cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry financial services, light manufacturing, tourism 3.2% (FY96/97) $NA tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, lamb UK (2004) $NA timber, fertilizers, fish UK (2004) $NA $NA British pound (GBP); note - there is also a Manx pound Manx pounds per US dollar - 0.55 (2005), 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003), 0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001) 1 April - 31 March 51,000 (1999) NA general assessment: NA domestic: landline, telefax, mobile cellular telephone system international: fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, satellite earth station, submarine cable AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) 0 (receives broadcasts from the UK and satellite) (1999) .im 264 (2005) NA 1 (2006) total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006) total: 65 km standard guage: 7 km 1.067-m guage (7 km electrified) narrow guage: 58 km 0.914-m guage (29 km electrified) note: primarily summer tourist attractions (2006) total: 800 km paved: 800 km (1999) total: 305 ships (1000 GRT or over) 8,266,229 GRT/13,792,927 DWT by type: bulk carrier 38, cargo 65, chemical tanker 53, container 16, liquefied gas 38, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 74, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 9, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 5 foreign-owned: 213 (Cyprus 1, Denmark 53, Estonia 2, France 2, Germany 56, Greece 45, Italy 5, Japan 4, Monaco 3, Netherlands 1, Norway 27, Singapore 7, Sweden 1, Turkey 3, US 3) registered in other countries: 9 (Antigua and Barbuda 2, Liberia 5, Marshall Islands 1, NZ 1) (2006) Castletown, Douglas, Ramsey defense is the responsibility of the UK India The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world, dates back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest infiltrated onto Indian lands about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier Dravidian inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. Arab incursions starting in the 8th century and Turkish in the 12th were followed by those of European traders, beginning in the late 15th century. By the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control of virtually all Indian lands. Indian armed forces in the British army played a vital role in both World Wars. Nonviolent resistance to British colonialism led by Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU brought independence in 1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. A third war between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. Despite impressive gains in economic investment and output, India faces pressing problems such as the ongoing dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir, massive overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and ethnic and religious strife. Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan 20 00 N, 77 00 E Asia total: 3,287,590 sq km land: 2,973,190 sq km water: 314,400 sq km slightly more than one-third the size of the US total: 14,103 km border countries: Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463 km, China 3,380 km, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km 7,000 km territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling plain along the Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in north lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Kanchenjunga 8,598 m coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds, petroleum, limestone, arable land arable land: 48.83% permanent crops: 2.8% other: 48.37% (2005) 558,080 sq km (2003) droughts; flash floods, as well as widespread and destructive flooding from monsoonal rains; severe thunderstorms; earthquakes deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; desertification; air pollution from industrial effluents and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides; tap water is not potable throughout the country; huge and growing population is overstraining natural resources party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian Ocean trade routes; Kanchenjunga, third tallest mountain in the world, lies on the border with Nepal 1,095,351,995 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 30.8% (male 173,478,760/female 163,852,827) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 363,876,219/female 340,181,764) 65 years and over: 4.9% (male 27,258,020/female 26,704,405) (2006 est.) total: 24.9 years male: 24.9 years female: 24.9 years (2006 est.) 1.38% (2006 est.) 22.01 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 8.18 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -0.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 54.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 55.18 deaths/1,000 live births female: 54.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 64.71 years male: 63.9 years female: 65.57 years (2006 est.) 2.73 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.9% (2001 est.) 5.1 million (2001 est.) 310,000 (2001 est.) degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis are high risks in some locations animal contact disease: rabies (2005) noun: Indian(s) adjective: Indian Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% (2000) Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.1% (2001 census) English enjoys associate status but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication; Hindi is the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people; there are 14 other official languages: Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, and Sanskrit; Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is not an official language definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 59.5% male: 70.2% female: 48.3% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of India conventional short form: India local long form: Republic of India/Bharatiya Ganarajya local short form: India/Bharat federal republic name: New Delhi geographic coordinates: 28 36 N, 77 12 E time difference: UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 28 states and 7 union territories*; Andaman and Nicobar Islands*, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh*, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli*, Daman and Diu*, Delhi*, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep*, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Puducherry*, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, West Bengal 15 August 1947 (from UK) Republic Day, 26 January (1950) 26 January 1950; amended many times based on English common law; limited judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations; separate personal law codes apply to Muslims, Christians, and Hindus 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President A.P.J. Abdul KALAM (since 26 July 2002); Vice President Bhairon Singh SHEKHAWAT (since 19 August 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Manmohan SINGH (since 22 May 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting of elected members of both houses of Parliament and the legislatures of the states for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held July 2002 (next to be held 18 July 2007); vice president elected by both houses of Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 12 August 2002 (next to be held August 2007); prime minister chosen by parliamentary members of the majority party following legislative elections; election last held April - May 2004 (next to be held May 2009) election results: Abdul KALAM elected president; percent of electoral college vote - 89.6%; Bhairon Singh SHEKHAWAT elected vice president; percent of Parliament vote - 59.8% bicameral Parliament or Sansad consists of the Council of States or Rajya Sabha (a body consisting of not more than 250 members, up to 12 of whom are appointed by the president, the remainder are chosen by the elected members of the state and territorial assemblies; members serve six-year terms) and the People's Assembly or Lok Sabha (545 seats; 543 elected by popular vote, 2 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: People's Assembly - last held 20 April through 10 May 2004 (next must be held before May 2009) election results: People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - INC 145, BJP 138, CPI(M) 43, SP 36, RJD 24, BSP 19, DMK 16, SS 12, BJD 11, CPI 10, NCP 9, JDU 8, SAD 8, PMK 6, TDP 5, TRS 5, JMM 5, LJSP 4, MDMK 4, independents 5, other 30 Supreme Court (one chief justice and 25 associate justices are appointed by the president and remain in office until they reach the age of 65 or are removed for "proved misbehavior") note - India has dozens of national and regional political parties; only parties with four or more seats in the People's Assembly are listed; Bahujan Samaj Party or BSP [MAYAWATI]; Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP [Lal Krishna ADVANI]; Biju Janata Dal or BJD [Naveen PATNAIK]; Communist Party of India or CPI [Ardhendu Bhushan BARDHAN]; Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI (M) [Prakash KARAT]; Dravida Munnetra Kazagham or DMK [M. KARUNANIDHI]; Eqtedar-e-Melli-Eslami (Naional Islamic Empowerment) [Ahmad Shah AHMADZAI]; Indian National Congress or INC [Sonia GANDHI]; Janata Dal (United) or JDU [George FERNANDEZ]; Jharkhand Mukti Morcha or JMM [Shibu SOREN]; Lok Jan Shakti Party or LJSP [Ram Vilas PASWAN]; Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or MDMK [VAIKO]; Nahzat-e-Faragir-e-Democracy Wa Taraqi-e-Afghanistan (Afghanistan's Democracy and Progress Movement) [Sher Mohammad BUZGAR]; Nationalist Congress Party or NCP [Sharad PAWAR]; Pattali Makkal Katchi or PMK [S. RAMADOSS]; Rashtriya Janata Dal or RJD [Laloo Prasad YADAV]; Samajwadi Party or SP [Mulayam Singh YADAV]; Shiromani Akali Dal or SAD [Prakash Singh BADAL]; Shiv Sena or SS [Bal THACKERAY]; Telangana Rashtra Samithi or TRS [K. Chandrashekar RAO]; Telugu Desam Party or TDP [Chandrababu NAIDU] numerous religious or militant/chauvinistic organizations, including Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh; various separatist groups seeking greater communal and/or regional autonomy, including the All Parties Hurriyat Conference in the Kashmir Valley and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland in the Northeast AfDB, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIMSTEC, BIS, C, CERN (observer), CP, EAS, FAO, G- 6, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), ONUB, OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC, SACEP, SCO (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE, UNMIS, UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Ranendra SEN chancery: 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; note - Consular Wing located at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-7000 FAX: [1] (202) 483-3972 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco chief of mission: Ambassador David C. MULFORD embassy: Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [91] (11) 2419-8000 FAX: [91] (11) 2419-0017 consulate(s) general: Chennai (Madras), Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay) three equal horizontal bands of saffron (subdued orange) (top), white, and green with a blue chakra (24-spoked wheel) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Niger, which has a small orange disk centered in the white band India's diverse economy encompasses traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of services. Services are the major source of economic growth, accounting for half of India's output with less than one quarter of its labor force. About three-fifths of the work-force is in agriculture, leading the UPA government to articulate an economic reform program that includes developing basic infrastructure to improve the lives of the rural poor and boost economic performance. Government controls on foreign trade and investment have been reduced in some areas, but high tariffs (averaging 20% on non-agricultural items in 2004) and limits on foreign direct investment are still in place. The government in 2005 liberalized investment in the civil aviation, telecom, and construction sectors. Privatization of government-owned industries essentially came to a halt in 2005, and continues to generate political debate; continued social, political, and economic rigidities hold back needed initiatives. The economy has posted an average growth rate of more than 7% in the decade since 1994, reducing poverty by about 10 percentage points. India achieved 7.6% GDP growth in 2005, significantly expanding manufacturing. India is capitalizing on its large numbers of well-educated people skilled in the English language to become a major exporter of software services and software workers. Despite strong growth, the World Bank and others worry about the combined state and federal budget deficit, running at approximately 9% of GDP; government borrowing has kept interest rates high. Economic deregulation would help attract additional foreign capital and lower interest rates. The huge and growing population is the fundamental social, economic, and environmental problem. $3.611 trillion (2005 est.) $719.8 billion (2005 est.) 7.6% (2005 est.) $3,300 (2005 est.) agriculture: 18.6% industry: 27.6% services: 53.8% (2005 est.) 496.4 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 60% industry: 17% services: 23% (1999) 8.9% (2005 est.) 25% (2002 est.) lowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 33.5% (1997) 32.5 (2000) 4.2% (2005 est.) 28.1% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $111.2 billion expenditures: $135.8 billion; including capital expenditures of $15 billion (2005 est.) 53.8% of GDP (federal and state debt combined) (2005 est.) rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry; fish textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, software 7.9% (2005 est.) 556.8 billion kWh (2003) 519 billion kWh (2003) 187 million kWh (2003) 1.4 billion kWh (2003) 785,000 bbl/day (2005 est.) 2.32 million bbl/day (2003 est.) 350,000 bbl/day 2.09 million bbl/day 5.7 billion bbl (2005 est.) 27.1 billion cu m (2003 est.) 27.1 billion cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 853.5 billion cu m (2005) -$12.95 billion (2005 est.) $76.23 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) textile goods, gems and jewelry, engineering goods, chemicals, leather manufactures US 18%, China 8.9%, UAE 8.4%, UK 4.7%, Hong Kong 4.2% (2005) $113.1 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) crude oil, machinery, gems, fertilizer, chemicals China 7.2%, US 6.4%, Belgium 5.1%, Singapore 4.7%, Australia 4.2%, Germany 4.2%, UK 4.1% (2005) $136 billion (2005 est.) $125.5 billion (2005 est.) $2.9 billion (FY98/99) Indian rupee (INR) Indian rupees per US dollar - 44.101 (2005), 45.317 (2004), 46.583 (2003), 48.61 (2002), 47.186 (2001) 1 April - 31 March 49.75 million (2005) 69,193,321 (2006) general assessment: recent deregulation and liberalization of telecommunications laws and policies have prompted rapid change; local and long distance service provided throughout all regions of the country, with services primarily concentrated in the urban areas; steady improvement is taking place with the recent admission of private and private-public investors, but telephone density remains low at about seven for each 100 persons nationwide but only one per 100 persons in rural areas and a national waiting list of over 1.7 million; fastest growth is in cellular service with modest growth in fixed lines domestic: expansion of domestic service, although still weak in rural areas, resulted from increased competition and dramatic reductions in price led in large part by wireless service; mobile cellular service (both CDMA and GSM) introduced in 1994 and organized nationwide into four metropolitan cities and 19 telecom circles each with about three private service providers and one state-owned service provider; in recent years significant trunk capacity added in the form of fiber-optic cable and one of the world's largest domestic satellite systems, the Indian National Satellite system (INSAT), with five satellites supporting 33,000 very small aperture terminals (VSAT) international: country code - 91; satellite earth stations - 8 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region); nine gateway exchanges operating from Mumbai (Bombay), New Delhi, Kolkata (Calcutta), Chennai (Madras), Jalandhar, Kanpur, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, and Ernakulam; 5 submarine cables, including Sea-Me-We-3 with landing sites at Cochin and Mumbai (Bombay), Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) with landing site at Mumbai (Bombay), South Africa - Far East (SAFE) with landing site at Cochin, i2icn linking to Singapore with landing sites at Mumbai (Bombay) and Chennai (Madras), and Tata Indicom linking Singapore and Chennai (Madras), provide a significant increase in the bandwidth available for both voice and data traffic (2004) AM 153, FM 91, shortwave 68 (1998) 562 (of which 82 stations have 1 kW or greater power and 480 stations have less than 1 kW of power) (1997) .in 787,543 (2005) 50.6 million (2005) 341 (2006) total: 243 over 3,047 m: 17 2,438 to 3,047 m: 51 1,524 to 2,437 m: 73 914 to 1,523 m: 81 under 914 m: 21 (2006) total: 98 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 42 under 914 m: 48 (2006) 28 (2006) gas 6,171 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,195 km; oil 5,613 km; refined products 5,567 km (2004) total: 63,230 km broad gauge: 45,718 km 1.676-m gauge (16,528 km electrified) narrow gauge: 14,406 km 1.000-m gauge (165 km electrified); 3,106 km 0.762-m gauge and 0.610-m gauge (2005) total: 3,851,440 km paved: 2,411,001 km unpaved: 1,440,439 km (2002) 14,500 km note: 5,200 km on major rivers and 485 km on canals suitable for mechanized vessels (2005) total: 316 ships (1000 GRT or over) 7,772,313 GRT/13,310,858 DWT by type: bulk carrier 96, cargo 72, chemical tanker 13, container 8, liquefied gas 17, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 10, petroleum tanker 96, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 10 (China 2, Hong Kong 1, UAE 6, UK 1) registered in other countries: 46 (Bahamas 1, Comoros 1, Cyprus 5, North Korea 1, Liberia 3, Malta 1, Mauritius 2, Panama 19, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Singapore 5, Venezuela 1, unknown 1) (2006) Chennai, Haldia, Jawaharal Nehru, Kandla, Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay), New Mangalore, Vishakhapatnam Army, Navy (includes naval air arm), Air Force, Coast Guard, various security or paramilitary forces (includes Border Security Force, Assam Rifles, National Security Guards, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Special Frontier Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Railway Protection Force, and Defense Security Corps) 16 years of age for voluntary military service (2001) males age 16-49: 287,551,111 females age 16-49: 268,524,835 (2005 est.) males age 16-49: 219,471,999 females age 16-49: 209,917,553 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 11,446,452 females age 16-49: 10,665,877 (2005 est.) $19.04 billion (2005 est.) 2.5% (2005 est.) since China and India launched a security and foreign policy dialogue in 2005, consolidated discussions related to the dispute over most of their rugged, militarized boundary, regional nuclear proliferation, Indian claims that China transferred missiles to Pakistan, and other matters continue; various talks and confidence-building measures have cautiously begun to defuse tensions over Kashmir, particularly since the October 2005 earthquake in the region; Kashmir nevertheless remains the site of the world's largest and most militarized territorial dispute with portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); in 2004, India and Pakistan instituted a cease fire in Kashmir and in 2005, restored bus service across the highly militarized Line of Control; Pakistan has taken its dispute on the impact and benefits of India's building the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir to the World Bank for arbitration; UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has maintained a small group of peacekeepers since 1949; India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; disputes persist with Pakistan over Indus River water sharing; to defuse tensions and prepare for discussions on a maritime boundary, in 2004, India and Pakistan resurveyed a portion of the disputed boundary in Sir Creek estuary at the mouth of the Rann of Kutch; Pakistani maps continue to show its Junagadh claim in Indian Gujarat State; discussions with Bangladesh remain stalled to delimit a small section of river boundary, to exchange 162 miniscule enclaves in both countries, to allocate divided villages, and to stop illegal cross-border trade, migration, violence, and transit of terrorists through the porous border; Bangladesh protests India's attempts to fence off high-traffic sections of the border; dispute with Bangladesh over New Moore/South Talpatty/Purbasha Island in the Bay of Bengal deters maritime boundary delimitation; India seeks cooperation from Bhutan and Burma to keep Indian Nagaland and Assam separatists from hiding in remote areas along the borders; Joint Border Committee with Nepal continues to demarcate minor disputed boundary sections; India maintains a strict border regime to keep out Maoist insurgents and control illegal cross-border activities from Nepal refugees (country of origin): 92,394 (Tibet/China) 57,274 (Sri Lanka) 9,761 (Afghanistan) IDPs: 600,000 (resulting from 26 December 2004 tsunami); 500,000 (Jammu and Kashmir conflicts; most IDPs are Kashmiri Hindus) (2005) British Indian Ocean Territory Established as a territory of the UK in 1965, a number of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) islands were transferred to the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976. Subsequently, BIOT has consisted only of the six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago. The largest and most southerly of the islands, Diego Garcia, contains a joint UK-US naval support facility. All of the remaining islands are uninhabited. Former agricultural workers, earlier residents in the islands, were relocated primarily to Mauritius but also to the Seychelles, between 1967 and 1973. In 2000, a British High Court ruling invalidated the local immigration order that had excluded them from the archipelago, but upheld the special military status of Diego Garcia. archipelago in the Indian Ocean, south of India, about one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia 6 00 S, 71 30 E; note - Diego Garcia 7 20 S, 72 25 E Political Map of the World total: 54,400 sq km land: 60 sq km; Diego Garcia 44 sq km water: 54,340 sq km note: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago of 55 islands land area is about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 698 km territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds flat and low (most areas do not exceed two meters in elevation) lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m coconuts, fish, sugarcane arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) 0 sq km NA NA archipelago of 55 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility no indigenous inhabitants note: approximately 1,200 former agricultural workers resident in the Chagos Archipelago, often referred to as Chagossians or Ilois, were relocated to Mauritius and the Seychelles in the 1960s and 1970s; in November 2000 they were granted the right of return by a British High Court ruling, though no timetable has been set; in November 2004, there were approximately 4,000 UK and US military personnel and civilian contractors living on the island of Diego Garcia (July 2006 est.) conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory conventional short form: none abbreviation: BIOT overseas territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner, resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Commissioner Tony CROMBIE (since January 2004); Administrator Tony HUMPHRIES (since February 2005); note - both reside in the UK cabinet: NA elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; commissioner and administrator appointed by the monarch none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of the UK) white with six blue wavy horizontal stripes; the flag of the UK is in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the striped section bears a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag All economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of Diego Garcia, where joint UK-US defense facilities are located. Construction projects and various services needed to support the military installations are done by military and contract employees from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands. When the Ilois return, they plan to reestablish sugarcane production and fishing. The country makes money by selling fishing licenses and postage stamps. NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by the US military NA kWh both the British Pound (GBP) and the US Dollar (USD) are accepted NA general assessment: separate facilities for military and public needs are available domestic: all commercial telephone services are available, including connection to the Internet international: international telephone service is carried by satellite (2000) AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) 1 (1997) .io 49 (2005) 1 (2006) total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2006) total: NA paved: short section of paved road between port and airfield on Diego Garcia Diego Garcia defense is the responsibility of the UK; the US lease on Diego Garcia expires in 2016 Clipperton Island This isolated island was named for John CLIPPERTON, a pirate who made it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in 1855, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventually awarded the island to France, which took possession in 1935. Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico 10 17 N, 109 13 W Political Map of the World total: 6 sq km land: 6 sq km water: 0 sq km about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC 0 km 11.1 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, wet season (May to October) coral atoll lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m fish arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all coral) (2005) 0 sq km NA NA reef 12 km in circumference uninhabited (July 2006 est.) conventional long form: none conventional short form: Clipperton Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Clipperton former: sometimes called Ile de la Passion possession of France; administered by France from French Polynesia by a high commissioner of the Republic the laws of France, where applicable, apply the flag of France is used Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is tuna fishing. none; offshore anchorage only defense is the responsibility of France Iran Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and the shah was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority nominally vested in a learned religious scholar. Iranian-US relations have been strained since a group of Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran on 4 November 1979 and held it until 20 January 1981. During 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq that eventually expanded into the Persian Gulf and led to clashes between US Navy and Iranian military forces between 1987-1988. Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism for its activities in Lebanon and elsewhere in the world and remains subject to US economic sanctions and export controls because of its continued involvement. Following the elections of a reformist president and Majlis in the late 1990s, attempts to foster political reform in response to popular dissatisfaction floundered as conservative politicians prevented reform measures from being enacted, increased repressive measures, and made electoral gains against reformers. Parliamentary elections in 2004 and the August 2005 inauguration of a conservative stalwart as president, completed the reconsolidation of conservative power in Iran's government. Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan 32 00 N, 53 00 E Middle East total: 1.648 million sq km land: 1.636 million sq km water: 12,000 sq km slightly larger than Alaska total: 5,440 km border countries: Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km, Azerbaijan-proper 432 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 179 km, Iraq 1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km 2,440 km; note - Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km) territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: bilateral agreements or median lines in the Persian Gulf continental shelf: natural prolongation mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Kuh-e Damavand 5,671 m petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur arable land: 9.78% permanent crops: 1.29% other: 88.93% (2005) 76,500 sq km (2003) periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf; wetland losses from drought; soil degradation (salination); inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste; urbanization party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport 68,688,433 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 26.1% (male 9,204,785/female 8,731,429) 15-64 years: 69% (male 24,133,919/female 23,245,255) 65 years and over: 4.9% (male 1,653,827/female 1,719,218) (2006 est.) total: 24.8 years male: 24.6 years female: 25 years (2006 est.) 1.1% (2006 est.) 17 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 5.55 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 40.3 deaths/1,000 live births male: 40.49 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 70.26 years male: 68.86 years female: 71.74 years (2006 est.) 1.8 children born/woman (2006 est.) less than 0.1% (2001 est.) 31,000 (2001 est.) 800 (2003 est.) noun: Iranian(s) adjective: Iranian Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1% Shi'a Muslim 89%, Sunni Muslim 9%, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i 2% Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2% definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 79.4% male: 85.6% female: 73% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Iran conventional short form: Iran local long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran local short form: Iran former: Persia theocratic republic name: Tehran geographic coordinates: 35 40 N, 51 26 E time difference: UTC+3.5 (8.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 30 provinces (ostanha, singular - ostan); Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e Gharbi, Azarbayjan-e Sharqi, Bushehr, Chahar Mahall va Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Kermanshah, Khorasan-e Janubi, Khorasan-e Razavi, Khorasan-e Shemali, Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh va Buyer Ahmad, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Qom, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan 1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed) Republic Day, 1 April (1979) note: additional holidays celebrated widely in Iran include Revolution Day, 11 February (1979); Noruz (New Year's Day), 21 March; Constitutional Monarchy Day, 5 August (1925); and various Islamic observances that change in accordance with the lunar-based hejira calendar 2-3 December 1979; revised 1989 to expand powers of the presidency and eliminate the prime ministership the Constitution codifies Islamic principles of government 15 years of age; universal chief of state: Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989) head of government: President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD (since 3 August 2005); First Vice President Parviz DAVUDI (since 11 September 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president with legislative approval; the Supreme Leader has some control over appointments to the more sensitive ministries note: also considered part of the Executive branch of government are three oversight bodies: 1) Assembly of Experts, a popularly elected body of 86 religious scholars constitutionally charged with determining the succession of the Supreme Leader, reviewing his performance, and deposing him if deemed necessary; 2) Expediency Council or Council for the Discernment of Expediency is a policy advisory and implementation board consisting of permanent and temporary members representing all major government factions, some of whom are appointed by the Supreme Leader; the Council exerts supervisory authority over the executive, judicial, and legislative branches and resolves legislative issues on which the Majles and the Council of Guardians disagree; 3) Council of Guardians or Council of Guardians of the Constitution is a 12-member board of clerics and jurists serving six-year terms that determines whether proposed legislation is both constitutional and faithful to Islamic law; the Council also vets candidates for suitability and supervises national elections elections: Supreme Leader appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts; president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 17 June 2005 with a two-candidate runoff on 24 June 2005 (next to be held in 2009) election results: Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD elected president; percent of vote - Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD 62%, Ali Akbar Hashemi RAFSANJANI 36% unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majles-e-Shura-ye-Eslami (290 seats - formerly 270 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 February 2004 with a runoff held 7 in May 2004 (next to be held in February 2008) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - conservatives/Islamists 190, reformers 50, independents 43, religious minorities 5, and 2 seats unaccounted for Supreme Court - above a special clerical court, a revolutionary court, and a special administrative court formal political parties are a relatively new phenomenon in Iran and most conservatives still prefer to work through political pressure groups rather than parties; a loose pro-reform coalition called the 2nd Khordad Front, which includes political parties as well as less formal pressure groups and organizations, achieved considerable success at elections to the sixth Majles in early 2000; groups in the coalition include: Islamic Iran Participation Front (IIPF), Executives of Construction Party (Kargozaran), Solidarity Party, Islamic Labor Party; Mardom Salari, Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization (MIRO), and Militant Clerics Society (Ruhaniyun); the coalition participated in the seventh Majles elections in early 2004; a new apparently conservative group, the Builders of Islamic Iran, took a leading position in the new Majles after winning a majority of the seats in February 2004 political pressure groups conduct most of Iran's political activities; groups that generally support the Islamic Republic include Ansar-e Hizballah, Muslim Students Following the Line of the Imam, Tehran Militant Clergy Association (Ruhaniyat), Islamic Coalition Party (Motalefeh), and Islamic Engineers Society; active pro-reform student groups include the Organization for Strengthening Unity; opposition groups include Freedom Movement of Iran, the National Front, Marz-e Por Gohar, and various ethnic and Monarchist organizations; armed political groups that have been almost completely repressed by the government include Mujahidin-e Khalq Organization (MEK), People's Fedayeen, Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, and Komala ABEDA, CP, ECO, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, SCO (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer) none; note - Iran has an Interests Section in the Pakistani Embassy; address: Iranian Interests Section, Pakistani Embassy, 2209 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone: [1] (202) 965-4990; FAX [1] (202) 965-1073 none; note - protecting power in Iran is Switzerland three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red; the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah in the shape of a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom) in red is centered in the white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in white Arabic script is repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11 times along the top edge of the red band Iran's economy is marked by a bloated, inefficient state sector, over reliance on the oil sector, and statist policies that create major distortions throughout. Most economic activity is controlled by the state. Private sector activity is typically small-scale - workshops, farming, and services. President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD has continued to follow the market reform plans of former President RAFSANJANI, with limited progress. Relatively high oil prices in recent years have enabled Iran to amass some $40 billion in foreign exchange reserves, but have not eased economic hardships such as high unemployment and inflation. The proportion of the economy devoted to the development of weapons of mass destruction remains a contentious issue with leading Western nations. $561.6 billion (2005 est.) $181.2 billion (2005 est.) 6.1% (2005 est.) $8,300 (2005 est.) agriculture: 11.6% industry: 42.4% services: 46% (2005 est.) 23.68 million note: shortage of skilled labor (2005 est.) agriculture: 30% industry: 25% services: 45% (2001 est.) 11.2% (2004 est.) 40% (2002 est.) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 43 (1998) 13.5% (2005 est.) 30.1% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $48.82 billion expenditures: $60.4 billion; including capital expenditures of $7.6 billion (2005 est.) 28.9% of GDP (2005 est.) wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, fruits, nuts, cotton; dairy products, wool; caviar petroleum, petrochemicals, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), metal fabrication, armaments 3% excluding oil (2005 est.) 142.3 billion kWh (2003) 132.1 billion kWh (2003) 840 million kWh (2003) 600 million kWh (2003) 3.979 million bbl/day (2005 est.) 1.425 million bbl/day (2003 est.) 2.5 million bbl/day (2004 est.) NA bbl/day 133.3 billion bbl (2005 est.) 79 billion cu m (2003 est.) 79 billion cu m (2003 est.) 3.4 billion cu m (2003 est.) 4.92 billion cu m (2003 est.) 26.62 trillion cu m (2005) $13.27 billion (2005 est.) $55.42 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) petroleum 80%, chemical and petrochemical products, fruits and nuts, carpets Japan 16.9%, China 11.2%, Italy 5.9%, South Korea 5.8%, South Africa 5.8%, Turkey 4.6%, Netherlands 4.5%, France 4.4%, Taiwan 4.1% (2005) $42.5 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) industrial raw materials and intermediate goods, capital goods, foodstuffs and other consumer goods, technical services, military supplies Germany 13.7%, UAE 8.3%, China 8.2%, Italy 7%, France 6.2%, South Korea 5.3%, Russia 4.8% (2005) $45.46 billion (2005 est.) $19.06 billion (2005 est.) $408 million (2002 est.) Iranian rial (IRR) rials per US dollar - 8,964 (2005), 8,614 (2004), 8,193.9 (2003), 6,907 (2002), 1,753.6 (2001) note: Iran has been using a managed floating exchange rate regime since unifying multiple exchange rates in March 2002 21 March - 20 March 14,571,100 (2003) 4.3 million (2004) general assessment: inadequate, but currently being modernized and expanded with the goal of not only improving the efficiency and increasing the volume of the urban service but also bringing telephone service to several thousand villages, not presently connected domestic: as a result of heavy investing in the telephone system since 1994, the number of long-distance channels in the microwave radio relay trunk has grown substantially; many villages have been brought into the net; the number of main lines in the urban systems has approximately doubled; thousands of mobile cellular subscribers are being served; moreover, the technical level of the system has been raised by the installation of thousands of digital switches international: country code - 98; HF radio and microwave radio relay to Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Syria, Kuwait, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; submarine fiber-optic cable to UAE with access to Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line runs from Azerbaijan through the northern portion of Iran to Turkmenistan with expansion to Georgia and Azerbaijan; satellite earth stations - 9 Intelsat and 4 Inmarsat AM 72, FM 5, shortwave 5 (1998) 28 (plus 450 low-power repeaters) (1997) .ir 5,246 (2005) 7.5 million (2005) 321 (2006) total: 129 over 3,047 m: 41 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 31 under 914 m: 6 (2006) total: 192 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 140 under 914 m: 43 (2006) 15 (2006) condensate/gas 212 km; gas 16,998 km; liquid petroleum gas 570 km; oil 8,256 km; refined products 7,808 km (2004) total: 7,256 km broad gauge: 94 km 1.676-m gauge standard gauge: 7,162 km 1.435-m gauge (186 km electrified) (2005) total: 178,152 km paved: 118,115 km (including 751 km of expressways) unpaved: 60,037 km (2002) 850 km (850 km on Karun River; additional service on Lake Urmia) (2006) total: 141 ships (1000 GRT or over) 5,086,702 GRT/8,878,829 DWT by type: bulk carrier 39, cargo 45, chemical tanker 4, container 12, liquefied gas 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 30, roll on/roll off 3 foreign-owned: 1 (UAE 1) registered in other countries: 22 (Bolivia 1, Cyprus 2, Malta 14, Panama 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2006) Assaluyeh, Bushehr Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force (includes air defense); Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enqelab-e Eslami, IRGC): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Qods Force (special operations), and Basij Force (Popular Mobilization Army); Law Enforcement Forces (2005) 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; soldiers as young as 9 were recruited extensively during the Iran-Iraq War; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2004) males age 18-49: 18,319,545 females age 18-49: 17,541,037 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 15,665,725 females age 18-49: 15,005,597 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 862,056 females age 18-49: 808,044 (2005 est.) $4.3 billion (2003 est.) 3.3% (2003 est.) Iran protests Afghanistan's limiting flow of dammed tributaries to the Helmand River in periods of drought; Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf; Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island, which are occupied by Iran; Iran stands alone among littoral states in insisting upon a division of the Caspian Sea into five equal sectors refugees (country of origin): 952,802 (Afghanistan) 93,173 (Iraq) (2005) Israel Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending the deep tensions between the two sides. The territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 war are not included in the Israel country profile, unless otherwise noted. On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew from the Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. Israel and Palestinian officials signed on 13 September 1993 a Declaration of Principles (also known as the "Oslo Accords") guiding an interim period of Palestinian self-rule. Outstanding territorial and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26 October 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace. In addition, on 25 May 2000, Israel withdrew unilaterally from southern Lebanon, which it had occupied since 1982. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid Conference in October 1991, bilateral negotiations were conducted between Israel and Palestinian representatives and Syria to achieve a permanent settlement. In April 2003, US President BUSH, working in conjunction with the EU, UN, and Russia - the "Quartet" - took the lead in laying out a roadmap to a final settlement of the conflict by 2005, based on reciprocal steps by the two parties leading to two states, Israel and a democratic Palestine. However, progress toward a permanent status agreement was undermined by Palestinian-Israeli violence between September 2000 and February 2005. An agreement reached at Sharm al-Sheikh in February 2005 significantly reduced the violence. The election in January 2005 of Mahmud ABBAS as the new Palestinian leader following the November 2004 death of Yasir ARAFAT, the formation of a Likud-Labor-United Torah Judaism coalition government in January 2005, and the successful Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip (August-September 2005), presented an opportunity for a renewed peace effort. However, internal Israeli political events between October and December 2005 have destabilized the political situation and forced early elections, scheduled for March 2006. Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon 31 30 N, 34 45 E Middle East total: 20,770 sq km land: 20,330 sq km water: 440 sq km slightly smaller than New Jersey total: 1,017 km border countries: Egypt 266 km, Gaza Strip 51 km, Jordan 238 km, Lebanon 79 km, Syria 76 km, West Bank 307 km 273 km territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: to depth of exploitation temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Har Meron 1,208 m timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand arable land: 15.45% permanent crops: 3.88% other: 80.67% (2005) 1,940 sq km (2003) sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakes limited arable land and natural fresh water resources pose serious constraints; desertification; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation there are 242 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the West Bank, 42 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 0 in the Gaza Strip, and 29 in East Jerusalem (August 2005 est.); Sea of Galilee is an important freshwater source 6,352,117 note: includes about 187,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank, about 20,000 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, and fewer than 177,000 in East Jerusalem (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 26.3% (male 855,054/female 815,619) 15-64 years: 63.9% (male 2,044,135/female 2,016,647) 65 years and over: 9.8% (male 266,671/female 353,991) (2006 est.) total: 29.6 years male: 28.8 years female: 30.5 years (2006 est.) 1.18% (2006 est.) 17.97 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 6.18 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 6.89 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 79.46 years male: 77.33 years female: 81.7 years (2006 est.) 2.41 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.1% (2001 est.) 3,000 (1999 est.) 100 (2001 est.) noun: Israeli(s) adjective: Israeli Jewish 76.4% (Israel-born 51.3%, Europe/America-born 17.3%, Africa-born 4.5%, Asia-born 3.2%), non-Jewish 23.6% (mostly Arab) (2004) Jewish 76.4%, Muslim 16%, Arab Christians 1.7%, other Christian 0.4%, Druze 1.6%, unspecified 3.9% (2004) Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English most commonly used foreign language definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.4% male: 97.3% female: 93.6% (2003 est.) conventional long form: State of Israel conventional short form: Israel local long form: Medinat Yisra'el local short form: Yisra'el parliamentary democracy name: Jerusalem; note - Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1950, but the US, like nearly all other countries, maintains its Embassy in Tel Aviv geographic coordinates: 32 05 N, 34 48 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Friday in March; ends the Sunday between the holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur 6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv 14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) Independence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May no formal constitution; some of the functions of a constitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the Basic Laws of the parliament (Knesset), and the Israeli citizenship law mixture of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and, in personal matters, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim legal systems; in December 1985, Israel informed the UN Secretariat that it would no longer accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Moshe KATZAV (since 31 July 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Ehud OLMERT (since May 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Tzipi LIVNI (since May 2006) cabinet: Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by the Knesset elections: president is largely a ceremonial role and is elected by the Knesset for a seven-year term (no term limits); election last held 31 July 2000 (next to be held mid-2007); following legislative elections, the president assigns a Knesset member - traditionally the leader of the largest party - the task of forming a governing coalition election results: Moshe KATZAV elected president by the 120-member Knesset with a total of 60 votes, other candidate, Shimon PERES, received 57 votes (there were three abstentions); Ariel SHARON continued as prime minister after Likud Party victory in January 2003 Knesset elections; Likud won 38 seats and then formed coalition government with Shinui, the National Religious Party, and the National Union; controversy surrounding SHARON's disengagement plan ultimately led to the formation of a Likud-Labor-United Torah Judaism (UTJ) coalition government in January 2005 unicameral Knesset (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 29 March 2006 (next scheduled to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Kadima 29, Labor 19, Likud 12, SHAS 12, Yisrael Beiteinu 11, NU/NRP 9, GIL 7, Torah and Shabbat Judaism 6, Meretz-YAHAD 5, United Arab List 4, Balad 3, HADASH 3 Supreme Court (justices appointed by Judicial Selection Committee - made up of all three branches of the government; mandatory retirement age is 70) Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (HADASH) [Muhammad BARAKA]; GIL (Pensioners) [Rafael EITAN]; Kadima [Ehud OLMERT]; Labor Party [Amir PERETZ]; Likud Party [Binyamin NETANYAHU]; Meretz-YAHAD [Yossi BEILIN]; National Democratic Assembly (Balad) [Azmi BISHARA]; National Union (NU)/National Religious Party (NRP) [Binyamin ELON]; SHAS [Eliyahu YISHAI]; Torah and Shabbat Judaism [Yaakov LITZMAN]; United Arab List [Ibrahim SARSOUR]; Yisrael Beiteinu [Avigdor LIEBERMAN]; Yisrael Ba'Aliya (merged with Likud) Israeli nationalists advocating Jewish settlement on the West Bank and Gaza Strip; Peace Now supports territorial concessions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; Yesha (settler) Council promotes settler interests and opposes territorial compromise; B'Tselem monitors human rights abuses BIS, BSEC (observer), CE (observer), CERN (observer), EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, OAS (observer), OPCW (signatory), OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Danny AYALON chancery: 3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 364-5500 FAX: [1] (202) 364-5607 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco chief of mission: Ambassador Richard H. JONES embassy: 71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv 63903 mailing address: PSC 98, Box 29, APO AE 09830 telephone: [972] (3) 519-7369/7453/7454/7457/7458/7551/7575 FAX: [972] (3) 516-4390 consulate(s) general: Jerusalem; note - an independent US mission, established in 1928, whose members are not accredited to a foreign government white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag Israel has a technologically advanced market economy with substantial government participation. It depends on imports of crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Despite limited natural resources, Israel has intensively developed its agricultural and industrial sectors over the past 20 years. Israel imports substantial quantities of grain, but is largely self-sufficient in other agricultural products. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and agricultural products (fruits and vegetables) are the leading exports. Israel usually posts sizable current account deficits, which are covered by large transfer payments from abroad and by foreign loans. Roughly half of the government's external debt is owed to the US, which is its major source of economic and military aid. The bitter Israeli-Palestinian conflict; difficulties in the high-technology, construction, and tourist sectors; and fiscal austerity in the face of growing inflation led to small declines in GDP in 2001 and 2002. The economy rebounded in 2003 and 2004, growing at a 4% rate each year, as the government tightened fiscal policy and implemented structural reforms to boost competition and efficiency in the markets. In 2005, rising consumer confidence, tourism, and foreign direct investment - as well as higher demand for Israeli exports - boosted GDP by 4.7%. $154.5 billion (2005 est.) $114.3 billion (2005 est.) 5.2% (2005 est.) $24,600 (2005 est.) agriculture: 2.6% industry: 31.7% services: 65.7% (2003 est.) 2.42 million (2005 est.) agriculture, forestry, and fishing 2.6%, manufacturing 20.2%, construction 7.5%, commerce 12.8%, transport, storage, and communications 6.2%, finance and business 13.1%, personal and other services 6.4%, public services 31.2% (1996) 9% (2005 est.) 21% (2005) lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 28.3% (1997) 34 (2005) 1.3% (2005 est.) 17.5% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $43.82 billion expenditures: $58.04 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 99.7% of GDP (2005 est.) citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products high-technology projects (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, construction, metals products, chemical products, plastics, diamond cutting, textiles, footwear 2.8% (2005 est.) 44.24 billion kWh (2003) 39.67 billion kWh (2003) 1.47 billion kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 2,740 bbl/day (2003 est.) 270,100 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 1.92 million bbl (1 January 2002) 200 million cu m (2003 est.) 200 million cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 38.94 billion cu m (1 January 2002) $2.385 billion (2005 est.) $40.14 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel US 37.6%, Belgium 7.4%, Hong Kong 4.3% (2005) $43.19 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods US 18.6%, Belgium 9.1%, Germany 6.7%, UK 5.6%, China 4.3%, Italy 4.3% (2005) $28.06 billion (2005 est.) $75.55 billion (2005 est.) $662 million from US (2003 est.) new Israeli shekel (ILS); note - NIS is the currency abbreviation; ILS is the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) code for the NIS new Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.4877 (2005), 4.482 (2004), 4.5541 (2003), 4.7378 (2002), 4.2057 (2001) calendar year 3 million (2004) 7.222 million (2004) general assessment: most highly developed system in the Middle East although not the largest domestic: good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; all systems are digital international: country code - 972; 3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) AM 23, FM 15, shortwave 2 (1998) 17 (plus 36 low-power repeaters) (1995) .il 1,069,088 (2005) 3.2 million (2005) 53 (2006) total: 30 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 6 (2006) total: 23 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 20 (2006) 3 (2006) gas 140 km; oil 1,509 km (2004) total: 853 km standard gauge: 853 km 1.435-m gauge (2005) total: 17,364 km paved: 17,364 km (including 126 km of expressways) (2004) total: 18 ships (1000 GRT or over) 716,382 GRT/845,053 DWT by type: cargo 2, container 16 registered in other countries: 51 (Bahamas 1, Bermuda 3, Cyprus 3, Honduras 1, Liberia 5, Malta 23, Panama 6, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Slovakia 7) (2006) Ashdod, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa Israel Defense Forces (IDF): Ground Corps, Navy, Air and Space Force (includes air defense forces); historically there have been no separate Israeli military services 17 years of age for compulsory (Jews, Druzes) and voluntary (Christians, Muslims, Circassians) military service; both sexes are eligible for military service; conscript service obligation - 36 months for men, 21 months for women (2004) males age 17-49: 1,492,125 females age 17-49: 1,443,916 (2005 est.) males age 17-49: 1,255,902 females age 17-49: 1,212,394 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 53,760 females: 51,293 (2005 est.) $9.45 billion (2005 est.) 7.7% (2005 est.) West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel continues construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; Israel withdrew its settlers and military from the Gaza Strip and from four settlements in the West Bank in August 2005; Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied (Lebanon claims the Shab'a Farms area of Golan Heights); since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) headquartered in Jerusalem monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the region IDPs: 276,000 (Arab villagers displaced from homes in northern Israel) (2005) Italy Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the regional states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His disastrous alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy was a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared with the prosperous north. Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia 42 50 N, 12 50 E Europe total: 301,230 sq km land: 294,020 sq km water: 7,210 sq km note: includes Sardinia and Sicily slightly larger than Arizona total: 1,932.2 km border countries: Austria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy See (Vatican City) 3.2 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 232 km, Switzerland 740 km 7,600 km territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) de Courmayeur 4,748 m (a secondary peak of Mont Blanc) coal, mercury, zinc, potash, marble, barite, asbestos, pumice, fluorospar, feldspar, pyrite (sulfur), natural gas and crude oil reserves, fish, arable land arable land: 26.41% permanent crops: 9.09% other: 64.5% (2005) 27,500 sq km (2003) regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice air pollution from industrial emissions such as sulfur dioxide; coastal and inland rivers polluted from industrial and agricultural effluents; acid rain damaging lakes; inadequate industrial waste treatment and disposal facilities party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well as southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe 58,133,509 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 13.8% (male 4,147,149/female 3,899,980) 15-64 years: 66.5% (male 19,530,512/female 19,105,841) 65 years and over: 19.7% (male 4,771,858/female 6,678,169) (2006 est.) total: 42.2 years male: 40.7 years female: 43.7 years (2006 est.) 0.04% (2006 est.) 8.72 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 10.4 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 2.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 5.83 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.42 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 79.81 years male: 76.88 years female: 82.94 years (2006 est.) 1.28 children born/woman (2006 est.) 0.5% (2001 est.) 140,000 (2001 est.) less than 1,000 (2003 est.) noun: Italian(s) adjective: Italian Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and Greek-Italians in the south) approximately 90% Roman Catholic (about one-third regularly attend services); mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a growing Muslim immigrant community Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.6% male: 99% female: 98.3% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Italian Republic conventional short form: Italy local long form: Repubblica Italiana local short form: Italia former: Kingdom of Italy republic name: Rome geographic coordinates: 41 54 N, 12 29 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 15 regions (regioni, singular - regione) and 5 autonomous regions* (regioni autonome, singular - regione autonoma); Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia*, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise, Piemonte, Puglia, Sardegna*, Sicilia*, Toscana, Trentino-Alto Adige*, Umbria, Valle d'Aosta*, Veneto 17 March 1861 (Kingdom of Italy proclaimed; Italy was not finally unified until 1870) Republic Day, 2 June (1946) passed 11 December 1947, effective 1 January 1948; amended many times based on civil law system; appeals treated as new trials; judicial review under certain conditions in Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal (except in senatorial elections, where minimum age is 25) chief of state: President Giorgio NAPOLITANO (since 15 May 2006) head of government: Prime Minister (referred to in Italy as the president of the Council of Ministers) Romano PRODI (since 17 May 2006) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and approved by the president elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting of both houses of parliament and 58 regional representatives for a seven-year term (no term limits); election last held 10 May 2006 (next to be held May 2013); prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed by parliament election results: Giorgio NAPOLITANO elected president on the fourth round of voting; electoral college vote - 543 bicameral Parliament or Parlamento consists of the Senate or Senato della Repubblica (315 seats; elected by proportional vote with the winning coalition in each region receiving 55% of seats from that region; members serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera dei Deputati (630 seats; elected by popular vote with the winning national coalition receiving 54% of chamber seats; members serve five-year terms); note - electoral vote reform passed in December 2005 elections: Senate - last held 10 April 2006 (next to be held in 2011); Chamber of Deputies - last held 10 April 2006 (next to be held May 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - The Union 158 (DS 62, DL 39, RC 27, Together with the Union 11, other 19), House of Freedoms 154 (FI 79, AN 41, UDC 21, LEGA 13), other 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - The Union 348 (DS 220, RC 41, Rose in the Fist 18, Italy of Values 17, PdCI 16, Greens Federation 15, UDEUR 10, other 11), House of Freedoms 276 (FI 140, AN 71, Union of Christian and Center Democrats 39, LEGA 26), other 6 Constitutional Court or Corte Costituzionale (composed of 15 judges: one-third appointed by the president, one-third elected by parliament, one-third elected by the ordinary and administrative Supreme Courts) Center-Left Union Coalition [Romano PRODI]: Ulivo Alliance (including Democrats of the Left or DS [Piero FASSINO]; Daisy-Democracy is Freedom or DL [Francesco RUTELLI]); Rose in the Fist (including Italian Social Democrats or SDI [Enrico BOSELLI]; Italian Radical Party [Emma BONINO]); Italian Communist Party or PdCI [Oliviero DILIBERTO]; Green Federation [Alfonso PECORARO SCANIO]; Communist Renewal or RC [Fausto BERTINOTTI]; Italy of Values or IdV [Antonio DI PIETRO]; Union of Democrats for Europe or UDEUR [Clemente MASTELLA]; Republican European Movement or MRE [Luciana SBARBATI] Center-Right Freedom House Coalition [Silvio BERLUSCONI]: Forza Italia or FI [Silvio BERLUSCONI]; National Alliance or AN [Gianfranco FINI]; Union of Christian Democrats of the Center or UDC [Pier Ferdinando CASINI]; Northern League or LEGA [Umberto BOSSI]; Christian Democracy (Per la Autonomie) [Publio FIORI] other non-allied parties: New Italian Socialist Party or New PSI [Gianni DE MICHELIS]; Italian Republican Party or PRI [Giorgio LA MALFA]; Social Alternative [Alessandra MUSSOLINI]; Social Movement-Tricolor Flame or MSI-Fiamma [Luca ROMAGNOLI]; Social Idea Movement with Rauti or MIS [Pino RAUTI]; South Tyrol People's Party or SVP (German speakers) [Elmar Pichler ROLLE]; Union of Valley Aosta Region or UV [Guido CESAL] Italian manufacturers and merchants associations (Confindustria, Confcommercio); organized farm groups (Confcoltivatori, Confagricoltura); Roman Catholic Church; three major trade union confederations (Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro or CGIL [Guglielmo EPIFANI] which is left wing, Confederazione Italiana dei Sindacati Lavoratori or CISL [Savino PEZZOTTA], which is Roman Catholic centrist, and Unione Italiana del Lavoro or UIL [Luigi ANGELETTI] which is lay centrist) AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CDB, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC chief of mission: Ambassador Giovanni CASTELLANETA chancery: 3000 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 612-4400 FAX: [1] (202) 518-2151 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco consulate(s): Detroit chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald P. SPOGLI embassy: Via Vittorio Veneto 121, 00187-Rome mailing address: PSC 59, Box 100, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (06) 46741 FAX: [39] (06) 488-2672, 4674-2356 consulate(s) general: Florence, Milan, Naples three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and is green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of the Cote d'Ivoire, which has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green note: inspired by the French flag brought to Italy by Napoleon in 1797 Italy has a diversified industrial economy with roughly the same total and per capita output as France and the UK. This capitalistic economy remains divided into a developed industrial north, dominated by private companies, and a less-developed, welfare-dependent, agricultural south, with 20% unemployment. Most raw materials needed by industry and more than 75% of energy requirements are imported. Over the past decade, Italy has pursued a tight fiscal policy in order to meet the requirements of the Economic and Monetary Unions and has benefited from lower interest and inflation rates. The current government has enacted numerous short-term reforms aimed at improving competitiveness and long-term growth. Italy has moved slowly, however, on implementing needed structural reforms, such as lightening the high tax burden and overhauling Italy's rigid labor market and over-generous pension system, because of the current economic slowdown and opposition from labor unions. But the leadership faces a severe economic constraint: the budget deficit has breached the 3% EU ceiling. The economy experienced almost no growth in 2005, and unemployment remained at a high level. $1.698 trillion (2005 est.) $1.71 trillion (2005 est.) 0.1% (2005 est.) $29,200 (2005 est.) agriculture: 2.1% industry: 29.1% services: 68.8% (2005 est.) 24.49 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 5% industry: 32% services: 63% (2001) 7.7% (2005 est.) NA% lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 26.6% (2000) 36 (2000) 2% (2005 est.) 20.6% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $785.7 billion expenditures: $861.5 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 108.8% of GDP (2005 est.) fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, grain, olives; beef, dairy products; fish tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics -1% (2005 est.) 270.1 billion kWh (2003) 302.2 billion kWh (2003) 500 million kWh (2003) 51.5 billion kWh (2003) 136,200 bbl/day (2003 est.) 1.874 million bbl/day (2003 est.) 456,600 bbl/day (2001) 2.158 million bbl/day (2001) 586.6 million bbl (1 January 2002) 13.55 billion cu m (2003 est.) 76.88 billion cu m (2003 est.) 61 million cu m (2001 est.) 54.78 billion cu m (2001 est.) 226.5 billion cu m (1 January 2002) -$26.38 billion (2005 est.) $371.9 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) engineering products, textiles and clothing, production machinery, motor vehicles, transport equipment, chemicals; food, beverages and tobacco; minerals, and nonferrous metals Germany 13.1%, France 12.3%, US 8.1%, Spain 7.4%, UK 6.4% (2005) $369.2 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) engineering products, chemicals, transport equipment, energy products, minerals and nonferrous metals, textiles and clothing; food, beverages, and tobacco Germany 17.2%, France 9.9%, Netherlands 5.7%, China 4.6%, Belgium 4.5%, Spain 4.2% (2005) $65.95 billion (2005 est.) $922.5 billion (2005 est.) ODA, $1 billion (2002 est.) euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries euros per US dollar - 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001) calendar year 25.957 million (2004) 62.75 million (2004) general assessment: modern, well developed, fast; fully automated telephone, telex, and data services domestic: high-capacity cable and microwave radio relay trunks international: country code - 39; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (with a total of 5 antennas - 3 for Atlantic Ocean and 2 for Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), and NA Eutelsat; 21 submarine cables AM about 100, FM about 4,600, shortwave 9 (1998) 358 (plus 4,728 repeaters) (1995) .it 1,246,253 (2005) 28.87 million (2005) 133 (2006) total: 98 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 30 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 31 under 914 m: 14 (2006) total: 35 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 19 (2006) 5 (2006) gas 17,335 km; oil 1,136 km (2004) total: 19,459 km standard gauge: 18,037 km 1.435-m gauge (11,354 km electrified) narrow gauge: 123 km 1.000-m gauge (122 km electrified); 1,299 km 0.950-m gauge (161 km electrified) (2005) total: 479,688 km paved: 479,688 km (including 6,478 km of expressways) (2004) 2,400 km note: used for commercial traffic; of limited overall value compared to road and rail (2004) total: 591 ships (1000 GRT or over) 11,737,175 GRT/12,573,225 DWT by type: bulk carrier 52, cargo 45, chemical tanker 136, container 25, liquefied gas 37, livestock carrier 3, passenger 16, passenger/cargo 150, petroleum tanker 49, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 33, specialized tanker 13, vehicle carrier 28 foreign-owned: 36 (France 1, Greece 6, Spain 1, Taiwan 10, UK 3, US 15) registered in other countries: 152 (Bahamas 5, Belize 4, Cayman Islands 12, Cyprus 2, France 2, Germany 1, Gibraltar 6, Isle of Man 5, Jamaica 1, Liberia 16, Malta 29, Marshall Islands 1, Norway 4, Panama 15, Portugal 12, Romania 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 18, Singapore 2, Spain 2, Sweden 7, Turkey 3, UK 4) (2006) Augusta, Genoa, Livorno, Melilli Oil Terminal, Ravenna, Taranto, Trieste, Venice Army (Esercito Italiano, EI), Navy (Marina Militare Italiana, MMI), Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana, AMI), Carabinieri Corps (Corpo dei Carabinieri, CC) (2005) voluntary military service; conscription abolished January 2005 (2006) males age 18-49: 13,491,260 females age 18-49: 12,886,033 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 10,963,513 females age 18-49: 10,452,189 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 286,344 females age 18-49: 270,099 (2005 est.) $28,182.8 million (2003) 1.8% (2004) Italy's long coastline and developed economy entices tens of thousands of illegal immigrants from southeastern Europe and northern Africa Cote d'Ivoire Close ties to France since independence in 1960, the development of cocoa production for export, and foreign investment made Cote d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the tropical African states, but did not protect it from political turmoil. In December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Cote d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government. Junta leader Robert GUEI blatantly rigged elections held in late 2000 and declared himself the winner. Popular protest forced him to step aside and brought runner-up Laurent GBAGBO into power. Ivorian dissidents and disaffected members of the military launched a failed coup attempt in September 2002. Rebel forces claimed the northern half of the country, and in January 2003 were granted ministerial positions in a unity government under the auspices of the Linas-Marcoussis Peace Accord. President GBAGBO and rebel forces resumed implementation of the peace accord in December 2003 after a three-month stalemate, but issues that sparked the civil war, such as land reform and grounds for citizenship, remain unresolved. The central government has yet to exert control over the northern regions and tensions remain high between GBAGBO and opposition leaders. Several thousand French and West African troops remain in Cote d'Ivoire to maintain peace and facilitate the disarmament, demobilization, and rehabilitation process. Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia 8 00 N, 5 00 W Africa total: 322,460 sq km land: 318,000 sq km water: 4,460 sq km slightly larger than New Mexico total: 3,110 km border countries: Burkina Faso 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km, Liberia 716 km, Mali 532 km 515 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October) mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest lowest point: Gulf of Guinea 0 m highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, gold, nickel, tantalum, silica sand, clay, cocoa beans, coffee, palm oil, hydropower arable land: 10.23% permanent crops: 11.16% other: 78.61% (2005) 730 sq km (2003) coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during the rainy season torrential flooding is possible deforestation (most of the country's forests - once the largest in West Africa - have been heavily logged); water pollution from sewage and industrial and agricultural effluents party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal region; apart from the capital area, the forested interior is sparsely populated 17,654,843 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 40.8% (male 3,546,674/female 3,653,990) 15-64 years: 56.4% (male 5,024,575/female 4,939,677) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 238,793/female 251,134) (2006 est.) total: 19.2 years male: 19.4 years female: 18.9 years (2006 est.) 2.03% (2006 est.) 35.11 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 14.84 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 89.11 deaths/1,000 live births male: 105.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 71.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 48.82 years male: 46.24 years female: 51.48 years (2006 est.) 4.5 children born/woman (2006 est.) 7% (2003 est.) 570,000 (2003 est.) 47,000 (2003 est.) degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, yellow fever, and others are high risks in some locations water contact: schistosomiasis (2005) noun: Ivoirian(s) adjective: Ivoirian Akan 42.1%, Voltaiques or Gur 17.6%, Northern Mandes 16.5%, Krous 11%, Southern Mandes 10%, other 2.8% (includes 130,000 Lebanese and 14,000 French) (1998) Muslim 35-40%, indigenous 25-40%, Christian 20-30% (2001) note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%) French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 50.9% male: 57.9% female: 43.6% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Cote d'Ivoire conventional short form: Cote d'Ivoire local long form: Republique de Cote d'Ivoire local short form: Cote d'Ivoire former: Ivory Coast republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960 name: Yamoussoukro geographic coordinates: 5 19 N, 4 02 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: although Yamoussoukro has been the official capital since 1983, Abidjan remains the commercial and administrative center; the US, like other countries, maintains its Embassy in Abidjan 19 regions; Agneby, Bafing, Bas-Sassandra, Denguele, Dix-Huit Montagnes, Fromager, Haut-Sassandra, Lacs, Lagunes, Marahoue, Moyen-Cavally, Moyen-Comoe, N'zi-Comoe, Savanes, Sud-Bandama, Sud-Comoe, Vallee du Bandama, Worodougou, Zanzan 7 August 1960 (from France) Independence Day, 7 August (1960) new constitution adopted 4 August 2000 based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Laurent GBAGBO (since 26 October 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Charles Konan BANNY (since 7 December 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 26 October 2000 (next to be held by October 2006, after the government postponed the election); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Laurent GBAGBO elected president; percent of vote - Laurent GBAGBO 59.4%, Robert GUEI 32.7%, Francis WODIE 5.7%, other 2.2% unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (225 seats; members are elected in single- and multi-district elections by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: elections last held 10 December 2000 with by-elections on 14 January 2001 (next to be held by 31 October 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FPI 96, PDCI-RDA 94, RDR 5, PIT 4, other 2, independents 22, vacant 2 note: a Senate is scheduled to be created in the next full election in 2006 Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consists of four chambers: Judicial Chamber for criminal cases, Audit Chamber for financial cases, Constitutional Chamber for judicial review cases, and Administrative Chamber for civil cases; there is no legal limit to the number of members Citizen's Democratic Union or UDCY [Eg Theodore MEL]; Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire-African Democratic Rally or PDCI-RDA [Henri Konan BEDIE]; Ivorian Popular Front or FPI [Laurent GBAGBO]; Ivorian Worker's Party or PIT [Francis WODIE]; Rally of the Republicans or RDR [Alassane OUATTARA]; Union for Democracy and Peace or UDPCI [Paul Akoto YAO]; over 20 smaller parties NA ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Daouda DIABATE chancery: 3421 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 797-0300 FAX: [1] (202) 244-3088 chief of mission: Ambassador Aubrey HOOKS embassy: Riviera Golf 01, Abidjan mailing address: B. P. 1866, Abidjan 01 telephone: [225] 20 21 09 79 FAX: [225] 20 22 32 59 three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white, and red; design was based on the flag of France Cote d'Ivoire is among the world's largest producers and exporters of coffee, cocoa beans, and palm oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for these products and weather conditions. Despite government attempts to diversify the economy, it is still heavily dependent on agriculture and related activities, engaging roughly 68% of the population. Growth was negative in 2000-03 because of the difficulty of meeting the conditions of international donors, continued low prices of key exports, and severe civil war. In November 2004, the situation deteriorated when President GBAGBO's troops attacked and killed nine French peacekeeping forces, and the UN imposed an arms embargo. Political turmoil damaged the economy in 2005, with fear among Ivorians spreading, foreign investment shriveling, French businesses and expats fleeing, travel within the country falling, and criminal elements that traffic in weapons and diamonds gaining ground. The government will continue to survive financially off of the sale of cocoa, which represents 90% of foreign exchange earnings. Though the 2005 harvest was largely unaffected by past fighting, the government will likely lose between 10% and 20% of its cocoa harvest to northern rebels, who smuggle the cocoa they control to neighboring countries where cocoa prices are higher. The government remains hopeful that ongoing exploration of Cote d'Ivoire's offshore oil reserves will result in significant production that could boost daily crude output from roughly 33,000 barrels per day (b/d) to over 200,000 b/d by the end of the decade. $28.52 billion (2005 est.) $16.57 billion (2005 est.) 1% (2005 est.) $1,600 (2005 est.) agriculture: 27.9% industry: 17.1% services: 55% (2005 est.) 6.95 million (68% agricultural) (2005 est.) 13% in urban areas (1998) 37% (1995) lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 28.8% (1995) 45.2 (1998) 3.9% (2005 est.) 8.6% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $2.434 billion expenditures: $2.83 billion; including capital expenditures of $420 million (2005 est.) 64.5% of GDP (2005 est.) coffee, cocoa beans, bananas, palm kernels, corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sweet potatoes, sugar, cotton, rubber; timber foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, truck and bus assembly, textiles, fertilizer, building materials, electricity, ship construction and repair 15% (1998 est.) 5.127 billion kWh (2003) 3.418 billion kWh (2003) 1.35 billion kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 32,900 bbl/day (2005 est.) 20,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 220 million bbl (2005 est.) 1.3 billion cu m (2003 est.) 1.3 billion cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 29.73 billion cu m (2005) -$193 million (2005 est.) $6.49 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) cocoa, coffee, timber, petroleum, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, fish France 18.3%, US 14.1%, Netherlands 11%, Nigeria 8%, Panama 4.4% (2005) $4.759 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) fuel, capital equipment, foodstuffs France 27.7%, Nigeria 24.5%, Singapore 6.6% (2005) $1.42 billion (2005 est.) $13.43 billion (2005 est.) ODA, $1 billion (1996 est.) Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001) calendar year 257,900 (2004) 2.19 million (2005) general assessment: well developed by African standards but operating well below capacity domestic: open-wire lines and microwave radio relay; 90% digitalized international: country code - 225; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); 2 submarine cables (June 1999) AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (1998) 14 (1999) .ci 2,015 (2005) 300,000 (2005) 35 (2006) total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2006) total: 28 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 5 (2006) condensate 107 km; gas 223 km; oil 104 km (2004) total: 660 km narrow gauge: 660 km 1.000 meter gauge note: an additional 622 km of this railroad extends into Burkina Faso (2005) total: 80,000 km paved: 6,500 km unpaved: 73,500 km note: includes intercity and urban roads; another 20,000 km of dirt roads are in poor condition and 150,000 km of dirt roads are impassable (2006) 980 km (navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoons) (2005) Abidjan, Aboisso, Dabou, San-Pedro Army, Navy, Air Force 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2004) males age 18-49: 3,696,106 females age 18-49: 3,569,967 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 1,973,265 females age 18-49: 1,911,777 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 189,354 females age 18-49: 192,600 (2005 est.) $246.6 million (2005 est.) 1.6% (2005 est.) rebel and ethnic fighting against the central government in 2002 has spilled into neighboring states, driven out foreign cocoa workers from nearby countries, and, in 2004, resulted in 6,000 peacekeepers deployed as part of UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) assisting 4,000 French troops already in-country; the Ivorian Government accuses Burkina Faso and Liberia of supporting Ivorian rebels refugees (country of origin): 70,402 (Liberia) IDPs: 500,000-800,000 (2002 coup; most IDPs are in western regions) (2005) Iraq Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by Britain during the course of World War I; in 1920, it was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of military strongmen ruled the country, the latest was SADDAM Husayn. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait, but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of January-February 1991. Following Kuwait's liberation, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions over a period of 12 years led to the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime. Coalition forces remain in Iraq, helping to restore degraded infrastructure and facilitating the establishment of a freely elected government, while simultaneously dealing with a robust insurgency. The Coalition Provisional Authority, which temporarily administered Iraq after the invasion, transferred full governmental authority on 28 June 2004, to the Iraqi Interim Government (IG), which governed under the Transitional Administrative Law for Iraq (TAL). Under the TAL, elections for a 275-member Transitional National Assembly (TNA) were held in Iraq on 30 January 2005. Following these elections, the Iraqi Transitional Government (ITG) assumed office. The TNA was charged with drafting Iraq's permanent constitution, which was approved in a 15 October 2005 constitutional referendum. An election under the constitution for a 275-member Council of Representatives (CoR) was held in December 2005. The CoR approval in the selection of most of the cabinet ministers on 20 May 2006 marked the transition from the ITG to Iraq's full-term government. Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait 33 00 N, 44 00 E Middle East total: 437,072 sq km land: 432,162 sq km water: 4,910 sq km slightly more than twice the size of Idaho total: 3,650 km border countries: Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 240 km, Saudi Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 352 km 58 km territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: not specified mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: unnamed peak; 3,611 m; note - this peak is not Gundah Zhur 3,607 m or Kuh-e Hajji-Ebrahim 3,595 m petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur arable land: 13.12% permanent crops: 0.61% other: 86.27% (2005) 35,250 sq km (2003) dust storms, sandstorms, floods government water control projects have drained most of the inhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or diverting the feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population of Marsh Arabs, who inhabited these areas for thousands of years, has been displaced; furthermore, the destruction of the natural habitat poses serious threats to the area's wildlife populations; inadequate supplies of potable water; development of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparian Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation (salination) and erosion; desertification party to: Law of the Sea signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of the Persian Gulf 26,783,383 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 39.7% (male 5,398,645/female 5,231,760) 15-64 years: 57.3% (male 7,776,257/female 7,576,726) 65 years and over: 3% (male 376,700/female 423,295) (2006 est.) total: 19.7 years male: 19.6 years female: 19.8 years (2006 est.) 2.66% (2006 est.) 31.98 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 5.37 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 48.64 deaths/1,000 live births male: 54.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 42.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 69.01 years male: 67.76 years female: 70.31 years (2006 est.) 4.18 children born/woman (2006 est.) less than 0.1% (2001 est.) less than 500 (2003 est.) NA noun: Iraqi(s) adjective: Iraqi Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian or other 5% Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3% Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 40.4% male: 55.9% female: 24.4% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Iraq conventional short form: Iraq local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Iraqiyah local short form: Al Iraq transitional democracy name: Baghdad geographic coordinates: 33 21 N, 44 25 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins 1 April; ends 1 October 18 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Anbar, Al Basrah, Al Muthanna, Al Qadisiyah, An Najaf, Arbil, As Sulaymaniyah, At Ta'mim, Babil, Baghdad, Dahuk, Dhi Qar, Diyala, Karbala', Maysan, Ninawa, Salah ad Din, Wasit 3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration); note - on 28 June 2004 the Coalition Provisional Authority transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government Revolution Day, 17 July (1968); note - this holiday was celebrated under the SADDAM Husayn regime but the Iraqi Interim Government has yet to declare a new national holiday ratified on 15 October 2005 based on European civil and Islamic law under the framework outlined in the Iraqi Constitution formerly 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Jalal TALABANI (since 6 April 2005); Deputy Presidents Adil ABD AL-MAHDI and Tariq al-HASHIMI (since 22 April 2006); note - the president and deputy presidents comprise the Presidency Council) head of government: Prime Minister Nuri al-MALIKI (since 20 May 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers Barham SALIH and Salam al-ZUBAI (since 20 May 2006) cabinet: 37 ministers appointed by the Presidency Council, plus Prime Minister Nuri al-MALIKI, and Deputy Prime Ministers Barham SALIH and Salam al-ZUBAI elections: held 15 December 2005 to elect a 275-member Council of Representatives unicameral Council of Representatives or Mejlis Watani (consisting of 275 members elected by a closed-list, proportional-representation system) elections: held 15 December 2005 to elect a 275-member Council of Representatives that will finalize a permanent constitution election results: Council of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; number of seats by party - NA Supreme Court appointed by the Prime Minister, confirmed by the Presidency Council Al-Sadr Movement [Muqtada Al-SADR]; Assyrian Democratic Movement [Yunadim KANNA]; Conference of Iraqi People [Adnan al-DULAYMI]; Constitutional Monarchy Movement or CMM [Sharif Ali Bin al-HUSAYN]; Da'wa Party [Ibrahim al-JA'FARI]; Independent Iraqi Alliance or IIA [Falah al-NAQIB]; Iraqi Communist Party [Hamid al-MUSA]; Iraqi Hizballah [Karim Mahud al-MUHAMMADAWI]; Iraqi Independent Democrats or IID [Adnan PACHACHI, Mahdi al-HAFIZ]; Iraqi Islamic Party or IIP [Muhsin Abd al-HAMID, Hajim al-HASSANI]; Iraqi National Accord or INA [Ayad ALLAWI]; Iraqi National Congress or INC [Ahmad CHALABI]; Iraqi National Council for Dialogue or INCD [Khalaf Ulayan al-Khalifawi al-DULAYMI]; Iraqi National Unity Movement or INUM [Ahmad al-KUBAYSI, chairman]; Islamic Action Organization or IAO [Ayatollah Muhammad al-MUDARRISI]; Jama'at al Fadilah or JAF [Ayatollah Muhammad Ali al-YAQUBI]; Kurdistan Democratic Party or KDP [Masud BARZANI]; Muslim Ulama Council or MUC [Harith Sulayman al-DARI, secretary general]; National Iraqi Front [Salih al-MUTLAQ]; National Reconciliation and Liberation Party [Mishan al-JABBURI]; Patriotic Union of Kurdistan or PUK [Jalal TALABANI]; Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq or SCIRI [Abd al-Aziz al-HAKIM] note: the Kurdistan Alliance, Iraqi National List, Iraqi Consensus Front, Iraqi Front for National Dialogue, and United Iraqi Alliance were only electoral slates consisting of the representatives from the various Iraqi political parties an insurgency against the Iraqi Transitional Government and Coalition forces is primarily concentrated in Baghdad and in areas west and north of the capital; the diverse, multigroup insurgency is led principally by Sunni Arabs whose only common denominator is a shared desire to oust the Coalition and end US influence in Iraq ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer) chief of mission: Ambassador Samir Shakir al-SUMAYDI chancery: 1801 P Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 483-7500 FAX: [1] (202) 462-5066 chief of mission: Ambassador Zalmay KHALILZAD; Deputy Chief of Mission David M. SATTERFIELD embassy: Baghdad mailing address: APO AE 09316 telephone: 00-1-240-553-0584 ext. 5340 OR 5635; note - Consular Section FAX: NA three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with three green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; the phrase ALLAHU AKBAR (God is Great) in green Arabic script - Allahu to the right of the middle star and Akbar to the left of the middle star - was added in January 1991 during the Persian Gulf crisis; similar to the flag of Syria, which has two stars but no script, Yemen, which has a plain white band, and that of Egypt which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band; design is based upon the Arab Liberation colors Iraq's economy is dominated by the oil sector, which has traditionally provided about 95% of foreign exchange earnings. Iraq's seizure of Kuwait in August 1990, subsequent international economic sanctions, and damage from military action by an international coalition beginning in January 1991 drastically reduced economic activity. Although government policies supporting large military and internal security forces and allocating resources to key supporters of the regime hurt the economy, implementation of the UN's oil-for-food program, which began in December 1996, helped improve conditions for the average Iraqi citizen. Iraq was allowed to export limited amounts of oil in exchange for food, medicine, and some infrastructure spare parts. In December 1999, the UN Security Council authorized Iraq to export under the program as much oil as required to meet humanitarian needs. Per capita food imports increased significantly, while medical supplies and health care services steadily improved. Per capita output and living standards were still well below the pre-1991 level, but any estimates have a wide range of error. The military victory of the US-led coalition in March-April 2003 resulted in the shutdown of much of the central economic administrative structure. Although a comparatively small amount of capital plant was damaged during the hostilities, looting, insurgent attacks, and sabotage have undermined efforts to rebuild the economy. Attacks on key economic facilities - especially oil pipelines and infrastructure - have prevented Iraq from reaching projected export volumes, but total government revenues have been higher than anticipated due to high oil prices. Despite political uncertainty, Iraq has established the institutions needed to implement economic policy, has successfully concluded a three-stage debt reduction agreement with the Paris Club, and is working toward a Standby Arrangement with the IMF. The Standby Arrangement would clear the way for continued debt relief from the Paris Club. $94.1 billion (2005 est.) $46.5 billion (2005 est.) -3% (2005 est.) $3,400 (2005 est.) agriculture: 7.3% industry: 66.6% services: 26.1% (2004 est.) 7.4 million (2004 est.) agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% 25% to 30% (2005 est.) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 33% (2005 est.) revenues: $19.3 billion expenditures: $24 billion; including capital expenditures of $5 billion (2005 budget) wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, cotton; cattle, sheep, poultry petroleum, chemicals, textiles, leather, construction materials, food processing, fertilizer, metal fabrication/processing NA% 31.7 billion kWh (2005) 33.3 billion kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2005) 2.02 billion kWh (2005) 2.093 million bbl/day; note - prewar production (in 2002) was 2.03 million bbl/day (2005 est.) 351,500 bbl/day (2005 est.) 1.42 million bbl/day (2005 est.) NA bbl/day 112.5 billion bbl (2005 est.) 1.5 billion cu m (2003 est.) 1.5 billion cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2004 est.) 0 cu m (2004 est.) 3.115 trillion cu m (2005) -$9.447 billion (2004 est.) $17.78 billion f.o.b. (2004) crude oil (83.9%), crude materials excluding fuels (8.0%), food and live animals (5.0%) US 48.8%, Italy 10.2%, Spain 6.1%, Canada 5.5% (2005) $19.57 billion f.o.b. (2004) food, medicine, manufactures Syria 23.5%, Turkey 21.5%, US 11.9%, Jordan 5.3% (2005) $9.161 billion (2005 est.) $92.33 billion (2005 est.) more than $33 billion in foreign aid pledged for 2004-07 (2004) New Iraqi dinar (NID) as of 22 January 2004 New Iraqi dinars per US dollar - 1,475 (2005), 1,890 (second half, 2003), 0.3109 (2001) calendar year 1,034,200 (2004) 574,000 (2004) general assessment: the 2003 war severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq including international connections; USAID is overseeing the repair of switching capability and the construction of mobile and satellite communication facilities domestic: repairs to switches and lines destroyed during the 2003 war continue, but sabotage remains a problem; additional switching capacity is improving access; cellular service is available and centered on three regional GSM networks, improving country-wide connectivity international: country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Arabsat (inoperative); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; despite a new satellite gateway, international calls outside of Baghdad remain problematic after 17 months of unregulated media growth, there are approximately 80 radio stations on the air inside Iraq (2004) 21 (2004) .iq 4 (2005) 36,000 (2005) 110 (2006) total: 77 over 3,047 m: 20 2,438 to 3,047 m: 37 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 9 (2006) total: 33 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 10 (2006) 8 (2006) gas 1,739 km; oil 5,418 km; refined products 1,343 km (2004) total: 2,200 km standard gauge: 2,200 km 1.435-m gauge (2005) total: 45,550 km paved: 38,399 km unpaved: 7,151 km (1999) 5,279 km note: Euphrates River (2,815 km), Tigris River (1,899 km), and Third River (565 km) are principal waterways (2004) total: 13 ships (1000 GRT or over) 67,796 GRT/101,317 DWT by type: cargo 11, petroleum tanker 2 (2006) Al Basrah, Khawr az Zubayr, Umm Qasr Iraqi Armed Forces: Iraqi Regular Army (includes Iraqi Special Operations Force, Iraqi Intervention Force), Iraqi Navy (former Iraqi Coastal Defense Force), Iraqi Air Force (former Iraqi Army Air Corps) (2005) all volunteer force; the Iraqi Government is creating a new professional Iraqi military force of men aged 18 to 40 to defend Iraq from external threats and the current insurgency (2006) males age 18-49: 5,870,640 females age 18-49: 5,642,073 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 4,930,074 females age 18-49: 4,771,105 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 198,518 females age 18-49: 289,879 (2005 est.) $1.34 billion (2005 est.) NA coalition forces assist Iraqis in monitoring boundary security; Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf; Turkey has expressed concern over the status of Kurds in Iraq Japan In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Following the Treaty of Kanagawa with the US in 1854, Japan opened its ports and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia. It occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island. In 1931-32 Japan occupied Manchuria, and in 1937 it launched a full-scale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces in 1941 - triggering America's entry into World War II - and soon occupied much of East and Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and a staunch ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, actual power rests in networks of powerful politicians, bureaucrats, and business executives. The economy experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s following three decades of unprecedented growth, but Japan still remains a major economic power, both in Asia and globally. In 2005, Japan began a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula 36 00 N, 138 00 E Asia total: 377,835 sq km land: 374,744 sq km water: 3,091 sq km note: includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto) slightly smaller than California 0 km 29,751 km territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and Western Channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north mostly rugged and mountainous lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m highest point: Mount Fuji 3,776 m negligible mineral resources, fish arable land: 11.64% permanent crops: 0.9% other: 87.46% (2005) 25,920 sq km (2003) many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis; typhoons air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and threatening aquatic life; Japan is one of the largest consumers of fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these resources in Asia and elsewhere party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling strategic location in northeast Asia 127,463,611 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 14.2% (male 9,309,524/female 8,849,476) 15-64 years: 65.7% (male 42,158,122/female 41,611,754) 65 years and over: 20% (male 10,762,585/female 14,772,150) (2006 est.) total: 42.9 years male: 41.1 years female: 44.7 years (2006 est.) 0.02% (2006 est.) 9.37 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 9.16 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 3.24 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 81.25 years male: 77.96 years female: 84.7 years (2006 est.) 1.4 children born/woman (2006 est.) less than 0.1% (2003 est.) 12,000 (2003 est.) 500 (2003 est.) noun: Japanese (singular and plural) adjective: Japanese Japanese 99%, others 1% (Korean 511,262, Chinese 244,241, Brazilian 182,232, Filipino 89,851, other 237,914) note: up to 230,000 Brazilians of Japanese origin migrated to Japan in the 1990s to work in industries; some have returned to Brazil (2004) observe both Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16% (including Christian 0.7%) Japanese definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2002) conventional long form: none conventional short form: Japan local long form: Nihon-koku/Nippon-koku local short form: Nihon/Nippon constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government name: Tokyo geographic coordinates: 35 42 N, 139 46 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gunma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Yamanashi 660 B.C. (traditional founding by Emperor JIMMU) Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933) 3 May 1947 modeled after European civil law system with English-American influence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations 20 years of age; universal chief of state: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989) head of government: Prime Minister Shinzo ABE (since 26 September 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: Diet designates prime minister; constitution requires that prime minister commands parliamentary majority; following legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader of majority coalition in House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister; monarch is hereditary election results: ABE was elected prime minister with 339 of 476 votes cast in the House of Representatives and 136 of 240 votes cast in the House of Councilors. bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of the House of Councillors or Sangi-in (242 seats - members elected for six-year terms; half reelected every three years; 146 members in multi-seat constituencies and 96 by proportional representation) and the House of Representatives or Shugi-in (480 seats - members elected for four-year terms; 300 in single-seat constituencies; 180 members by proportional representation in 11 regional blocs) elections: House of Councillors - last held 11 July 2004 (next to be held in July 2007); House of Representatives - last held 11 September 2005 (next election by September 2009) election results: House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LDP 115, DPJ 82, Komeito 24, JCP 9, SDP 5, others 7; distribution of seats as of January 2006 - LDP 112, DPJ 83, Komeito 24, JCP 9, SDP 6, others 8 : House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - LDP 47.8%, DPJ 36.4%, others 15.8%; seats by party - LDP 296, DPJ 113, Komeito 31, JCP 9, SDP 7, others 24; distribution of seats as of January 2006 - LDP 294, DPJ 112, Komeito 31, JCP 9, SDP 7, others 27 (2006) Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the monarch after designation by the cabinet; all other justices are appointed by the cabinet) Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ [Ichiro OZAWA]; Japan Communist Party or JCP [Kazuo SHII]; Komeito [Akihoro OTA]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Shinzo ABE]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Mizuho FUKUSHIMA] NA AfDB, APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAIA, MIGA, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMOVIC, UNRWA, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC chief of mission: Ambassador Ryozo KATO chancery: 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-6700 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2187 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Agana (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, Seattle consulate(s): Anchorage, Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands) chief of mission: Ambassador J. Thomas SCHIEFFER embassy: 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 mailing address: Unit 45004, Box 258, APO AP 96337-5004 telephone: [81] (03) 3224-5000 FAX: [81] (03) 3505-1862 consulate(s) general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo consulate(s): Fukuoka, Nagoya white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center Government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1% of GDP) helped Japan advance with extraordinary rapidity to the rank of second most technologically powerful economy in the world after the US and the third-largest economy in the world after the US and China, measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis. One notable characteristic of the economy is how manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors work together in closely-knit groups called keiretsu. A second basic feature has been the guarantee of lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor force. Both features are now eroding. Japan's industrial sector is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuels. The tiny agricultural sector is highly subsidized and protected, with crop yields among the highest in the world. Usually self sufficient in rice, Japan must import about 60% of its food on a caloric basis. Japan maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch. For three decades, overall real economic growth had been spectacular - a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s, and a 4% average in the 1980s. Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the after effects of overinvestment during the late 1980s and contractionary domestic policies intended to wring speculative excesses from the stock and real estate markets and to force a restructuring of the economy. From 2000 to 2003, government efforts to revive economic growth met with little success and were further hampered by the slowing of the US, European, and Asian economies. In 2004 and 2005, growth improved and the lingering fears of deflation in prices and economic activity lessened. Japan's huge government debt, which totals 170% of GDP, and the aging of the population are two major long-run problems. Some fear that a rise in taxes could endanger the current economic recovery. Internal conflict over the proper way to reform the financial system will continue as Japan Post's banking, insurance, and delivery services undergo privatization between 2007 and 2017. $4.018 trillion (2005 est.) $4.664 trillion (2005 est.) 2.7% (2005 est.) $31,500 (2005 est.) agriculture: 1.7% industry: 25.8% services: 72.5% (2005 est.) 66.4 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 4.6% industry: 27.8% services: 67.7% (2004) 4.4% (2005 est.) NA% lowest 10%: 4.8% highest 10%: 21.7% (1993) 37.9 (2000) -0.3% (2005 est.) 23.2% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $1.429 trillion expenditures: $1.775 trillion; including capital expenditures (public works only) of about $71 billion (2005 est.) 158% of GDP (2005 est.) rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit; pork, poultry, dairy products, eggs; fish among world's largest and technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods 1.5% (2005 est.) 1.017 trillion kWh (2003) 946.3 billion kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 120,700 bbl/day (2003 est.) 5.578 million bbl/day (2003 est.) 93,360 bbl/day (2001) 5.449 million bbl/day (2001) 29.29 million bbl (1 January 2002) 2.814 billion cu m (2003 est.) 86.51 billion cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 77.73 billion cu m (2001 est.) 39.64 billion cu m (1 January 2002) $165.6 billion (2005 est.) $550.5 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) transport equipment, motor vehicles, semiconductors, electrical machinery, chemicals US 22.9%, China 13.4%, South Korea 7.8%, Taiwan 7.3%, Hong Kong 6.1% (2005) $451.1 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and equipment, fuels, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, raw materials (2001) China 21%, US 12.7%, Saudi Arabia 5.5%, UAE 4.9%, Australia 4.7%, South Korea 4.7%, Indonesia 4% (2005) $835.5 billion (2005 est.) $1.545 trillion (31 December 2004) ODA, $8.9 billion (2004) yen (JPY) yen per US dollar - 110.22 (2005), 108.19 (2004), 115.93 (2003), 125.39 (2002), 121.53 (2001) 1 April - 31 March 58.788 million (2004) 91,473,900 (2004) general assessment: excellent domestic and international service domestic: high level of modern technology and excellent service of every kind international: country code - 81; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region), and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean regions); submarine cables to China, Philippines, Russia, and US (via Guam) (1999) AM 215 plus 370 repeaters, FM 89 plus 485 repeaters, shortwave 21 (2001) 211 plus 7,341 repeaters note: in addition, US Forces are served by 3 TV stations and 2 TV cable services (1999) .jp 21,304,292 (2005) 86.3 million (2005) 175 (2006) total: 145 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 39 914 to 1,523 m: 28 under 914 m: 30 (2006) total: 30 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 26 (2006) 15 (2006) gas 2,719 km; oil 170 km; oil/gas/water 60 km (2004) total: 23,556 km standard gauge: 3,204 km 1.435-m gauge (3,204 km electrified) narrow gauge: 77 km 1.372-m gauge (77 km electrified); 20,264 km 1.067-m gauge (13,280 km electrified); 11 km 0.762-m gauge (11 km electrified) (2005) total: 1.183 million km paved: 925,000 km (including 6,946 km of expressways) unpaved: 258,000 km (2003) 1,770 km (seagoing vessels use inland seas) (2006) total: 683 ships (1000 GRT or over) 10,415,892 GRT/11,765,038 DWT by type: bulk carrier 134, cargo 30, chemical tanker 20, container 11, liquefied gas 59, passenger 14, passenger/cargo 149, petroleum tanker 156, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 51, vehicle carrier 56 registered in other countries: 2,459 (Australia 1, Bahamas 51, Belize 2, Burma 4, Cambodia 4, Cayman Islands 1, China 3, Cyprus 17, French Southern and Antarctic Lands 4, Honduras 4, Hong Kong 67, Indonesia 3, Isle of Man 4, South Korea 1, Liberia 102, Malaysia 4, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 7, Mongolia 1, Norway 1, Panama 2007, Philippines 26, Portugal 9, Singapore 100, Sweden 2, Thailand 4, Vanuatu 28, unknown 1) (2006) Chiba, Kawasaki, Kiire, Kisarazu, Kobe, Mizushima, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Yohohama Japanese Defense Agency (JDA): Ground Self-Defense Force (Rikujou Jietai, GSDF), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijou Jietai, MSDF), Air Self-Defense Force (Koukuu Jietai, ASDF) (2006) 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001) males age 18-49: 27,003,112 females age 18-49: 26,153,482 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 22,234,663 females age 18-49: 21,494,947 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 683,147 females age 18-49: 650,157 (2005 est.) $44.31 billion (2005 est.) 1% (2005 est.) Jersey Jersey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy that held sway in both France and England. These islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. Jersey is a British crown dependency, but is not part of the UK. Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of France 49 15 N, 2 10 W Europe total: 116 sq km land: 116 sq km water: 0 sq km about two-thirds the size of Washington, DC 0 km 70 km territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm temperate; mild winters and cool summers gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 143 m arable land arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) NA NA NA largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier 91,084 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 17.2% (male 8,139/female 7,552) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 30,407/female 30,691) 65 years and over: 15.7% (male 6,299/female 7,996) (2006 est.) total: 41.4 years male: 40.7 years female: 42.1 years (2006 est.) 0.28% (2006 est.) 9.3 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 9.28 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 2.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 5.16 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.52 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 79.38 years male: 76.89 years female: 82.05 years (2006 est.) 1.58 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA NA NA noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander Jersey 51.1%, British 34.8%, Irish, French, and other white 6.6%, Portuguese/Madeiran 6.4%, other 1.1% (2001 census) Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational New Church, Methodist, Presbyterian English 94.5% (official), Portuguese 4.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census) definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% conventional long form: Bailiwick of Jersey conventional short form: Jersey British crown dependency NA name: Saint Helier geographic coordinates: 49 12 N, 2 07 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October none (British crown dependency) none (British crown dependency) Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice English law and local statute; justice is administered by the Royal Court NA years of age; universal adult chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Lieutenant Governor Andrew RIDGEWAY (since 14 June 2006); Bailiff Philip Martin BAILHACHE (since February 1995) cabinet: committees appointed by the Assembly of the States elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch unicameral Assembly of the States (55 voting members - 12 senators (elected for six-year terms), 12 constables or heads of parishes (elected for three-year terms), 29 deputies (elected for three-year terms); the bailiff and the deputy bailiff; and three non-voting members - the Dean of Jersey, the Attorney General, and the Solicitor General all appointed by the monarch) elections: last held NA (next to be held NA); note - on 23 November 2005, 29 deputies, independents, were elected election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 55 Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the bailiff) none; all independents none none (British crown dependency) none (British crown dependency) white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of the flag; in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a red shield with the three lions of England in yellow Jersey's economy is based on international financial services, agriculture, and tourism. In 1996, the finance sector accounted for about 60% of the island's output. Potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes, and especially flowers are important export crops, shipped mostly to the UK. The Jersey breed of dairy cattle is known worldwide and represents an important export income earner. Milk products go to the UK and other EU countries. Tourism accounts for 24% of GDP. In recent years, the government has encouraged light industry to locate in Jersey, with the result that an electronics industry has developed alongside the traditional manufacturing of knitwear. All raw material and energy requirements are imported, as well as a large share of Jersey's food needs. Light taxes and death duties make the island a popular tax haven. Living standards come close to those of the UK. $3.6 billion (2003 est.) NA NA% $40,000 (2003 est.) agriculture: 5% industry: 2% services: 93% (1996) 52,790 (2004) 0.9% (2004 est.) NA% lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% 5.3% (2004) revenues: $601 million expenditures: $588 million; including capital expenditures of $98 million (2000 est.) potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes; beef, dairy products tourism, banking and finance, dairy NA% 630.1 million kWh (2004 est.) NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by France $NA light industrial and electrical goods, foodstuffs, textiles UK (2004) $NA machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, mineral fuels, chemicals UK (2004) $NA $0 British pound (GBP); note - there is also a Jersey pound Jersey pounds per US dollar - 0.55 (2005), 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003), 0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001) note: the Jersey pound is at par with the British pound 1 April - 31 March 73,900 (2001) 81,200 (2003) general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: 3 submarine cables AM NA, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) 2 (1997) .je 1,162 (2005) 27,000 (2005) 1 (2006) total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006) total: 577 km Gorey, Saint Aubin, Saint Helier defense is the responsibility of the UK Jamaica The island - discovered by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1494 - was settled by the Spanish early in the 16th century. The native Taino Indians, who had inhabited Jamaica for centuries, were gradually exterminated, replaced by African slaves. England siezed the island in 1655 and a plantation economy - based on sugar, cocoa, and coffee - was established. The abolition of slavery in 1834 freed a quarter million slaves, many of which became small farmers. Jamaica gradually obtained increasing independence from Britain, and in 1958 it joined other British Caribbean colonies in forming the Federation of the West Indies. Jamaica gained full independence when it withdrew from the federation in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence as rival gangs created by the major political parties evolved into powerful organized crime networks involved in international drug smuggling and money laundering. The cycle of violence, drugs, and poverty has served to impoverish large sectors of the populace. Nonetheless, many rural and resort areas remain relatively safe and contribute substantially to the economy. Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba 18 15 N, 77 30 W Central America and the Caribbean total: 10,991 sq km land: 10,831 sq km water: 160 sq km slightly smaller than Connecticut 0 km 1,022 km measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior mostly mountains, with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Blue Mountain Peak 2,256 m bauxite, gypsum, limestone arable land: 15.83% permanent crops: 10.01% other: 74.16% (2005) 250 sq km (2002) hurricanes (especially July to November) heavy rates of deforestation; coastal waters polluted by industrial waste, sewage, and oil spills; damage to coral reefs; air pollution in Kingston results from vehicle emissions party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the main sea lanes for the Panama Canal 2,758,124 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 33.1% (male 464,297/female 449,181) 15-64 years: 59.6% (male 808,718/female 835,394) 65 years and over: 7.3% (male 90,100/female 110,434) (2006 est.) total: 23 years male: 22.4 years female: 23.5 years (2006 est.) 0.8% (2006 est.) 20.82 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 6.52 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -6.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 15.98 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 73.24 years male: 71.54 years female: 75.03 years (2006 est.) 2.41 children born/woman (2006 est.) 1.2% (2003 est.) 22,000 (2003 est.) 900 (2003 est.) noun: Jamaican(s) adjective: Jamaican black 90.9%, East Indian 1.3%, white 0.2%, Chinese 0.2%, mixed 7.3%, other 0.1% Protestant 61.3% (Church of God 21.2%, Seventh-Day Adventist 9%, Baptist 8.8%, Pentecostal 7.6%, Anglican 5.5%, Methodist 2.7%, United Church 2.7%, Jehovah's Witness 1.6%, Brethren 1.1%, Moravian 1.1%), Roman Catholic 4%, other including some spiritual cults 34.7% English, patois English definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 87.9% male: 84.1% female: 91.6% (2003 est.) conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jamaica constitutional parliamentary democracy name: Kingston geographic coordinates: 18 00 N, 76 48 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) 14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, Westmoreland note: for local government purposes, Kingston and Saint Andrew were amalgamated in 1923 into the present single corporate body known as the Kingston and Saint Andrew Corporation 6 August 1962 (from UK) Independence Day, 6 August (1962) 6 August 1962 based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Kenneth O. HALL (since 15 February 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Portia SIMPSON-MILLER (since 30 March 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition in the House of Representatives is appointed prime minister by the governor general; the deputy prime minister is recommended by the prime minister bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (a 21-member body appointed by the governor general on the recommendations of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; ruling party is allocated 13 seats, and the opposition is allocated eight seats) and the House of Representatives (60 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 16 October 2002 (next to be held no later than October 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - PNP 52%, JLP 47.3%; seats by party - PNP 34, JLP 26 Supreme Court (judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal Jamaica Labor Party or JLP [Bruce GOLDING]; National Democratic Movement or NDM [Hyacinth BENNETT]; People's National Party or PNP [Percival James PATTERSON] New Beginnings Movement or NBM; Rastafarians (black religious/racial cultists, pan-Africanists) ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Gordon SHIRLEY chancery: 1520 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 452-0660 FAX: [1] (202) 452-0081 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York chief of mission: Ambassador Brenda LaGrange JOHNSON embassy: Jamaica Mutual Life Center, 2 Oxford Road, 3rd floor, Kingston 5 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [1] (876) 929-4850 through 4859 FAX: [1] (876) 935-6001 diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles - green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and outer side) The Jamaican economy is heavily dependent on services, which now account for 60% of GDP. The country continues to derive most of its foreign exchange from remittances, tourism, and bauxite/alumina. The global economic slowdown, particularly after the terrorist attacks in the US on 11 September 2001, stunted economic growth; the economy rebounded moderately in 2003-04, with brisk tourist seasons. But the economy faces serious long-term problems: high interest rates, increased foreign competition, exchange rate instability, a sizable merchandise trade deficit, large-scale unemployment and underemployment, and a growing stock of internal debt - the result of government bailouts to ailing sectors of the economy, most notably the financial sector in the mid-1990s. The ratio of debt to GDP is 135%. Inflation, previously a bright spot, is expected to remain in the double digits. Uncertain economic conditions have led to increased civil unrest, including gang violence fueled by the drug trade. In 2004, the government faced the difficult prospect of having to achieve fiscal discipline in order to maintain debt payments while simultaneously attacking a serious and growing crime problem that is hampering economic growth. Attempts at deficit control were derailed by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004, which required substantial government spending to repair the damage. Despite the hurricane, tourism looks set to enjoy solid growth for the foreseeable future. $12.17 billion (2005 est.) $9.127 billion (2005 est.) 1.5% (2005 est.) $4,400 (2005 est.) agriculture: 4.9% industry: 33.7% services: 61.5% (2005 est.) 1.2 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 19.3% industry: 16.6% services: 64.1% (2004) 11.5% (2005 est.) 19.1% (2003 est.) lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 30.3% (2000) 37.9 (2003) 15.3% (2005 est.) 32.4% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $2.8 billion expenditures: $3.21 billion; including capital expenditures of $180.4 million (2005 est.) 128.7% of GDP (2005 est.) sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus, yams, ackees, vegetables; poultry, goats, milk; crustaceans, mollusks tourism, bauxite/alumina, agro processing, light manufactures, rum, cement, metal, paper, chemical products, telecommunications -2% (2000 est.) 3.717 billion kWh (2004) 2.974 billion kWh (2004) 0 kWh (2004) 0 kWh (2004) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 69,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) -$974 million (2005 est.) $1.608 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.) alumina, bauxite, sugar, bananas, rum, coffee, yams, beverages, chemicals, wearing apparel, mineral fuels US 25.8%, Canada 19.3%, UK 10.7%, Netherlands 8.6%, China 7%, Norway 6.4%, Germany 5.6% (2005) $4.093 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.) food and other consumer goods, industrial supplies, fuel, parts and accessories of capital goods, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials US 41.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 14%, Venezuela 5.5%, Japan 4.6% (2005) $2.17 billion (2005 est.) $7.162 billion (2005 est.) $18.5 million; note - US aid only (2004) Jamaican dollar (JMD) Jamaican dollars per US dollar - 62.51 (2005), 61.197 (2004), 57.741 (2003), 48.416 (2002), 45.996 (2001) 1 April - 31 March 342,000 (2005) 2.2 million (2004) general assessment: fully automatic domestic telephone network domestic: NA international: country code - 1-876; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); 3 coaxial submarine cables AM 10, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) 7 (1997) .jm 1,271 (2005) 1.067 million (2005) 35 (2006) total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 5 (2006) total: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 22 (2006) total: 272 km standard gauge: 272 km 1.435-m gauge note: 207 of these km belonging to the Jamaica Railway Corporation had been in common carrier service until 1992 but are no longer operational; 57 km of the remaining track is privately owned and used by ALCAN to transport bauxite (2003) total: 18,700 km paved: 13,009 km unpaved: 5,610 km (1999) total: 10 ships (1000 GRT or over) 124,323 GRT/184,247 DWT by type: bulk carrier 5, cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 10 (Germany 3, Greece 6, Italy 1) (2006) Kingston, Port Esquivel, Port Kaiser, Port Rhoades, Rocky Point Jamaica Defense Force: Ground Forces, Coast Guard, Air Wing 18 years of age for voluntary military service; younger recruits may be conscripted with parental consent (2001) males age 18-49: 592,018 females age 18-49: 616,500 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 478,761 females age 18-49: 504,541 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 27,923 females age 18-49: 27,889 (2005 est.) $31.17 million (2003 est.) 0.4% (2003 est.) none Jan Mayen This desolate, mountainous island was named after a Dutch whaling captain who indisputably discovered it in 1614 (earlier claims are inconclusive). Visited only occasionally by seal hunters and trappers over the following centuries, the island came under Norwegian sovereignty in 1929. The long dormant Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg volcano resumed activity in 1970; it is the northernmost active volcano on earth. Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland 71 00 N, 8 00 W Arctic Region total: 377 sq km land: 377 sq km water: 0 sq km slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC 0 km 124.1 km territorial sea: 4 nm contiguous zone: 10 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m highest point: Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg 2,277 m none arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) 0 sq km dominated by the volcano Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg; volcanic activity resumed in 1970 NA barren volcanic island with some moss and grass no indigenous inhabitants note: personnel operate the Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base and the weather and coastal services radio station (July 2006 est.) conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jan Mayen territory of Norway; since August 1994, administered from Oslo through the county governor (fylkesmann) of Nordland; however, authority has been delegated to a station commander of the Norwegian Defense Communication Service the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply the flag of Norway is used Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable natural resources. Economic activity is limited to providing services for employees of Norway's radio and meteorological stations on the island. AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA note: there is one radio and meteorological station (1998) 1 (2006) total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006) none; offshore anchorage only defense is the responsibility of Norway Jordan For most of its history since independence from British administration in 1946, Jordan was ruled by King HUSSEIN (1953-99). A pragmatic ruler, he successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and a large internal Palestinian population, despite several wars and coup attempts. In 1989 he reinstituted parliamentary elections and gradual political liberalization; in 1994 he signed a peace treaty with Israel. King ABDALLAH II, the son of King HUSSEIN, assumed the throne following his father's death in February 1999. Since then, he has consolidated his power and undertaken an aggressive economic reform program. Jordan acceded to the World Trade Organization in 2000, and began to participate in the European Free Trade Association in 2001. After a two-year delay, parliamentary and municipal elections took place in the summer of 2003. The prime minister appointed in December 2005 said the government would focus on political reforms, improving conditions for the poor, and fighting corruption. Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia 31 00 N, 36 00 E Middle East total: 92,300 sq km land: 91,971 sq km water: 329 sq km slightly smaller than Indiana total: 1,635 km border countries: Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 744 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km 26 km territorial sea: 3 nm mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April) mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Jabal Ram 1,734 m phosphates, potash, shale oil arable land: 3.32% permanent crops: 1.18% other: 95.5% (2005) 750 sq km (2003) droughts; periodic earthquakes limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements strategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and as the Arab country that shares the longest border with Israel and the occupied West Bank 5,906,760 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 33.8% (male 1,018,070/female 976,442) 15-64 years: 62.4% (male 1,966,794/female 1,716,255) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 111,636/female 117,563) (2006 est.) total: 23 years male: 23.7 years female: 22.4 years (2006 est.) 2.49% (2006 est.) 21.25 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 2.65 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 6.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 16.76 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.04 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 78.4 years male: 75.9 years female: 81.05 years (2006 est.) 2.63 children born/woman (2006 est.) less than 0.1% (2001 est.) 600 (2003 est.) less than 500 (2003 est.) noun: Jordanian(s) adjective: Jordanian Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1% Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several small Shi'a Muslim and Druze populations) (2001 est.) Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle classes definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.3% male: 95.9% female: 86.3% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan conventional short form: Jordan local long form: Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah local short form: Al Urdun former: Transjordan constitutional monarchy name: Amman geographic coordinates: 31 57 N, 35 56 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Thursday in March; ends last Friday in September 12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ajlun, Al 'Aqabah, Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, 'Amman, At Tafilah, Az Zarqa', Irbid, Jarash, Ma'an, Madaba 25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) Independence Day, 25 May (1946) 1 January 1952; amended 1954, 1955, 1958, 1960, 1965, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1984 based on Islamic law and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal chief of state: King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999); Prince HUSSEIN (born 1994), eldest son of King ABDALLAH, is first in line to inherit the throne head of government: Prime Minister Marouf al-BAKHIT (since 24 November 2005); Deputy Prime Minister Ziad FARIZ (since 24 November 2005) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of the Senate, also called the House of Notables (Majlis al-Ayan) (55 seats; members appointed by the monarch from designated categories of public figures; members serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives, also called the House of Deputies (Majlis al-Nuwaab) (110 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms); note - six seats are reserved for women and are allocated by a special electoral panel if no women are elected elections: House of Representatives - last held 17 June 2003 (next to be held in 2007) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - independents and other 89.6%, IAF 10.4%; seats by party - independents and other 92, IAF 18; note - one of the six quota seats was given to a female IAF candidate note: the House of Representatives has been convened and dissolved by the monarch several times since 1974; in November 1989, the first parliamentary elections in 22 years were held; political parties were not legalized until 1992; King ABDALLAH delayed the 2001 elections until 2003 Court of Cassation; Supreme Court (court of final appeal) al-Ahd Party; Arab Islamic Democratic Movement [Yusuf ABU BAKR, president]; Arab Land Party [Dr. Ayishah Salih HIJAZAYN, secretary general]; Arab Socialist Ba'th Party [Taysir al-HIMSI, secretary general]; Ba'th Arab Progressive Party [Fu'ad DABBUR, secretary general]; Freedom Party; Future Party; Islamic Action Front or IAF [Zaki Sa'ed BANI IRSHEID, secretary general]; Islamic Center Party [Marwan al-FAURI, secretary general]; Jordanian Arab Ansar Party; Jordanian Arab New Dawn Party; Jordanian Arab Party; Jordanian Citizens' Rights Movement; Jordanian Communist Party [Munir HAMARINAH, secretary general]; Jordanian Communist Workers Party; Jordanian Democratic Left Party [Musa MA'AYTEH, secretary general]; Jordanian Democratic Popular Unity Party [Sa'id Dhiyab Ali MUSTAFA, secretary general]; Jordanian Generations Party [Muhammad KHALAYLEH, secretary general]; Jordanian Green Party [Muhammad BATAYNEH, secretary general]; Jordanian Labor Party [Dr. Mazin Sulayman Jiryis HANNA, secretary general]; Jordanian Peace Party; Jordanian People's Committees Movement; Jordanian People's Democratic Party (Hashd) [Ahmad YUSUF, secretary general]; Jordanian Rafah Party; Jordanian Renaissance Party; Mission Party; Nation Party [Ahmad al-HANANDEH, secretary general]; National Action Party (Haqq) [Tariq al-KAYYALI, secretary general]; National Constitutional Party [Abdul Hadi MAJALI, secretary general]; National Popular Democratic Movement [Mahmud al-NUWAYHI, secretary general]; Progressive Party [Fawwaz al-ZUBI, secretary general] Anti-Normalization Committee [Ali Abu SUKKAR, president vice chairman]; Jordanian Bar Association [Saleh ARMOUTI, president]; Jordanian Press Association [Sayf al-SHARIF, president]; Muslim Brotherhood [Salem AL-FALAHAT, secretary general] ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Karim Tawfiq KAWAR chancery: 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-2664 FAX: [1] (202) 966-3110 chief of mission: Ambassador David M. HALE embassy: Abdoun, Amman mailing address: P. O. Box 354, Amman 11118 Jordan; Unit 70200, Box 5, APO AE 09892-0200 telephone: [962] (6) 590-6000 FAX: [962] (6) 592-0121 three equal horizontal bands of black (top), representing the Abbassid Caliphate, white, representing the Ummayyad Caliphate, and green, representing the Fatimid Caliphate; a red isosceles triangle on the hoist side, representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916, and bearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the seven verses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran; the seven points on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, national spirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations; design is based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I Jordan is a small Arab country with inadequate supplies of water and other natural resources such as oil. Debt, poverty, and unemployment are fundamental problems, but King ABDALLAH, since assuming the throne in 1999, has undertaken some broad economic reforms in a long-term effort to improve living standards. 'Amman in the past three years has worked closely with the IMF, practiced careful monetary policy, and made substantial headway with privatization. The government also has liberalized the trade regime sufficiently to secure Jordan's membership in the WTO (2000), a free trade accord with the US (2001), and an association agreement with the EU (2001). These measures have helped improve productivity and have put Jordan on the foreign investment map. Jordan imported most of its oil from Iraq, but the US-led war in Iraq in 2003 made Jordan more dependent on oil from other Gulf nations, forcing the Jordanian Government to raise retail petroleum product prices and the sales tax base. Jordan's export market, which is heavily dependent on exports to Iraq, was also affected by the war but recovered quickly while contributing to the Iraq recovery effort. The main challenges facing Jordan are reducing dependence on foreign grants, reducing the budget deficit, and creating investment incentives to promote job creation. $26.8 billion (2005 est.) $11.51 billion (2005 est.) 6.1% (2005 est.) $4,700 (2005 est.) agriculture: 3.3% industry: 28.7% services: 68% (2005 est.) 1.46 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 5% industry: 12.5% services: 82.5% (2001 est.) 12.5% official rate; unofficial rate is approximately 30% (2004 est.) 30% (2001 est.) lowest 10%: 3.3% highest 10%: 29.8% (1997) 36.4 (1997) 4.5% (2005 est.) 20.2% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $2.8 billion expenditures: $4.688 billion; including capital expenditures of $1.092 billion (2005 est.) 79.1% of GDP (2005 est.) wheat, barley, citrus, tomatoes, melons, olives; sheep, goats, poultry textiles, phosphate mining, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, cement, potash, inorganic chemicals, light manufacturing, tourism 7.5% (2005 est.) 7.517 billion kWh (2003) 7.959 billion kWh (2003) 4 million kWh (2003) 972 million kWh (2003) 40 bbl/day (2004 est.) 103,000 bbl/day (2004 est.) 0 bbl/day (2004 est.) 100,000 bbl/day (2004 est.) 445,000 bbl (1 January 2002) 390 million cu m (2003 est.) 390 million cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 0 cu m (2001 est.) 6.23 billion cu m (1 January 2002) -$1.613 billion (2005 est.) $4.226 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) clothing, phosphates, fertilizers, potash, vegetables, manufactures, pharmaceuticals US 29.3%, Iraq 15.5%, India 8.5%, Saudi Arabia 5.9% (2005) $8.681 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) crude oil, textile fabrics, machinery, transport equipment, manufactured goods Saudi Arabia 21.1%, China 8.1%, Germany 7.2%, US 6.3%, South Korea 4.1% (2005) $5.463 billion (2005 est.) $8.528 billion (2005 est.) ODA, $500 million (2004 est.) Jordanian dinar (JOD) Jordanian dinars per US dollar - 0.709 (2005), 0.709 (2004), 0.709 (2003), 0.709 (2002), 0.709 (2001) calendar year 617,300 (2004) 1,594,500 (2004) general assessment: service has improved recently with increased use of digital switching equipment, but better access to the telephone system is needed in the rural areas and easier access to pay telephones is needed by the urban public domestic: microwave radio relay transmission and coaxial and fiber-optic cable are employed on trunk lines; considerable use of mobile cellular systems; Internet service is available international: country code - 962; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat, 1 Arabsat, and 29 land and maritime Inmarsat terminals; fiber-optic cable to Saudi Arabia and microwave radio relay link with Egypt and Syria; connection to international submarine cable FLAG (Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe); participant in MEDARABTEL; international links total about 4,000 AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1999) 20 (plus 96 repeaters) (1995) .jo 2,793 (2005) 600,000 (2005) 17 (2006) total: 15 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2006) 1 (2006) gas 10 km; oil 743 km (2004) total: 505 km narrow gauge: 505 km 1.050-m gauge (2005) total: 7,364 km paved: 7,364 km (2003) total: 25 ships (1000 GRT or over) 346,698 GRT/501,060 DWT by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 9, container 2, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 4 foreign-owned: 11 (UAE 11) registered in other countries: 15 (Bahamas 2, Panama 13) (2006) Al 'Aqabah Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF): Royal Jordanian Land Force, Royal Jordanian Navy, Royal Jordanian Air Force, Special Operations Command (SOCOM); note - Public Security Directorate normally falls under Ministry of Interior but comes under JAF in wartime or crisis situations 17 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription at age 18 was suspended in 1999, although all males under age 37 are required to register; women not subject to conscription, but can volunteer to serve in non-combat military positions (2004) males age 17-49: 1,573,995 females age 17-49: 1,346,642 (2005 est.) males age 17-49: 1,348,076 females age 17-49: 1,158,011 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 60,625 females age 17-49: 58,218 (2005 est.) $1.4 billion (2005 est.) 11.4% (2005 est.) 2004 Agreement settles border dispute with Syria pending demarcation Kenya Founding president and liberation struggle icon Jomo KENYATTA led Kenya from independence in 1963 until his death in 1978, when President Daniel Toroitich arap MOI took power in a constitutional succession. The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969 until 1982 when the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) made itself the sole legal party in Kenya. MOI acceded to internal and external pressure for political liberalization in late 1991. The ethnically fractured opposition failed to dislodge KANU from power in elections in 1992 and 1997, which were marred by violence and fraud, but were viewed as having generally reflected the will of the Kenyan people. President MOI stepped down in December 2002 following fair and peaceful elections. Mwai KIBAKI, running as the candidate of the multiethnic, united opposition group, the National Rainbow Coalition, defeated KANU candidate Uhuru KENYATTA and assumed the presidency following a campaign centered on an anticorruption platform. Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania 1 00 N, 38 00 E Africa total: 582,650 sq km land: 569,250 sq km water: 13,400 sq km slightly more than twice the size of Nevada total: 3,477 km border countries: Ethiopia 861 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km 536 km territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc, diatomite, gypsum, wildlife, hydropower arable land: 8.01% permanent crops: 0.97% other: 91.02% (2005) 1,030 sq km (2003) recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasons water pollution from urban and industrial wastes; degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; poaching party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers are found on Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value 34,707,817 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 42.6% (male 7,454,765/female 7,322,130) 15-64 years: 55.1% (male 9,631,488/female 9,508,068) 65 years and over: 2.3% (male 359,354/female 432,012) (2006 est.) total: 18.2 years male: 18.1 years female: 18.3 years (2006 est.) 2.57% (2006 est.) 39.72 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 14.02 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: according to the UNHCR, by the end of 2005 Kenya was host to 233,778 refugees from neighboring countries, including Somalia 153,627, Sudan 67,556, Ethiopia 12,595 (2006 est.) at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 59.26 deaths/1,000 live births male: 61.92 deaths/1,000 live births female: 56.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 48.93 years male: 49.78 years female: 48.07 years (2006 est.) 4.91 children born/woman (2006 est.) 6.7% (2003 est.) 1.2 million (2003 est.) 150,000 (2003 est.) degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria is a high risk in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2005) noun: Kenyan(s) adjective: Kenyan Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian, European, and Arab) 1% Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, indigenous beliefs 10%, Muslim 10%, other 2% note: a large majority of Kenyans are Christian, but estimates for the percentage of the population that adheres to Islam or indigenous beliefs vary widely English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 85.1% male: 90.6% female: 79.7% (2003 est.) conventional long form: Republic of Kenya conventional short form: Kenya local long form: Republic of Kenya/Jamhuri y Kenya local short form: Kenya former: British East Africa republic name: Nairobi geographic coordinates: 1 17 S, 36 49 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 7 provinces and 1 area*; Central, Coast, Eastern, Nairobi Area*, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Western 12 December 1963 (from UK) Independence Day, 12 December (1963) 12 December 1963; amended as a republic 1964; reissued with amendments 1979, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997, 2001 based on Kenyan statutory law, Kenyan and English common law, tribal law, and Islamic law; judicial review in High Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations; constitutional amendment of 1982 making Kenya a de jure one-party state repealed in 1991 18 years of age; universal chief of state: President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002); Vice President Moody AWORI (since 25 September 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002); Vice President Moody AWORI (since 25 September 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); in addition to receiving the largest number of votes in absolute terms, the presidential candidate must also win 25% or more of the vote in at least five of Kenya's seven provinces and one area to avoid a runoff; election last held 27 December 2002 (next to be held December 2007); vice president appointed by the president election results: President Mwai KIBAKI elected; percent of vote - Mwai KIBAKI 63%, Uhuru KENYATTA 30% unicameral National Assembly or Bunge (224 seats; 210 members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms, 12 so-called "nominated" members who are appointed by the president but selected by the parties in proportion to their parliamentary vote totals, 2 ex-officio members) elections: last held 27 December 2002 (next to be held by early 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NARC 125, KANU 64, FORD-P 14, other 7; ex-officio 2; seats appointed by the president - NARC 7, KANU 4, FORD-P 1 Court of Appeal (chief justice is appointed by the president); High Court Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-People or FORD-People [Kimaniwa NYOIKE, chairman]; Kenya African National Union or KANU [Uhuru KENYATTA]; National Rainbow Coalition or NARC [Mwai KIBAKI] (the governing party) human rights groups; labor unions; Muslim organizations; National Convention Executive Council or NCEC, a proreform coalition of political parties and nongovernment organizations [Kivutha KIBWANA]; Protestant National Council of Churches of Kenya or NCCK [Mutava MUSYIMI]; Roman Catholic and other Christian churches; Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims or SUPKEM [Shaykh Abdul Gafur al-BUSAIDY] ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, EADB, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Leonard NGAITHE chancery: 2249 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-6101 FAX: [1] (202) 462-3829 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles chief of mission: Ambassador William M. BELLAMY embassy: US Embassy, United Nations Ave., Gigiri; P. O. Box 606 Village Market Nairobi mailing address: Box 21A, Unit 64100, APO AE 09831 telephone: [254] (20) 537-800 FAX: [254] (20) 537-810 three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a large warrior's shield covering crossed spears is superimposed at the center The regional hub for trade and finance in East Africa, Kenya has been hampered by corruption and by reliance upon several primary goods whose prices have remained low. In 1997, the IMF suspended Kenya's Enhanced Structural Adjustment Program due to the government's failure to maintain reforms and curb corruption. A severe drought from 1999 to 2000 compounded Kenya's problems, causing water and energy rationing and reducing agricultural output. As a result, GDP contracted by 0.2% in 2000. The IMF, which had resumed loans in 2000 to help Kenya through the drought, again halted lending in 2001 when the government failed to institute several anticorruption measures. Despite the return of strong rains in 2001, weak commodity prices, endemic corruption, and low investment limited Kenya's economic growth to 1.2%. Growth lagged at 1.1% in 2002 because of erratic rains, low investor confidence, meager donor support, and political infighting up to the elections. In the key December 2002 elections, Daniel Arap MOI's 24-year-old reign ended, and a new opposition government took on the formidable economic problems facing the nation. In 2003, progress was made in rooting out corruption and encouraging donor support. GDP grew more than 5% in 2005. $37.15 billion (2005 est.) $16.11 billion (2005 est.) 5.2% (2005 est.) $1,100 (2005 est.) agriculture: 16.3% industry: 18.8% services: 65.1% (2004 est.) 11.85 million (2005 est.) agriculture: 75% industry and services: 25% (2003 est.) 40% (2001 est.) 50% (2000 est.) lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 37.2% (2000) 44.5 (1997) 10.3% (2005 est.) 17% of GDP (2005 est.) revenues: $3.715 billion expenditures: $3.88 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.) 50.2% of GDP (2005 est.) tea, coffee, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables; dairy products, beef, pork, poultry, eggs small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products, oil refining; aluminum, steel, lead; cement, commercial ship repair, tourism 4.6% (2005 est.) 4.342 billion kWh (2003) 4.238 billion kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003) 200 million kWh (2003) 0 bbl/day (2003 est.) 52,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) NA bbl/day NA bbl/day 0 cu m (2003 est.) 0 cu m (2003 est.) -$1.543 billion (2005 est.) $3.173 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) tea, horticultural products, coffee, petroleum products, fish, cement Uganda 13.8%, UK 10.5%, US 9.5%, Netherlands 8.1%, Egypt 5.1%, Tanzania 4.7%, Pakistan 4.5% (2005) $5.126 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, motor vehicles, iron and steel, resins and plastics UAE 13.9%, Saudi Arabia 10.1%, US 10.1%, South Africa 8.1%, China 7.3%, India 6.7%, UK 5.6%, Japan 4% (2005) $1.799 billion (2005 est.) $7.391 billion (2005 est.) $453 million (1997) Kenyan shilling (KES) Kenyan shillings per US dollar - 75.554 (2005), 79.174 (2004), 75.936 (2003), 78.749 (2002), 78.563 (2001) 1 July - 30 June 281,800 (2005) 2,546,200 (2004) general assessment: unreliable; little attempt to modernize except for service to business domestic: trunks are primarily microwave radio relay; business data commonly transferred by a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system international: country code - 254; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat AM 24, FM 18, shortwave 6 (2001) 8 (2002) .ke 11,645 (2005) 1.5 million (2005) 225 (2006) total: 15 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2006) total: 210 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 115 under 914 m: 84 (2006) refined products 752 km (2004) total: 2,778 km narrow gauge: 2,778 km 1.000-m gauge (2005) total: 63,000 km (interurban roads) paved: 7,623 km unpaved: 55,377 km note: there also are 100,000 km of rural roads and 14,500 km of urban roads for a national total of 177,500 km (2004) part of Lake Victoria system is within boundaries of Kenya (2003) total: 3 ships (1000 GRT or over) 6,049 GRT/7,082 DWT by type: passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1 registered in other countries: 6 (Bahamas 1, Comoros 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Tuvalu 1, unknown 1) (2006) Mombasa Army, Navy, Air Force 18 years of age (est.) (2004) males age 18-49: 7,303,153 females age 18-49: 7,083,726 (2005 est.) males age 18-49: 3,963,532 females age 18-49: 3,471,926 (2005 est.) $280.5 million (2005 est.) 1.6% (2005 est.) Kenya served as an important mediator in brokering Sudan's north-south separation in February 2005; Kenya provides shelter to approximately a quarter of a million refugees including Ugandans who flee across the border periodically to seek protection from Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels; the Kenya-Somalia border is open to pastoralists and is susceptible to cross-border clan insurgencies; Kenya's administrative limits extend beyond the treaty border into the Sudan, creating the Ilemi Triangle refugees (country of origin): 153,627 (Somalia) 12,595 (Ethiopia) 67,556 (Sudan) IDPs: 360,000 (KANU attacks on opposition tribal groups in 1990s) (2005) Kyrgyzstan A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864; it achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Nationwide demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of President Askar AKAYEV, who had run the country since 1990. Subsequent presidential elections in July 2005 were won overwhelmingly by former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIYEV. Current concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises, expansion of democracy and political freedoms, reduction of corruption, improving interethnic relations, and combating terrorism. Central Asia, west of China 41 00 N, 75 00 E Asia total: 198,500 sq km land: 191,300 sq km water: 7,200 sq km slightly smaller than South Dakota total: 3,878 km border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m abundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc arable land: 6.55% permanent crops: 0.28% other: 93.17% note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth walnut forest (2005) 10,720 sq km (2003) NA water pollution; many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes 5,213,898 (July 2006 est.) 0-14 years: 30.9% (male 821,976/female 789,687) 15-64 years: 62.9% (male 1,607,396/female 1,669,612) 65 years and over: 6.2% (male 126,847/female 198,380) (2006 est.) total: 23.6 years male: 22.8 years female: 24.5 years (2006 est.) 1.32% (2006 est.) 22.8 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 7.08 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) -2.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.) total: 34.49 deaths/1,000 live births male: 39.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) total population: 68.49 years male: 64.48 years female: 72.7 years (2006 est.) 2.69 children born/woman (2006 est.) less than 0.1% (2001 est.) 3,900 (2003 est.) less than 200 (2003 est.) noun: Kyrgyzstani(s) adjective: Kyrgyzstani Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uygur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census) Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5% Kyrgyz (official), Russian (official) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.7% male: 99.3% female: 98.1% (1999 est.) conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy local short