The CIA World Factbook 1992/k3bimage.iso/cia/cia3txt.txt

Text File | 1992-04-10 | 1.8 MB | 1 lines

[000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000005064~000000101~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]INTRODUCTION~~   The CIA World Fact Book has been compiled from information availablefrom the Central Intelligence Agency as as well as other sources. Asin all intelligence gathering organizations the information keepschanging rapidly and frequently.  Electronic Publishing Studios,Inc. will in some instances update or enhance the informationcontent of the publication to reflect changes that have occurred inthe world or as new knowledge becomes available.  The publication is organized as follows~:             1.  A list of keywords - this index has all the words                        of the text indexed for fast retrieval as                        well as phrases, accronims and multi-word                        names such as:                                family-owned                                Fidel Castro Ruz                                Fatherland Front                                Fedaiyin Islam Organization         2.  Table of Contents - this index consists of the main                        topic ussually the country name, section                        within main topic (indented once) and topic                        within section (indented twice).             3.  Country index - this index is by main topic,                        normally the country name.             4.  Section - in most cases each country will consist                        of the same set of sections:                                Geography                                People                                Government                                Economy                                Communications                                Defense Forces                        Once have made your choice of section you                        may go from country to country to the same                        section by hitting the plus (+) or minus (-)                        keys to go foward or backwards.         5.  Topic - is a subdivision within 'Section' the                        same features as in Section apply when                        you use the plus (+) and minu (-) keys.   Once a selection is made the text will be displayed. On this screenyou will have several choices.  These are:              1.  To scroll up and down one line use the Up and Down                        arrows respectively.             2.  To scroll one screen at a time use the 'Page Up' or                        'Page Down' arrows.             3.  Use the Home or End keys to go to the top or                        bottom of the screen             4.  The 'Esc' key ALWAYS takes you to the prior screen             5.  The top of the selection screen will have several                        choices.  These are activated by pressing                        the letter that is in a different color.                        The Search option will provide two choices                        these are:                        a. From Key Word Selection Box                                       and                        b. Enter the specified word (this choice                           permits you to enter multiple word                           phrases)                        Both searches will only be performed on the                        country being displayed NOT GLOBALLY.             6.  The function key F3 and F4 will take you to the                        next or prior Country regardless of the                        search being performed.             7.  The plus (+) and minus (-) keys will take you to                        the nex or prior set of hits for the                        search you are performing.  This keys will                        take you across Countries if necessary.                        NOTE: If you perform a 'Search' within the                        Country or use the F3 or F4 keys the                        search originally performed is not                        remembered. The screens are well self documented.  The opening screen willpresent you with the choice of index. The selection is made by usingthe up or down arrow to highlight the choice then pressing the'Enter' key to select it.  On the index you may select entries inthe same manner as well as by typing the letters of the word you aresearching for and see how you approximate the choice.   We hope that you enjoy this publication. More comprehensivepublications are being prepared as well as the EPS, Inc.Professional Retrieval System to provide you with additionalfeatures, annotation capabilities and data updating and enhancing onyour hard disk.   If you have any questions please give us a call at [phone] andwe will try to assist you.  If you are interested in publishing yourown data or company data please feel free to call and ask for apublishing specialist.  ~[000000001~000005067~000000000~000000000~000009650~000000107~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Afghanistan~
Geography~Total area~: 647,500 km2; land area: 647,500 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Texas~Land boundaries~: 5,826 km total; China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan2,430 km, USSR 2,384 km~Coastline~: none--landlocked~Maritime claims~: none--landlocked~Disputes~: Pashtun question with Pakistan; Baloch question with Iranand Pakistan; periodic disputes with Iran over Helmand water rights;insurgency with Iranian and Pakistani involvement; traditionaltribal rivalries~Climate~: arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers~Terrain~: mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest~Natural resources~: natural gas, crude oil, coal, copper, talc,barites, sulphur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious andsemiprecious stones~Land use~: 12% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 46% meadows andpastures; 3% forest and woodland; 39% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; soildegradation, desertification, overgrazing, deforestation, pollution~Note~: landlocked~
People~Population~: 15,862,293 (July 1990), growth rate 7.7% (1990)~Birth rate~: 44 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 18 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 51 migrants/1,000 population (1990); note--thereare flows across the border in both directions, but data arefragmentary and unreliable~Infant mortality rate~: 154 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 47 years male, 46 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 6.4 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Afghan(s); adjective--Afghan~Ethnic divisions~: 50% Pashtun, 25% Tajik, 9% Uzbek, 12-15% Hazara;minor ethnic groups include Chahar Aimaks, Turkmen, Baloch, andothers~Religion~: 74% Sunni Muslim, 15% Shia Muslim, 11% other~Language~: 50% Pashtu, 35% Afghan Persian (Dari), 11% Turkic languages(primarily Uzbek and Turkmen), 4% thirty minor languages (primarilyBalochi and Pashai); much bilingualism~Literacy~: 12%~Labor force~: 4,980,000; 67.8% agriculture and animal husbandry, 10.2%industry, 6.3% construction, 5.0% commerce, 10.7% services and other(1980 est.)~Organized labor~: some small government-controlled unions~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Afghanistan~Type~: authoritarian~Capital~: Kabul~Administrative divisions~: 30 provinces (velayat, singular--velayat);Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni,Ghowr, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabol, Kandahar, Kapisa, Konar,Kondoz, Laghman, Lowgar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Oruzgan, Paktia,Paktika, Parvan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Takhar, Vardak, Zabol;note--there may be a new province of Nurestan (Nuristan)~Independence~: 19 August 1919 (from UK)~Constitution~: adopted 30 November 1987~Legal system~: has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Anniversary of the Saur Revolution, 27 April (1978)~Executive branch~: president, four vice presidents, prime minister,deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: bicameral National Assembly (Meli Shura) consistsof an upper house or Senate (Sena) and a lower house or House ofRepresentatives (Wolasi Jirgah)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President (Mohammad)NAJIBULLAH (Ahmadzai) (since 30 November 1987); Chairman of theCouncil of Ministers Executive Committee Soltan Ali KESHTMAND (since21 February 1989); Prime Minister Fazil Haq KHALIQYAR (since 21 May1990)~Political parties and leaders~: only party--the People's DemocraticParty of Afghanistan (PDPA) has two factions--the Parchami factionhas been in power since December 1979 and members of the deposedKhalqi faction continue to hold some important posts mostly in themilitary and Ministry of Interior; nonparty figures hold some posts~Suffrage~: universal, male ages 15-50~Elections~: Senate--last held NA April 1988 (next to be held April1991); results--PDPA is the only party; seats--(192 total, 115elected) PDPA 115;  House of Representatives--last held NA April 1988 (next to be heldApril 1993); results--PDPA is the only party; seats--(234 total)PDPA 184, 50 seats reserved for opposition~Communists~: the PDPA claims 200,000 members (1988)~Other political or pressure groups~: the military and other branchesof internal security have been rebuilt by the USSR; insurgencycontinues throughout the country; widespread anti-Soviet andantiregime sentiment and opposition on religious and politicalgrounds~Member of~: ADB, CCC, Colombo Plan, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, IDA, IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,INTELSAT, ITU, NAM, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO, WSG;suspended from OIC in January 1980~Diplomatic representation~: Minister-Counselor, Charge d'AffairesMIAGOL; Chancery at 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008;telephone [phone] or 3771; US--Charge d'Affaires (vacant);Embassy at Ansari Wat, Wazir Akbar Khan Mina, Kabul; telephone 62230through 62235 or 62436; note--US Embassy in Kabul was closed inJanuary 1989~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and greenwith the national coat of arms superimposed on the hoist side of theblack and red bands; similar to the flag of Malawi which is shorterand bears a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band~
Economy~Overview~: Fundamentally, Afghanistan is an extremely poor, landlockedcountry, highly dependent on farming (wheat especially) andlivestock raising (sheep and goats). Economic considerations,however, have played second fiddle to political and militaryupheavals, including the nine-year Soviet military occupation (ended15 February 1989) and the continuing bloody civil war. Over the pastdecade, one-third of the population has fled the country, withPakistan sheltering some 3 million refugees and Iran perhaps 2million. Another 1 million have probably moved into and around urbanareas within Afghanistan. Large numbers of bridges, buildings, andfactories have been destroyed or damaged by military action orsabotage. Government claims to the contrary, gross domestic productalmost certainly is lower than 10 years ago because of the loss oflabor and capital and the disruption of trade and transport.Official claims indicate that agriculture grew by 0.7% and industryby 3.5% in 1988.~GDP~: $3 billion, per capita $200; real growth rate 0% (1989 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: over 50% (1989 est.)~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues NA; expenditures $646.7 million, including capitalexpenditures of $370.2 million (FY87 est.)~Exports~: $512 million (f.o.b., FY88); commodities--natural gas 55%,fruits and nuts 24%, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides, andpelts; partners--mostly USSR and Eastern Europe~Imports~: $996 million (c.i.f., FY88); commodities--food and petroleumproducts; partners--mostly USSR and Eastern Europe~External debt~: $1.8 billion (December 1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate 6.2% (FY89 plan)~Electricity~: 480,000 kW capacity; 1,470 million kWh produced, 100 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture,shoes, fertilizer, and cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, oil,coal, copper~Agriculture~: largely subsistence farming and nomadic animalhusbandry; cash products--wheat, fruits, nuts, karakul pelts, wool,mutton~Illicit drugs~: an illicit producer of opium poppy and cannabis forthe international drug trade; world's second largest opium producer(after Burma) and a major source of hashish~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $265 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$419 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $57 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $4.1 billion~Currency~: afghani (plural--afghanis); 1 afghani (Af) = 100 puls~Exchange rates~: afghanis (Af) per US$1--50.6 (fixed rate since 1982)~Fiscal year~: 21 March-20 March~
Communications~Railroads~: 9.6 km (single track) 1.524-meter gauge from Kushka (USSR)to Towraghondi and 15.0 km from Termez (USSR) to Kheyrabadtransshipment point on south bank of Amu Darya~Highways~: 21,000 km total (1984); 2,800 km hard surface, 1,650 kmbituminous-treated gravel and improved earth, 16,550 km unimprovedearth and tracks~Inland waterways~: total navigability 1,200 km; chiefly Amu Darya,which handles steamers up to about 500 metric tons~Pipelines~: petroleum, oil, and lubricants pipelines--USSR to Bagramand USSR to Shindand; natural gas, 180 km~Ports~: Shir Khan and Kheyrabad (river ports)~Civil air~: 2 TU-154, 2 Boeing 727, assorted smaller transports~Airports~: 38 total, 34 usable; 9 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 10 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 15 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: limited telephone, telegraph, and radiobroadcastservices; television introduced in 1980; 31,200 telephones;stations--5 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 satellite earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Armed Forces (Army; Air and Air Defense Forces); BorderGuard Forces; National Police Force (Sarandoi); Ministry of StateSecurity (WAD); Tribal Militia~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 3,880,124; 2,080,725 fit for militaryservice; 168,021 reach military age (22) annually~Defense expenditures~: 9.1% of GDP (1984) ~[000000002~000014720~000000000~000000000~000008236~000000085~000005067~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Albania~
Geography~Total area~: 28,750 km2; land area: 27,400 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Maryland~Land boundaries~: 768 km total; Greece 282 km, Yugoslavia 486 km~Coastline~: 362 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: not specified;  Territorial sea: 15 nm~Disputes~: Kosovo question with Yugoslavia; Northern Epirus questionwith Greece~Climate~: mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, drysummers; interior is cooler and wetter~Terrain~: mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast~Natural resources~: crude oil, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper,timber, nickel~Land use~: 21% arable land; 4% permanent crops; 15% meadows andpastures; 38% forest and woodland; 22% other; includes 1% irrigated~Environment~: subject to destructive earthquakes; tsunami occur alongsouthwestern coast; deforestation seems to be slowing~Note~: strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Seato Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)~
People~Population~: 3,273,131 (July 1990), growth rate 1.9% (1990)~Birth rate~: 25 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 52 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 72 years male, 78 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 3.0 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Albanian(s); adjective--Albanian~Ethnic divisions~: Albanian 90%, Greeks 8%, other 2% (Vlachs, Gypsies,Serbs, and Bulgarians) (1989 est.)~Religion~: Albania claims to be the world's first atheist state; allchurches and mosques were closed in 1967 and religious observancesprohibited; pre-1967 estimates of religious affiliation--70% Muslim,20% Albanian Orthodox, 10% Roman Catholic~Language~: Albanian (Tosk is official dialect), Greek~Literacy~: 75%~Labor force~: 1,500,000 (1987); about 60% agriculture, 40% industryand commerce (1986)~Organized labor~: Central Council of Albanian Trade Unions, 610,000members~
Government~Long-form name~: People's Socialist Republic of Albania~Type~: Communist state (Stalinist)~Capital~: Tirane~Administrative divisions~: 26 districts (rrethe, singular--rreth);Berat, Dibre, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Gramsh, Kolonje,Korce, Kruje, Kukes, Lezhe, Librazhd, Lushnje, Mat, Mirdite, Permet,Pogradec, Puke, Sarande, Shkoder, Skrapar, Tepelene, Tirane,Tropoje, Vlore~Independence~: 28 November 1912 (from Turkey); People's SocialistRepublic of Albania declared 11 January 1946~Constitution~: 27 December 1976~Legal system~: judicial review of legislative acts only in thePresidium of the People's Assembly, which is not a true court; hasnot accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Liberation Day, 29 November (1944)~Executive branch~: president of the Presidium of the People'sAssembly, three vice presidents, Presidium of the People's Assembly;chairman of the Council of Ministers, three deputy chairmen, Councilof Ministers~Legislative branch~: unicameral People's Assembly (Kuvendi Popullor)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--President of the Presidium of the People'sAssembly Ramiz ALIA (since 22 November 1982);  Head of Government--Chairman of the Council of Ministers Adil CARCANI(since 14 January 1982)~Political parties and leaders~: only party--Albanian Workers Party,Ramiz Alia, first secretary~Suffrage~: universal and compulsory at age 18~Elections~: President--last held 19 February 1987 (next to be heldFebruary 1991); results--President Ramiz Alia was reelected withoutopposition;  People's Assembly--last held 1 February 1987 (next to be heldFebruary 1991); results--Albanian Workers Party is the only party;seats--(250 total) Albanian Workers Party 250~Communists~: 147,000 party members (November 1986)~Member of~: CCC, CEMA (has not participated since rift with USSR in1961), FAO, IAEA, IPU, ITU, UN, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: none--the US does not recognize theAlbanian Government and has no diplomatic or consular relations withAlbania; there is no third-power representation of Albanianinterests in the US or of US interests in Albania~Flag~: red with a black two-headed eagle in the center below a redfive-pointed star outlined in yellow~
Economy~Overview~: As the poorest country in Europe, Albania's developmentlags behind even the least favored areas of the Yugoslav economy.The Stalinist-type economy operates on the principles of centralplanning and state ownership of the means of production. In recentyears Albania has implemented limited economic reforms to stimulateits lagging economy, although they do not go nearly so far ascurrent reforms in the USSR and Eastern Europe. Attempts atself-reliance and a policy of not borrowing from internationallenders--sometimes overlooked in recent years--have greatly hinderedthe development of a broad economic infrastructure. Albania,however, possesses considerable mineral resources and is largelyself-sufficient in food. Numerical estimates of Albanian economicactivity are subject to an especially wide margin of error becausethe government is isolated and closemouthed.~GNP~: $3.8 billion, per capita $1,200; real growth rate NA% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: NA%~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $2.3 billion; expenditures $2.3 billion, includingcapital expenditures of NA (1989)~Exports~: $378 million (f.o.b., 1987 est.); commodities--asphalt,bitumen, petroleum products, metals and metallic ores, electricity,oil, vegetables, fruits, tobacco; partners--Italy, Yugoslavia, FRG,Greece, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary~Imports~: $255 million (f.o.b., 1987 est.); commodities--machinery,machine tools, iron and steel products, textiles, chemicals,pharmaceuticals; partners--Italy, Yugoslavia, FRG, Czechoslovakia,Romania, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, GDR~External debt~: $NA~Industrial production~: growth rate NA~Electricity~: 1,630,000 kW capacity; 4,725 million kWh produced, 1,440kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: food processing, textiles and clothing, lumber, oil,cement, chemicals, basic metals, hydropower~Agriculture~: arable land per capita among lowest in Europe; one-halfof work force engaged in farming; produces wide range oftemperate-zone crops and livestock; claims self-sufficiency in grainoutput~Aid~: none~Currency~: lek (plural--leke); 1 lek (L) = 100 qintars~Exchange rates~: leke (L) per US$1--8.00 (noncommercial fixed ratesince 1986), 4.14 (commercial fixed rate since 1987)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 543 km total; 509 1.435-meter standard gauge, single trackand 34 km narrow gauge, single track (1988); line connectingTitograd (Yugoslavia) and Shkoder (Albania) completed August 1986~Highways~: 16,700 km total; 6,700 km highway and roads, 10,000 kmforest and agricultural~Inland waterways~: 43 km plus Albanian sections of Lake Scutari, LakeOhrid, and Lake Prespa~Pipelines~: crude oil, 145 km; refined products, 55 km; natural gas,64 km (1988)~Ports~: Durres, Sarande, Vlore~Merchant marine~: 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 52,886GRT/75,993 DWT; includes 11 cargo~Airports~: 12 total, 10 usable; more than 5 with permanent-surfacerunways; more than 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 5 with runways1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: stations--17 AM, 5 FM, 9 TV; 52,000 TV sets;210,000 radios~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Albanian People's Army, Frontier Troops, Interior Troops,Albanian Coastal Defense Command, Air and Air Defense Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 882,965; 729,635 fit for militaryservice; 33,598 reach military age (19) annually~Defense expenditures~: 1.1 billion leks, 11.3% of total budget (FY88);note--conversion of the military budget into US dollars using theofficial administratively set exchange rate would produce misleadingresults ~[000000003~000022959~000000000~000000000~000009541~000000106~000014720~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Algeria~
Geography~Total area~: 2,381,740 km2; land area: 2,381,740 km2~Comparative area~: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas~Land boundaries~: 6,343 km total; Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km,Mauritania 463 km, Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km,Western Sahara 42 km~Coastline~: 998 km~Maritime claims~:  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: Libya claims about 19,400 km2 in southeastern Algeria~Climate~: arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summersalong coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on highplateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common insummer~Terrain~: mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow,discontinuous coastal plain~Natural resources~: crude oil, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates,uranium, lead, zinc~Land use~: 3% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 13% meadows andpastures; 2% forest and woodland; 82% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes;desertification~Note~: second largest country in Africa (after Sudan)~
People~Population~: 25,566,507 (July 1990), growth rate 2.8% (1990)~Birth rate~: 37 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 87 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 61 years male, 64 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 5.4 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Algerian(s); adjective--Algerian~Ethnic divisions~: 99% Arab-Berber, less than 1% European~Religion~: 99% Sunni Muslim (state religion); 1% Christian and Jewish~Language~: Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects~Literacy~: 52%~Labor force~: 3,700,000; 40% industry and commerce, 24% agriculture,17% government, 10% services (1984)~Organized labor~: 16-19% of labor force claimed; General Union ofAlgerian Workers (UGTA) is the only labor organization and issubordinate to the National Liberation Front~
Government~Long-form name~: Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria~Type~: republic~Capital~: Algiers~Administrative divisions~: 31 provinces (wilayat, singular--wilaya);Adrar, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bouira,Constantine, Djelfa, El Asnam, Guelma, Jijel, Laghouat, Mascara,Medea, Mostaganem, M'sila, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Saida,Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Tamanrasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, TiziOuzou, Tlemcen; note--there may now be 48 provinces with El Asnamabolished, and the addition of 18 new provinces named Ain Delfa, AinTemouchent, Bordjbou, Boumerdes, Chlef, El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf,Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Mila, Naama, Relizane, Souk Ahras,Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt~Independence~: 5 July 1962 (from France)~Constitution~: 19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976~Legal system~: socialist, based on French and Islamic law; judicialreview of legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composedof various public officials, including several Supreme Courtjustices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Anniversary of the Revolution, 1 November (1954)~Executive branch~: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers(cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral National People's Assembly (AssembleeNationale Populaire)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Chadli BENDJEDID (since 7 February1979);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Mouloud HAMROUCHE (since 9September 1989)~Political parties and leaders~: National Liberation Front (FLN), Col.Chadli Bendjedid, chairman; Abdelhamid Mehri, secretary general; thegovernment established a multiparty system in September 1989 and asof 1 February 1990 19 legal parties existed~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: President--last held on 22 December 1988 (next to be heldDecember 1993); results--President Bendjedid was reelected withoutopposition;  People's National Assembly--last held on 26 February 1987 (next to beheld by February 1992); results--FLN was the only party; seats--(281total) FLN 281; note--the government has promised to hold multipartyelections (municipal and wilaya) in June 1990, the first in Algerianhistory~Communists~: 400 (est.); Communist party banned 1962~Member of~: AfDB, AIOEC, Arab League, ASSIMER, CCC, FAO, G-77, GATT(de facto), IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB--Islamic Development Bank,IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, ILZSG, INTERPOL, IOOC, ITU, NAM,OAPEC, OAU, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Abderrahmane BENSID; Chanceryat 2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone]; US--Ambassador Christopher W. S. ROSS; Embassy at 4 CheminCheich Bachir Brahimi, Algiers (mailing address is B. P. Box 549,Alger-Gare, 16000 Algiers); telephone ╒213σ (2) 601-425 or 255, 186;there is a US Consulate in Oran~Flag~: two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white with ared five-pointed star within a red crescent; the crescent, star, andcolor green are traditional symbols of Islam (the state religion)~
Economy~Overview~: The exploitation of oil and natural gas products forms thebackbone of the economy. Algeria depends on hydrocarbons for nearlyall of its export receipts, about 30% of government revenues, andnearly 25% of GDP. In 1973-74 the sharp increase in oil prices ledto a booming economy that helped to finance an ambitious program ofindustrialization. Plunging oil and gas prices, combined with themismanagement of Algeria's highly centralized economy, have broughtthe nation to its most serious social and economic crisis sinceindependence. The government has promised far-reaching reforms,including giving public sector companies more autonomy, encouragingprivate-sector activity, boosting gas and nonhydrocarbon exports,and a major overhaul of the banking and financial systems. In 1988the government started to implement a new economic policy todismantle large state farms into privately operated units.~GDP~: $54.1 billion, per capita $2,235; real growth rate - 1.8% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 5.9% (1988)~Unemployment rate~: 19% (1988)~Budget~: revenues $17.4 billion; expenditures $22.0 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $8.0 billion (1988)~Exports~: $9.1 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--petroleum andnatural gas 98%; partners--Netherlands, Czechoslovakia, Romania,Italy, France, US~Imports~: $7.8 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--capital goods35%, consumer goods 36%, food 20%; partners--France 25%, Italy 8%,FRG 8%, US 6-7%~External debt~: $26.2 billion (December 1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate 5.4% (1986)~Electricity~: 4,333,000 kW capacity; 14,370 million kWh produced, 580kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: petroleum, light industries, natural gas, mining,electrical, petrochemical, food processing~Agriculture~: accounts for 8% of GDP and employs 24% of labor force;net importer of food--grain, vegetable oil, and sugar; farmproduction includes wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus,fruits, sheep, and cattle~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-85), $1.4 billion; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$8.2 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $1.8 billion; Communistcountries (1970-88), $2.7 billion~Currency~: Algerian dinar (plural--dinars); 1 Algerian dinar (DA) =100 centimes~Exchange rates~: Algerian dinars (DA) per US$1--8.0086 (January 1990),7.6086 (1989), 5.9148 (1988), 4.8497 (1987), 4.7023 (1986), 5.0278(1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 4,146 km total; 2,632 km standard gauge (1.435 m), 1,258km 1.055-meter gauge, 256 km 1.000-meter gauge; 300 km electrified;215 km double track~Highways~: 80,000 km total; 60,000 km concrete or bituminous, 20,000km gravel, crushed stone, unimproved earth~Pipelines~: crude oil, 6,612 km; refined products, 298 km; naturalgas, 2,948 km~Ports~: Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Jijel, Mers el Kebir,Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda~Merchant marine~: 75 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 900,957GRT/1,063,994 DWT; includes 5 passenger, 27 cargo, 2 vehiclecarrier, 10 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 5 petroleum, oils, andlubricants (POL) tanker, 9 liquefied gas, 7 chemical tanker, 9 bulk,1 specialized liquid cargo~Civil air~: 42 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 147 total, 136 usable; 53 with permanent-surface runways; 2with runways over 3,660 m; 29 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 68 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: excellent domestic and international service inthe north, sparse in the south; 693,000 telephones; stations--26 AM,no FM, 113 TV; 1,550,000 TV sets; 3,500,000 receiver sets; 6submarine cables; coaxial cable or radio relay to Italy, France,Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; satellite earth stations--1 AtlanticOcean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Intersputnik, 1 ARABSAT,and 15 domestic~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 5,886,334; 3,638,458 fit for militaryservice; 293,476 reach military age (19) annually~Defense expenditures~: 1.8% of GDP, or $974 million (1989 est.) ~[000000004~000032503~000000000~000000000~000006731~000000062~000022959~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]American Samoa(territory of the US)~
Geography~Total area~: 199 km2; land area: 199 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Washington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 116 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 12 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 m;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annualrainfall averages 124 inches; rainy season from November to April,dry season from May to October; little seasonal temperaturevariation~Terrain~: five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastalplains, two coral atolls~Natural resources~: pumice and pumicite~Land use~: 10% arable land; 5% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 75% forest and woodland; 10% other~Environment~: typhoons common from December to March~Note~: Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in theSouth Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas andprotected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategiclocation about 3,700 km south-southwest of Honolulu in the SouthPacific Ocean about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand~
People~Population~: 41,840 (July 1990), growth rate 2.9% (1990)~Birth rate~: 41 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 4 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 8 immigrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 11 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 69 years male, 74 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 5.4 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--American Samoan(s); adjective--American Samoan~Ethnic divisions~: 90% Samoan (Polynesian), 2% Caucasian, 2% Tongan,6% other~Religion~: about 50% Christian Congregationalist, 20% Roman Catholic,30% mostly Protestant denominations and other~Language~: Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesianlanguages) and English; most people are bilingual~Literacy~: 99%~Labor force~: 10,000; 48% government, 33% tuna canneries, 19% other(1986 est.)~Organized labor~: NA~Note~: about 65,000 American Samoans live in the States of Californiaand Washington and 20,000 in Hawaii~
Government~Long-form name~: Territory of American Samoa~Type~: unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US~Capital~: Pago Pago~Administrative divisions~: none (territory of the US)~Independence~: none (territory of the US)~Constitution~: ratified 1966, in effect 1967~National holiday~: Flag Day, 17 April (1900)~Executive branch~: US president, governor, lieutenant governor~Legislative branch~: bicameral Legislature (Fono) consists of an upperhouse or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives~Judicial branch~: High Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--President George BUSH (since 20 January1989); Vice President Dan QUAYLE (since 20 January 1989);  Head of Government--Governor Peter Tali COLEMAN (since 20 January1989); Lieutenant Governor Galea'i POUMELE (since NA 1989)~Suffrage~: universal at age 18; indigenous inhabitants are USnationals, not US citizens~Elections~: Governor--last held 7 November 1988 (next to be heldNovember 1992); results--Peter T. Coleman was elected (percent ofvote NA);  Senate--last held 7 November 1988 (next to be held November 1992);results--senators elected by county councils from 12 senatedistricts; seats--(18 total) number of seats by party NA;  House of Representatives--last held 7 November 1988 (next to be heldNovember 1990); results--representatives popularly elected from 17house districts; seats--(21 total, 20 elected and 1 nonvotingdelegate from Swain's Island);  US House of Representatives--last held 19 November 1988 (next to beheld November 1990); results--Eni R. F. H. Faleomavaega elected as anonvoting delegate~Communists~: none~Diplomatic representation~: none (territory of the US)~Flag~: blue with a white triangle edged in red that is based on thefly side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white Americanbald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditionalSamoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club~Note~: administered by the US Department of Interior, Office ofTerritorial and International Affairs; indigenous inhabitants are USnationals, not citizens of the US~
Economy~Overview~: Economic development is strongly linked to the US, withwhich American Samoa does 90% of its foreign trade. Tuna fishing andtuna processing plants are the backbone of the private sectoreconomy, with canned tuna the primary export. The tuna canneries arethe second-largest employer, exceeded only by the government. Othereconomic activities include meat canning, handicrafts, dairyfarming, and a slowly developing tourist industry. Tropicalagricultural production provides little surplus for export.~GNP~: $190 million, per capita $5,210; real growth rate NA% (1985)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 4.3% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 13.4% (1986)~Budget~: revenues $90.3 million; expenditures $93.15 million,including capital expenditures of $4.9 million (1988)~Exports~: $288 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities--canned tuna 93%;partners--US 99.6%~Imports~: $346 million (c.i.f., 1987); commodities--building materials18%, food 17%, petroleum products 14%; partners--US 72%, Japan 7%,NZ 7%, Australia 5%, other 9%~External debt~: $NA~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 35,000 kW capacity; 70 million kWh produced, 1,720 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: tuna canneries (largely dependent on foreign supplies ofraw tuna)~Agriculture~: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams,copra, pineapples, papayas~Aid~: $20.1 million in operational funds and $5.8 million inconstruction funds for capital improvement projects from the USDepartment of Interior (1989)~Currency~: US currency is used~Exchange rates~: US currency is used~Fiscal year~: 1 October-30 September~
Communications~Railroads~: small marine railroad in Pago Pago harbor~Highways~: 350 km total; 150 km paved, 200 km unpaved~Ports~: Pago Pago, Ta'u~Airports~: 3 total, 3 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440 to 3,659 m(international airport at Tafuna, near Pago Pago); small airstripson Ta'u and Ofu~Telecommunications~: 6,500 telephones; stations--1 AM, no FM, 1 TV;good telex, telegraph, and facsimile services; 1 Pacific OceanINTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of the US ~[000000005~000039237~000000000~000000000~000006718~000000072~000032503~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Andorra~
Geography~Total area~: 450 km2; land area: 450 km2~Comparative area~: slightly more than 2.5 times the size ofWashington, DC~Land boundaries~: 125 km total; France 60 km, Spain 65 km~Coastline~: none--landlocked~Maritime claims~: none--landlocked~Climate~: temperate; snowy, cold winters and cool, dry summers~Terrain~: rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys~Natural resources~: hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead~Land use~: 2% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 56% meadows andpastures; 22% forest and woodland; 20% other~Environment~: deforestation, overgrazing~Note~: landlocked~
People~Population~: 51,895 (July 1990), growth rate 2.6% (1990)~Birth rate~: 12 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 4 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 18 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 74 years male, 81 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.3 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Andorran(s); adjective--Andorran~Ethnic divisions~: Catalan stock; 61% Spanish, 30% Andorran, 6%French, 3% other~Religion~: virtually all Roman Catholic~Language~: Catalan (official); many also speak some French andCastilian~Literacy~: 100%~Labor force~: NA~Organized labor~: none~
Government~Long-form name~: Principality of Andorra~Type~: unique coprincipality under formal sovereignty of president ofFrance and Spanish bishop of Seo de Urgel, who are representedlocally by officials called verguers~Capital~: Andorra la Vella~Administrative divisions~: 7 parishes (parroquies,singular--parroquia); Andorra, Canillo, Encamp, La Massana, LesEscaldes, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria~Independence~: 1278~Constitution~: none; some pareatges and decrees, mostly custom andusage~Legal system~: based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicialreview of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction~National holiday~: Mare de Deu de Meritxell, 8 September~Executive branch~: two co-princes (president of France, bishop of Seode Urgel in Spain), two designated representatives (French veguer,Episcopal veguer), two permanent delegates (French prefect for thedepartment of Pyrenees-Orientales, Spanish vicar general for the Seode Urgel diocese), president of government, Executive Council~Legislative branch~: unicameral General Council of the Valleys(Consell General de las Valls)~Judicial branch~: civil cases--Supreme Court of Andorra at Perpignan(France) or the Ecclesiastical Court of the bishop of Seo de Urgel(Spain); criminal cases--Tribunal of the Courts (Tribunal desCortes)~Leaders~: Chiefs of State--French Co-Prince Francois MITTERRAND (since21 May 1981), represented by Veguer de Franca Louis DEBLE; SpanishEpiscopal Co-Prince Mgr. Joan MARTI y Alanis (since 31 January1971), represented by Veguer Episcopal Francesc BADIA Batalla;  Head of Government--Josep PINTAT Solans (since NA 1984)~Political parties and leaders~: political parties not yet legallyrecognized; traditionally no political parties but partisans forparticular independent candidates for the General Council on thebasis of competence, personality, and orientation toward Spain orFrance; various small pressure groups developed in 1972; firstformal political party, Andorran Democratic Association, was formedin 1976 and reorganized in 1979 as Andorran Democratic Party~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: General Council of the Valleys--last held 11 December 1989(next to be held December 1993); results--percent of vote NA;seats--(28 total) number of seats by party NA~Communists~: negligible~Member of~: CCC, UNESCO~Diplomatic representation~: Andorra has no mission in the US;US--includes Andorra within the Barcelona (Spain) Consular Districtand the US Consul General visits Andorra periodically; ConsulGeneral Ruth A. DAVIS; Consulate General at Via Layetana 33,Barcelona 3, Spain (mailing address APO NY 09286); telephone ╒34σ(3) 319-9550~Flag~: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, andred with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; thecoat of arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flag ofChad which does not have a national coat of arms in the center; alsosimilar to the flag of Romania which has a national coat of armsfeaturing a mountain landscape below a red five-pointed star and thewords REPUBLICA SOCIALISTA ROMANIA at the bottom~
Economy~Overview~: The mainstay of Andorra's economy is tourism. An estimated12 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-freestatus and by its summer and winter resorts. Agricultural productionis limited by a scarcity of arable land, and most food has to beimported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising.Manufacturing consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture.The rapid pace of European economic integration is a potentialthreat to Andorra's advantages from its duty-free status.~GNP~: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA%~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: NA%~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capitalexpenditures of $NA~Exports~: $0.017 million (f.o.b., 1986); commodities--electricity;partners--France, Spain~Imports~: $531 million (f.o.b., 1986); commodities--NA;partners--France, Spain~External debt~: $NA~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 35,000 kW capacity; 140 million kWh produced, 2,800 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: tourism (particularly skiing), sheep, timber, tobacco,smuggling, banking~Agriculture~: sheep raising; small quantities of tobacco, rye, wheat,barley, oats, and some vegetables~Aid~: none~Currency~: French franc (plural--francs) and Spanish peseta(plural--pesetas); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes and 1 Spanishpeseta (Pta) = 100 centimos~Exchange rates~: French francs (F) per US$1--5.7598 (January 1990),6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987), 6.9261 (1986), 8.9852(1985); Spanish pesetas (Ptas) per US$1--109.69 (January 1990),118.38 (1989), 116.49 (1988), 123.48 (1987), 140.05 (1986), 170.04(1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Highways~: 96 km~Telecommunications~: international digital microwave network;international landline circuits to France and Spain; stations--1 AM,no FM, no TV; 17,700 telephones~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of France and Spain ~[000000006~000045958~000000000~000000000~000007120~000000070~000039237~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Angola~
Geography~Total area~: 1,246,700 km2; land area: 1,246,700 km2~Comparative area~: slightly less than twice the size of Texas~Land boundaries~: 5,198 km total; Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km,Zaire 2,511 km, Zambia 1,110 km~Coastline~: 1,600 km~Maritime claims~:  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 20 nm~Disputes~: civil war since independence on 11 November 1975~Climate~: semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool,dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November toApril)~Terrain~: narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau~Natural resources~: petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper,feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium~Land use~: 2% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 23% meadows andpastures; 43% forest and woodland; 32% other~Environment~: locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding onplateau; desertification~Note~: Cabinda is separated from rest of country by Zaire~
People~Population~: 8,534,483 (July 1990), growth rate 2.9% (1990)~Birth rate~: 47 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 20 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 2 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 158 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 42 years male, 46 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 6.7 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Angolan(s); adjective--Angolan~Ethnic divisions~: 37% Ovimbundu, 25% Kimbundu, 13% Bakongo, 2%Mestico, 1% European~Religion~: 47% indigenous beliefs, 38% Roman Catholic, 15% Protestant(est.)~Language~: Portuguese (official); various Bantu dialects~Literacy~: 41%~Labor force~: 2,783,000 economically active; 85% agriculture, 15%industry (1985 est.)~Organized labor~: about 450,695 (1980)~
Government~Long-form name~: People's Republic of Angola~Type~: Marxist people's republic~Capital~: Luanda~Administrative divisions~: 18 provinces (provincias,singular--provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango,Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, LundaNorte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire~Independence~: 11 November 1975 (from Portugal)~Constitution~: 11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978 and 11 August1980~Legal system~: based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law,but being modified along socialist lines~National holiday~: Independence Day, 11 November (1975)~Executive branch~: president, chairman of the Council of Ministers,Council of Ministers (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral National People's Assembly~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Tribunal da Relacao)~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President JoseEduardo dos SANTOS (since 21 September 1979)~Political parties and leaders~: only party--Popular Movement for theLiberation of Angola-Labor Party (MPLA-Labor Party), Jose Eduardodos Santos; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola(UNITA), lost to the MPLA with Cuban military support in immediatepostindependence struggle, now carrying out insurgency~Suffrage~: universal adult at age NA~Elections~: none held to date~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, CCC, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto), ICAO, IFAD,ILO, IMO, INTELSAT, ITU, NAM, OAU, SADCC, UN, UNESCO, UNICEF, UPU,WFTU, WHO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: none~Flag~: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with acentered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within halfa cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer andsickle)~
Economy~Overview~: Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for80-90% of the population, but accounts for only 10-20% of GDP. Oilproduction is the most lucrative sector of the economy, contributingabout 50% to GDP. In recent years, however, the impact of fightingan internal war has severely affected the economy and food has to beimported.~GDP~: $5.0 billion, per capita $600; real growth rate 9.2% (1988 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: NA%~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues NA; expenditures $2.7 billion, including capitalexpenditures of NA (1986 est.)~Exports~: $2.9 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--oil, coffee,diamonds, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton;partners--US, USSR, Cuba, Portugal, Brazil~Imports~: $2.5 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--capitalequipment (machinery and electrical equipment), food, vehicles andspare parts, textiles and clothing, medicines; substantial militarydeliveries; partners--US, USSR, Cuba, Portugal, Brazil~External debt~: $3.0 billion (1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 506,000 kW capacity; 770 million kWh produced, 90 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: petroleum, mining (phosphate rock, diamonds), fishprocessing, brewing, tobacco, sugar, textiles, cement, foodprocessing, building construction~Agriculture~: cash crops--coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, sugar, manioc,tobacco; food crops--cassava, corn, vegetables, plantains, bananas,and other local foodstuffs; disruptions caused by civil war andmarketing deficiencies require food imports~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $263 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$903 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $1.3 billion~Currency~: kwanza (plural--kwanza); 1 kwanza (Kz) = 100 lwei~Exchange rates~: kwanza (Kz) per US$1--29.62 (fixed rate since 1976)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 3,189 km total; 2,879 km 1.067-meter gauge, 310 km0.600-meter gauge; limited trackage in use because of insurgentattacks; sections of the Benguela Railroad closed because ofinsurgency~Highways~: 73,828 km total; 8,577 km bituminous-surface treatment,29,350 km crushed stone, gravel, or improved earth, remainderunimproved earth~Inland waterways~: 1,295 km navigable~Pipelines~: crude oil, 179 km~Ports~: Luanda, Lobito, Namibe, Cabinda~Merchant marine~: 12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 66,348GRT/102,825 DWT; includes 11 cargo, 1 petroleum, oils, andlubricants (POL) tanker~Civil air~: 27 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 317 total, 184 usable; 28 with permanent-surface runways; 1with runways over 3,659 m; 12 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 60 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: fair system of wire, radio relay, andtroposcatter routes; high frequency used extensively formilitary/Cuban links; 40,300 telephones; stations--17 AM, 13 FM, 2TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force/Air Defense; paramilitaryforces--People's Defense Organization and Territorial Troops,Frontier Guard, Popular Vigilance Brigades~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 2,049,295; 1,030,868 fit for militaryservice; 90,877 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: NA ~[000000007~000053081~000000000~000000000~000004969~000000038~000045958~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Anguilla(dependent territory of the UK)~
Geography~Total area~: 91 km2; land area: 91 km2~Comparative area~: about half the size of Washington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 61 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Climate~: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds~Terrain~: flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone~Natural resources~: negligible; salt, fish, lobsters~Land use~: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows andpastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; mostly rock withsparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds~Environment~: frequent hurricanes, other tropical storms (July toOctober)~Note~: located 270 km east of Puerto Rico~
People~Population~: 6,883 (July 1990), growth rate 0.6% (1990)~Birth rate~: 24 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 10 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 18 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 71 years male, 76 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 3.1 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Anguillan(s); adjective--Anguillan~Ethnic divisions~: mainly of black African descent~Religion~: Anglican, Methodist, and Roman Catholic~Language~: English (official)~Literacy~: 80%~Labor force~: 2,780 (1984)~Organized labor~: NA~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: dependent territory of the UK~Capital~: The Valley~Administrative divisions~: none (dependent territory of the UK)~Independence~: none (dependent territory of the UK)~Constitution~: 1 April 1982~Legal system~: based on English common law~National holiday~: Anguilla Day, 30 May~Executive branch~: British monarch, governor, chief minister,Executive Council (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral House of Assembly~Judicial branch~: High Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor Geoffrey O. WHITTAKER (since NA 1987);  Head of Government--Chief Minister Emile GUMBS (since NA March 1984,served previously from February 1977 to May 1980)~Political parties and leaders~: Anguilla National Alliance (ANA),Emile Gumbs; Anguilla United Party (AUP), Ronald Webster; AnguillaDemocratic Party (ADP), Victor Banks~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: House of Assembly--last held 27 February 1989 (next to beheld February 1994); results--percent of vote by party NA;seats--(11 total, 7 elected) ANA 3, AUP 2, ADP 1, independent 1~Communists~: none~Member of~: Commonwealth~Diplomatic representation~: none (dependent territory of the UK)~Flag~: two horizontal bands of white (top, almost triple width) andlight blue with three orange dolphins in an interlocking circulardesign centered in the white band~
Economy~Overview~: Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy dependsheavily on lobster fishing, offshore banking, tourism, andremittances from emigrants. In recent years the economy hasbenefited from a boom in tourism. Development is planned to improvethe infrastructure, particularly transport and tourist facilities,and also light industry. Improvement in the economy has reducedunemployment from 40% in 1984 to about 5% in 1988.~GDP~: $23 million, per capita $3,350 (1988 est.); real growth rate8.2% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 4.5% (1988 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 5.0% (1988 est.)~Budget~: revenues $9.0 million; expenditures $8.8 million, includingcapital expenditures of NA (1988 est.)~Exports~: $NA; commodities--lobsters and salt; partners--NA~Imports~: $NA; commodities--NA; partners --NA~External debt~: $NA~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 3,000 kW capacity; 9 million kWh produced, 1,300 kWh percapita (1988)~Industries~: tourism, boat building, salt, fishing (including lobster)~Agriculture~: pigeon peas, corn, sweet potatoes, sheep, goats, pigs,cattle, poultry~Aid~: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-87), $33 million~Currency~: East Caribbean dollar (plural--dollars); 1 EC dollar (EC$)= 100 cents~Exchange rates~: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1--2.70 (fixedrate since 1976)~Fiscal year~: NA~
Communications~Highways~: 60 km surfaced~Ports~: Road Bay, Blowing Point~Civil air~: no major transport aircraft~Airports~: 3 total, 3 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways of1,100 m (Wallblake Airport)~Telecommunications~: modern internal telephone system; 890 telephones;stations--3 AM, 1 FM, no TV; radio relay link to island of St.Martin~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of the UK ~[000000008~000058053~000000000~000000000~000007332~000000102~000053081~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Antarctica~
Geography~Total area~: about 14,000,000 km2; land area: about 14,000,000 km2~Comparative area~: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US;second-smallest continent (after Australia)~Land boundaries~: see entry on~Disputes~Coastline~: 17,968 km~Maritime claims~: see entry on~Disputes~Disputes~: Antarctic Treaty suspends all claims; sections (someoverlapping) claimed by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France (AdelieLand), New Zealand (Ross Dependency), Norway (Queen Maud Land), andUK; Brazil claims a Zone of Interest; the US and USSR do notrecognize the territorial claims of other nations and have made noclaims themselves (but reserve the right to do so); no formal claimshave been made in the sector between 90o west and 150o west~Climate~: severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, anddistance from the ocean; East Antarctica colder than AntarcticPeninsula in the west; warmest temperatures occur in January alongthe coast and average slightly below freezing~Terrain~: about 98% thick continental ice sheet, with averageelevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges up to5,000 meters high; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southernVictoria Land, Wilkes Land, and the scientific research areas ofGraham Land and Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form iceshelves along about half of coastline~Natural resources~: coal and iron ore; chromium, copper, gold, nickel,platinum, and hydrocarbons have been found in small quantities alongthe coast; offshore deposits of oil and gas~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other (98% ice, 2% barrenrock)~Environment~: mostly uninhabitable; katabatic (gravity) winds blowcoastward from the high interior; frequent blizzards form near thefoot of the plateau; cyclonic storms form over the ocean and moveclockwise around the coast; during summer more solar radiationreaches the surface at the South Pole than is received at theEquator in an equivalent period; in October 1987 it was reportedthat the ozone shield, which protects the Earth's surface fromharmful ultraviolet radiation, has dwindled to its lowest level everover Antarctica; subject to active volcanism (Deception Island)~Note~: the coldest continent~
People~Population~: no indigenous inhabitants; staffing of research stationsvaries seasonally;  Summer (January) population--3,330; Argentina 179, Australia 216,Brazil 36, Chile 124, China 62, France 46, FRG 9, GDR 15, India 59,Italy 121, Japan 52, NZ 251, Poland 19, South Africa 102, SouthKorea 17, UK 72, Uruguay 47, US 1,250, USSR 653 (1986-87);  Winter (July) population--1,148 total; Argentina 149, Australia 82,Brazil 11, Chile 59, China 16, France 32, FRG 9, GDR 9, India 17,Japan 37, NZ 11, Poland 19, South Africa 15, UK 61, Uruguay 10, US242, USSR 369 (1986-87);  Year-round stations--43 total; Argentina 7, Australia 3, Brazil 1,Chile 3, China 1, France 1, FRG 1, GDR 1, India 1, Japan 2, NZ 1,Poland 1, South Africa 1, South Korea 1, UK 6, Uruguay 1, US 3, USSR8 (1986-87);  Summer only stations--26 total; Argentina 3, Australia 3, Chile 4,Italy 1, Japan 1, NZ 2, South Africa 2, US 4, USSR 6 (1986-87)~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: The Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December 1959 and enteredinto force on 23 June 1961, established, for at least 30 years, alegal framework for peaceful use, scientific research, andsuspension of territorial claims. Administration is carried outthrough consultative member meetings--the 14th and last meeting washeld in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in October 1987.  Consultative (voting) members include claimant nations (they claimportions of Antarctica as national territory and some claimsoverlap) and nonclaimant nations (they have made no claims toAntarctic territory, although the US and USSR have reserved theright to do so and do not recognize the claims of others); the yearin parentheses indicates when an acceding nation was voted to fullconsultative (voting) status, while no date indicates an original1959 treaty signatory. Claimant nations are--Argentina, Australia,Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK. Nonclaimant nationsare--Belgium, Brazil (1983), China (1985), FRG (1981), GDR (1987),India (1983), Italy (1987), Japan, Poland (1977), South Africa,Uruguay (1985), US, and the USSR.  Acceding (nonvoting) members, with year of accession in parenthesis,are--Austria (1987), Bulgaria (1978), Cuba (1984), Czechoslovakia(1962), Denmark (1965), Finland (1984), Greece (1987), Hungary(1984), Netherlands (1987), North Korea (1987), Papua New Guinea(1981), Peru (1981), Romania (1971), South Korea (1986), Spain(1982), and Sweden (1984).  Antarctic Treaty Summary: Article 1--area to be used for peacefulpurposes only and military activity, such as weapons testing, isprohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used forscientific purposes; Article 2--freedom of scientific investigationand cooperation shall continue; Article 3--free exchange ofinformation and personnel; Article 4--does not recognize, dispute,or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be assertedwhile the treaty is in force; Article 5--prohibits nuclearexplosions or disposal of radioactive wastes; Article 6--includesunder the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60o 00' south,but that the water areas be covered by international law; Article7--treaty-state observers have free access, including aerialobservation, to any area and may inspect all stations,installations, and equipment; advance notice of all activities andthe introduction of military personnel must be given; Article8--allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by theirown states; Article 9--frequent consultative meetings take placeamong member nations and acceding nations given consultative status;Article 10--treaty states will discourage activities by any countryin Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; Article 11--disputesto be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, bythe ICJ; Articles 12, 13, 14--deal with upholding, interpreting, andamending the treaty among involved nations.  Other agreements: Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic MarineLiving Resources; Convention for the Conservation of AntarcticSeals; a mineral resources agreement is currently undergoingratification by the Antarctic Treaty consultative parties~
Economy~Overview~: No economic activity at present except for fishing off thecoast and small-scale tourism, both based abroad.  Exploitation ofmineral resources will be held back by technical difficulties, highcosts, and objections by environmentalists.~
Communications~Airports~: 39 total; 25 usable; none with permanent surface runways; 3with runways over 3,659 m; 6 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 4 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Ports~: none; offshore anchorage only~
Defense Forces~Note~: none; Article 7 of the Antarctic Treaty states that advancenotice of all activities and the introduction of military personnelmust be given ~[000000009~000065388~000000000~000000000~000007738~000000080~000058053~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Antigua and Barbuda~
Geography~Total area~: 440 km2; land area: 440 km2; includes Redonda~Comparative area~: slightly less than 2.5 times the size ofWashington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 153 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 24 nm;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation~Terrain~: mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands with somehigher volcanic areas~Natural resources~: negligible; pleasant climate fosters tourism~Land use~: 18% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 7% meadows andpastures; 16% forest and woodland; 59% other~Environment~: subject to hurricanes and tropical storms (July toOctober); insufficient freshwater resources; deeply indentedcoastline provides many natural harbors~Note~: 420 km east-southeast of Puerto Rico~
People~Population~: 63,726 (July 1990), growth rate 0.3% (1990)~Birth rate~: 18 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 10 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 23 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 70 years male, 74 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.7 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Antiguan(s); adjective--Antiguan~Ethnic divisions~: almost entirely of black African origin; some ofBritish, Portuguese, Lebanese, and Syrian origin~Religion~: Anglican (predominant), other Protestant sects, some RomanCatholic~Language~: English (official), local dialects~Literacy~: 90% (est.)~Labor force~: 30,000; 82% commerce and services, 11% agriculture, 7%industry (1983)~Organized labor~: Antigua and Barbuda Public Service Association(ABPSA), membership 500; Antigua Trades and Labor Union (ATLU),10,000 members; Antigua Workers Union (AWU), 10,000 members (1986est.)~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: parliamentary democracy~Capital~: Saint John's~Administrative divisions~: 6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*,Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, SaintPeter, Saint Philip~Independence~: 1 November 1981 (from UK)~Constitution~: 1 November 1981~Legal system~: based on English common law~National holiday~: Independence Day, 1 November (1981)~Executive branch~: British monarch, governor general, prime minister,deputy prime minister, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper houseor Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives~Judicial branch~: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Sir Wilfred Ebenezer JACOBS (since 1November 1981, previously Governor since 1976);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Vere Cornwall BIRD, Sr. (since NA1976); Deputy Prime Minister Lester BIRD (since NA 1976)~Political parties and leaders~: Antigua Labor Party (ALP), Vere C.Bird, Sr., Lester Bird; United National Democratic Party (UNDP), Dr.Ivor Heath~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: House of Representatives--last held 9 March 1989 (next tobe held 1994); results--percentage of vote by party NA; seats--(17total) ALP 15, UNDP 1, independent 1~Communists~: negligible~Other political or pressure groups~: Antigua Caribbean LiberationMovement (ACLM), a small leftist nationalist group led by Leonard(Tim) Hector; Antigua Trades and Labor Union (ATLU), headed by NoelThomas~Member of~: ACP, CARICOM, Commonwealth, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ILO,IMF, ISO, OAS, UN, UNESCO, WHO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Edmund Hawkins LAKE; Chanceryat Suite 2H, 3400 International Drive NW, Washington DC 20008;telephone [phone] or 5166, 5122, 5225; there is an AntiguanConsulate in Miami; US--the US Ambassador to Barbados is accreditedto Antigua and Barbuda, and in his absence, the Embassy is headed byCharge d'Affaires Roger R. GAMBLE; Embassy at Queen ElizabethHighway, Saint John's (mailing address is FPO Miami 34054);telephone [phone] or 3506~Flag~: red with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edgeof the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black(top), light blue, and white with a yellow rising sun in the blackband~
Economy~Overview~: The economy is primarily service oriented, with tourism themost important determinant of economic performance. During theperiod 1983-87, real GDP expanded at an annual average rate of 8%.Tourism's contribution to GDP, as measured by value added in hotelsand restaurants, rose from about 14% in 1983 to 17% in 1987, andstimulated growth in other sectors--particularly in construction,communications, and public utilities. During the same period thecombined share of agriculture and manufacturing declined from 12% toless than 10%. Antigua and Barbuda is one of the few areas in theCaribbean experiencing a labor shortage in some sectors of theeconomy.~GDP~: $353.5 million, per capita $5,550; real growth rate 6.2% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 7.1% (1988 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 5.0% (1988 est.)~Budget~: revenues $77 million; expenditures $81 million, includingcapital expenditures of $13 million (1988 est.)~Exports~: $30.4 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities--petroleumproducts 46%, manufactures 29%, food and live animals 14%, machineryand transport equipment 11%; partners--Trinidad and Tobago 40%,Barbados 8%, US 0.3%~Imports~: $302.1 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.); commodities--food andlive animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures,chemicals, oil; partners--US 27%, UK 14%, CARICOM 7%, Canada 4%,other 48%~External debt~: $245.4 million (1987)~Industrial production~: growth rate 10% (1987)~Electricity~: 49,000 kW capacity; 90 million kWh produced, 1,410 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing,alcohol, household appliances)~Agriculture~: accounts for 4% of GDP; expanding output of cotton,fruits, vegetables, and livestock sector; other crops--bananas,coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes; not self-sufficient in food~Aid~: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-87), $40 million~Currency~: East Caribbean dollar (plural--dollars); 1 EC dollar (EC$)= 100 cents~Exchange rates~: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1--2.70 (fixedrate since 1976)~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Railroads~: 64 km 0.760-meter narrow gauge and 13 km 0.610-meter gaugeused almost exclusively for handling sugarcane~Highways~: 240 km~Ports~: St. John's~Merchant marine~: 80 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 307,315GRT/501,552 DWT; includes 50 cargo, 4 refrigerated cargo, 8container, 8 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 2 petroleum, oils, andlubricants (POL) tanker, 5 chemical tanker, 2 liquefied gas, 1short-sea passenger; note--a flag of convenience registry~Civil air~: 10 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 3 total, 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; 1 withrunways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways less than 2,440 m~Telecommunications~: good automatic telephone system; 6,700telephones; tropospheric scatter links with Saba and Guadeloupe;stations--4 AM, 2 FM, 2 TV, 2 shortwave; 1 coaxial submarine cable;1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force, Royal Antigua andBarbuda Police Force (includes the Coast Guard)~Military manpower~: NA~Defense expenditures~: NA ~[000000010~000073129~000000000~000000000~000003021~000000043~000065388~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Arctic Ocean~
Geography~Total area~: 14,056,000 km2; includes Baffin Bay, Barents Sea,Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, East Siberian Sea, Greenland Sea, HudsonBay, Hudson Strait, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea, and other tributary waterbodies~Comparative area~: slightly more than 1.5 times the size of the US;smallest of the world's four oceans (after Pacific Ocean, AtlanticOcean, and Indian Ocean)~Coastline~: 45,389 km~Climate~: persistent cold and relatively narrow annual temperatureranges; winters characterized by continuous darkness, cold andstable weather conditions, and clear skies; summers characterized bycontinuous daylight, damp and foggy weather, and weak cyclones withrain or snow~Terrain~: central surface covered by a perennial drifting polaricepack which averages about 3 meters in thickness, althoughpressure ridges may be three times that size; clockwise driftpattern in the Beaufort Gyral Stream, but nearly straight linemovement from the New Siberian Islands (USSR) to Denmark Strait(between Greenland and Iceland); the ice pack is surrounded by openseas during the summer, but more than doubles in size during thewinter and extends to the encircling land masses; the ocean floor isabout 50% continental shelf (highest percentage of any ocean) withthe remainder a central basin interrupted by three submarine ridges(Alpha Cordillera, Nansen Cordillera, and Lomonsov Ridge); maximumdepth is 4,665 meters in the Fram Basin~Natural resources~: sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits,polymetallic nodules, oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals(seals, whales)~Environment~: endangered marine species include walruses and whales;ice islands occasionally break away from northern Ellesmere Island;icebergs calved from western Greenland and extreme northeasternCanada; maximum snow cover in March or April about 20 to 50centimeters over the frozen ocean and lasts about 10 months;permafrost in islands; virtually icelocked from October to June;fragile ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover fromdisruptions or damage~Note~: major chokepoint is the southern Chukchi Sea (northern accessto the Pacific Ocean via the Bering Strait); ships subject tosuperstructure icing from October to May; strategic location betweenNorth America and the USSR; shortest marine link between theextremes of eastern and western USSR; floating research stationsoperated by the US and USSR~
Economy~Overview~: Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of naturalresources, including crude oil, natural gas, fishing, and sealing.~
Communications~Ports~: Churchill (Canada), Murmansk (USSR), Prudhoe Bay (US)~Telecommunications~: no submarine cables~Note~: sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes; theNorthwest Passage (North America) and Northern Sea Route (Asia) areimportant waterways ~[000000011~000076153~000000000~000000000~000010153~000000114~000073129~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Argentina~
Geography~Total area~: 2,766,890 km2; land area: 2,736,690 km2~Comparative area~: slightly more than four times the size of Texas~Land boundaries~: 9,665 km total; Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,224 km,Chile 5,150 km, Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 579 km~Coastline~: 4,989 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Territorial sea: 200 nm (overflight and navigation permitted beyond12 nm)~Disputes~: short section of the boundary with Uruguay is in dispute;short section of the boundary with Chile is indefinite; claimsBritish-administered Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas); claimsBritish-administered South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands;territorial claim in Antarctica~Climate~: mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic insouthwest~Terrain~: rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rollingplateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border~Natural resources~: fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin,copper, iron ore, manganese, crude oil, uranium~Land use~: 9% arable land; 4% permanent crops; 52% meadows andpastures; 22% forest and woodland; 13% other; includes 1% irrigated~Environment~: Tucuman and Mendoza areas in Andes subject toearthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike Pampasand northeast; irrigated soil degradation; desertification; air andwater pollution in Buenos Aires~Note~: second-largest country in South America (after Brazil);strategic location relative to sea lanes between South Atlantic andSouth Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, DrakePassage)~
People~Population~: 32,290,966 (July 1990), growth rate 1.2% (1990)~Birth rate~: 20 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 32 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 67 years male, 74 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.8 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Argentine(s); adjective--Argentine~Ethnic divisions~: 85% white, 15% mestizo, Indian, or other nonwhitegroups~Religion~: 90% nominally Roman Catholic (less than 20% practicing), 2%Protestant, 2% Jewish, 6% other~Language~: Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French~Literacy~: 94%~Labor force~: 10,900,000; 12% agriculture, 31% industry, 57% services(1985 est.)~Organized labor~: 3,000,000; 28% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Argentine Republic~Type~: republic~Capital~: Buenos Aires (tentative plans to move to Viedma by 1990indefinitely postponed)~Administrative divisions~: 22 provinces (provincias,singular--provincia), 1 national territory* (territorio nacional),and 1 district** (distrito); Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut,Cordoba, Corrientes, Distrito Federal**, 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 and Antartida e Islas del Atlantico Sur*, Tucuman~Independence~: 9 July 1816 (from Spain)~Constitution~: 1 May 1853~Legal system~: mixture of US and West European legal systems; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: National Day, 25 May (1810)~Executive branch~: president, vice president, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)consists of an upper chamber or Senate (Senado) and a lower chamberor Chamber of Deputies (Camera de Diputados)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Carlos SaulMENEM (since 8 July 1989); Vice President Eduardo DUHALDE (since 8July 1989)~Political parties and leaders~: Justicialist Party (JP), AntonioCafiero, Peronist umbrella political organization; Radical CivicUnion (UCR), Raul Alfonsin, moderately left of center; Union of theDemocratic Center (UCEDE), Alvaro Alsogaray, conservative party;Intransigent Party (PI), Dr. Oscar Alende, leftist party; severalprovincial parties~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: President--last held 14 May 1989 (next to be held May1995); results--Carlos Saul Menem was elected;  Chamber of Deputies--last held 14 May 1989 (next to be held May1991); results--JP 47%, UCR 30%, UDC 7%, other 16%; seats--(254total); JP 122, UCR 93, UDC 11, other 28~Communists~: some 70,000 members in various party organizations,including a small nucleus of activists~Other political or pressure groups~: Peronist-dominated labormovement, General Confederation of Labor (Peronist-leaning umbrellalabor organization), Argentine Industrial Union (manufacturers'association), Argentine Rural Society (large landowners'association), business organizations, students, the Roman CatholicChurch, the Armed Forces~Member of~: CCC, FAO, G-77, GATT, Group of Eight, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,ICAC, ICAO, IDA, IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC,IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOOC, ISO, ITU,IWC--International Whaling Commission, IWC--International WheatCouncil, LAIA, NAM, OAS, PAHO, SELA, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO,WMO, WTO, WSG~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Guido Jose Maria DI TELLA;Chancery at 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington DC 20009;telephone [phone] through 6403; there are Argentine ConsulatesGeneral in Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, andSan Juan (Puerto Rico), and Consulates in Baltimore, Chicago, andLos Angeles; US--Ambassador Terence A. TODMAN; Embassy at 4300Colombia, 1425 Buenos Aires (mailing address is APO Miami 34034);telephone ╒54σ (1) 774-7611 or 8811, 9911~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, andlight blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun witha human face known as the Sun of May~
Economy~Overview~: Argentina is rich in natural resources, and has a highlyliterate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and adiversified industrial base. Nevertheless, the economy hasencountered major problems in recent years, leading to a recessionin 1988-89. Economic growth slowed to 2.0% in 1987 and to - 1.8% in1988; a sharp decline of - 5.5% has been estimated for 1989. Awidening public-sector deficit and a multidigit inflation rate hasdominated the economy over the past three years, reaching about5,000% in 1989. Since 1978, Argentina's external debt has nearlydoubled to $60 billion, creating severe debt-servicing difficultiesand hurting the country's creditworthiness with internationallenders.~GNP~: $72.0 billion, per capita $2,217; real growth rate - 5.5% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 4,925% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 8.5% (1989 est.)~Budget~: revenues $11.5 billion; expenditures $13.0 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $0.93 billion (1988)~Exports~: $9.6 billion (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--meat, wheat, corn,oilseed, hides, wool; partners--US 14%, USSR, Italy, Brazil, Japan,Netherlands~Imports~: $4.3 billion (c.i.f., 1989); commodities--machinery andequipment, chemicals, metals, fuels and lubricants, agriculturalproducts; partners--US 25%, Brazil, FRG, Bolivia, Japan, Italy,Netherlands~External debt~: $60 billion (December 1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate - 8% (1989)~Electricity~: 16,449,000 kW capacity; 46,590 million kWh produced,1,460 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: food processing (especially meat packing), motorvehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals,printing, metallurgy, steel~Agriculture~: accounts for 15% of GNP (including fishing); producesabundant food for both domestic consumption and exports; amongworld's top five exporters of grain and beef; principalcrops--wheat, corn, sorghum, soybeans, sugar beets; 1987 fish catchestimated at 500,000 tons~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $1.0 billion; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$3.6 billion; Communist countries (1970-88), $718 million~Currency~: austral (plural--australes); 1 austral (A) = 100 centavos~Exchange rates~: australes (A) per US$1--1,930 (December 1989), 8.7526(1988), 2.1443 (1987), 0.9430 (1986), 0.6018 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 34,172 km total (includes 169 km electrified); includes amixture of 1.435-meter standard gauge, 1.676-meter broad gauge,1.000-meter gauge, and 0.750-meter gauge~Highways~: 208,350 km total; 47,550 km paved, 39,500 km gravel,101,000 km improved earth, 20,300 km unimproved earth~Inland waterways~: 11,000 km navigable~Pipelines~: 4,090 km crude oil; 2,900 km refined products; 9,918 kmnatural gas~Ports~: Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Necochea, Rio Gallegos, Rosario,Santa Fe~Merchant marine~: 131 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,693,540GRT/2,707,079 DWT; includes 45 cargo, 6 refrigerated cargo, 6container, 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 railcar carrier, 48petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 2 chemical tanker, 4liquefied gas, 18 bulk~Civil air~: 54 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 1,799 total, 1,617 usable; 132 with permanent-surfacerunways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 30 with runways 2,440-3,659 m;335 with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: extensive modern system; 2,650,000 telephones(12,000 public telephones); radio relay widely used; stations--171AM, no FM, 231 TV, 13 shortwave; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earthstations; domestic satellite network has 40 stations~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Argentine Army, Navy of the Argentine Republic, ArgentineAir Force, National Gendarmerie, Argentine Naval Prefecture,National Aeronautical Police Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 7,860,054; 6,372,189 fit for militaryservice; 277,144 reach military age (20) annually~Defense expenditures~: 1.4% of GNP (1987) ~[000000012~000086309~000000000~000000000~000005315~000000048~000076153~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Aruba(part of the Dutch realm)~
Geography~Total area~: 193 km2; land area: 193 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Washington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 68.5 km~Maritime claims~:  Exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation~Terrain~: flat with a few hills; scant vegetation~Natural resources~: negligible; white sandy beaches~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other~Environment~: lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt~Note~: 28 km north of Venezuela~
People~Population~: 62,656 (July 1990), growth rate 0.2% (1990)~Birth rate~: 16 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 8 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 72 years male, 80 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.8 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Aruban(s); adjective--Aruban~Ethnic divisions~: 80% mixed European/Caribbean Indian~Religion~: 82% Roman Catholic, 8% Protestant; also small Hindu,Muslim, Confucian, and Jewish minority~Language~: Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch,English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish~Literacy~: 95%~Labor force~: NA, but most employment is in the tourist industry(1986)~Organized labor~: Aruban Workers' Federation (FTA)~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: part of the Dutch realm--full autonomy in internal affairsobtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles~Capital~: Oranjestad~Administrative divisions~: none (self-governing part of theNetherlands)~Independence~: planned for 1996~Constitution~: 1 January 1986~Legal system~: based on Dutch civil law system, with some Englishcommon law influence~National holiday~: Flag Day, 18 March~Executive branch~: Dutch monarch, governor, prime minister, Council ofMinisters (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral Parliament (Staten)~Judicial branch~: Joint High Court of Justice~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (since 30April 1980), represented by Governor General Felipe B. TROMP (since1 January 1986);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Nelson ODUBER (since NA February1989)~Political parties and leaders~: Electoral Movement Party (MEP), NelsonOduber; Aruban People's Party (AVP), Henny Eman; National DemocraticAction (ADN), Pedro Charro Kelly; New Patriotic Party (PPN), EddyWerlemen; Aruban Patriotic Party (PPA), Benny Nisbet; ArubanDemocratic Party (PDA), Leo Berlinski; Democratic Action '86(AD'86), Arturo Oduber; governing coalition includes the MEP, PPA,and ADN~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: Parliament--last held 6 January 1989 (next to be held byJanuary 1993); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(21total) MEP 10, AVP 8, ADN 1, PPN 1, PPA 1~Diplomatic representation~: none (self-governing part of theNetherlands)~Flag~: blue with two narrow horizontal yellow stripes across the lowerportion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upperhoist-side corner~
Economy~Overview~: Tourism is the mainstay of the economy. In 1985 the economysuffered a severe blow when Exxon closed its refinery, a majorsource of employment and foreign exchange earnings. Economiccollapse was prevented by soft loans from the Dutch Government andby a booming tourist industry. Hotel capacity expanded by 20%between 1985 and 1987 and is projected to more than double by 1990.Unemployment has steadily declined from about 20% in 1986 to about3% in 1988.~GDP~: $620 million, per capita $10,000; real growth rate 16.7% (1988est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 4% (1988 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 3% (1988 est.)~Budget~: revenues $145 million; expenditures $185 million, includingcapital expenditures of $42 million (1988)~Exports~: $47.5 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities--mostlypetroleum products; partners--US 64%, EC~Imports~: $296.0 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.); commodities--food,consumer goods, manufactures; partners--US 8%, EC~External debt~: $81 million (1987)~Industrial production~: growth rate - 20% (1984)~Electricity~: 310,000 kW capacity; 945 million kWh produced, 15,120kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: tourism, transshipment facilities~Agriculture~: poor quality soils and low rainfall limit agriculturalactivity to the cultivation of aloes~Aid~: none~Currency~: Aruban florin (plural--florins); 1 Aruban florin (Af.) =100 cents~Exchange rates~: Aruban florins (Af.) per US$1--1.7900 (fixed ratesince 1986)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Ports~: Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas~Airfield~: government-owned airport east of Oranjestad~Telecommunications~: generally adequate; extensive interisland radiorelay links; 72,168 telephones; stations--4 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV; 1 seacable to St. Maarten~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of the Netherlands until 1996 ~[000000013~000091627~000000000~000000000~000001888~000000017~000086309~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Ashmore and Cartier Islands(territory of Australia)~
Geography~Total area~: 5 km2; land area: 5 km2; includes Ashmore Reef (West,Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island~Comparative area~: about 8.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington,DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 74.1 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 12 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploration;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Climate~: tropical~Terrain~: low with sand and coral~Natural resources~: fish~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other--grass and sand~Environment~: surrounded by shoals and reefs; Ashmore Reef NationalNature Reserve established in August 1983~Note~: located in extreme eastern Indian Ocean between Australia andIndonesia 320 km off the northwest coast of Australia~
People~Population~: no permanent inhabitants; seasonal caretakers~
Government~Long-form name~: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands~Type~: territory of Australia administered by the Australian Ministryfor Territories and Local Government~Administrative divisions~: none (territory of Australia)~Legal system~: relevant laws of the Northern Territory of Australia~Note~: administered by the Australian Minister for Arts, Sports, theEnvironment, Tourism, and Territories Graham Richardson~Diplomatic representation~: none (territory of Australia)~
Economy~Overview~: no economic activity~
Communications~Ports~: none; offshore anchorage only~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits bythe Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force ~[000000014~000093518~000000000~000000000~000003771~000000054~000091627~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Atlantic Ocean~
Geography~Total area~: 82,217,000 km2; includes Baltic Sea, Black Sea, CaribbeanSea, Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, Drake Passage, Gulf of Mexico,Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, Weddell Sea, and othertributary water bodies~Comparative area~: slightly less than nine times the size of the US;second-largest of the world's four oceans (after the Pacific Ocean,but larger than Indian Ocean or Arctic Ocean)~Coastline~: 111,866 km~Climate~: tropical cyclones (hurricanes) develop off the coast ofAfrica near Cape Verde and move westward into the Caribbean Sea;hurricanes can occur from May to December, but are most frequentfrom August to November~Terrain~: surface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea,Denmark Strait, and Baltic Sea from October to June; clockwise warmwater gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the northAtlantic, counterclockwise warm water gyre in the south Atlantic;the ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a ruggednorth-south centerline for the entire Atlantic basin; maximum depthis 8,605 meters in the Puerto Rico Trench~Natural resources~: oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (sealsand whales), sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits,polymetallic nodules, precious stones~Environment~: endangered marine species include the manatee, seals,sea lions, turtles, and whales; municipal sludge pollution offeastern US, southern Brazil, and eastern Argentina; oil pollution inCaribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Lake Maracaibo, Mediterranean Sea,and North Sea; industrial waste and municipal sewage pollution inBaltic Sea, North Sea, and Mediterranean Sea; icebergs common inDavis Strait, Denmark Strait, and the northwestern Atlantic fromFebruary to August and have been spotted as far south as Bermuda andthe Madeira Islands; icebergs from Antarctica occur in the extremesouthern Atlantic~Note~: ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme north Atlanticfrom October to May and extreme south Atlantic from May to October;persistent fog can be a hazard to shipping from May to September;major choke points include the Dardanelles, Strait of Gibraltar,access to the Panama and Suez Canals; strategic straits include theDover Strait, Straits of Florida, Mona Passage, The Sound (Oresund),and Windward Passage; north Atlantic shipping lanes subject toicebergs from February to August; the Equator divides the AtlanticOcean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean~
Economy~Overview~: Economic activity is limited to exploitation of naturalresources, especially fish, dredging aragonite sands (The Bahamas),and crude oil and natural gas production (Caribbean Sea and NorthSea).~
Communications~Ports~: Alexandria (Egypt), Algiers (Algeria), Antwerp (Belgium),Barcelona (Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Casablanca (Morocco),Colon (Panama), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dakar (Senegal), Gdansk(Poland), Hamburg (FRG), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (CanaryIslands, Spain), Le Havre (France), Leningrad (USSR), Lisbon(Portugal), London (UK), Marseille (France), Montevideo (Uruguay),Montreal (Canada), Naples (Italy), New Orleans (US), New York (US),Oran (Algeria), Oslo (Norway), Piraeus (Greece), Rio de Janeiro(Brazil), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Stockholm (Sweden)~Telecommunications~: numerous submarine cables with most betweencontinental Europe and the UK, North America and the UK, and in theMediterranean; numerous direct links across Atlantic via INTELSATsatellite network~Note~: Kiel Canal and St. Lawrence Seaway are two important waterways~[000000015~000097292~000000000~000000000~000009677~000000103~000093518~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Australia~
Geography~Total area~: 7,686,850 km2; land area: 7,617,930 km2; includesMacquarie Island~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than the US~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 25,760 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 12 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Disputes~: territorial claim in Antarctica (Australian AntarcticTerritory)~Climate~: generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east;tropical in north~Terrain~: mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast~Natural resources~: bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, silver,uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds,natural gas, crude oil~Land use~: 6% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 58% meadows andpastures; 14% forest and woodland; 22% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: subject to severe droughts and floods; cyclones alongcoast; limited freshwater availability; irrigated soil degradation;regular, tropical, invigorating, sea breeze known as the doctoroccurs along west coast in summer; desertification~Note~: world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country~
People~Population~: 16,923,478 (July 1990), growth rate 1.3% (1990)~Birth rate~: 15 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 6 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 73 years male, 80 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.8 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Australian(s); adjective--Australian~Ethnic divisions~: 95% Caucasian, 4% Asian, 1% Aboriginal and other~Religion~: 26.1% Anglican, 26.0% Roman Catholic, 24.3% other Christian~Language~: English, native languages~Literacy~: 98.5%~Labor force~: 7,700,000; 33.8% finance and services, 22.3% public andcommunity services, 20.1% wholesale and retail trade, 16.2%manufacturing and industry, 6.1% agriculture (1987)~Organized labor~: 42% of labor force (1988)~
Government~Long-form name~: Commonwealth of Australia~Type~: federal parliamentary state~Capital~: Canberra~Administrative divisions~: 6 states and 2 territories*; AustralianCapital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*,Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia~Dependent areas~: Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos(Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonaldIslands, Norfolk Island~Independence~: 1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)~Constitution~: 9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901~Legal system~: based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations~National holiday~: Australia Day (last Monday in January), 29 January1990~Executive branch~: British monarch, governor general, prime minister,deputy prime minister, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral Federal Parliament consists of an upperhouse or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives~Judicial branch~: High Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since February 1952),represented by Governor General William George HAYDEN (since NAFebruary 1989);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Robert James Lee HAWKE (since 11March 1983); Deputy Prime Minister Paul KEATING (since 3 April 1990)~Political parties and leaders~: government--Australian Labor Party,Robert Hawke; opposition--Liberal Party, Andrew Peacock; NationalParty, Charles Blunt; Australian Democratic Party, Janine Haines~Suffrage~: universal and compulsory at age 18~Elections~: Senate--last held 11 July 1987 (next to be held by 12 May1990); results--Labor 43%, Liberal-National 42%, AustralianDemocrats 8%, independents 2%; seats--(76 total) Labor 32,Liberal-National 34, Australian Democrats 7, independents 3;  House of Representatives--last held 24 March 1990 (next to be held byNovember 1993); results--Labor 39.7%, Liberal-National 43%,Australian Democrats and independents 11.1%; seats--(148 total)Labor 78, Liberal-National 69, independent 1~Communists~: 4,000 members (est.)~Other political or pressure groups~: Australian Democratic Labor Party(anti-Communist Labor Party splinter group); Peace and NuclearDisarmament Action (Nuclear Disarmament Party splinter group)~Member of~: ADB, AIOEC, ANZUS, CCC, CIPEC (associate), Colombo Plan,Commonwealth, DAC, ESA, ESCAP, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IATP, IBA, IBRD,ICAC, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, ILZSG, IMF, IMO,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOOC, IPU, IRC, ISO, ITC, ITU,IWC--International Whaling Commission, IWC--International WheatCouncil, OECD, SPF, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WSG~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Michael J. COOK; Chancery at1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20036; telephone [phone]; there are Australian Consulates General in Chicago,Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Pago Pago (AmericanSamoa), and San Francisco; US--Ambassador Melvin F. SEMBLER; MoonahPlace, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600(mailing address is APO San Francisco 6404); telephone ╒61σ (62)705000; there are US Consulates General in Melbourne, Perth, andSydney, and a Consulate in Brisbane~Flag~: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrantand a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant; theremaining half is a representation of the Southern Crossconstellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four,larger, seven-pointed stars~
Economy~Overview~: Australia has a prosperous Western-style capitalisteconomy, with a per capita GNP comparable to levels inindustrialized West European countries. Rich in natural resources,Australia is a major exporter of agricultural products, minerals,metals, and fossil fuels. Of the top 25 exports, 21 are primaryproducts, so that, as happened during 1983-84, a downturn in worldcommodity prices can have a big impact on the economy. Thegovernment is pushing for increased exports of manufactured goodsbut competition in international markets will be severe.~GNP~: $240.8 billion, per capita $14,300; real growth rate 4.1% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 8.0% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 6.0% (December 1989)~Budget~: revenues $76.3 billion; expenditures $69.1 billion, includingcapital expenditures of NA (FY90 est.)~Exports~: $43.2 billion (f.o.b., FY89); commodities--wheat, barley,beef, lamb, dairy products, wool, coal, iron ore; partners--Japan26%, US 11%, NZ 6%, South Korea 4%, Singapore 4%, USSR 3%~Imports~: $48.6 billion (c.i.f., FY89); commodities--manufactured rawmaterials, capital equipment, consumer goods; partners--US 22%,Japan 22%, UK 7%, FRG 6%, NZ 4% (1984)~External debt~: $111.6 billion (September 1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate 5.6% (FY88)~Electricity~: 38,000,000 kW capacity; 139,000 million kWh produced,8,450 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: mining, industrial and transportation equipment, foodprocessing, chemicals, steel, motor vehicles~Agriculture~: accounts for 5% of GNP and 37% of export revenues;world's largest exporter of beef and wool, second-largest formutton, and among top wheat exporters; major crops--wheat, barley,sugarcane, fruit; livestock--cattle, sheep, poultry~Aid~: donor--ODA and OOF commitments (1970-87), $8.8 billion~Currency~: Australian dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Australian dollar($A) = 100 cents~Exchange rates~: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1--1.2784 (January1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987), 1.4905 (1986),1.4269 (1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 July-30 June~
Communications~Railroads~: 40,478 km total; 7,970 km 1.600-meter gauge, 16,201 km1.435-meter standard gauge, 16,307 km 1.067-meter gauge; 183 km dualgauge; 1,130 km electrified; government owned (except for a fewhundred kilometers of privately owned track) (1985)~Highways~: 837,872 km total; 243,750 km paved, 228,396 km gravel,crushed stone, or stabilized soil surface, 365,726 km unimprovedearth~Inland waterways~: 8,368 km; mainly by small, shallow-draft craft~Pipelines~: crude oil, 2,500 km; refined products, 500 km; naturalgas, 5,600 km~Ports~: Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Devonport, Fremantle,Geelong, Hobart, Launceston, Mackay, Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville~Merchant marine~: 77 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,300,049GRT/3,493,802 DWT; includes 2 short-sea passenger, 7 cargo, 5container, 10 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 17 petroleum, oils, andlubricants (POL) tanker, 2 chemical tanker, 3 liquefied gas, 1combination ore/oil, 1 livestock carrier, 29 bulk~Civil air~: around 150 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 564 total, 524 usable; 235 with permanent-surface runways,2 with runways over 3,659 m; 20 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 311 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: good international and domestic service; 8.7million telephones; stations--258 AM, 67 FM, 134 TV; submarinecables to New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia; domesticsatellite service; satellite stations--4 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 6Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army, Royal AustralianAir Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 4,588,750; 4,009,127 fit for militaryservice; 136,042 reach military age (17) annually~Defense expenditures~: NA ~[000000016~000106972~000000000~000000000~000009744~000000108~000097292~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Austria~
Geography~Total area~: 83,850 km2; land area: 82,730 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Maine~Land boundaries~: 2,640 km total; Czechoslovakia 548 km, Hungary 366km, Italy 430 km, Liechtenstein 37 km, Switzerland 164 km, FRG 784km, Yugoslavia 311 km~Coastline~: none--landlocked~Maritime claims~: none--landlocked~Disputes~: South Tyrol question with Italy~Climate~: temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequentrain in lowlands and snow in mountains; cool summers with occasionalshowers~Terrain~: mostly mountains with Alps in west and south; mostly flat,with gentle slopes along eastern and northern margins~Natural resources~: iron ore, crude oil, timber, magnesite, aluminum,lead, coal, lignite, copper, hydropower~Land use~: 17% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 24% meadows andpastures; 39% forest and woodland; 19% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: because of steep slopes, poor soils, and coldtemperatures, population is concentrated on eastern lowlands~Note~: landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of centralEurope with many easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys; majorriver is the Danube~
People~Population~: 7,644,275 (July 1990), growth rate 0.3% (1990)~Birth rate~: 12 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 2 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 73 years male, 80 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.5 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Austrian(s); adjective--Austrian~Ethnic divisions~: 99.4% German, 0.3% Croatian, 0.2% Slovene, 0.1%other~Religion~: 85% Roman Catholic, 6% Protestant, 9% other~Language~: German~Literacy~: 98%~Labor force~: 3,037,000; 56.4% services, 35.4% industry and crafts,8.1% agriculture and forestry; an estimated 200,000 Austrians areemployed in other European countries; foreign laborers in Austrianumber 177,840, about 6% of labor force (1988)~Organized labor~: 1,672,820 members of Austrian Trade Union Federation(1984)~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Austria~Type~: federal republic~Capital~: Vienna~Administrative divisions~: 9 states (bundeslander,singular--bundesland); Burgenland, Karnten, Niederosterreich,Oberosterreich, Salzburg, Steiermark, Tirol, Vorarlberg, Wien~Independence~: 12 November 1918 (from Austro-Hungarian Empire)~Constitution~: 1920, revised 1929 (reinstated 1945)~Legal system~: civil law system with Roman law origin; judicial reviewof legislative acts by a Constitutional Court; separateadministrative and civil/penal supreme courts; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: National Day, 26 October (1955)~Executive branch~: president, chancellor, vice chancellor, Council ofMinisters (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: bicameral Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung)consists of an upper council or Federal Council (Bundesrat) and alower council or National Council (Nationalrat)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Judicial Court (Oberster Gerichtshof) forcivil and criminal cases, Administrative Court(Verwaltungsgerichtshof) for bureaucratic cases, ConstitutionalCourt (Verfassungsgerichtshof) for constitutional cases~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Kurt WALDHEIM (since 8 July 1986); Head of Government--Chancellor Franz VRANITZKY (since 16 June 1986);Vice Chancellor Josef RIEGLER (since 19 May 1989)~Political parties and leaders~: Socialist Party of Austria (SPO),Franz Vranitzky, chairman; Austrian People's Party (OVP), JosefRiegler, chairman; Freedom Party of Austria (FPO), Jorg Haider,chairman; Communist Party (KPO), Franz Muhri, chairman; GreenAlternative List (GAL), Andreas Wabl, chairman~Suffrage~: universal at age 19; compulsory for presidential elections~Elections~: President--last held 8 June 1986 (next to be held May1992); results of Second Ballot--Dr. Kurt Waldheim 53.89%, Dr. KurtSteyrer 46.11%;  Federal Council--last held 23 November 1986 (next to be held November1990); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(63 total) OVP32, SPO 30, FPO 1;  National Council--last held 23 November 1986 (next to be heldNovember 1990); results--SP0 43.1%, OVP 41.3%, FPO 9.7%, GAL 4.8%,KPO 0.7%, other 0.32%; seats--(183 total) SP0 80, OVP 77, FP0 18,GAL 8~Communists~: membership 15,000 est.; activists 7,000-8,000~Other political or pressure groups~: Federal Chamber of Commerce andIndustry; Austrian Trade Union Federation (primarily Socialist);three composite leagues of the Austrian People's Party (OVP)representing business, labor, and farmers; OVP-oriented League ofAustrian Industrialists; Roman Catholic Church, including its chieflay organization, Catholic Action~Member of~: ADB, Council of Europe, CCC, DAC, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO,GATT, IAEA, IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO,IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, ILZSG, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, ITU,IWC--International Wheat Council, OECD, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTO, WSG; Austria is neutral and is not a member of NATOor the EC~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Friedrich HOESS; Embassy at2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone]; there are Austrian Consulates General in Chicago, LosAngeles, and New York; US--Ambassador Henry A. GRUNWALD; Embassy atBoltzmanngasse 16, A-1091, Vienna (mailing address is APO New York09108); telephone ╒43σ [phone]; there is a US ConsulateGeneral in Salzburg~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red~
Economy~Overview~: Austria boasts a prosperous and stable capitalist economywith a sizable proportion of nationalized industry and extensivewelfare benefits. Thanks to an excellent raw material endowment, atechnically skilled labor force, and strong links with West Germanindustrial firms, Austria has successfully occupied specializedniches in European industry and services (tourism, banking) andproduces almost enough food to feed itself with only 8% of the laborforce in agriculture.  Living standards are roughly comparable withthe large industrial countries of Western Europe.  Problems for thel990s include an aging population and the struggle to keep welfarebenefits within budget capabilities.~GDP~: $103.2 billion, per capita $13,600; real growth rate 4.2% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 2.7% (1989)~Unemployment~: 4.8% (1989)~Budget~: revenues $34.2 billion; expenditures $39.5 billion, includingcapital expenditures of NA (1988)~Exports~: $31.2 billion (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--machinery andequipment, iron and steel, lumber, textiles, paper products,chemicals; partners--FRG 35%, Italy 10%, Eastern Europe 9%,Switzerland 7%, US 4%, OPEC 3%~Imports~: $37.9 billion (c.i.f., 1989); commodities--petroleum,foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, vehicles, chemicals, textilesand clothing, pharmaceuticals; partners--FRG 44%, Italy 9%, EasternEurope 6%, Switzerland 5%, US 4%, USSR 2%~External debt~: $12.4 billion (December 1987)~Industrial production~: growth rate 5.8% (1989 est.)~Electricity~: 17,562,000 kW capacity; 49,290 million kWh produced,6,500 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: foods, iron and steel, machines, textiles, chemicals,electrical, paper and pulp, tourism, mining~Agriculture~: accounts for 4% of GDP (including forestry); principalcrops and animals--grains, fruit, potatoes, sugar beets, sawn wood,cattle, pigs poultry; 80-90% self-sufficient in food~Aid~: donor--ODA and OOF commitments (1970-87), $1.7 billion~Currency~: Austrian schilling (plural--schillings); 1 Austrianschilling (S) = 100 groschen~Exchange rates~: Austrian schillings (S) per US$1--11.907 (January1990), 13.231 (1989), 12.348 (1988), 12.643 (1987), 15.267 (1986),20.690 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 6,028 km total; 5,388 km government owned and 640 kmprivately owned (1.435- and 1.000-meter gauge); 5,403 km 1.435-meterstandard gauge of which 3,051 km is electrified and 1,520 km isdouble tracked; 363 km 0.760-meter narrow gauge of which 91 km iselectrified~Highways~: 95,412 km total; 34,612 are the primary network (including1,012 km of autobahn, 10,400 km of federal, and 23,200 km ofprovincial roads); of this number, 21,812 km are paved and 12,800 kmare unpaved; in addition, there are 60,800 km of communal roads(mostly gravel, crushed stone, earth)~Inland waterways~: 446 km~Ports~: Vienna, Linz (river ports)~Merchant marine~: 29 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 209,311GRT/366,401 DWT; includes 23 cargo, 1 container, 5 bulk~Pipelines~: 554 km crude oil; 2,611 km natural gas; 171 km refinedproducts~Civil air~: 25 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 55 total, 54 usable; 19 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 4 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: highly developed and efficient; 4,014,000telephones; extensive TV and radiobroadcast systems; stations--6 AM,21 (544 repeaters) FM, 47 (867 repeaters) TV; satellite stationsoperating in INTELSAT 1 Atlantic Ocean earth station and 1 IndianOcean earth station and EUTELSAT systems~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Flying Division~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 1,970,189; 1,656,228 fit for militaryservice; 50,090 reach military age (19) annually~Defense expenditures~: 1.1% of GDP, or $1.1 billion (1989 est.) ~[000000017~000116719~000000000~000000000~000007160~000000070~000106972~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]The Bahamas~
Geography~Total area~: 13,940 km2; land area: 10,070 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Connecticut~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 3,542 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Climate~: tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream~Terrain~: long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills~Natural resources~: salt, aragonite, timber~Land use~: 1% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; NEGL% meadows andpastures; 32% forest and woodland; 67% other~Environment~: subject to hurricanes and other tropical storms thatcause extensive flood damage~Note~: strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive islandchain~
People~Population~: 246,491 (July 1990), growth rate 1.2% (1990)~Birth rate~: 17 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 21 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 68 years male, 75 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.9 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Bahamian(s); adjective--Bahamian~Ethnic divisions~: 85% black, 15% white~Religion~: Baptist 29%, Anglican 23%, Roman Catholic 22%, smallergroups of other Protestants, Greek Orthodox, and Jews~Language~: English; some Creole among Haitian immigrants~Literacy~: 95% (1986)~Labor force~: 132,600; 30% government, 25% hotels and restaurants, 10%business services, 5% agriculture (1986)~Organized labor~: 25% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: The Commonwealth of The Bahamas~Type~: commonwealth~Capital~: Nassau~Administrative divisions~: 21 districts; Abaco, Acklins Island, AndrosIsland, Berry Islands, Biminis, Cat Island, Cay Lobos, CrookedIsland, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama, Harbour Island, Inagua, LongCay, Long Island, Mayaguana, New Providence, Ragged Island, Rum Cay,San Salvador, Spanish Wells~Independence~: 10 July 1973 (from UK)~Constitution~: 10 July 1973~Legal system~: based on English common law~National holiday~: Independence Day, 10 July (1973)~Executive branch~: British monarch, governor general, prime minister,deputy prime minister, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper houseor Senate and a lower house or House of Assembly~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Acting Governor General Sir Henry TAYLOR (since 26June 1988);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Sir Lynden Oscar PINDLING (since16 January 1967)~Political parties and leaders~: Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), SirLynden O. Pindling; Free National Movement (FNM), CecilWallace-Whitfield~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: House of Assembly--last held 19 June 1987 (next to be heldby June 1992); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(49total) PLP 31, FNM 16, independents 2~Communists~: none known~Other political or pressure groups~: Vanguard Nationalist andSocialist Party (VNSP), a small leftist party headed by LionelCarey; Trade Union Congress (TUC), headed by Arlington Miller~Member of~: ACP, CARICOM, CCC, CDB, Commonwealth, FAO, G-77, GATT (defacto), IBRD, ICAO, IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, ILO, IMF,IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, ITU, NAM, OAS, PAHO, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Margaret E. MCDONALD; Chanceryat Suite 865, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington DC 20037;telephone [phone]; there are Bahamian Consulates General inMiami and New York; US--Ambassador Chic HECHT; Embassy at MosmarBuilding, Queen Street, Nassau (mailing address is P. O. Box N-8197,Nassau); telephone [phone] or 328-2206~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, andaquamarine with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side~
Economy~Overview~: The Bahamas is a stable, middle-income developing nationwhose economy is based primarily on tourism and offshore banking.Tourism alone provides about 50% of GDP and directly or indirectlyemploys about 50,000 people or 40% of the local work force. Theeconomy has boomed in recent years, aided by a steady annualincrease in the number of tourists. The per capita GDP of over$9,800 is one of the highest in the region.~GDP~: $2.4 billion, per capita $9,875; real growth rate 2.0% (1988est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 4.1% (1988)~Unemployment~: 12% (1986)~Budget~: revenues $555 million; expenditures $702 million, includingcapital expenditures of $138 million (1989 est.)~Exports~: $733 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities--pharmaceuticals,cement, rum, crawfish; partners--US 90%, UK 10%~Imports~: $1.7 billion (c.i.f., 1987); commodities--foodstuffs,manufactured goods, mineral fuels; partners--Iran 30%, Nigeria 20%,US 10%, EC 10%, Gabon 10%~External debt~: $1.5 billion (September 1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 368,000 kW capacity; 857 million kWh produced, 3,470 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: banking, tourism, cement, oil refining and transshipment,salt production, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral weld, steelpipe~Agriculture~: accounts for less than 5% of GDP; dominated bysmall-scale producers; principal products--citrus fruit, vegetables,poultry; large net importer of food~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-80), $42 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$344 million~Currency~: Bahamian dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Bahamian dollar (B$) =100 cents~Exchange rates~: Bahamian dollar (B$) per US$1--1.00 (fixed rate)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Highways~: 2,400 km total; 1,350 km paved, 1,050 km gravel~Ports~: Freeport, Nassau~Merchant marine~: 533 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,684,123GRT/19,574,532 DWT; includes 26 passenger, 15 short-sea passenger,121 cargo, 40 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 42 refrigerated cargo, 16container, 6 car carrier, 123 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL)tanker, 6 liquefied gas, 19 combination ore/oil, 29 chemical tanker,1 specialized tanker, 86 bulk, 3 combination bulk; note--a flag ofconvenience registry~Civil air~: 9 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 59 total, 57 usable; 31 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 25with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: highly developed; 99,000 telephones in totallyautomatic system; tropospheric scatter and submarine cable links toFlorida; stations--3 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV; 3 coaxial submarine cables;1Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Royal Bahamas Defense Force (a coast guard element only),Royal Bahamas Police Force~Military manpower~: NA~Defense expenditures~: NA ~[000000018~000123882~000000000~000000000~000007203~000000072~000116719~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Bahrain~
Geography~Total area~: 620 km2; land area: 620 km2~Comparative area~: slightly less than 3.5 times the size ofWashington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 161 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: not specific;  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Disputes~: territorial dispute with Qatar over the Hawar Islands~Climate~: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers~Terrain~: mostly low desert plain rising gently to low centralescarpment~Natural resources~: oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas,fish~Land use~: 2% arable land; 2% permanent crops; 6% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 90% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: subsurface water sources being rapidly depleted(requires development of desalination facilities); dust storms;desertification~Note~: proximity to primary Middle Eastern crude oil sources andstrategic location in Persian Gulf through which much of Westernworld's crude oil must transit to reach open ocean~
People~Population~: 520,186 (July 1990), growth rate 3.2% (1990)~Birth rate~: 28 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 3 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 8 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 19 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 71 years male, 76 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 4.1 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Bahraini(s); adjective--Bahraini~Ethnic divisions~: 63% Bahraini, 13% Asian, 10% other Arab, 8%Iranian, 6% other~Religion~: Muslim (70% Shia, 30% Sunni)~Language~: Arabic (official); English also widely spoken; Farsi, Urdu~Literacy~: 40%~Labor force~: 140,000; 42% of labor force is Bahraini; 85% industryand commerce, 5% agriculture, 5% services, 3% government (1982)~Organized labor~: General Committee for Bahrain Workers exists in onlyeight major designated companies~
Government~Long-form name~: State of Bahrain~Type~: traditional monarchy~Capital~: Manama~Administrative divisions~: 11 municipalities (baladiyat,singular--baladiyah); Al Hadd, Al Manamah, Al Mintaqah al Gharbiyah,Al Mintaqah al Wusta, Al Mintaqah ash Shamaliyah, Al Muharraq, ArRifa wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah, Jidd Hafs, Madinat Isa, MintaqatJuzur Hawar, Sitrah~Independence~: 15 August 1971 (from UK)~Constitution~: 26 May 1973, effective 6 December 1973~Legal system~: based on Islamic law and English common law~National holiday~: National Day, 16 December~Executive branch~: amir, crown prince and heir apparent, primeminister, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Assembly was dissolved 26August 1975 and legislative powers were assumed by the Cabinet~Judicial branch~: High Civil Appeals Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Amir Isa bin Salman Al KHALIFA (since 2November 1961); Heir Apparent Hamad bin Isa Al KHALIFA (son of Amir;born 28 January 1950);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al KHALIFA,(since 19 January 1970)~Political parties and pressure groups~: political parties prohibited;several small, clandestine leftist and Shia fundamentalist groupsare active~Suffrage~: none~Elections~: none~Communists~: negligible~Member of~: Arab League, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto), GCC, IBRD, ICAO,IDB--Islamic Development Bank, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, ITU, NAM,OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Ghazi Muhammad AL-QUSAYBI;Chancery at 3502 International Drive NW, Washington DC 20008;telephone [phone] or 342-0742; there is a Bahraini ConsulateGeneral in New York; US--Ambassador Dr. Charles W. HOSTLER; Embassyat Shaikh Isa Road, Manama (mailing address is P. O. 26431, Manama,or FPO New York 09526); telephone ╒973σ 714151 through 714153~Flag~: red with a white serrated band (eight white points) on thehoist side~
Economy~Overview~: The oil price decline in recent years has had an adverseimpact on the economy. Petroleum production and processing accountfor about 85% of export receipts, 60% of government revenues, and20% of GDP. In 1986 soft oil-market conditions led to a 5% drop inGDP, in sharp contrast wit the 5% average annual growth rate duringthe early 1980s. The slowdown in economic activity, however, hashelped to check the inflation of the 1970s. The government's pasteconomic diversification efforts have moderated the severity of thedownturn but failed to offset oil and gas revenue losses.~GDP~: $3.5 billion, per capita $7,550 (1987); real growth rate 0%(1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 0.3% (1988)~Unemployment~: 8-10% (1989)~Budget~: revenues $1,136 million; expenditures $1,210 million,including capital expenditures of $294 million (1987)~Exports~: $2.4 billion (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities--petroleum80%, aluminum 7%, other 13%; partners--US, UAE, Japan, Singapore,Saudi Arabia~Imports~: $2.5 billion (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities--nonoil 59%,crude oil 41%; partners--UK, Saudi Arabia, US, Japan~External debt~: $1.1 billion (December 1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate - 3.1% (1987)~Electricity~: 1,652,000 kW capacity; 6,000 million kWh produced,12,800 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting,offshore banking, ship repairing~Agriculture~: including fishing, accounts for less than 2% of GDP; notself-sufficient in food production; heavily subsidized sectorproduces fruit, vegetables, poultry, dairy products, shrimp, andfish; fish catch 9,000 metric tons in 1987~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-79), $24 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $28million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $9.8 billion~Currency~: Bahraini dinar (plural--dinars); 1 Bahraini dinar (BD) =1,000 fils~Exchange rates~: Bahraini dinars (BD) per US$1--0.3760 (fixed rate)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Highways~: 200 km bituminous surfaced, including 25 km bridge-causewayto Saudi Arabia opened in November 1986; NA km natural surfacetracks~Ports~: Mina Salman, Mina al Manamah, Sitrah~Merchant marine~: 1 cargo and 1 bulk (1,000 GRT or over) totaling28,621 GRT/44,137 DWT~Pipelines~: crude oil, 56 km; refined products, 16 km; natural gas, 32km~Civil air~: 24 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 3 total, 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; 2 withrunways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: excellent international telecommunications;adequate domestic services; 98,000 telephones; stations--2 AM, 1 FM,2 TV; satellite earth stations--1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 IndianOcean INTELSAT, 1 ARABSAT; tropospheric scatter and microwave toQatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia; submarine cable to Qatar and UAE~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army (Defense Force), Navy, Air Force, Police Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 183,580; 102,334 fit for militaryservice~Defense expenditures~: 5% of GDP, or $194 million (1990 est.) ~[000000019~000131088~000000000~000000000~000002197~000000026~000123882~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Baker Island(territory of the US)~
Geography~Total area~: 1.4 km2; land area: 1.4 km2~Comparative area~: about 2.3 times the size of The Mall in Washington,DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 4.8 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 12 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 m;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun~Terrain~: low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrowfringing reef~Natural resources~: guano (deposits worked until 1891)~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other~Environment~: treeless, sparse and scattered vegetation consisting ofgrasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; lacks fresh water;primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds,shorebirds, and marine wildlife~Note~: remote location 2,575 km southwest of Honolulu in the NorthPacific Ocean, just north of the Equator, about halfway betweenHawaii and Australia~
People~Population~: uninhabited~Note~: American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air andnaval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military duringWorld War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is byspecial-use permit only and generally restricted to scientists andeducators; a cemetery and cemetery ruins located near the middle ofthe west coast~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish andWildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of theNational Wildlife Refuge system~
Economy~Overview~: no economic activity~
Communications~Ports~: none; offshore anchorage only, one boat landing area along thethe middle of the west coast~Airports~: 1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m~Note~: there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually bythe US Coast Guard ~[000000020~000133288~000000000~000000000~000009280~000000097~000131088~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Bangladesh~
Geography~Total area~: 144,000 km2; land area: 133,910 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Wisconsin~Land boundaries~: 4,246 km total; Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km~Coastline~: 580 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 18 nm;  Continental shelf: up to outer limits of continental margin;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: a portion of the boundary with India is in dispute; watersharing problems with upstream riparian India over the Ganges~Climate~: tropical; cool, dry winter (October to March); hot, humidsummer (March to June); cool, rainy monsoon (June to October)~Terrain~: mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast~Natural resources~: natural gas, uranium, arable land, timber~Land use~: 67% arable land; 2% permanent crops; 4% meadows andpastures; 16% forest and woodland; 11% other; includes 14% irrigated~Environment~: vulnerable to droughts; much of country routinelyflooded during summer monsoon season; overpopulation; deforestation~Note~: almost completely surrounded by India~
People~Population~: 118,433,062 (July 1990), growth rate 2.8% (1990)~Birth rate~: 42 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 14 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 136 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 54 years male, 53 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 5.7 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Bangladeshi(s); adjective--Bangladesh~Ethnic divisions~: 98% Bengali; 250,000 Biharis, and less than 1million tribals~Religion~: 83% Muslim, about 16% Hindu, less than 1% Buddhist,Christian, and other~Language~: Bangla (official), English widely used~Literacy~: 29% (39% men, 18% women)~Labor force~: 35,100,000; 74% agriculture, 15% services, 11% industryand commerce; extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman,and Kuwait (FY86)~Organized labor~: 3% of labor force belongs to 2,614 registered unions(1986 est.)~
Government~Long-form name~: People's Republic of Bangladesh~Type~: republic~Capital~: Dhaka~Administrative divisions~: 64 districts (zillagulo, singular--zilla);Bagerhat, Bandarban, Barisal, Bhola, Bogra, Borguna, Brahmanbaria,Chandpur, Chapai Nawabganj, Chattagram, Chuadanga, Comilla, Cox'sBazar, Dhaka, Dinajpur, Faridpur, Feni, Gaibandha, Gazipur,Gopalganj, Habiganj, Jaipurhat, Jamalpur, Jessore, Jhalakati,Jhenaidah, Khagrachari, Khulna, Kishorganj, Kurigram, Kushtia,Laksmipur, Lalmonirhat, Madaripur, Magura, Manikganj, Meherpur,Moulavibazar, Munshiganj, Mymensingh, Naogaon, Narail, Narayanganj,Narsingdi, Nator, Netrakona, Nilphamari, Noakhali, Pabna, Panchagar,Parbattya Chattagram, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Rajbari, Rajshahi,Rangpur, Satkhira, Shariyatpur, Sherpur, Sirajganj, Sunamganj,Sylhet, Tangail, Thakurgaon~Independence~: 16 December 1971 (from Pakistan; formerly EastPakistan)~Constitution~: 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspendedfollowing coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986~Legal system~: based on English common law~National holiday~: Independence Day, 26 March (1971)~Executive branch~: president, vice president, prime minister, threedeputy prime ministers, Council of Ministers (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral Parliament (Jatiya Sangsad)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD (since 11December 1983, elected 15 October 1986); Vice President Moudad AHMED(since 12 August 1989);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Qazi Zafar AHMED (since 12 August1989)~Political parties and leaders~: Jatiyo Party, Hussain Mohammad Ershad;Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Begum Ziaur Rahman; Awami League,Sheikh Hasina Wazed; United People's Party, Kazi Zafar Ahmed;Democratic League, Khondakar Mushtaque Ahmed; Muslim League, Khan A.Sabur; Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal (National Socialist Party), M. A.Jalil; Bangladesh Communist Party (pro-Soviet), Saifuddin AhmedManik; Jamaat-E-Islami, Ali Khan~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: President--last held 15 October 1986 (next to be heldOctober 1991); results--President Hussain Mohammad Ershad received83.5% of vote;  Parliament--last held 3 March 1988 (next to be held March 1993);results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(330 total, 300 electedand 30 seats reserved for women) Jatiyo Party won 256 out of 300seats~Communists~: 5,000 members (1987 est.)~Member of~: ADB, CCC, Colombo Plan, Commonwealth, ESCAP, FAO, G-77,GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD,IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IRC, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WFTU, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador A. H. S. Ataul KARIM; Chanceryat 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington DC 20007; telephone [phone] through 8376; there is a Bangladesh Consulate General inNew York; US--Ambassador-designate William B. MILAM; Embassy atDiplomatic Enclave, Madani Avenue, Baridhara Model Town, Dhaka(mailing address is G. P. O. Box 323, Ramna, Dhaka); telephone ╒88σ(2) 608170~Flag~: green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side ofcenter; green is the traditional color of Islam~
Economy~Overview~: The economy is based on the output of a narrow range ofagricultural products, such as jute, which is the main cash crop andmajor source of export earnings. Bangladesh is hampered by arelative lack of natural resources, a rapid population growth of2.8% a year and a limited infrastructure, and it is highlyvulnerable to natural disasters. Despite these constraints, real GDPaveraged about 3.8% annually during 1985-88. One of the poorestnations in the world, alleviation of poverty remains the cornerstoneof the government's development strategy. The agricultural sectorcontributes over 50% to GDP and 75% to exports, and employs over 74%of the labor force. Industry accounts for about 10% of GDP.~GDP~: $20.6 billion, per capita $180; real growth rate 2.1% (FY89est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 8-10% (FY89 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 30% (FY88 est.)~Budget~: revenues $1.8 billion; expenditures $3.3 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $1.7 billion (FY89)~Exports~: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., FY89 est.); commodities--jute, tea,leather, shrimp, manufacturing; partners--US 25%, Western Europe22%, Middle East 9%, Japan 8%, Eastern Europe 7%~Imports~: $3.1 billion (c.i.f., FY89 est.); commodities--food,petroleum and other energy, nonfood consumer goods, semiprocessedgoods, and capital equipment; partners--Western Europe 18%, Japan14%, Middle East 9%, US 8%~External debt~: $10.4 billion (December 1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate 5.4% (FY89 est.)~Electricity~: 1,700,000 kW capacity; 4,900 million kWh produced, 40kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: jute manufacturing, food processing, cotton textiles,petroleum, urea fertilizer~Agriculture~: accounts for about 50% of GDP and 74% of both employmentand exports; imports 10% of food grain requirements; world's largestexporter of jute; commercial products--jute, rice, wheat, tea,sugarcane, potatoes, beef, milk, poultry; shortages include wheat,vegetable oils and cotton; fish catch 778,000 metric tons in 1986~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $3.2 billion; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-87),$9.5 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $652 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $1.5 billion~Currency~: taka (plural--taka); 1 taka (Tk) = 100 paise~Exchange rates~: taka (Tk) per US$1--32.270 (January 1990), 32.270(1989), 31.733 (1988), 30.950 (1987), 30.407 (1986), 27.995 (1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 July-30 June~
Communications~Railroads~: 2,892 km total (1986); 1,914 km 1.000 meter gauge, 978 km1.676 meter broad gauge~Highways~: 7,240 km total (1985); 3,840 km paved, 3,400 km unpaved~Inland waterways~: 5,150-8,046 km navigable waterways (includes2,575-3,058 km main cargo routes)~Ports~: Chittagong, Chalna~Merchant marine~: 47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 331,568GRT/493,935 DWT; includes 38 cargo, 2 petroleum, oils, andlubricants (POL) tanker, 3 refrigerated cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off, 3bulk~Pipelines~: 650 km natural gas~Civil air~: 15 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 16 total, 13 usable; 13 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 7 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: adequate international radio communications andlandline service; fair domestic wire and microwave service; fairbroadcast service; 182,000 telephones; stations--9 AM, 6 FM, 11 TV;2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT satellite earth stations~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force; paramilitary forces--BangladeshRifles, Bangladesh Ansars, Armed Police Reserve, Coastal Police~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 28,110,802; 16,686,644 fit formilitary service~Defense expenditures~: 1.5% of GDP, or $309 million (FY90 est.) ~[000000021~000142571~000000000~000000000~000007132~000000073~000133288~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Barbados~
Geography~Total area~: 430 km2; land area: 430 km2~Comparative area~: slightly less than 2.5 times the size ofWashington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 97 km~Maritime claims~:  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: tropical; rainy season (June to October)~Terrain~: relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region~Natural resources~: crude oil, fishing, natural gas~Land use~: 77% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 9% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 14% other~Environment~: subject to hurricanes (especially June to October)~Note~: easternmost Caribbean island~
People~Population~: 262,688 (July 1990), growth rate 0.6% (1990)~Birth rate~: 18 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 5 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 16 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 73 years male, 77 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.1 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Barbadian(s); adjective--Barbadian~Ethnic divisions~: 80% African, 16% mixed, 4% European~Religion~: 70% Anglican, 9% Methodist, 4% Roman Catholic, 17% other,including Moravian~Language~: English~Literacy~: 99%~Labor force~: 112,300; 37% services and government; 22% commerce, 22%manufacturing and construction; 9% transportation, storage,communications, and financial institutions; 8% agriculture; 2%utilities (1985 est.)~Organized labor~: 32% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: parliamentary democracy~Capital~: Bridgetown~Administrative divisions~: 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--theremay a new city of Bridgetown~Independence~: 30 November 1966 (from UK)~Constitution~: 30 November 1966~Legal system~: English common law; no judicial review of legislativeacts~National holiday~: Independence Day, 30 November (1966)~Executive branch~: British monarch, governor general, prime minister,deputy prime minister, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper houseor Senate and a lower house or House of Assembly~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court of Judicature~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Sir Hugh SPRINGER (since 24 February1984);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Lloyd Erskine SANDIFORD (since 2June 1987)~Political parties and leaders~: Democratic Labor Party (DLP), ErskineSandiford; Barbados Labor Party (BLP), Henry Forde; NationalDemocratic Party (NDP), Richie Haynes~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: House of Assembly--last held 28 May 1986 (next to be heldby May 1991); results--DLP 59.4%, BLP 40.6%; seats--(27 total) DLP24, BLP 3; note--a split in the DLP in February 1989 resulted in theformation of the NDP, changing the status of seats to DLP 20, NDP 4,BLP 3~Communists~: negligible~Other political or pressure groups~: Industrial and General WorkersUnion, Bobby Clarke; People's Progressive Movement, Eric Sealy;Workers' Party of Barbados, Dr. George Belle~Member of~: ACP, CARICOM, Commonwealth, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBRD,ICAO, IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, ISO, ITU, IWC--International Wheat Council,NAM, OAS, PAHO, SELA, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Sir William DOUGLAS; Chanceryat 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone] through 9202; there is a Barbadian Consulate General in NewYork and a Consulate in Los Angeles; US--Ambassador-nominee G.Philip HUGHES; Embassy at Canadian Imperial Bank of CommerceBuilding, Broad Street, Bridgetown (mailing address is P. O. Box302, Bridgetown or FPO Miami 34054); telephone [phone]through 4957~Flag~: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, andblue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; thetrident head represents independence and a break with the past (thecolonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)~
Economy~Overview~: A per capita income of $5,250 gives Barbados the higheststandard of living of all the small island states of the easternCaribbean. Historically, the economy was based on the cultivation ofsugarcane and related activities. In recent years, however, theeconomy has diversified into manufacturing and tourism. The touristindustry is now a major employer of the labor force and a primarysource of foreign exchange. A high unemployment rate of about 19% in1988 remains one of the most serious economic problems facing thecountry.~GDP~: $1.3 billion, per capita $5,250 (1988 est.); real growth rate3.7% (1989 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 4.7% (1988)~Unemployment~: 18.6% (1988)~Budget~: revenues $476 million; expenditures $543 million, includingcapital expenditures of $94 million (FY86)~Exports~: $173 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--sugar andmolasses, electrical components, clothing, rum, machinery andtransport equipment; partners: US 30%, CARICOM, UK, Puerto Rico,Canada~Imports~: $582 million (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--foodstuffs,consumer durables, raw materials, crude oil; partners--US 34%,CARICOM, Japan, UK, Canada~External debt~: $635 million (December 1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate - 5.4% (1987 est.)~Electricity~: 132,000 kW capacity; 460 million kWh produced, 1,780 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assemblyfor export~Agriculture~: accounts for 10% of GDP; major cash crop is sugarcane;other crops--vegetables and cotton; not self-sufficient in food~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-84), $14 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$144 million~Currency~: Barbadian dollars (plural--dollars); 1 Barbadian dollar(Bds$) = 100 cents~Exchange rates~: Barbadian dollars (Bds$) per US$1--2.0113 (fixedrate)~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Highways~: 1,570 km total; 1,475 km paved, 95 km gravel and earth~Ports~: Bridgetown~Merchant marine~: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,200GRT/7,338 DWT~Civil air~: 2 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 1 with permanent-surface runways 2,440-3,659 m~Telecommunications~: islandwide automatic telephone system with 89,000telephones; tropospheric scatter link to Trinidad and St. Lucia;stations--3 AM, 2 FM, 2 (1 is pay) TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSATearth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Royal Barbados Defense Force, Royal Barbados Police Force,Coast Guard~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 67,677; 47,566 fit for militaryservice, no conscription~Defense expenditures~: 0.6% of GDP (1986) ~[000000022~000149706~000000000~000000000~000001302~000000013~000142571~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Bassas da India(French possession)~
Geography~Total area~: undetermined~Comparative area~: undetermined~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 35.2 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 12 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: claimed by Madagascar~Climate~: tropical~Terrain~: a volcanic rock 2.4 m high~Natural resources~: none~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other (rock)~Environment~: surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones~Note~: navigational hazard since it is usually under water during hightide; located in southern Mozambique Channel about halfway betweenAfrica and Madagascar~
People~Population~: uninhabited~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: French possession administered by Commissioner of the RepublicDaniel CONSTANTIN, resident in Reunion~
Economy~Overview~: no economic activity~
Communications~Ports~: none; offshore anchorage only~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of France ~[000000023~000151011~000000000~000000000~000010165~000000114~000149706~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Belgium~
Geography~Total area~: 30,510 km2; land area: 30,230 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Maryland~Land boundaries~: 1,385 km total; France 620 km, Luxembourg 148 km,Netherlands 450 km, FRG 167 km~Coastline~: 64 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: not specific;  Exclusive fishing zone: equidistant line with neighbors (extendsabout 68 km from coast);  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy~Terrain~: flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills,rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast~Natural resources~: coal, natural gas~Land use~: 24% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 20% meadows andpastures; 21% forest and woodland; 34% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: air and water pollution~Note~: majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels;crossroads of Western Europe; Brussels is the seat of the EC~
People~Population~: 9,909,285 (July 1990), growth rate 0.1% (1990)~Birth rate~: 12 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 73 years male, 80 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.6 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Belgian(s); adjective--Belgian~Ethnic divisions~: 55% Fleming, 33% Walloon, 12% mixed or other~Religion~: 75% Roman Catholic; remainder Protestant or other~Language~: 56% Flemish (Dutch), 32% French, 1% German; 11% legallybilingual; divided along ethnic lines~Literacy~: 98%~Labor force~: 4,000,000; 58% services, 37% industry, 5% agriculture(1987)~Organized labor~: 70% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Kingdom of Belgium~Type~: constitutional monarchy~Capital~: Brussels~Administrative divisions~: 9 provinces (French--provinces,singular--province; Flemish--provincien, singular--provincie);Antwerpen, Brabant, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur,Oost-Vlaanderen, West-Vlaanderen~Independence~: 4 October 1830 (from the Netherlands)~Constitution~: 7 February 1831, last revised 8-9 August 1980; thegovernment is in the process of revising the Constitution, with theaim of federalizing the Belgian state~Legal system~: civil law system influenced by English constitutionaltheory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations~National holiday~: National Day, 21 July (ascension of King Leopold tothe throne in 1831)~Executive branch~: monarch, prime minister, five deputy primeministers, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper chamberor Senate (Flemish--Senaat, French--Senat) and a lower chamber orChamber of Representatives (Flemish--Kamer vanVolksvertegenwoordigers, French--Chambre des Representants)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court of Justice (Flemish--Hof van Cassatie,French--Cour de Cassation)~Leaders~: Chief of State--King BAUDOUIN I (since 17 July 1951); HeirApparent Prince ALBERT of Liege (brother of the King; born 6 June1934);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Wilfried MARTENS, (since April1979, with a 10-month interruption in 1981)~Political parties and leaders~: Flemish Social Christian (CVP), Hermanvan Rompuy, president; Walloon Social Christian (PSC), GerardDeprez, president; Flemish Socialist (SP), Frank Vandenbroucke,president; Walloon Socialist (PS), Guy Spitaels, president; FlemishLiberal (PVV), Guy Verhofstadt, president; Walloon Liberal (PRL),Antoine Duquesne, president; Francophone Democratic Front (FDF),Georges Clerfayt, president; Volksunie (VU), Jaak Gabriels,president; Communist Party (PCB), Louis van Geyt, president; VlaamsBlok (VB), Karel Dillen; other minor parties~Suffrage~: universal and compulsory at age 18~Elections~: Senate--last held 13 December 1987 (next to be heldDecember 1991); results--CVP 19.2%, PS 15.7%, SP 14.7%, PVV 11.3%,PRL 9.3%, VU 8.1%, PSC 7.8%, ECOLO-AGALEV 7.7%, VB 2.0%, VDF 1.3%,other 1.96%; seats--(106 total) CVP 22, PS 20, SP 17, PRL 12, PVV11, PSC 9, VU 8, ECOLO-AGALEV 5, VB 1, FDF 1;  Chamber of Representatives--last held 13 December 1987 (next to beheld December 1991); results--CVP 19.45%, PS 15.66%, SP 14.88%, PVV11.55%, PRL 9.41%, PSC 8.01%, VU 8.05%, ECOLO-AGALEV 7.05%, VB1.90%, FDF 1.16%, other 2.88%; seats--(212 total) CVP 43, PS 40, SP32, PVV 25, PRL 23, PSC 19, VU 16, ECOLO-AGALEV 9, FDF 3, VB 2~Communists~: under 5,000 members (December 1985 est.)~Other political or pressure groups~: Christian and Socialist TradeUnions; Federation of Belgian Industries; numerous otherassociations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-classartisans, and the legal and medical professions; variousorganizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders andWallonia; various peace groups such as the Flemish Action CommitteeAgainst Nuclear Weapons and Pax Christi~Member of~: ADB, Benelux, BLEU, CCC, Council of Europe, DAC, EC, ECE,ECOSOC, EIB, EMS, ESA, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, ICES, ICO, IDA,IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, ILZSG,IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOOC, IPU, ITC, ITU, NATO, OAS(observer), OECD, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WSG~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Herman DEHENNIN; Chancery at3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone]; there are Belgian Consulates General in Atlanta, Chicago,Houston, Los Angeles, and New York; US--Ambassador Maynard W.GLITMAN; Embassy at 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels (mailingaddress is APO New York 09667); telephone ╒32σ (2) 513-3830; thereis a US Consulate General in Antwerp~Flag~: three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, andred; the design was based on the flag of France~
Economy~Overview~: This small private-enterprise economy has capitalized onits central geographic location, highly developed transport network,and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry isconcentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north,although the government is encouraging reinvestment in the southernregion of Walloon. With few natural resources Belgium must importessential raw materials, making its economy closely dependent on thestate of world markets. In 1988 over 70% of trade was with other ECcountries. During the period 1986-88 the economy profited fromfalling oil prices and a lower dollar, which helped to improve theterms of trade. Real GDP grew by an average of 3.5% in 1986-89, upfrom 1.5% in 1985. However, a large budget deficit and 10%unemployment cast a shadow on the economy.~GDP~: $136.0 billion, per capita $13,700; real growth rate 4.5% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 3.6% (1989 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 9.7% est. (1989 est.)~Budget~: revenues $45.0 billion; expenditures $55.3 billion, includingcapital expenditures of NA (1989)~Exports~: $100.3 billion (f.o.b., 1989) Belgium-Luxembourg EconomicUnion; commodities--iron and steel, transportation equipment,tractors, diamonds, petroleum products; partners--EC 74%, US 5%,Communist countries 2% (1988)~Imports~: $100.1 billion (c.i.f., 1989) Belgium-Luxembourg EconomicUnion; commodities--fuels, grains, chemicals, foodstuffs;partners--EC 72%, US 5%, oil-exporting less developed countries 4%,Communist countries 3% (1988)~External debt~: $27.5 billion (1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate 6.4% (1988)~Electricity~: 17,325,000 kW capacity; 62,780 million kWh produced,6,350 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: engineering and metal products, processed food andbeverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal~Agriculture~: accounts for 2% of GDP; emphasis on livestockproduction--beef, veal, pork, milk; major crops are sugar beets,fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, and tobacco; net importer of farmproducts~Aid~: donor--ODA and OOF commitments (1970-87), $4.3 billion~Currency~: Belgian franc (plural--francs); 1 Belgian franc (BF) = 100centimes~Exchange rates~: Belgian francs (BF) per US$1--35.468 (January 1990),39.404 (1989), 36.768 (1988), 37.334 (1987), 44.672 (1986), 59.378(1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: Belgian National Railways (SNCB) operates 3,667 km1.435-meter standard gauge, government owned; 2,563 km double track;1,978 km electrified; 191 km 1.000-meter gauge, government owned andoperated~Highways~: 103,396 km total; 1,317 km limited access, dividedautoroute; 11,717 km national highway; 1,362 km provincial road;about 38,000 km paved and 51,000 km unpaved rural roads~Inland waterways~: 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use)~Ports~: Antwerp, Brugge, Gent, Oostende, Zeebrugge, 1 secondary, and 1minor maritime; 11 inland~Merchant marine~: 67 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,854,898GRT/3,071,637 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 10 cargo, 6roll-on/roll-off, 6 container, 7 petroleum, oils, and lubricants(POL) tanker, 6 liquefied gas, 3 combination ore/oil, 9 chemicaltanker, 13 bulk, 6 combination bulk~Pipelines~: refined products 1,167 km; crude 161 km; natural gas 3,300km~Civil air~: 47 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 42 total, 42 usable; 24 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 14 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 3with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: excellent domestic and international telephoneand telegraph facilities; 4,560,000 telephones; stations--8 AM, 19FM (41 relays), 25 TV (10 relays); 5 submarine cables; satelliteearth stations operating in INTELSAT 3 Atlantic Ocean and EUTELSATsystems~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 2,512,681; 2,114,701 fit for militaryservice; 66,758 reach military age (19) annually~Defense expenditures~: 2.7% of GDP, or $3.7 billion (1989 est.) ~[000000024~000161179~000000000~000000000~000007742~000000080~000151011~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Belize~
Geography~Total area~: 22,960 km2; land area: 22,800 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Massachusetts~Land boundaries~: 516 km total; Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km~Coastline~: 386 km~Maritime claims~:  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Disputes~: claimed by Guatemala, but boundary negotiations are underway~Climate~: tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to February)~Terrain~: flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south~Natural resources~: arable land potential, timber, fish~Land use~: 2% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 2% meadows andpastures; 44% forest and woodland; 52% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: frequent devastating hurricanes (September to December)and coastal flooding (especially in south); deforestation~Note~: national capital moved 80 km inland from Belize City toBelmopan because of hurricanes; only country in Central Americawithout a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean~
People~Population~: 219,737 (July 1990), growth rate 3.7% (1990)~Birth rate~: 38 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 4 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 35 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 67 years male, 72 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 4.8 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Belizean(s); adjective--Belizean~Ethnic divisions~: 39.7% Creole, 33.1% Mestizo, 9.5% Maya, 7.6%Garifuna, 2.1% East Indian, 8.0% other~Religion~: 60% Roman Catholic; 40% Protestant (Anglican, Seventh-DayAdventist, Methodist, Baptist, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mennonite)~Language~: English (official), Spanish, Maya, Garifuna (Carib)~Literacy~: 93% (est.)~Labor force~: 51,500; 30.0% agriculture, 16.0% services, 15.4%government, 11.2% commerce, 10.3% manufacturing; shortage of skilledlabor and all types of technical personnel (1985)~Organized labor~: 30% of labor force; 11 unions currently active~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: parliamentary~Capital~: Belmopan~Administrative divisions~: 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, OrangeWalk, Stann Creek, Toledo~Independence~: 21 September 1981 (from UK; formerly British Honduras)~Constitution~: 21 September 1981~Legal system~: English law~National holiday~: Independence Day, 21 September~Executive branch~: British monarch, governor general, prime minister,deputy prime minister, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral National Assembly consists of an upperhouse or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Dame Elmira Minita GORDON (since 21September 1981);  Head of Government--Prime Minister George Cadle PRICE (since 4September 1989)~Political parties and leaders~: People's United Party (PUP), GeorgePrice, Florencio Marin, Said Musa; United Democratic Party (UDP),Manuel Esquivel, Curl Thompson, Dean Barrow; Belize Popular Party(BPP), Louis Sylvestre~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: National Assembly--last held 4 September 1989 (next to beheld September 1994); results--percent of vote by party NA;seats--(28 total) PUP 15 seats, UDP 13 seats; note--in January 1990one member expelled from UDP joined PUP, making the seat count 16PUP, UDP 12~Communists~: negligible~Other political or pressure groups~: Society for the Promotion ofEducation and Research (SPEAR) headed by former PUP minister; UnitedWorkers Front~Member of~: ACP, CARICOM, CDB, Commonwealth, FAO, GATT, IBRD, IDA,IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, G-77, ISO, ITU, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Edward A. LAING; Chancery atSuite 2J, 3400 International Drive NW, Washington DC 20008;telephone [phone]; US--Ambassador Robert G. RICH, Jr.;Embassy at Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City (mailingaddress is P. O. Box 286, Belize City); telephone ╒501σ 77161through 77163~Flag~: blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottomedges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; thecoat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers with amahogany tree at the top and the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (IFlourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by agreen garland~
Economy~Overview~: The economy is based primarily on agriculture andmerchandising. Agriculture accounts for more than 30% of GDP andprovides 75% of export earnings, while sugar, the chief crop,accounts for almost 40% of hard currency earnings. The US, Belize'smain trading partner, is assisting in efforts to reduce dependencyon sugar with an agricultural diversification program. In 1987 thedrop in income from sugar sales to the US because of quotareductions was almost totally offset by higher world prices forsugar.~GDP~: $225.6 million, per capita $1,285; real growth rate 6% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 1.5% (1988)~Unemployment rate~: 14% (1988 est.)~Budget~: revenues $94.6 million; expenditures $74.3 million, includingcapital expenditures of $33.9 million (1988 est.)~Exports~: $120 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--sugar, clothing,seafood, molasses, citrus, wood and wood products; partners--US 47%,UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada (1987)~Imports~: $176 million (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--machinery andtransportation equipment, food, manufactured goods, fuels,chemicals, pharmaceuticals; partners--US 55%, UK, NetherlandsAntilles, Mexico (1987)~External debt~: $140 million (December 1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate 6% (1988)~Electricity~: 34,000 kW capacity; 88 million kWh produced, 500 kWh percapita (1989)~Industries~: sugar refining, clothing, timber and forest products,furniture, rum, soap, beverages, cigarettes, tourism~Agriculture~: accounts for 30% of GDP (including fish and forestry);commercial crops include sugarcane, bananas, coca, citrus fruits;expanding output of lumber and cultured shrimp; net importer ofbasic foods~Illicit drugs~: an illicit producer of cannabis for the internationaldrug trade; eradication program cut marijuana production from 200metric tons in 1987 to 66 metric tons in 1989; transshipment pointfor cocaine~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $94 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$194 million~Currency~: Belizean dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Belizean dollar (Bz$)= 100 cents~Exchange rates~: Belizean dollars (Bz$) per US$1--2.00 (fixed rate)~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Highways~: 2,575 km total; 340 km paved, 1,190 km gravel, 735 kmimproved earth, and 310 km unimproved earth~Inland waterways~: 825 km river network used by shallow-draft craft;seasonally navigable~Ports~: Belize City, Belize City Southwest~Civil air~: no major transport aircraft~Airports~: 38 total, 30 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 2,439 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: 8,650 telephones; above-average system based onradio relay; stations--6 AM, 5 FM, 1 TV, 1 shortwave; 1 AtlanticOcean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: British Forces Belize, Belize Defense Force, Coast Guard,Police Department~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 50,988; 30,502 fit for militaryservice; 2,500 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 2.0% of GDP, or $4.6 million (1989 est.) ~[000000025~000168924~000000000~000000000~000007632~000000077~000161179~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Benin~
Geography~Total area~: 112,620 km2; land area: 110,620 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania~Land boundaries~: 1,989 km total; Burkina 306 km, Niger 266 km,Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km~Coastline~: 121 km~Maritime claims~:  Territorial sea: 200 nm~Climate~: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north~Terrain~: mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and lowmountains~Natural resources~: small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble,timber~Land use~: 12% arable land; 4% permanent crops; 4% meadows andpastures; 35% forest and woodland; 45% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north inwinter; deforestation; desertification~Note~: recent droughts have severely affected marginal agriculture innorth; no natural harbors~
People~Population~: 4,673,964 (July 1990), growth rate 3.3% (1990)~Birth rate~: 50 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 16 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 121 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 48 years male, 52 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 7.1 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Beninese (sing., pl.); adjective--Beninese~Ethnic divisions~: 99% African (42 ethnic groups, most important beingFon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba); 5,500 Europeans~Religion~: 70% indigenous beliefs, 15% Muslim, 15% Christian~Language~: French (official); Fon and Yoruba most common vernacularsin south; at least six major tribal languages in north~Literacy~: 25.9%~Labor force~: 1,900,000 (1987); 60% agriculture, 38% transport,commerce, and public services, less than 2% industry; 49% ofpopulation of working age (1985)~Organized labor~: about 75% of wage earners~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Benin~Type~: dropped Marxism-Leninism December 1989; democratic reformsadopted February 1990; transition to multiparty system by 1991planned~Capital~: Porto-Novo (official), Cotonou (de facto)~Administrative divisions~: 6 provinces; Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou,Mono, Oueme, Zou~Independence~: 1 August 1960 (from France; formerly Dahomey)~Constitution~: 23 May 1977 (nullified 1 March 1990); new constitutionto be drafted by April 1990~Legal system~: based on French civil law and customary law; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: National Day, 30 November (1975)~Executive branch~: president, prime minister, cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Revolutionary Assembly(Assemblee Nationale Revolutionnaire) dissolved 1 March 1990 andreplaced by a 24-member interim High Council of the Republic duringthe transition period~Judicial branch~: Central People's Court (Cour Central Populaire)~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President MathieuKEREKOU (since 27 October 1972)~Political parties and leaders~: only party--People's RevolutionaryParty of Benin (PRPB), President Mathieu Kerekou, chairman of theCentral Committee~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: President--last held July 1989 (next to be held July1994); results--President Mathieu Kerekou was reelected by theNational Revolutionary Assembly;  National Revolutionary Assembly--dissolved 1 March 1990 and replacedby a 24-member interim High Council of the Republic with legislativeelections for new institutions planned for February 1991~Communists~: dropped Marxism-Leninism December 1989~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, CEAO, EAMA, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, G-77,GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,ITU, NAM, Niger River Commission, OAU, OCAM, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Theophile NATA; Chancery at2737 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone]; US--Ambassador Harriet ISOM; Embassy at Rue Caporal AnaniBernard, Cotonou (mailing address is B. P. 2012, Cotonou); telephone╒229σ 30-06-50~Flag~: green with a red five-pointed star in the upper hoist-sidecorner~
Economy~Overview~: Benin is one of the least developed countries in the worldbecause of limited natural resources and a poorly developedinfrastructure. Agriculture accounts for almost 45% of GDP, employsabout 60% of the labor force, and generates a major share of foreignexchange earnings. The industrial sector contributes only about 15%to GDP and employs 2% of the work force. Persistently low prices inrecent years have limited hard currency earnings from Benin's majorexports of agricultural products and crude oil.~GDP~: $1.7 billion, per capita $335; real growth rate 1.8% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 4.3% (1988)~Unemployment~: NA~Budget~: revenues $168 million; expenditures $317 million, includingcapital expenditures of $97 million (1989)~Exports~: $226 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--crude oil, cotton,palm products, cocoa; partners--FRG 36%, France 16%, Spain 14%,Italy 8%, UK 7%~Imports~: $413 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--foodstuffs,beverages, tobacco, petroleum products, intermediate goods, capitalgoods, light consumer goods; partners--France 34%, Netherlands 10%,Japan 7%, Italy 6%, US 5%~External debt~: $1.0 billion (December 1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate - 0.7% (1988)~Electricity~: 28,000 kW capacity; 24 million kWh produced, 5 kWh percapita (1989)~Industries~: palm oil and palm kernel oil processing, textiles,beverages, petroleum~Agriculture~: small farms produce 90% of agricultural output;production is dominated by food crops--corn, sorghum, cassava,beans, and rice; cash crops include cotton, palm oil, and peanuts;poultry and livestock output has not kept up with consumption~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $41 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$1.0 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $19 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $101 million~Currency~: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural--francs); 1CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes~Exchange rates~: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) perUS$1--287.99 (January 1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54(1987), 346.30 (1986), 449.26 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 578 km, all 1.000-meter gauge, single track~Highways~: 5,050 km total; 920 km paved, 2,600 laterite, 1,530 kmimproved earth~Inland waterways~: navigable along small sections, important onlylocally~Ports~: Cotonou~Merchant marine~: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) of 2,999 GRT/4,407DWT~Civil air~: 3 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 6 total, 5 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 2,439 m; 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: fair system of open wire, submarine cable, andradio relay; 16,200 telephones; stations--2 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV; 1Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT satellite earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force~Military manpower~: eligible 15-49, 2,015,206; of the 950,921 males15-49, 486,620 are fit for military service; of the 1,064,285females 15-49, 537,049 are fit for military service; about 55,550males and 53,663 females reach military age (18) annually; bothsexes are liable for military service~Defense expenditures~: 1.7% of GDP, or $28.9 million (1988 est.) ~[000000026~000176559~000000000~000000000~000006604~000000066~000168924~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Bermuda(dependent territory of the UK)~
Geography~Total area~: 50 km2; land area: 50 km2~Comparative area~: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 103 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common inwinter~Terrain~: low hills separated by fertile depressions~Natural resources~: limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 20% forest and woodland; 80% other~Environment~: ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes;consists of about 360 small coral islands~Note~: 1,050 km east of North Carolina; some reclaimed land leased byUS Government~
People~Population~: 58,337 (July 1990), growth rate 1.5% (1990)~Birth rate~: 15 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 6 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 12 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 72 years male, 78 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.7 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Bermudian(s); adjective--Bermudian~Ethnic divisions~: 61% black, 39% white and other~Religion~: 37% Anglican, 14% Roman Catholic, 10% African MethodistEpiscopal (Zion), 6% Methodist, 5% Seventh-Day Adventist, 28% other~Language~: English~Literacy~: 98%~Labor force~: 32,000; 25% clerical, 22% services, 21% laborers, 13%professional and technical, 10% administrative and managerial, 7%sales, 2% agriculture and fishing (1984)~Organized labor~: 8,573 members (1985); largest union is BermudaIndustrial Union~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: dependent territory of the UK~Capital~: Hamilton~Administrative divisions~: 9 parishes and 2 municipalities*;Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*,Saint George's, Sandys, Smiths, Southampton, Warwick~Independence~: none (dependent territory of the UK)~Constitution~: 8 June 1968~Legal system~: English law~National holiday~: Bermuda Day, 22 May~Executive branch~: British monarch, governor, deputy governor,premier, deputy premier, Executive Council (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper houseor Senate and a lower house or House of Assembly~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor Sir Desmond LANGLEY (since NA October 1988); Head of Government--Premier John William David SWAN (since NA January1982)~Political parties and leaders~: United Bermuda Party (UBP), John W. D.Swan; Progressive Labor Party (PLP), Frederick Wade; NationalLiberal Party (NLP), Gilbert Darrell~Suffrage~: universal at age 21~Elections~: House of Assembly--last held 9 February 1989 (next to beheld by February 1994); results--percent of vote by party NA;seats--(40 total) UBP 23, PLP 15, NLP 1, other 1~Communists~: negligible~Other political or pressure groups~: Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU),headed by Ottiwell Simmons~Member of~: INTERPOL, WHO~Diplomatic representation~: as a dependent territory of the UK,Bermuda's interests in the US are represented by the UK; US--ConsulGeneral James M. MEDAS; Consulate General at Vallis Building,Par-la-Ville Road (off Front Street West), Hamilton (mailing addressis P. O. Box 325, Hamilton, or FPO New York 09560); telephone [phone]~Flag~: red with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrantand the Bermudian coat of arms (white and blue shield with a redlion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship SeaVenture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag~
Economy~Overview~: Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in theworld, having successfully exploited its location by providingluxury tourist facilities and financial services. The touristindustry attracts more than 90% of its business from North America.The industrial sector is small, and agriculture is severely limitedby a lack of suitable land. About 80% of food needs are imported.~GDP~: $1.3 billion, per capita $23,000; real growth rate 2.0% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 4.8% (1988)~Unemployment~: 2.0% (1988)~Budget~: revenues $280 million; expenditures $279 million, includingcapital expenditures of $34 million (FY89 est.)~Exports~: $23 million (f.o.b.,1985); commodities--semitropicalproduce, light manufactures; partners--US 25%, Italy 25%, UK 14%,Canada 5%, other 31%~Imports~: $402 million (c.i.f., 1985); commodities--fuel, foodstuffs,machinery; partners--US 58%, Netherlands Antilles 9%, UK 8%, Canada6%, Japan 5%, other 14%~External debt~: NA~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 134,000 kW capacity; 446 million kWh produced, 7,680 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: tourism, finance, structural concrete products, paints,pharmaceuticals, ship repairing~Agriculture~: accounts for less than 1% of GDP; most basic foods mustbe imported; produces bananas, vegetables, citrus fruits, flowers,dairy products~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $34 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$267 million~Currency~: Bermudian dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Bermudian dollar(Bd$) = 100 cents~Exchange rates~: Bermudian dollar (Bd$) per US$1--1.0000 (fixed rate)~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Highways~: 210 km public roads, all paved (about 400 km of privateroads)~Ports~: Freeport, Hamilton, St. George~Merchant marine~: 93 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,163,947GRT/7,744,319 DWT; includes 2 short-sea passenger, 10 cargo, 4refrigerated cargo, 5 container, 10 roll-on/roll-off, 27 petroleum,oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 4 chemical tanker, 1 combinationore/oil, 10 liquefied gas, 20 bulk; note--a flag of convenienceregistry~Civil air~: 16 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 1 with permanent-surface runways 2,440-3,659 m~Telecommunications~: modern with fully automatic telephone system;46,290 telephones; stations--5 AM, 3 FM, 2 TV; 3 submarine cables; 2Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of the UK ~[000000027~000183166~000000000~000000000~000006615~000000064~000176559~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Bhutan~
Geography~Total area~: 47,000 km2; land area: 47,000 km2~Comparative area~: slightly more than half the size of Indiana~Land boundaries~: 1,075 km total; China 470 km, India 605 km~Coastline~: none--landlocked~Maritime claims~: none--landlocked~Climate~: varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hotsummers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers inHimalayas~Terrain~: mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna~Natural resources~: timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide~Land use~: 2% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 5% meadows andpastures; 70% forest and woodland; 23% other~Environment~: violent storms coming down from the Himalayas were thesource of the country name which translates as Land of the ThunderDragon~Note~: landlocked; strategic location between China and India;controls several key Himalayan mountain passes~
People~Population~: 1,565,969 (July 1990), growth rate 2.0% (1990)~Birth rate~: 37 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 17 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 137 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 50 years male, 48 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 5.0 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Bhutanese (sing., pl.); adjective--Bhutanese~Ethnic divisions~: 60% Bhote, 25% ethnic Nepalese, 15% indigenous ormigrant tribes~Religion~: 75% Lamaistic Buddhism, 25% Indian- and Nepalese-influencedHinduism~Language~: Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects--most widely spokendialect is Dzongkha (official); Nepalese speak various Nepalesedialects~Literacy~: 5%~Labor force~: NA; 95% agriculture, 1% industry and commerce; massivelack of skilled labor (1983)~Organized labor~: not permitted~
Government~Long-form name~: Kingdom of Bhutan~Type~: monarchy; special treaty relationship with India~Capital~: Thimphu~Administrative divisions~: 3 regions and 1 division*; Central Bhutan,Eastern Bhutan, Southern Bhutan*, Western Bhutan; note--there maynow be 18 districts (dzong, singular and plural) named Bumthang,Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro,Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang,Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdiphodrang~Independence~: 8 August 1949 (from India)~Constitution~: no written constitution or bill of rights~Legal system~: based on Indian law and English common law; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: National Day (Ugyen Wangchuck became firsthereditary king), 17 December (1907)~Executive branch~: monarch, chairman of the Royal Advisory Council,Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde), chairman of the Council ofMinisters, Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog)~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Assembly (Tshogdu)~Judicial branch~: High Court~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--King Jigme SingyeWANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972)~Political parties~: no legal parties~Suffrage~: each family has one vote in village-level elections~Elections~: no national elections~Communists~: no overt Communist presence~Other political or pressure groups~: Buddhist clergy, Indian merchantcommunity, ethnic Nepalese organizations~Member of~: ADB, Colombo Plan, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, IDA, IFAD, IMF,NAM, SAARC, UNESCO, UPU, UN, WHO~Diplomatic representation~: no formal diplomatic relations, althoughinformal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and USEmbassies in New Delhi (India); the Bhutanese mission to the UN inNew York has consular jurisdiction in the US~Flag~: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the uppertriangle is orange and the lower triangle is red; centered along thedividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from thehoist side~
Economy~Overview~: The economy is based on agriculture and forestry, whichprovide the main livelihood for 90% of the population and accountfor about 50% of GDP. One of the world's least developed countries,rugged mountains dominate and make the building of roads and otherinfrastructure difficult and expensive. Bhutan's hydropowerpotential and its attraction for tourists are its most importantnatural resources.~GDP~: $273 million, per capita $199; real growth rate 6.3% (1988 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 10% (1989 est.)~Unemployment~: NA~Budget~: revenues $99 million; expenditures $128 million, includingcapital expenditures of $65 million (FY89 est.)~Exports~: $70.9 million (f.o.b., FY89); commodities--cardamon, gypsum,timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit; partners--India 93%~Imports~: $138.3 million (c.i.f., FY89 est.); commodities--fuel andlubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics;partners--India 67%~External debt~: $70.1 million (FY89 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate - 12.4% (1988 est.)~Electricity~: 353,000 kW capacity; 2,000 million kWh produced, 1,300kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: cement, chemical products, mining, distilling, foodprocessing, handicrafts~Agriculture~: accounts for 50% of GDP; based on subsistence farmingand animal husbandry; self-sufficient in food except for foodgrains;other production--rice, corn, root crops, citrus fruit, dairy, andeggs~Aid~: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-87), $85.8 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $11 million~Currency~: ngultrum (plural--ngultrum); 1 ngultrum (Nu) = 100 chetrum;note--Indian currency is also legal tender~Exchange rates~: ngultrum (Nu) per US$1--16.965 (January 1990), 16.226(1989), 13.917 (1988), 12.962 (1987), 12.611 (1986), 12.369 (1985);note--the Bhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupee~Fiscal year~: 1 July-30 June~
Communications~Highways~: 1,304 km total; 418 km surfaced, 515 km improved, 371 kmunimproved earth~Civil air~: 1 jet, 2 prop~Airports~: 2 total, 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 2,439 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: inadequate; 1,890 telephones (1985); 15,000 radioreceivers (1987 est.); 85 TV sets (1985); stations--20 AM, no FM, noTV~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Royal Bhutan Army~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 389,142; 208,231 fit for militaryservice; 17,203 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: NA ~[000000028~000189784~000000000~000000000~000009751~000000109~000183166~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Bolivia~
Geography~Total area~: 1,098,580 km2; land area: 1,084,390 km2~Comparative area~: slightly less than three times the size of Montana~Land boundaries~: 6,743 km total; Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km,Chile 861 km, Paraguay 750 km, Peru 900 km~Coastline~: none--landlocked~Maritime claims~: none--landlocked~Disputes~: has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Oceansince the Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Chileover Rio Lauca water rights~Climate~: varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold andsemiarid~Terrain~: high plateau, hills, lowland plains~Natural resources~: tin, natural gas, crude oil, zinc, tungsten,antimony, silver, iron ore, lead, gold, timber~Land use~: 3% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 25% meadows andpastures; 52% forest and woodland; 20% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: cold, thin air of high plateau is obstacle to efficientfuel combustion; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification~Note~: landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highestnavigable lake, with Peru~
People~Population~: 6,706,854 (July 1990), growth rate 2.1% (1990)~Birth rate~: 35 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 1 migrant/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 125 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 52 years male, 56 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 4.7 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Bolivian(s); adjective Bolivian~Ethnic divisions~: 30% Quechua, 25% Aymara, 25-30% mixed, 5-15%European~Religion~: 95% Roman Catholic; active Protestant minority, especiallyEvangelical Methodist~Language~: Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara (all official)~Literacy~: 63%~Labor force~: 1,700,000; 50% agriculture, 26% services and utilities,10% manufacturing, 4% mining, 10% other (1983)~Organized labor~: 150,000-200,000, concentrated in mining, industry,construction, and transportation; mostly organized under BolivianWorkers' Central (COB) labor federation~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Bolivia~Type~: republic~Capital~: La Paz (seat of government); Sucre (legal capital and seatof judiciary)~Administrative divisions~: 9 departments (departamentos,singular--departamento); Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, El Beni, La Paz,Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija~Independence~: 6 August 1825 (from Spain)~Constitution~: 2 February 1967~Legal system~: based on Spanish law and Code Napoleon; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Independence Day, 6 August (1825)~Executive branch~: president, vice president, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)consists of an upper chamber or Senate (Senado) and a lower chamberor Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Jaime PAZZamora (since 6 August 1989); Vice President Luis OSSIO Sanjines(since 6 August 1989)~Political parties and leaders~: Movement of the Revolutionary Left(MIR), Jaime Paz Zamora; Nationalist Democratic Action (ADN), HugoBanzer Suarez; Nationalist Revolutionary Movement (MNR), GonzaloSanchez de Lozada; United Left (IU), coalition of leftist partieswhich includes Free Bolivia Movement (MBL), led by Antonio Aranibar,Patriotic National Convergency Axis (EJE-P) led by WalterDelgadillo, and Bolivian Communist Party (PCB) led by HumbertoRamirez; Conscience of the Fatherland (CONDEPA), Carlos PalenqueAviles; Revolutionary Vanguard-9th of April (VR-9), Carlos SerrateReich~Suffrage~: universal and compulsory at age 18 (married) or 21 (single)~Elections~: President--last held 7 May 1989 (next to be held May1993); results--Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada (MNR) 23%, Hugo BanzerSuarez (ADN) 22%, Jaime Paz Zamora (MIR) 19%; no candidate receiveda majority of the popular vote; Jaime Paz Zamora (MIR) formed acoalition with Hugo Banzer (ADN); with ADN support Paz Zamora wonthe congressional runoff election on 4 August and was inaugurated on6 August;  Senate--last held 7 May 1989 (next to be held May 1993);results--percent of vote NA; seats (27 total) MNR 9, ADN 8, MIR 8,CONDEPA 2;  Chamber of Deputies--last held 7 May 1989 (next to be held May 1993);results--percent of vote by party NA; seats (130 total) MNR 40, ADN38, MIR 30, IU 10, CONDEPA 9, VR-9 3~Member of~: FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IATP, IBRD, ICAO, ICO, IDA,IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, ISO, ITC, ITU, IWC--International Wheat Council, LAIA,NAM, OAS, PAHO, SELA, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Jorge CRESPO; Chancery at 3014Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone] through 4412; there are Bolivian Consulates General inHouston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and SanFrancisco; US--Ambassador Robert GELBARD; Embassy at Banco Populardel Peru Building, corner of Calles Mercado y Colon, La Paz (mailingaddress is P. O. Box 425, La Paz, or APO Miami 34032); telephone╒591σ (2) 350251 or 350120~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and greenwith the coat of arms centered on the yellow band; similar to theflag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered inthe yellow band~
Economy~Overview~: The Bolivian economy steadily deteriorated between 1980 and1985 as La Paz financed growing budget deficits by expanding themoney supply and inflation spiraled--peaking at 11,700%. An austereorthodox economic program adopted by newly elected President PazEstenssoro in 1985, however, succeeded in reducing inflation tobetween 10% and 20% annually during 1987 and 1989, eventuallyrestarting economic growth. President Paz Zamora has pledged toretain the economic policies of the previous government in order tokeep inflation down and continue the growth begun under hispredecessor. Nevertheless, Bolivia continues to be one of thepoorest countries in Latin America, and it remains vulnerable toprice fluctuations for its limited exports--mainly minerals andnatural gas. Moreover, for many farmers, who constitute half of thecountry's work force, the main cash crop is coca, which is sold forcocaine processing.~GNP~: $4.6 billion, per capita $660; real growth rate 2.8% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 15.5% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 20.7% (1988)~Budget~: revenues $2,867 million; expenditures $2,867 million,including capital expenditures of $663 million (1987)~Exports~: $634 million (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--metals 45%,natural gas 32%, coffee, soybeans, sugar, cotton, timber, andillicit drugs; partners--US 23%, Argentina~Imports~: $786 million (c.i.f., 1989); commodities--food, petroleum,consumer goods, capital goods; partners--US 15%~External debt~: $5.7 billion (December 1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate 8.1% (1987)~Electricity~: 817,000 kW capacity; 1,728 million kWh produced, 260 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverage, tobacco,handicrafts, clothing; illicit drug industry reportedly produces thelargest revenues~Agriculture~: accounts for 20% of GDP (including forestry andfisheries); principal commodities--coffee, coca, cotton, corn,sugarcane, rice, potatoes, timber; self-sufficient in food~Illicit drugs~: world's second-largest producer of coca (after Peru)with an estimated 54,000 hectares under cultivation; governmentconsiders all but 12,000 hectares illicit and subject toeradication; intermediate coca products and cocaine exported to orthrough Colombia and Brazil to the US and other international drugmarkets~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $909 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$1.4 billion; Communist countries (1970-88), $340 million~Currency~: boliviano (plural--bolivianos); 1 boliviano ($B) = 100centavos~Exchange rates~: bolivianos ($B) per US$1--2.6917 (1989), 2.3502(1988), 2.0549 (1987), 1.9220 (1986), 0.4400 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 3,675 km total; 3,643 km 1.000-meter gauge and 32 km0.760-meter gauge, all government owned, single track~Highways~: 38,836 km total; 1,300 km paved, 6,700 km gravel, 30,836 kmimproved and unimproved earth~Inland waterways~: 10,000 km of commercially navigable waterways~Pipelines~: crude oil 1,800 km; refined products 580 km; natural gas1,495 km~Ports~: none; maritime outlets are Arica and Antofagasta in Chile andMatarani in Peru~Merchant marine~: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 14,051GRT/22,155 DWT; note--1 is owned by the Bolivian Navy~Civil air~: 56 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 636 total, 551 usable; 9 with permanent-surface runways; 1with runways over 3,659 m; 8 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 110 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: radio relay system being expanded; improvedinternational services; 144,300 telephones; stations--129 AM, no FM,43 TV, 68 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Bolivian Army, Bolivian Navy, Bolivian Air Force(literally, the Army of the Nation, the Navy of the Nation, the AirForce of the Nation)~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 1,629,154; 1,060,187 fit for militaryservice; 70,528 reach military age (19) annually~Defense expenditures~: 3% of GNP (1987) ~[000000029~000199538~000000000~000000000~000007735~000000077~000189784~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Botswana~
Geography~Total area~: 600,370 km2; land area: 585,370 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Texas~Land boundaries~: 4,013 km total; Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840km, Zimbabwe 813 km~Coastline~: none--landlocked~Maritime claims~: none--landlocked~Disputes~: short section of the boundary with Namibia is indefinite;quadripoint with Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe is in disagreement~Climate~: semiarid; warm winters and hot summers~Terrain~: predominately flat to gently rolling tableland; KalahariDesert in southwest~Natural resources~: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash,coal, iron ore, silver, natural gas~Land use~: 2% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 75% meadows andpastures; 2% forest and woodland; 21% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: rains in early 1988 broke six years of drought that hadseverely affected the important cattle industry; overgrazing;desertification~Note~: landlocked; very long boundary with South Africa~
People~Population~: 1,224,527 (July 1990), growth rate 2.8% (1990)~Birth rate~: 37 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 43 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 58 years male, 64 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 4.8 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun and adjective--Motswana (singular), Batswana(plural)~Ethnic divisions~: 95% Batswana; about 4% Kalanga, Basarwa, andKgalagadi; about 1% white~Religion~: 50% indigenous beliefs, 50% Christian~Language~: English (official), Setswana~Literacy~: 60%~Labor force~: 400,000; 163,000 formal sector employees, most othersare engaged in cattle raising and subsistence agriculture (1988est.); 19,000 are employed in various mines in South Africa (1988)~Organized labor~: 19 trade unions~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Botswana~Type~: parliamentary republic~Capital~: Gaborone~Administrative divisions~: 10 districts; Central, Chobe, Ghanzi,Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Ngamiland, North-East, South-East,Southern; note--in addition, there may now be 4 town councils namedFrancistown, Gaborone, Lobaste, Selebi-Pikwe~Independence~: 30 September 1966 (from UK; formerly Bechuanaland)~Constitution~: March 1965, effective 30 September 1966~Legal system~: based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law;judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Botswana Day, 30 September (1966)~Executive branch~: president, vice president, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper houseor House of Chiefs and a lower house or National Assembly~Judicial branch~: High Court, Court of Appeal~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Quett K. J.MASIRE (since 13 July 1980); Vice President Peter S. MMUSI (since 3January 1983)~Political parties and leaders~: Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), QuettMasire; Botswana National Front (BNF), Kenneth Koma; BotswanaPeople's Party (BPP), Knight Maripe; Botswana Independence Party(BIP), Motsamai Mpho; Botswana Progressive Union (BPU), Daniel Kwele~Suffrage~: universal at age 21~Elections~: President--last held 7 October 1989 (next to be heldOctober 1994); results--President Quett K. J. Masire was reelectedby the National Assembly;  National Assembly--last held 7 October 1989 (next to be held October1994); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(34 total, 30elected) BDP 31, BNF 3~Communists~: no known Communist organization; Koma of BNF has longhistory of Communist contacts~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, CCC, Commonwealth, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto),IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, ITU, NAM, OAU,Southern African Customs Union, SADCC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Botsweletse Kingsley SEBELE;Chancery at Suite 404, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC20008; telephone [phone] or 4991; US--Ambassador-designateDavid PASSAGE; Deputy Chief of Mission Johnnie CARSON; Embassy atBotswana Road, Gaborone (mailing address is P. O. Box 90, Gaborone);telephone ╒267σ 353982 through 353984~Flag~: light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in thecenter~
Economy~Overview~: The economy has historically been based on cattle raisingand crops. Agriculture today provides a livelihood for over 80% ofthe population, but produces only about 50% of food needs andcontributes a small 5% to GDP. The driving force behind the rapideconomic growth of the 1970s and 1980s has been the mining industry.This sector, mostly on the strength of diamonds, has gone fromgenerating 25% of GDP in 1980 to over 50% in 1988. No other sectorhas experienced such growth, especially not that of the agriculturalsector, which is plagued by erratic rainfall and poor soils. Theunemployment rate remains a problem at 25%. A scarce resource baselimits diversification into labor-intensive industries.~GDP~: $1.87 billion, per capita $1,600; real growth rate 8.4% (FY88)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 11.45% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 25% (1987)~Budget~: revenues $1,235 million; expenditures $1,080 million,including capital expenditures of NA (FY90 est.)~Exports~: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--diamonds 88%,copper and nickel 5%, meat 4%, cattle, animal products;partners--Switzerland, US, UK, other EC-associated members ofSouthern African Customs Union~Imports~: $1.1 billion (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--foodstuffs,vehicles, textiles, petroleum products; partners--Switzerland, US,UK, other EC-associated members of Southern African Customs Union~External debt~: $700 million (December 1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate 16.8% (FY86)~Electricity~: 217,000 kW capacity; 630 million kWh produced, 510 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: livestock processing; mining of diamonds, copper, nickel,coal, salt, soda ash, potash; tourism~Agriculture~: accounts for only 5% of GDP; subsistence farmingpredominates; cattle raising supports 50% of the population; mustimport large share of food needs~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $242 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$1.6 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $43 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $24 million~Currency~: pula (plural--pula); 1 pula (P) = 100 thebe~Exchange rates~: pula (P) per US$1--1.8734 (January 1990), 2.0125(1989), 1.8159 (1988), 1.6779 (1987), 1.8678 (1986), 1.8882 (1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Railroads~: 712 km 1.0 67-meter gauge~Highways~: 11,514 km total; 1,600 km paved; 1,700 km crushed stone orgravel, 5,177 km improved earth, 3,037 km unimproved earth~Civil air~: 6 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 99 total, 87 usable; 8 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 23 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: the small system is a combination of open-wirelines, radio relay links, and a few radiocommunication stations;17,900 telephones; stations--2 AM, 3 FM, no TV; 1 Indian OceanINTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Air Wing, Botswana Police~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 249,480; 131,304 fit for militaryservice; 14,363 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 2.2% of GNP (1987) ~[000000030~000207276~000000000~000000000~000001244~000000012~000199538~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Bouvet Island(territory of Norway)~
Geography~Total area~: 58 km2; land area: 58 km2~Comparative area~: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 29.6 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 10 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 4 nm~Climate~: antarctic~Terrain~: volcanic; maximum elevation about 800 meters; coast ismostly inacessible~Natural resources~: none~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other~Environment~: covered by glacial ice~Note~: located in the South Atlantic Ocean 2,575 km south-southwest ofthe Cape of Good Hope, South Africa~
People~Population~: uninhabited~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: territory of Norway~
Economy~Overview~: no economic activity~
Communications~Ports~: none; offshore anchorage only~Telecommunications~: automatic meteorological station~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of Norway ~[000000031~000208523~000000000~000000000~000011732~000000133~000207276~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Brazil~
Geography~Total area~: 8,511,965 km2; land area: 8,456,510 km2; includesArquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha daTrindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than the US~Land boundaries~: 14,691 km total; Argentina 1,224 km, Bolivia 3,400km, Colombia 1,643 km, French Guiana 673 km, Guyana 1,119 km,Paraguay 1,290 km, Peru 1,560 km, Suriname 597 km, Uruguay 985 km,Venezuela 2,200 km~Coastline~: 7,491 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 200 nm~Disputes~: short section of the boundary with Paraguay (just west ofGuaira Falls on the Rio Parana) is in dispute; two short sections ofboundary with Uruguay are in dispute (Arroyo de la Invernada area ofthe Rio Quarai and the islands at the confluence of the Rio Quaraiand the Uruguay); claims a Zone of Interest in Antarctica~Climate~: mostly tropical, but temperate in south~Terrain~: mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains,hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt~Natural resources~: iron ore, manganese, bauxite, nickel, uranium,phosphates, tin, hydropower, gold, platinum, crude oil, timber~Land use~: 7% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 19% meadows andpastures; 67% forest and woodland; 6% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: recurrent droughts in northeast; floods and frost insouth; deforestation in Amazon basin; air and water pollution in Riode Janeiro and Sao Paulo~Note~: largest country in South America; shares common boundaries withevery South American country except Chile and Ecuador~
People~Population~: 152,505,077 (July 1990), growth rate 1.9% (1990)~Birth rate~: 26 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 69 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 62 years male, 68 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 3.1 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Brazilian(s); adjective--Brazilian~Ethnic divisions~: Portuguese, Italian, German, Japanese, black,Amerindian; 55% white, 38% mixed, 6% black, 1% other~Religion~: 90% Roman Catholic (nominal)~Language~: Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French~Literacy~: 76%~Labor force~: 57,000,000 (1989 est.); 42% services, 31% agriculture,27% industry~Organized labor~: 13,000,000 dues paying members (1989 est.)~
Government~Long-form name~: Federative Republic of Brazil~Type~: federal republic~Capital~: Brasilia~Administrative divisions~: 24 states (estados, singular--estado), 2territories* (territorios, singular--territorio), and 1 federaldistrict** (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, RioGrande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima*, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo,Sergipe, Tocantins; note--the territories of Amapa and Roraima willbecome states on 15 March 1991~Independence~: 7 September 1822 (from Portugal)~Constitution~: 5 October 1988~Legal system~: based on Latin codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction~National holiday~: Independence Day, 7 September (1822)~Executive branch~: president, vice president, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral National Congress (Congresso Nacional)consists of an upper chamber or Senate (Senado) and a lower chamberor Chamber of Deputies (Camara dos Deputados)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Federal Tribunal~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President FernandoAffonso COLLOR de Mello (since 15 March 1990); Vice President ItamarFRANCO (since 15 March 1990)~Political parties and leaders~: National Reconstruction Party (PRN),Daniel Tourinho, president; Brazilian Democratic Movement Party(PMDB), Ulysses Guimaraes, president; Liberal Front Party (PFL),Hugo Napoleao, president; Workers' Party (PT), Luis Ignacio (Lula)da Silva, president; Brazilian Labor Party (PTB), Luiz Gonzaga dePaiva Muniz, president; Democratic Labor Party (PDT), Doutel deAndrade, president; Democratic Social Party (PDS), JarbasPassarinho, president; Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB),Mario Covas, president; Brazilian Communist Party (PCB), SalomaoMalina, secretary general; Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB), JoaoAmazonas, president~Suffrage~: voluntary at age 16; compulsory between ages 18 and 70;voluntary at age 70~Elections~: President--last held 15 November 1989, with runoff on 17December 1989 (next to be held November 1994); results--FernandoCollor de Mello 53%, Luis Inacio da Silva 47%; first free, directpresidential election since 1960;  Senate--last held 15 November 1986 (next to be held 3 October 1990);results--PMDB 60%, PFL 21%, PDS 8%, PDT 3%, others 8%; seats--(66total) PMDB 43, PFL 15, PDS 6, PDT 2, others 6; note--as of 1990Senate has 75 seats;  Chamber of Deputies--last held 15 November 1986 (next to be held 3October 1990); results--PMDB 53%, PFL 23%, PDS 7%, PDT 5%, other12%; seats--(495 total) PMDB 258, PFL 114, PDS 33, PDT 24, others58; note--as of 1990 Chamber of Deputies has 570 seats~Communists~: about 30,000~Other political or pressure groups~: left wing of the Catholic Churchand labor unions allied to leftist Worker's Party are critical ofgovernment's social and economic policies~Member of~: CCC, FAO, G-77, GATT, Group of Eight, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,ICAC, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD,IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, IPU, IRC, ISO, ITU,IWC--International Wheat Council, OAS, PAHO, SELA, UN, UNESCO, UPU,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Marcilio Marques MOREIRA;Chancery at 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008;telephone [phone]; there are Brazilian Consulates General inAtlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, and New York, andConsulates in Dallas, Houston, and San Francisco; US--AmbassadorRichard MELTON; Embassy at Avenida das Nocoes, Lote 3, Brasilia,Distrito Federal (mailing address is APO Miami 34030); telephone╒55σ (6) 321-7272; there are US Consulates General in Rio de Janeiroand Sao Paulo, and Consulates in Porto Alegre and Recife~Flag~: green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a bluecelestial globe with 23 white five-pointed stars (one for eachstate) arranged in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil;the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM EPROGRESSO (Order and Progress)~
Economy~Overview~: The economy, a mixture of private enterprises of all sizesand extensive government intervention, experienced enormousdifficulties in the late 1980s, notably declining real growth,runaway inflation, foreign debt obligations of more than $100billion, and uncertain economic policy. Government interventionincludes trade and investment restrictions, wage/price controls,interest and exchange rate controls, and extensive tariff barriers.Ownership of major industrial facilities is divided among privateinterests, the government, and multinational companies. Ownership inagriculture likewise is varied, with the government intervening inthe politically sensitive issues involving large landowners and themasses of poor peasants. In consultation with the IMF, the BrazilianGovernment has initiated several programs over the last few years toameliorate the stagnation and foreign debt problems. None of thesehas given more than temporary relief. The strategy of the new Collorgovernment is to increase the pace of privatization, encourageforeign trade and investment, and establish a more realisticexchange rate. One long-run strength is the existence of vastnatural resources.~GDP~: $377 billion, per capita $2,500; real growth rate 3% (1989 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 1,765% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 2.5% (December 1989)~Budget~: revenues $27.8 billion; expenditures $40.1 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $8.8 billion (1986)~Exports~: $34.2 billion (1989 est.); commodities--coffee,metallurgical products, chemical products, foodstuffs, iron ore,automobiles and parts; partners--US 28%, EC 26%, Latin America 11%,Japan 6% (1987)~Imports~: $18.0 billion (1989 est.); commodities--crude oil, capitalgoods, chemical products, foodstuffs, coal; partners--Middle Eastand Africa 24%, EC 22%, US 21%, Latin America 12%, Japan 6% (1987)~External debt~: $109 billion (December 1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate 3.2% (1989 est.)~Electricity~: 52,865,000 kW capacity; 202,280 million kWh produced,1,340 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: textiles and other consumer goods, shoes, chemicals,cement, lumber, iron ore, steel, motor vehicles and auto parts,metalworking, capital goods, tin~Agriculture~: accounts for 12% of GDP; world's largest producer andexporter of coffee and orange juice concentrate and second-largestexporter of soybeans; other products--rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa,beef; self-sufficient in food, except for wheat~Illicit drugs~: illicit producer of cannabis and coca, mostly fordomestic consumption; government has an active eradication programto control cannabis and coca cultivation~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $2.5 billion; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$9.5 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $284 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $1.3 billion~Currency~: novo cruzado (plural--novos cruzados); 1 novo cruzado(NCr$) = 100 centavos~Exchange rates~: novos cruzados (NCr$) per US$1--2.83392 (1989),0.26238 (1988), 0.03923 (1987), 0.01366 (1986), 0.00620 (1985);note-- 25 tourist/parallel rate (December 1989)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 29,694 km total; 25,268 km 1.000-meter gauge, 4,339 km1.600-meter gauge, 74 km mixed 1.600-1.000-meter gauge, 13 km0.760-meter gauge; 2,308 km electrified~Highways~: 1,448,000 km total; 48,000 km paved, 1,400,000 km gravel orearth~Inland waterways~: 50,000 km navigable~Pipelines~: crude oil, 2,000 km; refined products, 3,804 km; naturalgas, 1,095 km~Ports~: Belem, Fortaleza, Ilheus, Manaus, Paranagua, Porto Alegre,Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Salvador, Santos~Merchant marine~: 271 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,855,708GRT/9,909,097 DWT; includes 2 passenger-cargo, 68 cargo, 1refrigerated cargo, 12 container, 9 roll-on/roll-off, 56 petroleum,oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 15 chemical tanker, 10 liquefiedgas, 14 combination ore/oil, 82 bulk, 2 combination bulk~Civil air~: 176 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 3,774 total, 3,106 usable; 386 with permanent-surfacerunways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 21 with runways 2,240-3,659 m;503 with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: good system; extensive radio relay facilities;9.86 million telephones; stations--1,223 AM, no FM, 112 TV, 151shortwave; 3 coaxial submarine cables 3 Atlantic Ocean INTELSATearth stations with total of 3 antennas; 64 domestic satellitestations~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Brazilian Army, Navy of Brazil, Brazilian Air Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 39,620,936; 26,752,307 fit formilitary service; 1,617,378 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 0.6% of GDP, or $2.3 billion (1989 est.) ~[000000032~000220258~000000000~000000000~000002420~000000025~000208523~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]British Indian Ocean Territory(dependent territory of the UK)~
Geography~Total area~: 60 km2; land area: 60 km2~Comparative area~: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 698 km~Maritime claims~:  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Disputes~: Diego Garcia is claimed by Mauritius~Climate~: tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds~Terrain~: flat and low (up to 4 meters in elevation)~Natural resources~: coconuts, fish~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other~Environment~: archipelago of 2,300 islands~Note~: Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupiesstrategic location in central Indian Ocean~
People~Population~: no permanent civilian population; formerly about 3,000islanders~Ethnic divisions~: civilian inhabitants, known as the Ilois, evacuatedto Mauritius before construction of UK and US defense facilities~
Government~Long-form name~: British Indian Ocean Territory (no short-form name);abbreviated BIOT~Type~: dependent territory of the UK~Capital~: none~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Head of Government--Commissioner R. EDIS (since NA 1988),Administrator Robin CROMPTON (since NA 1988); note--both officialsreside in the UK~Diplomatic representation~: none (dependent territory of the UK)~Flag~: the flag of the UK is used~
Economy~Overview~: All economic activity is concentrated on the largest islandof Diego Garcia, where joint UK-US defense facilities are located.Construction projects and various services needed to support themilitary installations are done by military and contract employeesfrom the UK and US. There are no industrial or agriculturalactivities on the islands.~Electricity~: provided by the US military~
Communications~Highways~: short stretch of paved road between port and airfield onDiego Garcia~Ports~: Diego Garcia~Airports~: 1 with permanent-surface runways over 3,659 m on DiegoGarcia~Telecommunications~: minimal facilities; stations (operated by the USNavy)--1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of the UK ~[000000033~000222681~000000000~000000000~000005126~000000042~000220258~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]British Virgin Islands(dependent territory of the UK)~
Geography~Total area~: 150 km2; land area: 150 km2~Comparative area~: about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DC~Coastline~: 80 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Climate~: subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds~Terrain~: coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly~Natural resources~: negligible~Land use~: 20% arable land; 7% permanent crops; 33% meadows andpastures; 7% forest and woodland; 33% other~Environment~: subject to hurricanes and tropical storms from July toOctober~Note~: strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico~
People~Population~: 12,258 (July 1990), growth rate 1.1% (1990)~Birth rate~: 20 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 3 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 14 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 71 years male, 77 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.2 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--British Virgin Islander(s); adjective--BritishVirgin Islander~Ethnic divisions~: over 90% black, remainder of white and Asian origin~Religion~: majority Methodist; others include Anglican, Church of God,Seventh-Day Adventist, Baptist, and Roman Catholic~Language~: English (official)~Literacy~: 98%~Labor force~: 4,911 (1980)~Organized labor~: NA~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: dependent territory of the UK~Capital~: Road Town~Administrative divisions~: none (dependent territory of the UK)~Independence~: none (dependent territory of the UK)~Constitution~: 1 June 1977~Legal system~: English law~National holiday~: Territory Day, 1 July~Executive branch~: British monarch, governor, chief minister,Executive Council (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral Legislative Council~Judicial branch~: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor John Mark Ambrose HERDMAN (since NA 1986);  Head of Government--Chief Minister H. Lavity STOUTT (since NA 1986)~Political parties and leaders~: United Party (UP), Conrad Maduro;Virgin Islands Party (VIP), H. Lavity Stoutt; Independent People'sMovement (IPM), Cyril B. Romney~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: Legislative Council--last held 30 September 1986 (next tobe held by September 1991); results--percent of vote by party NA;seats--(9 total) UP 2, VIP 5, IPM 2~Communists~: probably none~Member of~: Commonwealth~Diplomatic representation~: none (dependent territory of the UK)~Flag~: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrantand the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half ofthe flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side bya vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latinword VIGILATE (Be Watchful)~
Economy~Overview~: The economy is highly dependent on the tourist industry,which generates about 21% of the national income. In 1985 thegovernment offered offshore registration to companies wishing toincorporate in the islands, and, in consequence, incorporation feesgenerated about $2 million in 1987. Livestock raising is the mostsignificant agricultural activity. The islands' crops, limited bypoor soils, are unable to meet food requirements.~GDP~: $106.7 million, per capita $8,900; real growth rate 2.5% (1987)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 1.7% (January 1987)~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $26.2 million; expenditures $25.4 million, includingcapital expenditures of $NA (1988 est.)~Exports~: $2.3 million (f.o.b., 1985); commodities--rum, fresh fish,gravel, sand, fruits, animals; partners--Virgin Islands (US), PuertoRico, US~Imports~: $72.0 million (c.i.f., 1985); commodities--buildingmaterials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery; partners--VirginIslands (US), Puerto Rico, US~External debt~: $4.5 million (1985)~Industrial production~: growth rate - 4.0% (1985)~Electricity~: 13,500 kW capacity; 59 million kWh produced, 4,870 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concreteblock, offshore financial center~Agriculture~: livestock (including poultry), fish, fruit, vegetables~Aid~: NA~Currency~: US currency is used~Exchange rates~: US currency is used~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Highways~: 106 km motorable roads (1983)~Ports~: Road Town~Airports~: 3 total, 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways lessthan 1,220 m~Telecommunications~: 3,000 telephones; worldwide external telephoneservice; submarine cable communication links to Bermuda; stations--1AM, no FM, 1 TV~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of the UK ~[000000034~000227810~000000000~000000000~000007432~000000075~000222681~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Brunei~
Geography~Total area~: 5,770 km2; land area: 5,270 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Delaware~Land boundary~: 381 km with Malaysia~Coastline~: 161 km~Maritime claims~:  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: may wish to purchase the Malaysian salient that divides thecountry~Climate~: tropical; hot, humid, rainy~Terrain~: flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowlandin west~Natural resources~: crude oil, natural gas, timber~Land use~: 1% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 1% meadows andpastures; 79% forest and woodland; 18% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare~Note~: close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indianand Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia;almost an enclave of Malaysia~
People~Population~: 372,108 (July 1990), growth rate 7.1% (1990)~Birth rate~: 23 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 4 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 52 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 10 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 74 years male, 77 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.9 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Bruneian(s); adjective--Bruneian~Ethnic divisions~: 64% Malay, 20% Chinese, 16% other~Religion~: 60% Muslim (official); 8% Christian; 32% Buddhist andindigenous beliefs~Language~: Malay (official), English, and Chinese~Literacy~: 45%~Labor force~: 89,000 (includes members of the Army); 33% of laborforce is foreign (1988); 50.4% production of oil, natural gas, andconstruction; 47.6% trade, services, and other; 2.0% agriculture,forestry, and fishing (1984)~Organized labor~: 2% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Negara Brunei Darussalam~Type~: constitutional sultanate~Capital~: Bandar Seri Begawan~Administrative divisions~: 4 districts (daerah-daerah,singular--daerah); Belait, Brunei and Muara, Temburong, Tutong~Independence~: 1 January 1984 (from UK)~Constitution~: 29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under aState of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on1 January 1984)~Legal system~: based on Islamic law~National holiday~: National Day, 23 February (1984)~Executive branch~: sultan, prime minister, Council of CabinetMinisters~Legislative branch~: unicameral Legislative Council (Majlis MasyuaratMegeri)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--Sultan and PrimeMinister Sir Muda HASSANAL BOLKIAH Muizzaddin Waddaulah (since 5October 1967)~Political parties and leaders~: Brunei National United Party(inactive), Anak Hasanuddin, chairman; Brunei National DemocraticParty (the first legal political party and now banned) Abdul Latifbin Abdul Hamid, chairman~Suffrage~: none~Elections~: Legislative Council--last held in March 1962; in 1970 theCouncil was changed to an appointive body by decree of the sultanand no elections are planned~Communists~: probably none~Member of~: ASEAN, ESCAP (associate member), IMO, INTERPOL, OIC, UN~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Dato Paduka Haji MOHAMED SUNIbin Haji Idris; Chancery at 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington DC20037; telephone [phone]; US--Ambassador Christopher H.PHILLIPS; Embassy at Teck Guan Plaza (corner of Jalan McArthur),Bandar Seri Begawan (mailing address is P. O. Box 2991, Bandar SeriBegawan); telephone ╒673σ (2) 29670~Flag~: yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost doublewidth) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the nationalemblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes aswallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturnedcrescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands~
Economy~Overview~: The economy is a mixture of foreign and domesticentrepreneurship, government regulation and welfare measures, andvillage tradition. It is almost totally supported by exports ofcrude oil and natural gas, with revenues from the petroleum sectoraccounting for more than 70% of GDP. Per capita GDP of $9,600 isamong the highest in the Third World, and substantial income fromoverseas investment supplements domestic production. The governmentprovides for all medical services and subsidizes food and housing.~GDP~: $3.3 billion, per capita $9,600; real growth rate 2.5% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 2.5% (1989 est.)~Unemployment~: 2.5%, shortage of skilled labor (1989 est.)~Budget~: revenues $1.2 billion (1987); expenditures $1.6 billion,including capital expenditures of NA (1989 est.)~Exports~: $2.07 billion (f.o.b., 1987); commodities--crude oil,liquefied natural gas, petroleum products; partners--Japan 55%(1986)~Imports~: $800 million (c.i.f., 1987); commodities--machinery andtransport equipment, manufactured goods; food, beverages, tobacco;consumer goods; partners--Singapore 31%, US 20%, Japan 6% (1986)~External debt~: none~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 310,000 kW capacity; 890 million kWh produced, 2,580 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: petroleum, liquefied natural gas, construction~Agriculture~: imports about 80% of its food needs; principal crops andlivestock include rice, cassava, bananas, buffaloes, and pigs~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $20.6 million;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-87), $143.7 million~Currency~: Bruneian dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Bruneian dollar (B$) =100 cents~Exchange rates~: Bruneian dollars (B$) per US$1--1.8895 (January1990), 1.9503 (1989), 2.0124 (1988), 2.1060 (1987), 2.1774 (1986),2.2002 (1985); note--the Bruneian dollar is at par with theSingapore dollar~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 13 km 0.610-meter narrow-gauge private line~Highways~: 1,090 km total; 370 km paved (bituminous treated) andanother 52 km under construction, 720 km gravel or unimproved~Inland waterways~: 209 km; navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2meters~Ports~: Kuala Belait, Muara~Merchant marine~: 7 liquefied gas carriers (1,000 GRT or over)totaling 348,476 GRT/340,635 DWT~Pipelines~: crude oil, 135 km; refined products, 418 km; natural gas,920 km~Civil air~: 4 major transport aircraft (3 Boeing 757-200, 1 Boeing737-200)~Airports~: 2 total, 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; 1 withrunway over 3,659 m; 1 with runway 1,406 m~Telecommunications~: service throughout country is adequate forpresent needs; international service good to adjacent Malaysia;radiobroadcast coverage good; 33,000 telephones (1987); stations--4AM/FM, 1 TV; 74,000 radio receivers (1987); satellite earthstations--1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Royal Brunei Armed Forces, including air wing, navy, andground forces; British Gurkha Battalion; Royal Brunei Police; GurkhaReserve Unit~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 104,398; 60,242 fit for militaryservice; 3,106 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: $197.6 million, 17% of central governmentbudget (FY86) ~[000000035~000235245~000000000~000000000~000010774~000000125~000227810~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Bulgaria~
Geography~Total area~: 110,910 km2; land area: 110,550 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Tennessee~Land boundaries~: 1,881 km total; Greece 494 km, Romania 608 km,Turkey 240 km, Yugoslavia 539 km~Coastline~: 354 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 24 nm;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: Macedonia question with Greece and Yugoslavia~Climate~: temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers~Terrain~: mostly mountains with lowlands in north and south~Natural resources~: bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arableland~Land use~: 34% arable land; 3% permanent crops; 18% meadows andpastures; 35% forest and woodland; 10% other; includes 11% irrigated~Environment~: subject to earthquakes, landslides; deforestation; airpollution~Note~: strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key landroutes from Europe to Middle East and Asia~
People~Population~: 8,933,544 (July 1990), growth rate - 0.3% (1990)~Birth rate~: 13 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 4 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 13 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 69 years male, 76 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.9 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Bulgarian(s); adjective--Bulgarian~Ethnic divisions~: 85.3% Bulgarian, 8.5% Turk, 2.6% Gypsy, 2.5%Macedonian, 0.3% Armenian, 0.2% Russian, 0.6% other~Religion~: religious background of population is 85% BulgarianOrthodox, 13% Muslim, 0.8% Jewish, 0.7% Roman Catholic, 0.5%Protestant, Gregorian-Armenian, and other~Language~: Bulgarian; secondary languages closely correspond to ethnicbreakdown~Literacy~: 95% (est.)~Labor force~: 4,300,000; 33% industry, 20% agriculture, 47% other(1987)~Organized labor~: all workers are members of the Central Council ofTrade Unions (CCTU); Pod Krepa (Support), an independent tradeunion, legally registered in January 1990~
Government~Long-form name~: People's Republic of Bulgaria~Type~: Communist state, but democratic elections planned for 1990~Capital~: Sofia~Administrative divisions~: 8 provinces (oblasti, singular--oblast) and1 city* (grad); Burgas, Grad Sofiya*, Khaskovo, Lovech,Mikhaylovgrad, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Sofiya, Varna~Independence~: 22 September 1908 (from Ottoman Empire)~Constitution~: 16 May 1971, effective 18 May 1971~Legal system~: based on civil law system, with Soviet law influence;judicial review of legislative acts in the State Council; hasaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Anniversary of the Socialist Revolution inBulgaria, 9 September (1944)~Executive branch~: president, chairman of the Council of Ministers,four deputy chairmen of the Council of Ministers, Council ofMinisters~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Assembly (Narodno Sobranyie)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Petur Toshev MLADENOV (chairman ofthe State Council since 11 November 1989; became president on 3April 1990 when the State Council was abolished);  Head of Government--Chairman of the Council of Ministers AndreyLUKANOV (since 3 February 1990); Deputy Chairman of the Council ofMinisters Chudomir Asenov ALEKSANDROV (since 8 February 1990);Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers Belcho Antonov BELCHEV(since 8 February 1990); Deputy Chairman of the Council of MinistersKonstantin Dimitrov KOSEV (since 8 February 1990); Deputy Chairmanof the Council of Ministers Nora Krachunova ANANIEVA (since 8February 1990)~Political parties and leaders~: Bulgarian Communist Party (BKP),Aleksandur Lilov, chairman; Bulgarian National Agrarian Union(BZNS), Angel Angelov Dimitrov, secretary of Permanent Board;Bulgarian Social Democratic Party, Petur Dentlieu; Green Party;Christian Democrats; Radical Democratic Party; others forming~Suffrage~: universal and compulsory at age 18~Elections~: Chairman of the State Council--last held 17 June 1986(next to be held 10 and 17 June 1990); results--Todor Zhivkovreelected but was replaced by Petur Toshev Mladenov on 11 November1989;  National Assembly--last held 8 June 1986 (next to be held 10 and 17June 1990); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(400 total)BKP 276, BZNS 99, others 25~Communists~: 932,055 party members (April 1986)~Other political or pressure groups~: Union of Democratic Forces(umbrella organization for opposition groups); Ecoglenost, PodkrepaIndependent Trade Union, Fatherland Front, Communist Youth Union,Central Council of Trade Unions, National Committee for Defense ofPeace, Union of Fighters Against Fascism and Capitalism, Committeeof Bulgarian Women, All-National Committee for Bulgarian-SovietFriendship; Union of Democratic Forces, a coalition of about a dozendissident groups; numerous regional and national interest groupswith various agendas~Member of~: CCC, CEMA, FAO, IAEA, IBEC, ICAO, ILO, ILZSG, IMO, IPU,ITC, ITU, IWC--International Wheat Council, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WarsawPact, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Velichko Filipov VELICHKOV;Chancery at 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone[phone]; US--Ambassador Sol POLANSKY; Embassy at 1 AlexanderStamboliski Boulevard, Sofia (mailing address is APO New York09213); telephone ╒359σ (2) 88-48-01 through 05~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and redwith the national emblem on the hoist side of the white stripe; theemblem contains a rampant lion within a wreath of wheat ears below ared five-pointed star and above a ribbon bearing the dates 681(first Bulgarian state established) and 1944 (liberation from Nazicontrol)~
Economy~Overview~: Growth in the sluggish Bulgarian economy fell to the 2%annual level in the 1980s, and by 1989 Sofia's foreign debt hadskyrocketed to $10 billion--giving a debt service ratio of more than40% of hard currency earnings. The post-Zhivkov regime faces majorproblems of renovating an aging industrial plant, keeping abreast ofrapidly unfolding technological developments, investing inadditional energy capacity (the portion of electric power fromnuclear energy reached 37% in 1988), and motivating workers, in partby giving them a share in the earnings of their enterprises. A majordecree of January 1989 summarized and extended the government'seconomic restructuring efforts, which include a partialdecentralization of controls over production decisions and foreigntrade. The new regime promises more extensive reforms and eventuallya market economy. But the ruling group cannot (so far) bring itselfto give up ultimate control over economic affairs exercised throughthe vertical Party/ministerial command structure. Reforms have notled to improved economic performance, in particular the provision ofmore and better consumer goods. A further blow to the economy wasthe exodus of 310,000 ethnic Turks in mid-1989, which causedtemporary shortages of skilled labor in glassware, aluminum, andother industrial plants and in tobacco fields.~GNP~: $51.2 billion, per capita $5,710; real growth rate - 0.1% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 12% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $26 billion; expenditures $28 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $NA billion (1988)~Exports~: $20.3 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--machinery andequipment 60.5%; agricultural products 14.7%; manufactured consumergoods 10.6%; fuels, minerals, raw materials, and metals 8.5%; other5.7%; partners--Socialist countries 82.5% (USSR 61%, GDR 5.5%,Czechoslovakia 4.9%); developed countries 6.8% (FRG 1.2%, Greece1.0%); less developed countries 10.7% (Libya 3.5%, Iraq 2.9%)~Imports~: $21.0 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--fuels, minerals,and raw materials 45.2%; machinery and equipment 39.8%; manufacturedconsumer goods 4.6%; agricultural products 3.8%; other 6.6%;partners--Socialist countries 80.5% (USSR 57.5%, GDR 5.7%),developed countries 15.1% (FRG 4.8%, Austria 1.6%); less developedcountries 4.4% (Libya 1.0%, Brazil 0.9%)~External debt~: $10 billion (1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate 0.9% (1988)~Electricity~: 11,500,000 kW capacity; 45,000 million kWh produced,5,000 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: food processing, machine and metal building, electronics,chemicals~Agriculture~: accounts for 15% of GNP; climate and soil conditionssupport livestock raising and the growing of various grain crops,oilseeds, vegetables, fruits and tobacco; more than one-third of thearable land devoted to grain; world's fourth-largest tobaccoexporter; surplus food producer~Aid~: donor--$1.6 billion in bilateral aid to non-Communist lessdeveloped countries (1956-88)~Currency~: lev (plural--leva); 1 lev (Lv) = 100 stotinki~Exchange rates~: leva (Lv) per US$1--0.84 (1989), 0.82 (1988), 0.90(1987), 0.95 (1986), 1.03 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 4,294 km total, all government owned (1986); 4,049 km1.435-meter standard gauge, 245 km narrow gauge; 908 km doubletrack; 2,342 km electrified~Highways~: 37,397 km total; 33,352 km hard surface (including 228 kmsuperhighways); 4,045 km earth roads (1986)~Inland waterways~: 470 km (1986)~Pipelines~: crude, 193 km; refined product, 418 km; natural gas, 1,400km (1986)~Ports~: Burgas, Varna, Varna West; river ports are Ruse, Vidin, andLom on the Danube~Merchant marine~: 108 ships (1,000 GRT and over) totaling 1,240,204GRT/1,872,723 DWT; includes 2 short-sea passenger, 32 cargo, 2container, 1 passenger-cargo training, 5 roll-on/roll-off, 16petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 2 railcar carriers, 48bulk~Civil air~: 65 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 380 total, 380 usable; about 120 with permanent-surfacerunways; 20 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 20 with runways 1,220-2,439m~Telecommunications~: stations--15 AM, 16 FM, 13 TV; 1 Soviet TV relay;2,100,000 TV sets; 2,100,000 radio receivers; at least 1 satelliteearth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Bulgarian People's Army, Bulgarian Navy, Air and AirDefense Forces, Frontier Troops~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 2,177,404; 1,823,111 fit for militaryservice; 66,744 reach military age (19) annually~Defense expenditures~: 1.6051 billion leva (1989); note--conversion ofthe military budget into US dollars using the officialadministratively set exchange rate would produce misleading results~[000000036~000246022~000000000~000000000~000007727~000000079~000235245~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Burkina~
Geography~Total area~: 274,200 km2; land area: 273,800 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Colorado~Land boundaries~: 3,192 km total; Benin 306 km, Ghana 548 km, IvoryCoast 584 km, Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km~Coastline~: none--landlocked~Maritime claims~: none--landlocked~Disputes~: the disputed international boundary between Burkina andMali was submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) inOctober 1983 and the ICJ issued its final ruling in December 1986,which both sides agreed to accept; Burkina and Mali are proceedingwith boundary demarcation, including the tripoint with Niger~Climate~: tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers~Terrain~: mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in westand southeast~Natural resources~: manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits ofgold, antimony, copper, nickel, bauxite, lead, phosphates, zinc,silver~Land use~: 10% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 37% meadows andpastures; 26% forest and woodland; 27% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: recent droughts and desertification severely affectingmarginal agricultural activities, population distribution, economy;overgrazing; deforestation~Note~: landlocked~
People~Population~: 9,077,828 (July 1990), growth rate 3.1% (1990)~Birth rate~: 50 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 17 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 3 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 121 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 51 years male, 52 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 7.2 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Burkinabe; adjective--Burkinabe~Ethnic divisions~: more than 50 tribes; principal tribe is Mossi(about 2.5 million); other important groups are Gurunsi, Senufo,Lobi, Bobo, Mande, and Fulani~Religion~: 65% indigenous beliefs, about 25% Muslim, 10% Christian(mainly Roman Catholic)~Language~: French (official); tribal languages belong to Sudanicfamily, spoken by 90% of the population~Literacy~: 13.2%~Labor force~: 3,300,000 residents; 30,000 are wage earners; 82%agriculture, 13% industry, 5% commerce, services, and government;20% of male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countriesfor seasonal employment (1984); 44% of population of working age(1985)~Organized labor~: four principal trade union groups represent lessthan 1% of population~
Government~Long-form name~: Burkina Faso~Type~: military; established by coup on 4 August 1983~Capital~: Ouagadougou~Administrative divisions~: 30 provinces; Bam, Bazega, Bougouriba,Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Kadiogo,Kenedougou, Komoe, Kossi, Kouritenga, Mouhoun, Namentenga, Naouri,Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno,Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Yatenga, Zoundweogo~Independence~: 5 August 1960 (from France; formerly Upper Volta)~Constitution~: none; constitution of 27 November 1977 was abolishedfollowing coup of 25 November 1980~Legal system~: based on French civil law system and customary law~National holiday~: Anniversary of the Revolution, 4 August (1983)~Executive branch~: chairman of the Popular Front, Council of Ministers~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Assembly (AssembleeNationale) was dissolved on 25 November 1980~Judicial branch~: Appeals Court~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--Chairman of thePopular Front Captain Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987)~Political parties and leaders~: all political parties banned followingNovember 1980 coup~Suffrage~: none~Elections~: the National Assembly was dissolved 25 November 1980 andno elections are scheduled~Communists~: small Communist party front group; some sympathizers~Other political or pressure groups~: committees for the defense of therevolution, watchdog/political action groups throughout the countryin both organizations and communities~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, EAMA, ECA, EIB (associate), Entente,FAO, GATT, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB--Islamic Development Bank,IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, IRC, ITU, NAM, NigerRiver Commission, OAU, OCAM, OIC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Paul Desire KABORE; Chancery at2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone] or 6895; US--Ambassador David H. SHINN; Embassy at AvenueRaoul Follerau, Ouagadougou (mailing address is B. P. 35,Ouagadougou); telephone ╒226σ 30-67-23 through 25~Flag~: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellowfive-pointed star in the center; uses the popular pan-African colorsof Ethiopia~
Economy~Overview~: One of the poorest countries in the world, Burkina has ahigh population density, few natural resources, and relativelyinfertile soil. Economic development is hindered by a poorcommunications network within a landlocked country. Agricultureprovides about 40% of GDP and is entirely of a subsistence nature.Industry, dominated by unprofitable government-controlledcorporations, accounted for 13% of GDP in 1985.~GDP~: $1.43 billion, per capita $170; real growth rate 7.7% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 4.3% (1988)~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $422 million; expenditures $516 million, includingcapital expenditures of $25 million (1987)~Exports~: $249 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--oilseeds, cotton,live animals, gold; partners--EC 42% (France 30%, other 12%), Taiwan17%, Ivory Coast 15% (1985)~Imports~: $591 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--grain, dairyproducts, petroleum, machinery; partners--EC 37% (France 23%, other14%), Africa 31%, US 15% (1985)~External debt~: $969 million (December 1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate 7.1% (1985)~Electricity~: 121,000 kW capacity; 320 million kWh produced, 37 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: agricultural processing plants; brewery, cement, andbrick plants; a few other small consumer goods enterprises~Agriculture~: cash crops--peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, cotton; foodcrops--sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock; not self-sufficientin food grains~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $271 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$2.5 billion; Communist countries (1970-88), $94 million~Currency~: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural--francs); 1CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes~Exchange rates~: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1--284.55 (January 1990),319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987), 346.30 (1986), 449.26(1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 620 km total; 520 km Ouagadougou to Ivory Coast border and100 km Ouagadougou to Kaya; all 1.00-meter gauge and single track~Highways~: 16,500 km total; 1,300 km paved, 7,400 km improved, 7,800km unimproved (1985)~Civil air~: 2 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 50 total, 43 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 7 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: all services only fair; radio relay, wire, andradio communication stations in use; 13,900 telephones; stations--2AM, 2 FM, 2 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Air Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 1,775,143; 904,552 fit for militaryservice; no conscription~Defense expenditures~: 3.1% of GDP (1987) ~[000000037~000253752~000000000~000000000~000009374~000000098~000246022~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Burma~
Geography~Total area~: 678,500 km2; land area: 657,740 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Texas~Land boundaries~: 5,876 km total; Bangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km,India 1,463 km, Laos 235 km, Thailand 1,800 km~Coastline~: 1,930 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 24 nm;  Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers(southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall,mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon,December to April)~Terrain~: central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands~Natural resources~: crude oil, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper,tungsten, lead, coal, some marble, limestone, precious stones,natural gas~Land use~: 15% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 1% meadows andpastures; 49% forest and woodland; 34% other; includes 2% irrigated~Environment~: subject to destructive earthquakes and cyclones;flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June toSeptember); deforestation~Note~: strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes~
People~Population~: 41,277,389 (July 1990), growth rate 2.0% (1990)~Birth rate~: 33 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 97 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 53 years male, 56 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 4.2 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Burmese; adjective--Burmese~Ethnic divisions~: 68% Burman, 9% Shan, 7% Karen, 4% Rakhine, 3%Chinese, 2% Mon, 2% Indian, 5% other~Religion~: 85% Buddhist, 15% animist beliefs, Muslim, Christian, orother~Language~: Burmese; minority ethnic groups have their own languages~Literacy~: 78%~Labor force~: 16,036,000; 65.2% agriculture, 14.3% industry, 10.1% trade, 6.3% government, 4.1% other (FY89 est.)~Organized labor~: Workers' Asiayone (association), 1,800,000 members,and Peasants' Asiayone, 7,600,000 members~
Government~Long-form name~: Union of Burma; note--the local official name isPyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw which has been translated as Union ofMyanma or Union of Myanmar~Type~: military government~Capital~: Rangoon (sometimes translated as Yangon)~Administrative divisions~: 7 divisions* (yin-mya, singular--yin) and 7states (pyine-mya, singular--pyine); Chin State, Irrawaddy*, KachinState, Karan State, Kayah State, Magwe*, Mandalay*, Mon State,Pegu*, Rakhine State, Rangoon*, Sagaing*, Shan State, Tenasserim*~Independence~: 4 January 1948 (from UK)~Constitution~: 3 January 1974 (suspended since 18 September 1988)~Legal system~: martial law in effect throughout most of the country;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Independence Day, 4 January (1948)~Executive branch~: chairman of the State Law and Order RestorationCouncil, State Law and Order Restoration Council~Legislative branch~: unicameral People's Assembly (Pyithu Hluttaw) wasdissolved after the coup of 18 September 1988~Judicial branch~: Council of People's Justices was abolished after thecoup of 18 September 1988~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--Chairman of the StateLaw and Order Restoration Council and Prime Minister Gen. SAW MAUNG(since 18 September 1988)~Political parties and leaders~: National League for Democracy, U TinOo and Aung San Suu Kyi; League for Democracy and Peace, U Nu;National Unity Party (promilitary); over 100 other parties~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: People's Assembly--last held 6-20 October 1985, butdissolved after the coup of 18 September 1988; next scheduled 27 May1990); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(NA total)number of seats by party NA~Communists~: several hundred, est., primarily as an insurgent group onthe northeast frontier~Other political or pressure groups~: Kachin Independence Army; KarenNational Union, several Shan factions (all insurgent groups);Burmese Communist Party (BCP)~Member of~: ADB, Colombo Plan, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, IDA, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IRC, ITU, UN, UNESCO,UPU, WHO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador U MYO AUNG; Chancery at 2300 SStreet NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone] through9046; there is a Burmese Consulate General in New York;US--Ambassador Burton LEVIN; Embassy at 581 Merchant Street, Rangoon(mailing address is G. P. O. Box 521, Rangoon or Box B, APO SanFrancisco 96346); telephone 82055 or 82181~Flag~: red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side cornerbearing, all in white, 14 five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheelcontaining a stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the 14administrative divisions~
Economy~Overview~: Burma is one of the poorest countries in Asia, with a percapita GDP of about $280. The government reports negligible growthfor FY88.  The nation has been unable to achieve any significantimprovement in export earnings because of falling prices for many ofits major commodity exports. For rice, traditionally the mostimportant export, the drop in world prices has been accompanied byshrinking markets and a smaller volume of sales. In 1985 teakreplaced rice as the largest export and continues to hold thisposition. The economy is heavily dependent on the agriculturalsector, which generates about 40% of GDP and provides employment formore than 65% of the work force.~GDP~: $11.0 billion, per capita $280; real growth rate 0.2% (FY88est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 22.6% (FY89 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 10.4% in urban areas (FY87)~Budget~: revenues $4.9 billion; expenditures $5.0 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $0.7 billion (FY89 est.)~Exports~: $311 million (f.o.b., FY88 est.) commodities--teak, rice,oilseed, metals, rubber, gems; partners--Southeast Asia, India,China, EC, Africa~Imports~: $536 million (c.i.f., FY88 est.) commodities--machinery,transport equipment, chemicals, food products; partners--Japan, EC,CEMA, China, Southeast Asia~External debt~: $5.6 billion (December 1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate - 1.5% (FY88)~Electricity~: 950,000 kW capacity; 2,900 million kWh produced, 70 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: agricultural processing; textiles and footwear; wood andwood products; petroleum refining; mining of copper, tin, tungsten,iron; construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer~Agriculture~: accounts for about 40% of GDP (including fish andforestry); self-sufficient in food; principal crops--paddy rice,corn, oilseed, sugarcane, pulses; world's largest stand of hardwoodtrees; rice and teak account for 55% of export revenues; 1985 fishcatch of 644 million metric tons~Illicit drugs~: world's largest illicit producer of opium poppy andminor producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; opiumproduction is on the increase as growers respond to the collapse ofRangoon's antinarcotic programs~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $158 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$3.8 billion; Communist countries (1970-88), $424 million~Currency~: kyat (plural--kyats); 1 kyat (K) = 100 pyas~Exchange rates~: kyats (K) per US$1--6.5188 (January 1990), 6.7049(1989), 6.3945 (1988), 6.6535 (1987), 7.3304 (1986), 8.4749 (1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Railroads~: 3,991 km total, all government owned; 3,878 km 1.000-metergauge, 113 km narrow-gauge industrial lines; 362 km double track~Highways~: 27,000 km total; 3,200 km bituminous, 17,700 km improvedearth or gravel, 6,100 km unimproved earth~Inland waterways~: 12,800 km; 3,200 km navigable by large commercialvessels~Pipelines~: crude, 1,343 km; natural gas, 330 km~Ports~: Rangoon, Moulmein, Bassein~Merchant marine~: 45 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 595,814GRT/955,924 DWT; includes 3 passenger-cargo, 15 cargo, 2roll-on/roll-off, 1 vehicle carrier, 1 container, 2 petroleum, oils,and lubricants (POL) tanker, 5 chemical, 16 bulk~Civil air~: 17 major transport aircraft (including 3 helicopters)~Airports~: 88 total, 81 usable; 29 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 37with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: meets minimum requirements for local andintercity service; international service is good; radiobroadcastcoverage is limited to the most populous areas; 53,000 telephones(1986); stations--2 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV (1985); 1 Indian Ocean INTELSATearth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force~Military manpower~: eligible 15-49, 20,294,848; of the 10,135,886males 15-49, 5,438,196 are fit for military service; of the10,158,962 females 15-49, 5,437,518 are fit for military service;434,200 males and 423,435 females reach military age (18) annually;both sexes are liable for military service~Defense expenditures~: $315.0 million, 21.0% of central governmentbudget (FY88) ~[000000038~000263129~000000000~000000000~000007331~000000073~000253752~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Burundi~
Geography~Total area~: 27,830 km2; land area: 25,650 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Maryland~Land boundaries~: 974 km total; Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km, Zaire233 km~Coastline~: none--landlocked~Maritime claims~: none--landlocked~Climate~: temperate; warm; occasional frost in uplands~Terrain~: mostly rolling to hilly highland; some plains~Natural resources~: nickel, uranium, rare earth oxide, peat, cobalt,copper, platinum (not yet exploited), vanadium~Land use~: 43% arable land; 8% permanent crops; 35% meadows andpastures; 2% forest and woodland; 12% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: soil exhaustion; soil erosion; deforestation~Note~: landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed~
People~Population~: 5,645,997 (July 1990), growth rate 3.2% (1990)~Birth rate~: 47 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 15 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 111 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 50 years male, 54 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 7.0 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Burundian(s); adjective--Burundi~Ethnic divisions~: Africans--85% Hutu (Bantu), 14% Tutsi (Hamitic), 1%Twa (Pygmy); other Africans include about 70,000 refugees, mostlyRwandans and Zairians; non-Africans include about 3,000 Europeansand 2,000 South Asians~Religion~: about 67% Christian (62% Roman Catholic, 5% Protestant),32% indigenous beliefs, 1% Muslim~Language~: Kirundi and French (official); Swahili (along LakeTanganyika and in the Bujumbura area)~Literacy~: 33.8%~Labor force~: 1,900,000 (1983 est.); 93.0% agriculture, 4.0%government, 1.5% industry and commerce, 1.5% services; 52% ofpopulation of working age (1985)~Organized labor~: sole group is the Union of Burundi Workers (UTB); bycharter, membership is extended to all Burundi workers (informally);figures denoting active membership unobtainable~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Burundi~Type~: republic~Capital~: Bujumbura~Administrative divisions~: 15 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura, Bururi,Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba,Muramvya, Muyinga, Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi~Independence~: 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgianadministration)~Constitution~: 20 November 1981; suspended following the coup of 3September 1987~Legal system~: based on German and Belgian civil codes and customarylaw; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Independence Day, 1 July (1962)~Executive branch~: president, Military Committee for NationalSalvation, prime minister, Council of Ministers~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Assembly (AssembleeNationale) was dissolved following the coup of 3 September 1987~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Pierre BUYOYA (since 9 September1987);  Head of Government Prime Minister Adrien SIBOMANA (since 26 October1988)~Political parties and leaders~: only party--National Party of Unityand Progress (UPRONA), a Tutsi-led party, Libere Bararunyeretse,coordinator of the National Permanent Secretariat~Suffrage~: universal adult at age NA~Elections~: National Assembly--dissolved after the coup of 3 September1987; no elections are planned~Communists~: no Communist party~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, CCC, EAMA, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO,ICO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNESCO,UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Julien KAVAKURE; Chancery atSuite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington DC 20007; telephone[phone]; US--Ambassador Cynthia Shepherd PERRY; Embassy atAvenue du Zaire, Bujumbura (mailing address is B. P. 1720,Bujumbura); telephone 234-54 through 56~Flag~: divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top andbottom) and green panels (hoist side and outer side) with a whitedisk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed starsoutlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above,two stars below)~
Economy~Overview~: A landlocked, resource-poor country in an early stage ofeconomic development, Burundi is predominately agricultural withonly a few basic industries. Its economic health is dependent on thecoffee crop, which accounts for an average 90% of foreign exchangeearnings each year. The ability to pay for imports thereforecontinues to rest largely on the vagaries of the climate and theinternational coffee market.~GDP~: $1.3 billion, per capita $255; real growth rate 2.8% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 4.4% (1988 est.)~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $213 million; expenditures $292 million, includingcapital expenditures of $131 million (1988 est.)~Exports~: $128 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--coffee 88%, tea,hides and skins; partners--EC 83%, US 5%, Asia 2%~Imports~: $204 million (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--capital goods 31%,petroleum products 15%, foodstuffs, consumer goods; partners--EC57%, Asia 23%, US 3%~External debt~: $795 million (December 1989 est.)~Industrial production~: real growth rate 5.1% (1986)~Electricity~: 51,000 kW capacity; 105 million kWh produced, 19 kWh percapita (1989)~Industries~: light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap;assembly of imports; public works construction; food processing~Agriculture~: accounts for 60% of GDP; 90% of population dependent onsubsistence farming; marginally self-sufficient in food production;cash crops--coffee, cotton, tea; food crops--corn, sorghum, sweetpotatoes, bananas, manioc; livestock--meat, milk, hides, and skins~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $68 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $10billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $32 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $175 million~Currency~: Burundi franc (plural--francs); 1 Burundi franc (FBu) = 100centimes~Exchange rates~: Burundi francs (FBu) per US$1--176.20 (January 1990),158.67 (1989), 140.40 (1988), 123.56 (1987), 114.17 (1986), 120.69(1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Highways~: 5,900 km total; 400 km paved, 2,500 km gravel or laterite,3,000 km improved or unimproved earth~Inland waterways~: Lake Tanganyika~Ports~: Bujumbura (lake port) connects to transportation systems ofTanzania and Zaire~Civil air~: 1 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 8 total, 7 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none withrunways 1,220 to 2,439 m~Telecommunications~: sparse system of wire, radiocommunications, andlow-capacity radio relay links; 8,000 telephones; stations--2 AM, 2FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army (includes naval and air units); paramilitaryGendarmerie~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 1,230,559; 642,927 fit for militaryservice; 61,418 reach military age (16) annually~Defense expenditures~: 3.1% of GDP (1987) ~[000000039~000270463~000000000~000000000~000008379~000000088~000263129~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Cambodia~
Geography~Total area~: 181,040 km2; land area: 176,520 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Oklahoma~Land boundaries~: 2,572 km total; Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km,Vietnam 1,228 km~Coastline~: 443 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 24 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 nm;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: offshore islands and three sections of the boundary withVietnam are in dispute; maritime boundary with Vietnam not defined;occupied by Vietnam on 25 December 1978~Climate~: tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to October); dry season(December to March); little seasonal temperature variation~Terrain~: mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north~Natural resources~: timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese,phosphates, hydropower potential~Land use~: 16% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 3% meadows andpastures; 76% forest and woodland; 4% other; includes 1% irrigated~Environment~: a land of paddies and forests dominated by Mekong Riverand Tonle Sap~Note~: buffer between Thailand and Vietnam~
People~Population~: 6,991,107 (July 1990), growth rate 2.2% (1990)~Birth rate~: 39 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 16 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 128 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 47 years male, 50 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 4.5 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Cambodian(s); adjective--Cambodian~Ethnic divisions~: 90% Khmer (Cambodian), 5% Chinese, 5% otherminorities~Religion~: 95% Theravada Buddhism, 5% other~Language~: Khmer (official), French~Literacy~: 48%~Labor force~: 2.5-3.0 million; 80% agriculture (1988 est.)~Organized labor~: Kampuchea Federation of Trade Unions (FSC); undergovernment control~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: disputed between the Coalition Government of DemocraticKampuchea (CGDK) led by Prince NORODOM SIHANOUK and the People'sRepublic of Kampuchea (PRK) led by HENG SAMRIN~Capital~: Phnom Penh~Administrative divisions~: 18 provinces (khet, singular and plural)and 1 autonomous municipality* (rottatheanei, singular and plural);Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, KampongThum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Kracheh, Mondol Kiri, Phnum Penh*,Pouthisat, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanokiri, Siemreab-OtdarMeanchey, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev; note--there may be a newprovince of Banteay Meanchey and Siemreab-Otdar Meanchey may havebeen divided into two provinces named Siemreab and Otdar Meanchey~Independence~: 9 November 1953 (from France)~Constitution~: 27 June 1981~National holidays~: CGDK--Independence Day, 17 April (1975);PRK--Liberation Day, 7 January (1979)~Executive branch~: CGDK--president, prime minister; PRK--chairman ofthe Council of State, Council of State, chairman of the Council ofMinisters, Council of Ministers~Legislative branch~: CGDK--none; PRK--unicameral National Assembly~Judicial branch~: CGDK--none; PRK--Supreme People's Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--CGDK--President Prince NORODOM SIHANOUK(since NA July 1982); PRK--Chairman of the Council of State HENGSAMRIN (since 27 June 1981);  Head of Government--CGDK--Prime Minister SON SANN (since NA July1982); PRK--Chairman of the Council of Ministers HUN SEN (since 14January 1985)~Political parties and leaders~: CGDK--three resistance groupsincluding Democratic Kampuchea (DK, also known as the Khmer Rouge)under Khieu Samphan, Khmer People's National Liberation Front(KPNLF) under Son Sann, and National United Front for anIndependent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia (FUNCINPEC)under Prince Norodom Sihanouk; PRK--Kampuchean People'sRevolutionary Party (KPRP) led by Heng Samrin~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: CGDK--none;  PRK--National Assembly--last held 1 May 1981; in February 1986 theAssembly voted to extend its term for five years (next to be held byMarch 1990); results--KPRP is the only party; seats--(123 total)KPRP 123~Member of~: ADB, Colombo Plan, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto),IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IRC, ITU, MekongCommittee (inactive), NAM, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO forCGDK; none for PRK~Diplomatic representation~: none~Flag~: CGDK--red with the yellow silhouette of a stylizedthree-towered temple representing Angkor Wat in the center;  Non-Communists--three horizontal bands of blue, red (double width),and blue with a white stylized temple representing Angkor Watcentered on the red band;  PRK--red with the yellow silhouette of a stylized five-towered templerepresenting Angkor Wat in the center~
Economy~Overview~: Cambodia is a desperately poor country whose economicdevelopment has been stymied by deadly political infighting. Theeconomy is based on agriculture and related industries.  Over thepast decade Cambodia has been slowly recovering from its neardestruction by war and political upheaval. It still remains,however, one of the world's poorest countries, with an estimated percapita GDP of about $130.  The food situation is precarious; duringthe 1980s famine has been averted only through international relief.In 1986 the production level of rice, the staple food crop, was ableto meet only 80% of domestic needs. The biggest success of thenation's recovery program has been in new rubber plantings and infishing.  Industry, other than rice processing, is almostnonexistent. Foreign trade is primarily with the USSR and Vietnam.Statistical data on the economy continues to be sparse andunreliable.~GDP~: $890 million, per capita $130; real growth rate 0% (1989 est.)~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capitalexpenditures of $NA~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: NA%~Exports~: $32 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--natural rubber,rice, pepper, wood; partners--Vietnam, USSR, Eastern Europe, Japan,India~Imports~: $147 million (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--international foodaid; fuels, consumer goods; partners--Vietnam, USSR, Eastern Europe,Japan, India~External debt~: $600 million (1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 126,000 kW capacity; 150 million kWh produced, 21 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber,cement, gem mining~Agriculture~: mainly subsistence farming except for rubberplantations; main crops--rice, rubber, corn; food shortages--rice,meat, vegetables, dairy products, sugar, flour~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $719 million; Western(non-US) countries (1970-85), $270 million; Communist countries(1970-88), $950 million~Currency~: riel (plural--riels); 1 riel (CR) = 100 sen~Exchange rates~: riels (CR) per US$1--218 (November 1989) 100.00(1987), 30.00 (1986), 7.00 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 612 km 1.000-meter gauge, government owned~Highways~: 13,351 km total; 2,622 km bituminous; 7,105 km crushedstone, gravel, or improved earth; 3,624 km unimproved earth; someroads in disrepair~Inland waterways~: 3,700 km navigable all year to craft drawing 0.6meters; 282 km navigable to craft drawing 1.8 meters~Ports~: Kampong Saom, Phnom Penh~Airports~: 22 total, 9 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 4 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: service barely adequate for governmentrequirements and virtually nonexistent for general public;international service limited to Vietnam and other adjacentcountries; stations--1 AM, no FM, 1 TV~
Defense Forces~Branches~: PRK--People's Republic of Kampuchea Armed Forces; Communistresistance forces--National Army of Democratic Kampuchea (KhmerRouge); non-Communist resistance forces--Sihanoukist National Army(ANS) and Khmer People's National Liberation Front (KPNLF)~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 1,857,129; 1,025,456 fit for militaryservice; 61,649 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: NA ~[000000040~000278845~000000000~000000000~000008482~000000086~000270463~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Cameroon~
Geography~Total area~: 475,440 km2; land area: 469,440 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than California~Land boundaries~: 4,591 km total; Central African Republic 797 km,Chad 1,094 km, Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km,Nigeria 1,690 km~Coastline~: 402 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: not specific;  Territorial sea: 50 nm~Disputes~: exact locations of the Chad-Niger-Nigeria andCameroon-Chad-Nigeria tripoints in Lake Chad have not beendetermined, so the boundary has not been demarcated and borderincidents have resulted; Nigerian proposals to reopen maritimeboundary negotiations and redemarcate the entire land boundary havebeen rejected by Cameroon~Climate~: varies with terrain from tropical along coast to semiaridand hot in north~Terrain~: diverse with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateauin center, mountains in west, plains in north~Natural resources~: crude oil, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropowerpotential~Land use~: 13% arable land; 2% permanent crops; 18% meadows andpastures; 54% forest and woodland; 13% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: recent volcanic activity with release of poisonousgases; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification~Note~: sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa~
People~Population~: 11,092,470 (July 1990), growth rate 2.7% (1990)~Birth rate~: 42 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 15 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 120 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 49 years male, 53 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 5.7 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Cameroonian(s); adjective--Cameroonian~Ethnic divisions~: over 200 tribes of widely differing background; 31%Cameroon Highlanders, 19% Equatorial Bantu, 11% Kirdi, 10% Fulani,8% Northwestern Bantu, 7% Eastern Nigritic, 13% other African, lessthan 1% non-African~Religion~: 51% indigenous beliefs, 33% Christian, 16% Muslim~Language~: English and French (official), 24 major African languagegroups~Literacy~: 56.2%~Labor force~: NA; 74.4% agriculture, 11.4% industry and transport,14.2% other services (1983); 50% of population of working age (15-64years) (1985)~Organized labor~: under 45% of wage labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Cameroon~Type~: unitary republic; one-party presidential regime~Capital~: Yaounde~Administrative divisions~: 10 provinces; Adamaoua, Centre, Est,Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Ouest~Independence~: 1 January 1960 (from UN trusteeship under Frenchadministration; formerly French Cameroon)~Constitution~: 20 May 1972~Legal system~: based on French civil law system, with common lawinfluence; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: National Day, 20 May (1972)~Executive branch~: president, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Assembly (AssembleeNationale)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government President Paul BIYA(since 6 November 1982)~Political parties and leaders~: only party--Cameroon People'sDemocratic Movement (RDPC), Paul Biya, president~Suffrage~: universal at age 21~Elections~: President--last held 24 April 1988 (next to be held April1993); results--President Paul Biya reelected without opposition;  National Assembly--last held 24 April 1988 (next to be held April1993); results--RDPC is the only party; seats--(180 total) RDPC 180~Communists~: no Communist party or significant number of sympathizers~Other political or pressure groups~: Cameroon People's Union (UPC),remains an illegal group with its factional leaders in exile~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, CCC, EAMA, ECA, EIB (associate), FAO, G-77,GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IDB--Islamic DevelopmentBank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ISO, ITU,Lake Chad Basin Commission, NAM, Niger River Commission, OAU, OIC,UDEAC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Paul PONDI; Chancery at 2349Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC  20008; telephone [phone] through 8794; US--Ambassador Frances COOK; Embassy at RueNachtigal, Yaounde (mailing address is B. P. 817, Yaounde);telephone ╒237σ 234014; there is a US Consulate General in Douala~Flag~: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, andyellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band;uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia~
Economy~Overview~: Over the past decade the economy has registered aremarkable performance because of the development of an offshore oilindustry. Real GDP growth annually averaged 10% from 1978 to 1985.In 1986 Cameroon had one of the highest levels of income per capitain tropical Africa, with oil revenues picking up the slack as growthin other sectors softened. Because of the sharp drop in oil prices,however, the economy is now experiencing serious budgetarydifficulties and balance-of-payments disequalibrium. Oil reservescurrently being exploited will be depleted in the early 1990s, soways must be found to boost agricultural and industrial exports inthe medium term. The Sixth Cameroon Development Plan (1986-91)stresses balanced development and designates agriculture as thebasis of the country's economic future.~GDP~: $12.9 billion, per capita $955; real growth rate - 8.6% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 8.6% (FY88)~Unemployment rate~: 7% (1985)~Budget~: revenues $2.17 billion; expenditures $2.17 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $833 million (FY88)~Exports~: $2.0 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--petroleum products56%, coffee, cocoa, timber, manufactures; partners--EC (particularlythe Netherlands) about 50%, US 3%~Imports~: $2.3 billion (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--machines andelectrical equipment, transport equipment, chemical products,consumer goods; partners--France 42%, Japan 7%, US 4%~External debt~: $4.9 billion (December 1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate - 6.4% (FY87)~Electricity~: 752,000 kW capacity; 2,940 million kWh produced, 270 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: crude oil products, small aluminum plant, foodprocessing, light consumer goods industries, sawmills~Agriculture~: the agriculture and forestry sectors provide employmentfor the majority of the population, contributing nearly 25% to GDPand providing a high degree of self-sufficiency in staple foods;commercial and food crops include coffee, cocoa, timber, cotton,rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, livestock, root starches~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $400 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$3.9 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $29 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $120 million~Currency~: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural--francs); 1CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes~Exchange rates~: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) perUS$1--287.99 (January 1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54(1987), 346.30 (1986), 449.26 (1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 July-30 June~
Communications~Railroads~: 1,003 km total; 858 km 1.000-meter gauge, 145 km0.600-meter gauge~Highways~: about 65,000 km total; includes 2,682 km bituminous, 30,000km unimproved earth, 32,318 km gravel, earth, and improved earth~Inland waterways~: 2,090 km; of decreasing importance~Ports~: Douala~Merchant marine~: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 24,122GRT/33,509 DWT~Civil air~: 5 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 61 total, 54 usable; 10 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 22with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: good system of open wire, cable, troposcatter,and radio relay; 26,000 telephones; stations--10 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 2Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force; paramilitary Gendarmerie~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 2,553,867; 1,286,831 fit for militaryservice; 121,773 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 1.7% of GDP, or $219 million (1990 est.) ~[000000041~000287330~000000000~000000000~000009618~000000106~000278845~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Canada~
Geography~Total area~: 9,976,140 km2; land area: 9,220,970 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than US~Land boundaries~: 8,893 km with US (includes 2,477 km with Alaska)~Coastline~: 243,791 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: maritime boundary disputes with France (St. Pierre andMiquelon) and US~Climate~: varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic innorth~Terrain~: mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands insoutheast~Natural resources~: nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum,potash, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, crude oil, natural gas~Land use~: 5% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 3% meadows andpastures; 35% forest and woodland; 57% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: 80% of population concentrated within 160 km of USborder; continuous permafrost in north a serious obstacle todevelopment~Note~: second-largest country in world (after USSR); strategiclocation between USSR and US via north polar route~
People~Population~: 26,538,229 (July 1990), growth rate 1.1% (1990)~Birth rate~: 14 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 5 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 74 years male, 81 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.7 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Canadian(s); adjective--Canadian~Ethnic divisions~: 40% British Isles origin, 27% French origin, 20%other European, 1.5% indigenous Indian and Eskimo~Religion~: 46% Roman Catholic, 16% United Church, 10% Anglican~Language~: English and French (both official)~Literacy~: 99%~Labor force~: 13,380,000; services 75%, manufacturing 14%, agriculture4%, construction 3%, other 4% (1988)~Organized labor~: 30.6% of labor force; 39.6% of nonagricultural paidworkers~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: confederation with parliamentary democracy~Capital~: Ottawa~Administrative divisions~: 10 provinces and 2 territories*; Alberta,British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, NorthwestTerritories*, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec,Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory*~Independence~: 1 July 1867 (from UK)~Constitution~: amended British North America Act 1867 patriated toCanada 17 April 1982; charter of rights and unwritten customs~Legal system~: based on English common law, except in Quebec, wherecivil law system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsoryICJ jurisdiction, with reservations~National holiday~: Canada Day, 1 July (1867)~Executive branch~: British monarch, governor general, prime minister,deputy prime minister, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper houseor Senate and a lower house or House of Commons~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Raymond John HNATSHYN (since 29January 1990);  Head of Government--Prime Minister (Martin) Brian MULRONEY (since 4September 1984); Deputy Prime Minister Donald Frank MAZANKOWSKI(since NA June 1986)~Political parties and leaders~: Progressive Conservative, BrianMulroney; Liberal, John Turner; New Democratic, Audrey McLaughlin~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: House of Commons--last held 21 November 1988 (next to beheld by November 1993); results--Progressive Conservative 43.0%,Liberal 32%, New Democratic Party 20%, other 5%; seats--(295 total)Progressive Conservative 170, Liberal 82, New Democratic Party 43~Communists~: 3,000~Member of~: ADB, CCC, Colombo Plan, Commonwealth, DAC, FAO, GATT,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICES, ICO, IDA, IDB--Inter-American DevelopmentBank, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, ILZSG, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,IPU, ISO, ITC, ITU, IWC--International Whaling Commission,IWC--International Wheat Council, NATO, OAS, OECD, PAHO, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WSG~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Derek BURNEY; Chancery at 1746Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20036; telephone [phone]; there are Canadian Consulates General in Atlanta, Boston,Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles,Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle;US--Ambassador Edward N. NEY; Embassy at 100 Wellington Street, K1P5T1, Ottawa (mailing address is P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburg, NY13669); telephone [phone]; there are US Consulates General inCalgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, and Vancouver~Flag~: three vertical bands of red (hoist side), white (double width,square), and red with a red maple leaf centered in the white band~
Economy~Overview~: As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, Canada todayclosely resembles the US in per capita output, market-orientedeconomic system, and pattern of production. Since World War II theimpressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectorshas transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into oneprimarily industrial and urban. In the 1980s Canada registered oneof the highest rates of growth among the OECD nations, averagingabout 4%. With its great natural resources, skilled labor force, andmodern capital plant, Canada has excellent economic prospects. Inmid-1990, however, the long-simmering problems between English- andFrench-speaking areas became so acute that observers spoke openly ofa possible split in the confederation; foreign investors werebecoming edgy.~GDP~: $513.6 billion, per capita $19,600; real growth rate 2.9% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 5.0% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 7.5% (1989)~Budget~: revenues $79.2 billion; expenditures $102.0 billion,including capital expenditures of $1.8 billion (FY88 est.)~Exports~: $127.2 billion (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--newsprint, woodpulp, timber, grain, crude petroleum, natural gas, ferrous andnonferrous ores, motor vehicles; partners--US, Japan, UK, FRG, otherEC, USSR~Imports~: $116.5 billion (c.i.f., 1989); commodities--processed foods,beverages, crude petroleum, chemicals, industrial machinery, motorvehicles, durable consumer goods, electronic computers;partners--US, Japan, UK, FRG, other EC, Taiwan, South Korea, Mexico~External debt~: $247 billion (1987)~Industrial production~: growth rate 2.3% (1989)~Electricity~: 103,746,000 kW capacity; 472,580 million kWh produced,17,960 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, woodand paper products, transportation equipment, chemicals, fishproducts, petroleum and natural gas~Agriculture~: accounts for 3% of GDP; one of the world's majorproducers and exporters of grain (wheat and barley); key source ofUS agricultural imports; large forest resources cover 35% of totalland area; commercial fisheries provide annual catch of 1.5 millionmetric tons, of which 75% is exported~Illicit drugs~: illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drugmarket~Aid~: donor--ODA and OOF commitments (1970-87), $2.2 billion~Currency~: Canadian dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Canadian dollar (Can$)= 100 cents~Exchange rates~: Canadian dollars (Can$) per US$1--1.1714 (January1990), 1.1840 (1989), 1.2307 (1988), 1.3260 (1987), 1.3895 (1986),1.3655 (1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Railroads~: 80,095 km total; 79,917 km 1.435-meter standard gauge(includes 129 km electrified); 178 km 0.915-meter narrow gauge(mostly unused); two major transcontinental freight railwaysystems--Canadian National (government owned) and Canadian PacificRailway; passenger service--VIA (government operated)~Highways~: 884,272 km total; 712,936 km surfaced (250,023 km paved),171,336 km earth~Inland waterways~: 3,000 km, including St. Lawrence Seaway~Pipelines~: oil, 23,564 km total crude and refined; natural gas,74,980 km~Ports~: Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Saint John (New Brunswick), St.John's (Newfoundland), Toronto, Vancouver~Merchant marine~: 78 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 555,749GRT/774,914 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 5 short-sea passenger, 2passenger-cargo, 12 cargo, 2 railcar carrier, 1 refrigerated cargo,8 roll-on/roll-off, 1 container, 29 petroleum, oils, and lubricants(POL) tanker, 6 chemical tanker, 1 specialized tanker, 10 bulk;note--does not include ships used exclusively in the Great Lakesships~Civil air~: 636 major transport aircraft; Air Canada is the majorcarrier~Airports~: 1,359 total, 1,117 usable; 442 with permanent-surfacerunways; 4 with runways over 3,659 m; 30 with runways 2,440-3,659 m;322 with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: excellent service provided by modern media; 18.0million telephones; stations--900 AM, 29 FM, 53 (1,400 repeaters)TV; 5 coaxial submarine cables; over 300 satellite earth stationsoperating in INTELSAT (including 4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 PacificOcean) and domestic systems~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Mobile Command, Maritime Command, Air Command,Communications Command, Canadian Forces Europe, Training Commands~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 7,174,119; 6,251,492 fit for militaryservice; 187,894 reach military age (17) annually~Defense expenditures~: 2.0% of GDP, or $10 billion (1989 est.) ~[000000042~000296951~000000000~000000000~000007744~000000085~000287330~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Cape Verde~
Geography~Total area~: 4,030 km2; land area: 4,030 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Rhode Island~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 965 km~Maritime claims~: (measured from claimed archipelagic baselines);  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: temperate; warm, dry, summer precipitation very erratic~Terrain~: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic~Natural resources~: salt, basalt rock, pozzolana, limestone, kaolin,fish~Land use~: 9% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 6% meadows andpastures; NEGL% forest and woodland; 85% other; includes 1%irrigated~Environment~: subject to prolonged droughts; harmattan wind canobscure visibility; volcanically and seismically active;deforestation; overgrazing~Note~: strategic location 500 km from African coast near majornorth-south sea routes; important communications station; importantsea and air refueling site~
People~Population~: 374,984 (July 1990), growth rate 3.0% (1990)~Birth rate~: 49 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 8 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 65 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 59 years male, 63 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 6.7 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Cape Verdean(s); adjective--Cape Verdean~Ethnic divisions~: about 71% Creole (mulatto), 28% African, 1%European~Religion~: Roman Catholicism fused with indigenous beliefs~Language~: Portuguese and Crioulo, a blend of Portuguese and WestAfrican words~Literacy~: 48% (1986)~Labor force~: 102,000 (1985 est.); 57% agriculture (mostlysubsistence), 29% services, 14% industry (1981); 51% of populationof working age (1985)~Organized labor~: Trade Unions of Cape Verde Unity Center (UNTC-CS)closely associated with ruling party~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Cape Verde~Type~: republic~Capital~: Praia~Administrative divisions~: 12 districts (concelhos,singular--concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Fogo, Maio, Paul, Praia,Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente,Tarrafal; there may be 2 new districts named Porto Novo and SantaCruz~Independence~: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal)~Constitution~: 7 September 1980, amended 12 February 1981 and December1988~National holiday~: Independence Day, 5 July (1975)~Executive branch~: president, prime minister, deputy minister, Councilof Ministers (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral National People's Assembly (AssembleiaNacional Popular)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Tribunal of Justice (Supremo Tribunal deJustia)~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Aristides Maria PEREIRA (since 5July 1975);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Pedro Verona Rodrigues PIRES,(since 5 July 1975); Deputy Minister Aguinaldo Liboa RAMOS (since NAFebruary 1990)~Political parties and leaders~: only party--African Party forIndependence of Cape Verde (PAICV), Aristides Maria Pereira,secretary general~Suffrage~: universal at age 15~Elections~: President--last held 13 January 1986 (next to be heldJanuary 1991); results--President Aristides Maria Pereira (PAICV)was reelected without opposition;  National People's Assembly--last held 7 December 1985 (next to beheld December 1990); results--PAICV is the only party; seats--(83total) PAICV 83~Communists~: a few Communists and some sympathizers~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto), IBRD,ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, IPU, ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNESCO,UPU, WHO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Jose Luis FERNANDES LOPES;Chancery at 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20007;telephone [phone]; there is a Cape Verdean Consulate Generalin Boston; US--Ambassador Terry McNAMARA; Embassy at Rua Hojl YaYenna 81, Praia (mailing address is C. P. 201, Praia); telephone╒238σ 614-363 or 253~Flag~: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with avertical red band on the hoist side; in the upper portion of the redband is a black five-pointed star framed by two corn stalks and ayellow clam shell; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia;similar to the flag of Guinea-Bissau which is longer and has anunadorned black star centered in the red band~
Economy~Overview~: Cape Verde's low per capita GDP reflects a poor naturalresource base, a 17-year drought, and a high birth rate. The economyis service oriented, with commerce, transport, and public servicesaccounting for 60% of GDP during the period 1984-86. Although nearly70% of the population lives in rural areas, agriculture's share ofGDP is only 16%; the fishing and manufacturing sectors are 4% each.About 90% of food must be imported. The fishing potential of theislands is not fully exploited (the fish catch--mostly lobster andtuna--came to only 10,000 tons in 1985). Cape Verde annually runs ahigh trade deficit, financed by remittances from emigrants, cashgrants, food aid, and foreign loans.~GDP~: $158 million, per capita $494; real growth rate 6.1% (1987)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 3.8% (1987)~Unemployment rate~: 25% (1988)~Budget~: revenues $80 million; expenditures $87 million, includingcapital expenditures of $45 million (1988 est.)~Exports~: $8.9 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities--fish, bananas,salt; partners--Portugal, Angola, Algeria, Belgium/Luxembourg, Italy~Imports~: $124  million (c.i.f., 1987); commodities--petroleum,foodstuffs, consumer goods, industrial products; partners--Portugal,Netherlands, Spain, France, US, FRG~External debt~: $140 million (December 1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate 0% (1986 est.)~Electricity~: 14,000 kW capacity; 18 million kWh produced, 50 kWh percapita (1989)~Industry~: fish processing, salt mining, clothing factories, shiprepair~Agriculture~: accounts for 16% of GDP; largely subsistence farming;bananas are the only export crop; other crops--corn, beans, sweetpotatoes, coffee; growth potential of agricultural sector limited bypoor soils and limited rainfall; annual food imports required; fishcatch provides for both domestic consumption and small exports~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY75-88), $83 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$540 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $12 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $36 million~Currency~: Cape Verdean escudo (plural--escudos); 1 Cape Verdeanescudo (CVEsc) = 100 centavos~Exchange rates~: Cape Verdean escudos (CVEsc) per US$1--72.31(February 1990), 74.86 (December 1989), 72.01 (1988), 72.5 (1987),76.56 (1986), 85.38 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Ports~: Mindelo and Praia~Merchant marine~: 5 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,308GRT/16,172 DWT~Civil air~: 2 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 6 total, 6 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 4 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: interisland radio relay system, high-frequencyradio to mainland Portugal and Guinea-Bissau; 1,740 telephones;stations--5 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 2 coaxial submarine cables; 1 AtlanticOcean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP); Army, Navy, andAir Force are separate components of FARP~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 68,776; 40,731 fit for militaryservice~Defense expenditures~: 11.8% of GDP (1981) ~[000000043~000304698~000000000~000000000~000006022~000000056~000296951~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Cayman Islands(dependent territory of the UK)~
Geography~Total area~: 260 km2; land area: 260 km2~Comparative area~: slightly less than 1.5 times the size ofWashington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 160 km~Maritime claims~:  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Climate~: tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) andcool, relatively dry winters (November to April)~Terrain~: low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs~Natural resources~: fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 8% meadows andpastures; 23% forest and woodland; 69% other~Environment~: within the Caribbean hurricane belt~Note~: important location between Cuba and Central America~
People~Population~: 26,356 (July 1990), growth rate 4.3% (1990)~Birth rate~: 14 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 33 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 10 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 74 years male, 80 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.5 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Caymanian(s); adjective--Caymanian~Ethnic divisions~: 40% mixed, 20% white, 20% black, 20% expatriates ofvarious ethnic groups~Religion~: United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican,Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of God, other Protestantdenominations~Language~: English~Literacy~: 98%~Labor force~: 8,061; 18.7% service workers, 18.6% clerical, 12.5%construction, 6.7% finance and investment, 5.9% directors andbusiness managers (1979)~Organized labor~: Global Seaman's Union; Cayman All Trade Union~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: dependent territory of the UK~Capital~: George Town~Administrative divisions~: 12 districts; Bodden Town, Creek, East End,George Town, Jacksons, North Side, Prospect, South Town, Spot Bay,Stake Bay, West Bay, West End~Independence~: none (dependent territory of the UK)~Legal system~: British common law and local statutes~Constitution~: 1959, revised 1972~National holiday~: Constitution Day (first Monday in July), 3 July1989~Executive branch~: British monarch, governor, Executive Council(cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral Legislative Assembly~Judicial branch~: Grand Court, Cayman Islands Court of Appeal~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor Alan James SCOTT (since NA 1987);  Head of Government--Governor and President of the Executive CouncilAlan James SCOTT (since NA 1987)~Political parties and leaders~: no formal political parties~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: Legislative Assembly--last held NA November 1988 (next tobe held November 1992); results--percent of vote NA; seats--(15total, 12 elected)~Communists~: none~Member of~: Commonwealth~Diplomatic representation~: as a dependent territory of the UK,Caymanian interests in the US are represented by the UK; US--none~Flag~: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrantand the Caymanian coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outerhalf of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtleabove a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) anda scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THESEAS~
Economy~Overview~: The economy depends heavily on tourism (70% of GDP and 75%of export earnings) and offshore financial services, with thetourist industry aimed at the luxury market and catering mainly tovisitors from North America. About 90% of the islands' food andconsumer goods needs must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one ofthe highest standards of living in the region.~GDP~: $238 million, per capita $10,000 (1989 est.); real growth rate12% (1987 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 2.4% (1986)~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $46.2 million; expenditures $47.0 million, includingcapital expenditures of $9.1 million (1986)~Exports~: $2.2 million (f.o.b., 1986 est.); commodities--turtleproducts, manufactured consumer goods; partners--mostly US~Imports~: $134 million (c.i.f., 1986 est.); commodities--foodstuffs,manufactured goods; partners--US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK,Netherlands Antilles, Japan~External debt~: $15 million (1986)~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 59,000 kW capacity; 213 million kWh produced, 8,960 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: tourism, banking, insurance and finance, real estate andconstruction~Agriculture~: minor production of vegetables, fruit, livestock; turtlefarming~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $26.7 million;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-87), $32.2 million~Currency~: Caymanian dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Caymanian dollar(CI$) = 100 cents~Exchange rates~: Caymanian dollars (CI$) per US$1--0.835 (fixed rate)~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Highways~: 160 km of main roads~Ports~: George Town, Cayman Brac~Merchant marine~: 32 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 355,055GRT/576,622 DWT; includes 1 passenger-cargo, 8 cargo, 8roll-on/roll-off cargo, 4 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL)tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1 specialized tanker, 1 liquefied gascarrier, 8 bulk; note--a flag of convenience registry~Airports~: 3 total; 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 2,439 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: 35,000 telephones; telephone system uses 1submarine coaxial cable and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stationto link islands and access international services; stations--2 AM, 1FM, no TV~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of the UK ~[000000044~000310723~000000000~000000000~000008085~000000083~000304698~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Central African Republic~
Geography~Total area~: 622,980 km2; land area: 622,980 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Texas~Land boundaries~: 5,203 km total; Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km,Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km, Zaire 1,577 km~Coastline~: none--landlocked~Maritime claims~: none--landlocked~Climate~: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers~Terrain~: vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hillsin northeast and southwest~Natural resources~: diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil~Land use~: 3% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 5% meadows andpastures; 64% forest and woodland; 28% other~Environment~: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas;poaching has diminished reputation as one of last great wildliferefuges; desertification~Note~: landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa~
People~Population~: 2,877,365 (July 1990), growth rate 2.6% (1990)~Birth rate~: 44 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 18 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 141 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 45 years male, 48 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 5.6 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Central African(s); adjective--Central African~Ethnic divisions~: about 80 ethnic groups, the majority of which haverelated ethnic and linguistic characteristics; 34% Baya, 27% Banda,10% Sara, 21% Mandjia, 4% Mboum, 4% M'Baka; 6,500 Europeans, of whom3,600 are French~Religion~: 24% indigenous beliefs, 25% Protestant, 25% Roman Catholic,15% Muslim, 11% other; animistic beliefs and practices stronglyinfluence the Christian majority~Language~: French (official); Sangho (lingua franca and nationallanguage); Arabic, Hunsa, Swahili~Literacy~: 40.2%~Labor force~: 775,413 (1986 est.); 85% agriculture, 9% commerce andservices, 3% industry, 3% government; about 64,000 salaried workers;55% of population of working age (1985)~Organized labor~: 1% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Central African Republic (no short-form name);abbreviated CAR~Type~: republic, one-party presidential regime since 1986~Capital~: Bangui~Administrative divisions~: 14 prefectures (prefectures,singular--prefecture) and 2 economic prefectures* (prefectureseconomiques, singular--prefecture economique); Bamingui-Bangoran,Basse-Kotto, Gribingui*, Haute-Kotto, Haute-Sangha, Haut-Mbomou,Kemo-Gribingui, Lobaye, Mbomou, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka,Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha*, Vakaga; note--there may be a newautonomous commune of Bangui~Independence~: 13 August 1960 (from France; formerly Central AfricanEmpire)~Constitution~: 21 November 1986~Legal system~: based on French law~National holiday~: National Day (proclamation of the republic), 1December (1958)~Executive branch~: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: bicameral Congress consists of an upper house orEconomic and Regional Council (Conseil Economique et Regional) and alower house or National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--PresidentAndre-Dieudonne KOLINGBA (since 1 September 1981)~Political parties and leaders~: only party--Centrafrican DemocrticRally Party (RDC), Andre-Dieudonne Kolingba~Suffrage~: universal at age 21~Elections~: President--last held 21 November 1986 (next to be heldNovember 1993); results--President Kolingba was reelected withoutopposition;  National Assembly--last held 31 July 1987 (next to be held July1992); results--RDC is the only party; seats--(total) RDC 52~Communists~: small number of Communist sympathizers~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, CCC, Conference of East and Central AfricanStates, EAMA, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IFAD, ILO,IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, ITU, NAM, OAU, OCAM, UDEAC, UEAC, UN,UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Jean-Pierre SOHAHONG-KOMBET;Chancery at 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone[phone] or 7801; US--Ambassador Daniel H. SIMPSON; Embassy atAvenue du President David Dacko, Bangui (mailing address is B. P.924, Bangui); telephone 61-02-00 or 61-25-78, 61-43-33~Flag~: four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, andyellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellowfive-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band~
Economy~Overview~: The Central African Republic (CAR) is one of the poorestcountries in Africa, with a per capita income of roughly $450 in1988. Subsistence agriculture, including forestry, is the backboneof the economy, with over 70% of the population living in thecountryside. In 1988 the agricultural sector generated about 40% ofGDP, mining and manufacturing 14%, utilities and construction 4%,and services 41%. Agricultural products accounted for about 60% ofexport earnings and the diamond industry for 30%. Importantconstraints to economic development include the CAR's landlockedposition, a poor transportation infrastructure, and a weak humanresource base. Multilateral and bilateral development assistanceplays a major role in providing capital for new investment.~GDP~: $1.27 billion, per capita $453; real growth rate 2.0% (1988est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: - 4.2% (1988 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 30% in Bangui (1988 est.)~Budget~: revenues $132 million; current expenditures $305 million,including capital expenditures of $NA million (1989 est.)~Exports~: $138 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities--diamonds,cotton, coffee, timber, tobacco; partners--France, Belgium, Italy,Japan, US~Imports~: $285 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.); commodities--food,textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motorvehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, industrialproducts; partners--France, other EC, Japan, Algeria, Yugoslavia~External debt~: $660 million (December 1989)~Industrial production~: 1.9% (1987 est.)~Electricity~: 35,000 kW capacity; 84 million kWh produced, 30 kWh percapita (1989)~Industries~: sawmills, breweries, diamond mining, textiles, footwear,assembly of bicycles and motorcycles~Agriculture~: accounts for 40% of GDP; self-sufficient in foodproduction except for grain; commercial crops--cotton, coffee,tobacco, timber; food crops--manioc, yams, millet, corn, bananas~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $44 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$1.3 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $6 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $38 million~Currency~: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural--francs); 1CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes~Exchange rates~: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) perUS$1--287.99 (January 1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54(1987), 346.30 (1986), 449.26 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Highways~: 22,000 km total; 458 km bituminous, 10,542 km improvedearth, 11,000 unimproved earth~Inland waterways~: 800 km; traditional trade carried on by means ofshallow-draft dugouts; Oubangui is the most important river~Civil air~: 2 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 66 total, 49 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 22 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: fair system; network relies primarily on radiorelay links, with low-capacity, low-powered radiocommunication alsoused; 6,000 telephones; stations--1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic OceanINTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Air Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 642,207; 335,863 fit for militaryservice~Defense expenditures~: 1.8% of GDP, or $23 million (1989 est.) ~[000000045~000318811~000000000~000000000~000008337~000000091~000310723~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Chad~
Geography~Total area~: 1,284,000 km2; land area: 1,259,200 km2~Comparative area~: slightly more than three times the size ofCalifornia~Land boundaries~: 5,968 km total; Cameroon 1,094 km, Central AfricanRepublic 1,197 km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km,Sudan 1,360 km~Coastline~: none--landlocked~Maritime claims~: none--landlocked~Disputes~: Libya claims and occupies a small portion of the AozouStrip in far north; exact locations of the Chad-Niger-Nigeria andCameroon-Chad-Nigeria tripoints in Lake Chad have not beendetermined--since the boundary has not been demarcated, borderincidents have resulted~Climate~: tropical in south, desert in north~Terrain~: broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains innorthwest, lowlands in south~Natural resources~: small quantities of crude oil (unexploited butexploration beginning), uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad)~Land use~: 2% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 36% meadows andpastures; 11% forest and woodland; 51% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; droughtand desertification adversely affecting south; subject to plagues oflocusts~Note~: landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in theSahel~
People~Population~: 5,017,431 (July 1990), growth rate 2.1% (1990)~Birth rate~: 42 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 22 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 136 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 38 years male, 40 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 5.3 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Chadian(s); adjective--Chadian~Ethnic divisions~: some 200 distinct ethnic groups, most of whom areMuslims (Arabs, Toubou, Fulbe, Kotoko, Hausa, Kanembou, Baguirmi,Boulala, and Maba) in the north and center and non-Muslims (Sara,Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye, Moudang, Moussei, Massa) in the south;some 150,000 nonindigenous, of whom 1,000 are French~Religion~: 44% Muslim, 33% Christian, 23% indigenous beliefs, animism~Language~: French and Arabic (official); Sara and Sango in south; morethan 100 different languages and dialects are spoken~Literacy~: 25.3%~Labor force~: NA; 85% agriculture (engaged in unpaid subsistencefarming, herding, and fishing)~Organized labor~: about 20% of wage labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Chad~Type~: republic~Capital~: N'Djamena~Administrative divisions~: 14 prefectures (prefectures,singular--prefecture); Batha, Biltine, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti,Chari-Baguirmi, Guera, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, LogoneOriental, Mayo-Kebbi, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile~Independence~: 11 August 1960 (from France)~Constitution~: 22 December 1989~Legal system~: based on French civil law system and Chadian customarylaw; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: National Day (founding of the Third Republic), 7June (1982)~Executive branch~: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Consultative Council (ConseilNational Consultatif)~Judicial branch~: Court of Appeal~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President HisseinHABRE (since 19 June 1982)~Political parties and leaders~: National Union for Independence andRevolution (UNIR) established June 1984 with Habre as President;numerous dissident groups (most significant opponents have returnedto the government since mid-1986)~Suffrage~: universal at age NA~Elections~: President--last held 10 December 1989 (next to be heldDecember 1996); results--President Habre was reelected withoutopposition~Communists~: no front organizations or underground party; probably afew Communists and some sympathizers~Other political or pressure groups~: NA~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, CEAO, Conference of East and Central AfricanStates, EAMA, ECA, EC (associate), FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAC,ICAO, IDA, IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, ITU, Lake Chad Basin Commission, NAM, OAU, OCAM, OIC, UN,UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Mahamat Ali ADOUM; Chancery at2002 R Steet NW, Washington DC 20009; telephone [phone];US--Ambassador-designate Richard W. BOGOSIAN; Charge d'Affaires,Julius WALKER; Embassy at Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena (mailingaddress is B. P. 413, N'Djamena); telephone ╒235σ (51) 32-69 or35-13, 28-62, 23-29, 32-29, 30-94, 28-47~Flag~: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, andred; similar to the flag of Andorra which has a national coat ofarms featuring a quartered shield centered in the yellow band; alsosimilar to the flag of Romania which has a national coat of armsfeaturing a mountain landscape centered in the yellow band; designwas based on the flag of France~
Economy~Overview~: The climate, geographic location, and lack ofinfrastructure and natural resources potential make Chad one of themost underdeveloped countries in the world. Its economy is slowlyrecovering from the ravaging effects of prolonged civil war,conflict with Libya, drought, and food shortages. In 1986 real GDPreturned to its 1977 level, with cotton, the major cash crop,accounting for 43% of exports. Over 80% of the work force isemployed in subsistence farming and fishing. Industry is basedalmost entirely on the processing of agricultural products,including cotton, sugarcane, and cattle. Chad is still highlydependent on foreign aid, with its economy in trouble and manyregions suffering from shortages.~GDP~: $902 million, per capita $190; real growth rate 7.0% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: - 3.0% (1987)~Unemployment rate~: NA~Budget~: revenues $61 million; expenditures $85 million, includingcapital expenditures of NA (1988 est.)~Exports~: $432 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--cotton 43%, cattle35%, textiles 5%, fish; partners--France, Nigeria, Cameroon~Imports~: $214 million (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--machinery andtransportation equipment 39%, industrial goods 20%, petroleumproducts 13%, foodstuffs 9%; partners--US, France~External debt~: $360 million (December 1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate - 7.0% (1986)~Electricity~: 38,000 kW capacity; 70 million kWh produced, 14 kWh percapita (1989)~Industries~: cotton textile mills, slaughterhouses, brewery, natron(sodium carbonate)~Agriculture~: accounts for 45% of GDP; largely subsistence farming;cotton most important cash crop; food crops include sorghum, millet,peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc; livestock--cattle, sheep, goats,camels; self-sufficient in food in years of adequate rainfall~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $178 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$1.2 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $28 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $71 million~Currency~: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural--francs); 1CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes~Exchange rates~: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) perUS$1--287.99 (January 1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54(1987), 346.30 (1986), 449.26 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Highways~: 31,322 km total; 32 km bituminous; 7,300 km gravel andlaterite; remainder unimproved~Inland waterways~: 2,000 km navigable~Civil air~: 3 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 71 total, 55 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 24 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: fair system of radiocommunication stations forintercity links; 5,000 telephones; stations--3 AM, 1 FM, limited TVservice; many facilities are inoperative; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSATearth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie, PresidentialGuard~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 1,163,312; 603,923 fit for militaryservice; 50,255 reach military age (20) annually~Defense expenditures~: 3.5% of GDP (1987) ~[000000046~000327151~000000000~000000000~000010021~000000114~000318811~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Chile~
Geography~Total area~: 756,950 km2; land area: 748,800 km2; includes Isla dePascua (Easter Island) and Isla Sala y Gomez~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana~Land boundaries~: 6,171 km total; Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km,Peru 160 km~Coastline~: 6,435 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 24 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 nm;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: short section of the southern boundary with Argentina isindefinite; Bolivia has wanted a sovereign corridor to the SouthPacific Ocean since the Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884;dispute with Bolivia over Rio Lauca water rights; territorial claimin Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlapsArgentine claim~Climate~: temperate; desert in north; cool and damp in south~Terrain~: low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andesin east~Natural resources~: copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, preciousmetals, molybdenum~Land use~: 7% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 16% meadows andpastures; 21% forest and woodland; 56% other; includes 2% irrigated~Environment~: subject to severe earthquakes, active volcanism,tsunami; Atacama Desert one of world's driest regions;desertification~Note~: strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic andPacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage)~
People~Population~: 13,082,842 (July 1990), growth rate 1.6% (1990)~Birth rate~: 21 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 18 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 70 years male, 77 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.5 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Chilean(s); adjective--Chilean~Ethnic divisions~: 95% European and European-Indian, 3% Indian, 2%other~Religion~: 89% Roman Catholic, 11% Protestant, and small Jewishpopulation~Language~: Spanish~Literacy~: 94%~Labor force~: 3,840,000; 38.6% services (including 12% government),31.3% industry and commerce; 15.9% agriculture, forestry, andfishing; 8.7% mining; 4.4% construction (1985)~Organized labor~: 10% of labor force (1989)~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Chile~Type~: republic~Capital~: Santiago~Administrative divisions~: 13 regions (regiones, singular--region);Aisen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania,Atacama, Biobio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins,Los Lagos, Magallanes y Antartica Chilena, Maule, RegionMetropolitana, Tarapaca, Valparaiso~Independence~: 18 September 1810 (from Spain)~Constitution~: 11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 30July 1989~Legal system~: based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law andsubsequent codes influenced by French and Austrian law; judicialreview of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Independence Day, 18 September (1810)~Executive branch~: president, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)consisting of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or Chamberof Deputies~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President PatricioAYLWIN (since 11 March 1990)~Political parties and leaders~: National Renovation (RN), SergioJarpa, president; Radical Party (PR), Enrique Silva Cimma; SocialDemocratic Party (PSD), Eugenio Velasco; Christian Democratic Party(PDC), Andres Zaldivar; Party for Democracy, Ricardo Lagos;Socialist Party, Clodomiro Almeyda; other parties are Movement ofUnited Popular Action (MAPU), Victor Barrueto; Christian Left (IC),Luis Maira; Communist Party of Chile (PCCh), Volodia Teitelboim;Movement of the Revolutionary Left (MIR) is splintered, no singleleader; several leftist and far left parties formed a new coalitionin November 1988 with Luis Maira as president; the 17-partyConcertation of Parties for Democracy backed Patricio Aylwin'spresidential candidacy in December 1989~Suffrage~: universal and compulsory at age 18~Elections~: President--last held 14 December 1989 (next to be heldDecember 1993 or January 1994); results--Patricio Aylwin 55.2%,Hernan Buchi 29.4%, other 15.4%;  Senate--last held 14 December 1989 (next to be held December 1993 orJanuary 1994); seats--(47 total, 38 elected) 17-party Concertationof Parties for Democracy 22;  Chamber of Deputies--last held 14 December 1989 (next to be heldDecember 1993 or January 1994); seats--(120 total) Concertation ofParties for Democracy 69~Communists~: 120,000 when PCCh was legal in 1973; 50,000 (est.) activemilitants~Other political or pressure groups~: revitalized university studentfederations at all major universities dominated by oppositionpolitical groups; labor--United Labor Central (CUT) includes tradeunionists from the country's five-largest labor confederations;Roman Catholic Church~Member of~: CCC, CIPEC, ECOSOC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, IDA, IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, IHO,ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ITU, LAIA, OAS, PAHO, SELA,UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WSG, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Octavio ERRAZURIZ; Chancery at1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20036; telephone [phone]; there are Chilean Consulates General in Chicago, Houston,Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco; US--AmbassadorCharles A. GILLESPIE, Jr.; Embassy at Codina Building, 1343Agustinas, Santiago (mailing address is APO Miami 34033); telephone╒56σ (2) 710133 or 710190, 710326, 710375~Flag~: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is ablue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side endof the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in thecenter; design was based on the US flag~
Economy~Overview~: In 1989 the economy grew at the rate of 9.9%, reflectingsubstantial growth in industry, agriculture, and construction.Copper accounts for nearly 50% of export revenues; Chile's economicwell-being thus remains highly dependent on international copperprices. Unemployment and inflation rates have declined from theirpeaks in 1982 to 5.3% and 21.4%, respectively, in 1989. The majorlong-term economic problem is how to sustain growth in the face ofpolitical uncertainties.~GDP~: $25.3 billion, per capita $1,970; real growth rate 9.9% (1989)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 21.4% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 5.3% (1989)~Budget~: revenues $4.9 billion; expenditures $5.1 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $0.6 billion (1986)~Exports~: $7.0 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--copper 48%,industrial products 33%, molybdenum, iron ore, wood pulp, fishmeal,fruits; partners--EC 34%, US 22%, Japan 10%, Brazil 7%~Imports~: $4.7 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--petroleum, wheat,capital goods, spare parts, raw materials; partners--EC 23%, US 20%,Japan 10%, Brazil 9%~External debt~: $16.3 billion (December 1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate 7.4% (1989)~Electricity~: 4,044,000 kW capacity; 17,710 million kWh produced,1,380 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, ironand steel, wood and wood products~Agriculture~: accounts for about 8% of GDP (including fishing andforestry); major exporter of fruit, fish, and timber products; majorcrops--wheat, corn, grapes, beans, sugar beets, potatoes, deciduousfruit; livestock products--beef, poultry, wool; self-sufficient inmost foods; 1986 fish catch of 5.6 million metric tons netagricultural importer~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $521 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$1.3 billion; Communist countries (1970-88), $386 million~Currency~: Chilean peso (plural--pesos); 1 Chilean peso (Ch$) = 100centavos~Exchange rates~: Chilean pesos (Ch$) per US$1--296.68 (January 1990),267.16 (1989), 245.05 (1988), 219.54 (1987), 193.02 (1986), 161.08(1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 8,613 km total; 4,257 km 1.676-meter gauge, 135 km1.435-meter standard gauge, 4,221 km 1.000-meter gauge;electrification, 1,578 km 1.676-meter gauge, 76 km 1.000-meter gauge~Highways~: 79,025 km total; 9,913 km paved, 33,140 km gravel, 35,972km improved and unimproved earth (1984)~Inland waterways~: 725 km~Pipelines~: crude oil, 755 km; refined products, 785 km; natural gas,320 km~Ports~: Antofagasta, Iquique, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, Valparaiso,San Antonio, Talcahuano, Arica~Merchant marine~: 35 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 498,354GRT/804,809 DWT; includes 13 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 3roll-on/roll-off cargo, 2 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL)tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 2 liquefied gas, 3 combination ore/oil,10 bulk; note--in addition, 1 naval tanker and 1 military transportare sometimes used commercially~Civil air~: 22 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 392 total, 352 usable; 49 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 11 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 57with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: modern telephone system based on extensive radiorelay facilities; 768,000 telephones; stations--159 AM, no FM, 131TV, 11 shortwave; satellite stations--2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and3 domestic~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army of the Nation, National Navy, Air Force of the Nation,Carabineros of Chile~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 3,491,854; 2,610,048 fit for militaryservice; 118,569 reach military age (19) annually~Defense expenditures~: 4.0% of GDP (1987) ~[000000047~000337175~000000000~000000000~000012331~000000144~000327151~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]China(also see separate Taiwan entry)~
Geography~Total area~: 9,596,960 km2; land area: 9,326,410 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than the US~Land boundaries~: 23,213.34 km total; Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470km, Burma 2,185 km, Hong Kong 30 km, India 3,380 km, North Korea1,416 km, Laos 423 km, Macau 0.34 km, Mongolia 4,673 km, Nepal 1,236km, Pakistan 523 km, USSR 7,520 km, Vietnam 1,281 km~Coastline~: 14,500 km~Maritime claims~:  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: boundary with India; bilateral negotiations are under wayto resolve four disputed sections of the boundary with the USSR(Pamir, Argun, Amur, and Khabarovsk areas); a short section of theboundary with North Korea is indefinite; Hong Kong is scheduled tobecome a Special Administrative Region in 1997; Portuguese territoryof Macau is scheduled to become a Special Administrative Region in1999; sporadic border clashes with Vietnam; involved in a complexdispute over the Spratly Islands with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan,and Vietnam; maritime boundary dispute with Vietnam in the Gulf ofTonkin; Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnamand Taiwan; claims Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (SenkakuIslands)~Climate~: extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north~Terrain~: mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains,deltas, and hills in east~Natural resources~: coal, iron ore, crude oil, mercury, tin, tungsten,antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum,lead, zinc, uranium, world's largest hydropower potential~Land use~: 10% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 31% meadows andpastures; 14% forest and woodland; 45% other; includes 5% irrigated~Environment~: frequent typhoons (about five times per year alongsouthern and eastern coasts), damaging floods, tsunamis,earthquakes; deforestation; soil erosion; industrial pollution;water pollution; desertification~Note~: world's third-largest country (after USSR and Canada)~
People~Population~: 1,118,162,727 (July 1990), growth rate 1.4% (1990)~Birth rate~: 22 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 34 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 67 years male, 69 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.3 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Chinese (sing., pl.); adjective--Chinese~Ethnic divisions~: 93.3% Han Chinese; 6.7% Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi,Tibetan, Miao, Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities~Religion~: officially atheist, but traditionally pragmatic andeclectic; most important elements of religion are Confucianism,Taoism, and Buddhism; about 2-3% Muslim, 1% Christian~Language~: Standard Chinese (Putonghua) or Mandarin (based on theBeijing dialect); also Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei(Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects,and minority languages (see ethnic divisions)~Literacy~: over 75%~Labor force~: 513,000,000; 61.1% agriculture and forestry, 25.2%industry and commerce, 4.6% construction and mining, 4.5% socialservices, 4.6% other (1986 est.)~Organized labor~: All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) followsthe leadership of the Chinese Communist Party; membership over 80million or about 65% of the urban work force (1985)~
Government~Long-form name~: People's Republic of China; abbreviated PRC~Type~: Communist Party-led state~Capital~: Beijing~Administrative divisions~: 23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural),5 autonomous regions* (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 3municipalities** (shi, singular and plural); Anhui, Beijing**,Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi*, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei,Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin,Liaoning, Nei Mongol*, Ningxia*, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong,Shanghai**, Shanxi, Sichuan, Tianjin**, Xinjiang*, Xizang*, Yunnan,Zhejiang; note--China considers Taiwan its 23rd province~Independence~: unification under the Qin (Ch'in) Dynasty 221 BC, Qing(Ch'ing or Manchu) Dynasty replaced by the Republic on 12 February1912, People's Republic established 1 October 1949~Constitution~: 4 December 1982~Legal system~: a complex amalgam of custom and statute, largelycriminal law; rudimentary civil code in effect since 1 January 1987;new legal codes in effect since 1 January 1980; continuing effortsare being made to improve civil, administrative, criminal, andcommercial law~National holiday~: National Day, 1 October (1949)~Executive branch~: president, vice president, premier, three vicepremiers, State Council, Central Military Commission (de facto)~Legislative branch~: unicameral National People's Congress (QuanguoRenmin Daibiao Dahui)~Judicial branch~: Supreme People's Court~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government (de facto)--DENGXiaoping (since mid-1977);  Chief of State--President YANG Shangkun (since 8 April 1988); VicePresident WANG Zhen (since 8 April 1988);  Head of Government--Premier LI Peng (Acting Premier since 24 November1987, Premier since 9 April 1988); Vice Premier YAO Yilin (since 2July 1979); Vice Premier TIAN Jiyun (since 20 June 1983); VicePremier WU Xueqian (since 12 April 1988)~Political parties and leaders~: only party--Chinese Communist Party(CCP), Jiang Zemin, general secretary of the Central Committee~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: President--last held 8 April 1988 (next to be held March1993); Yang Shangkun was elected by the Seventh National People'sCongress;  National People's Congress--last held NA March 1988 (next to be heldMarch 1993); results--CCP is the only party; seats--(2,970 total)CCP 2,970 (indirectly elected)~Communists~: about 45,000,000 party members (1986)~Other political or pressure groups~: such meaningful opposition asexists consists of loose coalitions, usually within the party andgovernment organization, that vary by issue~Member of~: ADB, CCC, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC,IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, ITU, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador ZHU Qizhen; Chancery at 2300Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone]through 2502; there are Chinese Consulates General in Chicago,Houston, New York, and San Francisco; US--Ambassador James R.LILLEY; Embassy at Xiu Shui Bei Jie 3, Beijing (mailing address isFPO San Francisco 96655); telephone ╒86σ (1) 532-3831; there are USConsulates General in Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenyang~Flag~: red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smalleryellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward themiddle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner~
Economy~Overview~: Beginning in late 1978 the Chinese leadership has beentrying to move the economy from the sluggish Soviet-style centrallyplanned economy to a more productive and flexible economy withmarket elements--but still within the framework of monolithicCommunist control. To this end the authorities have switched to asystem of household responsibility in agriculture in place of theold collectivization, increased the authority of local officials andplant managers in industry, permitted a wide variety of small-scaleenterprise in services and light manufacturing, and opened theforeign economic sector to increased trade and joint ventures. Themost gratifying result has been a strong spurt in production,particularly in agriculture in the early 1980s. Otherwise, theleadership has often experienced in its hybrid system the worstresults of socialism (bureaucracy, lassitude, corruption) and ofcapitalism (windfall gains and stepped-up inflation). Beijing thushas periodically backtracked, retightening central controls atintervals and thereby undermining the credibility of the reformprocess. Open inflation and excess demand continue to plague theeconomy, and political repression, following the crackdown atTiananmen in mid-1989, has curtailed tourism, foreign aid, and newinvestment by foreign firms. Popular resistance and changes incentral policy have weakened China's population control program,which is essential to the nation's long-term economic viability.~GNP~: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate 4% (1989 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 19.5% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 3.0% in urban areas (1989)~Budget~: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capitalexpenditures of $NA~Exports~: $52.5 billion (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--manufacturedgoods, agricultural products, oilseeds, grain (rice and corn), oil,minerals; partners--Hong Kong, US, Japan, USSR, Singapore, FRG(1989)~Imports~: $59.1 billion (c.i.f., 1989); commodities--grain (mostlywheat), chemical fertilizer, steel, industrial raw materials,machinery, equipment; partners--Hong Kong, Japan, US, FRG, USSR(1989)~External debt~: $51 billion (1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate 8.0% (1989)~Electricity~: 110,000,000 kW capacity; 560,000 million kWh produced,500 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: iron, steel, coal, machine building, armaments, textiles,petroleum~Agriculture~: accounts for 26% of GNP; among the world's largestproducers of rice, potatoes, sorghum, peanuts, tea, millet, barley,and pork; commercial crops include cotton, other fibers, andoilseeds; produces variety of livestock products; basicallyself-sufficient in food; fish catch of 8 million metric tons in 1986~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $220.7 million;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-87), $11.1 billion~Currency~: yuan (plural--yuan); 1 yuan (Y) = 10 jiao~Exchange rates~: yuan (Y) per US$1--4.7221 (January 1990), 3.7651(1989), 3.7221 (1988), 3.7221 (1987), 3.4528 (1986), 2.9367 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: total about 54,000 km common carrier lines; 53,400 km1.435-meter standard gauge;  600 km 1.000-meter gauge; all singletrack except 11,200 km double track on standard-gauge lines; 6,500km electrified; 10,000 km industrial lines (gauges range from 0.762to 1.067 meters)~Highways~: about 980,000 km all types roads; 162,000 km paved roads,617,200 km gravel/improved earth roads, 200,800 km unimprovednatural earth roads and tracks~Inland waterways~: 138,600 km; about 109,800 km navigable~Pipelines~: crude, 6,500 km; refined products, 1,100 km; natural gas,6,200 km~Ports~: Dalian, Guangzhou, Huangpu, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai,Xingang, Zhanjiang, Ningbo~Merchant marine~: 1,373 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 13,303,685GRT/ 20,092,833 DWT; includes 25 passenger, 41 short-sea passenger,17 passenger-cargo, 7 cargo/training, 766 cargo, 10 refrigeratedcargo, 65 container, 17 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 3 multifunctionbarge carriers, 173 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 9chemical tanker, 237 bulk, 2 vehicle carrier, 1 liquefied gas;note--China beneficially owns an additional 175 ships (1,000 GRT orover) totaling approximately 5,380,415 DWT that operate under theregistry of Panama, UK, Hong Kong, Liberia, and Malta~Airports~: 330 total, 330 usable; 260 with permanent-surface runways;fewer than 10 with runways over 3,500 m; 90 with runways 2,440-3,659m; 200 with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: domestic and international services areincreasingly available for private use; unevenly distributedinternal system serves principal cities, industrial centers, andmost townships; 11,000,000 telephones (December 1989); stations--274AM, unknown FM, 202 (2,050 relays) TV; more than 215 million radioreceivers; 75 million TVs; satellite earth stations--4 Pacific OceanINTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, and 55 domestic~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Chinese People's Liberation Army (CPLA), CPLA Navy(including Marines), CPLA Air Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 330,353,665; 184,515,412 fit formilitary service; 11,594,366 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: $5.28 billion (1988) ~[000000048~000349509~000000000~000000000~000003764~000000024~000337175~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Christmas Island(territory of Australia)~
Geography~Total area~: 135 km2; land area: 135 km2~Comparative area~: about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 138.9 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 12 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Climate~: tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds~Terrain~: steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau~Natural resources~: phosphate~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other~Environment~: almost completely surrounded by a reef~Note~: located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean~
People~Population~: 2,278 (July 1990), growth rate 0.0% (1990)~Birth rate~: NA births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: NA deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: NA migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: NA years male, NA years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: NA children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Christmas Islander(s), adjective--Christmas Island~Ethnic divisions~: 61% Chinese, 25% Malay, 11% European, 3% other; noindigenous population~Religion~: NA~Language~: English~Literacy~: NA%~Labor force~: NA; all workers are employees of the Phosphate MiningCompany of Christmas Island, Ltd.~Organized labor~: NA~
Government~Long-form name~: Territory of Christmas Island~Type~: territory of Australia~Capital~: The Settlement~Administrative divisions~: none (territory of Australia)~Independence~: none (territory of Australia)~Constitution~: Christmas Island Act of 1958~Legal system~: under the authority of the governor general ofAustralia~National holiday~: NA~Executive branch~: British monarch, governor general of Australia,administrator, Advisory Council (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: none~Judicial branch~: none~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Head of Government--Administrator A. D. TAYLOR (since NA)~Communists~: none~Diplomatic representation~: none (territory of Australia)~Flag~: the flag of Australia is used~
Economy~Overview~: Phosphate mining is the only significant economic activity,but in November 1987 the Australian Government announced that themine would be closed because of labor unrest. Plans are under way tobuild a casino and hotel to develop tourism.~GDP~: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA%~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: NA%~Unemployment rate~: 0%~Budget~: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capitalexpenditures of $NA~Exports~: $NA; commodities--phosphate; partners--Australia, NZ~Imports~: $NA; commodities--NA; partners--NA~External debt~: $NA~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 11,000 kW capacity; 38 million kWh produced, 16,680 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: phosphate extraction (near depletion)~Agriculture~: NA~Aid~: none~Currency~: Australian dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Australian dollar($A) = 100 cents~Exchange rates~: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1--1.2784 (January1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987), 1.4905 (1986),1.4269 (1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 July-30 June~
Communications~Ports~: Flying Fish Cove~Airports~: 1 usable with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: 4,000 radios (1982)~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of Australia ~[000000049~000353276~000000000~000000000~000001160~000000012~000349509~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Clipperton Island(French possession)~
Geography~Total area~: undetermined~Comparative area~: undetermined~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 11.1 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 12 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: tropical~Terrain~: coral atoll~Natural resources~: none~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other (coral)~Environment~: reef about 8 km in circumference~Note~: located 1,120 km southwest of Mexico in the North Pacific Ocean~
People~Population~: uninhabited~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: French possession administered by High Commissioner of theRepublic Jean MONTPEZAT, resident in French Polynesia~
Economy~Overview~: no economic activity~
Communications~Ports~: none; offshore anchorage only~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of France ~[000000050~000354439~000000000~000000000~000004206~000000032~000353276~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Cocos (Keeling) Islands(territory of Australia)~
Geography~Total area~: 14 km2; land area: 14 km2; main islands are West Islandand Home Island~Comparative area~: about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington,DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 42.6 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 12 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Climate~: pleasant, modified by the southeast trade winds for aboutnine months of the year; moderate rainfall~Terrain~: flat, low-lying coral atolls~Natural resources~: fish~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other~Environment~: two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms andother vegetation~Note~: located 1,070 km southwest of Sumatra (Indonesia) in the IndianOcean about halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka~
People~Population~: 670 (July 1990), growth rate 2.1% (1990)~Birth rate~: NA births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: NA deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: NA migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: NA years male, NA years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: NA children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Cocos Islander(s); adjective--Cocos Islander(s)~Ethnic divisions~: mostly Europeans on West Island and Cocos Malays onHome Island~Religion~: NA~Language~: English~Literacy~: NA%~Labor force~: NA~Organized labor~: none~
Government~Long-form name~: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands~Type~: territory of Australia~Capital~: West Island~Administrative divisions~: none (territory of Australia)~Independence~: none (territory of Australia)~Constitution~: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955~Legal system~: based upon the laws of Australia and local laws~National holiday~: NA~Executive branch~: British monarch, governor general of Australia,administrator, chairman of the Islands Council~Legislative branch~: unicameral Islands Council~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Head of Government--Administrator D. LAWRIE (since NA 1989); Chairmanof the Islands Council Parson Bin YAPAT (since NA)~Suffrage~: NA~Elections~: NA~Diplomatic representation~: none (territory of Australia)~Flag~: the flag of Australia is used~
Economy~Overview~: Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cashcrop. Copra and fresh coconuts are the major export earners. Smalllocal gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, butadditional food and most other necessities must be imported fromAustralia.~GNP~: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA%~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: NA%~Unemployment~: NA~Budget~: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capitalexpenditures of $NA~Exports~: $NA; commodities--copra; partners--Australia~Imports~: $NA; commodities--foodstuffs; partners--Australia~External debt~: $NA~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: NA kW capacity; NA million kWh produced, NA kWh percapita~Industries~: copra products~Agriculture~: gardens provide vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts~Aid~: none~Currency~: Australian dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Australian dollar($A) = 100 cents~Exchange rates~: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1--1.2784 (January1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987), 1.4905 (1986),1.4269 (1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 July-30 June~
Communications~Ports~: none; lagoon anchorage only~Airports~: 1 airfield with permanent-surface runway, 2,440-3,659 m;airport on West Island is a link in service between Australia andSouth Africa~Telecommunications~: 250 radios (1985); linked by telephone, telex,and facsimile communications via satellite with Australia;stations--1 AM, no FM, no TV~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of Australia ~[000000051~000358648~000000000~000000000~000010623~000000120~000354439~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Colombia~
Geography~Total area~: 1,138,910 km2; land area: 1,038,700 km2; includes Isla deMalpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, and Serranilla Bank~Comparative area~: slightly less than three times the size of Montana~Land boundaries~: 7,408 km total; Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km,Panama 225 km, Peru 2,900, Venezuela 2,050 km~Coastline~: 3,208 km total (1,448 km North Pacific Ocean; 1,760Caribbean Sea)~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: not specified;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela in the Gulf ofVenezuela; territorial dispute with Nicaragua over Archipelago deSan Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank~Climate~: tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands~Terrain~: mixture of flat coastal lowlands, plains in east, centralhighlands, some high mountains~Natural resources~: crude oil, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel,gold, copper, emeralds~Land use~: 4% arable land; 2% permanent crops; 29% meadows andpastures; 49% forest and woodland; 16% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; deforestation;soil damage from overuse of pesticides; periodic droughts~Note~: only South American country with coastlines on both NorthPacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea~
People~Population~: 33,076,188 (July 1990), growth rate 2.1% (1990)~Birth rate~: 27 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 38 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 68 years male, 73 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.9 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Colombian(s); adjective--Colombian~Ethnic divisions~: 58% mestizo, 20% white, 14% mulatto, 4% black, 3%mixed black-Indian, 1% Indian~Religion~: 95% Roman Catholic~Language~: Spanish~Literacy~: 88% (1987 est.), Indians about 40%~Labor force~: 11,000,000 (1986); 53% services, 26% agriculture, 21%industry (1981)~Organized labor~: 1,400,000 members (1987), about 12% of labor force;the Communist-backed Unitary Workers Central or CUT is the largestlabor organization, with about 725,000 members (including allaffiliate unions)~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Colombia~Type~: republic; executive branch dominates government structure~Capital~: Bogota~Administrative divisions~: 23 departments (departamentos,singular--departamento), 5 commissariats* (comisarias,singular--comisaria), and 4 intendancies** (intendencias,singular--intendencia); Amazonas*, Antioquia, Arauca**, Atlantico,Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare**, Cauca, Cesar, Choco,Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia*, Guaviare*, Huila, La Guajira,Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo**, Quindio,Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia**, Santander, Sucre, Tolima,Valle del Cauca, Vaupes*, Vichada*; note--there may be a new specialdistrict (distrito especial) named Bogota~Independence~: 20 July 1810 (from Spain)~Constitution~: 4 August 1886, with amendments codified in 1946 and1968~Legal system~: based on Spanish law; judicial review of legislativeacts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, withreservations~National holiday~: Independence Day, 20 July (1810)~Executive branch~: president, presidential designate, cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral Congress (Congreso) consists of anupper chamber or Senate (Senado) and a lower chamber or Chamber ofRepresentatives (Camara de Representantes)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justica)~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--Virgilio BARCO Vargas(since 7 August 1986; term ends August 1990); Presidential DesignateVictor MOSQUERA Chaux (since 13 October 1986); President-elect CesarGAVIRIA Trujillo (since 27 May 1990, takes office 7 August 1990)~Political parties and leaders~: Liberal Party--Cesar Gaviria Trujillo,Virgilio Barco Vargas, Alfonso Lopez Michelson, Julio Cesar Turbay;Conservative Party--Misael Pastrana Borrero, Alvaro Gomez Hurtado;Patriotic Union (UP), is a legal political party formed byRevolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and ColombianCommunist Party (PCC), Bernardo Jaramillo Ossa; 19th of AprilMovement (M-19), Rodrigo Lloreda~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: President--last held 27 May 1990 (next to be held May1994); results--Cesar Gaviria Trujillo (Liberal) 47%, Alvaro GomezHurtado (Conservative) 24%, Antonio Novarro Wolff (Conservative)13%, Rodrigo Lloreda (M-19) 12%;  Senate--last held 11 March 1990 (next to be held March 1994);results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(114 total) Liberal 68,Conservative 45, UP 1;  House of Representatives last held 11 March 1990 (next to be heldMarch 1994); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(199total) Liberal 107, Conservative 82, UP 10~Communists~: 18,000 members (est.), including Communist Party YouthOrganization (JUCO)~Other political or pressure groups~: Colombian Communist Party (PCC),Gilberto Vieira White; Communist Party/Marxist-Leninist (PCC/ML),Chinese-line Communist Party; Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia(FARC); National Liberation Army (ELN); People's Liberation Army(EPL)~Member of~: FAO, G-77, GATT, Group of Eight, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAC,ICAO, ICO, IDA, IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC,IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IRC, ISO, ITU, LAIA, NAM,OAS, PAHO, SELA, UN, UNESCO, UPEB, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WSG,WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Victor MOSQUERA; Chancery at2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone];there are Colombian Consulates General in Chicago, Houston, Miami,New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico),and Consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Ft. Lauderdale, LosAngeles, San Diego, and Tampa; US--Ambassador Thomas E. McNAMARA;Embassy at Calle 38, No.8-61, Bogota (mailing address is APO Miami34038); telephone ╒57σ (1) 285-1300 or 1688; there is a US Consulatein Barranquilla~Flag~: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, andred; similar to the flag of Ecuador which is longer and bears theEcuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center~
Economy~Overview~: Economic activity has slowed gradually since 1986, butgrowth rates remain high by Latin American standards. Conservativeeconomic policies have encouraged investment and kept inflation andunemployment under 30% and 10%, respectively. The rapid developmentof oil, coal, and other nontraditional industries over the past fouryears has helped to offset the decline in coffee prices--Colombia'smajor export. The collapse of the International Coffee Agreement inthe summer of 1989, a troublesome rural insurgency, and drug-relatedviolence dampen prospects for future growth.~GDP~: $35.4 billion, per capita $1,110; real growth rate 3.7% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 27% (1989 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 9.0% (1989 est.)~Budget~: revenues $4.39 billion; current expenditures $3.93 billion,capital expenditures $l.03 billion (1989 est.)~Exports~: $5.76 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--coffee 30%,petroleum 24%, coal, bananas, fresh cut flowers; partners--US 36%,EC 21%, Japan 5%, Netherlands 4%, Sweden 3%~Imports~: $5.02 billion (c.i.f., 1989 est.); commodities--industrialequipment, transportation equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, paperproducts; partners--US 34%, EC 16%, Brazil 4%, Venezuela 3%, Japan3%~External debt~: $17.5 billion (1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate 2.0% (1989 est.)~Electricity~: 9,250,000 kW capacity; 35,364 million kWh produced,1,110 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear,beverages, chemicals, metal products, cement; mining--gold, coal,emeralds, iron, nickel, silver, salt~Agriculture~: accounts for 22% of GDP; crops make up two-thirds andlivestock one-third of agricultural output; climate and soils permita wide variety of crops, such as coffee, rice, tobacco, corn,sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseeds, vegetables; forest products andshrimp farming are becoming more important~Illicit drugs~: major illicit producer of cannabis and coca for theinternational drug trade; key supplier of marijuana and cocaine tothe US and other international drug markets; drug production andtrafficking accounts for an estimated 4% of GDP and 28% of foreignexchange earnings~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $1.6 billion; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$2.9 billion; Communist countries (1970-88), $399 million~Currency~: Colombian peso (plural--pesos); 1 Colombian peso (Col$) =100 centavos~Exchange rates~: Colombian pesos (Col$) per US$1--439.68 (January1990), 382.57 (1989), 299.17 (1988), 242.61 (1987), 194.26 (1986),142.31 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 3,563 km, all 0.914-meter gauge, single track~Highways~: 75,450 km total; 9,350 km paved, 66,100 km earth and gravelsurfaces~Inland waterways~: 14,300 km, navigable by river boats~Pipelines~: crude oil, 3,585 km; refined products, 1,350 km; naturalgas, 830 km; natural gas liquids, 125 km~Ports~: Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Covenas, San Andres,Santa Marta, Tumaco~Merchant marine~: 34 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 334,854GRT/487,438 DWT; includes 23 cargo, 1 chemical tanker, 1 petroleum,oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 9 bulk~Civil air~: 106 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 673 total, 622 usable; 66 with permanent-surface runways; 1with runways over 3,659 m; 10 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 124 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: nationwide radio relay system; 1,890,000telephones; stations--413 AM, no FM, 33 TV, 28 shortwave 2 AtlanticOcean INTELSAT earth stations with 2 antennas and 11 domesticsatellite stations~
Defense Forces~Branches~: armed forces include Police (Policia Nacional) andmilitary--Army (Ejercito Nacional), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea deColombia), Navy (Armada Nacional)~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 8,768,072; 5,953,729 fit for militaryservice; 354,742 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 1.9% of GDP, or $700 million (1990 est.) ~[000000052~000369274~000000000~000000000~000007400~000000077~000358648~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Comoros~
Geography~Total area~: 2,170 km2; land area: 2,170 km2~Comparative area~: slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington,DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 340 km~Maritime claims~:  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: claims French-administered Mayotte~Climate~: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)~Terrain~: volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to lowhills~Natural resources~: negligible~Land use~: 35% arable land; 8% permanent crops; 7% meadows andpastures; 16% forest and woodland; 34% other~Environment~: soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; cyclonespossible during rainy season~Note~: important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel~
People~Population~: 460,188 (July 1990), growth rate 3.5% (1990)~Birth rate~: 48 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 89 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 54 years male, 58 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 7.0 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Comoran(s); adjective--Comoran~Ethnic divisions~: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava~Religion~: 86% Sunni Muslim, 14% Roman Catholic~Language~: Shaafi Islam (a Swahili dialect), Malagasy, French~Literacy~: 15%~Labor force~: 140,000 (1982); 80% agriculture, 3% government; 51% ofpopulation of working age (1985)~Organized labor~: NA~
Government~Long-form name~: Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros~Type~: independent republic~Capital~: Moroni~Administrative divisions~: 3 islands; Anjouan, Grande Comore, Moheli;note--there may also be 4 municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni,Moroni, and Mutsamudu~Independence~: 6 July 1975 (from France)~Constitution~: 1 October 1978, amended October 1982 and January 1985~Legal system~: French and Muslim law in a new consolidated code~National holiday~: Independence Day, 6 July (1975)~Executive branch~: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral Federal Assembly (Assemblee Federale)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President SaidMohamed DJOHAR (since 11 March 1990)~Political parties~: Comoran Union for Progress (Udzima), Said MohamedDjohar, president; National Union for Democracy (UNDC), Mohamed Taki~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: President--last held 11 March 1990 (next to be held March1996); results--Said Mohamed Djohar (Udzima) 55%; Mohamed TakiAbdulkarim (UNDC) 45%;  Federal Assembly--last held 22 March 1987 (next to be held March1992); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(42 total)Udzima 42~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, IDA, IDB--Islamic DevelopmentBank, IFAD, ILO, IMF, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Amini Ali MOUMIN; Chancery(temporary) at the Comoran Permanent Mission to the UN, 336 East45th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017; telephone [phone]; US--Ambassador Howard K. WALKER, resides in Antananarivo(Madagascar); Embassy at address NA, Moroni (mailing address B. P.1318, Moroni); telephone 73-12-03~Flag~: green with a white crescent placed diagonally (closed side ofthe crescent points to the upper hoist-side corner of the flag);there are four white five-pointed stars placed in a line between thepoints of the crescent; the crescent, stars, and color green aretraditional symbols of Islam; the four stars represent the four mainislands of the archipelago--Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte(which is a territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by theComoros)~
Economy~Overview~: One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up ofseveral islands that have poor transportation links, a young andrapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The loweducational level of the labor force contributes to a low level ofeconomic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence onforeign technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing andforestry, is the leading sector of the economy. It contributes about40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of theexports. The country is not self-sufficient in food production, andrice, the main staple, accounts for 90% of imports. During theperiod 1982-86 the industrial sector grew at an annual average rateof 5.3%, but its contribution to GDP was less than 4% in 1986.Despite major investment in the tourist industry, which accounts forabout 25% of GDP, growth has stagnated since 1983.~GDP~: $207 million, per capita $475; real growth rate 0.1% (1988 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 8.3% (1986)~Unemployment rate~: over 16% (1988 est.)~Budget~: revenues $75.2 million; expenditures $77.9 million, includingcapital expenditures of $4.8 million (1988 est.)~Exports~: $12 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities--vanilla, cloves,perfume oil, copra; partners--US 53%, France 41%, Africa 4%, FRG 2%~Imports~: $52 million (c.i.f., 1987); commodities--rice and otherfoodstuffs, cement, petroleum products, consumer goods;partners--Europe 62% (France 22%, other 40%), Africa 5%, Pakistan,China~External debt~: $238 million (December 1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate 3.4% (1988 est.)~Electricity~: 16,000 kW capacity; 24 million kWh produced, 55 kWh percapita (1989)~Industries~: perfume distillation~Agriculture~: accounts for 40% of GDP; most of population works insubsistence agriculture and fishing; plantations produce cash cropsfor export--vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, and copra; principalfood crops--coconuts, bananas, cassava; world's leading producer ofessence of ylang-ylang (for perfumes) and second-largest producer ofvanilla; large net food importer~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY80-88), $9 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$371 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $22 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $18 million~Currency~: Comoran franc (plural--francs); 1 Comoran franc (CF) = 100centimes~Exchange rates~: Comoran francs (CF) per US$1--287.99 (January 1990),319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987), 346.30 (1986), 449.26(1985); note--linked to the French franc at 50 to 1 French franc~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Highways~: 750 km total; about 210 km bituminous, remainder crushedstone or gravel~Ports~: Mutsamudu, Moroni~Civil air~: 4 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 4 total, 4 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 3 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: sparse system of radio relay and high-frequencyradio communication stations for interisland and externalcommunications to Madagascar and Reunion; over 1,800 telephones;stations--2 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Presidential Guard, Gendarmerie~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 97,504; 58,274 fit for militaryservice~Defense expenditures~: 3% of GDP (1981) ~[000000053~000376677~000000000~000000000~000008421~000000091~000369274~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Congo~
Geography~Total area~: 342,000 km2; land area: 341,500 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Montana~Land boundaries~: 5,504 km total; Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km,Central African Republic 467 km, Gabon 1,903 km, Zaire 2,410 km~Coastline~: 169 km~Maritime claims~:  Territorial sea: 200 nm~Disputes~: long section with Zaire along the Congo River is indefinite(no division of the river or its islands has been made)~Climate~: tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June toOctober); constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularlyenervating climate astride the Equator~Terrain~: coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northernbasin~Natural resources~: petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium,copper, phosphates, natural gas~Land use~: 2% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 29% meadows andpastures; 62% forest and woodland; 7% other~Environment~: deforestation; about 70% of the population lives inBrazzaville, Pointe Noire, or along the railroad between them~
People~Population~: 2,242,274 (July 1990), growth rate 3.0% (1990)~Birth rate~: 43 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 14 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 110 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 52 years male, 55 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 5.8 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Congolese (sing., pl.); adjective--Congolese orCongo~Ethnic divisions~: about 15 ethnic groups divided into some 75 tribes,almost all Bantu; most important ethnic groups are Kongo (48%) inthe south, Sangha (20%) and M'Bochi (12%) in the north, Teke (17%)in the center; about 8,500 Europeans, mostly French~Religion~: 50% Christian, 48% animist, 2% Muslim~Language~: French (official); many African languages with Lingala andKikongo most widely used~Literacy~: 62.9%~Labor force~: 79,100 wage earners; 75% agriculture, 25% commerce,industry, and government; 51% of population of working age; 40% ofpopulation economically active (1985)~Organized labor~: 20% of labor force (1979 est.)~
Government~Long-form name~: People's Republic of the Congo~Type~: people's republic~Capital~: Brazzaville~Administrative divisions~: 9 regions (regions, singular--region);Bouenza, Cuvette, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux,Pool, Sangha; note--there may be a new capital district ofBrazzaville~Independence~: 15 August 1960 (from France; formerlyCongo/Brazzaville)~Constitution~: 8 July 1979~Legal system~: based on French civil law system and customary law~National holiday~: National Day, 15 August (1960)~Executive branch~: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers(cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral People's National Assembly (AssembleeNationale Populaire)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President DenisSASSOU-NGUESSO (since 8 February 1979); Prime Minister AlphonsePOATY-SOUCHLATY (since 6 August 1989)~Political parties and leaders~: only party--Congolese Labor Party(PCT), President Denis Sassou-Nguesso, leader~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: President--last held 26-31 July 1989 (next to be held July1993); results--President Sassou-Nguesso unanimously reelectedleader of the PCT by the Party Congress, which automatically makeshim president;  People's National Assembly~--last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held 1993); results--PCT isthe only party; seats--(153 total) single list of candidatesnominated by the PCT~Communists~: unknown number of Communists and sympathizers~Other political or pressure groups~: Union of Congolese SocialistYouth (UJSC), Congolese Trade Union Congress (CSC), RevolutionaryUnion of Congolese Women (URFC), General Union of Congolese Pupilsand Students (UGEEC)~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, CCC, Conference of East and Central AfricanStates, EAMA, ECA, EIB (associate), FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO,ICO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, ITU, NAM,OAU, UDEAC, UEAC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Benjamin BOUNKOULOU; Chanceryat 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington DC 20011; telephone [phone]; US--Ambassador-designate James Daniel PHILLIPS; Embassy atAvenue Amilcar Cabral, Brazzaville (mailing address is B. P. 1015,Brazzaville, or Box C, APO New York 09662-0006); telephone 83-20-70or 83-26-24~Flag~: red with the national emblem in the upper hoist-side corner;the emblem includes a yellow five-pointed star above a crossed hoeand hammer (like the hammer and sickle design) in yellow, flanked bytwo curved green palm branches; uses the popular pan-African colorsof Ethiopia~
Economy~Overview~: Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy,providing about two-thirds of government revenues and exports. Inthe early 1980s rapidly rising oil revenues enabled Congo to financelarge-scale development projects with growth averaging 5% annually,one of the highest rates in Africa. The world decline in oil prices,however, has forced the government to launch an austerity program tocope with declining receipts and mounting foreign debts.~GDP~: $2.2 billion, per capita $1,000; real growth rate - 3% (1988est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 1.5% (1988)~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $382 million; expenditures $575 million, includingcapital expenditures of $118 million (1988)~Exports~: $912 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities--crude petroleum72%, lumber, plywood, coffee, cocoa, sugar, diamonds; partners--US,France, other EC~Imports~: $494.4 million (c.i.f., 1987); commodities--foodstuffs,consumer goods, intermediate manufactures, capital equipment;partners--France, Italy, other EC, US, FRG, Spain, Japan, Brazil~External debt~: $4.5 billion (December 1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate - 5.9% (1987)~Electricity~: 133,000 kW capacity; 300 million kWh produced, 130 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: crude oil, cement, sawmills, brewery, sugar mill, palmoil, soap, cigarettes~Agriculture~: accounts for 11% of GDP (including fishing andforestry); cassava accounts for 90% of food output; othercrops--rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables; cash crops include coffeeand cocoa; forest products important export earner; imports over 90%of food needs~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $56 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$2.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $15 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $338 million~Currency~: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural--francs); 1CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes~Exchange rates~: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) perUS$1--287.99 (January 1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54(1987), 346.30 (1986), 449.26 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 797 km, 1.067-meter gauge, single track (includes 285 kmthat are privately owned)~Highways~: 12,000 km total; 560 km bituminous surface treated; 850 kmgravel, laterite; 5,350 km improved earth; 5,240 km unimproved roads~Inland waterways~: the Congo and Ubangi (Oubangui) Rivers provide1,120 km of commercially navigable water transport; the rest areused for local traffic only~Pipelines~: crude oil 25 km~Ports~: Pointe-Noire (ocean port), Brazzaville (river port)~Civil air~: 4 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 51 total, 46 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 17 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: services adequate for government use; primarynetwork is composed of radio relay routes and coaxial cables; keycenters are Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; 18,100telephones; stations--3 AM, 1 FM, 4 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean satellitestation~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary National People'sMilitia~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 492,419; 250,478 fit for militaryservice; 23,622 reach military age (20) annually~Defense expenditures~: 4.6% of GDP (1987) ~[000000054~000385101~000000000~000000000~000006126~000000058~000376677~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Cook Islands(free association with New Zealand)~
Geography~Total area~: 240 km2; land area: 240 km2~Comparative area~: slightly less than 1.5 times the size ofWashington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 120 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 meters or edge of continental margin;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: tropical; moderated by trade winds~Terrain~: low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south~Natural resources~: negligible~Land use~: 4% arable land; 22% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 74% other~Environment~: subject to typhoons from November to March~Note~: located 4,500 km south of Hawaii in the South Pacific Ocean~
People~Population~: 18,187 (July 1990), growth rate 0.5% (1990)~Birth rate~: 22 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 10 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 24 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 66 years male, 72 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 3.5 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Cook Islander(s); adjective--Cook Islander~Ethnic divisions~: 81.3% Polynesian (full blood), 7.7% Polynesian andEuropean, 7.7% Polynesian and other, 2.4% European, 0.9% other~Religion~: Christian, majority of populace members of Cook IslandsChristian Church~Language~: English~Literacy~: NA%~Labor force~: 5,810; agriculture 29%, government 27%, services 25%,industry 15%, and other 4% (1981)~Organized labor~: NA~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: self-governing in free association with New Zealand; CookIslands fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retainsresponsibility for external affairs, in consultation with the CookIslands~Capital~: Avarua~Administrative divisions~: none~Independence~: became self-governing in free association with NewZealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move tofull independence by unilateral action~Constitution~: 4 August 1965~National holiday~: NA~Executive branch~: British monarch, representative of the UK,representative of New Zealand, prime minister, deputy primeminister, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral Parliament; note--the unicameral Houseof Arikis (chiefs) advises on traditional matters, but has nolegislative powers~Judicial branch~: High Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);Representative of the UK Sir Tangaroa TANGAROA (since NA);Representative of New Zealand Adrian SINCOCK (since NA);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Geoffrey HENRY (since NA February1989); Deputy Prime Minister Inatio AKARURU (since NA)~Political parties and leaders~: Cook Islands Party, Geoffrey Henry;Democratic Tumu Party, Vincent Ingram; Democratic Party, Dr. VincentPupuke Robati; Cook Islands Labor Party, Rena Jonassen; Cook IslandsPeople's Party, Sadaraka Sadaraka~Suffrage~: universal adult at age NA~Elections~: Parliament--last held 19 January 1989 (next to be held byJanuary 1994); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(24total) Cook Islands Party 12, Democratic Tumu Party 2, oppositioncoalition (including Democratic Party) 9, independent 1~Member of~: ADB, ESCAP (associate member), IDA, IFC, IMF, SPEC, SPF~Diplomatic representation~: none (self-governing in free associationwith New Zealand)~Flag~: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrantand a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for everyisland) centered in the outer half of the flag~
Economy~Overview~: Agriculture provides the economic base. The major exportearners are fruit, copra, and clothing. Manufacturing activities arelimited to a fruit-processing plant and several clothing factories. Economic development is hindered by the isolation of the islandsfrom foreign markets and a lack of natural resources and goodtransportation links.  A large trade deficit is annually made up forby remittances from emigrants and from foreign aid. Current economicdevelopment plans call for exploiting the tourism potential andexpanding the fishing industry.~GDP~: $40.0 million, per capita $2,200 (1988 est.); real growth rate5.3% (1986-88 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 8.0% (1988)~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $33.8 million; expenditures $34.4 million, includingcapital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.)~Exports~: $4.0 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--copra, fresh andcanned fruit, clothing; partners--NZ 80%, Japan~Imports~: $38.7 million (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--foodstuffs,textiles, fuels, timber; partners--NZ 49%, Japan, Australia, US~External debt~: $NA~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 4,800 kW capacity; 15 million kWh produced, 830 kWh percapita (1989)~Industries~: fruit processing, tourism~Agriculture~: export crops--copra, citrus fruits, pineapples,tomatoes, bananas; subsistence crops--yams, taro~Aid~: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-89), $128 million~Currency~: New Zealand dollar (plural--dollars); 1 New Zealand dollar(NZ$) = 100 cents~Exchange rates~: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1--1.6581 (January1990), 1.6708 (1989), 1.5244 (1988), 1.6886 (1987), 1.9088 (1986),2.0064 (1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Highways~: 187 km total (1980); 35 km paved, 35 km gravel, 84 kmimproved earth, 33 km unimproved earth~Ports~: Avatiu~Civil air~: no major transport aircraft~Airports~: 7 total, 5 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 2,439 m; 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: stations--2 AM, no FM, no TV; 10,000 radioreceivers; 2,052 telephones; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand ~[000000055~000391230~000000000~000000000~000001745~000000019~000385101~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Coral Sea Islands(territory of Australia)~
Geography~Total area~: undetermined; includes numerous small islands and reefsscattered over a sea area of about 1 million km2, with Willis Isletsthe most important~Comparative area~: undetermined~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 3,095 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 12 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Climate~: tropical~Terrain~: sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)~Natural resources~: negligible~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other, mostly grass or scrubcover; Lihou Reef Reserve and Coringa-Herald Reserve were declaredNational Nature Reserves on 3 August 1982~Environment~: subject to occasional tropical cyclones; no permanentfresh water; important nesting area for birds and turtles~Note~: the islands are located just off the northeast coast ofAustralia in the Coral Sea~
People~Population~: 3 meteorologists~
Government~Long-form name~: Coral Sea Islands Territory~Type~: territory of Australia administered by the Minister for Arts,Sport, the Environment, Tourism, and Territories Graham Richardson~Flag~: the flag of Australia is used~
Economy~Overview~: no economic activity~
Communications~Ports~: none; offshore anchorages only~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularlyby the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over theactivities of visitors ~[000000056~000392978~000000000~000000000~000008446~000000086~000391230~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Costa Rica~
Geography~Total area~: 51,100 km2; land area: 50,660 km2; includes Isla del Coco~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than West Virginia~Land boundaries~: 639 km total; Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km~Coastline~: 1,290 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 nm;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: tropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (Mayto November)~Terrain~: coastal plains separated by rugged mountains~Natural resources~: hydropower potential~Land use~: 6% arable land; 7% permanent crops; 45% meadows andpastures; 34% forest and woodland; 8% other; includes 1% irrigated~Environment~: subject to occasional earthquakes, hurricanes alongAtlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainyseason; active volcanoes; deforestation; soil erosion~
People~Population~: 3,032,795 (July 1990), growth rate 2.6% (1990)~Birth rate~: 28 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 4 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 2 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 16 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 74 years male, 79 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 3.3 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Costa Rican(s); adjective--Costa Rican~Ethnic divisions~: 96% white (including mestizo), 2% black, 1% Indian,1% Chinese~Religion~: 95% Roman Catholic~Language~: Spanish (official), English spoken around Puerto Limon~Literacy~: 93%~Labor force~: 868,300; industry and commerce 35.1%, government andservices 33%, agriculture 27%, other 4.9% (1985 est.)~Organized labor~: 15.1% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Costa Rica~Type~: democratic republic~Capital~: San Jose~Administrative divisions~: 7 provinces (provincias,singular--provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon,Puntarenas, San Jose~Independence~: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)~Constitution~: 9 November 1949~Legal system~: based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review oflegislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)~Executive branch~: president, two vice presidents, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral Legislative Assembly (AsambleaLegislativa)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President RafaelAngel CALDERON Fournier (since 8 May 1990); First Vice PresidentGerman SERRANO Pinto (since 8 May 1990); Second Vice PresidentArnoldo LOPEZ Echandi (since 8 May 1990)~Political parties and leaders~: National Liberation Party (PLN),Carlos Manuel Castillo; Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), RafaelAngel Calderon Fournier; Marxist Popular Vanguard Party (PVP),Humberto Vargas Carbonell; New Republic Movement (MNR), Sergio ErickArdon; Progressive Party (PP), Javier Solis; People's Party of CostaRica (PPC), Lenin Chacon Vargas; Radical Democratic Party (PRD),Juan Jose Echeverria Brealey~Suffrage~: universal and compulsory at age 18~Elections~: President--last held 4 February 1990 (next to be heldFebruary 1994); results--Rafael Calderon Fournier 51%, Carlos ManuelCastillo 47%;  Legislative Assembly--last held 4 February 1990 (next to be heldFebruary 1994); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(57total) PUSC 29, PLN 25, PVP/PPC 1, regional parties 2~Communists~: 7,500 members and sympathizers~Other political or pressure groups~: Costa Rican Confederation ofDemocratic Workers (CCTD; Liberation Party affiliate), ConfederatedUnion of Workers (CUT; Communist Party affiliate), AuthenticConfederation of Democratic Workers (CATD; Communist Partyaffiliate), Chamber of Coffee Growers, National Association forEconomic Development (ANFE), Free Costa Rica Movement (MCRL;rightwing militants), National Association of Educators (ANDE)~Member of~: CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICO, IDA,IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ITU, IWC--International Wheat Council, OAS,ODECA, PAHO, SELA, UN, UNESCO, UPEB, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Danilo JIMENEZ; Chancery atSuite 211, 1825 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC 20009;telephone [phone] through 2947; there are Costa RicanConsulates General at Albuquerque, Boston, Houston, Los Angeles,Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco,San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Tampa, and Consulates in Austin,Buffalo, Honolulu, and Raleigh; US--Ambassador (vacant); Embassy atPavas Road, San Jose (mailing address is APO Miami 34020); telephone╒506σ 33-11-55~Flag~: five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width),white, and blue with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoistside of the red band~
Economy~Overview~: In 1988 the economy grew at a 3.8% rate, a drop from the5.1% of the previous year. Gains in agricultural production (on thestrength of good coffee and banana crops) and in construction, werepartially offset by declines in the rates of growth for the industryand commerce sectors. In 1988 consumer prices rose by nearly 21%followed by a 10% rise in 1989. Unemployment is officially reportedat about 6%, but much underemployment remains. External debt, on aper capita basis, is among the world's highest.~GDP~: $4.7 billion, per capita $1,630; real growth rate 3.8% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 10% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 5.5% (March 1989)~Budget~: revenues $719 million; expenditures $808 million, includingcapital expenditures of $103 million (1988)~Exports~: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--coffee, bananas,textiles, sugar; partners--US 75%, FRG, Guatemala, Netherlands, UK,Japan~Imports~: $1.4 billion (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--petroleum,machinery, consumer durables, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs;partners--US 35%, Japan, Guatemala, FRG~External debt~: $4.5 billion (1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate 2.1% (1988)~Electricity~: 909,000 kW capacity; 2,928 million kWh produced, 990 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: food processing, textiles and clothing, constructionmaterials, fertilizer~Agriculture~: accounts for 20-25% of GDP and 70% of exports; cashcommodities--coffee, beef, bananas, sugar; other food crops includecorn, rice, beans, potatotes; normally self-sufficient in foodexcept for grain; depletion of forest resources resulting in lowertimber output~Illicit drugs~: illicit production of cannabis on small scatteredplots; transshipment country for cocaine from South America~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $1.3 billion; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$706 million; Communist countries (1971-88), $27 million~Currency~: Costa Rican colon (plural--colones); 1 Costa Rican colon(C) = 100 centimos~Exchange rates~: Costa Rican colones (C) per US$1--84.689 (January1990), 81.504 (1989), 75.805 (1988), 62.776 (1987), 55.986 (1986),50.453 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 950 km total, all 1.067-meter gauge; 260 km electrified~Highways~: 15,400 km total; 7,030 km paved, 7,010 km gravel, 1,360 kmunimproved earth~Inland waterways~: about 730 km, seasonally navigable~Pipelines~: refined products, 176 km~Ports~: Puerto Limon, Caldera, Golfito, Moin, Puntarenas~Merchant marine~: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,279GRT/6,602 DWT~Civil air~: 9 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 193 total, 177 usable; 25 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 11with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: very good domestic telephone service; 292,000telephones; connection into Central American Microwave System;stations--71 AM, no FM, 18 TV, 13 shortwave; 1 Atlantic OceanINTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Civil Guard, Rural Assistance Guard; note--Constitutionprohibits armed forces~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 785,429; 530,986 fit for militaryservice; 31,899 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 0.6% of GDP (1987) ~[000000057~000401427~000000000~000000000~000009308~000000104~000392978~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Cuba~
Geography~Total area~: 110,860 km2; land area: 110,860 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania~Land boundary~: 29.1 km with US Naval Base at Guantanamo;note--Guantanamo is leased and as such remains part of Cuba~Coastline~: 3,735 km~Maritime claims~:  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: US Naval Base at Guantanamo is leased to US and only mutualagreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease~Climate~: tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November toApril); rainy season (May to October)~Terrain~: mostly flat to rolling plains with rugged hills andmountains in the southeast~Natural resources~: cobalt, nickel, iron ore, copper, manganese, salt,timber, silica~Land use~: 23% arable land; 6% permanent crops; 23% meadows andpastures; 17% forest and woodland; 31% other; includes 10% irrigated~Environment~: averages one hurricane every other year~Note~: largest country in Caribbean; 145 km south of Florida~
People~Population~: 10,620,099 (July 1990), growth rate 1.1% (1990)~Birth rate~: 18 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 1 migrant/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 12 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 73 years male, 78 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.9 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Cuban(s); adjective--Cuban~Ethnic divisions~: 51% mulatto, 37% white, 11% black, 1% Chinese~Religion~: at least 85% nominally Roman Catholic before Castro assumedpower~Language~: Spanish~Literacy~: 98.5%~Labor force~: 3,400,000 in state sector; 30% services and government,22% industry, 20% agriculture, 11% commerce, 10% construction, 7%transportation and communications (1988); economically activepopulation 4,500,000 (1987)~Organized labor~: Workers Central Union of Cuba (CTC), only laborfederation approved by government; 2,910,000 members; the CTC is anumbrella organization composed of 17 member unions~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Cuba~Type~: Communist state~Capital~: Havana~Administrative divisions~: 14 provinces (provincias,singular--provincia) and 1 special municipality* (municipioespecial); Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Ciudad de LaHabana, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla de la Juventud*, LaHabana, Las Tunas, Matanzas, Pinar del Rio, Sancti Spiritus,Santiago de Cuba, Villa Clara~Independence~: 20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administeredby the US from 1898 to 1902)~Constitution~: 24 February 1976~Legal system~: based on Spanish and American law, with large elementsof Communist legal theory; does not accept compulsory ICJjurisdiction~National holiday~: Revolution Day, 1 January (1959)~Executive branch~: president of the Council of State, first vicepresident of the Council of State, Council of State, president ofthe Council of Ministers, first vice president of the Council ofMinisters, Council of Ministers~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Assembly of the People'sPower (Asamblea Nacional del Poder Popular)~Judicial branch~: People's Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President of theCouncil of State and President of the Council of Ministers FidelCASTRO Ruz (became Prime Minister in January 1959 and Presidentsince 2 December 1976); First Vice President of the Council of Stateand First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. RaulCASTRO Ruz (since 2 December 1976)~Political parties and leaders~: only party--Cuban Communist Party(PCC), Fidel Castro Ruz, first secretary~Suffrage~: universal at age 16~Elections~: National Assembly of the People's Power--last held NADecember 1986 (next to be held December 1991); results--PCC is theonly party; seats--(510 total) PCC 510 (indirectly elected)~Communists~: about 600,000 full and candidate members~Member of~: CEMA, ECLA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB (nonparticipant), IAEA,IBEC, ICAO, IFAD, ICO, IHO, ILO, IMO, IRC, ISO, ITU,IWC--International Wheat Council, NAM, OAS (nonparticipant), PAHO,SELA, UN, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WSG, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: none; protecting power in the US isCzechoslovakia--Cuban Interests Section; Counselor Jose AntonioArbesu FRAGA; 2630 and 2639 16th Street NW, Washington DC 20009;telephone [phone] or 8519, 8520, 8609, 8610; US--protectingpower in Cuba is Switzerland--US Interests Section; PrincipalOfficer John J. TAYLOR; Calzada entre L y M, Vedado Seccion, Havana;telephone 320551 or 320543~Flag~: five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom)alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on thehoist side bears a white five-pointed star in the center~
Economy~Overview~: The Soviet-style economy, centrally planned and largelystate owned, is highly dependent on the agricultural sector andforeign trade. Sugar provides about 75% of export revenues and ismostly exported to the USSR and other CEMA countries. The economyhas stagnated since 1985 under a program that has deemphasizedmaterial incentives in the workplace, abolished farmers' informalproduce markets, and raised prices of government-supplied goods andservices. Castro has complained that the ongoing CEMA reform processhas interfered with the regular flow of goods to Cuba. Recently thegovernment has been trying to increase trade with Latin America andChina. Cuba has had difficulty servicing its foreign debt since1982. The government currently is encouraging foreign investment intourist facilities. Other investment priorities include sugar, basicfoods, and nickel. The annual $4 billion Soviet subsidy, a main propto Cuba's threadbare economy, may be cut in view of the USSR'smounting economic problems.~GNP~: $20.9 billion, per capita $2,000; real growth rate - 1% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: NA%~Unemployment~: 6% overall, 10% for women (1989)~Budget~: revenues $11.7 billion; expenditures $13.5 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $NA (1989 est.)~Exports~: $5.5 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--sugar, nickel,shellfish, citrus, tobacco, coffee; partners--USSR 67%, GDR 6%,China 4% (1988)~Imports~: $7.6 billion (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--capital goods,industrial raw materials, food, petroleum; partners--USSR 71%, otherCommunist countries 15% (1988)~External debt~: $6.8 billion (convertible currency, July 1989)~Industrial production~: 3% (1988)~Electricity~: 3,991,000 kW capacity; 14,972 million kWh produced,1,425 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: sugar milling, petroleum refining, food and tobaccoprocessing, textiles, chemicals, paper and wood products, metals(particularly nickel), cement, fertilizers, consumer goods,agricultural machinery~Agriculture~: accounts for 11% of GNP (including fishing andforestry); key commercial crops--sugarcane, tobacco, and citrusfruits; other products--coffee, rice, potatoes, meat, beans; world'slargest sugar exporter; not self-sufficient in food~Aid~: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-87), $657.5 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $13.5billion~Currency~: Cuban peso (plural--pesos); 1 Cuban peso (Cu$) = 100centavos~Exchange rates~: Cuban pesos (Cu$) per US$1--1.0000 (linked to the USdollar)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 14,925 km total; Cuban National Railways operates 5,295 kmof 1.435-meter gauge track; 199 km electrified; 9,630 km of sugarplantation lines of 0.914-1.435-meter gauge~Highways~: about 21,000 km total; 9,000 km paved, 12,000 km gravel andearth surfaced~Inland waterways~: 240 km~Ports~: Cienfuegos, Havana, Mariel, Matanzas, Santiago de Cuba; 7secondary, 35 minor~Merchant marine~: 91 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 701,418GRT/1,014,014 DWT; includes 62 cargo, 7 refrigerated cargo, 3cargo/training, 10 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1chemical tanker, 2 liquefied gas, 6 bulk; note--Cuba beneficiallyowns an additional 34 ships (1,000 GRT and over) totaling 475,864DWT under the registry of Panama, Cyprus, and Malta~Civil air~: 59 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 197 total, 168 usable; 72 with permanent-surface runways; 2with runways over 3,659 m; 14 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 17 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: stations--150 AM, 5 FM, 58 TV; 1,530,000 TV sets;2,140,000 radio receivers; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Revolutionary Armed Forces (Ground Forces, RevolutionaryNavy, Air and Air Defense Force), Ministry of Interior SpecialTroops, Border Guard Troops, Territorial Militia Troops, Youth LaborArmy~Military manpower~: eligible 15-49, 6,027,131; of the 3,024,385 males15-49, 1,897,175 are fit for military service; of the 3,002,746females 15-49, 1,879,471 are fit for military service; 96,319 malesand 92,765 females reach military age (17) annually~Defense expenditures~: about 6% of GNP, or $1.2-$1.4 billion (1989est.) ~[000000058~000410738~000000000~000000000~000011214~000000133~000401427~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Cyprus~
Geography~Total area~: 9,250 km2; land area: 9,240 km2~Comparative area~: about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 648 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: 1974 hostilities divided the island into two de factoautonomous areas--a Greek area controlled by the Cypriot Government(60% of the island's land area) and a Turkish-Cypriot area (35% ofthe island) that are separated by a narrow UN buffer zone; inaddition, there are two UK sovereign base areas (about 5% of theisland's land area)~Climate~: temperate, Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool, wetwinters~Terrain~: central plain with mountains to north and south~Natural resources~: copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt,marble, clay earth pigment~Land use~: 40% arable land; 7% permanent crops; 10% meadows andpastures; 18% forest and woodland; 25% other; includes 10% irrigated(most irrigated lands are in the Turkish-Cypriot area of the island)~Environment~: moderate earthquake activity; water resource problems(no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall,and most potable resources concentrated in the Turkish-Cypriot area)~
People~Population~: 707,776 (July 1990), growth rate 1.0% (1990)~Birth rate~: 19 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 10 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 73 years male, 78 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.4 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Cypriot(s); adjective--Cypriot~Ethnic divisions~: 78% Greek; 18% Turkish; 4% other~Religion~: 78% Greek Orthodox; 18% Muslim; 4% Maronite, Armenian,Apostolic, and other~Language~: Greek, Turkish, English~Literacy~: 99% (est.)~Labor force~: Greek area--251,406; 42% services, 33% industry, 22%agriculture; Turkish area--NA (1986)~Organized labor~: 156,000 (1985 est.)~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Cyprus~Type~: republic; a disaggregation of the two ethnic communitiesinhabiting the island began after the outbreak of communal strife in1963; this separation was further solidified following the Turkishinvasion of the island in July 1974, which gave the Turkish Cypriotsde facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the onlyinternationally recognized government; on 15 November 1983 TurkishCypriot President Rauf Denktash declared independence and theformation of a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which has beenrecognized only by Turkey; both sides publicly call for theresolution of intercommunal differences and creation of a newfederal system of government~Capital~: Nicosia~Administrative divisions~: 6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca,Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos~Independence~: 16 August 1960 (from UK)~Constitution~: 16 August 1960; negotiations to create the basis for anew or revised constitution to govern the island and to betterrelations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been heldintermittently; in 1975 Turkish Cypriots created their ownConstitution and governing bodies within the Turkish Federated Stateof Cyprus, which was renamed the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprusin 1983; a new Constitution for the Turkish area passed byreferendum in May 1985~Legal system~: based on common law, with civil law modifications~National holiday~: Independence Day, 1 October~Executive branch~: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet);note--there is a president, prime minister, and Council of Ministers(cabinet) in the Turkish area~Legislative branch~: unicameral House of Representatives (VouliAntiprosopon); note--there is a unicameral Assembly of the Republic(Cumhuriyet Meclisi) in the Turkish area~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court; note--there is also a Supreme Courtin the Turkish area~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President GeorgeVASSILIOU (since February 1988); note--Rauf R. DENKTAS wasproclaimed President of the Turkish area on 13 February 1975~Political parties and leaders~: Greek Cypriot--Progressive Party ofthe Working People (AKEL; Communist Party), Dimitrios Christotias,Democratic Rally (DESY), Glafkos Clerides; Democratic Party (DEKO),Spyros Kyprianou; United Democratic Union of the Center (EDEK),Vassos Lyssarides;  Turkish area--National Unity Party (NUP), Dervis Eroglu; CommunalLiberation Party (CLP), Ismail Bozkurt; Republican Turkish Party(RTP), Ozker Ozgur; New Birth Party (NBP), Aytac Besheshler; NewCyprus savey (NCP), Alpay Durduran~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: President--last held 14 February and 21 February 1988(next to be held February 1993); results--George Vassiliou 52%,Glafkos Clerides 48%;  House of Representatives--last held 8 December 1985 (next to be heldDecember 1990); results--Democratic Rally 33.56%, Democratic Party27.65%, AKEL 27.43%, EDEK 11.07%; seats--(56 total) Democratic Rally19, Democratic Party 16, AKEL (Communist) 15, EDEK 6;  Turkish Area: President--last held 9 June 1985 (next to be held June1990); results--Rauf Denktash 70%;  Turkish Area: Legislative Assembly--last held 23 June 1985 (next tobe held June 1990); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(50total) National Unity Party (conservative) 24, Republican TurkishParty (Communist) 12, Communal Liberation Party (center-right) 10,New Birth Party 4~Communists~: about 12,000~Other political or pressure groups~: United Democratic YouthOrganization (EDON; Communist controlled); Union of Cyprus Farmers(EKA; Communist controlled); Cyprus Farmers Union (PEK; pro-West);Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation (PEO; Communist controlled);Confederation of Cypriot Workers (SEK; pro-West); Federation ofTurkish Cypriot Labor Unions (Turk-Sen); Confederation ofRevolutionary Labor Unions (Dev-Is)~Member of~: CCC, Commonwealth, Council of Europe, FAO, G-77, GATT,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, ITU, NAM, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO; TurkishFederated State of Cyprus--OIC (observer)~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Michael E. SHERIFIS; Chanceryat 2211 R Street NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone];there is a Cypriot Consulate General in New York; US--(vacant);Embassy at the corner of Therissos Street and Dositheos Street,Nicosia (mailing address is FPO New York 09530); telephone ╒357σ (2)465151~Flag~: white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the nameCyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two greencrossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branchessymbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greekand Turkish communities~
Economy~Overview~: These data are for the area controlled by the Republic ofCyprus (information on the northern Turkish-Cypriot area is sparse).The economy is small, diversified, and prosperous. Industrycontributes about 28% to GDP and employs 35% of the labor force,while the service sector contributes about 55% to GDP and employs40% of the labor force. Rapid growth in exports of agricultural andmanufactured products and in tourism have played important roles inthe average 6% rise in GDP in recent years. While this growth putconsiderable pressure on prices and the balance of payments, theinflation rate has remained low and the balance-of-payments deficitmanageable.~GDP~: $4.2 billion, per capita $6,100; real growth rate 6.9% (1988est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 3.9% (1989 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 2.8% (1988)~Budget~: revenues $1.2 billion; expenditures $1.4 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $178 million (1989 est.)~Exports~: $767 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--citrus, potatoes,grapes, wine, cement, clothing and shoes; partners--Middle East andNorth Africa 37%, UK 27%, other EC 11%, US 2%~Imports~: $1.9 billion (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--consumer goods23%, petroleum and lubricants 12%, food and feed grains, machinery;partners--EC 60%, Middle East and North Africa 7%, US 4%~External debt~: $2.8 billion (1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate 6.5% (1988)~Electricity~: 620,000 kW capacity; 1,770 million kWh produced, 2,530kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: mining (iron pyrites, gypsum, asbestos); manufacturedproducts--beverages, footwear, clothing, and cement--are principallyfor local consumption~Agriculture~: accounts for 8% of GDP and employs 22% of labor force;major crops--potatoes, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, andcitrus fruits; vegetables and fruit provide 25% of export revenues~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $272 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$223 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $62 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $24 million~Currency~: Cypriot pound (plural--pounds) and in Turkish area, Turkishlira (plural--liras); 1 Cypriot pound (LC) = 100 cents and 1 Turkishlira (TL) = 100 kurus~Exchange rates~: Cypriot pounds (LC) per US$1--0.4854 (January 1990),0.4933 (1989), 0.4663 (1988), 0.4807 (1987), 0.5167 (1986), 0.6095(1985); in Turkish area, Turkish liras (TL) per US$1--2,314.7(November 1989), 1,422.3 (1988), 857.2 (1987), 674.5 (1986), 522.0(1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Highways~: 10,780 km total; 5,170 km bituminous surface treated; 5,610km gravel, crushed stone, and earth~Ports~: Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos~Merchant marine~: 1,100 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 18,093,340GRT/32,148,550 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 12 short-sea passenger, 2passenger-cargo, 434 cargo, 61 refrigerated cargo, 18roll-on/roll-off cargo, 40 container, 94 petroleum, oils, andlubricants (POL) tanker, 1 specialized cargo, 3 liquefied gas, 13chemical tanker, 29 combination ore/oil, 341 bulk, 3 vehiclecarrier, 48 combination bulk carrier; note--a flag of convenienceregistry; Cuba owns at least 20 of these ships and Yugoslavia owns 1~Civil air~: 8 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 13 total, 13 usable; 10 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 7 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: excellent in the area controlled by the CypriotGovernment (Greek area), moderately good in the Turkish-Cypriotadministered area; 210,000 telephones; stations--13 AM, 7 (7repeaters) FM, 2 (40 repeaters) TV; tropospheric scatter circuits toGreece and Turkey; 3 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earthstations--INTELSAT, 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, andEUTELSAT systems~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Cyprus National Guard; Turkish area--Turkish CypriotSecurity Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 180,946; 125,044 fit for militaryservice; 5,083 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 2% of GDP, or $84 million (1990 est.) ~[000000059~000421955~000000000~000000000~000009903~000000110~000410738~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Czechoslovakia~
Geography~Total area~: 127,870 km2; land area: 125,460 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than New York State~Land boundaries~: 3,446 km total; Austria 548 km, GDR 459 km, Hungary676 km, Poland 1,309 km, USSR 98 km, FRG 356 km~Coastline~: none--landlocked~Maritime claims~: none--landlocked~Disputes~: Nagymaros Dam dispute with Hungary~Climate~: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters~Terrain~: mixture of hills and mountains separated by plains andbasins~Natural resources~: coal, timber, lignite, uranium, magnesite, ironore, copper, zinc~Land use~: 40% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 13% meadows andpastures; 37% forest and woodland; 9% other; includes 1% irrigated~Environment~: infrequent earthquakes; acid rain; water pollution; airpollution~Note~: landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest andmost significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is atraditional military corridor between the North European Plain andthe Danube in central Europe~
People~Population~: 15,683,234 (July 1990), growth rate 0.3% (1990)~Birth rate~: 14 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 11 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 69 years male, 76 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.0 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Czechoslovak(s); adjective--Czechoslovak~Ethnic divisions~: 64.3% Czech, 30.5% Slovak, 3.8% Hungarian, 0.4%German, 0.4% Polish, 0.3% Ukrainian, 0.1% Russian, 0.2% other(Jewish, Gypsy)~Religion~: 50% Roman Catholic, 20% Protestant, 2% Orthodox, 28% other~Language~: Czech and Slovak (official), Hungarian~Literacy~: 99%~Labor force~: 8,200,000 (1987); 36.9% industry, 12.3% agriculture,50.8% construction, communications, and other (1982)~Organized labor~: Revolutionary Trade Union Movement (ROH), formerlyregime-controlled; other industry-specific strike committees; newindependent trade unions forming~
Government~Long-form name~: Czechoslovak Socialist Republic; abbreviated CSSR;note--on 23 March 1990 the name was changed to CzechoslovakFederative Republic; because of Slovak concerns about their statusin the Federation, the Federal Assembly approved the name Czech andSlovak Federative Republic on 20 April 1990~Type~: in transition from Communist state to republic~Capital~: Prague~Administrative divisions~: 2 socialist republics (socialistickerepubliky, singular--socialisticka republika); Ceska SocialistickaRepublika, Slovenska Socialisticka Republika~Independence~: 18 October 1918 (from Austro-Hungarian Empire)~Constitution~: 11 July 1960; amended in 1968 and 1970; newconstitution under review (1 January 1990)~Legal system~: civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes,modified by Communist legal theory; no judicial review oflegislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: National Holiday of the Republic (Anniversary ofthe Liberation), 9 May (1945)~Executive branch~: president, prime minister, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral Federal Assembly (FederalniShromazdeni) consists of an upper house or House of Nations(Snemovna Narodu) and a lower house or House of the People (SnemovnaLidu)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Vaclav HAVEL (since 28 December1989);  Head of Government--Premier Marian CALFA (since 10 December 1989);First Deputy Premier Valtr KOMAREK (since 7 December 1989); JanCARNOGURSKY (since 7 December 1989)~Political parties and leaders~: Civic Forum, since December 1989leading political force, loose coalition of former oppositionistsheaded by President Vaclav Havel; Communist Party of Czechoslovakia(KSC), Ladislav Adamec, chairman (since 20 December 1989); KSCtoppled from power in November 1989 by massive antiregimedemonstrations, minority role in coalition government since 10December 1989~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: President--last held 22 May 1985 (next to be held 8 June1990; will be a free election); results--Gustav Husak was reelectedwithout opposition;  Federal Assembly--last held 23 and 24 May 1986 (next to be held 8June 1990; will be a free election); results--KSC was the onlyparty; seats--(350 total) KSC 350~Communists~: 1.71 million party members (April 1988) and falling~Other political groups~: Czechoslovak Socialist Party, CzechoslovakPeople's Party, Slovak Freedom Party, Slovak Revival Party,Christian Democratic Party; more than 40 political groups areexpected to field candidates for the 8 June 1990 election~Member of~: CCC, CEMA, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBEC, ICAO, ICO, ILO, ILZSG,IMO, IPU, ISO, ITC, ITU, UN, UNESCO, UPU, Warsaw Pact, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WSG, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Rita KLIMOVA; Chancery at 3900Linnean Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone] or6316; US--Ambassador Shirley Temple BLACK; Embassy at Trziste15-12548, Prague (mailing address is APO New York 09213); telephone╒42σ (2) 53 6641 through 6649~Flag~: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blueisosceles triangle based on the hoist side~
Economy~Overview~: Czechoslovakia is highly industrialized and has awell-educated and skilled labor force. Its industry, transport,energy sources, banking, and most other means of production arestate owned. The country is deficient, however, in energy and manyraw materials. Moreover, its aging capital plant lags well behindWest European standards. Industry contributes over 50% to GNP andconstruction 10%. About 95% of agricultural land is in collectivesor state farms. The centrally planned economy has been tightlylinked in trade (80%) to the USSR and Eastern Europe. Growth hasbeen sluggish, averaging less than 2% in the period 1982-89. GNP percapita ranks next to the GDR as the highest in the Communistcountries. As in the rest of Eastern Europe, the sweeping politicalchanges of 1989 have been disrupting normal channels of supply andcompounding the government's economic problems. Czechoslovakia isbeginning the difficult transition from a command to a marketeconomy.~GNP~: $123.2 billion, per capita $7,878; real growth rate 1.0% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 1.5% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 0.9% (1987)~Budget~: revenues $22.4 billion; expenditures $21.9 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $3.7 billion (1986 state budget)~Exports~: $24.5 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--machinery andequipment 58.5%; industrial consumer goods 15.2%; fuels, minerals,and metals 10.6%; agricultural and forestry products 6.1%, otherproducts 15.2%; partners--USSR, GDR, Poland, Hungary, FRG,Yugoslavia, Austria, Bulgaria, Romania, US~Imports~: $23.5 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--machinery andequipment 41.6%; fuels, minerals, and metals 32.2%; agricultural andforestry products 11.5%; industrial consumer goods 6.7%; otherproducts 8.0%; partners--USSR, GDR, Poland, Hungary, FRG,Yugoslavia, Austria, Bulgaria, Romania, US~External debt~: $7.4 billion, hard currency indebtedness (1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate 2.1% (1988)~Electricity~: 22,955,000 kW capacity; 85,000 million kWh produced,5,410 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: iron and steel, machinery and equipment, cement, sheetglass, motor vehicles, armaments, chemicals, ceramics, wood, paperproducts, footwear~Agriculture~: accounts for 15% of GNP (includes forestry); largelyself-sufficient in food production; diversified crop and livestockproduction, including grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit,hogs, cattle, and poultry; exporter of forest products~Aid~: donor--$4.2 billion in bilateral aid to non-Communist lessdeveloped countries (1954-88)~Currency~: koruna (plural--koruny); 1 koruna (Kc) = 100 haleru~Exchange rates~: koruny (Kcs) per US$1--17.00 (March 1990), 10.00(1989), 5.63 (1988), 5.43 (1987), 5.95 (1986), 6.79 (1985), 6.65(1984)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 13,116 km total; 12,868 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 102km 1.524-meter broad gauge, 146 km 0.750- and 0.760-meter narrowgauge; 2,854 km double track; 3,530 km electrified; government owned(1986)~Highways~: 73,805 km total; including 489 km superhighway (1986)~Inland waterways~: 475 km (1986); the Elbe (Labe) is the principalriver~Pipelines~: crude oil, 1,448 km; refined products, 1,500 km; naturalgas, 8,000 km~Ports~: maritime outlets are in Poland (Gdynia, Gdansk, Szczecin),Yugoslavia (Rijeka, Koper), FRG (Hamburg), GDR (Rostock); principalriver ports are Prague on the Vltava, Decin on the Elbe (Labe),Komarno on the Danube, Bratislava on the Danube~Merchant marine~: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 208,471 GRT/308,072 DWT; includes 15 cargo, 6 bulk~Civil air~: 40 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 158 total, 158 usable; 40 with permanent-surface runways;19 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 37 with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: stations--58 AM, 16 FM, 45 TV; 14 Soviet TVrelays; 4,360,000 TV sets; 4,208,538 radio receivers; at least 1satellite earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Czechoslovak People's Army, Frontier Guard, Air and AirDefense Forces~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 4,019,311; 3,076,735 fit for militaryservice; 137,733 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 28.4 billion koruny, 7% of total budget (1989);note--conversion of the military budget into US dollars using theofficial administratively set exchange rate would produce misleadingresults ~[000000060~000431861~000000000~000000000~000009585~000000105~000421955~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Denmark~
Geography~Total area~: 43,070 km2; land area: 42,370 km2; includes the island ofBornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of metropolitan Denmark, butexcludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland~Comparative area~: slightly more than twice the size of Massachusetts~Land boundaries~: 68 km with FRG~Coastline~: 3,379 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 4 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Disputes~: Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Iceland,Ireland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundaryagreement in the Rockall area); Denmark has challenged Norway'smaritime claims between Greenland and Jan Mayen~Climate~: temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and coolsummers~Terrain~: low and flat to gently rolling plains~Natural resources~: crude oil, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone~Land use~: 61% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 6% meadows andpastures; 12% forest and woodland; 21% other; includes 9% irrigated~Environment~: air and water pollution~Note~: controls Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas~
People~Population~: 5,131,217 (July 1990), growth rate NEGL% (1990)~Birth rate~: 12 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 73 years male, 79 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.6 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Dane(s); adjective--Danish~Ethnic divisions~: Scandinavian, Eskimo, Faroese, German~Religion~: 97% Evangelical Lutheran, 2% other Protestant and RomanCatholic, 1% other~Language~: Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Eskimo dialect); smallGerman-speaking minority~Literacy~: 99%~Labor force~: 2,760,000; 51% services, 34% industry, 8% government, 7%agriculture, forestry, and fishing (1988)~Organized labor~: 65% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Kingdom of Denmark~Type~: constitutional monarchy~Capital~: Copenhagen~Administrative divisions~: metropolitan Denmark--14 counties (amter,singular--amt) and 1 city* (stad); Arhus, Bornholm, Frederiksborg,Fyn, Kobenhavn, Nordjylland, Ribe, Ringkobing, Roskilde,Sonderjylland, Staden Kobenhavn*, Storstrom, Vejle, Vestsjaelland,Viborg; note--see separate entries for the Faroe Islands andGreenland which are part of the Danish realm and self-governingadministrative divisions~Independence~: became a constitutional monarchy in 1849~Constitution~: 5 June 1953~Legal system~: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts;accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations~National holiday~: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)~Executive branch~: monarch, heir apparent, prime minister, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral Parliament (Folketing)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen MARGRETHE II (since January 1972);Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the Queen (born 26May 1968);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Poul SCHLUTER (since 10 September1982)~Political parties and leaders~: Social Democratic, Svend Auken;Liberal, Uffe Ellemann-Jensen; Conservative, Poul Schluter; RadicalLiberal, Niels Helveg Petersen; Socialist People's, Gert Petersen;Communist, Ole Sohn; Left Socialist, Elizabeth Brun Olesen; CenterDemocratic, Mimi Stilling Jakobsen; Christian People's, FlemmingKofoed-Svendsen; Justice, Poul Gerhard Kristiansen; Progress Party,Aage Brusgaard; Socialist Workers Party, leader NA; CommunistWorkers' Party (KAP); Common Course, Preben Moller Hansen; GreenParty, Inger Borlehmann~Suffrage~: universal at age 21~Elections~: Parliament--last held 10 May 1988 (next to be held by May1992); results--Social Democrat 29.9%, Conservative 19.3%, SocialistPeople's 13.0%, Liberal 11.8%, Radical Liberal 9.0%, CenterDemocratic 5.6%, Christian People's 2.0%, Common Course 2.7%, other6.7%; seats--(175 total; includes 2 from Greenland and 2 from theFaroe Islands) Social Democratic 55, Conservative 35, SocialistPeople's 24, Liberal 22, Progress 16, Radical Liberal 10, CenterDemocratic 9, Christian People's 4~Member of~: ADB, CCC, Council of Europe, DAC, EC, EMS, ESA, FAO, GATT,IAEA, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, ICES, ICO, IDA, IDB, Inter-AmericanDevelopment Bank, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, ILZSG, IMF, IMO,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ISO, ITC, ITU, IWC--International WheatCouncil, NATO, Nordic Council, OECD, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WSG~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Peter Pedersen DYVIG; Chanceryat 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone]; there are Danish Consulates General at Chicago, Houston,Los Angeles, and New York; US--Ambassador Keith L. BROWN; Embassy atDag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen O (mailing address is APONew York 09170); telephone ╒45σ (31) 42 31 44~Flag~: 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 thatdesign element of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) was subsequentlyadopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway,and Sweden~
Economy~Overview~: This modern economy features high-tech agriculture,up-to-date small-scale and corporate industry, extensive governmentwelfare measures, comfortable living standards, and high dependenceon foreign trade. Growth in output, however, has been sluggish in1987-89, and unemployment in early 1989 stood at 9.6% of the laborforce. The government is trying to revitalize growth in preparationfor the economic integration of Europe in 1992.~GDP~: $73.7 billion, per capita $14,300; real growth rate 1.4% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 4.25% (1989 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 9.6% (1989)~Budget~: revenues $34 billion; expenditures $34 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $19 billion (1988)~Exports~: $27.7 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--meat andmeat products, dairy products, transport equipment, fish, chemicals,industrial machinery; partners--US 6.0%, FRG, Norway, Sweden, UK,other EC, Japan~Imports~: $26.4 billion (c.i.f., 1989 est.); commodities--petroleum,machinery and equipment, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, textiles,paper; partners--US 7.0%, FRG, Netherlands, Sweden, UK, other EC~External debt~: $41.1 billion (1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate 0.9% (1988)~Electricity~: 11,215,000 kW capacity; 30,910 million kWh produced,6,030 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: food processing, machinery and equipment, textiles andclothing, chemical products, electronics, construction, furniture,and other wood products~Agriculture~: accounts for 7% of GNP and employs 1.8% of labor force(includes fishing); farm products account for nearly 16% of exportrevenues; principal products--meat, dairy, grain, potatoes, rape,sugar beets, fish; self-sufficient in food production~Aid~: donor--ODA and OOF commitments (1970-87) $4.8 billion~Currency~: Danish krone (plural--kroner); 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100ore~Exchange rates~: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1--6.560 (January 1990),7.310 (1989), 6.732 (1988), 6.840 (1987), 8.091 (1986), 10.596(1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 2,675 km 1.435-meter standard gauge; Danish State Railways(DSB) operate 2,025 km (1,999 km rail line and 121 km rail ferryservices); 188 km electrified, 730 km double tracked; 650 km ofstandard-gauge lines are privately owned and operated~Highways~: 66,482 km total; 64,551 km concrete, bitumen, or stoneblock; 1,931 km gravel, crushed stone, improved earth~Inland waterways~: 417 km~Pipelines~: crude oil, 110 km; refined products, 578 km; natural gas,700 km~Ports~: Alborg, Arhus, Copenhagen, Esbjerg, Fredericia; numeroussecondary and minor ports~Merchant marine~: 252 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,498,611GRT/6,711,011 DWT; includes 12 short-sea passenger, 82 cargo, 15refrigerated cargo, 28 container, 36 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1railcar carrier, 37 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 13chemical tanker, 12 liquefied gas, 4 livestock carrier, 12 bulk;note--Denmark has created a captive register called the DanishInternational Ship Register (DIS) as its own internal register; DISships do not have to meet Danish manning regulations, and theyamount to a flag of convenience within the Danish register; by theend of 1990, most Danish flag ships will belong to the DIS~Civil air~: 58 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 130 total, 114 usable; 27 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 9 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 6 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: excellent telephone, telegraph, and broadcastservices; 4,237,000 telephones; stations--2 AM, 15 (39 repeaters)FM, 27 (25 repeaters) TV stations; 7 submarine coaxial cables; 1satellite earth station operating in INTELSAT, 4 Atlantic Ocean,EUTELSAT, and domestic systems~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Royal Danish Army, Royal Danish Navy, Royal Danish AirForce~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 1,368,013; 1,180,865 fit for militaryservice; 37,228 reach military age (20) annually~Defense expenditures~: 2.1% of GDP, or $1.5 billion (1989 est.) ~[000000061~000441449~000000000~000000000~000006935~000000068~000431861~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Djibouti~
Geography~Total area~: 22,000 km2; land area: 21,980 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Massachusetts~Land boundaries~: 517 km total; Ethiopia 459 km, Somalia 58 km~Coastline~: 314 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 24 nm;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: possible claim by Somalia based on unification of ethnicSomalis~Climate~: desert; torrid, dry~Terrain~: coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains~Natural resources~: geothermal areas~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 9% meadows andpastures; NEGL% forest and woodland; 91% other~Environment~: vast wasteland~Note~: strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes andclose to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia~
People~Population~: 337,386 (July 1990), growth rate 2.6% (1990)~Birth rate~: 43 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 17 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 119 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 46 years male, 49 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 6.4 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Djiboutian(s); adjective--Djiboutian~Ethnic divisions~: 60% Somali (Issa); 35% Afar, 5% French, Arab,Ethiopian, and Italian~Religion~: 94% Muslim, 6% Christian~Language~: French (official); Arabic, Somali, and Afar widely used~Literacy~: 20%~Labor force~: NA, but a small number of semiskilled laborers at theport and 3,000 railway workers; 52% of population of working age(1983)~Organized labor~: 3,000 railway workers~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Djibouti~Type~: republic~Capital~: Djibouti~Administrative divisions~: 5 districts (cercles, singular--cercle);Ali Sahih, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjoura~Independence~: 27 June 1977 (from France; formerly French Territory ofthe Afars and Issas)~Constitution~: partial constitution ratified January 1981 by theChamber of Deputies~Legal system~: based on French civil law system, traditionalpractices, and Islamic law~National holiday~: Independence Day, 27 June (1977)~Executive branch~: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers~Legislative branch~: Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des Deputes)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Hassan GOULED Aptidon (since 24June 1977);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Barkat GOURAD Hamadou (since 30September 1978)~Political parties and leaders~: only party--People's Progress Assembly(RPP), Hassan Gouled Aptidon~Suffrage~: universal adult at age NA~Elections~: President--last held 24 April 1987 (next to be held April1993); results--President Hassan Gouled Aptidon was reelectedwithout opposition;  Chamber of Deputies--last held 24 April 1987 (next to be held April1992); results--RPP is the only party; seats--(65 total) RPP 65~Communists~: NA~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, Arab League, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA,IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL,ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Roble OLHAYE; Chancery(temporary) at the Djiboutian Permanent Mission to the UN; 866United Nations Plaza, Suite 4011, New York, NY 10017; telephone[phone]; US--Ambassador Robert S. BARRETT IV; Embassy atVilla Plateau du Serpent Boulevard, Marechal Joffre, Djibouti(mailing address is B. P. 185, Djibouti); telephone ╒253σ 35-38-49or 35-39-95, 35-29-16, 35-29-17~Flag~: two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light greenwith a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing ared five-pointed star in the center~
Economy~Overview~: The economy is based on service activities connected withthe country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone.Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region andan international transshipment and refueling center. It has fewnatural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore,heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help support its balanceof payments and to finance development projects. An unemploymentrate of over 50% continues to be a major problem.~GNP~: $333 million, $1,070 per capita; real growth rate - 0.7% (1986)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 8.0% (1987)~Unemployment rate~: over 50% (1987)~Budget~: revenues $117 million; expenditures $163 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $52 million (1987 est.)~Exports~: $128 million (f.o.b., 1986); commodities--hides and skins,coffee (in transit); partners--Middle East 50%, Africa 43%, WesternEurope 7%~Imports~: $198 million (f.o.b., 1986); commodities--foods, beverages,transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products; partners--EC36%, Africa 21%, Bahrain 14%, Asia 12%, US 2%~External debt~: $250 million (December 1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate - 1.6% (1986)~Electricity~: 110,000 kW capacity; 190 million kWh produced, 580 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: limited to a few small-scale enterprises, such as dairyproducts and mineral-water bottling~Agriculture~: accounts for 30% of GDP; scanty rainfall limits cropproduction to mostly fruit and vegetables; half of populationpastoral nomads herding goats, sheep, and camels; imports bulk offood needs~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY78-88), $36 million; Western(non-US) countries, including ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-87), $962 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $149 million;Communist countries (1970-88), $35 million~Currency~: Djiboutian franc (plural--francs); 1 Djiboutian franc (DF)= 100 centimes~Exchange rates~: Djiboutian francs (DF) per US$1--177.721 (fixed ratesince 1973)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: the Ethiopian-Djibouti railroad extends for 97 km throughDjibouti~Highways~: 2,900 km total; 280 km bituminous surface, 2,620 kmimproved or unimproved earth (1982)~Ports~: Djibouti~Civil air~: 2 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 12 total, 9 usable; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 withpermanent-surface runways; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 4 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: fair system of urban facilities in Djibouti andradio relay stations at outlying places; 7,300 telephones;stations--2 AM, 1 FM, 2 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth stationand 1 ARABSAT; 1 submarine cable to Saudi Arabia~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force; paramilitary National Security Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 88,132; 51,260 fit for militaryservice~Defense expenditures~: $29.9 million, 23% of central government budget(1986) ~[000000062~000448387~000000000~000000000~000006478~000000059~000441449~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Dominica~
Geography~Total area~: 750 km2; land area: 750 km2~Comparative area~: slightly more than four times the size ofWashington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 148 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 24 nm;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall~Terrain~: rugged mountains of volcanic origin~Natural resources~: timber~Land use~: 9% arable land; 13% permanent crops; 3% meadows andpastures; 41% forest and woodland; 34% other~Environment~: flash floods a constant hazard; occasional hurricanes~Note~: located 550 km southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea~
People~Population~: 84,854 (July 1990), growth rate 1.7% (1990)~Birth rate~: 26 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 4 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 13 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 73 years male, 79 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.6 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Dominican(s); adjective--Dominican~Ethnic divisions~: mostly black; some Carib indians~Religion~: 80% Roman Catholic; Anglican, Methodist~Language~: English (official); French patois widely spoken~Literacy~: 80% (est.)~Labor force~: 25,000; 40% agriculture, 32% industry and commerce, 28%services (1984)~Organized labor~: 25% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Commonwealth of Dominica~Type~: parliamentary democracy~Capital~: Roseau~Administrative divisions~: 10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David,Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark,Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter~Independence~: 3 November 1978 (from UK)~Constitution~: 3 November 1978~Legal system~: based on English common law~National holiday~: Independence Day, 3 November (1978)~Executive branch~: president, prime minister, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral House of Assembly (includes 9appointed senators and 21 elected representatives)~Judicial branch~: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Sir Clarence Augustus SEIGNORET(since 19 December 1983);  Head of Government--Prime Minister (Mary) Eugenia CHARLES (since 21July 1980)~Political parties and leaders~: Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), (Mary)Eugenia Charles; Labor Party of Dominica (LPD, a leftist-dominatedcoalition), Michael Douglas; United Workers Party (UWP), EdisonJames~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: President--last held 20 December 1988 (next to be heldDecember 1993); the president is elected by the House of Assembly;  House of Assembly--last held 1 July 1985 (next to be held July 1990);results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(21 total) DFP 17, LPD4~Communists~: negligible~Other political or pressure groups~: Dominica Liberation Movement(DLM), a small leftist group~Member of~: ACP, CARICOM, Commonwealth, FAO, GATT (de facto), G-77,IBRD, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, OAS, OECS, UN,UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: there is no Chancery in the US; US--noofficial presence since the Ambassador resides in Bridgetown(Barbados), but travels frequently to Dominica~Flag~: green with a centered cross of three equal bands--the verticalpart is yellow (hoist side), black, and white--the horizontal partis yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of thecross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 greenfive-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10administrative divisions (parishes)~
Economy~Overview~: The economy is dependent on agriculture and thus is highlyvulnerable to climatic conditions. Agriculture accounts for about30% of GDP and employs 40% of the labor force. Principal productsinclude bananas, coconuts, citrus, and root crops. In 1988 theeconomy achieved a 5.6% growth in real GDP on the strength of aboost in construction, higher agricultural production, and growth ofthe small manufacturing sector based on soap and garment industries. The tourist industry remains undeveloped because of a ruggedcoastline and the lack of an international-class airport.~GDP~: $137 million, per capita $1,408; real growth rate 5.6% (1988est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 4.9% (1987)~Unemployment rate~: 10% (1989 est.)~Budget~: revenues $60 million; expenditures $52 million, includingcapital expenditures of $18 million (FY88)~Exports~: $46 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities--bananas, coconuts,grapefruit, soap, galvanized sheets; partners--UK 72%, Jamaica 10%,OECS 6%, US 3%, other 9%~Imports~: $66.0 million (c.i.f., 1987); commodities--food, oils andfats, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, manufactured goods, machineryand equipment; partners--US 23%, UK 18%, CARICOM 15%, OECS 15%,Japan 5%, Canada 3%, other 21%~External debt~: $63.6 million (December 1987)~Industrial production~: growth rate 5.9% in manufacturing (1987)~Electricity~: 7,000 kW capacity; 16 million kWh produced, 190 kWh percapita (1989)~Industries~: agricultural processing, tourism, soap and othercoconut-based products, cigars, pumice mining~Agriculture~: accounts for 30% of GDP; principal crops--bananas,citrus fruit, coconuts, root crops; bananas provide the bulk ofexport earnings;  forestry and fisheries potential not exploited~Aid~: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-87), $109 million~Currency~: East Caribbean dollar (plural--dollars); 1 EC dollar (EC$)= 100 cents~Exchange rates~: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1--2.70 (fixedrate since 1976)~Fiscal year~: 1 July-30 June~
Communications~Highways~: 750 km total; 370 km paved, 380 km gravel and earth~Ports~: Roseau, Portsmouth~Civil air~: NA~Airports~: 2 total, 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 2,439 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: 4,600 telephones in fully automatic network; VHFand UHF link to St. Lucia; new SHF links to Martinique andGuadeloupe; stations--3 AM, 2 FM, 1 cable TV~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force~Military manpower~: NA~Defense expenditures~: NA ~[000000063~000454868~000000000~000000000~000009527~000000102~000448387~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Dominican Republic~
Geography~Total area~: 48,730 km2; land area: 48,380 km2~Comparative area~: slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire~Land boundary 275 km with Haiti~Coastline~: 1,288 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 24 nm;  Continental shelf: outer edge of continental margin or 200 nm;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 6 nm~Climate~: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation~Terrain~: rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleysinterspersed~Natural resources~: nickel, bauxite, gold, silver~Land use~: 23% arable land; 7% permanent crops; 43% meadows andpastures; 13% forest and woodland; 14% other; includes 4% irrigated~Environment~: subject to occasional hurricanes (July to October);deforestation~Note~: shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (western one-third isHaiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic)~
People~Population~: 7,240,793 (July 1990), growth rate 2.0% (1990)~Birth rate~: 28 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 1 migrant/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 62 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 65 years male, 69 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 3.2 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Dominican(s); adjective--Dominican~Ethnic divisions~: 73% mixed, 16% white, 11% black~Religion~: 95% Roman Catholic~Language~: Spanish~Literacy~: 74%~Labor force~: 2,300,000-2,600,000; 49% agriculture, 33% services, 18%industry (1986)~Organized labor~: 12% of labor force (1989 est.)~
Government~Long-form name~: Dominican Republic (no short-form name)~Type~: republic~Capital~: Santo Domingo~Administrative divisions~: 29 provinces (provincias,singular--provincia) and 1 district* (distrito); Azua, Baoruco,Barahona, Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*, Duarte, Elias Pina, El Seibo,Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, LaVega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor Nouel, Monte Cristi, MontePlata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samana, SanchezRamirez, San Cristobal, San Juan, San Pedro De Macoris, Santiago,Santiago Rodriguez, Valverde~Independence~: 27 February 1844 (from Haiti)~Constitution~: 28 November 1966~Legal system~: based on French civil codes~National holiday~: Independence Day, 27 February (1844)~Executive branch~: president, vice president, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)consists of an upper chamber or Senate (Senado) and lower chamber orChamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President JoaquinBALAGUER Ricardo (since 16 August 1986); Vice President Carlos A.MORALES Troncoso (since 16 August 1986)~Political parties and leaders~:  Major parties--Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC), JoaquinBalaguer Ricardo; Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), whichfractured in May 1989 with the understanding that leading rivalsJacobo Majluta and Jose Francisco Pena Gomez would run separatelyfor president at the head of the Independent Revolutionary Party(PRI) and the Social Democratic Institutional Bloc (BIS),respectively, and try to reconstitute the PRD after the election;Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), Juan Bosch Gavino;  Minor parties--National Veterans and Civilian Party (PNVC), Juan ReneBeauchanps Javier; The Structure (LE), Andres Van Der Horst;Democratic Quisqueyan Party (PQD), Elias Wessin Chavez;Constitutional Action Party (PAC), Luis Arzeno Rodriguez; NationalProgressive Force (FNP), Marino Vinicio Castillo; Popular ChristianParty (PPC), Rogelio Delgado Bogaert; Dominican Communist Party(PCD), Narciso Isa Conde; Anti-Imperialist Patriotic Union (UPA),Ivan Rodriguez; in 1983 several leftist parties, including the PCD,joined to form the Dominican Leftist Front (FID); however, theystill retain individual party structures~Suffrage~: universal and compulsory at age 18 or if married; membersof the armed forces and police cannot vote~Elections~: President--last held 16 May 1986 (next to be held May1990); results--Joaquin Balaguer (PRSC) 41.8%, Jacobo Majluta (PRD)39.7%, Juan Bosch Gavino (PLD) 18.5%;  Senate--last held 16 May 1986 (next to be held May 1990);results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(30 total) PRSC 21, PRD7, PLD 2;  Chamber of Deputies--last held 16 May 1986 (next to be held May1990); results--PRSC 40.6%, PRD 33.5%, PLD 18.3%, LE 5.3%, other2.3%; seats--(120 total) PRSC 56, PRD 48, PLD 16~Communists~: an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 members in several legal andillegal factions; effectiveness limited by ideological differencesand organizational inadequacies~Member of~: FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBA, IBRD, ICAO, ICO, IDA,IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOOC, IRC, ISO, ITU, OAS, PAHO, SELA, UN,UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Carlos A. MORALES Troncoso(serves concurrently as Vice President); Chancery at 1715 22ndStreet NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone]; there areDominican Consulates General in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles,Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia,San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Consulates in Charlotte Amalie (VirginIslands), Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville, Minneapolis, Mobile, Ponce(Puerto Rico), and San Francisco; US--Ambassador Paul D. TAYLOR;Embassy at the corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and CalleLeopoldo Navarro, Santo Domingo (mailing address is APO Miami34041-0008); telephone ╒809σ 541-2171~Flag~: a centered white cross that extends to the edges, divides theflag into four rectangles--the top ones are blue (hoist side) andred, the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat ofarms is at the center of the cross~
Economy~Overview~: The economy is largely dependent on the agriculturalsector, which employs 50% of the labor force and provides about halfof export revenues. The principal commercial crop is sugarcane,followed by coffee, cocoa, and tobacco. Industry is based on theprocessing of agricultural products, durable consumer goods,minerals, and chemicals. Rapid growth of free trade zones hasestablished a significant expansion of manufacturing for export,especially wearing apparel. Over the past decade tourism has alsoincreased in importance and is a significant earner of foreignexchange and a source of new jobs. Unemployment is officiallyreported at about 25%, but underemployment may be much higher.~GDP~: $5.1 billion, per capita $790; real growth rate 0.5% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 57.6% (1988)~Unemployment rate~: 25% (1988)~Budget~: revenues $413 million; expenditures $522 million, includingcapital expenditures of $218 million (1988)~Exports~: $711 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--sugar, coffee,cocoa, gold, ferronickel; partners--US, including Puerto Rico, 74%~Imports~: $1.8 billion (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--foodstuffs,petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals;partners--US, including Puerto Rico, 37% (1985)~External debt~: $3.6 billion (1989) est.~Industrial production~: growth rate 30% (1987 est.)~Electricity~: 1,376,000 kW capacity; 4,000 million kWh produced, 560kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining,textiles, cement, tobacco~Agriculture~: accounts for 18% of GDP and employs 49% of labor force;sugarcane most important commercial crop, followed by coffee,cotton, and cocoa; food crops--rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas;animal output--cattle, hogs, dairy products, meat, eggs; notself-sufficient in food~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $1.1 billion; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$529 million~Currency~: Dominican peso (plural--pesos); 1 Dominican peso (RD$) =100 centavos~Exchange rates~: Dominican pesos per US$1--6.3400 (January 1990),6.3400 (1989), 6.1125 (1988), 3.8448 (1987), 2.9043 (1986), 3.1126(1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 1,655 km total in numerous segments; 4 different gaugesfrom 0.558 m to 1.435 m~Highways~: 12,000 km total; 5,800 km paved, 5,600 km gravel andimproved earth, 600 km unimproved~Pipelines~: crude oil, 96 km; refined products, 8 km~Ports~: Santo Domingo, Haina, San Pedro de Macoris, Puerto Plata~Merchant marine~: 4 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 23,335GRT/40,297 DWT~Civil air~: 14 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 44 total, 30 usable; 14 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 9 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: relatively efficient domestic system based onislandwide radio relay network; 190,000 telephones; stations--120AM, no FM, 18 TV, 6 shortwave; 1 coaxial submarine cable; 1 AtlanticOcean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 1,912,101; 1,210,172 fit for militaryservice; 80,290 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 1.2% of GDP, or $61 million (1989 est.) ~[000000064~000464398~000000000~000000000~000010085~000000109~000454868~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Ecuador~
Geography~Total area~: 283,560 km2; land area: 276,840 km2; includes GalapagosIslands~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Nevada~Land boundaries~: 2,010 km total; Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km~Coastline~: 2,237 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 m;  Territorial sea: 200 nm~Disputes~: two sections of the boundary with Peru are in dispute~Climate~: tropical along coast becoming cooler inland~Terrain~: coastal plain (Costa), inter-Andean central highlands(Sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (Oriente)~Natural resources~: petroleum, fish, timber~Land use~: 6% arable land; 3% permanent crops; 17% meadows andpastures; 51% forest and woodland; 23% other; includes 2% irrigated~Environment~: subject to frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanicactivity; deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; periodicdroughts~Note~: Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world~
People~Population~: 10,506,668 (July 1990), growth rate 2.3% (1990)~Birth rate~: 30 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 61 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 64 years male, 68 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 3.8 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Ecuadorian(s); adjective--Ecuadorian~Ethnic divisions~: 55% mestizo (mixed Indian and Spanish), 25% Indian,10% Spanish, 10% black~Religion~: 95% Roman Catholic~Language~: Spanish (official); Indian languages, especially Quechua~Literacy~: 85% (1981)~Labor force~: 2,800,000; 35% agriculture, 21% manufacturing, 16%commerce, 28% services and other activities (1982)~Organized labor~: less than 15% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Ecuador~Type~: republic~Capital~: Quito~Administrative divisions~: 21 provinces (provincias,singular--provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo,Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, LosRios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios,Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe~Independence~: 24 May 1822 (from Spain; Battle of Pichincha)~Constitution~: 10 August 1979~Legal system~: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Independence Day, 10 August (1809, independence ofQuito)~Executive branch~: president, vice president, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral Chamber of Representatives (Camara deRepresentantes)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President RodrigoBORJA Cevallos (since 10 August 1988); Vice President Luis PARODIValverde (since 10 August 1988)~Political parties and leaders~: Right to center parties--SocialChristian Party (PSC), Camilio Ponce, president; Conservative Party(PC), Jose Teran Varea, director; Radical Liberal Party (PLR),Blasco Penaherrera, director;  Centrist parties--Concentration of Popular Forces (CFP), AverroesBucaram Saxida, director; Radical Alfarist Front (FRA), CeciliaCalderon de Castro, leader; People, Change, and Democracy (PCD),Aquiles Rigail Santistevan, director; Revolutionary NationalistParty (PNR), Carlos Julio Arosemena Monroy, leader;  Center-left parties--Democratic Left (ID), President Rodrigo Borja,leader; Roldosist Party of Ecuador (PRE), Abdala Bucaram, director;Popular Democracy (DP), Vladimiro Alvarez, leader; ChristianDemocratic (CD), Julio Cesar Trujillo; Democratic Party (PD),Francisco Huerta Montalvo, leader;  Far-left parties--Broad Leftist Front (FADI), Rene Mauge Mosquera,director; Socialist Party (PSE), Victor Granda Aguilar, secretarygeneral; Democratic Popular Movement (MPD), Jaime Hurtado Gonzalez,leader; Ecuadorian National Liberation (LN), Alfredo Castillo;Popular Revolutionary Action Party (APRE), Lt. Gen. Frank VargasPazzos, leader~Suffrage~: universal at age 18; compulsory for literate persons ages18-65, optional for other eligible voters~Elections~: President--first round held 31 January 1988 and secondround on 8 May 1988 (next first round to be held January 1992 andsecond round May 1992); results--Rodrigo Borja Cevallos (ID) 54%,Abdala Bucaram Ortiz (PRE) 46%;  Chamber of Representatives--last held 31 January 1988 (next to beheld June 1990); results--ID 42%, PSC 11%, PRE 11%, DP 9%, others27%; seats--(71 total) ID 30, PRE 8, PSC 8, DP 7, CFP 6, PSE 4, FADI2, MPD 2, FRA 2, PCE 1, PLR 1; note--with the addition of the newprovince of Sucumbios there will be 72 seats in the August 1990election~Communists~: Communist Party of Ecuador (PCE, pro-Moscow), Rene MaugeMosquera, secretary general, 5,000 members; Communist Party ofEcuador/Marxist Leninist (PCMLE, Maoist), 3,000 members; SocialistParty of Ecuador (PSE, pro-Cuba), 5,000 members (est.); NationalLiberation Party (PLN, Communist), 5,000 members (est.)~Member of~: Andean Pact, ECOSOC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICO, IDA, IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO,IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IRC, ITU, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPEC, PAHO,SELA, UN, UNESCO, UPEB, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Jaime MONCAYO; Chancery at 253515th Street NW, Washington DC 20009; telephone [phone]; thereare Ecuadorian Consulates General in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles,Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco, and a Consulate inSan Diego; US--Ambassador-designate Paul C. LAMBERT; Embassy atAvenida Patria 120, on the corner of Avenida 12 de Octubre, Quito(mailing address is P. O. Box 538, Quito, or APO Miami 34039);telephone ╒593σ (2) 562-890; there is a US Consulate General inGuayaquil~Flag~: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, andred 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 acoat of arms~
Economy~Overview~: Ecuador continues to recover from a 1986 drop ininternational oil prices and a major earthquake in 1987 thatinterrupted oil exports for six months and forced Ecuador to suspendforeign debt payments. In 1988-89 oil exports recovered--accountingfor nearly half of Ecuador's total export revenues--and Quitoresumed full interest payments on its official debt, and partialpayments on its commercial debt. The Borja administration haspursued austere economic policies that have helped reduce inflationand restore international reserves. Ecuador was granted an IMFstandby agreement worth $135 million in 1989, and Quito will seek toreschedule its foreign commercial debt in 1990.~GDP~: $9.8 billion, per capita $935; real growth rate 0.5% (1989)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 54% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 14.3% (1988)~Budget~: revenues $2.2 billion; expenditures $2.7 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $601 million (1988 est.)~Exports~: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--petroleum 47%,coffee, bananas, cocoa products, shrimp, fish products; partners--US58%, Latin America, Caribbean, EC countries~Imports~: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--transportequipment, vehicles, machinery, chemical, petroleum; partners--US28%, Latin America, Caribbean, EC, Japan~External debt~: $10.9 billion (1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate 0.7% (1988)~Electricity~: 1,953,000 kW capacity; 5,725 million kWh produced, 560kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: food processing, textiles, chemicals, fishing, timber,petroleum~Agriculture~: accounts for 18% of GDP and 35% of labor force(including fishing and forestry); leading producer and exporter ofbananas and balsawood; other exports--coffee, cocoa, fish, shrimp;crop production--rice, potatoes, manioc, plantains, sugarcane;livestock sector--cattle, sheep, hogs, beef, pork, dairy products;net importer of foodgrain, dairy products, and sugar~Illicit drugs~: relatively small producer of coca following thesuccessful eradication campaign of 1985-87; significant transitcountry, however, for derivatives of coca originating in Colombia,Bolivia, and Peru~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $457 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$1.4 billion; Communist countries (1970-88), $64 million~Currency~: sucre (plural--sucres); 1 sucre (S/) = 100 centavos~Exchange rates~: sucres (S/) per US$1--526.35 (1989), 301.61 (1988),170.46 (1987), 122.78 (1986), 69.56 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 965 km total; all 1.067-meter-gauge single track~Highways~: 28,000 km total; 3,600 km paved, 17,400 km gravel andimproved earth, 7,000 km unimproved earth~Inland waterways~: 1,500 km~Pipelines~: crude oil, 800 km; refined products, 1,358 km~Ports~: Guayaquil, Manta, Puerto Bolivar, Esmeraldas~Merchant marine~: 47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 340,446GRT/492,670 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 7 cargo, 17 refrigeratedcargo, 2 container, 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 16 petroleum, oils,and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1 liquefied gas, 1bulk~Civil air~: 44 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 179 total, 178 usable; 43 with permanent-surface runways; 1with runways over 3,659 m; 6 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 20 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: domestic facilities generally adequate; 318,000telephones; stations--272 AM, no FM, 33 TV, 39 shortwave; 1 AtlanticOcean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Ecuadorean Army (Ejercito Ecuatoriano), Ecuadorean AirForce (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana), Ecuadorean Navy (ArmadaEcuatoriana)~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 2,635,543; 1,786,068 fit for militaryservice; 114,976 reach military age (20) annually~Defense expenditures~: 1% of GDP, or $100 million (1988 est.) ~[000000065~000474486~000000000~000000000~000011389~000000128~000464398~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Egypt~
Geography~Total area~: 1,001,450 km2; land area: 995,450 km2~Comparative area~: slightly more than three times the size of NewMexico~Land boundaries~: 2,689 km total; Gaza Strip 11, Israel 255 km, Libya1,150 km, Sudan 1,273 km~Coastline~: 2,450 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 24 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Extended economic zone: undefined;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: Administrative Boundary and international boundary withSudan~Climate~: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters~Terrain~: vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta~Natural resources~: crude oil, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates,manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc~Land use~: 3% arable land; 2% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; NEGL% forest and woodland; 95% other; includes 5%irrigated~Environment~: Nile is only perennial water source; increasing soilsalinization below Aswan High Dam; hot, driving windstorm calledkhamsin occurs in spring; water pollution; desertification~Note~: controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa andremainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, shortest sealink between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean; size and juxtapositionto Israel establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics~
People~Population~: 54,705,746 (July 1990), growth rate 2.5% (1990)~Birth rate~: 34 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 90 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 60 years male, 61 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 4.7 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Egyptian(s); adjective--Egyptian~Ethnic divisions~: 90% Eastern Hamitic stock; 10% Greek, Italian,Syro-Lebanese~Religion~: (official estimate) 94% Muslim (mostly Sunni), 6% CopticChristian and other~Language~: Arabic (official); English and French widely understood byeducated classes~Literacy~: 45%~Labor force~: 15,000,000 (1989 est.); 36% government, public sectorenterprises, and armed forces; 34% agriculture; 20% privately ownedservice and manufacturing enterprises (1984); shortage of skilledlabor; 2,500,000 Egyptians work abroad, mostly in Iraq and the GulfArab states (1988 est.)~Organized labor~: 2,500,000 (est.)~
Government~Long-form name~: Arab Republic of Egypt~Type~: republic~Capital~: Cairo~Administrative divisions~: 26 governorates (muhafazat,singular--muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrah,Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Ismailiyah, Al Jizah,Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid,Ash Sharqiyah, As Suways, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Said,Dumyat, Janub Sina, Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina,Suhaj~Independence~: 28 February 1922 (from UK); formerly United ArabRepublic~Constitution~: 11 September 1971~Legal system~: based on English common law, Islamic law, andNapoleonic codes; judicial review by Supreme Court and Council ofState (oversees validity of administrative decisions); acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations~National holiday~: Anniversary of the Revolution, 23 July (1952)~Executive branch~: president, prime minister, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral People's Assembly (Majlis al-Shaab);note--there is an Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura) that functionsin a consultative role~Judicial branch~: Supreme Constitutional Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (was madeacting President on 6 October 1981 upon the assassination ofPresident Sadat and sworn in as President on 14 October 1981);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Atef Mohammed Najib SEDKY (since12 November 1986)~Political parties and leaders~: formation of political parties must beapproved by government; National Democratic Party (NDP), PresidentMohammed Hosni Mubarak, leader, is the dominant party; legalopposition parties are Socialist Liberal Party (SLP), Kamal Murad;Socialist Labor Party, Ibrahim Shukri; National Progressive UnionistGrouping, Khalid Muhyi-al-Din; Umma Party, Ahmad al-Sabahi; and NewWafd Party (NWP), Fuad Siraj al-Din~Suffrage~: universal and compulsory at age 18~Elections~: President--last held 5 October 1987 (next to be heldOctober 1993); results--President Hosni Mubarek was reelected;  People's Assembly--last held 6 April 1987 (next to be held April1992); results--NDP 69.3%, Socialist Labor Party Coalition 17%, NWP10.9%; seats--(458 total, 448 elected)--NDP 346, Socialist LaborParty Coalition 60, Labor-Liberal-Muslim Brotherhood Alliance 60 (37belong to the Muslim Brotherhood), NWP 36, independents 7;  Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura)--last held October 1986 (next tobe held October 1992); results--percent of vote by party NA;seats--(210 total, 140 elected)~Communists~: about 500 party members~Other political or pressure groups~: Islamic groups are illegal, butthe largest one, the Muslim Brotherhood, is tolerated by thegovernment and recently gained a sizable presence in the newPeople's Assembly; trade unions and professional associations areofficially sanctioned~Member of~: ACC, AfDB, Arab League, CCC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD,ICAC, ICAO, IDA, IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO,IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOOC, IPU, IRC, ITU,IWC--International Wheat Council, NAM, OAPEC, OAU, OIC, UN, UNESCO,UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WPC, WSG, WTO; Egypt was suspended from ArabLeague and OAPEC in April 1979 and readmitted in May 1989~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador El Sayed Abdel Raouf EL REEDY;Chancery at 2310 Decatur Place NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone[phone]; there are Egyptian Consulates General in Chicago,Houston, New York, and San Francisco; US--Ambassador Frank G.WISNER; Embassy at 5 Sharia Latin America, Garden City, Cairo(mailing address is FPO New York 09527); telephone ╒20σ ╒2σ355-7371; there is a US Consulate General in Alexandria~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blackwith the national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden eaglefacing the hoist side above a scroll bearing the name of the countryin Arabic) centered in the white band; similar to the flags of theYAR which has one star, Syria which has two stars, and Iraq whichhas three stars--all green and five-pointed in a horizontal linecentered in the white band~
Economy~Overview~: Egypt has one of the largest public sectors of all theThird World economies, most industrial plants being owned by thegovernment. Overregulation holds back technical modernization andforeign investment. Even so, the economy grew rapidly during thelate 1970s and early 1980s, but in 1986 the collapse of world oilprices and an increasingly heavy burden of debt servicing led Egyptto begin negotiations with the IMF for balance-of-payments support.As part of the 1987 agreement with the IMF, the government agreed toinstitute a reform program to reduce inflation, promote economicgrowth, and improve its external position. The reforms have beenslow in coming, however, and the economy has been largely stagnantfor the past three years. With 1 million people being added everyeight months to Egypt's population, urban growth exerts enormouspressure on the 5% of the total land area available for agriculture.~GDP~: $38.3 billion, per capita $700; real growth rate 1.0% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 25% (1989 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 15% (1989 est.)~Budget~: revenues $7 billion; expenditures $11.5 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $4 billion (FY89 est.)~Exports~: $2.55 billion (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--raw cotton, crudeand refined petroleum, cotton yarn, textiles; partners--US, EC,Japan, Eastern Europe~Imports~: $10.1 billion (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--foods, machineryand equipment, fertilizers, wood products, durable consumer goods,capital goods; partners--US, EC, Japan, Eastern Europe~External debt~: $45 billion (December 1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate 2-4% (1989 est.)~Electricity~: 11,273,000 kW capacity; 42,500 million kWh produced, 780kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, petroleum,construction, cement, metals~Agriculture~: accounts for 20% of GNP and employs more than one-thirdof labor force; dependent on irrigation water from the Nile; world'sfifth-largest cotton exporter; other crops produced include rice,corn, wheat, beans, fruit, vegetables; not self-sufficient in food;livestock--cattle, water buffalo, sheep, and goats; annual fishcatch about 140,000 metric tons~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $14.7 billion;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-87), $7.8 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $2.9 billion;Communist countries (1970-88), $2.4 billion~Currency~: Egyptian pound (plural--pounds); 1 Egyptian pound (LE) =100 piasters~Exchange rates~: Egyptian pounds (LE) per US$1--2.5790 (January 1990),2.5171 (1989), 2.2128 (1988), 1.5015 (1987), 1.3503 (1986), 1.3010(1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 July-30 June~
Communications~Railroads~: 5,110 km total; 4,763 km 1,435-meter standard gauge, 347km 0.750-meter gauge; 951 km double track; 25 km electrified~Highways~: 51,925 km total; 17,900 km paved, 2,500 km gravel, 13,500km improved earth, 18,025 km unimproved earth~Inland waterways~: 3,500 km (including the Nile, Lake Nasser,Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in thedelta); Suez Canal, 193.5 km long (including approaches), used byoceangoing vessels drawing up to 16.1 meters of water~Pipelines~: crude oil, 1,171 km; refined products, 596 km; naturalgas, 460 km~Ports~: Alexandria, Port Said, Suez, Bur Safajah, Damietta~Merchant marine~: 142 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,141,799GRT/1,754,181 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 7 short-sea passenger, 2passenger-cargo, 88 cargo, 2 refrigerated cargo, 13 roll-on/roll-offcargo, 14 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 15 bulk~Civil air~: 43 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 97 total, 87 usable; 67 with permanent-surface runways; 2with runways over 3,659 m; 46 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 21 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: system is large but still inadequate for needs;principal centers are Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah, Ismailia, andTanta; intercity connections by coaxial cable and microwave;extensive upgrading in progress; 600,000 telephones (est.);stations--25 AM, 5 FM, 47 TV; satellite earth stations--1 AtlanticOcean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 INMARSAT; 4 submarinecoaxial cables; tropospheric scatter to Sudan; radio relay to Libya(may not be operational); new radio relay to Jordan~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 13,271,942; 8,642,075 fit formilitary service; 547,084 reach military age (20) annually~Defense expenditures~: 7.2% of GDP, or $2.8 billion (FY90 est.) ~[000000066~000485878~000000000~000000000~000010961~000000128~000474486~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]El Salvador~
Geography~Total area~: 21,040 km2; land area: 20,720 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Massachusetts~Land boundaries~: 545 km total; Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km~Coastline~: 307 km~Maritime claims~:  Territorial sea: 200 nm (overflight and navigation permitted beyond12 nm)~Disputes~: several sections of the boundary with Honduras are indispute~Climate~: tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season(November to April)~Terrain~: mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and centralplateau~Natural resources~: hydropower and geothermal power, crude oil~Land use~: 27% arable land; 8% permanent crops; 29% meadows andpastures; 6% forest and woodland; 30% other; includes 5% irrigated~Environment~: The Land of Volcanoes; subject to frequent and sometimesvery destructive earthquakes; deforestation; soil erosion; waterpollution~Note~: smallest Central American country and only one without acoastline on Caribbean Sea~
People~Population~: 5,309,865 (July 1990), growth rate 2.0% (1990)~Birth rate~: 34 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 7 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 49 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 62 years male, 68 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 4.1 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Salvadoran(s); adjective--Salvadoran~Ethnic divisions~: 89% mestizo, 10% Indian, 1% white~Religion~: about 97% Roman Catholic, with activity by Protestantgroups throughout the country~Language~: Spanish, Nahua (among some Indians)~Literacy~: 65%~Labor force~: 1,700,000 (1982 est.); 40% agriculture, 16% commerce,15% manufacturing, 13% government, 9% financial services, 6%transportation; shortage of skilled labor and a large pool ofunskilled labor, but manpower training programs improving situation(1984 est.)~Organized labor~: 15% total labor force; 10% agricultural labor force;7% urban labor force (1987 est.)~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of El Salvador~Type~: republic~Capital~: San Salvador~Administrative divisions~: 14 departments (departamentos,singular--departamento); Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango,Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, SanSalvador, Santa Ana, San Vicente, Sonsonate, Usulutan~Independence~: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)~Constitution~: 20 December 1983~Legal system~: based on civil and Roman law, with traces of commonlaw; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court;accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations~National holiday~: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)~Executive branch~: president, vice president, Council of Ministers(cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral Legislative Assembly (AsambleaLegislativa)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President AlfredoCRISTIANI (since 1 June 1989); Vice President Jose Francisco MERINO(since 1 June 1989)~Political parties and leaders~: National Republican Alliance (ARENA),Armando Calderon Sol; Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Jose AntonioMorales Erlich; National Conciliation Party (PCN), Ciro Cruz Zepeda;Democratic Action (AD), Ricardo Gonzalez Camacho; SalvadoranAuthentic Institutional Party (PAISA), Roberto Escobar Garcia;Patria Libre (PL), Hugo Barrera; Authentic Christian Movement (MAC),Julio Rey Prendes; Salvadoran Popular Party (PPS), FranciscoQuinonez; Democratic Convergence (CD), a coalition composed of theSocial Democratic Party (PSD), Mario Rene Roldan; the NationalRevolutionary Movement (MNR), Guillermo Ungo; and the Popular SocialChristian Movement (MPSC), Ruben Zamora~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: President--last held 19 March 1989 (next to be held March1994); results--Alfredo Cristiani (ARENA) 53.8%, Fidel Chavez Mena(PDC) 36.6%, other 9.6%;  Legislative Assembly--last held 20 March 1988 (next to be held March1991); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(60 total) ARENA32, MAC 13, PDC 9, PCN 6~Other political or pressure groups~:  Leftist revolutionary movement--Farabundo Marti National LiberationFront (FMLN), leadership body of the insurgency; Popular LiberationForces (FPL), Armed Forces of National Resistance (FARN), People'sRevolutionary Army (ERP), Salvadoran Communist Party/Armed Forces ofLiberation (PCES/FAL), and Central American Workers' RevolutionaryParty (PRTC)/Popular Liberation Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARLP); Militant front organizations--Revolutionary Coordinator of Masses(CRM; alliance of front groups), Popular Revolutionary Bloc (BPR),Unified Popular Action Front (FAPU), Popular Leagues of 28 February(LP-28), National Democratic Union (UDN), and Popular LiberationMovement (MLP); Revolutionary Democratic Front (FDR), coalition ofCRM and Democratic Front (FD); FD consists of moderate leftistgroups--Independent Movement of Professionals and Technicians of ElSalvador (MIPTES), National Revolutionary Movement (MNR), andPopular Social Christian Movement (MPSC);  Extreme rightist vigilante organizations--Anti-Communist Army (ESA);Maximiliano Hernandez Brigade; Organization for Liberation FromCommunism (OLC);  Labor organizations--Federation of Construction and Transport WorkersUnions (FESINCONSTRANS), independent; Salvadoran Communal Union(UCS), peasant association; Unitary Federation of Salvadoran Unions(FUSS), leftist; National Federation of Salvadoran Workers(FENASTRAS), leftist; Democratic Workers Central (CTD), moderate;General Confederation of Workers (CGT), moderate; Popular DemocraticUnity (UPD), moderate labor coalition which includes FESINCONSTRANS,and other democratic labor organizations; National Unity ofSalvadoran Workers (UNTS), leftist; National Union of Workers andPeasants (UNOC), moderate labor coalition of democratic labororganizations;  Business organizations--National Association of Private Enterprise(ANEP), conservative; Productive Alliance (AP), conservative;National Federation of Salvadoran Small Businessmen (FENAPES),conservative~Member of~: CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, ICO, IDA,IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, ITU, IWC--International Wheat Council, OAS,ODECA, PAHO, SELA, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Miguel Angel SALAVERRIA;Chancery at 2308 California Street NW, Washington DC 20008;telephone [phone] through 3482; there are SalvadoranConsulates General in Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, NewYork, and San Francisco, US--Ambassador William G. WALKER; Embassyat 25 Avenida Norte No. 1230, San Salvador (mailing address is APOMiami 34023); telephone ╒503σ 26-7100~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and bluewith the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coatof arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DEEL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaraguawhich has a different coat of arms centered in the white band--itfeatures a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA ontop and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag ofHonduras which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centeredin the white band~
Economy~Overview~: The economy experienced a modest recovery during the period1983-86, after a sharp decline in the early 1980s. Real GDP grew by1.5% a year on the strength of value added by the manufacturing andservice sectors. In 1987 the economy expanded by 2.5% asagricultural output recovered from the 1986 drought. Theagricultural sector accounts for 25% of GDP, employs about 40% ofthe labor force, and contributes about 66% to total exports. Coffeeis the major commercial crop, contributing 60% to export earnings.The manufacturing sector, based largely on food and beverageprocessing, accounts for 17% of GDP and 16% of employment. Economiclosses due to guerrilla sabotage total more than $2.0 billion since1979. The costs of maintaining a large military seriously constrainthe government's ability to provide essential social services.~GDP~: $5.5 billion, per capita $1,020 (1988); real growth rate 0.9%(1989 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 16.8% (September 1989)~Unemployment rate~: 10% (1989)~Budget~: revenues $688 million; expenditures $725 million, includingcapital expenditures of $112 million (1988)~Exports~: $497 million (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--coffee 60%, sugar,cotton, shrimp; partners--US 49%, FRG 24%, Guatemala 7%, Costa Rica4%, Japan 4%~Imports~: $1.1 billion (c.i.f., 1989); commodities--petroleumproducts, consumer goods, foodstuffs, machinery, constructionmaterials, fertilizer; partners--US 40%, Guatemala 12%, Venezuela7%, Mexico 7%, FRG 5%, Japan 4%~External debt~: $1.7 billion (December 1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate 2.9% (1989)~Electricity~: 669,000 kW capacity; 1,813 million kWh produced, 350 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: food processing, textiles, clothing, petroleum products,cement~Agriculture~: accounts for 25% of GDP and 40% of labor force(including fishing and forestry); coffee most important commercialcrop; other products--sugarcane, corn, rice, beans, oilseeds, beef,dairy products, shrimp; not self-sufficient in food~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $2.4 billion; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$353 million~Currency~: Salvadoran colon (plural--colones); 1 Salvadoran colon (C)= 100 centavos~Exchange rates~: Salvadoran colones (C) per US$1--5.0000 (fixed ratesince 1986)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 602 km 0.914-meter gauge, single track~Highways~: 10,000 km total; 1,500 km paved, 4,100 km gravel, 4,400 kmimproved and unimproved earth~Inland waterways~: Rio Lempa partially navigable~Ports~: Acajutla, Cutuco~Civil air~: 7 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 125 total, 84 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 5 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: nationwide trunk radio relay system; connectioninto Central American Microwave System; 116,000 telephones;stations--77 AM, no FM, 5 TV, 2 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSATearth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, National Police,Treasury Police~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 1,180,751; 754,350 fit for militaryservice; 68,805 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 4% of GDP, or $220 million (1990 est.) ~[000000067~000496842~000000000~000000000~000007454~000000072~000485878~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Equatorial Guinea~
Geography~Total area~: 28,050 km2; land area: 28,050 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Maryland~Land boundaries~: 539 km total; Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km~Coastline~: 296 km~Maritime claims~:  Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: maritime boundary dispute with Gabon~Climate~: tropical; always hot, humid~Terrain~: coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic~Natural resources~: timber, crude oil, small unexploited deposits ofgold, manganese, uranium~Land use~: 8% arable land; 4% permanent crops; 4% meadows andpastures; 51% forest and woodland; 33% other~Environment~: subject to violent windstorms~Note~: insular and continental regions rather widely separated~
People~Population~: 368,935 (July 1990), growth rate 2.6% (1990)~Birth rate~: 43 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 16 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 118 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 48 years male, 52 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 5.5 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s);adjective--Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean~Ethnic divisions~: indigenous population of Bioko, primarily Bubi,some Fernandinos; Rio Muni, primarily Fang; less than 1,000Europeans, mostly Spanish~Religion~: natives all nominally Christian and predominantly RomanCatholic; some pagan practices retained~Language~: Spanish (official), pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo~Literacy~: 40%~Labor force~: 172,000 (1986 est.); 66% agriculture, 23% services, 11%industry (1980); labor shortages on plantations; 58% of populationof working age (1985)~Organized labor~: no formal trade unions~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Equatorial Guinea~Type~: republic~Capital~: Malabo~Administrative divisions~: 2 provinces (provincias,singular--provincia); Bioko, Rio Muni; note--there may now be 6provinces named Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem,Litoral, Wele Nzas~Independence~: 12 October 1968 (from Spain; formerly Spanish Guinea)~Constitution~: 15 August 1982~Legal system~: in transition; partly based on Spanish civil law andtribal custom~National holiday~: Independence Day, 12 October (1968)~Executive branch~: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister,Council of Ministers (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral Chamber of People's Representatives(Camara de Representantes del Pueblo)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Tribunal~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Brig. Gen. Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMAMBASOGO (since 3 August 1979);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Cristino SERICHE Bioko Malabo(since 15 August 1982); Deputy Prime Minister Isidoro Eyi MonsuyAndeme (since 15 August 1989)~Political parties and leaders~: only party--Democratic Party forEquatorial Guinea (PDEG), Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, party leader~Suffrage~: universal adult at age NA~Elections~: President--last held 25 June 1989 (next to be held 25 June1996); results--President Brig. Gen. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo wasreelected without opposition;  Chamber of Deputies--last held 10 July 1988 (next to be held 10 July1993); results--PDEG is the only party; seats--(41 total) PDEG 41~Communists~: no significant number but some sympathizers~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, Conference of East and Central African States,ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto), IBRD, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IFAD, IFC,ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IPU, ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Damaso OBIANG NDONG; Chanceryat 801 Second Avenue, Suite 1403, New York, NY 10017; telephone[phone]; US--Ambassador Chester E. NORRIS, Jr.; Embassy atCalle de Los Ministros, Malabo (mailing address is P. O. Box 597,Malabo); telephone 2406 or 2507~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and redwith a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coatof arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellowsix-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshoreislands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and belowwhich is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity,Peace, Justice)~
Economy~Overview~: The economy, destroyed during the regime of formerPresident Macias Nguema, is now based on agriculture, forestry, andfishing, which account for about 60% of GNP and nearly all exports.Subsistence agriculture predominates, with cocoa, coffee, and woodproducts providing income, foreign exchange, and governmentrevenues. There is little industry. Commerce accounts for about 10%of GNP, and the construction, public works, and service sectors forabout 34%. Undeveloped natural resources include titanium, iron ore,manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold.  Oil exploration is takingplace under concessions offered to US, French, and Spanish firms.~GNP~: $103 million, per capita $293; real growth rate NA% (1987)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: - 6.0% (1988 est.)~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $23 million; expenditures $31 million, includingcapital expenditures of NA (1988)~Exports~: $30 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities--coffee,timber, cocoa beans; partners--Spain 44%, FRG 19%, Italy 12%,Netherlands 11% (1987)~Imports~: $50 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.); commodities--petroleum,food, beverages, clothing, machinery; partners--Spain 34%, Italy16%, France 14%, Netherlands 8% (1987)~External debt~: $191 million (December 1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 23,000 kW capacity; 60 million kWh produced, 170 kWh percapita (1989)~Industries~: fishing, sawmilling~Agriculture~: cash crops--timber and coffee from Rio Muni, cocoa fromBioko; food crops--rice, yams, cassava, bananas, oil palm nuts,manioc, livestock~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY81-88), $11 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$100 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $55 million~Currency~: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural--francs); 1CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes~Exchange rates~: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) perUS$1--287.99 (January 1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54(1987), 346.30 (1986), 449.26 (1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Highways~: Rio Muni--1,024 km; Bioko--216 km~Ports~: Malabo, Bata~Merchant marine~: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,413 GRT/6,699DWT; includes 1 cargo and 1 passenger-cargo~Civil air~: 1 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 4 total, 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: poor system with adequate government services;international communications from Bata and Malabo to African andEuropean countries; 2,000 telephones; stations--2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, and possibly Air Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 77,363; 39,174 fit for militaryservice~Defense expenditures~: 11% of GNP (FY81 est.) ~[000000068~000504299~000000000~000000000~000009488~000000100~000496842~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Ethiopia~
Geography~Total area~: 1,221,900 km2; land area: 1,101,000 km2~Comparative area~: slightly less than twice the size of Texas~Land boundaries~: 5,141 km total; Djibouti 459 km, Kenya 861 km,Somalia 1,600 km, Sudan 2,221 km~Coastline~: 1,094 km~Maritime claims~:  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: southern half of the boundary with Somalia is a ProvisionalAdministrative Line; possible claim by Somalia based on unificationof ethnic Somalis; territorial dispute with Somalia over the Ogaden;separatist movement in Eritrea; antigovernment insurgencies inTigray and other areas~Climate~: tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation;prone to extended droughts~Terrain~: high plateau with central mountain range divided by GreatRift Valley~Natural resources~: small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash~Land use~: 12% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 41% meadows andpastures; 24% forest and woodland; 22% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible toearthquakes, volcanic eruptions; deforestation; overgrazing; soilerosion; desertification; frequent droughts; famine~Note~: strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shippinglanes and close to Arabian oilfields; major resettlement projectongoing in rural areas will significantly alter populationdistribution and settlement patterns over the next several decades~
People~Population~: 51,666,622 (July 1990), growth rate 3.5% (1990)~Birth rate~: 45 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 15 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 5 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 116 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 49 years male, 52 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 7.0 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Ethiopian(s); adjective--Ethiopian~Ethnic divisions~: 40% Oromo, 32% Amhara and Tigrean, 9% Sidamo, 6%Shankella, 6% Somali, 4% Afar, 2% Gurage, 1% other~Religion~: 40-45% Muslim, 35-40% Ethiopian Orthodox, 15-20% animist,5% other~Language~: Amharic (official), Tigrinya, Orominga, Arabic, English(major foreign language taught in schools)~Literacy~: 55.2%~Labor force~: 18,000,000; 80% agriculture and animal husbandry, 12%government and services, 8% industry and construction (1985)~Organized labor~: All Ethiopian Trade Union formed by the governmentin January 1977 to represent 273,000 registered trade union members~
Government~Long-form name~: People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia~Type~: Communist state~Capital~: Addis Ababa~Administrative divisions~: 14 administrative regions (plural--NA,singular--kifle hager); Arsi, Bale, Eritrea, Gamo Gofa, Gojam,Gonder, Harerge, Ilubabor, Kefa, Shewa, Sidamo, Tigray, Welega,Welo; note--the administrative structure may be changing to 25administrative regions (astedader akababiwach, singular--astedaderakababee) and 5 autonomous regions* (rasgez akababiwach,singular--rasgez akababee); Addis Ababa, Arsi, Aseb*, Asosa, Bale,Borena, Dire Dawa*, East Gojam, East Harerge, Eritrea*, Gambela,Gamo Gofa, Ilubabor, Kefa, Metekel, Nazaret, North Gonder, NorthShewa, North Welo, Ogaden*, Omo, Sidamo, South Gonder, South Shewa,South Welo, Tigray*, Welega, West Gojam, West Harerge, West Shewa~Independence~: oldest independent country in Africa and one of theoldest in the world--at least 2,000 years~Constitution~: 12 September 1987~Legal system~: complex structure with civil, Islamic, common, andcustomary law influences; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction~National holiday~: National Revolution Day, 12 September (1974)~Executive branch~: president, vice president, Council of State primeminister, five deputy prime ministers, Council of Ministers~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Assembly (Shengo)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--President MENGISTU Haile-Mariam (Chairmanfrom 11 September 1977 until becoming President on 10 September1987); Vice President FISSEHA Desta (since 10 September 1987);  Head of Government--Prime Minister (Acting) and Deputy Prime MinisterHAILU Yimenu (since 7 November 1989); Deputy Prime Minister WOLLEChekol (since 21 November 1989); Deputy Prime Minister ALEMU Abebe(since 10 September 1987); Deputy Prime Minister TESFAYE Dinka(since 10 September 1987); Deputy Prime Minister ASHAGRE Yigletu(since 21 November 1989)~Political parties and leaders~: only party--Workers' Party of Ethiopia(WPE), Mengistu Haile-Mariam, secretary general~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: President--last held 10 September 1987 (next to be heldSeptember 1992); results--National Assembly elected PresidentMengistu Haile-Mariam;  National Assembly--last held 14 June 1987 (next to be held June1992); results--WPE is the only party; seats--(835 total) WPE 835~Other political or pressure groups~: important dissident groupsinclude Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) in Eritrea;Tigrean People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and Ethiopian PeoplesDemocratic Movement in Tigray, Welo, and border regions; OromoLiberation Front in Welega and Harerge regions~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICO, ICAO,IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ITU, NAM,OAU, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Counselor, Charge d'Affaires ad interimGIRMA Amare; Chancery at 2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington DC 20008;telephone [phone] or 2282; US--Charge d'Affaires Robert G.HOUDEK; Embassy at Entoto Street, Addis Ababa (mailing address isP.O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa); telephone [phone]~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red;Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa and the colorsof her flag were so often adopted by other African countries uponindependence that they became known as the pan-African colors~
Economy~Overview~: Ethiopia is one of the poorest and least developedcountries in Africa. Its economy is based on subsistenceagriculture, which accounts for about 45% of GDP, 90% of exports,and 80% of total employment; coffee generates over 60% of exportearnings. The manufacturing sector is heavily dependent on inputsfrom the agricultural sector. The economy is centrally planned, andover 90% of large-scale industry is state run. Favorableagricultural weather largely explains the 4.5% growth in output inFY89.~GDP~: $6.6 billion, per capita $130, real growth rate 4.5% (FY89 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 9.6% (FY89)~Unemployment rate~: NA; shortage of skilled manpower~Budget~: revenues $1.4 billion; expenditures $1.9 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $0.7 billion (FY87)~Exports~: $418 million (f.o.b., FY88); commodities--coffee 60%, hides;partners--US, FRG, Djibouti, Japan, PDRY, France, Italy~Imports~: $1.1 billion (c.i.f., FY88), commodities--food, fuels,capital goods; partners--USSR, Italy, FRG, Japan, UK, US, France~External debt~: $2.6 billion (1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate - 0.2% (FY88 est.)~Electricity~: 330,000 kW capacity; 700 million kWh produced, 14 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: cement, textiles, food processing, oil refinery~Agriculture~: accounts for 45% of GDP and is the most important sectorof the economy even though frequent droughts, poor cultivationpractices, and state economic policies keep farm output low; faminesnot uncommon; export crops of coffee and oilseeds grown partly onstate farms; estimated 50% of agricultural production at subsistencelevel; principal crops and livestock--cereals, pulses, coffee,oilseeds, potatoes, sugarcane, vegetables, hides and skins, cattle,sheep, goats~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $471 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$2.6 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $8 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $2.0 billion~Currency~: birr (plural--birr); 1 birr (Br) = 100 cents~Exchange rates~: birr (Br) per US$1--2.0700 (fixed rate)~Fiscal year~: 8 July-7 July~
Communications~Railroads~: 988 km total; 681 km 1.000-meter gauge; 307 km 0.950-metergauge (nonoperational)~Highways~: 44,300 km total; 3,650 km bituminous, 9,650 km gravel,3,000 km improved earth, 28,000 km unimproved earth~Ports~: Aseb, Mitsiwa~Merchant marine~: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 71,837GRT/92,067 DWT; includes 10 cargo, 1 roll-on/roll off cargo, 1livestock carrier, 2 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker~Civil air~: 21 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 152 total, 111 usable; 9 with permanent-surface runways; 2with runways over 3,659 m; 10 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 51 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: open-wire and radio relay system adequate forgovernment use; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; radio relay toKenya and Djibouti; stations--4 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 45,000 TV sets;3,300,000 radios; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 11,438,616; 5,922,555 fit formilitary service; 589,231 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 8.5% of GDP (1988) ~[000000069~000513790~000000000~000000000~000001305~000000011~000504299~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Europa Island(French possession)~
Geography~Total area~: 28 km2; land area: 28 km2~Comparative area~: about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 22.2 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 12 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: claimed by Madagascar~Climate~: tropical~Terrain~: NA~Natural resources~: negligible~Land use~: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows andpastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; heavily wooded~Environment~: wildlife sanctuary~Note~: located in the Mozambique Channel 340 km west of Madagascar~
People~Population~: uninhabited~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: French possession administered by Commissioner of the RepublicDaniel CONSTANTIN, resident in Reunion~
Economy~Overview~: no economic activity~
Communications~Airports~: 1 with runway 1,220 to 2,439 m~Ports~: none; offshore anchorage only~Telecommunications~: 1 meteorological station~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of France ~[000000070~000515098~000000000~000000000~000006195~000000056~000513790~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)(dependent territory of the UK)~
Geography~Total area~: 12,170 km2; land area: 12,170 km2; includes the two mainislands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Connecticut~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 1,288 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 100 meter depth;  Exclusive fishing zone: 150 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina~Climate~: cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rainoccurs on more than half of days in year; occasional snow all year,except in January and February, but does not accumulate~Terrain~: rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains~Natural resources~: fish and wildlife~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 99% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 1% other~Environment~: poor soil fertility and a short growing season~Note~: deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors~
People~Population~: 1,958 (July 1990), growth rate 0.5% (1990)~Birth rate~: NA births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: NA deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: NA migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: NA years male, NA years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: NA children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Falkland Islander(s); adjective--Falkland Island~Ethnic divisions~: almost totally British~Religion~: primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, and United Free Church;Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-DayAdventist~Language~: English~Literacy~: NA%, but compulsory education up to age 15~Labor force~: 1,100 (est.); about 95% in agriculture, mostlysheepherding~Organized labor~: Falkland Islands General Employees Union, 400members~
Government~Long-form name~: Colony of the Falkland Islands~Type~: dependent territory of the UK~Capital~: Stanley~Administrative divisions~: none (dependent territory of the UK)~Independence~: none (dependent territory of the UK)~Constitution~: 3 October 1985~Legal system~: English common law~National holiday~: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)~Executive branch~: British monarch, governor, Executive Council~Legislative branch~: unicameral Legislative Council~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Head of Government--Governor William Hugh FULLERTON (since NA 1988)~Political parties~: NA~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: Legislative Council--last held 3 October 1985 (next to beheld October 1990); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(10total, 8 elected) number of seats by party NA~Diplomatic representation~: none (dependent territory of the UK)~Flag~: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrantand the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk centered on theouter half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheepraising is the major economic activity) above the sailing shipDesire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at thebottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT~
Economy~Overview~: The economy is based on sheep farming, which directly orindirectly employs most of the work force. A few dairy herds arekept to meet domestic consumption of milk and milk products, andcrops grown are primarily those for providing winter fodder. Majorsources of income are from the export of high-grade wool to the UKand the sale of stamps and coins. Rich stocks of fish in thesurrounding waters are not presently exploited by the islanders, butdevelopment plans called for the islands to have six trawlers by1989. In 1987 the government began to sell fishing licenses toforeign trawlers operating within the Falklands exclusive fishingzone. These license fees amount to more than $25 million per year.To encourage tourism, the Falkland Islands Development Corporationhas built three lodges for visitors who are attracted by theabundant wildlife and trout fishing.~GNP~: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA%~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: NA%~Unemployment rate~: 0%~Budget~: revenues $11 million; expenditures $11.8 million, includingcapital expenditures of $1.2 million (FY87)~Exports~: at least $14.7 million; commodities--wool, hides and skins,and other; partners--UK, Netherlands, Japan (1987 est.)~Imports~: at least $13.9 million; commodities--food, clothing, fuels,and machinery; partners--UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan(1987 est.)~External debt~: $NA~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 9,200 kW capacity; 17 million kWh produced, 8,700 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: wool processing~Agriculture~: predominantly sheep farming; small dairy herds andfodder crops~Aid~: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-87), $102 million~Currency~: Falkland pound (plural--pounds); 1 Falkland pound (LF) =100 pence~Exchange rates~: Falkland pound (LF) per US$1--0.6055 (January 1990),0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987), 0.6817 (1986), 0.7714(1985); note--the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Highways~: 510 km total; 30 km paved, 80 km gravel, and 400 kmunimproved earth~Ports~: Port Stanley~Civil air~: no major transport aircraft~Airports~: 5 total, 5 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none withrunways 1,220 to 2,439 m~Telecommunications~: government-operated radiotelephone and privateVHF/CB radio networks provide effective service to almost all pointson both islands; 590 telephones; stations--2 AM, 3 FM, no TV; 1Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station with links through London toother countries~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of the UK ~[000000071~000521296~000000000~000000000~000006270~000000060~000515098~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Faroe Islands(part of the Danish realm)~
Geography~Total area~: 1,400 km2; land area: 1,400 km2~Comparative area~: slightly less than eight times the size ofWashington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 764 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 4 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Climate~: mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy~Terrain~: rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast~Natural resources~: fish~Land use~: 2% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 98% other~Environment~: precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastallowlands; archipelago of 18 inhabited islands and a few uninhabitedislets~Note~: strategically located along important sea lanes in northeasternAtlantic about midway between Iceland and Shetland Islands~
People~Population~: 47,715 (July 1990), growth rate 0.9% (1990)~Birth rate~: 17 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 74 years male, 81 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.2 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Faroese (sing., pl.); adjective--Faroese~Ethnic divisions~: homogeneous Scandinavian population~Religion~: Evangelical Lutheran~Language~: Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish~Literacy~: 99%~Labor force~: 17,585; largely engaged in fishing, manufacturing,transportation, and commerce~Organized labor~: NA~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseasadministrative division of Denmark~Capital~: Torshavn~Administrative divisions~: none (self-governing overseasadministrative division of Denmark)~Independence~: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseasadministrative division of Denmark~Constitution~: Danish~Legal system~: Danish~National holiday~: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)~Executive branch~: Danish monarch, high commissioner, prime minister,deputy prime minister, Cabinet (Landsstyri)~Legislative branch~: unicameral Parliament (Logting)~Judicial branch~: none~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972),represented by High Commissioner Bent KLINTE (since NA);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Jogvan SUNDSTEIN (since 17 January1989)~Political parties and leaders~: four-party ruling coalition--People'sParty, Jogvan Sundstein; Republican Party, Signer Hansen;Progressive and Fishing Industry Party combined with the ChristianPeople's Party (CPP-PFIP); Home Rule Party, Hilmar Kass;opposition--Social Democratic Party, Atli P. Dam; CooperationCoalition Party, Pauli Ellefsen; Progress Party~Suffrage~: universal at age 20~Elections~: Parliament--last held 8 November 1988 (next to be heldNovember 1992); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(32total) three-party coalition 21 (People's Party 8, CooperationCoalition Party 7, Republican Party 6); Social Democrat 7, CPP-PFIP2, Home Rule 2~Communists~: insignificant number~Member of~: Nordic Council~Diplomatic representation~: none (self-governing overseasadministrative division of Denmark)~Flag~: white with a red cross outlined in blue that extends to theedges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to thehoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)~
Economy~Overview~: The Faroese enjoy the high standard of livingcharacteristic of the Danish and other Scandinavian economies.Fishing is the dominant economic activity. It employs over 25% ofthe labor force, accounts for about 25% of GDP, and contributes over80% to export revenues. A handicraft industry employs about 20% ofthe labor force. Because of cool summers agricultural activities arelimited to raising sheep and to potato and vegetable cultivation.There is a labor shortage, and immigrant workers accounted for 5% ofthe work force in 1989. Denmark annually subsidizes the economy,perhaps on the order of 15% of GDP.~GDP~: $662 million, per capita $14,000; real growth rate 3% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 2.0% (1988)~Unemployment rate~: labor shortage~Budget~: revenues $176 million; expenditures $176 million, includingcapital expenditures of NA (FY86)~Exports~: $267 million (f.o.b., 1986); commodities--fish and fishproducts 86%, animal feedstuffs, transport equipment;partners--Denmark 18%, US 14%, FRG, France, UK, Canada~Imports~: $363 million (c.i.f., 1986); commodities--machinery andtransport equipment 38%, food and livestock 11%, fuels 10%,manufactures 10%, chemicals 5%; partners: Denmark 46%, FRG, Norway,Japan, UK~External debt~: $NA~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 80,000 kW capacity; 280 million kWh produced, 5,910 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: fishing, shipbuilding, handicrafts~Agriculture~: accounts for 27% of GDP and employs 27% of labor force;principal crops--potatoes and vegetables; livestock--sheep; annualfish catch about 360,000 metric tons~Aid~: none~Currency~: Danish krone (plural--kroner); 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100ore~Exchange rates~: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1--6.560 (January 1990),7.310 (1989), 6.732 (1988), 6.840 (1987), 8.091 (1986), 10.596(1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Highways~: 200 km~Ports~: Torshavn, Tvoroyri; 8 minor~Merchant marine~: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 17,249GRT/11,887 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 2 cargo, 2roll-on/roll-off cargo, 2 refrigerated cargo; note--a subset of theDanish register~Airports~: 1 with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: good international communications; fair domesticfacilities; 27,900 telephones; stations--1 AM, 3 (10 repeaters) FM,3 (29 repeaters) TV; 3 coaxial submarine cables~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of Denmark ~[000000072~000527569~000000000~000000000~000008153~000000089~000521296~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Fiji~
Geography~Total area~: 18,270 km2; land area: 18,270 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than New Jersey~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 1,129 km~Maritime claims~: (measured from claimed archipelagic baselines)  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation~Terrain~: mostly mountains of volcanic origin~Natural resources~: timber, fish, gold, copper; offshore oil potential~Land use~: 8% arable land; 5% permanent crops; 3% meadows andpastures; 65% forest and woodland; 19% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: subject to hurricanes from November to January; includes332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited~Note~: located 2,500 km north of New Zealand in the South PacificOcean~
People~Population~: 759,567 (July 1990), growth rate 1.5% (1990)~Birth rate~: 28 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 7 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 22 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 66 years male, 70 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 3.3 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Fijian(s); adjective--Fijian~Ethnic divisions~: 49% Indian, 46% Fijian, 5% European, other PacificIslanders, overseas Chinese, and others~Religion~: Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu with aMuslim minority~Language~: English (official); Fijian; Hindustani~Literacy~: 80%~Labor force~: 176,000; 60% subsistence agriculture, 40% wage earners(1979)~Organized labor~: about 45,000 employees belong to some 46 tradeunions, which are organized along lines of work and ethnic origin(1983)~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Fiji~Type~: military coup leader Major General Sitiveni Rabuka formallydeclared Fiji a republic on 6 October 1987~Capital~: Suva~Administrative divisions~: 4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central,Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western~Independence~: 10 October 1970 (from UK)~Constitution~: 10 October 1970 (suspended 1 October 1987); note--a newconstitution was proposed on 23 September 1988 and awaits finalapproval~Legal system~: based on British system~National holiday~: Independence Day, 10 October (1970)~Executive branch~: president, prime minister, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: the bicameral Parliament, consisting of an upperhouse or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives, wasdissolved following the coup of 14 May 1987; the proposedconstitution of NA September 1988 provides for a bicameralParliament~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Ratu Sir Penaia Kanatabatu GANILAU(since 5 December 1987);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA (since 5December 1987); note--Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara served as primeminister from 10 October 1970 until the 5-11 April 1987 election;after a second coup led by Major General Sitiveni Rabuka on 25September 1987, Ratu Mara was reappointed as prime minister~Political parties and leaders~: Alliance, primarily Fijian, Ratu Mara;National Federation, primarily Indian, Siddiq Koya; Western UnitedFront, Fijian, Ratu Osea Gavidi; Fiji Labor Party, Adi KuiniBavadra; coalition of the National Federation Party and the FijiLabor Party, Adi Kuini Vuikaba Bavadra~Suffrage~: none~Elections~: none~Communists~: some~Member of~: ACP, ADB, Colombo Plan, EC (associate), ESCAP, FAO, G-77,GATT (de facto), IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, ISO, ITU, SPF, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Counselor (Commercial), Vice Consul,Charge d'Affaires ad interim Abdul H. YUSUF; Chancery at Suite 240,2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone [phone]; there is a Fijian Consulate in New York; US--AmbassadorLeonard ROCHWARGER; Embassy at 31 Loftus Street, Suva (mailingaddress is P. O. Box 218, Suva); telephone ╒679σ 314-466 or 314-069~Flag~: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-sidequadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of theflag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quarteredby the cross of St. George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palmtree, bananas, and a white dove~
Economy~Overview~: Fiji's economy is primarily agricultural, with a largesubsistence sector. Sugar exports are a major source of foreignexchange and sugar processing accounts for one-third of industrialoutput. Industry, including sugar milling, contributes 10% to GDP.Fiji traditionally earned considerable sums of hard currency fromthe 250,000 tourists who visited each year. In 1987, however, aftertwo military coups, the economy went into decline. GDP dropped by7.8% in 1987 and by another 2.5% in 1988; political uncertainlycreated a drop in tourism, and the worst drought of the centurycaused sugar production to fall sharply. In contrast, sugar andtourism turned in strong performances in 1989, and the economyrebounded vigorously.~GDP~: $1.32 billion, per capita $1,750; real growth rate 12.5% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 11.8% (1988)~Unemployment rate~: 11% (1988)~Budget~: revenues $260 million; expenditures $233 million, includingcapital expenditures of $47 million (1988)~Exports~: $312 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--sugar 49%, copra,processed fish, lumber; partners--UK 45%, Australia 21%, US 4.7%~Imports~: $454 million (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--food 15%,petroleum products, machinery, consumer goods; partners--US 4.8%,NZ, Australia, Japan~External debt~: $398 million (December 1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate - 15% (1988 est.)~Electricity~: 215,000 kW capacity; 330 million kWh produced, 440 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: sugar, copra, tourism, gold, silver, fishing, clothing,lumber, small cottage industries~Agriculture~: principal cash crop is sugarcane; coconuts, cassava,rice, sweet potatoes, and bananas; small livestock sector includescattle, pigs, horses, and goats~Aid~: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1980-87), $677 million~Currency~: Fijian dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Fijian dollar (F$) = 100cents~Exchange rates~: Fijian dollars (F$) per US$1--1.4950 (January 1990),1.4833 (1989), 1.4303 (1988), 1.2439 (1987), 1.1329 (1986), 1.1536(1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 644 km 0.610-meter narrow gauge, belonging to thegovernment-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation~Highways~: 3,300 km total (1984)--390 km paved; 1,200 kmbituminous-surface treatment; 1,290 km gravel, crushed stone, orstabilized soil surface; 420 unimproved earth~Inland waterways~: 203 km; 122 km navigable by motorized craft and200-metric-ton barges~Ports~: Lambasa, Lautoka, Savusavu, Suva~Merchant marine~: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 42,872GRT/49,795 DWT; includes 1 cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 2container, 2 liquefied gas, 1 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL)tanker, 1 chemical tanker~Civil air~: 1 DC-3 and 1 light aircraft~Airports~: 26 total, 24 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: modern local, interisland, and international(wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone,telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio center;important COMPAC cable link between US-Canada and NewZealand-Australia; 53,228 telephones; stations--7 AM, 1 FM, no TV; 1Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: integrated ground and naval forces~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 194,433; 107,317 fit for militaryservice; 7,864 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 2.5% of GDP (1988) ~[000000073~000535725~000000000~000000000~000009962~000000111~000527569~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Finland~
Geography~Total area~: 337,030 km2; land area: 305,470 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Montana~Land boundaries~: 2,578 km total; Norway 729 km, Sweden 536 km, USSR1,313 km~Coastline~: 1,126 km excluding islands and coastal indentations~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 6 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm;  Territorial sea: 4 nm~Climate~: cold temperate; potentially subarctic, but comparativelymild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current,Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes~Terrain~: mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakesand low hills~Natural resources~: timber, copper, zinc, iron ore, silver~Land use~: 8% arable land; 0% permanent crops; NEGL% meadows andpastures; 76% forest and woodland; 16% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: permanently wet ground covers about 30% of land;population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain~Note~: long boundary with USSR; Helsinki is northernmost nationalcapital on European continent~
People~Population~: 4,977,325 (July 1990), growth rate 0.3% (1990)~Birth rate~: 13 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 71 years male, 80 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.7 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Finn(s); adjective--Finnish~Ethnic divisions~: Finn, Swede, Lapp, Gypsy, Tatar~Religion~: 97% Evangelical Lutheran, 1.2% Eastern Orthodox, 1.8% other~Language~: 93.5% Finnish, 6.3% Swedish (both official); small Lapp-and Russian-speaking minorities~Literacy~: almost 100%~Labor force~: 2,556,000; 33.1% services, 22.9% mining andmanufacturing, 13.8% commerce, 10.3% agriculture, forestry, andfishing, 7.2% construction, 7.1% transportation and communications(1989 est.)~Organized labor~: 80% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Finland~Type~: republic~Capital~: Helsinki~Administrative divisions~: 12 provinces (laanit, singular--laani);Ahvenanmaa, Hame, Keski-Suomi, Kuopio, Kymi, Lappi, Mikkeli, Oulu,Pohjois-Karjala, Turku ja Pori, Uusimaa, Vaasa~Independence~: 6 December 1917 (from Soviet Union)~Constitution~: 17 July 1919~Legal system~: civil law system based on Swedish law; Supreme Courtmay request legislation interpreting or modifying laws; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations~National holiday~: Independence Day, 6 December (1917)~Executive branch~: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister,Council of State (Valtioneuvosto)~Legislative branch~: unicameral Parliament (Eduskunta)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Korkein Oikeus)~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Mauno KOIVISTO (since 27 January1982);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Harri HOLKERI (since 30 April1987); Deputy Prime Minister Pertti PAASIO (since NA January 1989)~Political parties and leaders~: Social Democratic Party, PerttiPaasio; Center Party, Paavo Vayrynen; People's Democratic League(majority Communist front), Reijo Kakela; National Coalition(Conservative) Party, Ilkka Suominen; Liberal People's Party, KyostiLallukka; Swedish People's Party, Christoffer Taxell; Rural Party,leader NA~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: President--last held 31 January-1 February and 15 February1988 (next to be held January 1994); results--Mauno Koivisto 48%,Paavo Vayrynen 20%, Harri Holkeri 18%;  Parliament--last held 15-16 March 1987 (next to be held March 1991);results--Social Democratic 24.3%, National Coalition (Conservative)23.9%, Center-Liberal People's 18.6%, People's Democratic League9.4%, Rural 6.3%, Swedish People's 5.3%, Democratic Alternative4.3%, Green League 4.0%, Finnish Christian League 2.6%, FinnishPensioners 1.2%, Constitutional Rightist 0.1%; seats--(200 total)Social Democratic 56, National Coalition (Conservative) 53,Center-Liberal People's 40, People's Democratic League 16, SwedishPeople's 13, Rural 9, Finnish Christian League 5; DemocraticAlternative 4, Green League 4~Communists~: 28,000 registered members; an additional 45,000 personsbelong to People's Democratic League~Other political or pressure groups~: Finnish Communist Party (majorityCommunist faction), Jarmo Wahlstrom; Finnish Communist Party-Unity(minority faction), Esko-Juhani Tennila; Democratic Alternative(minority Communist front), Kristiina Halkola; Finnish ChristianLeague, Esko Almgren; Constitutional Rightist Party; FinnishPensioners Party; Green League, Heidi Hautala; Communist WorkersParty, Timo Lahdenmaki~Member of~: ADB, CCC, CEMA (special cooperation agreement), DAC, EC(free trade agreement), EFTA, ESA (associate), FAO, GATT, IAEA,IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, ICES, ICO, IDA, IDB--Inter-American DevelopmentBank, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, ILZSG, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU,ITU, IWC--International Wheat Council, Nordic Council, OECD, UN,UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WSG~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Jukka VALTASAARI; Chancery at3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington DC 20016; telephone [phone]; there are Finnish Consulates General in Los Angeles andNew York, and Consulates in Chicago and Houston; US--Ambassador JohnG. WEINMANN; Embassy at Itainen Puistotie 14ASF-00140, Helsinki(mailing address is APO New York 09664); telephone ╒358σ (0) 171931~Flag~: white with a blue cross that extends to the edges of the flag;the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in thestyle of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)~
Economy~Overview~: Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free marketeconomy, with per capita output nearly three-fourths the US figure.Its main economic force is the manufacturing sector--principally thewood, metals, and engineering industries. Trade is important, withthe export of goods representing about 25% of GNP. Except for timberand several minerals, Finland depends on imported raw materials,energy, and some components of manufactured goods. Because of theclimate, agricultural development is limited to maintainingself-sufficiency in basic commodities. Economic prospects aregenerally bright, the main shadow being the increasing pressures onwages and prices.~GDP~: $74.4 billion, per capita $15,000; real growth rate 4.6% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 6.5% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 3.4% (1989)~Budget~: revenues $28.3 billion; expenditures $28.1 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $NA billion (1988 est.)~Exports~: $22.2 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--timber, paper andpulp, ships, machinery, clothing and footwear; partners--EC 44.2%(UK 13.0%, FRG 10.8%), USSR 14.9%, Sweden 14.1%, US 5.8%~Imports~: $22.0 billion (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--foodstuffs,petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment,iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, fodder grains;partners--EC 43.5% (FRG 16.9%, UK 6.8%), Sweden 13.3%, USSR 12.1%,US 6.3%~External debt~: $5.3 billion (1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate 4.3% (1989)~Electricity~: 13,324,000 kW capacity; 49,330 million kWh produced,9,940 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: metal manufacturing and shipbuilding, forestry and woodprocessing (pulp, paper), copper refining, foodstuffs, textiles,clothing~Agriculture~: accounts for 8% of GNP (including forestry); livestockproduction, especially dairy cattle, predominates; forestry is animportant export earner and a secondary occupation for the ruralpopulation; main crops--cereals, sugar beets, potatoes; 85%self-sufficient, but short of food and fodder grains; annual fishcatch about 160,000 metric tons~Aid~: donor--ODA and OOF commitments (1970-87), $1.7 billion~Currency~: markka (plural--markkaa); 1 markka (FMk) or Finmark = 100pennia~Exchange rates~: markkaa (FMk) per US$1--4.0022 (January 1990), 4.2912(1989), 4.1828 (1988), 4.3956 (1987), 5.0695 (1986), 6.1979 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 5,924 km total; Finnish State Railways (VR) operate atotal of 5,863 km 1.524-meter gauge, of which 480 km are multipletrack and 1,445 km are electrified~Highways~: about 103,000 km total, including 35,000 km paved(bituminous, concrete, bituminous-treated surface) and 38,000 kmunpaved (stabilized gravel, gravel, earth); additional 30,000 km ofprivate (state-subsidized) roads~Inland waterways~: 6,675 km total (including Saimaa Canal); 3,700 kmsuitable for steamers~Pipelines~: natural gas, 580 km~Ports~: Helsinki, Oulu, Pori, Rauma, Turku; 6 secondary, numerousminor ports~Merchant marine~: 82 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 737,811GRT/764,695 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 11 short-sea passenger, 18cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 24 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 12petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 5 chemical tanker, 2liquefied gas, 7 bulk, 1 combination bulk~Civil air~: 39 major transport~Airports~: 160 total, 157 usable; 56 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 23 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 22with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: good service from cable and radio relay network;3,140,000 telephones; stations--4 AM, 42 (101 relays) FM, 79 (195relays) TV; 2 submarine cables; satellite service via Swedish earthstations; satellite earth stations--2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1EUTELSAT~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 1,312,941; 1,091,416 fit for militaryservice; 32,288 reach military age (17) annually~Defense expenditures~: 1.5% of GDP (1989 est.) ~[000000074~000545690~000000000~000000000~000012792~000000158~000535725~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]France~
Geography~Total area~: 547,030 km2; land area: 545,630 km2; includes Corsica andthe rest of metropolitan France, but excludes the overseasadministrative divisions~Comparative area~: slightly more than twice the size of Colorado~Land boundaries~: 2,892.4 km total; Andorra 60 km, Belgium 620 km, FRG451 km, Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km,Switzerland 573 km~Coastline~: 3,427 km (includes Corsica, 644 km)~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 12-24 nm;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: maritime boundary dispute with Canada (St. Pierre andMiquelon); Madagascar claims Bassas da India, Europa Island,Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island; Comorosclaims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; Seychelles claimsTromelin Island; Suriname claims part of French Guiana; territorialclaim in Antarctica (Adelie Land)~Climate~: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild wintersand hot summers along the Mediterranean~Terrain~: mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north andwest; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alpsin east~Natural resources~: coal, iron ore, bauxite, fish, timber, zinc,potash~Land use~: 32% arable land; 2% permanent crops; 23% meadows andpastures; 27% forest and woodland; 16% other; includes 2% irrigated~Environment~: most of large urban areas and industrial centers inRhone, Garonne, Seine, or Loire River basins; occasional warmtropical wind known as mistral~Note~: largest West European nation~
People~Population~: 56,358,331 (July 1990), growth rate 0.4% (1990)~Birth rate~: 14 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 73 years male, 82 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.8 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women);adjective--French~Ethnic divisions~: Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, NorthAfrican, Indochinese, and Basque minorities~Religion~: 90% Roman Catholic, 2% Protestant, 1% Jewish, 1% Muslim(North African workers), 6% unaffiliated~Language~: French (100% of population); rapidly declining regionaldialects (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque,Flemish)~Literacy~: 99%~Labor force~: 24,170,000; 61.5% services, 31.3% industry, 7.3%agriculture (1987)~Organized labor~: 20% of labor force (est.)~
Government~Long-form name~: French Republic~Type~: republic~Capital~: Paris~Administrative divisions~: metropolitan France--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 laLoire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur,Rhone-Alpes; note--the 22 regions are subdivided into 96departments; see separate entries for the overseas departments(French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion) and the territorialcollectivities (Mayotte, St. Pierre and Miquelon)~Dependent areas~: Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island,French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, GloriosoIslands, Juan de Nova Island, New Caledonia, Tromelin Island, Wallisand Futuna~Independence~: unified by Clovis in 486, First Republic proclaimed in1792~Constitution~: 28 September 1958, amended concerning election ofpresident in 1962~Legal system~: civil law system with indigenous concepts; review ofadministrative but not legislative acts~National holiday~: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)~Executive branch~: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers(cabinet)~Legislative branch~: bicameral Parliament (Parlement) consists of anupper house or Senate (Senat) and a lower house or National Assembly(Assemblee Nationale)~Judicial branch~: Court of Cassation (Cour de Cassation)~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May1981);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Michel ROCARD (since 10 March1988)~Political parties and leaders~: Rally for the Republic (RPR, formerlyUDR), Jacques Chirac; Union for French Democracy (UDF, federation ofPR, CDS, and RAD), Valery Giscard d'Estaing; Republicans (PR),Francois Leotard; Center for Social Democrats (CDS), PierreMehaignerie; Radical (RAD), Yves Gallard; Socialist Party (PS),Pierre Mauroy; Left Radical Movement (MRG), Yves Collin; CommunistParty (PCF), Georges Marchais; National Front (FN), Jean-Marie LePen~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: President--last held 8 May 1988 (next to be held May1995); results--Second Ballot Francois Mitterrand 54%, JacquesChirac 46%;  Senate--last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992);results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(321 total; 296metropolitan France, 13 for overseas departments and territories,and 12 for French nationals abroad) RPR 93, UDF 143 (PR 53, CDS 65,RAD 25), PS 64, PCF 16, independents 2, unknown 3;  National Assembly--last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June1993); results--Second Ballot PS-MRG 48.7%, RPR 23.1%, UDF 21%, PCF3.4%, other 3.8%; seats--(577 total) PS 275, RPR 132, UDF 90, UDC40, PCF 25, independents 15~Communists~: 700,000 claimed but probably closer to 150,000; Communistvoters, 2.8 million in 1988 election~Other political or pressure groups~: Communist-controlled labor union(Confederation Generale du Travail) nearly 2.4 million members(claimed); Socialist-leaning labor union (Confederation FrancaiseDemocratique du Travail or CFDT) about 800,000 members est.;independent labor union (Force Ouvriere) about 1,000,000 membersest.; independent white-collar union (Confederation Generale desCadres) 340,000 members (claimed); National Council of FrenchEmployers (Conseil National du Patronat Francais--CNPF or Patronat)~Member of~: ADB, CCC, Council of Europe, DAC, EC, EIB, EMS, ESA,ESCAP, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IATP, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, ICES, ICO, IDA,IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, ILZSG,IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOOC, IPU, IRC, ISO, ITC, ITU,IWC--International Whaling Commission, NATO (signatory), OAS(observer), OECD, SPC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,WSG, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Jacques ANDREANI; Chancery at4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington DC 20007; telephone [phone]; there are French Consulates General in Boston, Chicago,Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Miami, New York, SanFrancisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico); US--Ambassador Walter J. P.CURLEY; Embassy at 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08 (mailingaddress is APO New York 09777); telephone ╒33σ (1) 42-96-12-02 or42-61-80-75; there are US Consulates General in Bordeaux, Lyon,Marseille, and Strasbourg~Flag~: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, andred; known as the French Tricouleur (Tricolor); the design andcolors have been the basis for a number of other flags, includingthose of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Ivory Coast, and Luxembourg; theofficial flag for all French dependent areas~
Economy~Overview~: One of the world's most developed economies, France hassubstantial agricultural resources and a highly diversified modernindustrial sector. Large tracts of fertile land, the application ofmodern technology, and subsidies have combined to make it theleading agricultural producer in Western Europe. France is largelyself-sufficient in agricultural products and is a major exporter ofwheat and dairy products. The industrial sector generates aboutone-third of GDP and employs about one-third of the work force.During the period 1982-86 economic growth was sluggish, averagingonly 1.4% annually. This trend was reversed by late 1987, however,with a strong expansion of consumer demand, followed by a surge ininvestment. The economy has had difficulty generating enough jobsfor new entrants into the labor force, resulting in a highunemployment rate, but the upward trend in growth recently pushedthe jobless rate below 10%. The steadily advancing economicintegration within the European Community is a major force affectingthe fortunes of the various economic sectors.~GDP~: $819.6 billion, per capita $14,600; real growth rate 3.4% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 3.5% (1989 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 9.7% (1989 est.)~Budget~: revenues $197.0 billion; expenditures $213.4 billion,including capital expenditures of $NA (1989 est.)~Exports~: $183.1 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--machineryand transportation equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, agriculturalproducts, iron and steel products, textiles and clothing;partners--FRG 15.8%, Italy 12.2%, UK 9.8%, Belgium-Luxembourg 8.9%,Netherlands 8.7%, US 6.7%, Spain 5.6%, Japan 1.8%, USSR 1.3% (1989est.)~Imports~: $194.5 billion (c.i.f., 1989 est.); commodities--crude oil,machinery and equipment, agricultural products, chemicals, iron andsteel products; partners--FRG 19.4%, Italy 11.5%, Belgium-Luxembourg9.2%, US 7.7%, UK 7.2%, Netherlands 5.2%, Spain 4.4%, Japan 4.1%,USSR 2.1% (1989 est.)~External debt~: $59.3 billion (December 1987)~Industrial production~: growth rate 4.4% (1989 est.)~Electricity~: 109,972,000 kW capacity; 403,570 million kWh produced,7,210 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: steel, machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy,aircraft, electronics, mining, textiles, food processing, andtourism~Agriculture~: accounts for 4% of GNP (including fishing and forestry);one of the world's top five wheat producers; other principalproducts--beef, dairy products, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, winegrapes; self-sufficient for most temperate-zone foods; shortagesinclude fats and oils and tropical produce, but overall net exporterof farm products; fish catch of 850,000 metric tons ranks amongworld's top 20 countries and is all used domestically~Aid~: donor--ODA and OOF commitments (1970-87), $59.8 billion~Currency~: French franc (plural--francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100centimes~Exchange rates~: French francs (F) per US$1--5.7598 (January 1990),6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987), 6.9261 (1986), 8.9852(1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: French National Railways (SNCF) operates 34,568 km1.435-meter standard gauge; 11,674 km electrified, 15,132 km doubleor multiple track; 2,138 km of various gauges (1.000-meter to1.440-meter), privately owned and operated~Highways~: 1,551,400 km total; 33,400 km national highway; 347,000 kmdepartmental highway; 421,000 km community roads; 750,000 km ruralroads; 5,401 km of controlled-access divided autoroutes; about803,000 km paved~Inland waterways~: 14,932 km; 6,969 km heavily traveled~Pipelines~: crude oil, 3,059 km; refined products, 4,487 km; naturalgas, 24,746 km~Ports~: maritime--Bordeaux, Boulogne, Brest, Cherbourg, Dunkerque,Fos-Sur-Mer, Le Havre, Marseille, Nantes, Rouen, Sete, Toulon;inland--42~Merchant marine~: 153 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,671,645GRT/5,950,785 DWT; includes 10 short-sea passenger, 19 cargo, 19container, 1 multifunction large-load carrier, 30 roll-on/roll-offcargo, 37 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker,  9 chemicaltanker, 6 liquefied gas, 4 specialized tanker, 17 bulk, 1combination bulk; note--France also maintains a captive register forFrench-owned ships in the Kerguelen Islands (French Southern andAntarctic Lands) and French Polynesia~Civil air~: 355 major transport aircraft (1982)~Airports~: 470 total, 460 usable; 204 with permanent-surface runways;3 with runways over 3,659 m; 34 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 133 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: highly developed system provides satisfactorytelephone, telegraph, radio and TV broadcast services; 39,110,000telephones; stations--42 AM, 138 (777 relays) FM, 215 TV (8,900relays); 25 submarine coaxial cables; communication satellite earthstations operating in INTELSAT, 3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean,EUTELSAT, MARISAT, and domestic systems~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 14,285,904; 12,042,731 fit formilitary service; 409,544 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 3.8% of GDP, or $31.1 billion (1989 est.) ~[000000075~000558485~000000000~000000000~000006556~000000064~000545690~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]French Guiana(overseas department of France)~
Geography~Total area~: 91,000 km2; land area: 89,150 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Indiana~Land boundaries~: 1,183 km total; Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km~Coastline~: 378 km~Maritime claims~:  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: Suriname claims area between Riviere Litani and RiviereMarouini (both headwaters of the Lawa)~Climate~: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation~Terrain~: low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains~Natural resources~: bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered),cinnabar, kaolin, fish~Land use~: NEGL% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; NEGL% meadows andpastures; 82% forest and woodland; 18% other~Environment~: mostly an unsettled wilderness~
People~Population~: 97,781 (July 1990), growth rate 3.4% (1990)~Birth rate~: 29 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 10 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 19 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 68 years male, 76 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 3.8 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--French Guianese (sing., pl.); adjective--FrenchGuiana~Ethnic divisions~: 66% black or mulatto; 12% Caucasian; 12% EastIndian, Chinese, Amerindian; 10% other~Religion~: predominantly Roman Catholic~Language~: French~Literacy~: 73%~Labor force~: 23,265; 60.6% services, government, and commerce, 21.2%industry, 18.2% agriculture (1980)~Organized labor~: 7% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Department of Guiana~Type~: overseas department of France~Capital~: Cayenne~Administrative divisions~: none (overseas department of France)~Independence~: none (overseas department of France)~Constitution~: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)~Legal system~: French legal system~National holiday~: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)~Executive branch~: French president, commissioner of the republic~Legislative branch~: unicameral General Council and a unicameralRegional Council~Judicial branch~: highest local court is the Court of Appeals based inMartinique with jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and FrenchGuiana~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May1981);  Head of Government--Commissioner of the Republic Jean-Pierre LACROIX(since NA August 1988)~Political parties and leaders~: Guianese Socialist Party (PSG), GerardHolder; Rally for the Republic (RPR), Paulin Brune; GuyaneseDemocratic Action (ADG), Andre Lecante; Union for French Democracy(UDF), Claude Ho A Chuck; National Front, Guy Malon; Popular andNational Party of Guiana (PNPG), Claude Robo; National Anti-ColonistGuianese Party (PANGA), Michel Kapel~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: Regional Council--last held 16 March 1986 (next to be heldMarch 1991); results--PSG 43%, RPR 27.7%, ADG 12.2%, UDF 8.9%, FN3.7%, PNPG 1.4%, others 3.1%; seats--(31 total) PSG 15, RPR 9, ADG4, UDF 3;  French Senate--last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September1992); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(1 total) PSG 1; French National Assembly--last held 24 September 1989 (next to beheld September 1992); results--percent of vote by party NA;seats--(2 total) PSG 1, RPR 1~Communists~: Communist party membership negligible~Member of~: WFTU~Diplomatic representation~: as an overseas department of France theinterests of French Guiana are represented in the US by France~Flag~: the flag of France is used~
Economy~Overview~: The economy is tied closely to that of France throughsubsidies and imports. Besides the French space center at Kourou,fishing and forestry are the most important economic activities,with exports of fish and fish products (mostly shrimp) accountingfor about two-thirds of total revenue in 1985. The large reserves oftropical hardwoods, not fully exploited, support an expandingsawmill industry that provides sawn logs for export. Cultivation ofcrops--rice, cassava, bananas, and sugarcane--are limited to thecoastal area, where the population is largely concentrated. FrenchGuiana is heavily dependent on imports of food and energy.Unemployment is a serious problem, particularly among youngerworkers, with an unemployment rate of 15%.~GDP~: $210 million, per capita $3,230; real growth rate NA% (1982)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 4.1% (1987)~Unemployment rate~: 15% (1987)~Budget~: revenues $735 million; expenditures $735 million, includingcapital expenditures of NA (1987)~Exports~: $37.0 million (f.o.b., 1986); commodities--shrimp, timber,rum, rosewood essence; partners--US 41%, Japan 18%, France 9% (1984)~Imports~: $297.7 million (c.i.f., 1986); commodities--food (grains,processed meat), other consumer goods, producer goods, petroleum;partners--France 55%, Trinidad and Tobago 13%, US 3% (1984)~External debt~: $1.2 billion (1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 92,000 kW capacity; 185 million kWh produced, 1,950 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: construction, shrimp processing, forestry products, rum,gold mining~Agriculture~: some vegetables for local consumption; rice, corn,manioc, cocoa, bananas, sugar~Aid~: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-87), $1.1 billion~Currency~: French franc (plural--francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100centimes~Exchange rates~: French francs (F) per US$1--5.7598 (January 1990),6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987), 6.9261 (1986), 8.9852(1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Highways~: 680 km total; 510 km paved, 170 km improved and unimprovedearth~Inland waterways~: 460 km, navigable by small oceangoing vessels andriver and coastal steamers; 3,300 km possibly navigable by nativecraft~Ports~: Cayenne~Civil air~: no major transport aircraft~Airports~: 11 total, 11 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: fair open wire and radio relay system; 18,100telephones; stations--5 AM, 7 FM, 9 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSATearth station~
Defense Forces Note~: defense is the responsibility of France ~[000000076~000565044~000000000~000000000~000006101~000000055~000558485~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]French Polynesia(overseas territory of France)~
Geography~Total area~: 3,941 km2; land area: 3,660 km2~Comparative area~: slightly less than one-third the size ofConnecticut~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 2,525 km~Maritime claims~:  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: tropical, but moderate~Terrain~: mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs~Natural resources~: timber, fish, cobalt~Land use~: 1% arable land; 19% permanent crops; 5% meadows andpastures; 31% forest and woodland; 44% other~Environment~: occasional cyclonic storm in January; includes fivearchipelagoes~Note~: Makatea is one of three great phosphate rock islands in thePacific (others are Banaba or Ocean Island in Kiribati and Nauru)~
People~Population~: 190,181 (July 1990), growth rate 2.5% (1990)~Birth rate~: 31 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 23 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 66 years male, 71 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 3.9 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--French Polynesian(s); adjective--French Polynesian~Ethnic divisions~: 78% Polynesian, 12% Chinese, 6% local French, 4%metropolitan French~Religion~: mainly Christian; 55% Protestant, 32% Roman Catholic~Language~: French (official), Tahitian~Literacy~: NA%~Labor force~: 57,863 employed (1983)~Organized labor~: NA~
Government~Long-form name~: Territory of French Polynesia~Type~: overseas territory of France~Capital~: Papeete~Administrative divisions~: none (overseas territory of France)~Independence~: none (overseas territory of France)~Constitution~: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)~Legal system~: based on French system~National holiday~: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)~Executive branch~: French president, high commissioner of therepublic, president of the Council of Ministers, vice president ofthe Council of Ministers, Council of Ministers~Legislative branch~: unicameral Territorial Assembly~Judicial branch~: Court of Appeal~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May1981); High Commissioner of the Republic Jean MONTPEZAT (since NANovember 1987);  Head of Government--President of the Council of Ministers AlexandreLEONTIEFF (since 9 December 1987); Vice President of the Council ofMinisters Georges KELLY (since 9 December 1987)~Political parties and leaders~: Tahoeraa Huiraatira (Gaullist), GastonFlosse; Pupu Here Ai'a, Jean Juventin; Front de Liberation, OscarTemaru; Ai'a Api, Emile Vernaudon; Ia Mana Te Nunaa, JacquesDrollet; Pupu Taina, Michel Law; Toatiraa Polynesia, Arthur Chung;Te E'a Api, Francis Sanford~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: Territorial Assembly--last held 16 March 1986 (next to beheld March 1991); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(41total) Tahoeraa Huiraatira 24, Amuitahiraa Mo Porinesia 6, Pupu HereAi'a 4, Ia Mana 3, Front de Liberation 2, other 2;  French Senate--last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September1992); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(1 total)Democrats for Progress 1;  French National Assembly last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to beheld June 1993); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(2total) Rally for the Republic 1, Ai'a Api 1~Diplomatic representation~: as an overseas territory of France, FrenchPolynesian interests are represented in the US by France~Flag~: the flag of France is used~
Economy~Overview~: Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in theregion, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence economy toone in which a high proportion of the work force is either employedby the military or supports the tourist industry. Tourism accountsfor about 20% of GDP and is a primary source of hard currencyearnings.~GDP~: $2.24 billion, per capita $6,400; real growth rate NA% (1986)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 1.2% (1987)~Unemployment rate~: 8% (1986 est.)~Budget~: revenues $431; expenditures $418, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1986)~Exports~: $75 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities--coconut products79%, mother-of-pearl 14%, vanilla, shark meat; partners--France 44%,US 21%~Imports~: $767 million (c.i.f., 1986); commodities--fuels, foodstuffs,equipment; partners--France 50%, US 16%, New Zealand 6%~External debt~: $NA~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 72,000 kW capacity; 265 million kWh produced, 1,350 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts~Agriculture~: coconut and vanilla plantations; vegetables and fruit;poultry, beef, dairy products~Aid~: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-87), $3.6 billion~Currency~: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (plural--francs); 1CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes~Exchange rates~: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) perUS$1--104.71 (January 1990), 115.99 (1989), 108.30 (1988), 109.27(1987), 125.92 (1986), 163.35 (1985); note--linked at the rate of18.18 to the French franc~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Highways~: 600 km (1982)~Ports~: Papeete, Bora-bora~Merchant marine~: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,732 GRT/4,191DWT; includes 1 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo; note--a subset of theFrench register~Civil air~: about 6 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 43 total, 41 usable; 23 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 12with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: 33,200 telephones; 84,000 radio receivers; 26,400TV sets; stations--5 AM, 2 FM, 6 TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT  earthstation~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is responsibility of France ~[000000077~000571148~000000000~000000000~000002122~000000024~000565044~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]French Southern and Antarctic Lands(overseas territory of France)~
Geography~Total area~: 7,781 km2; land area: 7,781 km2; includes Ile Amsterdam,Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles Crozet; excludes claim notrecognized by the US of about 500,000 km2 in Antarctica known asTerre Adelie~Comparative area~: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Delaware~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 1,232 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 12 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploration;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: claim in Antarctica (Terre Adelie) not recognized by the US~Climate~: antarctic~Terrain~: volcanic~Natural resources~: fish, crayfish~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other~Environment~: Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes~Note~: located in the southern Indian Ocean about equidistant betweenAfrica, Antarctica, and Australia~
People~Population~: 210 (July 1990), growth rate 0.00% (1990); mostlyresearchers~
Government~Long-form name~: Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands~Type~: overseas territory of France governed by High AdministratorClaude CORBIER (since NA  1988)~Flag~: the flag of France is used~
Economy~Overview~: Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorologicaland geophysical research stations and French and other fishingfleets. The fishing catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreignships are exported to France and Reunion.~
Communications~Ports~: none; offshore anchorage only~Merchant marine~: 10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 217,203GRT/348,632 DWT; includes 2 cargo, 3 refrigerated cargo, 1petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 2 liquefied gas, 2bulk; note--a subset of the French register~Telecommunications~: NA~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of France ~[000000078~000573273~000000000~000000000~000007957~000000080~000571148~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Gabon~
Geography~Total area~: 267,670 km2; land area: 257,670 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Colorado~Land boundaries~: 2,551 km total; Cameroon 298 km, Congo 1,903 km,Equatorial Guinea 350 km~Coastline~: 885 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 24 nm;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: maritime boundary with Equatorial Guinea~Climate~: tropical; always hot, humid~Terrain~: narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east andsouth~Natural resources~: crude oil, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, ironore~Land use~: 1% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 18% meadows andpastures; 78% forest and woodland; 2% other~Environment~: deforestation~
People~Population~: 1,068,240 (July 1990), growth rate 0.8% (1990)~Birth rate~: 28 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 15 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 6 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 106 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 50 years male, 56 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 4.0 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Gabonese (sing., pl.); adjective--Gabonese~Ethnic divisions~: about 40 Bantu tribes, including four major tribalgroupings (Fang, Eshira, Bapounou, Bateke); about 100,000 expatriateAfricans and Europeans, including 27,000 French~Religion~: 55-75% Christian, less than 1% Muslim, remainder animist~Language~: French (official), Fang, Myene, Bateke, Bapounou/Eschira,Bandjabi~Literacy~: 61.6%~Labor force~: 120,000 salaried; 65.0% agriculture, 30.0% industry andcommerce, 2.5% services, 2.5% government; 58% of population ofworking age (1983)~Organized labor~: there are 38,000 members of the national tradeunion, the Gabonese Trade Union Confederation (COSYGA)~
Government~Long-form name~: Gabonese Republic~Type~: republic; one-party presidential regime since 1964~Capital~: Libreville~Administrative divisions~: 9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue,Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo,Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem~Independence~: 17 August 1960 (from France)~Constitution~: 21 February 1961, revised 15 April 1975~Legal system~: based on French civil law system and customary law;judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of theSupreme Court; compulsory ICJ jurisdiction not accepted~National holiday~: Renovation Day (Gabonese Democratic Partyestablished), 12 March (1968)~Executive branch~: president, prime minister, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Assembly (Assemble Nationale)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)~Leaders~: Chief of State--President El Hadj Omar BONGO (since 2December 1967);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Leon MEBIAME (since 16 April 1975)~Political parties and leaders~: only party--Gabonese Social DemocraticRally (RSDG), El Hadj Omar Bongo, president; formerly GaboneseDemocratic Party (PDG), which was dissolved in February 1990~Suffrage~: universal at age 21~Elections~: President--last held on 9 November 1986 (next to be heldNovember 1993); results--President Omar BONGO was reelected withoutopposition;  National Assembly--last held on 17 February 1985 (next to be held byFebruary 1992); results--PDG was the only party; seats--(120 total,111 elected) PDG 111~Communists~: no organized party; probably some Communist sympathizers~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, CCC, Conference of East and Central AfricanStates, EAMA, EIB (associate), FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICCO, ICO, IDA, IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPEC, UDEAC, UN,UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Jean Robert ODZAGA; Chancery at2034 20th Street NW, Washington DC 20009; telephone [phone];US--Ambassador Keith L. WAUCHOPE; Embassy at Boulevard de la Mer,Libreville (mailing address is B. P. 4000, Libreville); telephone762003 or 762004, 761337, 721348, 740248~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue~
Economy~Overview~: The economy, dependent on timber and manganese until theearly 1970s, is now dominated by the oil sector. During the period1981-85 oil accounted for about 46% of GDP, 83% of export earnings,and 65% of government revenues on average. The high oil prices ofthe early 1980s contributed to a substantial increase in per capitaincome, stimulated domestic demand, reinforced migration from ruralto urban areas, and raised the level of real wages to among thehighest in Sub-Saharan Africa. The three-year slide of Gabon'seconomy, which began with falling oil prices in 1985, stabilized in1989 because of a near doubling of oil prices over their 1988 lows.The agricultural and industrial sectors are relativelyunderdeveloped, accounting for only 8% and 10%, respectively, of GDPin 1986.~GDP~: $3.2 billion, per capita $3,200; real growth rate 0% (1989)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 3% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $927 million; expenditures $1.2 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $33 million (1988)~Exports~: $1.14 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--crude oil70%, manganese 11%, wood 12%, uranium 6%; partners--France 53%, US22%, FRG, Japan~Imports~: $0.76 billion (c.i.f., 1989); commodities--foodstuffs,chemical products, petroleum products, construction materials,manufactures, machinery; partners--France 48%, US 2.6%, FRG, Japan,UK~External debt~: $2.0 billion (October 1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate 1.7% (1986)~Electricity~: 310,000 kW capacity; 980 million kWh produced, 920 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: sawmills, petroleum, food and beverages; mining ofincreasing importance (especially manganese and uranium)~Agriculture~: accounts for 8% of GDP (including fishing and forestry);cash crops--cocoa, coffee, palm oil; livestock not developed;importer of food; small fishing operations provide a catch of about20,000 metric tons; okoume (a tropical softwood) is the mostimportant timber product~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $64 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$1.7 billion; Communist countries (1970-88), $27 million~Currency~: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural--francs); 1CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes~Exchange rates~: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) perUS$1--287.99 (January 1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54(1987), 346.30 (1986), 449.26 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 649 km 1.437-meter standard-gauge single track(Transgabonese Railroad)~Highways~: 7,500 km total; 560 km paved, 960 km laterite, 5,980 kmearth~Inland waterways~: 1,600 km perennially navigable~Pipelines~: crude oil, 270 km; refined products, 14 km~Ports~: Owendo, Port-Gentil, Libreville~Merchant marine~: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 18,563GRT/25,330 DWT~Civil air~: 11 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 79 total, 68 usable; 10 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 21with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: adequate system of open-wire, radio relay,tropospheric scatter links and radiocommunication stations; 13,800telephones; stations--6 AM, 6 FM, 8 TV; satellite earth stations--2Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 12 domestic satellite~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 266,110; 133,158 fit for militaryservice; 9,282 reach military age (20) annually~Defense expenditures~: 3.2% of GDP, or $102 million (1990 est.) ~[000000079~000581233~000000000~000000000~000007258~000000071~000573273~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]The Gambia~
Geography~Total area~: 11,300 km2; land area: 10,000 km2~Comparative area~: slightly more than twice the size of Delaware~Land boundary~: 740 km with Senegal~Coastline~: 80 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 18 nm;  Continental shelf: not specific;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: short section of boundary with Senegal is indefinite~Climate~: tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dryseason (November to May)~Terrain~: flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills~Natural resources~: fish~Land use~: 16% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 9% meadows andpastures; 20% forest and woodland; 55% other; includes 3% irrigated~Environment~: deforestation~Note~: almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continentof Africa~
People~Population~: 848,147 (July 1990), growth rate 3.1% (1990)~Birth rate~: 48 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 18 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 140 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 46 years male, 50 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 6.5 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Gambian(s); adjective--Gambian~Ethnic divisions~: 99% African (42% Mandinka, 18% Fula, 16% Wolof, 10%Jola, 9% Serahuli, 4% other); 1% non-Gambian~Religion~: 90% Muslim, 9% Christian, 1% indigenous beliefs~Language~: English (official); Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenousvernaculars~Literacy~: 25.1%~Labor force~: 400,000 (1986 est.); 75.0% agriculture, 18.9% industry,commerce, and services, 6.1% government; 55% population of workingage (1983)~Organized labor~: 25-30% of wage labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of The Gambia~Type~: republic~Capital~: Banjul~Administrative divisions~: 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, LowerRiver, MacCarthy Island, North Bank, Upper River, Western~Independence~: 18 February 1965 (from UK); The Gambia and Senegalsigned an agreement on 12 December 1981 (effective 1 February 1982)that called for the creation of a loose confederation to be known asSenegambia, but the agreement was dissolved on 30 September 1989~Constitution~: 24 April 1970~Legal system~: based on a composite of English common law, Koraniclaw, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, withreservations~National holiday~: Independence Day, 18 February (1965)~Executive branch~: president, vice president, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral House of Representatives~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Alhaji SirDawda Kairaba JAWARA (since 24 April 1970); Vice President BakaryBunja DARBO (since 12 May 1982)~Political parties and leaders~: People's Progressive Party (PPP),Dawda K. Jawara, secretary general; National Convention Party (NCP),Sheriff Dibba; Gambian People's Party (GPP), Assan Musa Camara;United Party (UP); People's Democratic Organization of Independenceand Socialism (PDOIS)~Suffrage~: universal at age 21~Elections~: President--last held on 11 March 1987 (next to be heldMarch 1992); results--Sir Dawda Jawara (PPP) 61.1%, Sherif MustaphaDibba (NCP) 25.2%, Assan Musa Camara (GPP) 13.7%;  House of Representatives--last held on 11 March 1987 (next to be heldby March 1992); results--PPP 56.6%, NCP 27.6%, GPP 14.7%, PDOIS 1%;seats--(43 total, 36 elected) PPP 31, NCP 5~Communists~: no Communist party~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, APC, Commonwealth, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77,GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD,IFC, IMF, IMO, IRC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO,WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Ousman A. SALLAH; Chancery atSuite 720, 1030 15th Street NW, Washington DC 20005; telephone [phone] or 842-1359; US--Ambassador (vacant); Embassy at PipelineRoad (Kairaba Avenue), Fajara, Banjul (mailing address is P. M. B.No. 19, Banjul); telephone Serrekunda ╒220σ 92856 or 92858, 91970,91971~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with whiteedges, and green~
Economy~Overview~: The Gambia has no important mineral or other naturalresources and has a limited agricultural base. It is one of theworld's poorest countries with a per capita income of about $250.About 75% of the population is engaged in crop production andlivestock raising, which contributes about 30% to GDP. Small-scalemanufacturing activity--processing peanuts, fish, andhides--accounts for less than 10% of GDP. Tourism is a growingindustry. The Gambia imports about 33% of its food, all fuel, andmost manufactured goods. Exports are concentrated on peanut products(over 75% of total value).~GDP~: $195 million, per capita $250; real growth rate 4.6% (FY89 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 8.0% (FY89 est.)~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $75 million; expenditures $67 million, includingcapital expenditures of $21 million (FY89)~Exports~: $133 million (f.o.b., FY89); commodities--peanuts and peanutproducts, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels; partners--Ghana 49%,Europe 27%, Japan 12%, US 1% (1986)~Imports~: $105 million (c.i.f., FY89); commodities--foodstuffs,manufactures, raw materials, fuel, machinery and transportequipment; partners--Europe 55% (EC 39%, other 16%), Asia 20%, US11%, Senegal 4% (1986)~External debt~: $330 million (December 1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate 7.3% (FY88)~Electricity~: 29,000 kW capacity; 64 million kWh produced, 80 kWh percapita (1989)~Industries~: peanut processing, tourism, beverages, agriculturalmachinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing~Agriculture~: accounts for 30% of GDP and employs about 75% of thepopulation; imports one-third of food requirements; major exportcrop is peanuts; the principal crops--millet, sorghum, rice, corn,cassava, palm kernels; livestock--cattle, sheep, and goats; forestryand fishing resources not fully exploited~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $84 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$422 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $39 million~Currency~: dalasi (plural--dalasi); 1 dalasi (D) = 100 bututs~Exchange rates~: dalasi (D) per US$1--8.3232 (December 1989), 7.5846(1989), 6.7086 (1988), 7.0744 (1987), 6.9380 (1986), 3.8939 (1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 July-30 June~
Communications~Highways~: 3,083 km total; 431 km paved, 501 km gravel/laterite, and2,151 km unimproved earth~Inland waterways~: 400 km~Ports~: Banjul~Civil air~: 2 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 1 with permanent-surface runway 2,440-3,659 m~Telecommunications~: adequate network of radio relay and wire; 3,500telephones; stations--3 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSATearth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, paramilitary Gendarmerie~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 182,308; 92,001 fit for militaryservice~Defense expenditures~: NA ~[000000080~000588494~000000000~000000000~000005505~000000058~000581233~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Gaza Strip~Note~: The war between Israel and the Arab states in June 1967 endedwith Israel in control of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, theSinai, and the Golan Heights. As stated in the 1978 Camp DavidAccords and reaffirmed by President Reagan's 1 September 1982 peaceinitiative, the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip,their relationship with their neighbors, and a peace treaty betweenIsrael and Jordan are to be negotiated among the concerned parties.Camp David further specifies that these negotiations will resolvethe respective boundaries. Pending the completion of this process,it is US policy that the final status of the West Bank and the GazaStrip has yet to be determined. In the view of the US, the term WestBank describes all of the area west of the Jordan under Jordanianadministration before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. With respect tonegotiations envisaged in the framework agreement, however, it is USpolicy that a distinction must be made between Jerusalem and therest of the West Bank because of the city's special status andcircumstances. Therefore, a negotiated solution for the final statusof Jerusalem could be different in character from that of the restof the West Bank.~
Geography~Total area~: 380km2; land area: 380 km2~Comparative area~: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC~Land boundaries~: 62 km total; Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km~Coastline~: 40 km~Maritime claims~: Israeli occupied with status to be determined~Disputes~: Israeli occupied with status to be determined~Climate~: temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers~Terrain~: flat to rolling, sand and dune covered coastal plain~Natural resources~: negligible~Land use~: 13% arable land, 32% permanent crops, 0% meadows andpastures, 0% forest and woodland, 55% other~Environment~: desertification~Note~: there are 18 Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip~
People~Population~: 615,575 (July 1990), growth rate 3.2% (1990); inaddition, there are 2,500 Jewish settlers in the Gaza Strip~Birth rate~: 47 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 7 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 55 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 63 years male, 66 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 7.0 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: NA~Ethnic divisions~: 99.8% Palestinian Arab and other, 0.2% Jewish~Religion~: 99% Muslim (predominantly Sunni), 0.7% Christian, 0.3%Jewish~Language~: Arabic, Israeli settlers speak Hebrew, English widelyunderstood~Literacy~: NA%~Labor force~: (excluding Israeli Jewish settlers) 32.0% smallindustry, commerce and business, 24.4% construction, 25.5% serviceand other, and 18.1% agriculture (1984)~Organized labor~: NA~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Note~: The Gaza Strip is currently governed by Israeli militaryauthorities and Israeli civil administration. It is US policy thatthe final status of the Gaza Strip will be determined bynegotiations among the concerned parties. These negotiations willdetermine how this area is to be governed.~
Economy~Overview~: Nearly half of the labor force of the Gaza Strip isemployed across the border by Israeli industrial, construction, andagricultural enterprises, with worker transfer funds accounting for40% of GNP in 1989. The once dominant agricultural sector nowcontributes only 13% to GNP, about the same as that of theconstruction sector, and industry accounts for 7%. Gaza depends uponIsrael for 90% of its imports and as a market for 80% of itsexports. Unrest in the territory in 1988-89 (intifadah) has raisedunemployment and substantially lowered the incomes of thepopulation.~GNP~: $380 million, per capita $650; real growth rate NA% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: NA%~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $36.6 million; expenditures $32.0 million, includingcapital expenditures of NA (1986)~Exports~: $88 million; commodities--citrus; partners--Israel, Egypt(1989 est.)~Imports~: $260 million; commodities--food, consumer goods,construction materials; partners--Israel, Egypt (1989 est.)~External debt~: $NA~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: power supplied by Israel~Industries~: generally small family businesses that produce cement,textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs;the Israelis have established some small-scale modern industries inan industrial center~Agriculture~: olives, citrus and other fruits, vegetables, beef, dairyproducts~Aid~: none~Currency~: new Israeli shekel (plural--shekels); 1 new Israeli shekel(NIS) = 100 new agorot~Exchange rates~: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1--1.9450 (January1990), 1.9164 (1989), 1.5989 (1988), 1.5946 (1987), 1.4878 (1986),1.1788 (1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 April-March 31~
Communications~Railroads~: one line, abandoned and in disrepair, but trackage remains~Highways~: small, poorly developed indigenous road network~Ports~: facilities for small boats to service Gaza~Airports~: 1 with permanent-surface runway less than 1,220 m~Telecommunications~: stations--no AM, no FM, no TV~
Defense Forces~Branches~: NA~Military manpower~: NA~Defense expenditures~: NA ~[000000081~000594002~000000000~000000000~000010688~000000119~000588494~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]German Democratic Republic(East Germany)~
Geography~Total area~: 108,330 km2; land area: 105,980 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Tennessee~Land boundaries~: 2,296 km total; Czechoslovakia 459 km, Poland 456km, FRG 1,381 km~Coastline~: 901 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: it is US policy that the final borders of Germany have notbeen established; the US is seeking to settle the property claims ofUS nationals against the GDR~Climate~: temperate; cloudy, cold winters with frequent rain and snow;cool, wet summers~Terrain~: mostly flat plain with hills and mountains in south~Natural resources~: lignite, potash, uranium, copper, natural gas,salt, nickel~Land use~: 45% arable land; 3% permanent crops; 12% meadows andpastures; 28% forest and woodland; 12% other; includes 2% irrigated~Environment~: significant deforestation in mountains caused by airpollution and acid rain~Note~: strategic location on North European Plain and near theentrance to the Baltic Sea; West Berlin is an enclave (about 116 kmby air or 176 km by road from FRG)~
People~Population~: 16,307,170 (July 1990), growth rate - 0.6% (1990)~Birth rate~: 12 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 6 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 71 years male, 77 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.7 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--German(s); adjective--German~Ethnic divisions~: 99.7% German, 0.3% Slavic and other~Religion~: 47% Protestant, 7% Roman Catholic, 46% unaffiliated orother; less than 5% of Protestants and about 25% of Roman Catholicsactive participants~Language~: German~Literacy~: 99%~Labor force~: 8,960,000; 37.5% industry, 21.1% services, 10.8%agriculture and forestry, 10.3% commerce, 7.4% transport andcommunications, 6.6% construction, 3.1% handicrafts, 3.2% other(1987)~Organized labor~: 87.7% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: German Democratic Republic; abbreviated GDR~Type~: Communist state~Capital~: East Berlin (not officially recognized by France, UK, andUS, which together with the USSR have special rights andresponsibilities in Berlin)~Administrative divisions~: 14 districts (bezirke, singular--bezirk);Cottbus, Dresden, Erfurt, Frankfurt, Gera, Halle, Karl-Marx-Stadt,Leipzig, Magdeburg, Neubrandenburg, Potsdam, Rostock, Schwerin, Suhl~Independence~: self-government proclaimed 7 October 1949, withpermission of the Soviet authorities~Constitution~: 9 April 1968, amended 7 October 1974~Legal system~: civil law system modified by Communist legal theory; nojudicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction~National holiday~: Foundation of the German Democratic Republic, 7October (1949)~Executive branch~: Council of State abolished on 5 April 1990, post ofpresident to be created; chairman of the Council of Ministers,Council of Ministers (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral People's Chamber (Volkskammer)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Acting President of the People's ChamberSabine BERGMANN-POHL (since 5 April 1990);  Head of Government--Chairman of the Council of Ministers Lothar DEMAIZIERE (since 12 April 1990); Deputy Chairman Peter-MichaelDIESTEL (since 16 April 1990)~Political parties and leaders~: Alliance for Germany--ChristianDemocratic Union (CDU), Lothar de Maiziere, chairman; German SocialUnion (DSU), Hans-Wilhelm Ebeling, chairman; and DemocraticAwakening (DA), Rainer Eppelmann, chairman;  Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), Markus Meckel, actingchairman;  Party for Democratic Socialism (PDS, former Communist), Gregor Gysi,chairman;  League of Free Democrats (BFD)--Liberals, Rainer Ortleb, chairman;Free Democratic Party (FDP), Bruno Menzel, chairman; and GermanForum Party (DFP), Juergen Schmieder, chairman;  Alliance '90--New Forum, Baerbel Bohley, Jens Reich, SebastianPflugbeil, spokespersons; Democracy Now, Konrad Weiss, spokesperson;and United Left, Herbert Misslitz, spokesperson;  Greens Party (GP), Vera Wollenberger, spokesperson;  Democratic Peasants' Party (DBD), Guenther Maleuda, chairman~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: People's Chamber--last held on 18 March 1990 (next to beheld March NA); results--Alliance for Germany--CDU 40.9%, DSU 6.3%,DA 0.9%; SPD 21.8; BFD 5.3%; SPD 21.8%; PDS 16.3%; Alliance '902.9%; DBD 2.2%; GP 2.0%; NDPD 0.4%; others 1.0%; seats--(400 total,including 66 from East Berlin) Alliance for Germany--CDU 164, DSU25, DA 4; SPD 87; BFD 21; PDS 65; Alliance '90 12, DBD 9; GP 8; NDPD2; others 3~Communists~: 500,000 to 700,000 party members (1990)~Member of~: CEMA, IAEA, IBEC, ICES, ILO, IMO, IPU, ITU, UN, UNESCO,UPU, Warsaw Pact, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Dr. Gerhard HERDER; Chancery at1717 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20036; telephone [phone]; US--Ambassador Richard C. BARKLEY; Embassy at 1080 Berlin,Neustaedtische Kirchstrasse 4-5, East Berlin (mailing address is BoxE, APO New York 09742); telephone ╒37σ (2) 220-2741~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and yellowwith the coat of arms centered; the coat of arms contains, inyellow, a hammer and compass encircled by a wreath of grain with ablack, red, and gold ribbon at the bottom; similar to the flag ofthe FRG which does not have a coat of arms~
Economy~Overview~: The GDR is moving rapidly away from its centrally plannedeconomy. As the 1990s begin, economic integration with West Germanyappears inevitable, beginning with the establishment of a commoncurrency. The opening of the border with the FRG in late 1989 andthe continuing emigration of hundreds of thousands of skilledworkers had brought growth to a standstill by yearend 1989. Featuresof the old economic regime that will quickly change: (a) thecollectivization of 95% of East German farms; (b) state ownership ofnearly all transportation facilities, industrial plants, foreigntrade organizations, and financial institutions; (c) the 65% sharein trade of the USSR and other CEMA countries; and (d) the detailedcontrol over economic details exercised by Party and state. Onceintegrated into the thriving West German economy, the area will haveto stem the outflow of workers and renovate the obsolescentindustrial base. After an initial readjustment period, livingstandards and quality of output will steadily rise toward WestGerman levels.~GNP~: $159.5 billion, per capita $9,679; real growth rate 1.2% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: NA~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $123.5 billion; expenditures $123.2 billion,including capital expenditures of $33 billion (1986)~Exports~: $30.7 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--machinery andtransport equipment 47%, fuels and metals 16%, consumer goods 16%,chemical products and building materials 13%, semimanufactured goodsand processed foodstuffs 8%; partners--USSR, Czechoslovakia, Poland,FRG, Hungary, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Romania~Imports~: $31.0 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--fuels and metals40%, machinery and transport equipment 29%, chemical products andbuilding materials 9%; partners--CEMA countries 65%, non-Communist33%, other 2%~External debt~: $20.6 billion (1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate 2.7% (1989 est.)~Electricity~: (including East Berlin) 24,585,000 kW capacity; 122,500million kWh produced, 7,390 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: metal fabrication, chemicals, brown coal, shipbuilding,machine building, food and beverages, textiles, petroleum~Agriculture~: accounts for about 10% of GNP (including fishing andforestry); principal crops--wheat, rye, barley, potatoes, sugarbeets, fruit; livestock products include pork, beef, chicken, milk,hides and skins; net importer of food; fish catch of 193,600 metrictons in 1987~Aid~: donor--$4.0 billion extended bilaterally to non-Communist lessdeveloped countries (1956-88)~Currency~: GDR mark (plural--marks); 1 GDR mark (M) = 100 pfennige~Exchange rates~: GDR marks (M) per US$1--3.01 (1988), 3.00 (1987),3.30 (1986), 3.70 (1985), 3.64 (1984)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 14,005 km total; 13,730 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 275km 1.000-meter or other narrow gauge, 3,830 (est.) km 1.435-meterdouble-track standard gauge; 2,754 km overhead electrified (1986)~Highways~: 124,615 km total; 47,214 km concrete, asphalt, stone block,of which 1,913 km are autobahn and limited access roads, 11,261 aretrunk roads, and 34,040 are regional roads; 77,401 municipal roads(1985)~Inland waterways~: 2,319 km (1986)~Pipelines~: crude oil, 1,301 km; refined products, 500 km; naturalgas, 2,150 km (1988)~Ports~: Rostock, Wismar, Stralsund, Sassnitz; river ports are EastBerlin, Riesa, Magdeburg, and Eisenhuttenstadt on the Elbe or OderRivers and connecting canals~Merchant marine~: 145 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,349,537GRT/1,733,089 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 89 cargo, 10 refrigeratedcargo, 6 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 16 container, 1 multifunctionlarge-load carrier, 2 railcar carrier, 1 petroleum, oils, andlubricants (POL) tanker, 2 chemical tanker, 1 liquefied gas tanker,16 bulk~Civil air~: 45 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 190 total, 190 usable; 70 with permanent-surface runways; 1with runway over 3,659 m; 45 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 40 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: stations--23 AM, 17 FM, 21 TV; 15 Soviet TVrelays; 6,181,860 TV sets; 6,700,000 radio receivers; at least 1satellite earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: National People's Army, Border Troops, Air and Air DefenseCommand, People's Navy~Military manpower~: eligible 15-49, 7,944,305; of the 4,045,396 males15-49, 3,243,970 are fit for military service; 91,579 reach militaryage (18) annually; of the 3,898,909 females 15-49, 3,117,847 are fitfor military service; 85,892 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 16.2 billion marks, 5.4% of total budget(1989); note--conversion of the military budget into US dollarsusing the official administratively set exchange rate would producemisleading results ~[000000082~000604693~000000000~000000000~000010388~000000119~000594002~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Germany, Federal Republic of(West Germany)~
Geography~Total area~: 248,580 km2; land area: 244,280 km2; includes West Berlin~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Oregon~Land boundaries~: 4,256 km total; Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km,Czechoslovakia 356 km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, GDR 1,381 km;Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577 km, Switzerland 334 km~Coastline~: 1,488 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 3 nm (extends, at one point, to 16 nm in theHelgolander Bucht)~Disputes~: it is US policy that the final borders of Germany have notbeen established~Climate~: temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers;occasional warm, tropical foehn wind; high relative humidity~Terrain~: lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south~Natural resources~: iron ore, coal, potash, timber~Land use~: 30% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 19% meadows andpastures; 30% forest and woodland; 20% other; includes 1% irrigated~Environment~: air and water pollution~Note~: West Berlin is an exclave (about 116 km by air or 176 km byroad from FRG)~
People~Population~: 62,168,200 (July 1990), growth rate 0.5% (1990)~Birth rate~: 11 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 5 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 73 years male, 81 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.4 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--German(s); adjective--German~Ethnic divisions~: primarily German; Danish minority~Religion~: 45% Roman Catholic, 44% Protestant, 11% other~Language~: German~Literacy~: 99%~Labor force~: 27,790,000; 41.6% industry, 35.4% services and other,18.2% trade and transport, 4.8% agriculture (1987)~Organized labor~: 9,300,000 total; 7,760,000 in German Trade UnionFederation (DGB); union membership constitutes about 40% ofunion-eligible labor force, 34% of total labor force, and 35% ofwage and salary earners (1986)~
Government~Long-form name~: Federal Republic of Germany; abbreviated FRG~Type~: federal republic~Capital~: Bonn~Administrative divisions~: 10 states (lander, singular--land);Baden-Wurttemberg, Bayern, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Niedersachsen,Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Schleswig-Holstein~Constitution~: 23 May 1949, provisional constitution known as BasicLaw~Legal system~: civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicialreview of legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; hasnot accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: NA~Executive branch~: president, chancellor, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral Parliament (Parlament) consists of anupper chamber or Federal Assembly (Bundesrat) and a lower chamber orNational Assembly (Bundestag)~Judicial branch~: Federal Constitutional Court(Bundesverfassungsgericht)~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Dr. Richard von WEIZSACKER (since1 July 1984);  Head of Government--Chancellor Dr. Helmut KOHL (since 4 October 1982)~Political parties and leaders~: Christian Democratic Union (CDU),Helmut Kohl; Christian Social Union (CSU), Theo Waigel; FreeDemocratic Party (FDP), Otto Lambsdorff; Social Democratic Party(SPD), Hans-Jochen Vogel; National Democratic Party (NPD), MartinMussgnug; Republikaner, Franz Schoerhuber; Communist Party (DKP),Herbert Mies; Green Party--Realos faction, Joschka Fischer; GreenParty--Fundis faction, Jutta Ditfurth~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: National Assembly--last held 25 January 1987 (next to beheld by 18 January 1991); results--SPD 37.0%, CDU 34.5%, CSU 9.8%,FDP 9.1%, Green Party 8.2%, others 1.4%; seats--(497 total, 22 areelected by the West Berlin House of Representatives and have limitedvoting rights) SPD 186, CDU 174, CSU 49, FDP 46, Green Party 42~Communists~: about 40,000 members and supporters~Other political or pressure groups~: expellee, refugee, and veteransgroups~Member of~: ADB, CCC, Council of Europe, DAC, EC, EIB, EMS, ESA, FAO,GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, ICES, ICO, IDA, IDB--Inter-AmericanDevelopment Bank, IFAD, IEA, IFC, IHO, ILO, ILZSG, IMF, IMO,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ITC, ITU, NATO, OAS (observer), OECD, UN,UNESCO, UPU, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WSG, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Jeurgen RUHFUS; Chancery at4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington DC 20007; telephone [phone]; there are FRG Consulates General in Atlanta, Boston,Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, andNew York, and Consulates in Miami and New Orleans; US--AmbassadorVernon WALTERS; Embassy at Deichmanns Avenue, 5300 Bonn 2 (mailingaddress is APO New York 09080); telephone [phone]; there areUS Consulates General in Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, and Stuttgart~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and yellow;similar to the flag of the GDR which has a coat of arms in thecenter~
Economy~Overview~: West Germany, a major economic power and a leadingexporter, has a highly urbanized and skilled population that enjoysexcellent living standards and comprehensive social welfarebenefits. The FRG is poor in natural resources, coal being the mostimportant mineral. The FRG's comparative advantage lies in thetechnologically advanced production stages. Thus manufacturing andservices dominate economic activity, and raw materials andsemimanufactures constitute a large proportion of imports. In 1988manufacturing accounted for 35% of GDP, with other sectorscontributing lesser amounts.  The major economic problem in 1989 ispersistent unemployment of over 8%. The FRG is well poised to takeadvantage of the increasing economic integration of the EuropeanCommunity. The dramatic opening of the boundary with East Germany inlate 1989 poses new economic challenges that could tax even thispowerful economy.~GDP~: $945.7 billion, per capita $15,300; real growth rate 4.3% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 3.0% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 8.4% (1989)~Budget~: revenues $539 billion; expenditures $563 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $11.5 billion (1988)~Exports~: $323.4 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--manufactures86.6% (including machines and machine tools, chemicals, motorvehicles, iron and steel products), agricultural products 4.9%, rawmaterials 2.3%, fuels 1.3%; partners--EC 52.7% (France 12%,Netherlands 9%, Italy 9%, UK 9%, Belgium-Luxembourg 7%), other WestEurope 18%, US 10%, Eastern Europe 4%, OPEC 3% (1987)~Imports~: $250.6 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--manufactures68.5%, agricultural products 12.0%, fuels 9.7%, raw materials 7.1%;partners--EC 52.7% (France 12%, Netherlands 11%, Italy 10%, UK 7%,Belgium-Luxembourg 7%), other West Europe 15%, US 6%, Japan 6%,Eastern Europe 5%, OPEC 3% (1987)~External debt~: $500 million (June 1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate 3.3% (1988)~Electricity~: (including West Berlin) 110,075,000 kW capacity; 452,390million kWh produced, 7,420 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: among world's largest producers of iron, steel, coal,cement, chemicals, machinery, ships, vehicles, and machine tools;electronics, food and beverages~Agriculture~: accounts for about 2% of GDP (including fishing andforestry); diversified crop and livestock farming; principal cropsand livestock include potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit,cabbage, cattle, pigs, poultry; net importer of food; fish catch of202,000 metric tons in 1987~Aid~: donor--ODA and OOF commitments (1970-87), $60.0 billion~Currency~: deutsche mark (plural--marks); 1 deutsche mark (DM) = 100pfennige~Exchange rates~: deutsche marks (DM) per US$1--1.6918 (January 1990),1.8800 (1989), 1.7562 (1988), 1.7974 (1987), 2.1715 (1986), 2.9440(1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 31,443 km total; 27,421 km government owned, 1.435-meterstandard gauge (12,491 km double track, 11,501 km electrified);4,022 km nongovernment owned, including 3,598 km 1.435-meterstandard gauge (214 km electrified) and 424 km 1.000-meter gauge(186 km electrified)~Highways~: 466,305 km total; 169,568 km primary, includes 6,435 kmautobahn, 32,460 km national highways (Bundesstrassen), 65,425 kmstate highways (Landesstrassen), 65,248 km county roads(Kreisstrassen); 296,737 km of secondary communal roads(Gemeindestrassen)~Inland waterways~: 5,222 km, of which almost 70% are usable by craftof 1,000-metric ton capacity or larger; major rivers include theRhine and Elbe; Kiel Canal is an important connection between theBaltic Sea and the North Sea~Pipelines~: crude oil, 2,343 km; refined products, 3,446 km; naturalgas, 95,414 km~Ports~: maritime--Bremerhaven, Brunsbuttel, Cuxhaven, Emden, Bremen,Hamburg, Kiel, Lubeck, Wilhelmshaven; inland--27 major~Merchant marine~: 422 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,436,568GRT/4,297,520 DWT; includes 2 passenger, 7 short-sea passenger, 218cargo, 4 refrigerated cargo, 95 container, 20 roll-on/roll-offcargo, 2 railcar carrier, 7 barge carrier, 2 multifunctionlarge-load carrier, 12 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker,21 chemical tanker, 15 liquefied gas, 5 combination ore/oil, 13combination bulk~Civil air~: 194 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 466 total, 457 usable; 240 with permanent-surface runways;3 with runways over 3,659 m; 41 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 55 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: highly developed, modern telecommunicationservice to all parts of the country; fully adequate in all respects;40,300,000 telephones; stations--87 AM, 205 (376 relays) FM, 300(6,400 relays) TV; 6 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earthstations operating in INTELSAT (12 Atlantic Ocean, 2 Indian Ocean),EUTELSAT, and domestic systems~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 16,006,352; 13,883,536 fit formilitary service; 326,666 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 2.9% of GDP (1989 est.) ~[000000083~000615084~000000000~000000000~000008095~000000082~000604693~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Ghana~
Geography~Total area~: 238,540 km2; land area: 230,020 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Oregon~Land boundaries~: 2,093 km total; Burkina 548 km, Ivory Coast 668 km,Togo 877 km~Coastline~: 539 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 24 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 nm;  Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast;hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north~Terrain~: mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-centralarea~Natural resources~: gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite,manganese, fish, rubber~Land use~: 5% arable land; 7% permanent crops; 15% meadows andpastures; 37% forest and woodland; 36% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: recent drought in north severely affecting marginalagricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion;dry, northeasterly harmattan wind (January to March)~Note~: Lake Volta is world's largest artificial lake~
People~Population~: 15,165,243 (July 1990), growth rate 3.2% (1990)~Birth rate~: 46 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 1 migrant/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 89 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 52 years male, 56 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 6.4 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Ghanaian(s); adjective--Ghanaian~Ethnic divisions~: 99.8% black African (major tribes--44% Akan, 16%Moshi-Dagomba, 13% Ewe, 8% Ga), 0.2% European and other~Religion~: 38% indigenous beliefs, 30% Muslim, 24% Christian, 8% other~Language~: English (official); African languages include Akan,Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga~Literacy~: 53.2%~Labor force~: 3,700,000; 54.7% agriculture and fishing, 18.7%industry, 15.2% sales and clerical, 7.7% services, transportation,and communications, 3.7% professional; 48% of population of workingage (1983)~Organized labor~: 467,000 (about 13% of labor force)~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Ghana~Type~: military~Capital~: Accra~Administrative divisions~: 10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central,Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta,Western~Independence~: 6 March 1957 (from UK, formerly Gold Coast)~Constitution~: 24 September 1979; suspended 31 December 1981~Legal system~: based on English common law and customary law; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Independence Day, 6 March (1957)~Executive branch~: chairman of the Provisional National DefenseCouncil (PNDC), PNDC, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Assembly dissolved after 31December 1981 coup, and legislative powers were assumed by theProvisional National Defense Council~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--Chairman of theProvisional National Defense Council Flt. Lt. (Ret.) Jerry JohnRAWLINGS (since 31 December 1981)~Political parties and leaders~: none; political parties outlawed after31 December 1981 coup~Suffrage~: none~Elections~: none~Communists~: a small number of Communists and sympathizers~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, CCC, Commonwealth, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77,GATT, IAEA, IBA, IBRD, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IRC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WCL,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Eric K. OTOO; Chancery at 246016th Street NW, Washington DC 20009; telephone [phone]; thereis a Ghanaian Consulate General in New York; US--Ambassador RaymondC. EWING; Embassy at Ring Road East, East of Danquah Circle, Accra(mailing address is P. O. Box 194, Accra); telephone 775347 through775349~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and greenwith a large black five-pointed star centered in the gold band; usesthe popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag ofBolivia which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band~
Economy~Overview~: Supported by substantial international assistance, Ghanahas been implementing a steady economic rebuilding program since1983. Good harvests in 1988 featured the 6% growth in GNP. Movestoward privatization and relaxation of government controls continuedin 1988-89, although at a slower-than-expected pace. In 1988 serviceon the $2.8 billion debt was equivalent to 75% of export earnings.As Ghana obtains concessional loans and pays off high-interest debt,however, debt service is expected to fall below 30% of exportearnings in the early 1990s. The economic rebuilding program hasboth helped and harmed the manufacturing sector, for example, byimproving the supply of raw materials and by increasing competitionfrom imports. The long-term outlook is favorable provided that thepolitical structure can endure the slow pace at which livingstandards are improving and can manage the problems stemming fromexcessive population growth.~GNP~: $5.2 billion, per capita $400; real growth rate 6% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 32.7% (1988)~Unemployment rate~: 26% (April 1987)~Budget~: revenues $769 million; expenditures $749 million, includingcapital expenditures of $179 million (1988 est.)~Exports~: $977 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities--cocoa 60%, timber,gold, tuna, bauxite, and aluminum; partners--US 23%, UK, other EC~Imports~: $988 million (c.i.f., 1987); commodities--petroleum 16%,consumer goods, foods, intermediate goods, capital equipment;partners--US 10%, UK, FRG, France, Japan, South Korea, GDR~External debt~: $3.0 billion (December 1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate 0.5% in manufacturing (1987)~Electricity~: 1,172,000 kW capacity; 4,110 million kWh produced, 280kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, fishing,aluminum, food processing~Agriculture~: accounts for more than 50% of GDP (including fishing andforestry); the major cash crop is cocoa; other principalcrops--rice, coffee, cassava, peanuts, corn, shea nuts, timber;normally self-sufficient in food~Illicit drugs~: illicit producer of cannabis for the internationaldrug trade~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $424 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$1.9 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $78 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $84 million~Currency~: cedi (plural--cedis); 1 cedi (C) = 100 pesewas~Exchange rates~: cedis (C) per US$1--301.68 (December 1989), 270.00(1989), 202.35 (1988), 153.73 (1987), 89.20 (1986), 54.37 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 953 km, all 1.067-meter gauge; 32 km double track;railroads undergoing major renovation~Highways~: 28,300 km total; 6,000 km concrete or bituminous surface,22,300 km gravel, laterite, and improved earth surfaces~Inland waterways~: Volta, Ankobra, and Tano Rivers provide 155 km ofperennial navigation for launches and lighters; Lake Volta provides1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways~Pipelines~: none~Ports~: Tema, Takoradi~Merchant marine~: 4 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 52,016GRT/66,627 DWT~Civil air~: 6 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 10 total, 9 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 7 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: poor to fair system of open-wire and cable, radiorelay links; 38,000 telephones; stations--6 AM, no FM, 9 TV; 1Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Palace Guard,paramilitary People's Militia~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 3,437,300; 1,927,817 fit for militaryservice; 167,778 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 0.9% of GNP (1987) ~[000000084~000623182~000000000~000000000~000006450~000000060~000615084~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Gibraltar(dependent territory of the UK)~
Geography~Total area~: 6.5 km2; land area: 6.5 km2~Comparative area~: about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington,DC~Land boundaries~: 1.2 km with Spain~Coastline~: 12 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 3 nm;  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Disputes~: source of occasional friction between Spain and the UK~Climate~: Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers~Terrain~: a narrow coastal lowland borders The Rock~Natural resources~: negligible~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other~Environment~: natural freshwater sources are meager so large watercatchments (concrete or natural rock) collect rain water~Note~: strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the NorthAtlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea~
People~Population~: 29,572 (July 1990), growth rate 0.1% (1990)~Birth rate~: 18 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 8 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 72 years male, 78 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.4 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Gibraltarian; adjective--Gibraltar~Ethnic divisions~: mostly Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese, andSpanish descent~Religion~: 75% Roman Catholic, 8% Church of England, 2.25% Jewish~Language~: English and Spanish are primary languages; Italian,Portuguese, and Russian also spoken; English used in the schools andfor official purposes~Literacy~: 99% (est.)~Labor force~: about 14,800 (including non-Gibraltar laborers); UKmilitary establishments and civil government employ nearly 50% ofthe labor force~Organized labor~: over 6,000~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: dependent territory of the UK~Capital~: Gibraltar~Administrative divisions~: none (colony of the UK)~Independence~: none (colony of the UK)~Constitution~: 30 May 1969~Legal system~: English law~National holiday~: Commonwealth Day (second Monday of March), 12 March1990~Executive branch~: British monarch, governor, chief minister,Gibraltar Council, Council of Ministers (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral House of Assembly~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court, Court of Appeal~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor and Commander in Chief Air Chief Marshal SirPeter TERRY (since NA 1985);  Head of Government--Chief Minister Joe BOSSANO (since NA March 1988)~Political parties and leaders~: Socialist Labor Party (SL), JoeBossano; Gibraltar Labor Party/Association for the Advancement ofCivil Rights (GCL/AACR), Adolfo Canepa; Independent DemocraticParty, Joe Pitaluga~Suffrage~: universal at age 18, plus other UK subjects resident sixmonths or more~Elections~: House of Assembly: last held on 24 March 1988 (next to beheld March 1992); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(18total, 15 elected) SL 8, GCL/AACR 7~Communists~: negligible~Other political or pressure groups~: Housewives Association, Chamberof Commerce, Gibraltar Representatives Organization~Diplomatic representation~: none (colony of the UK)~Flag~: two horizontal bands of white (top, double-width) and red witha three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hangingfrom the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band~
Economy~Overview~: The economy depends heavily on British defenseexpenditures, revenue from tourists, fees for services to shipping,and revenues from banking and finance activities. Because more than70% of the economy is in the public sector, changes in governmentspending have a major impact on the level of employment.Construction workers are particularly affected when governmentexpenditures are cut.~GNP~: $129 million, per capita $4,450; real growth rate NA% (FY85)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 4.4% (1986)~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $105 million; expenditures $104 million, includingcapital expenditures of NA (FY87)~Exports~: $62.2 million (1985); commodities--(principally reexports)petroleum 75%, beverages and tobacco 12%, manufactured goods 8%;partners--UK, Morocco, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain, US, FRG~Imports~: $147 million (1985); commodities--manufactured goods, fuels,and foodstuffs; partners--UK, Morocco, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain,US, FRG~External debt~: $NA~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 46,000 kW capacity; 200 million kWh produced, 6,770 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: tourism, banking and finance, construction, commerce;support to large UK naval and air bases; transit trade and supplydepot in the port; light manufacturing of tobacco, roasted coffee,ice, mineral waters, candy, beer, and canned fish~Agriculture~: NA~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $0.8 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$162.5 million~Currency~: Gibraltar pound (plural--pounds); 1 Gibraltar pound (LG) =100 pence~Exchange rates~: Gibraltar pounds (LG) per US$1--0.6055 (January1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987), 0.6817 (1986),0.7714 (1985); note--the Gibraltar pound is at par with the Britishpound~Fiscal year~: 1 July-30 June~
Communications~Railroads~: 1.000-meter-gauge system in dockyard area only~Highways~: 50 km, mostly good bitumen and concrete~Ports~: Gibraltar~Merchant marine~: 45 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,126,060GRT/4,189,948 DWT; includes 10 cargo, 2 refrigerated cargo, 1container, 16 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1chemical tanker 1 combination oil/ore, 1 liquefied gas, 13 bulk;note--a flag of convenience registry~Civil air~: 1 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 1 with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: adequate international radiocommunicationfacilities; automatic telephone system with 10,500 telephones;stations--1 AM, 6 FM, 4 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of the UK ~[000000085~000629635~000000000~000000000~000001420~000000015~000623182~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Glorioso Islands(French possession)~
Geography~Total area~: 5 km2; land area: 5 km2; includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile duLys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and South Rock~Comparative area~: about 8.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington,DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 35.2 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 12 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: claimed by Madagascar~Climate~: tropical~Terrain~: undetermined~Natural resources~: guano, coconuts~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other--lush vegetation andcoconut palms~Environment~: subject to periodic cyclones~Note~: located in the Indian Ocean just north of the MozambiqueChannel between Africa and Madagascar~
People~Population~: uninhabited~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: French possession administered by Commissioner of the RepublicDaniel CONSTANTIN, resident in Reunion~
Economy~Overview~: no economic activity~
Communications~Airports~: 1 with runway 1,220-2,439 m~Ports~: none; offshore anchorage only~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of France ~[000000086~000631058~000000000~000000000~000009998~000000108~000629635~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Greece~
Geography~Total area~: 131,940 km2; land area: 130,800 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Alabama~Land boundaries~: 1,228 km total; Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km,Turkey 206 km, Yugoslavia 246 km~Coastline~: 13,676 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Territorial sea: 6 nm~Disputes~: complex maritime and air (but not territorial) disputeswith Turkey in Aegean Sea; Cyprus question; Macedonia question withBulgaria and Yugoslavia; Northern Epirus question with Albania~Climate~: temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers~Terrain~: mostly mountains with ranges extending into sea aspeninsulas or chains of islands~Natural resources~: bauxite, lignite, magnesite, crude oil, marble~Land use~: 23% arable land; 8% permanent crops; 40% meadows andpastures; 20% forest and woodland; 9% other; includes 7% irrigated~Environment~: subject to severe earthquakes; air pollution;archipelago of 2,000 islands~Note~: strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southernapproach to Turkish Straits~
People~Population~: 10,028,171 (July 1990), growth rate 0.2% (1990)~Birth rate~: 11 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 10 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 75 years male, 80 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.5 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Greek(s); adjective--Greek~Ethnic divisions~: Greek 98%, others 2%; note--the Greek Governmentstates there are no ethnic divisions in Greece~Religion~: 98% Greek Orthodox, 1.3% Muslim, 0.7% other~Language~: Greek (official); English and French widely understood~Literacy~: 95%~Labor force~: 3,860,000; 43% services, 27% agriculture, 20%manufacturing and mining, 7% construction (1985)~Organized labor~: 10-15% of total labor force, 20-25% of urban laborforce~
Government~Long-form name~: Hellenic Republic~Type~: presidential parliamentary government; monarchy rejected byreferendum 8 December 1974~Capital~: Athens~Administrative divisions~: 51 departments (nomoi, singular--nomos);Aitolia kai Akarnania, Akhaia, Argolis, Arkadhia, Arta, Attiki,Dhodhekanisos, Drama, Evritania, Evros, Evvoia, Florina, Fokis,Fthiotis, Grevena, Ilia, Imathia, Ioannina, Iraklion, Kardhitsa,Kastoria, Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkira, Khalkidhiki, Khania, Khios,Kikladhes, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani, Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi,Lesvos, Levkas, Magnisia, Messinia, Pella, Pieria, Preveza,Rethimni, Rodhopi, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala,Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakinthos~Independence~: 1827 (from the Ottoman Empire)~Constitution~: 11 June 1975~Legal system~: NA~National holiday~: Independence Day (proclamation of the war ofindependence), 25 March (1821)~Executive branch~: president, prime minister, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral Parliament (Vouli)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Christos SARTZETAKIS (since 30March 1985);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Constantin MITSOTAKIS (since 11April 1990)~Political parties and leaders~: New Democracy (ND; conservative),Constantine Mitsotakis; Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK),Andreas Papandreou; Democratic Renewal (DR), ConstantineStefanopoulos; Communist Party (KKE), Grigorios Farakos; Greek LeftParty (EAR), Leonidas Kyrkos; KKE and EAR have joined in the LeftAlliance, Harilaos Florakis, president~Suffrage~: universal and compulsory at age 18~Elections~: President--last held 30 March 1985 (next to be held 29April 1990); results--Christos Sartzetakis was elected byParliament;  Parliament:--last held on 8 April 1990 (next to be held April 1994);results--New Democracy 46.89%, Panhellenic Socialist Movement38.62%, Left Alliance 10.27%, PASOK-Left Alliance Cooperation 1.02%,Ecologist-Alternative 0.77%, Democratic Renewal 0.67%, Muslim 0.5%;seats--(300 total) New Democracy 150, Panhellenic Socialist Movement123, Left Alliance 19, PASOK-Left Alliance Cooperation 4, Muslimindependent 2, Democratic Renewal 1, Ecologist-Alternative 1~Communists~: an estimated 60,000 members and sympathizers~Member of~: CCC, EC, EIB (associate), FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,IDA, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOOC, ITU,IWC--International Wheat Council, NATO, OECD, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WSG, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Christos ZACHARAKIS; Chanceryat 2221 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone[phone]; there are Greek Consulates General in Atlanta,Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, and aConsulate in New Orleans; US--Ambassador Michael G. SOTIRHOS;Embassy at 91 Vasilissis Sophias Boulevard, 10160 Athens (mailingaddress is APO New York 09253); telephone ╒30σ (1) 721-2951 or721-8401; there is a US Consulate General in Thessaloniki~Flag~: nine equal horizontal stripes of blue (top and bottom)alternating with white; there is a blue square in the upperhoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolizesChristianity, the established religion of the country~
Economy~Overview~: Greece has a mixed capitalistic economy with the basicentrepreneurial system overlaid in 1981-89 by asocialist-left-government that enlarged the public sector and becamethe nation's largest employer. Like many other Western economies,Greece suffered severely from the global oil price hikes of the1970s, annual GDP growth plunging from 8% to 2% in the 1980s, andinflation, unemployment, and budget deficits rising sharply. Thefall of the socialist government in 1989 and the inability of theconservative opposition to muster a clear majority have led tobusiness uncertainty and the continued prospects for lacklustereconomic performance. Once the political situation is sorted out,Greece will have to face the challenges posed by the steadilyincreasing integration of the European Community, including theprogressive lowering of tariff barriers. Tourism continues as amajor industry, providing a vital offset to the sizable commoditytrade deficit.~GDP~: $56.3 billion, per capita $5,605; real growth rate 2.3% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 14.8% (December 1989)~Unemployment rate~: 7.7% (1988)~Budget~: revenues $15.5 billion; expenditures $23.9 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $2.5 billion (1988)~Exports~: $5.9 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--manufacturedgoods, food and live animals, fuels and lubricants, raw materials;partners--FRG 24%, Italy 14%, nonoil developing countries 11.8%,France 9.5%, US 7.1%, UK 6.8%~Imports~: $13.5 billion (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--machinery andtransport equipment, light manufactures, fuels and lubricants,foodstuffs, chemicals; partners--FRG 22%, nonoil developingcountries 14%, oil exporting countries 13%, Italy 12%, France 8%, US3.2%~External debt~: $20.0 billion (December 1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate 1.6% (1989 est.)~Electricity~: 10,500,000 kW capacity; 36,420 million kWh produced,3,630 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, metalproducts, tourism, mining, petroleum~Agriculture~: including fishing and forestry, accounts for 14% of GNPand 27% of the labor force; principal products--wheat, corn, barley,sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco, potatoes, beef,mutton, pork, dairy products; self-sufficient in food; fish catch of135,000 metric tons in 1987~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $525 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$1.3 billion~Currency~: drachma (plural--drachmas); 1 drachma (Dr) = 100 lepta~Exchange rates~: drachma (Dr) per US$1--158.03 (January 1990), 162.42(1989), 141.86 (1988), 135.43 (1987), 139.98 (1986), 138.12 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 2,479 km total; 1,565 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, ofwhich 36 km electrified and 100 km double track, 892 km 1.000-metergauge; 22 km 0.750-meter narrow gauge; all government owned~Highways~: 38,938 km total; 16,090 km paved, 13,676 km crushed stoneand gravel, 5,632 km improved earth, 3,540 km unimproved earth~Inland waterways~: 80 km; system consists of three coastal canals andthree unconnected rivers~Pipelines~: crude oil, 26 km; refined products, 547 km~Ports~: Piraeus, Thessaloniki~Merchant marine~: 954 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 20,544,516GRT/36,858,545 DWT; includes 15 passenger, 58 short-sea passenger, 2passenger-cargo, 164 cargo, 18 container, 20 roll-on/roll-off cargo,27 refrigerated cargo, 182 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL)tanker, 10 chemical tanker, 10 liquefied gas, 20 combinationore/oil, 6 specialized tanker, 407 bulk, 15 specialized bulk;note--ethnic Greeks also own large numbers of ships under theregistry of Liberia, Panama, Cyprus, and Lebanon~Civil air~: 39 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 79 total, 77 usable; 60 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 20 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 22with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: adequate, modern networks reach all areas;4,079,000 telephones; stations--30 AM, 17 (20 repeaters) FM, 39 (560repeaters) TV; 8 submarine cables; satellite earth stationsoperating in INTELSAT (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean),EUTELSAT, and MARISAT systems~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy, Hellenic Air Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 2,418,754; 1,861,141 fit for militaryservice; about 73,809 reach military age (21) annually~Defense expenditures~: 6.0% of GDP, or $3.4 billion (1989 est.) ~[000000087~000641059~000000000~000000000~000006571~000000064~000631058~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Greenland(part of the Danish realm)~
Geography~Total area~: 2,175,600 km2; land area: 341,700 km2 (ice free)~Comparative area~: slightly more than three times the size of Texas~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 44,087 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 4 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Disputes~: Denmark has challenged Norway's maritime claims betweenGreenland and Jan Mayen~Climate~: arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters~Terrain~: flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow,mountainous, barren, rocky coast~Natural resources~: zinc, lead, iron ore, coal, molybdenum, cryolite,uranium, fish~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 1% meadows andpastures; NEGL% forest and woodland; 99% other~Environment~: sparse population confined to small settlements alongcoast; continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island~Note~: dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe~
People~Population~: 56,078 (July 1990), growth rate 1.2% (1990)~Birth rate~: 20 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 28 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 62 years male, 68 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.2 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Greenlander(s); adjective--Greenlandic~Ethnic divisions~: 86% Greenlander (Eskimos and Greenland-bornCaucasians), 14% Danish~Religion~: Evangelical Lutheran~Language~: Eskimo dialects, Danish~Literacy~: 99%~Labor force~: 22,800; largely engaged in fishing, hunting, sheepbreeding~Organized labor~: NA~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseasadministrative division~Capital~: Nuuk (Godthab)~Administrative divisions~: 3 municipalities (kommuner,singular--kommun); Nordgronland, Ostgronland, Vestgronland~Independence~: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseasadministrative division~Constitution~: Danish~Legal system~: Danish~National holiday~: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)~Executive branch~: Danish monarch, high commissioner, home rulechairman, prime minister, Cabinet (Landsstyre)~Legislative branch~: unicameral Parliament (Landsting)~Judicial branch~: High Court (Landsret)~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972),represented by High Commissioner Bent KLINTE (since NA);  Head of Government--Home Rule Chairman Jonathan MOTZFELDT (since NAMay 1979)~Political parties~: Siumut (moderate socialist, advocates moredistinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark);Atassut Party (more conservative, favors continuing close relationswith Denmark); Inuit Ataqatigiit (Marxist-Leninist party that favorscomplete independence from Denmark rather than home rule); PolarParty (Conservative-Greenland Nationalist)~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: Parliament--last held on 27 May 1987 (next to be held by27 May 1991); results--Siumut 39.8%, Atassut Party 40.1%, InuitAtaqatigiit 15.3%, Polar Party 4.5%; seats--(27 total) Siumut 11,Atassut Party 11, Inuit Ataqatigiit 4, Polar Party 1;  Danish Parliament--last held on 10 May 1988 (next to be held by 10May 1992); Greenland elects two representatives to the DanishParliament; results--(percent of vote by party NA; seats--(2 total)number of seats by party NA~Diplomatic representation~: none (self-governing overseasadministrative division of Denmark)~Flag~: the flag of Denmark is used~
Economy~Overview~: Over the past 25 years, the economy has changed from onebased on subsistence whaling, hunting, and fishing to one dependenton foreign trade. Fishing is still the most important industry,accounting for over two-thirds of exports and about 25% of thepopulation's income. Exploitation of mineral resources is limited tolead and zinc. Maintenance of a social welfare system similar toDenmark's has given the public sector a dominant role in theeconomy. Greenland is heavily dependent on an annual subsidy ofabout $400 million from the Danish Government.~GNP~: $500 million, per capita $9,000; real growth rate 5% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 2.9% (1987)~Unemployment rate~: 10%~Budget~: revenues $380 million; expenditures $380 million, includingcapital expenditures of $NA (1985)~Exports~: $386.2 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--fish and fishproducts, metallic ores and concentrates; partners--Denmark 76%, FRG7%, Sweden 5%~Imports~: $445.6 million (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--petroleum andpetroleum products, machinery and transport equipment, foodproducts; partners--Denmark 66%, Norway 5%, Sweden 4%, FRG 4%, Japan4% US 3%~External debt~: $445 million (1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 84,000 kW capacity; 176 million kWh produced, 3,180 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: fish processing, lead and zinc mining, handicrafts~Agriculture~: sector dominated by fishing and sheep raising; cropslimited to forage and small garden vegetables; 1987 fish catch of101,000 metric tons~Aid~: none~Currency~: Danish krone (plural--kroner); 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100ore~Exchange rates~: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1--6.560 (January 1990),7.310 (1989), 6.732 (1988), 6.840 (1987), 8.091 (1986), 10.596(1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Highways~: 80 km~Ports~: Kangerluarsoruseq (Faeringehavn), Paamiut (Frederikshaab),Nuuk (Godthaab), Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg), Julianehaab, Maarmorilik,North Star Bay, and at least 10 minor ports~Merchant marine~: 1 refrigerated cargo (1,000 GRT or over) totaling1,021 GRT/1,778 DWT; note--operates under the registry of Denmark~Civil air~: 2 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 11 total, 8 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: adequate domestic and international serviceprovided by cables and radio relay; 17,900 telephones; stations--5AM, 7 (35 relays) FM, 4 (9 relays) TV; 2 coaxial submarine cables; 1Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is responsibility of Denmark ~[000000088~000647633~000000000~000000000~000007269~000000073~000641059~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Grenada~
Geography~Total area~: 340 km2; land area: 340 km2~Comparative area~: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 121 km~Maritime claims~:  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds~Terrain~: volcanic in origin with central mountains~Natural resources~: timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors~Land use~: 15% arable land; 26% permanent crops; 3% meadows andpastures; 9% forest and woodland; 47% other~Environment~: lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lastsfrom June to November~Note~: islands of the Grenadines group are divided politically withSt. Vincent and the Grenadines~
People~Population~: 84,135 (July 1990), growth rate - 0.4% (1990)~Birth rate~: 36 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 33 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 30 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 69 years male, 74 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 4.9 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Grenadian(s); adjective--Grenadian~Ethnic divisions~: mainly of black African descent~Religion~: largely Roman Catholic; Anglican; other Protestant sects~Language~: English (official); some French patois~Literacy~: 85%~Labor force~: 36,000; 31% services, 24% agriculture, 8% construction,5% manufacturing, 32% other (1985)~Organized labor~: 20% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: parliamentary democracy~Capital~: Saint George's~Administrative divisions~: 6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou andLittle Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, SaintJohn, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick~Independence~: 7 February 1974 (from UK)~Constitution~: 19 December 1973~Legal system~: based on English common law~National holiday~: Independence Day, 7 February (1974)~Executive branch~: British monarch, governor general, prime minister,Ministers of Government (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper houseor Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Sir Paul SCOON (since 30 September1978);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Nicholas BRATHWAITE (since 13March 1990)~Political parties and leaders~: National Democratic Congress (NDC),Nicholas Brathwaite; Grenada United Labor Party (GULP), Sir EricGairy; The National Party (TNP), Ben Jones; New National Party(NNP), Keith Mitchell; Maurice Bishop Patriotic Movement (MBPM),Terrence Merryshow; New Jewel Movement (NJM), Bernard Coard~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: House of Representatives--last held on 13 March 1990 (nextto be held by March 1996); results--percent of vote by party NA;seats--(15 total) NDC 8, GULP 3, TNP 2, NNP 2~Communists~: about 450 members of the New Jewel Movement (pro-Soviet)and the Maurice Bishop Patriotic Movement (pro-Cuban)~Member of~: ACP, CARICOM, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto), IBRD, ICAO, IDA,IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, ITU, NAM, OAS, OECS, PAHO, SELA, UN, UNESCO,UPU, WHO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Albert O. XAVIER; Chancery at1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington DC 20009; telephone [phone]; there is a Grenadian Consulate General in New York;US--Charge d'Affaires James F. COOPER; Embassy at Ross Point Inn,Saint George's (mailing address is P. O. Box 54, Saint George's);telephone ╒440σ 1731 or 1734~Flag~: a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top andbottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side) with a redborder around the flag; there are seven yellow five-pointed starswith three centered in the top red border, three centered in thebottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the centerof the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-sidetriangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg,after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven administrativedivisions~
Economy~Overview~: The economy is essentially agricultural and centers on thetraditional production of spices and tropical plants. Agricultureaccounts for about 20% of GDP and 90% of exports and employs 24% ofthe labor force. Tourism is the leading foreign exchange earner,followed by agricultural exports. Manufacturing remains relativelyundeveloped, but with a more favorable private investment climatesince 1983, it is expected to grow. Despite an impressive averageannual growth rate for the economy of 5.5% during the period1984-88, unemployment remains high at about 26%.~GDP~: $129.7 million, per capita $1,535; real growth rate 5% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 5.0% (1989 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 26% (1988)~Budget~: revenues $74.2 million; expenditures $82.3 million, includingcapital expenditures of $27.8 million (1989 est.)~Exports~: $31.8 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities--nutmeg 35%,cocoa beans 15%, bananas 13%, mace 7%, textiles; partners--US 4%,UK, FRG, Netherlands, Trinidad and Tobago~Imports~: $92.6 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.); commodities--machinery24%, food 22%, manufactured goods 19%, petroleum 8%; partners--US32%, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, Canada~External debt~: $108 million (1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate 5.8% (1989 est.)~Electricity~: 11,400 kW capacity; 24 million kWh produced, 280 kWh percapita (1989)~Industries~: food and beverage, textile, light assembly operations,tourism, construction~Agriculture~: accounts for 20% of GDP and 90% of exports; bananas,cocoa, nutmeg, and mace account for two-thirds of total cropproduction; world's second-largest producer and fourth-largestexporter of nutmeg and mace; small-size farms predominate, growing avariety of citrus fruits, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, andvegetables~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY84-88), $60 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $61million; Communist countries (1970-88), $32 million~Currency~: East Caribbean dollar (plural--dollars); 1 EC dollar (EC$)= 100 cents~Exchange rates~: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1--2.70 (fixedrate since 1976)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Highways~: 1,000 km total; 600 km paved, 300 km otherwise improved;100 km unimproved~Ports~: Saint George's~Civil air~: no major transport aircraft~Airports~: 3 total, 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: automatic, islandwide telephone system with 5,650telephones; new SHF links to Trinidad and Tobago and St. Vincent;VHF and UHF links to Trinidad and Carriacou; stations--1 AM, no FM,1 TV~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Royal Grenada Police Force~Military manpower~: NA~Defense expenditures~: NA ~[000000089~000654905~000000000~000000000~000007137~000000069~000647633~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Guadeloupe(overseas department of France)~
Geography~Total area~: 1,780 km2; land area: 1,760 km2~Comparative area~: 10 times the size of Washington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 306 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: subtropical tempered by trade winds; relatively highhumidity~Terrain~: Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains;Grand-Terre is low limestone formation~Natural resources~: cultivable land, beaches, and climate that fostertourism~Land use~: 18% arable land; 5% permanent crops; 13% meadows andpastures; 40% forest and woodland; 24% other; includes 1% irrigated~Environment~: subject to hurricanes (June to October); La Soufriere isan active volcano~Note~: located 500 km southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea~
People~Population~: 342,175 (July 1990), growth rate 0.8% (1990)~Birth rate~: 20 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 6 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 17 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 70 years male, 77 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.1 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Guadeloupian(s); adjective--Guadeloupe~Ethnic divisions~: 90% black or mulatto; 5% white; less than 5% EastIndian, Lebanese, Chinese~Religion~: 95% Roman Catholic, 5% Hindu and pagan African~Language~: French, creole patois~Literacy~: over 70%~Labor force~: 120,000; 53.0% services, government, and commerce, 25.8%industry, 21.2% agriculture~Organized labor~: 11% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Department of Guadeloupe~Type~: overseas department of France~Capital~: Basse-Terre~Administrative divisions~: none (overseas department of France)~Independence~: none (overseas department of France)~Constitution~: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)~Legal system~: French legal system~National holiday~: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)~Executive branch~: government commissioner~Legislative branch~: unicameral General Council and unicameralRegional Council~Judicial branch~: Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel) with jurisdictionover Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and Martinique~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May1981);  Head of Government--Commissioner of the Republic Jean-Paul PROUST(since November 1989)~Political parties and leaders~: Rally for the Republic (RPR), MarleneCaptant; Communist Party of Guadeloupe (PCG), Christian MedardCeleste; Socialist Party (PSG), Dominique Larifla; IndependentRepublicans; Union for French Democracy (UDF); Union for a NewMajority (UNM)~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: General Council --last held NA 1986 (next to be held by NA1992); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(42 total)number of seats by party NA;  Regional Council--last held on 16 March 1986 (next to be held by 16March 1992); results--RPR 33.1%, PS 28.7%, PCG 23.8%, UDF 10.7%,others 3.8%; seats--(41 total) RPR 15, PS 12, PCG 10, UDF 4;  French Senate--last held on 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June1994); Guadeloupe elects two representatives; results--percent ofvote by party NA; seats--(2 total) PCG 1, PS 1;  French National Assembly--last held on 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to beheld June 1994); Guadeloupe elects four representatives;results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(4 total) PS 2 seats,RPR 1 seat, PCG 1 seat~Communists~: 3,000 est.~Other political or pressure groups~: Popular Union for the Liberationof Guadeloupe (UPLG); Popular Movement for Independent Guadeloupe(MPGI); General Union of Guadeloupe Workers (UGTG); GeneralFederation of Guadeloupe Workers (CGT-G); Christian Movement for theLiberation of Guadeloupe (KLPG)~Member of~: WFTU~Diplomatic representation~: as an overseas department of France, theinterests of Guadeloupe are represented in the US by France~Flag~: the flag of France is used~
Economy~Overview~: The economy depends on agriculture, tourism, lightindustry, and services. It is also dependent upon France for largesubsidies and income and social transfers. Tourism is a keyindustry, with most tourists from the US. In addition, anincreasingly large number of cruise ships visit the islands. Thetraditionally important sugarcane crop is slowly being replaced byother crops, such as bananas (which now supply about 50% of exportearnings), eggplant, and flowers. Other vegetables and root cropsare cultivated for local consumption, although Guadeloupe is stilldependent on imported food, which comes mainly from France. Lightindustry consists mostly of sugar and rum production. Mostmanufactured goods and fuel are imported. Unemployment is especiallyhigh among the young.~GDP~: $1.1 billion, per capita $3,300; real growth rate NA% (1987)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 3.0% (1987)~Unemployment rate~: 25% (1983)~Budget~: revenues $251 million; expenditures $251 million, includingcapital expenditures of NA (1985)~Exports~: $109 million (f.o.b., 1986); commodities--bananas, sugar,rum; partners--France 72%, Martinique 16% (1984)~Imports~: $792 million (c.i.f., 1986); commodities--vehicles,foodstuffs, clothing and other consumer goods, constructionmaterials, petroleum products; partners--France 59% (1984)~External debt~: $NA~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 103,000 kW capacity; 315 million kWh produced, 920 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: construction, cement, rum, sugar, tourism~Agriculture~: cash crops--bananas and sugarcane; other productsinclude tropical fruits and vegetables; livestock--cattle, pigs, andgoats; not self-sufficient in food~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $4 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$7.7 billion~Currency~: French franc (plural--francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100centimes~Exchange rates~: French francs (F) per US$1--5.7598 (January 1990),6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987), 6.9261 (1986), 8.9852(1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: privately owned, narrow-gauge plantation lines~Highways~: 1,940 km total; 1,600 km paved, 340 km gravel and earth~Ports~: Pointe-a-Pitre, Basse-Terre~Civil air~: 2 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 9 total, 9 usable, 8 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: domestic facilities inadequate; 57,300telephones; interisland radio relay to Antigua and Barbuda,Dominica, and Martinique; stations--2 AM, 8 FM (30 private stationslicensed to broadcast FM), 9 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT groundstation~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is responsibility of France ~[000000090~000662045~000000000~000000000~000006305~000000061~000654905~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Guam(territory of the US)~
Geography~Total area~: 541 km2; land area: 541 km2~Comparative area~: slightly more than three times the size ofWashington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 125.5 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 12 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 m;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated bynortheast trade winds; dry season from January to June, rainy seasonfrom July to December; little seasonal temperature variation~Terrain~: volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flatcoraline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water) with steepcoastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low-rising hillsin center, mountains in south~Natural resources~: fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism (especiallyfrom Japan)~Land use~: 11% arable land; 11% permanent crops; 15% meadows andpastures; 18% forest and woodland; 45% other~Environment~: frequent squalls during rainy season; subject torelatively rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons(especially in August)~Note~: largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islandsarchipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean 5,955km west-southwest of Honolulu about three-quarters of the waybetween Hawaii and the Philippines~
People~Population~: 141,039 (July 1990), growth rate 2.8% (1990)~Birth rate~: 26 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 4 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 5 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 12 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 70 years male, 75 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 3.0 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Guamanian(s); adjective--Guamanian~Ethnic divisions~: 47% Chamorro, 25% Filipino, 10% Caucasian, 18%Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and other~Religion~: 98% Roman Catholic, 2% other~Language~: English and Chamorro, most residents bilingual; Japanesealso widely spoken~Literacy~: 90%~Labor force~: 54,000; 42% government, 58% private (1988)~Organized labor~: 13% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Territory of Guam~Type~: organized, unincorporated territory of the US~Capital~: Agana~Administrative divisions~: none (territory of the US)~Independence~: none (territory of the US)~Constitution~: Organic Act of 1 August 1950~Legal system~: NA~National holiday~: Guam Discovery Day (first Monday in March), 6 March1989~Executive branch~: US president, governor, lieutenant governor,Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral Legislature~Judicial branch~: Superior Court of Guam (Federal District Court)~Leaders~: Chief of State--President George BUSH (since 20 January1989);  Head of Government--Governor Joseph A. ADA (since NA November 1986)~Political parties and leaders~: Democratic Party (controls thelegislature); Republican Party (party of the Governor)~Suffrage~: universal at age 18; US citizens, but do not vote in USpresidential elections~Elections~: Governor--last held on NA November 1986 (next to be heldNovember 1990);  Legislature--last held on 8 November 1988 (next to be held November1990); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(21 total)Democratic 13, Republican 8;  US House of Representatives--last held 8 November 1988 (next to beheld November 1990); Guam elects one nonvoting delegate;results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(1 total) Republican 1~Communists~: none~Note~: relations between Guam and the US are under the jurisdiction ofthe Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Departmentof the Interior~Diplomatic representation~: none (territory of the US)~Flag~: dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centeredis a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beachscene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAMsuperimposed in bold red letters~
Economy~Overview~: The economy is based on US military spending and onrevenues from tourism. Over the past 20 years the tourist industryhas grown rapidly, creating a construction boom for new hotels andthe expansion of older ones. Visitors numbered about 800,000 in1989. The small manufacturing sector includes textile and clothing,beverage, food, and watch production. About 58% of the labor forceworks for the private sector and the rest for government. Most foodand industrial goods are imported, with about 75% from the US. In1989 the unemployment rate was about 3%, down from 10% in 1983.~GNP~: $1.0 billion, per capita $7,675; real growth rate 20% (1988est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 5.9% (1988)~Unemployment rate~: 3% (1989 est.)~Budget~: revenues $208.0 million; expenditures $175 million, includingcapital expenditures of $17 million (1987 est.)~Exports~: $39 million (f.o.b., 1983); commodities--mostlytransshipments of refined petroleum products, copra, fish;partners--US 25%, others 75%~Imports~: $611 million (c.i.f., 1983); commodities--mostly crudepetroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods;partners--US 77%, others 23%~External debt~: $NA~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 500,000 kW capacity; 2,300 million kWh produced, 16,660kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: US military, tourism, petroleum refining, construction,concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing,textiles~Agriculture~: relatively undeveloped with most food imported; fruits,vegetables, eggs, pork, poultry, beef, copra~Aid~: NA~Currency~: US currency is used~Exchange rates~: US currency is used~Fiscal year~: 1 October-30 September~
Communications~Highways~: 674 km all-weather roads~Ports~: Apra Harbor~Airports~: 5 total, 4 usable; 3 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: 26,317 telephones (1989); stations--3 AM, 3 FM, 3TV; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT ground stations~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of the US ~[000000091~000668353~000000000~000000000~000009807~000000108~000662045~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Guatemala~
Geography~Total area~: 108,890 km2; land area: 108,430 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Tennessee~Land boundaries~: 1,687 km total; Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km,Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km~Coastline~: 400 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: not specific;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: claims Belize, but boundary negotiations are under way~Climate~: tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands~Terrain~: mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rollinglimestone plateau (Peten)~Natural resources~: crude oil, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle~Land use~: 12% arable land; 4% permanent crops; 12% meadows andpastures; 40% forest and woodland; 32% other; includes 1% irrigated~Environment~: numerous volcanoes in mountains, with frequent violentearthquakes; Caribbean coast subject to hurricanes and othertropical storms; deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution~Note~: no natural harbors on west coast~
People~Population~: 9,097,636 (July 1990), growth rate 2.6% (1990)~Birth rate~: 37 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 3 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 61 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 60 years male, 65 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 5.1 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Guatemalan(s); adjective--Guatemalan~Ethnic divisions~: 56% Ladino (mestizo--mixed Indian and Europeanancestry), 44% Indian~Religion~: predominantly Roman Catholic; also Protestant, traditionalMayan~Language~: Spanish, but over 40% of the population speaks an Indianlanguage as a primary tongue (18 Indian dialects, including Quiche,Cakchiquel, Kekchi)~Literacy~: 50%~Labor force~: 2,500,000; 57.0% agriculture, 14.0% manufacturing, 13.0%services, 7.0% commerce, 4.0% construction, 3.0% transport, 0.8%utilities, 0.4% mining (1985)~Organized labor~: 8% of labor force (1988 est.)~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Guatemala~Type~: republic~Capital~: Guatemala~Administrative divisions~: 22 departments (departamentos,singular--departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango,Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango,Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quezaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu,Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez,Totonicapan, Zacapa~Independence~: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)~Constitution~: 31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986~Legal system~: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)~Executive branch~: president, vice president, Council of Ministers(cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia)~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President MarioVinicio CEREZO Arevalo (since 14 January 1986); Vice PresidentRoberto CARPIO Nicolle (since 14 January 1986)~Political parties and leaders~: Christian Democratic Party (DCG),Marco Vinicio Cerezo Arevalo; National Centrist Union (UCN), JorgeCarpio Nicolle; National Liberation Movement (MLN), Mario SandovalAlarcon; Social Action Movement (MAS), Jorge Serrano Elias;Revolutionary Party (PR) in coalition with National Renewal Party(PNR), Alejandro Maldonado Aguirre; Social Democratic Party (PSD),Mario Solarzano Martinez; National Authentic Center (CAN), MarioDavid Garcia; United Anti-Communist Party (PUA), Leonel Sisniega;Emerging Movement for Harmony (MEC), Louis Gordillo; DemocraticParty of National Cooperation (PDCN), Adan Fletes; DemocraticInstitutional Party (PID), Oscar Rivas; Nationalist United Front(FUN), Gabriel Giron~Suffrage~: universal at age 18, compulsory for literates, voluntaryfor illiterates~Elections~: President--last held on 3 December 1985 (next to be held 3November 1990); results--Mario Vinicio Cerezo Arevalo (DCG) 38.7%,Jorge Carpio Nicolle (UCN) 20.2%, Jorge Serrano Elias (PDCN/PR)14.8%;  National Congress--last held on 3 November 1985 (next to be held 3November 1990); results--DCG 38.7%, UCN 20.2%, PDCN/PR 13.8%,MLN/PID 12.6%, CAN 6.3%, PSD 3.4%, PNR 3.2%, PUA/FUN/MEC 1.9%;seats--(100 total) DCG 51, UCN 22, MLN 12, PDCN/PR 11, PSD 2, PNR 1,CAN 1~Communists~: Guatemalan Labor Party (PGT); main radical left guerrillagroups--Guerrilla Army of the Poor (EGP), Revolutionary Organizationof the People in Arms (ORPA), Rebel Armed Forces (FAR), and PGTdissidents~Other political or pressure groups~: Federated Chambers of Commerceand Industry (CACIF), Mutual Support Group (GAM), Unity for Popularand Labor Action (UASP), Agrarian Owners Group (UNAGRO), Committeefor Campesino Unity (CUC)~Member of~: CACM, CCC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, ICO,IDA, IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF,IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IRC, ISO, ITU, IWC--International WheatCouncil, OAS, ODECA, PAHO, SELA, UN, UNESCO, UPEB, UPU, WFTU, WHO,WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Rodolfo ROHRMOSER V; Chanceryat 2220 R Street NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone]through 4954; there are Guatemalan Consulates General in Chicago,Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and SanFrancisco; US--Ambassador Thomas F. STROOCK; Embassy at 7-01 Avenidade la Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City (mailing address is APO Miami34024); telephone ╒502σ (2) 31-15-41~Flag~: three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white,and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; thecoat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird)and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposedon a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framedby a wreath~
Economy~Overview~: The economy is based on agriculture, which accounts for 25%of GDP, employs about 60% of the labor force, and suppliestwo-thirds of exports. Industry accounts for about 20% of GDP and15% of the labor force. The economy has reentered a slow-growthphase, but is hampered by political uncertainty. In 1988 the economygrew by 3.7%, the third consecutive year of mild growth. Governmenteconomic reforms introduced since 1986 have stabilized exchangerates and have helped to stem inflationary pressures. The inflationrate has dropped from 36.9% in 1986 to 15% in 1989.~GDP~: $10.8 billion, per capita $1,185; real growth rate 1.3% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 15% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 13%, with 30-40% underemployment (1988 est.)~Budget~: revenues $771 million; expenditures $957 million, includingcapital expenditures of $188 million (1988)~Exports~: $1.02 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--coffee 38%,bananas 7%, sugar 7%, cardamom 4%; partners--US 29%, El Salvador,FRG, Costa Rica, Italy~Imports~: $1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--fuel and petroleumproducts, machinery, grain, fertilizers, motor vehicles;partners--US 38%, Mexico, FRG, Japan, El Salvador~External debt~: $3.0 billion (December 1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate 3.5% (1988 est.)~Electricity~: 807,000 kW capacity; 2,540 million kWh produced, 280 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals,petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism~Agriculture~: accounts for 25% of GDP; most important sector ofeconomy and contributes two-thirds to export earnings; principalcrops--sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom;livestock--cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens; food importer~Illicit drugs~: illicit producer of opium poppy and cannabis for theinternational drug trade; the government has engaged in aerialeradication of opium poppy; transit country for cocaine shipments~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $869 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$7.7 billion~Currency~: quetzal (plural--quetzales); 1 quetzal (Q) = 100 centavos~Exchange rates~: free market quetzales (Q) per US$1--3.3913 (January1990), 2.8261 (1989), 2.6196 (1988), 2.500 (1987), 1.875 (1986),1.000 (1985); note--black-market rate 2.800 (May 1989)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 870 km 0.914-meter gauge, single track; 780 km governmentowned, 90 km privately owned~Highways~: 26,429 km total; 2,868 km paved, 11,421 km gravel, and12,140 unimproved~Inland waterways~: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 kmnavigable during high-water season~Pipelines~: crude oil, 275 km~Ports~: Puerto Barrios, Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomas de Castilla~Merchant marine~: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,129GRT/6,450 DWT~Civil air~: 10 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 451 total, 391 usable; 11 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 19with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: fairly modern network centered in Guatemala╒cityσ; 97,670 telephones; stations--91 AM, no FM, 25 TV, 15shortwave; connection into Central American Microwave System; 1Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 2,028,875; 1,327,374 fit for militaryservice; 107,251 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 1% of GDP, or $115 million (1990 est.) ~[000000092~000678163~000000000~000000000~000004589~000000035~000668353~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Guernsey(British crown dependency)~
Geography~Total area~: 194 km2; land area: 194 km2; includes Alderney, Guernsey,Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Washington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 50 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Climate~: temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% ofdays are overcast~Terrain~: mostly level with low hills in southwest~Natural resources~: cropland~Land use~: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows andpastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; about 50% cultivated~Environment~: large, deepwater harbor at St. Peter Port~Note~: 52 km west of France~
People~Population~: 57,227 (July 1990), growth rate 0.7% (1990)~Birth rate~: 12 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 6 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 72 years male, 78 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.6 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Channel Islander(s); adjective--Channel Islander~Ethnic divisions~: UK and Norman-French descent~Religion~: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist,Congregational, Methodist~Language~: English, French; Norman-French dialect spoken in countrydistricts~Literacy~: NA%, but universal education~Labor force~: NA~Organized labor~: NA~
Government~Long-form name~: Bailiwick of Guernsey~Type~: British crown dependency~Capital~: St. Peter Port~Administrative divisions~: none (British crown dependency)~Independence~: none (British crown dependency)~Constitution~: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law andpractice~Legal system~: English law and local statute; justice is administeredby the Royal Court~National holiday~: Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)~Executive branch~: British monarch, lieutenant governor, bailiff,deputy bailiff~Legislative branch~: States of Deliberation~Judicial branch~: Royal Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Head of Government--Lieutenant Governor Lt. Gen. Sir AlexanderBOSWELL (since 1985); Bailiff Sir Charles FROSSARD (since 1982)~Political parties and leaders~: none; all independents~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: States of Deliberation--last held NA (next to be held NA);results--percent of vote NA; seats--(60 total, 33 elected), allindependents~Communists~: none~Diplomatic representation~: none (British crown dependency)~Flag~: white with the red cross of St. George (patron saint ofEngland) extending to the edges of the flag~
Economy~Overview~: Tourism is a major source of revenue. Other economicactivity includes financial services, breeding the world-famousGuernsey cattle, and growing tomatoes and flowers for export.~GDP~: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate 9% (1987)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 7% (1988)~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $145.0 million; expenditures $117.2 million,including capital expenditures of NA (1985)~Exports~: $NA; commodities--tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweetpeppers, eggplant, other vegetables; partners--UK (regarded asinternal trade)~Imports~: $NA; commodities--coal, gasoline and oil; partners--UK(regarded as internal trade)~External debt~: $NA~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 173,000 kW capacity; 525 million kWh produced, 9,340 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: tourism, banking~Agriculture~: tomatoes, flowers (mostly grown in greenhouses), sweetpeppers, eggplant, other vegetables and fruit; Guernsey cattle~Aid~: none~Currency~: Guernsey pound (plural--pounds); 1 Guernsey (LG) pound =100 pence~Exchange rates~: Guernsey pounds (LG) per US$1--0.6055 (January 1990),0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987), 0.6817 (1986), 0.7714(1985); note--the Guernsey pound is at par with the British pound~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Ports~: St. Peter Port, St. Sampson~Airport~: 1 with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m (La Villiaze)~Telecommunications~: stations--1 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 41,900 telephones; 1submarine cable~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of the UK ~[000000093~000682755~000000000~000000000~000007529~000000077~000678163~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Guinea~
Geography~Total area~: 245,860 km2; land area: 245,860 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Oregon~Land boundaries~: 3,399 km total; Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Ivory Coast610 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone652 km~Coastline~: 320 km~Maritime claims~:  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (Juneto November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May)with northeasterly harmattan winds~Terrain~: generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior~Natural resources~: bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium,hydropower, fish~Land use~: 6% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 12% meadows andpastures; 42% forest and woodland; 40% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibilityduring dry season; deforestation~
People~Population~: 7,269,240 (July 1990), growth rate 2.6% (1990)~Birth rate~: 47 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 22 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 147 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 40 years male, 44 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 6.1 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Guinean(s); adjective--Guinean~Ethnic divisions~: Fulani, Malinke, Sousou, 15 smaller tribes~Religion~: 85% Muslim, 5% indigenous beliefs, 1.5% Christian~Language~: French (official); each tribe has its own language~Literacy~: 20% in French; 48% in local languages~Labor force~: 2,400,000 (1983); 82.0% agriculture, 11.0% industry andcommerce, 5.4% services; 88,112 civil servants (1987); 52% ofpopulation of working age (1985)~Organized labor~: virtually 100% of wage earners loosely affiliatedwith the National Confederation of Guinean Workers~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Guinea~Type~: republic~Capital~: Conakry~Administrative divisions~: 29 administrative regions (regionsadministratives, singular--region administrative); Beyla, Boffa,Boke, Conakry, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Dubreka, Faranah,Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia,Kissidougou, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Macenta, Mali, Mamou,Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele, Tougue, Yomou~Independence~: 2 October 1958 (from France; formerly French Guinea)~Constitution~: 14 May 1982, suspended after coup of 3 April 1984~Legal system~: based on French civil law system, customary law, anddecree; legal codes currently being revised; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Anniversary of the Second Republic, 3 April (1984)~Executive branch~: president, Military Committee for National Recovery(Comite Militaire de Redressement National or CMRN), Council ofMinisters (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: People's National Assembly (Assemblee NationalePopulaire) was dissolved after the 3 April 1984 coup~Judicial branch~: Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel)~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--Gen. Lansana CONTE(since 5 April 1984)~Political parties and leaders~: none; following the 3 April 1984 coupall political activity was banned~Suffrage~: none~Elections~: none~Communists~: no Communist party, although there are some sympathizers~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBA, IBRD, ICAO, ICO,IDA, IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, ITU, Mano River Union, Niger River Commission, NAM, OAU,OIC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Kekoura CAMARA; Chancery at2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone];US--Ambassador Samuel E. LUPO; Embassy at 2nd Boulevard and 9thAvenue, Conakry (mailing address is B. P. 603, Conakry); telephone44-15-20 through 24~Flag~: three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, andgreen; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar tothe flag of Rwanda which has a large black letter R centered in theyellow band~
Economy~Overview~: Although possessing many natural resources and considerablepotential for agricultural development, Guinea is one of the poorestcountries in the world. The agricultural sector contributes about40% to GDP and employs more than 80% of the work force, whileindustry accounts for about 25% of GDP. Guinea possesses over 25% ofthe world's bauxite reserves; exports of bauxite and aluminaaccounted for more than 80% of total exports in 1986.~GDP~: $2.5 billion, per capita $350; real growth rate 5.0% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 27.0% (1988)~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $357 million; expenditures $480 million, includingcapital expenditures of $229 million (1988 est.)~Exports~: $553 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities--alumina,bauxite, diamonds, coffee, pineapples, bananas, palm kernels;partners--US 33%, EC 33%, USSR and Eastern Europe 20%, Canada~Imports~: $509 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.); commodities--petroleumproducts, metals, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs,textiles and other grain; partners--US 16%, France, Brazil~External debt~: $1.6 billion (December 1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 113,000 kW capacity; 300 million kWh produced, 40 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: bauxite mining, alumina, diamond mining, lightmanufacturing and agricultural processing industries~Agriculture~: accounts for 40% of GDP (includes fishing and forestry);mostly subsistence farming; principal products--rice, coffee,pineapples, palm kernels, cassava, bananas, sweet potatoes, timber;livestock--cattle, sheep and goats; not self-sufficient in foodgrains~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $203 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$882 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $120 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $446 million~Currency~: Guinean franc (plural--francs); 1 Guinean franc (FG) = 100centimes~Exchange rates~: Guinean francs (FG) per US$1--505.00 (October 1988),440.00 (January 1988), 440.00 (1987), 235.63 (1986), 22.47 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 1,045 km; 806 km 1.000-meter gauge, 239 km 1.435-meterstandard gauge~Highways~: 30,100 km total; 1,145 km paved, 12,955 km gravel orlaterite (of which barely 4,500 km are currently all-weather roads),16,000 km unimproved earth (1987)~Inland waterways~: 1,295 km navigable by shallow-draft native craft~Ports~: Conakry, Kamsar~Civil air~: 2 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 16 total, 16 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 9 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: fair system of open-wire lines, smallradiocommunication stations, and new radio relay system; 10,000telephones; stations--3 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 12,000 TV sets; 125,000radio receivers; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army (ground forces), Navy (acts primarily as a coastguard), Air Force, paramilitary National Gendarmerie~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 1,657,787; 834,777 fit for militaryservice~Defense expenditures~: 3.1% of GDP (1984) ~[000000094~000690287~000000000~000000000~000008064~000000087~000682755~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Guinea-Bissau~
Geography~Total area~: 36,120 km2; land area: 28,000 km2~Comparative area~: slightly less than three times the size ofConnecticut~Land boundaries~: 724 km total; Guinea 386, Senegal 338 km~Coastline~: 350 km~Maritime claims~:  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has rendered itsdecision on the Guinea-Bissau/Senegal maritime boundary (in favor ofSenegal)--that decision has been rejected by Guinea-Bissau~Climate~: tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoon-type rainy season(June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December toMay) with northeasterly harmattan winds~Terrain~: mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east~Natural resources~: unexploited deposits of petroleum, bauxite,phosphates; fish, timber~Land use~: 11% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 43% meadows andpastures; 38% forest and woodland; 7% other~Environment~: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibilityduring dry season~
People~Population~: 998,963 (July 1990), growth rate 2.5% (1990)~Birth rate~: 43 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 19 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 127 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 44 years male, 48 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 5.9 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Guinea-Bissauan(s); adjective--Guinea-Bissauan~Ethnic divisions~: about 99% African (30% Balanta, 20% Fula, 14%Manjaca, 13% Mandinga, 7% Papel); less than 1% European and mulatto~Religion~: 65% indigenous beliefs, 30% Muslim, 5% Christian~Language~: Portuguese (official); Criolo and numerous Africanlanguages~Literacy~: 34% (1986)~Labor force~: 403,000 (est.); 90% agriculture, 5% industry, services,and commerce, 5% government; 53% of population of working age (1983)~Organized labor~: only one trade union--the National Union of Workersof Guinea-Bissau (UNTG)~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Guinea-Bissau~Type~: republic; highly centralized one-party regime since September1974~Capital~: Bissau~Administrative divisions~: 9 regions (regioes, singular--regiao);Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali~Independence~: 24 September 1973 (from Portugal; formerly PortugueseGuinea)~Constitution~: 16 May 1984~Legal system~: NA~National holiday~: Independence Day, 24 September (1973)~Executive branch~: president of the Council of State, vice presidentsof the Council of State, Council of State, Council of Ministers(cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral National People's Assembly (AssembleiaNacional Popular)~Judicial branch~: none; there is a Ministry of Justice in the Councilof Ministers~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President of theCouncil of State Brig. Gen. Joao Bernardo VIEIRA (assumed power 14November 1980 and elected President of Council of State on 16 May1984); First Vice President Col. Iafai CAMARA (since 7 November1985); Second Vice President Vasco CABRAL (since 21 June 1989)~Political parties and leaders~: only party--African Party for theIndependence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC), President JoaoBernardo Vieira, leader; the party decided to retain the binationaltitle despite its formal break with Cape Verde~Suffrage~: universal at age 15~Elections~: President of Council of State--last held 19 June 1989(next to be held 19 June 1994); results--Brig. Gen. Joao BernardoVieira was reelected without opposition by the National People'sAssembly;  National People's Assembly--last held 15 June 1989 (next to be held15 June 1994); results--PAIGC is the only party; seats--(150 total)PAIGC 150, appointed by Regional Councils;  Regional Councils--last held 1 June 1989 (next to be held 1 June1994); results--PAIGC is the only party; seats--(473 total) PAIGC473, by public plebiscite~Communists~: a few Communists, some sympathizers~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto), IBRD,ICAO, IDA, IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,IRC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Alfredo Lopes CABRAL; Chancery(temporary) at the Guinea-Bissauan Permanent Mission to the UN,Suite 604, 211 East 43rd Street, New York, NY 10017; telephone [phone]; US--Ambassador William L. JACOBSEN; Embassy at 17 AvenidaDomingos Ramos, Bissau (mailing address is C. P. 297, Bissau);telephone ╒245σ 212816, 21817, 213674~Flag~: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with avertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointedstar centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colorsof Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Cape Verde which has the blackstar raised above the center of the red band and is framed by twocorn stalks and a yellow clam shell~
Economy~Overview~: Guinea-Bissau ranks among the poorest countries in theworld, with a per capita GDP below $200. Agriculture and fishing arethe main economic activities, with cashew nuts, peanuts, and palmkernels the primary exports. Exploitation of known mineral depositsis unlikely at present because of a weak infrastructure and the highcost of development. The government's four-year plan (1988-91) hastargeted agricultural development as the top priority.~GDP~: $152 million, per capita $160 (1988); real growth rate 5.6%(1987)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: NA%~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $20 million; expenditures $25 million, includingcapital expenditures of $NA (1987)~Exports~: $15 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities--cashews, fish,peanuts, palm kernels; partners--Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, CapeVerde, China~Imports~: $49 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities--capital equipment,consumer goods, semiprocessed goods, foods, petroleum;partners--Portugal, USSR, EC countries, other Europe, Senegal, US~External debt~: $465 million (December 1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate - 1.7% (1986 est.)~Electricity~: 22,000 kW capacity; 28 million kWh produced, 30 kWh percapita (1989)~Industries~: agricultural processing, beer, soft drinks~Agriculture~: accounts for over 50% of GDP, nearly 100% of exports,and 80% of employment; rice is the staple food; other crops includecorn, beans, cassava, cashew nuts, peanuts, palm kernels, andcotton; not self-sufficient in food; fishing and forestry potentialnot fully exploited~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $46 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$519 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $41 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $68 million~Currency~: Guinea-Bissauan peso (plural--pesos); 1 Guinea-Bissauanpeso (PG) = 100 centavos~Exchange rates~: Guinea-Bissauan pesos (PG) per US$1--650 pesos(December 1989), NA (1988), 851.65 (1987), 238.98 (1986), 173.61(1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Highways~: 3,218 km; 2,698 km bituminous, remainder earth~Inland waterways~: scattered stretches are important to coastalcommerce~Ports~: Bissau~Civil air~: 2 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 37 total, 18 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 5 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: poor system of radio relay, open-wire lines, andradiocommunications; 3,000 telephones; stations--1 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV; 1Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP); Army, Navy, andAir Force are separate components~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 215,552; 122,824 fit for militaryservice~Defense expenditures~: 3.2% of GDP (1987) ~[000000095~000698354~000000000~000000000~000008976~000000093~000690287~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Guyana~
Geography~Total area~: 214,970 km2; land area: 196,850 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Idaho~Land boundaries~: 2,462 km total; Brazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km,Venezuela 743 km~Coastline~: 459 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: outer edge of continental margin or 200 nm;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: Essequibo area claimed by Venezuela; Suriname claims areabetween New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Kutari Rivers (allheadwaters of the Courantyne)~Climate~: tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds;two rainy seasons (May to mid-August, mid-November to mid-January)~Terrain~: mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna insouth~Natural resources~: bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp,fish~Land use~: 3% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 6% meadows andpastures; 83% forest and woodland; 8% other; includes 1% irrigated~Environment~: flash floods a constant threat during rainy seasons;water pollution~
People~Population~: 764,649 (July 1990), growth rate - 0.1% (1990)~Birth rate~: 24 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 19 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 40 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 65 years male, 70 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.7 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Guyanese (sing., pl.); adjective--Guyanese~Ethnic divisions~: 51% East Indian, 43% black and mixed, 4%Amerindian, 2% European and Chinese~Religion~: 57% Christian, 33% Hindu, 9% Muslim, 1% other~Language~: English, Amerindian dialects~Literacy~: 85%~Labor force~: 268,000; 44.5% industry and commerce, 33.8% agriculture,21.7% services; public-sector employment amounts to 60-80% of thetotal labor force (1985)~Organized labor~: 34% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Co-operative Republic of Guyana~Type~: republic~Capital~: Georgetown~Administrative divisions~: 10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni,Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-WestDemerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, UpperDemerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo~Independence~: 26 May 1966 (from UK; formerly British Guiana)~Constitution~: 6 October 1980~Legal system~: based on English common law with certain admixtures ofRoman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Republic Day, 23 February (1970)~Executive branch~: executive president, first vice president, primeminister, first deputy prime minister, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Assembly~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court of Judicature~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Hugh Desmond HOYTE (since 6 August1985); First Vice President Hamilton GREEN (since 6 August 1985);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Hamilton GREEN (since 6 August1985)~Political parties and leaders~: People's National Congress (PNC), HughDesmond Hoyte; People's Progressive Party (PPP), Cheddi Jagan;Working People's Alliance (WPA), Eusi Kwayana, Rupert Roopnarine,Moses Bhagwan; Democratic Labor Movement (DLM), Paul Tennassee;People's Democratic Movement (PDM), Llewellyn John; NationalDemocratic Front (NDF), Joseph Bacchus; United Force (UF), MarcellusFeilden Singh; Vanguard for Liberation and Democracy (VLD, alsoknown as Liberator Party), Gunraj Kumar, J. K. Makepeace Richmond~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: Executive President--last held on 9 December 1985 (next tobe held late 1990); Hugh Desmond Hoyte was elected president (theleader of the party with the most votes in the National Assemblyelections--PNC 78%);  National Assembly--last held on 9 December 1985 (next to be held by 9December 1990); results--PNC 78%, PPP 16%, UF 4%, WPA 2%; seats--(65total, 53 elected) PNC 42, PPP 8, UF 2, WPA 1~Communists~: 100 (est.) hardcore within PPP; top echelons of PPP andPYO (Progressive Youth Organization, militant wing of the PPP)include many Communists; small but unknown number of orthodoxMarxist-Leninists within PNC, some of whom formerly belonged to thePPP~Other political or pressure groups~: Trades Union Congress (TUC);Guyana Council of Indian Organizations (GCIO); Civil LibertiesAction Committee (CLAC); the latter two organizations are small andactive but not well organized~Member of~: ACP, CARICOM, CCC, CDB, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBA, IBRD,ICAO, ICJ, IDA, IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC,ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IRC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), PAHO,SELA, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Dr. Cedric Hilburn GRANT;Chancery at 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone[phone]; there is a Guyanese Consulate General in New York;US--Ambassador Theresa A. TULL; Embassy at 31 Main Street,Georgetown; telephone ╒592σ (02) 54900 through 54909~Flag~: green with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side)superimposed on a long yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow blackborder between the red and yellow, and a narrow white border betweenthe yellow and the green~
Economy~Overview~: After growing on average at less than 1% a year in 1984-87,GDP dropped by 3% in 1988, the result of bad weather, labor troublein the canefields, and flooding and equipment problems in thebauxite industry. Consumer prices rose about 35%, and the currentaccount deficit widened substantially as sugar and bauxite exportsfell. Moreover, electric power is in short supply and constitutes amajor barrier to future gains in national output. The government, inassociation with international financial agencies, seeks to reduceits payment arrears and to raise new funds. The government'sstabilization program--aimed at establishing realistic exchangerates, reasonable price stability, and a resumption ofgrowth--requires considerable public administrative abilities andcontinued patience by consumers during a long incubation period.~GDP~: $323 million, per capita $420; real growth rate - 3.0% (1988est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 35% (1988 est.)~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $173 million; expenditures $414 million, includingcapital expenditures of $75 million (1988 est.)~Exports~: $215 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.) commodities--bauxite,sugar, rice, shrimp, gold, molasses, timber, rum; partners--UK 37%,US 12%, Canada 10.6%, CARICOM 4.8% (1986)~Imports~: $216 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.); commodities--manufacturesmachinery, food, petroleum; partners--CARICOM 41%, US 18%, UK 9%,Canada 3% (1984)~External debt~: $1.8 billion, including arrears (December 1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate - 5.0% (1988 est.)~Electricity~: 221,000 kW capacity; 583 million kWh produced, 760 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: bauxite mining, sugar, rice milling, timber, fishing(shrimp), textiles, gold mining~Agriculture~: most important sector, accounting for 25% of GDP andover 50% of exports; sugar and rice are key crops; developmentpotential exists for fishing and forestry; not self-sufficient infood, especially wheat, vegetable oils, and animal products~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $109 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$234 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $242 million~Currency~: Guyanese dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Guyanese dollar (G$) =100 cents~Exchange rates~: Guyanese dollars (G$) per US$1--33.0000 (January1990), 27.159 (1989), 10.000 (1988), 9.756 (1987), 4.272 (1986),4.252 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 187 km total, all single track 0.914-meter gauge~Highways~: 7,665 km total; 550 km paved, 5,000 km gravel, 1,525 kmearth, 590 km unimproved~Inland waterways~: 6,000 km total of navigable waterways; Berbice,Demerara, and Essequibo Rivers are navigable by oceangoing vesselsfor 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km, respectively~Ports~: Georgetown~Civil air~: 5 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 66 total, 63 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 2,439 m; 12 with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: fair system with radio relay network; over 27,000telephones; tropospheric scatter link to Trinidad; stations--4 AM, 3FM, no TV, 1 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Guyana Defense Force (including Maritime Corps and AirCorps), Guyana Police Force, Guyana People's Militia, GuyanaNational Service~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 201,104; 152,958 fit for militaryservice~Defense expenditures~: 4.3% of GDP, or $13.8 million (1988 est.) ~[000000096~000707333~000000000~000000000~000008436~000000086~000698354~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Haiti~
Geography~Total area~: 27,750 km2; land area: 27,560 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Maryland~Land boundary~: 275 km with the Dominican Republic~Coastline~: 1,771 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 24 nm;  Continental shelf: to depth of exploitation;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: claims US-administered Navassa Island~Climate~: tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off tradewinds~Terrain~: mostly rough and mountainous~Natural resources~: bauxite~Land use~: 20% arable land; 13% permanent crops; 18% meadows andpastures; 4% forest and woodland; 45% other; includes 3% irrigated~Environment~: lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject tosevere storms from June to October; occasional flooding andearthquakes; deforestation~Note~: shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic~
People~Population~: 6,142,141 (July 1990), growth rate 2.3% (1990)~Birth rate~: 45 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 16 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 6 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 107 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 52 years male, 55 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 6.4 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Haitian(s); adjective--Haitian~Ethnic divisions~: 95% black, 5% mulatto and European~Religion~: 75-80% Roman Catholic (of which an overwhelming majorityalso practice Voodoo), 10% Protestant~Language~: French (official) spoken by only 10% of population; allspeak Creole~Literacy~: 23%~Labor force~: 2,300,000; 66% agriculture, 25% services, 9% industry;shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (1982)~Organized labor~: NA~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Haiti~Type~: republic~Capital~: Port-au-Prince~Administrative divisions~: 9 departments, (departements,singular--departement); Artibonite, Centre, Grand'Anse, Nord,Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est~Independence~: 1 January 1804 (from France)~Constitution~: 27 August 1983, suspended February 1986; draftconstitution approved March 1987, suspended June 1988, most articlesreinstated March 1989~Legal system~: based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction~National holiday~: Independence Day, 1 January (1804)~Executive branch~: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: bicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale)consisted of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House ofRepresentatives, but was dissolved on 20 June 1988 after the coup of19 June 1988 (there was a subsequent coup on 18 September 1988);after naming a civilian as provisional president on 13 March 1990,it was announced that a Council of State was being formed~Judicial branch~: Court of Appeal (Cour de Cassation)~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--Provisional PresidentErtha PASCAL-TROUILLOT (since 13 March 1990)~Political parties and leaders~: Haitian Christian Democratic Party(PDCH), Sylvio Claude; Haitian Social Christian Party (PSCH),Gregoire Eugene; Movement for the Installation of Democracy in Haiti(MIDH), Marc Bazin; National Alliance Front (FNC), Gerard Gourgue;National Agricultural and Industrial Party (PAIN), Louis Dejoie;Congress of Democratic Movements (CONACOM), Victor Bono; NationalProgressive Revolutionary Party (PANPRA), Serge Gilles; NationalPatriotic Movement of November 28 (MNP-28), Dejean Belizaire;Movement for the Organization of the Country (MOP), Gesner Comeau;Mobilization for National Development (MDN), Hubert De Ronceray~Suffrage~: none~Elections~: President--last held 17 January 1988 (next to be held bymid-June 1990); on 13 March 1990 Ertha Pascal-Trouillot becameprovisional president after the resignation of President Lieut. GenProsper Avril;  Legislature--last held 17 January 1988, but dissolved on 20 June1988; the government has promised an election by mid-June 1990~Communists~: United Party of Haitian Communists (PUCH), Rene Theodore(roughly 2,000 members)~Other political or pressure groups~: Democratic Unity Confederation(KID), Roman Catholic Church, Confederation of Haitian Workers(CTH), Federation of Workers Trade Unions (FOS), Autonomous HaitianWorkers (CATH), National Popular Assembly (APN)~Member of~: CCC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBA, IBRD, ICAO, ICO,IDA, IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IRC, ITU, OAS, PAHO, SELA, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO,WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador (vacant), Charge d'AffairesFritz VOUGY; Chancery at 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC20008; telephone [phone] through 4092; there are HaitianConsulates General in Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Juan(Puerto Rico); US--Ambassador Alvin ADAMS; Embassy at Harry TrumanBoulevard, Port-au-Prince (mailing address is P. O. Box 1761,Port-au-Prince), telephone ╒509σ (1) 20354 or 20368, 20200, 20612~Flag~: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with acentered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms which contains apalm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearingthe motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength)~
Economy~Overview~: About 85% of the population live in absolute poverty.Agriculture is mainly small-scale subsistence farming and employs65% of the work force. The majority of the population does not haveready access to safe drinking water, adequate medical care, orsufficient food. Few social assistance programs exist, and the lackof employment opportunities remains the most critical problem facingthe economy.~GDP~: $2.4 billion, per capita $380; real growth rate 0.3% (1988 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 5.8% (1988)~Unemployment rate~: 50% (1988 est.)~Budget~: revenues $252 million; expenditures $357 million, includingcapital expenditures of $NA million (1988)~Exports~: $200 million (f.o.b., FY88); commodities--light manufactures65%, coffee 17%, other agriculture 8%, other products 10%;partners--US 77%, France 5%, Italy 4%, FRG 3%, other industrial 9%,less developed countries 2% (FY86)~Imports~: $344 million (c.i.f., FY88); commodities--machines andmanufactures 36%, food and beverages 21%, petroleum products 11%,fats and oils 12%, chemicals 12%; partners--US 65%, NetherlandsAntilles 6%, Japan 5%, France 4%, Canada 2%, Asia 2% (FY86)~External debt~: $820 million (December 1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate - 2% (FY87)~Electricity~: 230,000 kW capacity; 482 million kWh produced, 75 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: sugar refining, textiles, flour milling, cementmanufacturing, bauxite mining, tourism, light assembly industriesbased on imported parts~Agriculture~: accounts for 32% of GDP and employs 65% of work force;mostly small-scale subsistence farms; commercial crops--coffee andsugarcane; staple crops--rice, corn, sorghum, mangoes; shortage ofwheat flour~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $638 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$627 million~Currency~: gourde (plural--gourdes); 1 gourde (G) = 100 centimes~Exchange rates~: gourdes (G) per US$1-- 5.0 (fixed rate)~Fiscal year~: 1 October-30 September~
Communications~Railroads~: 40 km 0.760-meter narrow gauge, single-track, privatelyowned industrial line~Highways~: 4,000 km total; 950 km paved, 900 km otherwise improved,2,150 km unimproved~Inland waterways~: negligible; less than 100 km navigable~Ports~: Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haitien~Civil air~: 4 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 15 total, 10 usable; 3 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 4 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: domestic facilities barely adequate,international facilities slightly better; 36,000 telephones;stations--33 AM, no FM, 4 TV, 2 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean earthstation~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Corps~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 1,264,238; 679,209 fit for militaryservice; 59,655 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: NA ~[000000097~000715772~000000000~000000000~000001343~000000014~000707333~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Heard Island and McDonald Islands(territory of Australia)~
Geography~Total area~: 412 km2; land area: 412 km2~Comparative area~: slightly less than 2.5 times the size ofWashington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 101.9 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 12 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploration;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Climate~: antarctic~Terrain~: Heard Island--bleak and mountainous, with an extinctvolcano; McDonald Islands--small and rocky~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other~Environment~: primarily used as research stations~Note~: located 4,100 km southwest of Australia in the southern IndianOcean~
People~Population~: uninhabited~
Government~Long-form name~: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands~Type~: territory of Australia administered by the Antarctic Divisionof the Department of Science in Canberra (Australia)~
Economy~Overview~: no economic activity~
Communications~Ports~: none; offshore anchorage only~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of Australia ~[000000098~000717118~000000000~000000000~000010008~000000110~000715772~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Honduras~
Geography~Total area~: 112,090 km2; land area: 111,890 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Tennessee~Land boundaries~: 1,520 km total; Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342km, Nicaragua 922 km~Coastline~: 820 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 24 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: several sections of the boundary with El Salvador are indispute~Climate~: subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains~Terrain~: mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains~Natural resources~: timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, ironore, antimony, coal, fish~Land use~: 14% arable land; 2% permanent crops; 30% meadows andpastures; 34% forest and woodland; 20% other; includes 1% irrigated~Environment~: subject to frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes;damaging hurricanes along Caribbean coast; deforestation; soilerosion~
People~Population~: 5,259,699 (July 1990), growth rate 3.0% (1990)~Birth rate~: 37 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 62 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 64 years male, 67 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 4.8 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Honduran(s); adjective--Honduran~Ethnic divisions~: 90% mestizo (mixed Indian and European), 7% Indian,2% black, 1% white~Religion~: about 97% Roman Catholic; small Protestant minority~Language~: Spanish, Indian dialects~Literacy~: 56%~Labor force~: 1,300,000; 62% agriculture, 20% services, 9%manufacturing, 3% construction, 6% other (1985)~Organized labor~: 40% of urban labor force, 20% of rural work force(1985)~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Honduras~Type~: republic~Capital~: Tegucigalpa~Administrative divisions~: 18 departments (departamentos,singular--departamento); Atlantida, Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua,Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco Morazan, Gracias a Dios,Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho,Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro~Independence~: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)~Constitution~: 11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982~Legal system~: rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law; some influenceof English common law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations~National holiday~: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)~Executive branch~: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justica)~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--Rafael LeonardoCALLEJAS Romero (since 26 January 1990)~Political parties and leaders~: Liberal Party (PLH)--faction leaders,Carlos Flores Facusse (leader of Florista Liberal Movement), CarlosMontoya (Azconista subfaction), Ramon Villeda Bermudez and JorgeArturo Reina (M-Lider faction); National Party (PNH), RicardoMaduro, party president; PNH faction leaders--Oswaldo Ramos Soto andRafael Leonardo Callejas (Monarca faction); National Innovation andUnity Party-Social Democrats (PINU-SD), Enrique Aguilar Cerrato Paz;Christian Democratic Party (PDCH), Jorge Illescas; Democratic Action(AD), Walter Lopez Reyes~Suffrage~: universal and compulsory at age 18~Elections~: President--last held on 26 November 1989 (next to be heldNovember 1993); results--Leonardo Rafael Callejas (PNH) 51%, JoseAzcona Hoyo (PLH) 43.3%, others 5.7%;  National Congress--last held on 24 November 1985 (next to be heldNovember 1993); results--PLH 51%, PNH 45%, PDCH 1.9%, PINU 1.5%,others 0.65; seats--(134 total) PLH 62, PNH 71, PINU 1~Communists~: up to 1,500; Honduran leftist groups--Communist Party ofHonduras (PCH), Party for the Transformation of Honduras (PTH),Morazanist Front for the Liberation of Honduras (FMLH), People'sRevolutionary Union/Popular Liberation Movement (URP/MPL), PopularRevolutionary Forces-Lorenzo Zelaya (FPR/LZ), Socialist Party ofHonduras Central American Workers Revolutionary Party (PASO/PRTC)~Other political or pressure groups~: National Association of HonduranCampesinos (ANACH), Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (COHEP),Confederation of Honduran Workers (CTH), National Union ofCampesinos (UNC), General Workers Confederation (CGT), UnitedFederation of Honduran Workers (FUTH), Committee for the Defense ofHuman Rights in Honduras (CODEH), Coordinating Committee of PopularOrganizations (CCOP)~Member of~: CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICO, IDA,IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, ISO, ITU, OAS, PAHO, SELA, UN, UNESCO, UPEB,UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Jorge Ramon HERNANDEZ Alcerro;Chancery at Suite 100, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC20008; telephone [phone] through 7702; there are HonduranConsulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, NewYork, and San Francisco, and Consulates in Baton Rouge, Boston,Detroit, Houston, and Jacksonville; US--Ambassador Crescencio ARCOS;Embassy at Avenida La Paz, Tegucigalpa (mailing address is APO Miami34022); telephone ╒504σ 32-3120~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and bluewith five blue five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centeredin the white band; the stars represent the members of the formerFederal Republic of Central America--Costa Rica, El Salvador,Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of ElSalvador which features a round emblem encircled by the wordsREPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the whiteband; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua which features atriangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top andAMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band~
Economy~Overview~: Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the WesternHemisphere. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy,accounting for nearly 30% of GDP, employing 62% of the labor force,and producing two-thirds of exports. Productivity remains low,however, leaving considerable room for improvement. Althoughindustry is still in its early stages, it employs nearly 15% of thelabor force, accounts for 23% of GDP, and generates 20% of exports.The service sectors, including public administration, account for48% of GDP and employ nearly 20% of the labor force. Basic problemsfacing the economy include a high population growth rate, a highunemployment rate, a lack of basic services, a large and inefficientpublic sector, and an export sector dependent mostly on coffee andbananas, which are subject to sharp price fluctuations.~GDP~: $4.4 billion, per capita $890; real growth rate 4.0% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 11% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 12% unemployed, 30-40% underemployed (1988)~Budget~: revenues $1,053 million; expenditures $949 million, includingcapital expenditures of $159 million (1989)~Exports~: $1.0 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--bananas, coffee,shrimp, lobster, minerals, lumber; partners--US 52%, FRG 11%, Japan,Italy, Belgium~Imports~: $1.4 billion (c.i.f. 1988); commodities--machinery andtransport equipment, chemical products, manufactured goods, fuel andoil, foodstuffs; partners--US 39%, Japan 9%, CACM, Venezuela, Mexico~External debt~: $3.2 billion (December 1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate 5% (1988)~Electricity~: 655,000 kW capacity; 1,980 million kWh produced, 390 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: agricultural processing (sugar and coffee), textiles,clothing, wood products~Agriculture~: most important sector, accounting for nearly 30% of GDP,over 60% of the labor force, and two-thirds of exports; principalproducts include bananas, coffee, timber, beef, citrus fruit,shrimp; importer of wheat~Illicit drugs~: illicit producer of cannabis, cultivated on smallplots and used principally for local consumption; transshipmentpoint for cocaine~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $1.3 billion; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$776 million~Currency~: lempira (plural--lempiras); 1 lempira (L) = 100 centavos~Exchange rates~: lempiras (L) per US$1--2.00 (fixed rate); 3.50parallel exchange and black-market rate (October 1989)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 785 km total; 508 km 1.067-meter gauge, 277 km 0.914-metergauge~Highways~: 8,950 km total; 1,700 km paved, 5,000 km otherwiseimproved, 2,250 km unimproved earth~Inland waterways~: 465 km navigable by small craft~Ports~: Puerto Castilla, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo~Merchant marine~: 149 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 438,495GRT/660,990 DWT; includes 2 passenger-cargo, 87 cargo, 12refrigerated cargo, 9 container, 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 17petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 2 liquefied gas, 1specialized tanker, 1 vehicle carrier, 17 bulk; note--a flag ofconvenience registry~Civil air~: 9 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 180 total, 140 usable; 8 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 12with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: improved, but still inadequate; connection intoCentral American Microwave System; 35,100 telephones; stations--176AM, no FM, 28 TV, 7 shortwave; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earthstations~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Armed Forces, Naval Forces, Air Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 1,222,858; 727,851 fit for militaryservice; 61,493 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 1.9% of GDP, or $82.5 million (1990 est.) ~[000000099~000727129~000000000~000000000~000008869~000000095~000717118~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Hong Kong(colony of the UK)~
Geography~Total area~: 1,040 km2; land area: 990 km2~Comparative area~: slightly less than six times the size ofWashington, DC~Land boundary~: 30 km with China~Coastline~: 733 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 3 nm;  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Disputes~: scheduled to become a Special Administrative Region ofChina in 1997~Climate~: tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainyfrom spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall~Terrain~: hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north~Natural resources~: outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar~Land use~: 7% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 1% meadows andpastures; 12% forest and woodland; 79% other; includes 3% irrigated~Environment~: more than 200 islands; occasional typhoons~
People~Population~: 5,759,990 (July 1990), growth rate 1.0% (1990)~Birth rate~: 13 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 2 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 76 years male, 82 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.4 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: adjective--Hong Kong~Ethnic divisions~: 98% Chinese, 2% other~Religion~: 90% eclectic mixture of local religions, 10% Christian~Language~: Chinese (Cantonese), English~Literacy~: 75%~Labor force~: 2,640,000; 35.8% manufacturing; 22.7% wholesale andretail trade, restaurants and hotel, 17.1% services, 7.5%construction, 8.4% transport and communications, 6.1% financing,insurance, and real estate (1986)~Organized labor~: 15% of labor force (1986)~
Government~Long-form name~: none; abbreviated HK~Type~: colony of the UK; scheduled to revert to China in 1997~Capital~: Victoria~Administrative divisions~: none (colony of the UK)~Independence~: none (colony of the UK); the UK signed an agreementwith China on 19 December 1984 to return Hong Kong to China on 1July 1997; in the joint declaration, China promises to respect HongKong's existing social and economic systems and lifestyle for 50years after transition~Constitution~: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law andpractice~Legal system~: based on English common law~National holiday~: Liberation Day, 29 August (1945)~Executive branch~: British monarch, governor, chief secretary of theExecutive Council~Legislative branch~: Legislative Council~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Head of Government--Governor Sir David Clive WILSON (since 9 April1987); Chief Secretary Sir David Robert FORD (since NA February1987)~Political parties~: none~Suffrage~: limited to about 71,000 professionals of electoral collegeand functional constituencies~Elections~: Legislative Council--indirect elections last held 26September 1985 (next to be held in September 1991) seats--(58 total;26 elected, 32 appointed)~Communists~: 5,000 (est.) cadres affiliated with Communist Party ofChina~Other political or pressure groups~: Federation of Trade Unions(Communist controlled), Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council(Nationalist Chinese dominated), Hong Kong General Chamber ofCommerce, Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (Communistcontrolled), Federation of Hong Kong Industries, ChineseManufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, Hong Kong ProfessionalTeachers' Union, and several small pro-democracy groups.~Member of~: ADB, ESCAP (associate member), GATT, IMO, INTERPOL,Multifiber Arrangement, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: as a British colony, the interests of HongKong in the US are represented by the UK; US--Consul General DonaldM. ANDERSON; Consulate General at 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong (mailingaddress is Box 30, Hong Kong, or FPO San Francisco 96659-0002);telephone ╒852σ (5) 239011~Flag~: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrantwith the Hong Kong coat of arms on a white disk centered on theouter half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a shield (bearingtwo junks below a crown) held by a lion (representing the UK) and adragon (representing China) with another lion above the shield and abanner bearing the words HONG KONG below the shield~
Economy~Overview~: Hong Kong has a free-market economy and is autonomous infinancial affairs. Natural resources are limited and food and rawmaterials must be imported. Manufacturing is the backbone of theeconomy, accounting for more than 20% of GDP, employing 36% of thelabor force, and exporting about 90% of output. Real GDP growthaveraged a remakable 8% in 1987-88, then slowed to a respectable 3%in 1989. Unemployment, which has been declining since the mid-1980s,is now less than 2%. A shortage of labor continues to put upwardpressure on prices and the cost of living. Short-term prospectsremain solid so long as major trading partners continue to beprosperous. The crackdown in China in 1989 casts a long shadow overthe longer term economic outlook.~GDP~: $57 billion, per capita $10,000; real growth rate 3% (1989)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 9.5% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 1.6% (1988)~Budget~: $6.9 billion (FY89)~Exports~: $63.2 billion (f.o.b., 1988), including reexports of $22.9billion; commodities--clothing, textile yarn and fabric, footwear,electrical appliances, watches and clocks, toys; partners--US 31%,China 14%, FRG 8%, UK 6%, Japan 5%~Imports~: $63.9 billion (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--foodstuffs,transport equipment, raw materials, semimanufactures, petroleum;partners--China 31%, Japan 20%, Taiwan 9%, US 8%~External debt~: $9.6 billion (December 1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate 7.0% (1988)~Electricity~: 7,800,000 kW capacity; 23,000 million kWh produced,4,030 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: textiles, clothing, tourism, electronics, plastics, toys,watches, clocks~Agriculture~: minor role in the economy; rice, vegetables, dairyproducts; less than 20% self-sufficient; shortages of rice, wheat,water~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $141.2 million;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-87), $899.8 million~Currency~: Hong Kong dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Hong Kong dollar(HK$) = 100 cents~Exchange rates~: Hong Kong dollars (HK$) per US$--7.800 (March 1989),7.810 (1988), 7.760 (1987), 7.795 (1986), 7.811 (1985); note--linkedto the US dollar at the rate of about 7.8 HK$ per 1 US$ since 1985~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Railroads~: 35 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, government owned~Highways~: 1,100 km total; 794 km paved, 306 km gravel, crushed stone,or earth~Ports~: Hong Kong~Merchant marine~: 134 ships (1,000 GRT or over), totaling 4,391,102GRT/7,430,337 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 1 short-sea passenger, 11cargo, 10 refrigerated cargo, 13 container, 2 roll-on/roll-offcargo, 10 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 chemicaltanker, 9 combination ore/oil, 7 liquefied gas, 69 bulk; note--aflag of convenience registry; ships registered in Hong Kong fly theUK flag and an estimated 500 Hong Kong-owned ships are registeredelsewhere~Civil air~: 16 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 2 total; 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: modern facilities provide excellent domestic andinternational services; 2,300,000 telephones; microwave transmissionlinks and extensive optical fiber transmission network; stations--6AM, 6 FM, 4 TV; 1 British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) relaystation and 1 British Forces Broadcasting Service relay station;2,500,000 radio receivers; 1,312,000 TV sets (1,224,000 color TVsets); satellite earth stations--1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT and 2Indian Ocean INTELSAT; coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China; links to 5international submarine cables providing access to ASEAN membernations, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Headquarters of British Forces, Gurkha Brigade, Royal Navy,Royal Air Force, Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force, Royal HongKong Police Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 1,703,890; 1,320,914 fit for militaryservice; 46,440 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 0.5% of GDP, or $300 million (1989 est.); thisrepresents one-fourth of the total cost of defending the colony, theremainder being paid by the UK~Note~: defense is the responsibility of the UK ~[000000100~000736001~000000000~000000000~000002504~000000030~000727129~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Howland Island(territory of the US)~
Geography~Total area~: 1.6 km2; land area: 1.6 km2~Comparative area~: about 2.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington,DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 6.4 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 12 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 m;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun~Terrain~: low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by anarrow fringing reef; depressed central area~Natural resources~: guano (deposits worked until late 1800s)~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 5% forest and woodland; 95% other~Environment~: almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines,and low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center; lacksfresh water; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat forseabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; feral cats~Note~: remote location 2,575 km southwest of Honolulu in the NorthPacific Ocean, just north of the Equator, about halfway betweenHawaii and Australia~
People~Population~: uninhabited~Note~: American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air andnaval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military duringWorld War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is byspecial-use permit only and generally restricted to scientists andeducators~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish andWildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of theNational Wildlife Refuge System~
Economy~Overview~: no economic activity~
Communications~Airports~: airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stopon the round-the-world flight of Amelia Earhart and FredNoonan--they left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but werenever seen again; the airstrip is no longer serviceable~Ports~: none; offshore anchorage only, one boat landing area along themiddle of the west coast~Note~: Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coastthat was partially destroyed during World War II, but has since beenrebuilt in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually bythe US Coast Guard ~[000000101~000738508~000000000~000000000~000009577~000000105~000736001~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Hungary~
Geography~Total area~: 93,030 km2; land area: 92,340 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Indiana~Land boundaries~: 2,251 km total; Austria 366 km, Czechoslovakia 676km, Romania 443 km, USSR 135 km, Yugoslavia 631 km~Coastline~: none--landlocked~Maritime claims~: none--landlocked~Disputes~: Transylvania question with Romania; Nagymaros Dam disputewith Czechoslovakia~Climate~: temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers~Terrain~: mostly flat to rolling plains~Natural resources~: bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils~Land use~: 54% arable land; 3% permanent crops; 14% meadows andpastures; 18% forest and woodland; 11% other; includes 2% irrigated~Environment~: levees are common along many streams, but floodingoccurs almost every year~Note~: landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes betweenWestern Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between USSR andMediterranean basin~
People~Population~: 10,568,686 (July 1990), growth rate - 0.1% (1990)~Birth rate~: 12 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 15 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 67 years male, 75 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.8 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Hungarian(s); adjective--Hungarian~Ethnic divisions~: 96.6% Hungarian, 1.6% German, 1.1% Slovak, 0.3%Southern Slav, 0.2% Romanian~Religion~: 67.5% Roman Catholic, 20.0% Calvinist, 5.0% Lutheran, 7.5%atheist and other~Language~: 98.2% Hungarian, 1.8% other~Literacy~: 99%~Labor force~: 4,860,000; 43.2% services, trade, government, and other,30.9% industry, 18.8% agriculture, 7.1% construction (1988)~Organized labor~: 96.5% of labor force; Central Council of HungarianTrade Unions (SZOT) includes 19 affiliated unions, all controlled bythe government; independent unions legal; may be as many as 12 smallindependent unions in operation~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Hungary~Type~: republic~Capital~: Budapest~Administrative divisions~: 19 counties (megyek, singular--megye) and 1capital city* (fovaros); Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes,Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Budapest*, Csongrad, Fejer, Gyor-Sopron,Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Komarom, Nograd, Pest, Somogy, Szabolcs-Szatmar,Szolnok, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Zala~Independence~: 1001, unification by King Stephen I~Constitution~: 18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19April 1972 and 18 October 1989~Legal system~: based on Communist legal theory, with both civil lawsystem (civil code of 1960) and common law elements; Supreme Courtrenders decisions of principle that sometimes have the effect ofdeclaring legislative acts unconstitutional; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Anniversary of the Liberation, 4 April (1945)~Executive branch~: president, premier, Council of Ministers~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Assembly (Orszaggyules)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--President-designate Arpad GONCZ (since 2 May1990);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Jozsef ANTALL (since 23 May 1990)~Political parties and leaders~: Democratic Forum, Jozsef Antall,chairman; Free Democrats, Janos Kis, chairman; IndependentSmallholders, Istvan Prepeliczay, president; Hungarian SocialistParty (MSP), Rezso Nyers, chairman; Young Democrats; ChristianDemocrats, Sandor Keresztes, president; note--the HungarianSocialist (Communist) Workers' Party (MSZMP) renounced Communism andbecame the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSP) in October 1989~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: National Assembly--last held on 25 March 1990 (firstround, with the second round held 8 April 1990); results--percent ofvote by party NA; seats--(394 total) Democratic Forum 165, FreeDemocrats 92, Independent Smallholders 43, Hungarian Socialist Party(MSP) 33, Young Democrats 21, Christian Democrats 21, independentcandidates or jointly sponsored candidates 19; an additional 8 seatswill be given to representatives of minority nationalities~Communists~: fewer than 100,000 (December 1989)~Member of~: CCC, CEMA, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, IBEC, ICAC, ICAO, ILO,ILZSG, IMF, IMO, IPU, ISO, ITC, ITU, UN, UNESCO, UPU, Warsaw Pact,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Dr. Peter VARKONYI; Chancery at3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone]; there is a Hungarian Consulate General in New York;US--Ambassador-designate Charles THOMAS; Embassy at V. Szabadsag Ter12, Budapest (mailing address is APO New York 09213); telephone ╒36σ(1) 126-450~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green~
Economy~Overview~: Hungary's postwar Communist government spurred the movementfrom a predominantly agricultural to an industrialized economy. Theshare of the labor force in agriculture dropped from over 50% in1950 to under 20% in 1989. Agriculture nevertheless remains animportant sector, providing sizable export earnings and meetingdomestic food needs. Industry accounts for about 40% of GNP and 30%of employment. Nearly three-fourths of foreign trade is with theUSSR and Eastern Europe.  Low rates of growth reflect the inabilityof the Soviet-style economy to modernize capital plant and motivateworkers. GNP grew about 1% in 1988 and declined by 1% in 1989. Since1985 external debt has more than doubled, to nearly $20 billion. Inrecent years Hungary has moved further than any other East Europeancountry in experimenting with decentralized and market-orientedenterprises. These experiments have failed to jump-start the economybecause of: limitations on funds for privatization; continuedsubsidization of insolvent state enterprises; and the leadership'sreluctance to implement sweeping market reforms that would causeadditional social dislocations in the short term.~GNP~: $64.6 billion, per capita $6,108; real growth rate - 1.3% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 18% (1989 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 0.4% (1989)~Budget~: revenues $14.0 billion; expenditures $14.2 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $944 million (1988)~Exports~: $19.1 billion (f.o.b. 1988); commodities--capital goods 36%,foods 24%, consumer goods 18%, fuels and minerals 11%, other 11%;partners USSR 48%, Eastern Europe 25%, developed countries 16%, lessdeveloped countries 8% (1987)~Imports~: $18.3 billion (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--machinery andtransport 28%, fuels 20%, chemical products 14%, manufacturedconsumer goods 16%, agriculture 6%, other 16%; partners--USSR 43%,Eastern Europe 28%, less developed countries 23%, US 3% (1987)~External debt~: $19.6 billion (1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate 0.6% (1988)~Electricity~: 7,250,000 kW capacity; 30,300 million kWh produced,2,870 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: mining, metallurgy, engineering industries, processedfoods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals)~Agriculture~: including forestry, accounts for about 15% of GNP and19% of employment; highly diversified crop-livestock farming;principal crops--wheat, corn, sunflowers, potatoes, sugar beets;livestock--hogs, cattle, poultry, dairy products; self-sufficient infood output~Aid~: donor--$1.8 billion in bilateral aid to non-Communist lessdeveloped countries (1962-88)~Currency~: forint (plural--forints); 1 forint (Ft) = 100 filler~Exchange rates~: forints (Ft) per US$1--62.5 (January 1990), 59.2(1989), 50.413 (1988), 46.971 (1987), 45.832 (1986), 50.119 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 7,770 km total; 7,513 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 222km narrow gauge (mostly 0.760-meter), 35 km 1.524-meter broad gauge;1,138 km double track, 2,088 km electrified; all government owned(1987)~Highways~: 130,000 km total; 29,701 km national highway system--26,727km asphalt and bitumen, 146 km concrete, 55 km stone and road brick,2,345 km macadam, 428 km unpaved; 58,495 km country roads (66%unpaved), and 41,804 km (est.) other roads (70% unpaved) (1987)~Inland waterways~: 1,622 km (1986)~Pipelines~: crude oil, 1,204 km; refined products, 600 km; naturalgas, 3,800 km (1986)~Ports~: Budapest and Dunaujvaros are river ports on the Danube;maritime outlets are Rostock (GDR), Gdansk (Poland), Gdynia(Poland), Szczecin (Poland), Galati (Romania), and Braila (Romania)~Merchant marine~: 16 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 77,141GRT/103,189 DWT~Civil air~: 22 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 90 total, 90 usable; 20 with permanent-surface runways; 2with runways over 3,659 m; 10 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 15 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: stations--13 AM, 11 FM, 21 TV; 8 Soviet TVrelays; 3,500,000 TV sets; 5,500,000 receiver sets; at least 1satellite earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Hungarian People's Army, Frontier Guard, Air and AirDefense Command~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 2,645,016; 2,112,651 fit for militaryservice; 86,481 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 43.7 billion forints, NA% of total budget(1989); note--conversion of the military budget into US dollarsusing the official administratively set exchange rate would producemisleading results ~[000000102~000748088~000000000~000000000~000008839~000000098~000738508~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Iceland~
Geography~Total area~: 103,000 km2; land area: 100,250 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Kentucky~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 4,988 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark,Ireland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundaryagreement in the Rockall area)~Climate~: temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windywinters; damp, cool summers~Terrain~: mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields;coast deeply indented by bays and fiords~Natural resources~: fish, hydroelectric and geothermal power,diatomite~Land use~: NEGL% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 23% meadows andpastures; 1% forest and woodland; 76% other~Environment~: subject to earthquakes and volcanic activity~Note~: strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmostEuropean country~
People~Population~: 257,023 (July 1990), growth rate 1.1% (1990)~Birth rate~: 18 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 75 years male, 80 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.2 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Icelander(s); adjective--Icelandic~Ethnic divisions~: homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norwegiansand Celts~Religion~: 95% Evangelical Lutheran, 3% other Protestant and RomanCatholic, 2% no affiliation~Language~: Icelandic~Literacy~: 100%~Labor force~: 134,429; 55.4% commerce, finance, and services, 14.3%other manufacturing, 5.8% agriculture, 7.9% fish processing, 5.0%fishing (1986)~Organized labor~: 60% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Iceland~Type~: republic~Capital~: Reykjavik~Administrative divisions~: 23 counties (syslar, singular--sysla) and14 independent towns* (kaupstadar, singular--kaupstadur); Akranes*,Akureyri*, Arnessysla, Austur-Bardhastrandarsysla,Austur-Hunavatnssysla, Austur-Skaftafellssysla, Borgarfjardharsysla,Dalasysla, Eyjafjardharsysla, Gullbringusysla, Hafnarfjordhur*,Husavik*, Isafjordhur*, Keflavik*, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur*,Myrasysla, Neskaupstadhur*, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla,Nordhur-Mulasysla, Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur*,Rangarvallasysla, Reykjavik*, Saudharkrokur*, Seydhisfjordhur*,Siglufjordhur*, Skagafjardharsysla, Snaefellsnes-og Hanppadalssysla,Strandasysla, Sudhur-Mulasysla, Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla,Vestmannaeyjar*, Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Vestur-Hunavatnssysla,Vestur-Isafjardharsysla, Vestur-Skaftafellssysla~Independence~: 17 June 1944 (from Denmark)~Constitution~: 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944~Legal system~: civil law system based on Danish law; does not acceptcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Anniversary of the Establishment of the Republic,17 June (1944)~Executive branch~: president, prime minister, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral Parliament (Althing) with an UpperHouse (Efri Deild) and a Lower House (Nedri Deild)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Haestirettur)~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIR (since 1August 1980);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Steingrimur HERMANNSSON (since 28September 1988)~Political parties and leaders~: Independence (conservative),Thorsteinn Palsson; Progressive, Steingrimur Hermannsson; SocialDemocratic, Jon Baldvin Hannibalsson; People's Alliance (leftsocialist), Olafur Ragnar Grimsson; Citizens Party (conservativenationalist), Julius Solnes; Women's List~Suffrage~: universal at age 20~Elections~: President--last held on 29 June 1980 (next scheduled forJune 1992); results--there were no elections in 1984 and 1988 asPresident Vigdis Finnbogadottir was unopposed;  Parliament--last held on 25 April 1987 (next to be held by 25 April1991); results--Independence 27.2%, Progressive 18.9%, SocialDemocratic 15.2%, People's Alliance 13.4%, Citizens Party 10.9%,Womens List 10.1%, other 4.3%;  seats--(63 total) Independence 18, Progressive 13, Social Democratic10, People's Alliance 8, Citizens Party 7, Womens List 6, RegionalEquality Platform 1~Communists~: less than 100 (est.), some of whom participate in thePeople's Alliance~Member of~: CCC, Council of Europe, EC (free trade agreement pendingresolution of fishing limits issue), EFTA, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICES, IDA, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU,ITU, IWC--International Whaling Commission, NATO, Nordic Council,OECD, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WSG~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Ingvi S. INGVARSSON; Chanceryat 2022 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone] through 6655; there is an Icelandic Consulate General inNew York; US--Ambassador Charles E. COBB; Embassy at Laufasvegur 21,Reykjavik (mailing address is FPO New York 09571-0001); telephone╒354σ (1) 29100~Flag~: blue with a red cross outlined in white that extends to theedges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to thehoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)~
Economy~Overview~: Iceland's prosperous Scandinavian-type economy is basicallycapitalistic, but with extensive welfare measures, low unemployment,and comparatively even distribution of income. The economy isheavily dependent on the fishing industry, which provides nearly 75%of export earnings. In the absence of other natural resources,Iceland's economy is vulnerable to changing world fish prices.National output declined for the second consecutive year in 1989,and two of the largest fish farms filed for bankruptcy. Othereconomic activities include livestock raising and aluminum smelting.A fall in the fish catch is expected for 1990, resulting in acontinuation of the recession.~GDP~: $4.0 billion, per capita $16,200; real growth rate - 1.8% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 17.4% (1989 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 1.3% (1989 est.)~Budget~: revenues $1.5 billion; expenditures $1.7 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $NA million (1988)~Exports~: $1.4 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--fish and fishproducts, animal products, aluminum, diatomite; partners--EC 58.9%(UK 23.3%, FRG 10.3%), US 13.6%, USSR 3.6%~Imports~: $1.6 billion (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--machinery andtransportation equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, textiles;partners--EC 58% (FRG 16%, Denmark 10.4%, UK 9.2%), US 8.5%, USSR3.9%~External debt~: $1.8 billion (1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate 4.7% (1987 est.)~Electricity~: 1,063,000 kW capacity; 5,165 million kWh produced,20,780 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: fish processing, aluminum smelting, ferro-siliconproduction, hydropower~Agriculture~: accounts for about 25% of GDP (including fishing);fishing is most important economic activity, contributing nearly 75%to export earnings; principal crops--potatoes and turnips;livestock--cattle, sheep; self-sufficient in crops; fish catch ofabout 1.6 million metric tons in 1987~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $19.1 million~Currency~: krona (plural--kronur); 1 Icelandic krona (IKr) = 100 aurar~Exchange rates~: Icelandic kronur (IKr) per US$1--60.751 (January1990), 57.042 (1989), 43.014 (1988), 38.677 (1987), 41.104 (1986),41.508 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Highways~: 12,343 km total; 166 km bitumen and concrete; 1,284 kmbituminous treated and gravel; 10,893 km earth~Ports~: Reykjavik, Akureyri, Hafnarfjordhur, Keflavik,Seydhisfjordhur, Siglufjordur, Vestmannaeyjar; numerous minor ports~Merchant marine~: 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 62,867GRT/87,610 DWT; includes 9 cargo, 2 refrigerated cargo, 1 container,2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL)tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 2 bulk~Civil air~: 20 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 99 total, 92 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 14 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: adequate domestic service, wire and radiocommunication system; 135,000 telephones; stations--10 AM, 17 (43relays) FM, 14 (132 relays) TV; 2 submarine cables; 1 Atlantic OceanINTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Police, Coast Guard~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 68,688; 61,553 fit for militaryservice; no conscription or compulsory military service~Defense expenditures~: none ~[000000103~000756930~000000000~000000000~000011728~000000137~000748088~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]India~
Geography~Total area~: 3,287,590 km2; land area: 2,973,190 km2~Comparative area~: slightly more than one-third the size of the US~Land boundaries~: 14,103 km total; Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km,Burma 1,463 km, China 3,380, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km~Coastline~: 7,000 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 24 nm;  Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: boundaries with Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan; watersharing problems with downstream riparians, Bangladesh over theGanges and Pakistan over the Indus~Climate~: varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north~Terrain~: upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rollingplain along the Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in north~Natural resources~: coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), ironore, manganese, mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas,diamonds, crude oil, limestone~Land use~: 55% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 4% meadows andpastures; 23% forest and woodland; 17% other; includes 13% irrigated~Environment~: droughts, flash floods, severe thunderstorms common;deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; air and water pollution;desertification~Note~: dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian Oceantrade routes~
People~Population~: 849,746,001 (July 1990), growth rate 2.0% (1990)~Birth rate~: 30 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 89 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 57 years male, 59 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 3.8 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Indian(s); adjective--Indian~Ethnic divisions~: 72% Indo-Aryan, 25% Dravidian, 3% Mongoloid andother~Religion~: 82.6% Hindu, 11.4% Muslim, 2.4% Christian, 2.0% Sikh, 0.7%Buddhist, 0.5% Jains, 0.4% other~Language~: Hindi, English, and 14 other official languages--Bengali,Telgu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya,Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, and Sanskrit; 24 languagesspoken by a million or more persons each; numerous other languagesand dialects, for the most part mutually unintelligible; Hindi isthe national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people;English enjoys associate status but is the most important languagefor national, political, and commercial communication; Hindustani, apopular variant of Hindi/Urdu, is spoken widely throughout northernIndia~Literacy~: 36%~Labor force~: 284,400,000; 67% agriculture (FY85)~Organized labor~: less than 5% of the labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of India~Type~: federal republic~Capital~: New Delhi~Administrative divisions~: 24 states and 7 union territories*; Andamanand Nicobar Islands*, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,Bihar, Chandigarh*, Dadra and Nagar Haveli*, Delhi*, Goa and Damanand Diu*, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir,Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep*, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Pondicherry*, Punjab,Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal;note--Goa may have become a state with Daman and Diu remaining aunion territory~Independence~: 15 August 1947 (from UK)~Constitution~: 26 January 1950~Legal system~: based on English common law; limited judicial review oflegislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, withreservations~National holiday~: Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, 26January (1950)~Executive branch~: president, vice president, prime minister, Councilof Ministers~Legislative branch~: bicameral Parliament (Sansad) consists of anupper house or Government Assembly (Rajya Sabha) and a lower houseor People's Assembly (Lok Sabha)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Ramaswamy Iyer VENKATARAMAN (since25 July 1987); Vice President Dr. Shankar Dayal SHARMA (since 3September 1987);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap SINGH (since 2December 1989)~Political parties and leaders~: Janata Dal Party, Prime Minister V. P.Singh; Congress (I) Party, Rajiv Gandhi; Bharatiya Janata Party, L.K. Advani; Communist Party of India (CPI), C. Rajeswara Rao;Communist Party of India/Marxist (CPI/M), E. M. S. Namboodiripad;Communist Party of India/Marxist-Leninist (CPI/ML), SatyanarayanSingh; All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (AIADMK), a regionalparty in Tamil Nadu, Jayalalitha; Dravida Munnetra Kazagham, M.Karunanidhi; Akali Dal factions representing Sikh religiouscommunity in the Punjab; Telugu Desam, a regional party in AndhraPradesh, N. T. Rama Rao; National Conference (NC), a regional partyin Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah; Asom Gana Parishad, aregional party in Assam, Prafulla Mahanta~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: People's Assembly--last held 22, 24, 26 November 1989(next to be held by November 1994, subject to postponement);results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(544 total), 525elected--Congress (I) Party 193, Janata Dal Party 141, BharatiyaJanata Party 86, Communist Party of India (Marxist) 32, independents18, Communist Party of India 12, AIADMK 11, Akali Dal 6, Shiv Sena4, RSP 4, Forward Bloc 3, BSP 3, Telugu Desam 2, Congress (S) Party1, others 9~Communists~: 466,000 members claimed by CPI, 361,000 members claimedby CPI/M; Communist extremist groups, about 15,000 members~Other political or pressure groups~: various separatist groups seekinggreater communal autonomy; numerous senas or militant/chauvinisticorganizations, including Shiv Sena (in Bombay), Anand Marg, andRashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh~Member of~: ADB, AIOEC, ANRPC, CCC, Colombo Plan, Commonwealth, ESCAP,FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IHO,ILO, ILZSG, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, IRC, ITC, ITU,IWC--International Wheat Council, NAM, SAARC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WSG, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador-designate Abid HUSSEIN;Chancery at 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008;telephone [phone]; there are Indian Consulates General inChicago, New York, and San Francisco; US--Ambassador William CLARK;Embassy at Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri 110021, New Delhi; telephone╒91σ (11) 600651; there are US Consulates General in Bombay,Calcutta, and Madras~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and greenwith a blue chakra (24-spoked wheel) centered in the white band;similar to the flag of Niger which has a small orange disk centeredin the white band~
Economy~Overview~: India's Malthusian economy is a mixture of traditionalvillage farming and handicrafts, modern agriculture, old and newbranches of industry, and a multitude of support services. Itpresents both the entrepreneurial skills and drives of thecapitalist system and widespread government intervention of thesocialist mold. Growth of 4% to 5% annually in the 1980s hassoftened the impact of population growth on unemployment, socialtranquility, and the environment. Agricultural output has continuedto expand, reflecting the greater use of modern farming techniquesand improved seed that have helped to make India self-sufficient infood grains and a net agricultural exporter. However, tens ofmillions of villagers, particularly in the south, have not benefitedfrom the green revolution and live in abject poverty. Industry hasbenefited from a liberalization of controls. The growth rate of theservice sector has also been strong.~GNP~: $333 billion, per capita $400; real growth rate 5.0% (1989 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 9.5% (1989 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 20% (1989 est.)~Budget~: revenues $48 billion; expenditures $53 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $13.6 billion (1989)~Exports~: $17.2 billion (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--tea, coffee, ironore, fish products, manufactures; partners--EC 25%, USSR and EasternEurope 17%, US 19%, Japan 10%~Imports~: $24.7 billion (c.i.f., 1989); commodities--petroleum, edibleoils, textiles, clothing, capital goods; partners--EC 33%, MiddleEast 19%, Japan 10%, US 9%, USSR and Eastern Europe 8%~External debt~: $48.7 billion (1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate 8.8% (1989)~Electricity~: 59,000,000 kW capacity; 215,000 million kWh produced,260 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: textiles, food processing, steel, machinery,transportation equipment, cement, jute manufactures, mining,petroleum, power, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electronics~Agriculture~: accounts for about 33% of GNP and employs 67% of laborforce; self-sufficient in food grains; principal crops--rice, wheat,oilseeds, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; livestock--cattle,buffaloes, sheep, goats and poultry; fish catch of about 3 millionmetric tons ranks India in the world's top 10 fishing nations~Illicit drugs~: licit producer of opium poppy for the pharmaceuticaltrade, but some opium is diverted to international drug markets;major transit country for illicit narcotics produced in neighboringcountries~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $4.2 billion; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-87),$18.6 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $315 million; USSR(1970-88), $10.0 billion; Eastern Europe (1970-88), $105 million~Currency~: Indian rupee (plural--rupees); 1 Indian rupee (Re) = 100paise~Exchange rates~: Indian rupees (Rs) per US$1--16.965 (January 1990),16.226 (1989), 13.917 (1988), 12.962 (1987), 12.611 (1986), 12.369(1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Railroads~: 61,850 km total (1986); 33,553 km 1.676-meter broad gauge,24,051 km 1.000-meter gauge, 4,246 km narrow gauge (0.762 meter and0.610 meter); 12,617 km is double track; 6,500 km is electrified~Highways~: 1,633,300 km total (1986); 515,300 km secondary and1,118,000 km gravel, crushed stone, or earth~Inland waterways~: 16,180 km; 3,631 km navigable by large vessels~Pipelines~: crude oil, 3,497 km; refined products, 1,703 km; naturalgas, 902 km (1989)~Ports~: Bombay, Calcutta, Cochin, Kandla, Madras, New Mangalore, PortBlair (Andaman Islands)~Merchant marine~: 296 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,855,842GRT/9,790,260 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 8passenger-cargo, 95 cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 8 container, 53petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 10 chemical tanker, 9combination ore/oil,109 bulk, 2 combination bulk~Civil air~: 93 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 345 total, 292 usable; 202 with permanent-surface runways;2 with runways over 3,659 m; 57 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 91 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: poor domestic telephone service, internationalradio communications adequate; 3,200,000 telephones; stations--170AM, no FM, 14 TV (government controlled); domestic satellite systemfor communications and TV; 3 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth stations;submarine cables to Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Pakistan~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force, Border Security Forces, Coast Guard,Paramilitary Forces~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 227,436,282; 134,169,114 fit formilitary service; about 9,403,063 reach military age (17) annually~Defense expenditures~: 2.6% of GNP, or $8.7 billion (FY90 est.) ~[000000104~000768661~000000000~000000000~000003214~000000045~000756930~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Indian Ocean~
Geography~Total area~: 73,600,000 km2; Arabian Sea, Bass Strait, Bay of Bengal,Java Sea, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Strait of Malacca, Timor Sea, andother tributary water bodies~Comparative area~: slightly less than eight times the size of the US;third-largest ocean (after the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, butlarger than the Arctic Ocean)~Coastline~: 66,526 km~Climate~: northeast monsoon (December to April), southwest monsoon(June to October); tropical cyclones occur during May/June andOctober/November in the north Indian Ocean and January/February inthe south Indian Ocean~Terrain~: surface dominated by counterclockwise gyre (broad, circularsystem of currents) in the south Indian Ocean; unique reversal ofsurface currents in the north Indian Ocean--low pressure oversouthwest Asia from hot, rising, summer air results in the southwestmonsoon and southwest-to-northeast winds and currents, while highpressure over northern Asia from cold, falling, winter air resultsin the northeast monsoon and northeast-to-southwest winds andcurrents; ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Indian Ocean Ridge andsubdivided by the Southeast Indian Ocean Ridge, Southwest IndianOcean Ridge, and Ninety East Ridge; maximum depth is 7,258 meters inthe Java Trench~Natural resources~: oil and gas fields, fish, shrimp, sand and gravelaggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules~Environment~: endangered marine species include the dugong, seals,turtles, and whales; oil pollution in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf,and Red Sea~Note~: major choke points include Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz,Strait of Malacca, southern access to the Suez Canal, and the LombokStrait; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme south nearAntarctica from May to October~
Economy~Overview~: The Indian Ocean provides a major transportation highwayfor the movement of petroleum products from the Middle East toEurope and North and South American countries. Fish from the oceanare of growing economic importance to many of the borderingcountries as a source of both food and exports. Fishing fleets fromthe USSR, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan also exploit the Indian Ocean formostly shrimp and tuna. Large reserves of hydrocarbons are beingtapped in the offshore areas of Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, andWestern Australia. An estimated 40% of the world's offshore oilproduction comes from the Indian Ocean. Beach sands rich in heavyminerals and offshore placer deposits are actively exploited bybordering countries, particularly India, South Africa, Indonesia,Sri Lanka, and Thailand.~Industries~: based on exploitation of natural resources, particularlymarine life, minerals, oil and gas production, fishing, sand andgravel aggregates, placer deposits~
Communications~Ports~: Bombay (India), Calcutta (India), Madras (India), Colombo (SriLanka), Durban (South Africa), Fremantle (Australia), Jakarta(Indonesia), Melbourne (Australia), Richard's Bay (South Africa)~Telecommunications~: no submarine cables ~[000000105~000771878~000000000~000000000~000010605~000000120~000768661~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Indonesia~
Geography~Total area~: 1,919,440 km2; land area: 1,826,440 km2~Comparative area~: slightly less than three times the size of Texas~Land boundaries~: 2,602 km total; Malaysia 1,782 km, Papua New Guinea820 km~Coastline~: 54,716 km~Maritime claims~: (measured from claimed archipelagic baselines);  Continental shelf: to depth of exploitation;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: East Timor question with Portugal~Climate~: tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands~Terrain~: mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interiormountains~Natural resources~: crude oil, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber,bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver~Land use~: 8% arable land; 3% permanent crops; 7% meadows andpastures; 67% forest and woodland; 15% other; includes 3% irrigated~Environment~: archipelago of 13,500 islands (6,000 inhabited);occasional floods, severe droughts, and tsunamis; deforestation~Note~: straddles Equator; strategic location astride or along majorsea lanes from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean~
People~Population~: 190,136,221 (July 1990), growth rate 1.8% (1990)~Birth rate~: 27 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 75 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 58 years male, 63 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 3.1 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Indonesian(s); adjective--Indonesian~Ethnic divisions~: majority of Malay stock comprising 45.0% Javanese,14.0% Sundanese, 7.5% Madurese, 7.5% coastal Malays, 26.0% other~Religion~: 88% Muslim, 6% Protestant, 3% Roman Catholic, 2% Hindu, 1%other~Language~: Bahasa Indonesia (modified form of Malay; official);English and Dutch leading foreign languages; local dialects, themost widely spoken of which is Javanese~Literacy~: 62%~Labor force~: 67,000,000; 55% agriculture, 10% manufacturing, 4%construction, 3% transport and communications (1985 est.)~Organized labor~: 3,000,000 members (claimed); about 5% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Indonesia~Type~: republic~Capital~: Jakarta~Administrative divisions~: 24 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, Bengkulu, Irian Jaya, JakartaRaya**, Jambi, Jawa Barat, Jawa Tengah, Jawa Timur, KalimantanBarat, Kalimantan Selatan, Kalimantan Tengah, Kalimantan Timur,Lampung, Maluku, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Riau,Sulawesi Selatan, Sulawesi Tengah, Sulawesi Tenggara, SulawesiUtara, Sumatera Barat, Sumatera Selatan, Sumatera Utara, TimorTimur, Yogyakarta*~Independence~: 17 August 1945 (from Netherlands; formerly Netherlandsor Dutch East Indies)~Constitution~: August 1945, abrogated by Federal Constitution of 1949and Provisional Constitution of 1950, restored 5 July 1959~Legal system~: based on Roman-Dutch law, substantially modified byindigenous concepts and by new criminal procedures code; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Independence Day, 17 August (1945)~Executive branch~: president, vice president, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral House of Representatives (DewanPerwakilan Rakyat or DPR); note--the People's Consultative Assembly(Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat or MPR) includes the DPR plus 500indirectly elected members who meet every five years to elect thepresident and vice president and, theoretically, to determinenational policy~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Mahkamah Agung)~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Gen. (Ret.)SOEHARTO (since 27 March 1968); Vice President Lt. Gen. (Ret.)SUDHARMONO (since 11 March 1983)~Political parties and leaders~: GOLKAR (quasi-official party based onfunctional groups), Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Wahono, general chairman;Indonesia Democracy Party (PDI--federation of former Nationalist andChristian Parties), Soeryadi, chairman; Development Unity Party(PPP, federation of former Islamic parties), Ismail Hasan Metareum,chairman~Suffrage~: universal at age 17 and married persons regardless of age~Elections~: House of Representatives--last held on 23 April 1987 (nextto be held 23 April 1992); results--Golkar 73%, UDP 16%, PDI 11%;seats--(500 total--400 elected, 100 appointed) Golkar 299, UDP 61,PDI 40~Communists~: Communist Party (PKI) was officially banned in March1966; current strength about 1,000-3,000, with less than 10% engagedin organized activity; pre-October 1965 hardcore membership about1.5 million~Member of~: ADB, ANRPC, ASEAN, Association of Tin Producing Countries,CCC, CIPEC, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBA, IBRD, ICAO, ICO, IDA,IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, IRC, ISO, ITC, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPEC, UN,UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Abdul Rachman RAMLY; Chanceryat 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20036; telephone[phone]; there are Indonesian Consulates General in Houston,New York, and Los Angeles, and Consulates in Chicago and SanFrancisco; US--Ambassador John C. MONJO; Embassy at Medan MerdekaSelatan 5, Jakarta (mailing address is APO San Francisco 96356);telephone ╒62σ (21) 360-360; there are US Consulates in Medan andSurabaya~Flag~: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar tothe flag of Monaco which is shorter; also similar to the flag ofPoland which is white (top) and red~
Economy~Overview~: Indonesia is a mixed economy with many socialistinstitutions and central planning but with a recent emphasis onderegulation and private enterprise. Indonesia has extensive naturalwealth but, with a large and rapidly increasing population, itremains a poor country. GNP growth in 1985-89 averaged about 4%,somewhat short of the 5% rate needed to absorb the 2.3 millionworkers annually entering the labor force. Agriculture, includingforestry and fishing, is the most important sector, accounting for21% of GDP and over 50% of the labor force. The staple crop is rice.Once the world's largest rice importer, Indonesia is now nearlyself-sufficient. Plantation crops--rubber and palm oil--are beingencouraged for both export and job generation. The diverse naturalresources include crude oil, natural gas, timber, metals, and coal.Of these, the oil sector dominates the external economy, generatingmore than 20% of the government's revenues and 40% of exportearnings in 1989. Japan is Indonesia's most important customer andsupplier of aid.~GNP~: $80 billion, per capita $430; real growth rate 5.7% (1989 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 5.5% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 3.1% (1989 est.)~Budget~: revenues $20.9 billion; expenditures $20.9 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $7.5 billion (FY89)~Exports~: $21.0 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--petroleumand liquefied natural gas 40%, timber 15%, textiles 7%, rubber 5%,coffee 3%; partners--Japan 42%, US 16%, Singapore 9%, EC 11% (1988)~Imports~: $13.2 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--machinery39%, chemical products 19%, manufactured goods 16%; partners--Japan26%, EC 19%, US 13%, Singapore 7% (1988)~External debt~: $55.0 billion, medium and long-term (1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate 4.8% (1988 est.)~Electricity~: 11,600,000 kW capacity; 38,000 million kWh produced, 200kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: petroleum, textiles, mining, cement, chemical fertilizerproduction, timber, food, rubber~Agriculture~: subsistence food production; small-holder and plantationproduction for export; rice, cassava, peanuts, rubber, cocoa,coffee, copra, other tropical products~Illicit drugs~: illicit producer of cannabis for the internationaldrug trade, but not a major player; government actively eradicatingplantings and prosecuting traffickers~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $4.2 billion; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$19.8 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $213 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $175 million~Currency~: Indonesian rupiah (plural--rupiahs); 1 Indonesian rupiah(Rp) = 100 sen (sen no longer used)~Exchange rates~: Indonesian rupiahs (Rp) per US$1--1,804.9 (January1990), 1,770.1 (1989), 1,685.7 (1988), 1,643.8 (1987), 1,282.6(1986), 1,110.6 (1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Railroads~: 6,964 km total; 6,389 km 1.067-meter gauge, 497 km0.750-meter gauge, 78 km 0.600-meter gauge; 211 km double track; 101km electrified; all government owned~Highways~: 119,500 km total; 11,812 km state, 34,180 km provincial,and 73,508 km district roads~Inland waterways~: 21,579 km total; Sumatra 5,471 km, Java and Madura820 km, Kalimantan 10,460 km, Celebes 241 km, Irian Jaya 4,587 km~Pipelines~: crude oil, 2,505 km; refined products, 456 km; naturalgas, 1,703 km (1989)~Ports~: Cilacap, Cirebon, Jakarta, Kupang, Palembang, Ujungpandang,Semarang, Surabaya~Merchant marine~: 313 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,480,912GRT/2,245,233 DWT; includes 5 short-sea passenger, 13passenger-cargo, 173 cargo, 6 container, 3 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 2vehicle carrier, 77 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1chemical tanker, 2 liquefied gas, 6 specialized tanker, 1 livestockcarrier, 24 bulk~Civil air~: about 216 commercial transport aircraft~Airports~: 468 total, 435 usable; 106 with permanent-surface runways;1 with runways over 3,659 m; 12 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 62 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: interisland microwave system and HF police net;domestic service fair, international service good; radiobroadcastcoverage good; 763,000 telephones (1986); stations--618 AM, 38 FM, 9TV; satellite earth stations--1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth stationand 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station; and 1 domestic satellitecommunications system~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 49,283,496; 29,137,291 fit formilitary service; 2,098,169 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 2.1% of GNP (1987) ~[000000106~000782486~000000000~000000000~000010656~000000119~000771878~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Iran~
Geography~Total area~: 1,648,000 km2; land area: 1,636,000 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Alaska~Land boundaries~: 5,492 km total; Afghanistan 936 km, Iraq 1,458 km,Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, USSR 1,690 km~Coastline~: 3,180 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: not specific;  Exclusive fishing zone: 50 nm in the Sea of Oman, median-lineboundaries in the Persian Gulf;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: Iran began formal UN peace negotiations with Iraq in August1988 to end the war that began on 22 September 1980--troopwithdrawal, freedom of navigation, sovereignty over the Shatt alArab waterway and prisoner-of-war exchange are the major issues fornegotiation; Kurdish question among Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, andthe USSR; occupies three islands in the Persian Gulf claimed by UAE(Jazireh-ye Abu Musa or Abu Musa, Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg orGreater Tunb, and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Kuchek or Lesser Tunb); periodicdisputes with Afghanistan over Helmand water rights; Boluch questionwith Afghanistan and Pakistan~Climate~: mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast~Terrain~: rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts,mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts~Natural resources~: petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper,iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur~Land use~: 8% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 27% meadows andpastures; 11% forest and woodland; 54% other; includes 2% irrigated~Environment~: deforestation; overgrazing; desertification~
People~Population~: 55,647,001 (July 1990), growth rate 3.1% (1990)~Birth rate~: 45 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 5 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 91 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 62 years male, 63 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 6.3 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Iranian(s); adjective--Iranian~Ethnic divisions~: 51% Persian, 25% Azerbaijani, 9% Kurd, 8% Gilakiand Mazandarani, 2% Lur, 1% Baloch, 1% Arab, 3% other~Religion~: 95% Shia Muslim, 4% Sunni Muslim, 2% Zoroastrian, Jewish,Christian, and Bahai~Language~: 58% Persian and Persian dialects, 26% Turkic and Turkicdialects, 9% Kurdish, 2% Luri, 1% Baloch, 1% Arabic, 1% Turkish, 2%other~Literacy~: 48% (est.)~Labor force~: 15,400,000; 33% agriculture, 21% manufacturing; shortageof skilled labor (1988 est.)~Organized labor~: none~
Government~Long-form name~: Islamic Republic of Iran~Type~: theocratic republic~Capital~: Tehran~Administrative divisions~: 24 provinces (ostanha, singular--ostan);Azarbayjan-e Bakhtari, Azarbayjan-e Khavari, Bakhtaran, Bushehr,Chahar Mahall va Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Hamadan,Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Khorasan, Khuzestan, Kohkiluyeh va BuyerAhmadi, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Semnan, Sistan vaBaluchestan, Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan~Independence~: 1 April 1979, Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed~Constitution~: 2-3 December 1979; revised 1989 to expand powers of thepresidency~Legal system~: the new Constitution codifies Islamic principles ofgovernment~National holiday~: Islamic Republic Day, 1 April (1979)~Executive branch~: cleric (faqih), president, Council of CabinetMinisters~Legislative branch~: unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly(Majlis-e-Shura-e-Islami)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Cleric and functional Chief of State--Leader of the IslamicRevolution Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 3 June 1989);  Head of Government--President Ali Akbar RAFSANJANI (since 3 August1989);~Political parties and leaders~: there are at least seven licensedparties; the two most important are--Militant Clerics Association,Mehdi Mahdavi-Karubi and Mohammad Asqar Musavi-Khoinima; FedaiyinIslam Organization, Sadeq Khalkhali~Suffrage~: universal at age 15~Elections~: President--last held NA July 1989 (next to be held April1993); results--Ali Akbar Rafsanjani was elected with only tokenopposition;  Islamic Consultative Assembly--last held 8 April and 13 May 1988(next to be held April 1992); results--percent of vote by party NA;seats--(270 seats total) number of seats by party NA~Communists~: 1,000 to 2,000 est. hardcore; 15,000 to 20,000 est.sympathizers; crackdown in 1983 crippled the party; trials ofcaptured leaders began in late 1983 and remain incomplete~Other political or pressure groups~: groups that generally support theIslamic Republic include Hizballah, Hojjatiyeh Society, Mojahedin ofthe Islamic Revolution, Muslim Students Following the Line of theImam, and Tehran Militant Clergy Association; Mojahedin KhalqOrganization (MKO), People's Fedayeen, and Kurdish Democratic Partyare armed political groups that have been almost completelyrepressed by the government~Member of~: CCC, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, IDA, IDB, IFC, ILO,IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, IPU, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNIDO, WHO~Diplomatic representation~: none; protecting power in the US isAlgeria--Iranian Interests Section, 2209 Wisconsin Avenue NW,Washington DC 20007; telephone [phone]; US--protecting powerin Iran is Switzerland~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red;the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah) inred is centered in the white band; Allah Akbar (God is Great) inwhite Arabic script is repeated 11 times along the bottom edge ofthe green band and 11 times along the top edge of the red band~
Economy~Overview~: Since the 1979 revolution, the banks, petroleum industry,transportation, utilities, and mining have been nationalized, butthe new five-year plan--the first since the revolution--passed inJanuary 1990, calls for the transfer of many government-controlledenterprises to the private sector. War-related disruptions, massivecorruption, mismanagement, demographic pressures, and ideologicalrigidities have kept economic growth at depressed levels. Oilaccounts for 90% of export revenues. A combination of war damage andlow oil prices brought a 2% drop in GNP in 1988. GNP probably roseslightly in 1989, considerably short of the 3.4% population growthrate in 1989. Heating oil and gasoline are rationed. Agriculture hassuffered from the war, land reform, and shortages of equipment andmaterials. The five-year plan seeks to reinvigorate the economy byincreasing the role of the private sector, boosting nonoil income,and securing foreign loans. The plan is overly ambitious butprobably will generate some short-term relief.~GNP~: $97.6 billion, per capita $1,800; real growth rate 0-1% (1989)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 50-80% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 30% (1989)~Budget~: revenues $NA; expenditures $55.1 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $11.5 billion (FY88 est.)~Exports~: $12.3 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--petroleum 90%,carpets, fruits, nuts, hides; partners--Japan, Turkey, Italy,Netherlands, Spain, France, FRG~Imports~: $12.0 billion (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--machinery,military supplies, metal works, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals,technical services, refined oil products; partners--FRG, Japan,Turkey, UK, Italy~External debt~: $4-5 billion (1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 14,579,000 kW capacity; 40,000 million kWh produced, 740kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: petroleum, petrochemicals, textiles, cement and otherbuilding materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining andvegetable oil production), metal fabricating (steel and copper)~Agriculture~: principal products--rice, other grains, sugar beets,fruits, nuts, cotton, dairy products, wool, caviar; notself-sufficient in food~Illicit drugs~: illicit producer of opium poppy for the domestic andinternational drug trade~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-80), $1.0 billion; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$1.5 billion; Communist countries (1970-88), $976 million; note--aidfell sharply following the 1979 revolution~Currency~: Iranian rial (plural--rials); 1 Iranian rial (IR) = 100dinars; note--domestic figures are generally referred to in terms ofthe toman (plural--tomans), which equals 10 rials~Exchange rates~: Iranian rials (IR) per US$1--70.019 (January 1990),72.015 (1989), 68.683 (1988), 71.460 (1987), 78.760 (1986), 91.052(1985)~Fiscal year~: 21 March-20 March~
Communications~Railroads~: 4,601 km total; 4,509 km 1.432-meter gauge, 92 km1.676-meter gauge; 730 km under construction from Bafq to BandarAbbas~Highways~: 140,072 km total; 46,866 km gravel and crushed stone;49,440 km improved earth; 42,566 km bituminous andbituminous-treated surfaces; 1,200 km (est.) of rural road network~Inland waterways~: 904 km; the Shatt al Arab is usually navigable bymaritime traffic for about 130 km, but closed since September 1980because of Iran-Iraq war~Pipelines~: crude oil, 5,900 km; refined products, 3,900 km; naturalgas, 3,300 km~Ports~: Abadan (largely destroyed in fighting during 1980-88 war),Bandar Beheshti, Bandar-e Abbas, Bandar-e Bushehr, Bandar-eKhomeyni, Bandar-e Shahid Rajai, Khorramshahr (largely destroyed infighting during 1980-88 war)~Merchant marine~: 133 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,631,836GRT/8,662,454 DWT; includes 36 cargo, 6 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 33petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 4 chemical tanker, 3refrigerated cargo, 49 bulk, 2 combination bulk~Civil air~: 42 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 201 total, 175 usable; 82 with permanent-surface runways;17 with runways over 3,659 m; 17 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 68 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: radio relay extends throughout country; systemcentered in Tehran; 2,143,000 telephones; stations--62 AM, 30 FM,250 TV; satellite earth stations--2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1Indian Ocean INTELSAT; HF and microwave to Turkey, Pakistan, Syria,Kuwait, and USSR~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Islamic Republic of Iran Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force,and Revolutionary Guard Corps (includes Basij militia and ownground, air, and naval forces), Gendarmerie~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 12,302,967; 7,332,614 fit formilitary service; 569,647 reach military age (21) annually~Defense expenditures~: 8% of GNP, or $7.8 billion (1989 est.) ~[000000107~000793145~000000000~000000000~000010109~000000117~000782486~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Iraq~
Geography~Total area~: 434,920 km2; land area: 433,970 km2~Comparative area~: slightly more than twice the size of Idaho~Land boundaries~: 3,454 km total; Iran 1,458 km, Iraq - Saudi ArabiaNeutral Zone 191 km, Jordan 134 km, Kuwait 240 km, Saudi Arabia 495km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 331 km~Coastline~: 58 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: not specific;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: Iraq began formal UN peace negotiations with Iran in August1988 to end the war that began on 22 September 1980--sovereigntyover the Shatt al Arab waterway, troop withdrawal, freedom ofnavigation, and prisoner of war exchange are the major issues fornegotiation; Kurdish question among Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, andthe USSR; shares Neutral Zone with Saudi Arabia--in July 1975, Iraqand Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to divide the zone betweenthem, but the agreement must be ratified before it becomeseffective; disputes Kuwaiti ownership of Warbah and Bubiyan islands;periodic disputes with upstream riparian Syria over Euphrates waterrights; potential dispute over water development plans by Turkey forthe Tigris and Euphrates Rivers~Climate~: desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudlesssummers~Terrain~: mostly broad plains; reedy marshes in southeast; mountainsalong borders with Iran and Turkey~Natural resources~: crude oil, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur~Land use~: 12% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 9% meadows andpastures; 3% forest and woodland; 75% other; includes 4% irrigated~Environment~: development of Tigris-Euphrates river systems contingentupon agreements with upstream riparians (Syria, Turkey); air andwater pollution; soil degradation (salinization) and erosion;desertification~
People~Population~: 18,781,770 (July 1990), growth rate 3.9% (1990)~Birth rate~: 46 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 67 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 66 years male, 68 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 7.3 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Iraqi(s); adjective--Iraqi~Ethnic divisions~: 75-80% Arab, 15-20% Kurdish, 5% Turkoman, Assyrianor other~Religion~: 97% Muslim (60-65% Shia, 32-37% Sunni), 3% Christian orother~Language~: Arabic (official), Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions),Assyrian, Armenian~Literacy~: 55-65% (1989 est.)~Labor force~: 3,400,000 (1984); 39% services, 33% agriculture, 28%industry, severe labor shortage (1987); expatriate labor force about1,000,000 (1989)~Organized labor~: less than 10% of the labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Iraq~Type~: republic~Capital~: Baghdad~Administrative divisions~: 18 provinces (muhafazat,singular--muhafazah); Al Anbar, Al Basrah, Al Muthanna, AlQadisiyah, An Najaf, As Sulaymaniyah, At Tamim, Babil, Baghdad,Dahuk, Dhi Qar, Diyala, Arbil, Karbala, Maysan, Ninawa, Salah adDin, Wasit~Independence~: 3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate underBritish administration)~Constitution~: 22 September 1968, effective 16 July 1970 (interimConstitution); new constitution now in final stages of drafting~Legal system~: based on Islamic law in special religious courts, civillaw system elsewhere; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Anniversary of the Revolution, 17 July (1968)~Executive branch~: president, vice president, chairman of theRevolutionary Command Council, vice chairman of the RevolutionaryCommand Council, prime minister, first deputy prime minister,Council of Ministers~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Assembly (Majlis al Umma)~Judicial branch~: Court of Cassation~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President SaddamHUSAYN (since 16 July 1979); Vice President Taha Muhyi al-Din MARUF(since 21 April 1974)~Political parties~: National Progressive Front is a coalition of theArab Bath Socialist Party, Kurdistan Democratic Party, and KurdistanRevolutionary Party~Suffrage~: universal adult at age 18~Elections~: National Assembly--last held on 1 April 1989 (next to beheld NA); results--Shia Arabs 30%, Kurds 15%, Sunni Arabs 53%,Christians 2% est.; seats--(250 total) number of seats by party NA~Communists~: about 1,500 hardcore members~Other political or pressure groups~: political parties and activityseverely restricted; possibly some opposition to regime fromdisaffected members of the regime, Army officers, and religious andethnic dissidents~Member of~: ACC, Arab League, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA,IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WSG, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Dr. Mohamed Sadiq AL-MASHAT;Chancery at 1801 P Street NW, Washington DC 20036; telephone [phone]; US--Ambassador April C. GLASPIE; Embassy in Masbah Quarter(opposite the Foreign Ministry Club), Baghdad (mailing address is P.O. Box 2447 Alwiyah, Baghdad); telephone ╒964σ (1) 719-6138 or719-6139, 718-1840, 719-3791~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blackwith three green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered inthe white band; similar to the flags of the YAR which has one starand Syria which has two stars (in a horizontal line centered in thewhite band)--all green and five-pointed; also similar to the flag ofEgypt which has a symbolic eagle centered in the white band~
Economy~Overview~: The Bathist regime engages in extensive central planningand management of industrial production and foreign trade whileleaving some small-scale industry and services and most agricultureto private enterprise. The economy is dominated by the oil sector,which provides about 95% of foreign exchange earnings. Since theearly 1980s financial problems, caused by war expenditures anddamage to oil export facilities by Iran, have led the government toimplement austerity measures and to reschedule foreign debtpayments. Oil exports have gradually increased with the constructionof new pipelines. Agricultural development remains hampered by laborshortages, salinization, and dislocations caused by previous landreform and collectivization programs. The industrial sector,although accorded high priority by the government, is underfinancial constraints. New investment funds are generally allocatedonly to projects that result in import substitution or foreignexchange earnings.~GNP~: $35 billion, per capita $1,940; real growth rate 5% (1989 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 30-40% (1989 est.)~Unemployment rate~: less than 5% (1989 est.)~Budget~: revenues $NA billion; expenditures $35 billion, includingcapital expenditures of NA (1989)~Exports~: $12.5 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--crude oil andrefined products, machinery, chemicals, dates; partners--US, Brazil,USSR, Italy, Turkey, France, Japan, Yugoslavia (1988)~Imports~: $10.2 billion (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--manufactures,food; partners--Turkey, US, FRG, UK, France, Japan, Romania,Yugoslavia, Brazil (1988)~External debt~: $40 billion (1988 est.), excluding debt to PersianGulf Arab states~Industrial production~: NA%~Electricity~: 9,902,000 kW capacity; 20,000 million kWh produced,1,110 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: petroleum, chemicals, textiles, construction materials,food processing~Agriculture~: accounts for less than 10% of GNP but 33% of laborforce; principal products--wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates,other fruit, cotton, wool; livestock--cattle, sheep; notself-sufficient in food output~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-80), $3 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$607 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1980-89), $37.2 billion; Communistcountries (1970-88), $3.9 billion~Currency~: Iraqi dinar (plural--dinars); 1 Iraqi dinar (ID) = 1,000fils~Exchange rates~: Iraqi dinars (ID) per US$1--0.3109 (fixed rate since1982)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 2,962 km total; 2,457 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 505km 1.000-meter gauge~Highways~: 25,479 km total; 8,290 km paved, 5,534 km improved earth,11,655 km unimproved earth~Inland waterways~: 1,015 km; Shatt al Arab usually navigable bymaritime traffic for about 130 km, but closed since September 1980because of Iran-Iraq war; Tigris and Euphrates navigable byshallow-draft steamers (of little importance); Shatt al Basrah canalnavigable in sections by shallow-draft vessels~Ports~: Umm Qasr, Khawr az Zubayr~Merchant marine~: 44 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 947,721GRT/1,703,988 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 1 passenger-cargo, 18cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 3 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 19 petroleum,oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 chemical tanker~Pipelines~: crude oil, 4,350 km; 725 km refined products; 1,360 kmnatural gas~Civil air~: 64 major transport aircraft (including 30 IL-76s used bythe Iraq Air Force)~Airports~: 111 total, 101 usable; 72 with permanent-surface runways; 8with runways over 3,659 m; 53 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 14 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: good network consists of coaxial cables, radiorelay links, and radiocommunication stations; 632,000 telephones;stations--9 AM, 1 FM, 81 TV; satellite earth stations--1 AtlanticOcean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 GORIZONT Atlantic Oceanin the Intersputnik system; coaxial cable and radio relay to Kuwait,Jordan, Syria, and Turkey~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard Force, mobile policeforce, Republican Guard~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 4,097,190; 2,284,417 fit for militaryservice; 219,701 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: NA ~[000000108~000803257~000000000~000000000~000001252~000000014~000793145~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Iraq - Saudi Arabia Neutral Zone~
Geography~Total area~: 3,520 km2; land area: 3,520 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Rhode Island~Land boundaries~: 389 km total; 191 km Iraq, 198 km Saudi Arabia~Coastline~: none--landlocked~Maritime claims~: none--landlocked~Climate~: harsh, dry desert~Terrain~: sandy desert~Natural resources~: none~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other (sandy desert)~Environment~: harsh, inhospitable~Note~: landlocked; located west of quadripoint with Iraq, Kuwait, andSaudi Arabia~
People~Population~: uninhabited~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: joint administration by Iraq and Saudi Arabia; in July 1975,Iraq and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to divide the zone betweenthem, but the agreement must be ratified, however, before it becomeseffective.~
Economy~Overview~: no economic activity~
Communications~Highways~: none; some secondary roads~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the joint responsibility of Iraq and Saudi Arabia ~[000000109~000804512~000000000~000000000~000008786~000000093~000803257~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Ireland~
Geography~Total area~: 70,280 km2; land area: 68,890 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than West Virginia~Land boundary~: 360 km with UK~Coastline~: 1,448 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: no precise definition;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: maritime boundary with the UK; Northern Ireland questionwith the UK; Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark,Iceland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundaryagreement in the Rockall area)~Climate~: temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mildwinters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half thetime~Terrain~: mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by ruggedhills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast~Natural resources~: zinc, lead, natural gas, crude oil, barite,copper, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, peat, silver~Land use~: 14% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 71% meadows andpastures; 5% forest and woodland; 10% other~Environment~: deforestation~
People~Population~: 3,500,212 (July 1990), growth rate -0.4% (1990)~Birth rate~: 15 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 10 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 72 years male, 78 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.1 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Irishman(men), Irish (collective pl.);adjective--Irish~Ethnic divisions~: Celtic, with English minority~Religion~: 94% Roman Catholic, 4% Anglican, 2% other~Language~: Irish (Gaelic) and English; English is the languagegenerally used, with Gaelic spoken in a few areas, mostly along thewestern seaboard~Literacy~: 99%~Labor force~: 1,310,000; 57.3% services, 19.1% manufacturing andconstruction, 14.8% agriculture, forestry, and fishing (1988)~Organized labor~: 36% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Ireland~Type~: republic~Capital~: Dublin~Administrative divisions~: 26 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork,Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim,Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon,Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow~Independence~: 6 December 1921 (from UK)~Constitution~: 29 December 1937; adopted 1937~Legal system~: based on English common law, substantially modified byindigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in SupremeCourt; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: St. Patrick's Day, 17 March~Executive branch~: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister,Cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral Parliament (Oireachtas) consists of anupper house or Senate (Seanad Eireann) and a lower house or House ofRepresentatives (Dail Eireann)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Dr. Patrick J. HILLERY (since 3December 1976);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Charles J. HAUGHEY (since 12 July1989, the fourth time elected as prime minister)~Political parties and leaders~: Fianna Fail, Charles Haughey; LaborParty, Richard Spring; Fine Gael, Alan Dukes; Communist Party ofIreland, Michael O'Riordan; Workers' Party, Proinsias DeRossa; SinnFein, Gerry Adams; Progressive Democrats, Desmond O'Malley;note--Prime Minister Haughey heads a coalition consisting of theFianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: President--last held 21 October 1983 (next to be heldOctober 1990); results--Dr. Patrick Hillery reelected;  Senate--last held on 17 February 1987 (next to be held February1992); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(60 total, 49elected) Fianna Fail 30, Fine Gael 16, Labor 3, Independents 11;  House of Representatives--last held on 12 July 1989 (next to be heldNA June 1994); results--Fianna Fail 44.0%, Fine Gael 29.4%, LaborParty 9.3%, Progressive Democrats 5.4%, Workers' Party 4.9%, SinnFein 1.1%, independents 5.9%; seats--(166 total) Fianna Fail 77,Fine Gael 55, Labor Party 15, Workers' Party 7, ProgressiveDemocrats 6, independents 6~Communists~: under 500~Member of~: CCC, Council of Europe, EC, EMS, ESA, FAO, GATT, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICES, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IPU, ISO, ITC, ITU, IWC--International Wheat Council,OECD, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WSG~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Padraic N. MACKERNAN; Chanceryat 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone[phone]; there are Irish Consulates General in Boston,Chicago, New York, and San Francisco; US--Ambassador Richard A.MOORE; Embassy at 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin; telephone╒353σ (1) 688777~Flag~: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, andorange; similar to the flag of the Ivory Coast which is shorter andhas the colors reversed--orange (hoist side), white, and green; alsosimilar to the flag of Italy which is shorter and has colors ofgreen (hoist side), white, and red~
Economy~Overview~: The economy is small, open, and trade dependent.Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed byindustry, which accounts for 35% of GNP and about 80% of exports andemploys 20% of the labor force. The government has successfullyreduced the rate of inflation from double-digit figures in the late1970s to about 4% in 1989. In 1987, after years of deficits, thebalance of payments was brought into the black. Unemployment,however, is a serious problem. A 1989 unemployment rate of 17.7%placed Ireland along with Spain as the countries with the worstjobless records in Western Europe.~GDP~: $31.4 billion, per capita $8,900; real growth rate 4.3% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 4.2% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 17.7% (1989)~Budget~: revenues $10.9 billion; expenditures $11.2 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $1.5 billion (1989)~Exports~: $20.3 billion (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--live animals,animal products, chemicals, data processing equipment, industrialmachinery; partners--EC 74% (UK 35%, FRG 11%, France 9%), US 8%~Imports~: $17.3 billion (c.i.f., 1989); commodities--food, animalfeed, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, machinery,textiles, clothing; partners--EC 66% (UK 42%, FRG 9%, France 4%), US16%~External debt~: $16.1 billion (1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate 9.5% (1989 est.)~Electricity~: 4,957,000 kW capacity; 14,480 million kWh produced,4,080 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: food products, brewing, textiles, clothing, chemicals,pharmaceuticals, machinery, transportation equipment, glass andcrystal~Agriculture~: accounts for 11% of GNP and 14.8% of the labor force;principal crops--turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat;livestock--meat and dairy products; 85% self-sufficient in food;food shortages include bread grain, fruits, vegetables~Aid~: NA~Currency~: Irish pound (plural--pounds); 1 Irish pound (LIr) = 100pence~Exchange rates~: Irish pounds (LIr) per US$1--0.6399 (January 1990),0.7047 (1989), 0.6553 (1988), 0.6720 (1987), 0.7454 (1986), 0.9384(1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: Irish National Railways (CIE) operates 1,947 km1.602-meter gauge, government owned; 485 km double track; 38 kmelectrified~Highways~: 92,294 km total; 87,422 km surfaced, 4,872 km gravel orcrushed stone~Inland waterways~: limited for commercial traffic~Pipelines~: natural gas, 225 km~Ports~: Cork, Dublin, Shannon Estuary, Waterford~Merchant marine~: 67 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 113,569GRT/139,681 DWT; includes 3 short-sea passenger, 29 cargo, 2refrigerated cargo, 2 container, 23 petroleum, oils, and lubricants(POL) tanker, 1 specialized tanker, 2 chemical tanker, 5 bulk~Civil air~: 23 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 40 total, 37 usable; 18 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 5 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: small, modern system using cable and radio relaycircuits; 900,000 telephones; stations--45 AM, 16 (29 relays) FM, 18(68 relays) TV; 5 coaxial submarine cables; 2 Atlantic OceanINTELSAT earth stations~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Naval Service, Army Air Corps~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 870,161; 705,765 fit for militaryservice; 33,259 reach military age (17) annually~Defense expenditures~: 1.6% of GDP, or $500 million (1989 est.) ~[000000110~000813301~000000000~000000000~000012771~000000154~000804512~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Israel(also see separate Gaza Strip and West Bank entries)~Note~: The Arab territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 war arenot included in the data below. As stated in the 1978 Camp DavidAccords and reaffirmed by President Reagan's 1 September 1982 peaceinitiative, the final status of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, theirrelationship with their neighbors, and a peace treaty between Israeland Jordan are to be negotiated among the concerned parties. TheCamp David Accords further specify that these negotiations willresolve the location of the respective boundaries. Pending thecompletion of this process, it is US policy that the final status ofthe West Bank and Gaza Strip has yet to be determined (see West Bankand Gaza Strip entries). On 25 April 1982 Israel relinquishedcontrol of the Sinai to Egypt. Statistics for the Israeli-occupiedGolan Heights are included in the Syria entry.~
Geography~Total area~: 20,770 km2; land area: 20,330 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than New Jersey~Land boundaries~: 1,006 km total; Egypt 255 km, Jordan 238 km, Lebanon79 km, Syria 76 km, West Bank 307, Gaza Strip 51 km~Coastline~: 273 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: to depth of exploitation;  Territorial sea: 6 nm~Disputes~: separated from Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank by the1949 Armistice Line; differences with Jordan over the location ofthe 1949 Armistice Line which separates the two countries; West Bankand Gaza Strip are Israeli occupied with status to be determined;Golan Heights is Israeli occupied; Israeli troops in southernLebanon since June 1982; water-sharing issues with Jordan~Climate~: temperate; hot and dry in desert areas~Terrain~: Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; centralmountains; Jordan Rift Valley~Natural resources~: copper, phosphates, bromide, potash, clay, sand,sulfur, asphalt, manganese, small amounts of natural gas and crudeoil~Land use~: 17% arable land; 5% permanent crops; 40% meadows andpastures; 6% forest and woodland; 32% other; includes 11% irrigated~Environment~: sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; limitedarable land and natural water resources pose serious constraints;deforestation;~Note~: there are 173 Jewish settlements in the West Bank, 35 in theIsraeli-occupied Golan Heights, 18 in the Gaza Strip, and 14Israeli-built Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem~
People~Population~: 4,409,218 (July 1990), growth rate 1.5% (1989); includes70,000 Jewish settlers in the West Bank, 10,500 in theIsraeli-occupied Golan Heights, 2,500 in the Gaza Strip, and 110,000in East Jerusalem (1989 est.)~Birth rate~: 22 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (July 1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 76 years male, 79 years female (July 1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.9 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Israeli(s); adjective--Israeli~Ethnic divisions~: 83% Jewish, 17% non-Jewish (mostly Arab)~Religion~: 83% Judaism, 13.1% Islam (mostly Sunni Muslim), 2.3%Christian, 1.6% Druze~Language~: Hebrew (official); Arabic used officially for Arabminority; English most commonly used foreign language~Literacy~: 88% Jews, 70% Arabs~Labor force~: 1,400,000 (1984 est.); 29.5% public services; 22.8%industry, mining, and manufacturing; 12.8% commerce; 9.5% financeand business; 6.8% transport, storage, and communications; 6.5%construction and public works; 5.5% agriculture, forestry, andfishing; 5.8% personal and other services; 1.0% electricity andwater (1983)~Organized labor~: 90% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: State of Israel~Type~: republic~Capital~: Israel proclaimed Jerusalem its capital in 1950, but the US,like nearly all other countries, maintains its Embassy in Tel Aviv~Administrative divisions~: 6 districts (mehozot, singular--mehoz);Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv~Independence~: 14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate underBritish administration)~Constitution~: no formal constitution; some of the functions of aconstitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948),the basic laws of the Parliament (Knesset), and the Israelicitizenship law~Legal system~: mixture of English common law, British Mandateregulations, and, in personal matters, Jewish, Christian, and Muslimlegal systems; in December 1985 Israel informed the UN Secretariatthat it would no longer accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Independence Day, 10 May 1989; Israel declaredindependence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar andthe holiday may occur in April or May~Executive branch~: president, prime minister, vice prime minister,Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral Knesset~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Gen. Chaim HERZOG (since 5 May1983);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Yitzhak SHAMIR (since 20 October1986); Vice Prime Minister Shimon PERES (Prime Minister from 13September 1984 to 20 October 1986, when he rotated to Vice PrimeMinister)~Political parties and leaders~: Israel currently has a national unitygovernment comprising five parties that hold 95 of the Knesset's 120seats; Members of the unity government--Likud bloc, Prime MinisterYitzhak Shamir; Labor Party, Vice Prime Minister and FinanceMinister Shimon Peres; Sephardic Torah Guardians (SHAS), Minister ofImmigrant Absorption Yitzhak Peretz; National Religious Party,Minister of Religious Affairs Zevulun Hammer; Agudat Yisrael, DeputyMinister of Labor and Social Welfare Moshe Zeev Feldman;  Opposition parties--Tehiya Party, Yuval Ne'eman; Tzomet Party, RafaelEytan; Moledet Party, Rehavam Ze'evi; Degel HaTorah, Avraham Ravitz;Citizens' Rights Movement, Shulamit Aloni; United Workers' Party(MAPAM), Yair Tzaban; Center Movement-Shinui, Amnon Rubenstein; NewCommunist Party of Israel (RAKAH), Meir Wilner; Progressive List forPeace, Muhammad Mi'ari; Arab Democratic Party, Abd Al WahabDarawshah~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: President--last held 23 February 1988 (next to be heldFebruary 1994); results--Gen. Chaim Herzog reelected by Knesset;  Parliament--last held 1 November 1988 (next to be held by November1992); seats--(120 total) Likud bloc 40, Labor Party 39, SHAS 6,National Religious Party 5, Agudat Yisrael 5, Citizens' RightsMovement 5, RAKAH 4, Tehiya Party 3, MAPAM 3, Tzomet Party 2,Moledet Party 2, Degel HaTorah 2, Center Movement-Shinui 2,Progressive List for Peace 1, Arab Democratic Party 1~Communists~: Hadash (predominantly Arab but with Jews in itsleadership) has some 1,500 members~Other political or pressure groups~: Gush Emunim, Jewish nationalistsadvocating Jewish settlement on the West Bank and Gaza Strip; PeaceNow, critical of government's West Bank/Gaza Strip and Lebanonpolicies~Member of~: CCC, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, IDA,IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,IOOC, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ITU, IWC--International WheatCouncil, OAS (observer), UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WSG, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Moshe ARAD; Chancery at 3514International Drive NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone]; there are Israeli Consulates General in Atlanta, Boston,Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, andSan Francisco; US--Ambassador William A. BROWN; Embassy at 71Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv (mailing address is APO New York 09672);telephone ╒972σ (3) 654338; there is a US Consulate General inJerusalem~Flag~: white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known asthe Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equalhorizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag~
Economy~Overview~: Israel has a market economy with substantial governmentparticipation. It depends on imports for crude oil, food, grains,raw materials, and military equipment. Despite limited naturalresources, Israel has developed its agriculture and industry sectorson an intensive scale over the past 20 years. Industry accounts forabout 23% of the labor force, agriculture for 6%, and services formost of the balance. Diamonds, high-technology machinery, andagricultural products (fruits and vegetables) are the biggest exportearners. The balance of payments has traditionally been negative,but is offset by large transfer payments and foreign loans. Nearlytwo-thirds of Israel's $16 billion external debt is owed to the US,which is its major source for economic and military aid. To earnneeded foreign exchange, Israel must continue to exploithigh-technology niches in the international market, such as medicalscanning equipment. In 1987 the economy showed a 5.2% growth in realGNP, the best gain in nearly a decade; in 1988-89 the gain was only1% annually, largely because of the economic impact of thePalestinian uprising (intifadah). Inflation dropped from an annualrate of over 400% in 1984 to about 16% in 1987-88 without any majorincrease in unemployment.~GNP~: $38 billion, per capita $8,700; real growth rate 1% (1989)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 20% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 9% (December 1989)~Budget~: revenues $24.2 billion; expenditures $26.3 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $7 billion (FY89 est.)~Exports~: $10.4 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--polisheddiamonds, citrus and other fruits, textiles and clothing, processedfoods, fertilizer and chemical products, military hardware,electronics; partners--US, UK, FRG, France, Belgium, Luxembourg,Italy~Imports~: $12.4 billion (c.i.f., 1989 est.); commodities--militaryequipment, rough diamonds, oil, chemicals, machinery, iron andsteel, cereals, textiles, vehicles, ships, aircraft; partners--US,FRG, UK, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg~External debt~: $16.4 billion (March 1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate - 1.5% (1989)~Electricity~: 4,392,000 kW capacity; 17,500 million kWh produced,4,000 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: food processing, diamond cutting and polishing, textiles,clothing, chemicals, metal products, military equipment, transportequipment, electrical equipment, miscellaneous machinery, potashmining, high-technology electronics, tourism~Agriculture~: accounts for 5% of GNP; largely self-sufficient in foodproduction, except for bread grains; principal products--citrus andother fruits, vegetables, cotton; livestock products--beef, dairy,and poultry~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $15.8 billion;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-87), $2.2 billion~Currency~: new Israeli shekel (plural--shekels); 1 new Israeli shekel(NIS) = 100 new agorot~Exchange rates~: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1--1.9450 (January1990), 1.9164 (1989), 1.5989 (1988), 1.5946 (1987), 1.4878 (1986),1.1788 (1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Railroads~: 594 km 1.435-meter gauge, single track; diesel operated~Highways~: 4,500 km; majority is bituminous surfaced~Pipelines~: crude oil, 708 km; refined products, 290 km; natural gas,89 km~Ports~: Ashdod, Haifa, Elat~Merchant marine~: 31 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 483,424GRT/560,085 DWT; includes 9 cargo, 20 container, 2 roll-on/roll-offcargo~Civil air~: 27 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 55 total, 52 usable; 26 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 6 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 11with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: most highly developed in the Middle East thoughnot the largest; good system of coaxial cable and radio relay;1,800,000 telephones; stations--11 AM, 24 FM, 54 TV; 2 submarinecables; satellite earth stations--2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1Indian Ocean INTELSAT~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Israel Defense Forces; historically there have been noseparate Israeli military services; ground, air, and navalcomponents are branches of Israel Defense Forces~Military manpower~: eligible 15-49, 2,159,462; of the 1,089,346 males15-49, 898,272 are fit for military service; of the 1,070,116females 15-49, 878,954 are fit for military service; 43,644 malesand 41,516 females reach military age (18) annually; both sexes areliable for military service~Defense expenditures~: 8.5% of GNP, or $3.2 billion (1989 est.);note--does not include an estimated $1.8 billion in US military aid~[000000111~000826075~000000000~000000000~000010986~000000127~000813301~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Italy~
Geography~Total area~: 301,230 km2; land area: 294,020 km2; includes Sardiniaand Sicily~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Arizona~Land boundaries~: 1,902.2 km total; Austria 430 km, France 488 km, SanMarino 39 km, Switzerland 740 km, Vatican City 3.2 km, Yugoslavia202 km~Coastline~: 4,996 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 m or to depth of exploitation;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: South Tyrol question with Austria~Climate~: predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dryin south~Terrain~: mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands~Natural resources~: mercury, potash, marble, sulfur, dwindling naturalgas and crude oil reserves, fish, coal~Land use~: 32% arable land; 10% permanent crops; 17% meadows andpastures; 22% forest and woodland; 19% other; includes 10% irrigated~Environment~: regional risks include landslides, mudflows, snowslides,earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding, pollution; land sinkagein Venice~Note~: strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well assouthern sea and air approaches to Western Europe~
People~Population~: 57,664,405 (July 1990), growth rate 0.2% (1990)~Birth rate~: 10 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 74 years male, 81 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.4 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Italian(s); adjective--Italian~Ethnic divisions~: primarily Italian but population includes smallclusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north andAlbanian-Italians in the south; Sicilians; Sardinians~Religion~: almost 100% nominally Roman Catholic~Language~: Italian; parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region arepredominantly German speaking; significant French-speaking minorityin Valle d'Aosta region; Slovene-speaking minority in theTrieste-Gorizia area~Literacy~: 93%~Labor force~: 23,670,000; 56.7% services, 37.9% industry, 5.4%agriculture (1987)~Organized labor~: 40-45% of labor force (est.)~
Government~Long-form name~: Italian Republic~Type~: republic~Capital~: Rome~Administrative divisions~: 20 regions (regioni, singular--regione);Abruzzi, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna,Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise,Piemonte, Puglia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Toscana, Trentino-Alto Adige,Umbria, Valle d'Aosta, Veneto~Independence~: 17 March 1861, Kingdom of Italy proclaimed~Constitution~: 1 January 1948~Legal system~: based on civil law system, with ecclesiastical lawinfluence; judicial review under certain conditions inConstitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Anniversary of the Republic, 2 June (1946)~Executive branch~: president, prime minister,~Legislative branch~: bicameral Parliament (Parlamento) consists of anupper chamber or Senate (Senato) and a lower chamber or Chamber ofDeputies (Camera dei Deputati)~Judicial branch~: Constitutional Court (Corte Costituzionale)~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Francesco COSSIGA (since 3 July1985);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Giulio ANDREOTTI (since 22 July1989, heads the government for the sixth time); Deputy PrimeMinister Claudio MARTELLI (since 23 July 1989)~Political parties and leaders~: Christian Democratic Party (DC),Arnaldo Forlani (general secretary), Ciriaco De Mita (president);Communist Party (PCI), Achille Occhetto (secretary general);Socialist Party (PSI), Bettino Craxi (party secretary); SocialDemocratic Party (PSDI), Antonio Cariglia (party secretary); LiberalParty (PLI), Renato Altissimo (secretary general); Italian SocialMovement (MSI), Giuseppe (Pino) Rauti (national secretary);Republican Party (PRI), Giorgio La Malfa (political secretary);Italy's 49th postwar government was formed on 23 July 1989, withPrime Minister Andreotti, a Christian Democrat, presiding over afive-party coalition consisting of the Christian Democrats,Socialists, Social Democrats, Republicans, and Liberals~Suffrage~: universal at age 18 (except in senatorial elections, whereminimum age is 25)~Elections~: Senate--last held 14-15 June 1987 (next to be held by June1992); results--DC 33.9%, PCI 28.3%, PSI 10.7%, others 27.1%;seats--(320 total, 315 elected) DC 125, PCI 100, PSI 36, others 54; Chamber of Deputies--last held 14-15 June 1987 (next to be held byJune 1992); results--DC 34.3%, PCI 26.6%, PSI 14.3%, MSI 5.9%, PRI3.7%, PSDI 3.0%, Radicals 2.6%, Greens 2.5%, PLI 2.1%, ProletarianDemocrats 1.7%, others 3.3%; seats--(630 total) DC 234, PCI 177, PSI94, MSI 35, PRI 21, PSDI 17, Radicals 13, Greens 13, PLI 11,Proletarian Democrats 8, others 7~Communists~: 1,673,751 members (1983)~Other political or pressure groups~: Vatican City; three major tradeunion confederations (CGIL--Communist dominated, CISL--ChristianDemocratic, and UIL--Social Democratic, Socialist, and Republican);Italian manufacturers association (Confindustria); organized farmgroups (Confcoltivatori, Confagricoltura)~Member of~: ADB, ASSIMER, CCC, Council of Europe, DAC, EC, ECOWAS,EIB, EMS, ESA, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, ICO, IDA,IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IEA, IFC, IHO, ILO,ILZSG, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOOC, IPU, IRC, ITC, ITU, NATO,OAS (observer), OECD, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WSG~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Rinaldo PETRIGNANI; Chancery at1601 Fuller Street NW, Washington DC 20009; telephone [phone]; there are Italian Consulates General in Boston, Chicago,Houston, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, andConsulates in Detroit and Newark (New Jersey); US--Ambassador PeterF. SECCHIA; Embassy at Via Veneto 119/A, 00187-Rome (mailing addressis APO New York 09794); telephone ╒39σ (6) 46741; there are USConsulates General in Florence, Genoa, Milan, Naples, and Palermo(Sicily)~Flag~: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, andred; similar to the flag of Ireland which is longer and is green(hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of theIvory Coast which has the colors reversed--orange (hoist side),white, and green~
Economy~Overview~: Since World War II the economy has changed from one basedon agriculture into a ranking industrial economy, with approximatelythe same total and per capita output as France and the UK. Thecountry is still divided into a developed industrial north,dominated by large private companies and state enterprises and anundeveloped agricultural south. Services account for 58% of GDP,industry 37%, and agriculture 5%. Most raw materials needed byindustry and over 75% of energy requirements must be imported. Theeconomic recovery that began in mid-1983 has continued through 1989,with the economy growing at an annual average rate of 3%. For the1990s, Italy faces the problems of refurbishing a totteringcommunications system, curbing the increasing pollution in majorindustrial centers, and adjusting to the new competitive forcesaccompanying the ongoing economic integration of the EuropeanCommunity.~GDP~: $803.3 billion, per capita $14,000; real growth rate 3.3% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 6.6% (1989 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 11.9% (1989)~Budget~: revenues $355 billion; expenditures $448 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $NA (1989)~Exports~: $141.6 billion (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--textiles,wearing apparel, metals, transportation equipment, chemicals;partners--EC 57%, US 9%, OPEC 4%~Imports~: $143.1 billion (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--petroleum,industrial machinery, chemicals, metals, food, agriculturalproducts; partners--EC 57%, OPEC 6%, US 6%~External debt~: NA~Industrial production~: growth rate 2.9% (1989)~Electricity~: 56,022,000 kW capacity; 201,400 million kWh produced,3,500 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: machinery and transportation equipment, iron and steel,chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles~Agriculture~: accounts for about 5% of GNP and 5% of the work force;self-sufficient in foods other than meat and dairy products;principal crops--fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets,soybeans, grain, olives; fish catch of 554,000 metric tons in 1987~Aid~: donor--ODA and OOF commitments (1970-87), $18.7 billion~Currency~: Italian lira (plural--lire); 1 Italian lira (Lit) = 100centesimi~Exchange rates~: Italian lire (Lit) per US$1--1,262.5 (January 1990),1,372.1 (1989), 1,301.6 (1988), 1,296.1 (1987), 1,490.8 (1986),1,909.4 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 20,011 km total; 16,066 km 1.435-meter government-ownedstandard gauge (8,999 km electrified); 3,945 km privatelyowned--2,100 km 1.435-meter standard gauge (1,155 km electrified)and 1,845 km 0.950-meter narrow gauge (380 km electrified)~Highways~: 294,410 km total; autostrada 5,900 km, state highways45,170 km, provincial highways 101,680 km, communal highways 141,660km; 260,500 km concrete, bituminous, or stone block, 26,900 kmgravel and crushed stone, 7,010 km earth~Inland waterways~: 2,400 km for various types of commercial traffic,although of limited overall value~Pipelines~: crude oil, 1,703 km; refined products, 2,148 km; naturalgas, 19,400 km~Ports~: Cagliari (Sardinia), Genoa, La Spezia, Livorno, Naples,Palermo (Sicily), Taranto, Trieste, Venice~Merchant marine~: 547 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,871,505GRT/10,805,368 DWT; includes 6 passenger, 41 short-sea passenger,100 cargo, 5 refrigerated cargo, 22 container, 72 roll-on/roll-offcargo, 4 vehicle carrier, 1 multifunction large-load carrier, 2livestock carrier, 147 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker,37 chemical tanker, 29 liquefied gas, 8 specialized tanker, 16combination ore/oil, 55 bulk, 2 combination bulk~Civil air~: 132 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 143 total, 138 usable; 88 with permanent-surface runways; 2with runways over 3,659 m; 35 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 42 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: well engineered, constructed, and operated;28,000,000 telephones; stations--144 AM, 54 (over 1,800 repeaters)FM, 135 (over 1,300 repeaters) TV; 22 submarine cables;communication satellite earth stations operating in INTELSAT 3Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean, INMARSAT, and EUTELSAT systems~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 14,721,704; 12,855,022 fit formilitary service; 430,782 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 2.4% of GDP, or $19 billion (1989 est.) ~[000000112~000837064~000000000~000000000~000008944~000000095~000826075~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Ivory Coast(also known as Cote d'Ivoire)~
Geography~Total area~: 322,460 km2; land area: 318,000 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than New Mexico~Land boundaries~: 3,110 km total; Burkina 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea610 km, Liberia 716 km, Mali 532 km~Coastline~: 515 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 m;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; threeseasons--warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March toMay), hot and wet (June to October)~Terrain~: mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest~Natural resources~: crude oil, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt,bauxite, copper~Land use~: 9% arable land; 4% permanent crops; 9% meadows andpastures; 26% forest and woodland; 52% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; severedeforestation~
People~Population~: 12,478,024 (July 1990), growth rate 4.0% (1990)~Birth rate~: 48 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 4 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 100 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 52 years male, 56 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 6.9 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Ivorian(s); adjective--Ivorian~Ethnic divisions~: over 60 ethnic groups; most important are theBaoule 23%, Bete 18%, Senoufou 15%, Malinke 11%, and Agni; about 2million foreign Africans, mostly Burkinabe; about 130,000 to 330,000non-Africans (30,000 French and 100,000 to 300,000 Lebanese)~Religion~: 63% indigenous, 25% Muslim, 12% Christian~Language~: French (official), over 60 native dialects; Dioula mostwidely spoken~Literacy~: 42.7%~Labor force~: 5,718,000; over 85% of population engaged inagriculture, for estry, livestock raising; about 11% of labor forceare wage earners, nearly half in agriculture and the remainder ingovernment, industry, commerce, and professions; 54% of populationof working age (1985)~Organized labor~: 20% of wage labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of the Ivory Coast; note--the local officialname is Republique de Cote d'Ivoire~Type~: republic; one-party presidential regime established 1960~Capital~: Abidjan (capital city changed to Yamoussoukro in March 1983but not recognized by US)~Administrative divisions~: 49 departments (departements,singular--(departement); Abengourou, Abidjan, Aboisso, Adzope,Agboville, Bangolo, Beoumi, Biankouma, Bondoukou, Bongouanou,Bouafle, Bouake, Bouna, Boundiali, Dabakala, Daloa, Danane, Daoukro,Dimbokro, Divo, Duekoue, Ferkessedougou, Gagnoa, Grand-Lahou,Guiglo, Issia, Katiola, Korhogo, Lakota, Man, Mankono, Mbahiakro,Odienne, Oume, Sakassou, San-Pedro, Sassandra, Seguela, Sinfra,Soubre, Tabou, Tanda, Tengrela, Tiassale, Touba, Toumodi, Vavoua,Yamoussoukro, Zuenoula~Independence~: 7 August 1960 (from France)~Constitution~: 3 November 1960~Legal system~: based on French civil law system and customary law;judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: National Day, 7 December~Executive branch~: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Assembly (AssembleeNationale)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Dr. FelixHOUPHOUET-BOIGNY (since 27 November 1960)~Political parties and leaders~: only party--Democratic Party of theIvory Coast (PDCI), Dr. Felix Houphouet-Boigny~Suffrage~: universal at age 21~Elections~: President--last held 27 October 1985 (next to be heldOctober 1990); results--President Felix Houphouet-Boigny wasreelected without opposition to his fifth consecutive five-yearterm;  National Assembly--last held 10 November 1985 (next to be held 10November 1990); results--PDCI is the only party; seats--(175 total)PDCI 175~Communists~: no Communist party; possibly some sympathizers~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, EAMA, ECA, ECOWAS, EIB (associate),Entente, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IFAD, IFC,ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ITU, Niger River Commission,NAM, OAU, OCAM, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Charles GOMIS; Chancery at 2424Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone]; US--Ambassador Kenneth BROWN; Embassy at 5 Rue JesseOwens, Abidjan (mailing address is B. P. 1712, Abidjan 01);telephone ╒225σ 32-09-79~Flag~: three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, andgreen; similar to the flag of Ireland which is longer and has thecolors reversed--green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similarto the flag of Italy which is green (hoist side), white, and red;design was based on the flag of France~
Economy~Overview~: The Ivory Coast is among the world's largest producers andexporters of coffee, cocoa beans, and palm-kernel oil. Consequently,the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in internationalprices for coffee and cocoa and to weather conditions. Despiteattempts by the government to diversify, the economy is stilllargely dependent on agriculture and related industries. Theagricultural sector accounts for over one-third of GDP and about 80%of export earnings and employs about 85% of the labor force. Acollapse of world cocoa and coffee prices in 1986 threw the economyinto a recession, from which the country had not recovered by 1989.~GDP~: $10.0 billion, per capita $900; real growth rate - 6.4% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 7.5% (1988)~Unemployment rate~: 14% (1985)~Budget~: revenues $1.6 billion (1986); expenditures $2.3 billion,including capital expenditures of $504 million (1988 est.)~Exports~: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--cocoa 30%, coffee20%, tropical woods 11%, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil,cotton; partners--France, FRG, Netherlands, US, Belgium, Spain(1985)~Imports~: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--manufactured goodsand semifinished products 50%, consumer goods 40%, raw materials andfuels 10%; partners--France, other EC, Nigeria, US, Japan (1985)~External debt~: $14.7 billion (1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate 0% (1987)~Electricity~: 1,081,000 kW capacity; 2,440 million kWh produced, 210kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: foodstuffs, wood processing, oil refinery, automobileassembly, textiles, fertilizer, beverage~Agriculture~: most important sector, contributing one-third to GDP and80% to exports; cash crops include coffee, cocoa beans, timber,bananas, palm kernels, rubber; food crops--corn, rice, manioc, sweetpotatoes; not selfsufficient in bread grain and dairy products~Illicit drugs~: illicit producer of cannabis on a small scale for theinternational drug trade~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $344 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$4.6 billion~Currency~: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural--francs); 1CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes~Exchange rates~: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) perUS$1--287.99 (January 1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54(1987), 346.30 (1986), 449.26 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 660 km (Burkina border to Abidjan, 1.00-meter gauge,single track, except 25 km Abidjan-Anyama section is double track)~Highways~: 46,600 km total; 3,600 km bituminous and bituminous-treatedsurface; 32,000 km gravel, crushed stone, laterite, and improvedearth; 11,000 km unimproved~Inland waterways~: 980 km navigable rivers, canals, and numerouscoastal lagoons~Ports~: Abidjan, San-Pedro~Merchant marine~: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 71,945 GRT/90,684 DWT; includes 5 cargo, 1 petroleum, oils, and lubricants(POL) tanker, 1 chemical tanker~Civil air~: 12 major transport aircraft, including multinationallyowned Air Afrique fleet~Airports~: 49 total, 42 usable; 7 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 16 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: system above African average; consists ofopen-wire lines and radio relay links; 87,700 telephones;stations--3 AM, 17 FM, 11 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earthstations; 2 coaxial submarine cables~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 2,874,925; 1,487,909 fit for militaryservice; 141,193 males reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 1.9% of GDP (1987) ~[000000113~000846011~000000000~000000000~000007827~000000083~000837064~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Jamaica~
Geography~Total area~: 10,990 km2; land area: 10,830 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Connecticut~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 1,022 km~Maritime claims~:  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior~Terrain~: mostly mountains with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain~Natural resources~: bauxite, gypsum, limestone~Land use~: 19% arable land; 6% permanent crops; 18% meadows andpastures; 28% forest and woodland; 29% other; includes 3% irrigated~Environment~: subject to hurricanes (especially July to November);deforestation; water pollution~Note~: strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel,the main sea lanes for Panama Canal~
People~Population~: 2,441,396 (July 1990), growth rate 0.6% (1990)~Birth rate~: 21 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 10 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 16 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 75 years male, 79 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.3 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Jamaican(s); adjective--Jamaican~Ethnic divisions~: 76.3% African, 15.1% Afro-European, 3.4% EastIndian and Afro-East Indian, 3.2% white, 1.2% Chinese andAfro-Chinese, 0.8% other~Religion~: predominantly Protestant (including Anglican and Baptist),some Roman Catholic, some spiritualist cults~Language~: English, Creole~Literacy~: 74%~Labor force~: 728,700; 32% agriculture, 28% industry and commerce, 27%services, 13% government; shortage of technical and managerialpersonnel (1984)~Organized labor~: 25% of labor force (1989)~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: parliamentary democracy~Capital~: Kingston~Administrative divisions~: 14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston,Manchester, Portland, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine,Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny,Westmoreland~Independence~: 6 August 1962 (from UK)~Constitution~: 6 August 1962~Legal system~: based on English common law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Independence Day (first Monday in August), 6 August1990~Executive branch~: British monarch, governor general, prime minister,Cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper houseor Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Sir Florizel A. GLASSPOLE (since 2March 1973);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Michael MANLEY (since 9 February1989)~Political parties and leaders~: People's National Party (PNP), MichaelManley; Jamaica Labor Party (JLP), Edward Seaga; Workers' Party ofJamaica (WPJ), Trevor Munroe~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: House of Representatives--last held 9 February 1989 (nextto be held by February 1994); results--PNP 57%, JLP 43%; seats--(60total) PNP 45, JLP 15~Communists~: Workers' Party of Jamaica (Marxist-Leninist)~Other political or pressure groups~: Rastafarians (blackreligious/racial cultists, pan-Africanists)~Member of~: ACP, CARICOM, CCC, Commonwealth, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB,IAEA, IBA, IBRD, ICAO, ICO, IDB--Inter-American Development Bank,IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS,PAHO, SELA, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Keith JOHNSON; Chancery atSuite 355, 1850 K Street NW, Washington DC 20006; telephone [phone]; there are Jamaican Consulates General in Miami and NewYork; US--Ambassador Glen HOLDEN; Embassy at 3rd Floor, JamaicaMutual Life Center, 2 Oxford Road, Kingston; telephone ╒809σ929-4850~Flag~: diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into fourtriangles--green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and flyside)~
Economy~Overview~: The economy is based on sugar, bauxite, and tourism. In1985 it suffered a setback with the closure of some facilities inthe bauxite and alumina industry, a major source of hard currencyearnings. Since 1986 an economic recovery has been under way. In1987 conditions began to improve for the bauxite and aluminaindustry because of increases in world metal prices. The recoveryhas also been supported by growth in the manufacturing and tourismsectors. In September 1988, Hurricane Gilbert inflicted severedamage on crops and the electric power system, a sharp but temporarysetback to the economy. By October 1989 the economic recovery fromthe hurricane was largely complete and real growth was up about 3%for 1989.~GDP~: $3.8 billion, per capita $1,529; real growth rate 3.0% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 15% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 18.7% (1988)~Budget~: revenues $1.1 billion; expenditures $1.5 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $NA (FY88 est.)~Exports~: $948 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--bauxite,alumina, sugar, bananas; partners--US 40%, UK, Canada, Trinidad andTobago, Norway~Imports~: $1.6 billion (c.i.f., 1989 est.); commodities--petroleum,machinery, food, consumer goods, construction goods; partners--US46%, UK, Venezuela, Canada, Japan, Trinidad and Tobago~External debt~: $4.4 billion (1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate 3% (1989 est.)~Electricity~: 1,437,000 kW capacity; 2,390 million kWh produced, 960kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: tourism, bauxite mining, textiles, food processing, lightmanufactures~Agriculture~: accounts for about 9% of GDP, one-third of work force,and 17% of exports; commercial crops--sugarcane, bananas, coffee,citrus, potatoes, and vegetables; livestock and livestock productsinclude poultry, goats, milk; not self-sufficient in grain, meat,and dairy products~Illicit drugs~: illicit cultivation of cannabis has decreased, withproduction shifting from large to small plots and nurseries to evadeaerial detection and eradication~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $1.1 billion; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$1.2 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $27 million; Communistcountries (1974-88), $349 million~Currency~: Jamaican dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Jamaican dollar (J$) =100 cents~Exchange rates~: Jamaican dollars (J$) per US$1--6.5013 (January1990), 5.7446 (1989), 5.4886 (1988), 5.4867 (1987), 5.4778 (1986),5.5586 (1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Railroads~: 370 km, all 1.435-meter standard gauge, single track~Highways~: 18,200 km total; 12,600 km paved, 3,200 km gravel, 2,400 kmimproved earth~Pipelines~: refined products, 10 km~Ports~: Kingston, Montego Bay~Merchant marine~: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 13,048GRT/21,412 DWT; includes 1 cargo, 1 container, 1 roll-on/roll-offcargo, 1 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 bulk~Civil air~: 6 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 41 total, 25 usable; 14 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: fully automatic domestic telephone network;127,000 telephones; stations--10 AM, 17 FM, 8 TV; 2 Atlantic OceanINTELSAT earth stations; 3 coaxial submarine cables~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Jamaica Defense Force (includes Coast Guard and Air Wing)~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 620,400; 440,967 fit for militaryservice; no conscription; 27,014 reach minimum volunteer age (18)annually~Defense expenditures~: 1.1% of GDP (1987) ~[000000114~000853841~000000000~000000000~000001915~000000020~000846011~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Jan Mayen(territory of Norway)~
Geography~Total area~: 373 km2; land area: 373 km2~Comparative area~: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 124.1 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 10 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 4 nm~Disputes~: Denmark has challenged Norway's maritime claims beweenGreenland and Jan Mayen~Climate~: arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog~Terrain~: volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers; Beerenberg isthe highest peak, with an elevation of 2,277 meters~Natural resources~: none~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other~Environment~: barren volcanic island with some moss and grass;volcanic activity resumed in 1970~Note~: located 590 km north-northwest of Iceland between the GreenlandSea and the Norwegian Sea north of the Arctic Circle~
People~Population~: no permanent inhabitants~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: territory of Norway~Note~: administered by a governor (sysselmann) resident inLongyearbyen (Svalbard)~
Economy~Overview~: Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable naturalresources. Economic activity is limited to providing services foremployees of Norway's radio and meteorological stations located onthe island.~Electricity~: 15,000 kW capacity; 40 million kWh produced, NA kWh percapita (1989)~
Communications~Airports~: 1 with runway 1,220 to 2,439 m~Ports~: none; offshore anchorage only~Telecommunications~: radio and meteorological station~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of Norway ~[000000115~000855759~000000000~000000000~000010891~000000125~000853841~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Japan~
Geography~Total area~: 377,835 km2; land area: 374,744 km2; includes BoninIslands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima,Okinotori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands(Kazan-retto)~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than California~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 29,751 km~Maritime claims~:  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm (3 nm in international straits--La Perouse orSoya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and Western channels of the Koreaor Tsushima Strait)~Disputes~: Habomai Islands, Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan Islandsoccupied by Soviet Union since 1945, claimed by Japan; Kuril Islandsadministered by Soviet Union; Liancourt Rocks disputed with SouthKorea; Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands) claimed by China and Taiwan~Climate~: varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north~Terrain~: mostly rugged and mountainous~Natural resources~: negligible mineral resources, fish~Land use~: 13% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 1% meadows andpastures; 67% forest and woodland; 18% other; includes 9% irrigated~Environment~: many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500seismic occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; subject to tsunamis~Note~: strategic location in northeast Asia~
People~Population~: 123,642,461 (July 1990), growth rate 0.4% (1990)~Birth rate~: 11 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 5 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 76 years male, 82 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.6 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Japanese (sing., pl.); adjective--Japanese~Ethnic divisions~: 99.4% Japanese, 0.6% other (mostly Korean)~Religion~: most Japanese observe both Shinto and Buddhist rites; about16% belong to other faiths, including 0.8% Christian~Language~: Japanese~Literacy~: 99%~Labor force~: 63,330,000; 54% trade and services; 33% manufacturing,mining, and construction; 7% agriculture, forestry, and fishing; 3%government (1988)~Organized labor~: about 29% of employed workers; 76.4% public service,57.9% transportation and telecommunications, 48.7% mining, 33.7%manufacturing, 18.2% services, 9.3% wholesale, retail, andrestaurant~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: constitutional monarchy~Capital~: Tokyo~Administrative divisions~: 47 prefectures (fuken, singular andplural); Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka,Fukushima, Gifu, Gumma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki,Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto,Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita,Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka,Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata,Yamaguchi, Yamanashi~Independence~: 660 BC, traditional founding by Emperor Jimmu; 3 May1947, constitutional monarchy established~Constitution~: 3 May 1947~Legal system~: civil law system with English-American influence;judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations~National holiday~: Birthday of the Emperor, 23 December (1933)~Executive branch~: emperor, prime minister, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral Diet (Kokkai) consists of an upperhouse or House of Councillors (Sangi-in) and a lower house or Houseof Representatives (Shugi-in)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Toshiki KAIFU (since 9 August1989)~Political parties and leaders~: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP),Toshiki Kaifu, president; Japan Socialist Party (JSP), T. Doi,chairman; Democratic Socialist Party (DSP), Keigo Ouchi, chairman;Japan Communist Party (JCP), K. Miyamoto, Presidium chairman;Komeito (Clean Government Party, CGP), Koshiro Ishida, chairman~Suffrage~: universal at age 20~Elections~: House of Councillors--last held on 23 July 1989 (next tobe held 23 July 1992); results--percent of vote by party NA;seats--(252 total, 100 elected) LDP 109, JSP 67, CGP 21, JCP 14,others 33;  House of Representatives--last held on 18 February 1990 (next to beheld by February 1993); results--percent of vote by party NA;seats--(512 total) LDP 275, JSP 136, CGP 45, JCP 16, JDSP 14, otherparties 5, independents 21; note--nine independents are expected tojoin the LDP, five the JSP~Communists~: about 470,000 registered Communist party members~Member of~: ADB, ASPAC, CCC, Colombo Plan, DAC, ESCAP, FAO, GATT,IAEA, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IDB--Inter-American DevelopmentBank, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, ILZSG, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,IPU, IRC, ISO, ITC, ITU, IWC--International Whaling Commission,IWC--International Wheat Council, OECD, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WSG~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Nobuo MATSUNAGA; Chancery at2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone]; there are Japanese Consulates General in Agana (Guam),Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Kansas City(Missouri), Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco,Seattle, and Portland (Oregon), and a Consulate in Saipan (NorthernMariana Islands); US--Ambassador Michael H. ARMACOST; Embassy at10-1, Akasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku (107), Tokyo (mailing address isAPO San Francisco 96503); telephone ╒81σ (3) 224-5000; there are USConsulates General in Naha, Osaka-Kobe, and Sapporo and a Consulatein Fukuoka~Flag~: white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays)in the center~
Economy~Overview~: Although Japan has few natural resources, since 1971 it hasbecome the world's third-largest industrial economy, ranking behindonly the US and the USSR. Government-industry cooperation, a strongwork ethic, and a comparatively small defense allocation have helpedJapan advance rapidly, notably in high-technology fields. Industry,the most important sector of the economy, is heavily dependent onimported raw materials and fuels. Self-sufficent in rice, Japan mustimport 50% of its requirements for other grain and fodder crops.Japan maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets andaccounts for nearly 15% of the total global catch. Overall economicgrowth has been spectacular: a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5%average in the 1970s and 1980s.  In 1989 strong investment andconsumption spending helped maintain growth at nearly 5%. Inflationremains low at 2.1% despite high oil prices and a somewhat weakeryen. Japan continues to run a huge trade surplus, $60 billion in1989, which supports extensive investment in foreign properties.~GNP~: $1,914.1 billion, per capita $15,600; real growth rate 4.8%(1989 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 2.1% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 2.3% (1989)~Budget~: revenues $392 billion; expenditures $464 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $NA (FY89)~Exports~: $270 billion (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--manufactures 97%(including machinery 38%, motor vehicles 17%, consumer electronics10%); partners--US 34%, Southeast Asia 22%, Western Europe 21%,Communist countries 5%, Middle East 5%~Imports~: $210 billion (c.i.f., 1989); commodities--manufactures 42%,fossil fuels 30%, foodstuffs 15%, nonfuel raw materials 13%;partners--Southeast Asia 23%, US 23%, Middle East 15%, WesternEurope 16%, Communist countries 7%~External debt~: $NA~Industrial production~: growth rate 9.0% (1989)~Electricity~: 191,000,000 kW capacity; 700,000 million kWh produced,5,680 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: metallurgy, engineering, electrical and electronic,textiles, chemicals, automobiles, fishing~Agriculture~: accounts for 3% of GNP; highly subsidized and protectedsector, with crop yields among highest in world; principalcrops--rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit; animal products includepork, poultry, dairy and eggs; about 50% self-sufficient in foodproduction; shortages of wheat, corn, soybeans; world's largest fishcatch of 11.8 million metric tons in 1987~Aid~: donor--ODA and OOF commitments (1970-87), $57.5 billion~Currency~: yen (plural--yen); 1 yen (Y) = 100 sen~Exchange rates~: yen (Y) per US$1--145.09 (January 1990), 137.96(1989), 128.15 (1988), 144.64 (1987), 168.52 (1986), 238.54 (1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Railroads~: 27,327 km total; 2,012 km 1.435-meter standard gauge and25,315 km predominantly 1.067-meter narrow gauge; 5,724 kmdoubletrack and multitrack sections, 9,038 km 1.067-meternarrow-gauge electrified, 2,012 km 1.435-meter standard-gaugeelectrified (1987)~Highways~: 1,098,900 km total; 718,700 km paved, 380,200 km gravel,crushed stone, or unpaved; 3,900 km national expressways, 46,544 kmnational highways, 43,907 km principal local roads, 86,930 kmprefectural roads, and 917,619 other (1987)~Inland waterways~: about 1,770 km; seagoing craft ply all coastalinland seas~Pipelines~: crude oil, 84 km; refined products, 322 km; natural gas,1,800 km~Ports~: Chiba, Muroran, Kitakyushu, Kobe, Tomakomai, Nagoya, Osaka,Tokyo, Yokkaichi, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Niigata, Fushiki-Toyama,Shimizu, Himeji, Wakayama-Shimozu, Shimonoseki, Tokuyama-Shimomatsu~Merchant marine~: 1,088 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 23,597,688GRT/36,655,266 DWT; includes 7 passenger, 57 short-sea passenger, 4passenger cargo, 108 cargo, 44 container, 27 roll-on/roll-off cargo,135 refrigerated cargo, 117 vehicle carrier, 237 petroleum, oils,and lubricants (POL) tanker, 21 chemical tanker, 42 liquefied gas,12 combination ore/oil, 3 specialized tanker, 272 bulk, 1combination bulk, 1 multifunction large-load carrier~Civil air~: 341 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 165 total, 156 usable; 128 with permanent-surface runways;2 with runways over 3,659 m; 27 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 55 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: excellent domestic and international service;64,000,000 telephones; stations--318 AM, 58 FM, 12,350 TV (196major--1 kw or greater); satellite earth stations--4 Pacific OceanINTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT; submarine cables to US (viaGuam), Philippines, China, and USSR~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (army), Japan MaritimeSelf-Defense Force (navy), Japan Air Self-Defense Force (air force),Maritime Safety Agency (coast guard)~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 32,181,866; 27,695,890 fit formilitary service; 1,004,052 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 1.0% of GNP at market prices (1989 est.) ~[000000116~000866653~000000000~000000000~000002148~000000025~000855759~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Jarvis Island(territory of the US)~
Geography~Total area~: 4.5 km2; land area: 4.5 km2~Comparative area~: about 7.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington,DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 8 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 12 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 m;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: tropical; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun~Terrain~: sandy, coral island surrounded by a  narrow fringing reef~Natural resources~: guano (deposits worked until late 1800s)~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other~Environment~: sparse bunch grass, prostrate vines, and low-growingshrubs; lacks fresh water; primarily a nesting, roosting, andforaging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife;feral cats~Note~: 2,090 km south of Honolulu in the South Pacific Ocean, justsouth of the Equator, about halfway between Hawaii and the CookIslands~
People~Population~: uninhabited~Note~: Millersville settlement on western side of island occasionallyused as a weather station from 1935 until World War II, when it wasabandoned; reoccupied in 1957 during the International GeophysicalYear by scientists who left in 1958; public entry is by special-usepermit only and generally restricted to scientists and educators~
Government~Long-form name~: none (territory of the US)~Type~: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish andWildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of theNational Wildlife Refuge System~
Economy~Overview~: no economic activity~
Communications~Ports~: none; offshore anchorage only--one boat landing area in themiddle of the west coast and another near the southwest corner ofthe island~Note~: there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually bythe US Coast Guard ~[000000117~000868804~000000000~000000000~000005089~000000042~000866653~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Jersey(British crown dependency)~
Geography~Total area~: 117 km2; land area: 117 km2~Comparative area~: about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 70 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Climate~: temperate; mild winters and cool summers~Terrain~: gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along northcoast~Natural resources~: agricultural land~Land use~: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows andpastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; about 58% of landunder cultivation~Environment~: about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier~Note~: largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; 27 km from France~
People~Population~: 83,609 (July 1990), growth rate 0.9% (1990)~Birth rate~: 12 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 7 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 72 years male, 78 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.3 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Channel Islander(s); adjective--Channel Islander~Ethnic divisions~: UK and Norman-French descent~Religion~: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational NewChurch, Methodist, Presbyterian~Language~: English and French (official), with the Norman-Frenchdialect spoken in country districts~Literacy~: NA%, but probably high~Labor force~: NA~Organized labor~: none~
Government~Long-form name~: Bailiwick of Jersey~Type~: British crown dependency~Capital~: Saint Helier~Administrative divisions~: none (British crown dependency)~Independence~: none (British crown dependency)~Constitution~: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law andpractice~Legal system~: English law and local statute~National holiday~: Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)~Executive branch~: British monarch, lieutenant governor, bailiff~Legislative branch~: unicameral Assembly of the States~Judicial branch~: Royal Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Head of Government--Lieutenant Governor Adm. Sir William PILLAR(since NA 1985); Bailiff Peter CRILL (since NA)~Political parties and leaders~: none; all independents~Suffrage~: universal adult at age NA~Elections~: Assembly of the States--last held NA (next to be held NA);results--percent of vote NA; seats--(56 total, 52 elected) 52independents~Communists~: probably none~Diplomatic representation~: none (British crown dependency)~Flag~: white with the diagonal red cross of St. Patrick (patron saintof Ireland) extending to the corners of the flag~
Economy~Overview~: The economy is based largely on financial services,agriculture, and tourism. Potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes, andespecially flowers are important export crops, shipped mostly to theUK. The Jersey breed of dairy cattle is known worldwide andrepresents an important export earner. Milk products go to the UKand other EC countries. In 1986 the finance sector overtook tourismas the main contributor to GDP, accounting for 40% of the island'soutput. In recent years the government has encouraged light industryto locate in Jersey, with the result that an electronics industryhas developed alongside the traditional manufacturing of knitwear.All raw material and energy requirements are imported, as well as alarge share of Jersey's food needs.~GDP~: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate 8% (1987 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 8% (1988 est.)~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $308.0 million; expenditures $284.4 million,including capital expenditures of NA (1985)~Exports~: $NA; commodities--light industrial and electrical goods,foodstuffs, textiles; partners--UK~Imports~: $NA; commodities--machinery and transport equipment,manufactured goods, foodstuffs, mineral fuels, chemicals;partners--UK~External debt~: $NA~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 50,000 kW standby capacity (1989); power supplied byFrance~Industries~: tourism, banking and finance, dairy~Agriculture~: potatoes, cauliflowers, tomatoes; dairy and cattlefarming~Aid~: none~Currency~: Jersey pound (plural--pounds); 1 Jersey pound (LJ) = 100pence~Exchange rates~: Jersey pounds (LJ) per US$1--0.6055 (January 1990),0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987), 0.6817 (1986), 0.7714(1985); the Jersey pound is at par with the British pound~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Ports~: Saint Helier, Gorey, St. Aubin~Airports~: 1 with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m (St. Peter)~Telecommunications~: 63,700 telephones; stations--1 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 3submarine cables~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of the UK ~[000000118~000873896~000000000~000000000~000002400~000000026~000868804~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Johnston Atoll(territory of the US)~
Geography~Total area~: 2.8 km2; land area: 2.8 km2~Comparative area~: about 4.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington,DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 10 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 12 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 m;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast tradewinds with little seasonal temperature variation~Terrain~: mostly flat with a maximum elevation of 4 meters~Natural resources~: guano (deposits worked until about 1890)~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other~Environment~: some low-growing vegetation~Note~: strategic location 1,328 km west-southwest of Honolulu in theNorth Pacific Ocean, about one-third of the way between Hawaii andthe Marshall Islands; Johnston Island and Sand Island are naturalislands; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmadeislands formed from coral dredging; closed to the public; formernuclear weapons test site~
People~Population~: 1,203 (December 1989); all US government personnel andcontractors~
Government~Long-form name~: none (territory of the US)~Type~: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the USDefense Nuclear Agency (DNA) and managed cooperatively by DNA andthe Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interioras part of the National Wildlife Refuge system~Diplomatic representation~: none (territory of the US)~Flag~: the flag of the US is used~
Economy~Overview~: Economic activity is limited to providing services to USmilitary personnel and contractors located on the island. All foodand manufactured goods must be imported.~
Communications~Ports~: Johnston Island~Airports~: 1 with permanent-surface runway 2,743 m~Telecommunications~: excellent system including 60-channel submarinecable, Autodin/SRT terminal, digital telephone switch, MilitaryAffiliated Radio System (MARS station), and a (receive only)commercial satellite television system~Note~: US Coast Guard operates a LORAN transmitting station~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of the US ~[000000119~000876299~000000000~000000000~000009074~000000098~000873896~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Jordan(see separate West Bank entry)~Note~: The war between Israel and the Arab states in June 1967 endedwith Israel in control of the West Bank. As stated in the 1978 CampDavid Accords and reaffirmed by President Reagan's 1 September 1982peace initiative, the final status of the West Bank and Gaza Strip,their relationship with their neighbors, and a peace treaty betweenIsrael and Jordan are to be negotiated among the concerned parties.The Camp David Accords further specify that these negotiations willresolve the location of the respective boundaries. Pending thecompletion of this process, it is US policy that the final status ofthe West Bank and Gaza Strip has yet to be determined.~
Geography~Total area~: 91,880 km2; land area: 91,540 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Indiana~Land boundaries~: 1,586 km total; Iraq 134 km, Israel 238 km, SaudiArabia 742 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km~Coastline~: 26 km~Maritime claims~:  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Disputes~: differences with Israel over the location of the 1949Armistice Line which separates the two countries~Climate~: mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April)~Terrain~: mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; GreatRift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River~Natural resources~: phosphates, potash, shale oil~Land use~: 4% arable land; 0.5% permanent crops; 1% meadows andpastures; 0.5% forest and woodland; 94% other; includes 0.5%irrigated~Environment~: lack of natural water resources; deforestation;overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification~
People~Population~: 3,064,508 (July 1990), growth rate 3.6% (1990)~Birth rate~: 42 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 55 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 68 years male, 71 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 6.2 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Jordanian(s); adjective--Jordanian~Ethnic divisions~: 98% Arab, 1% Circassian, 1% Armenian~Religion~: 92% Sunni Muslim, 8% Christian~Language~: Arabic (official); English widely understood among upperand middle classes~Literacy~: 71% (est.)~Labor force~: 572,000 (1988); 20% agriculture, 20% manufacturing andmining (1987 est.)~Organized labor~: about 10% of labor force~Note~: 1.5-1.7 million Palestinians live on the East Bank (55-60% ofthe population), most are Jordanian citizens~
Government~Long-form name~: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan~Type~: constitutional monarchy~Capital~: Amman~Administrative divisions~: 8 governorates (muhafazat,singular--muhafazah); Al Balqa, Al Karak, Al Mafraq, Amman, AtTafilah, Az Zarqa, Irbid, Maan~Independence~: 25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate underBritish administration; formerly Trans-Jordan)~Constitution~: 8 January 1952~Legal system~: based on Islamic law and French codes; judicial reviewof legislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Independence Day, 25 May (1946)~Executive branch~: monarch, prime minister, deputy prime minister,Cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral National Assembly (Majlis al Umma)consists of an upper house or House of Notables (Majlis al-Ayaan)and a lower house or House of Representatives (Majlis al-Nuwwab);note--the House of Representatives was dissolved by King Hussein on30 July 1988 as part of Jordanian disengagement from the West Bankand in November 1989 the first parliamentary elections in 22 yearswere held, with no seats going to Palestinians on the West Bank~Judicial branch~: Court of Cassation~Leaders~: Chief of State--King HUSSEIN Ibn Talal I (since 11 August1952);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Mudar BADRAN (since 4 December1989)~Political parties and leaders~: none; after 1989 parliamentaryelections, King Hussein promised to allow the formation of politicalparties~Suffrage~: universal at age 20~Elections~: House of Representatives--last held 8 November 1989 (nextto be held NA); results--percent of vote NA; seats--(80 total)percent of vote NA~Communists~: party actively repressed, membership less than 500 (est.)~Member of~: ACC, Arab League, CCC, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA,IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IPU, ITU, NAM, OIC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Hussein A. HAMMAMI; Chancery at3504 International Drive NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone]; US--Ambassador Roscoe S. SUDDARTH; Embassy on Jebel Amman,Amman (mailing address is P. O. Box 354, Amman, or APO New York09892); telephone ╒962σ (6) 644371 through 644376~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), white, and greenwith a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing asmall white seven-pointed star; the seven points on the starrepresent the seven fundamental laws of the Koran~
Economy~Overview~: Jordan was a secondary beneficiary of the oil boom of thelate 1970s and early 1980s, when its GNP growth averaged 10-12%.Recent years, however, have witnessed a sharp reduction in cash aidfrom Arab oil-producing countries and in worker remittances, withgrowth averaging 1-2%. Imports--mainly oil, capital goods, consumerdurables, and foodstuffs--have been outstripping exports by roughly$2 billion annually, the difference being made up by aid,remittances, and borrowing. In 1989 the government pursued policiesto encourage private investment, curb imports of luxury goods,promote exports, reduce the budget deficit, and, in general,reinvigorate economic growth. Success will depend largely onexogenous forces, such as the absence of drought and a pickup inoutside support. Down the road, the completion of the proposed UnityDam on the Yarmuk is vital to meet rapidly growing requirements forwater.~GNP~: $5.2 billion, per capita $1,760; real growth rate 0% (1989)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 35% (1989 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 9-10% (December 1989 est.)~Budget~: revenues $0.92 billion; expenditures $1.6 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $540 million (1989 est.)~Exports~: $0.910 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--fruits andvegetables, phosphates, fertilizers; partners--Iraq, Saudi Arabia,India, Kuwait, Japan, China, Yugoslavia, Indonesia~Imports~: $1.7 billion (c.i.f., 1989 est.); commodities--crude oil,textiles, capital goods, motor vehicles, foodstuffs; partners--EC,US, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Turkey, Romania, China, Taiwan~External debt~: $8.3 billion (December 1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate - 7.8% (1988 est.)~Electricity~: 981,000 kW capacity; 3,500 million kWh produced, 1,180kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: phosphate mining, petroleum refining, cement, potash,light manufacturing~Agriculture~: accounts for only 5% of GDP; principal products arewheat, barley, citrus fruit, tomatoes, melons, olives;livestock--sheep, goats, poultry; large net importer of food~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $1.7 billion; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$1.2 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $9.5 billion; Communistcountries (1970-88), $44 million~Currency~: Jordanian dinar (plural--dinars); 1 Jordanian dinar (JD) =1,000 fils~Exchange rates~: Jordanian dinars (JD) per US$1--0.6557 (January1990), 0.5704 (1989), 0.3715 (1988), 0.3387 (1987), 0.3499 (1986),0.3940 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 619 km 1.050-meter gauge, single track~Highways~: 7,500 km; 5,500 km asphalt, 2,000 km gravel and crushedstone~Pipelines~: crude oil, 209 km~Ports~: Al Aqabah~Merchant marine~: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 32,635GRT/44,618 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 2 bulk cargo~Civil air~: 19 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 19 total, 16 usable; 14 with permanent-surface runways; 1with runways over 3,659 m; 13 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: adequate system of radio relay, cable, and radio;81,500 telephones; stations--4 AM, 3 FM, 24 TV; satellite earthstations--1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1ARABSAT, 1 domestic TV receive-only; coaxial cable and radio relayto Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Syria; radio relay to Lebanon isinactive; a microwave network linking Syria, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia,Algeria, Morocco and Jordan~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Jordan Arab Army, Royal Jordanian Air Force, RoyalJordanian Coast Guard~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 726,736; 519,972 fit for militaryservice; 38,730 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 11% of GNP, or $570 million (1990 est.) ~[000000120~000885376~000000000~000000000~000001442~000000013~000876299~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Juan de Nova Island(French possession)~
Geography~Total area~: 4.4 km2; land area: 4.4 km2~Comparative area~: about 7.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington,DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 24.1 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 12 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: claimed by Madagascar~Climate~: tropical~Terrain~: undetermined~Natural resources~: guano deposits and other fertilizers~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 90% forest and woodland; 10% other~Environment~: subject to periodic cyclones; wildlife sanctuary~Note~: located in the central Mozambique Channel about halfway betweenAfrica and Madagascar~
People~Population~: uninhabited~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: French possession administered by Commissioner of the RepublicDaniel CONSTANTIN, resident in Reunion~
Economy~Overview~: no economic activity~
Communications~Railroads~: short line going to a jetty~Airports~: 1 with nonpermanent-surface runway less than 1,220 m~Ports~: none; offshore anchorage only  Note: one weather station~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of France ~[000000121~000886821~000000000~000000000~000008358~000000089~000885376~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Kenya~
Geography~Total area~: 582,650 km2; land area: 569,250 km2~Comparative area~: slightly more than twice the size of Nevada~Land boundaries~: 3,477 km total; Ethiopia 861 km, Somalia 682 km,Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km~Coastline~: 536 km~Maritime claims~:  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: international boundary and Administrative Boundary withSudan; possible claim by Somalia based on unification of ethnicSomalis~Climate~: varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior~Terrain~: low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great RiftValley; fertile plateau in west~Natural resources~: gold, limestone, diotomite, salt barytes,magnesite, feldspar, sapphires, fluorspar, garnets, wildlife~Land use~: 3% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 7% meadows andpastures; 4% forest and woodland; 85% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: unique physiography supports abundant and variedwildlife of scientific and economic value; deforestation; soilerosion; desertification; glaciers on Mt. Kenya~Note~: Kenyan Highlands one of the most successful agriculturalproduction regions in Africa~
People~Population~: 24,639,261 (July 1990), growth rate 3.8% (1990)~Birth rate~: 45 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 60 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 62 years male, 67 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 6.5 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Kenyan(s); adjective--Kenyan~Ethnic divisions~: 21% Kikuyu, 14% Luhya, 13% Luo, 11% Kalenjin, 11%Kamba, 6% Kisii, 6% Meru, 1% Asian, European, and Arab~Religion~: 38% Protestant, 28% Roman Catholic, 26% indigenous beliefs,6% Muslim~Language~: English and Swahili (official); numerous indigenouslanguages~Literacy~: 59.2%~Labor force~: 9,003,000; 78% agriculture, 22% nonagriculture (1987est.)~Organized labor~: 390,000 (est.)~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Kenya~Type~: republic~Capital~: Nairobi~Administrative divisions~: 7 provinces and 1 area*; Central, Coast,Eastern, Nairobi Area*, North-Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Western~Independence~: 12 December 1963 (from UK; formerly British EastAfrica)~Constitution~: 12 December 1963, amended as a republic 1964; reissuedwith amendments 1979, 1983, 1986, and 1988~Legal system~: based on English common law, tribal law, and Islamiclaw; judicial review in High Court; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations; constitutional amendment in 1982made Kenya a de jure one-party state~National holiday~: Independence Day, 12 December (1963)~Executive branch~: president, vice president, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Assembly~Judicial branch~: Court of Appeal, High Court~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President DanielTeroitich arap MOI (since 14 October 1978); Vice President GeorgeSAITOTI (since 10 May 1989)~Political parties and leaders~: only party--Kenya African NationalUnion (KANU), Daniel T. arap Moi, president~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: President--last held on 21 March 1988 (next to be heldFebruary 1993); results--President Daniel T. arap Moi was reelected; National Assembly--last held on 21 March 1988 (next to be held March1993); results--KANU is the only party; seats--(202 total, 188elected) KANU 200~Communists~: may be a few Communists and sympathizers~Other political or pressure groups~: labor unions; exileopposition--Mwakenya and other groups~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, CCC, Commonwealth, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IRC,ISO, ITU, IWC--International Wheat Council, NAM, OAU, UN, UNDP,UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Denis Daudi AFANDE; Chancery at2249 R Street NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone];there are Kenyan Consulates General in Los Angeles and New York;US--Ambassador Smith HEMPSTONE; Embassy at the corner of Moi Avenueand Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobi (mailing address is P. O. Box30137, Nairobi or APO New York 09675); telephone ╒254σ (2) 334141;there is a US Consulate in Mombasa~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green;the red band is edged in white; a large warrior's shield coveringcrossed spears is superimposed at the center~
Economy~Overview~: A serious underlying economic problem is Kenya's 3.8%annual population growth rate--one of the highest in the world. Inthe meantime, GDP growth in the near term has kept slightly ahead ofpopulation--annually averaging 5.2% in the 1986-88 period.Undependable weather conditions and a shortage of arable land hamperlong-term growth in agriculture, the leading economic sector.~GDP~: $8.5 billion, per capita $360; real growth rate 4.9% (1989 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 8.3% (1988)~Unemployment rate~: NA%, but there is a high level of unemployment andunderemployment~Budget~: revenues $2.3 billion; expenditures $2.6 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $0.71 billion (FY87)~Exports~: $1.0 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--coffee 20%, tea18%, manufactures 15%, petroleum products 10% (1987);partners--Western Europe 45%, Africa 22%, Far East 10%, US 4%,Middle East 3% (1987)~Imports~: $1.8 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--machinery andtransportation equipment 36%, raw materials 33%, fuels andlubricants 20%, food and consumer goods 11% (1987);partners--Western Europe 49%, Far East 20%, Middle East 19%, US 7%(1987)~External debt~: $6.2 billion (December 1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate 4.8% (1987 est.)~Electricity~: 587,000 kW capacity; 2,250 million kWh produced, 90 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture,batteries, textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), agriculturalprocessing, oil refining, cement, tourism~Agriculture~: most important sector, accounting for 30% of GDP, about80% of the work force, and over 50% of exports; cash crops--coffee,tea, sisal, pineapple; food products--corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit,vegetables, dairy products; food output not keeping pace withpopulation growth~Illicit drugs~: illicit producer of cannabis used mostly for domesticconsumption; widespread cultivation of cannabis and qat on smallplots; transit country for heroin and methaqualone en route fromSouthwest Asia to West Africa, Western Europe, and the US~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $771 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$6.0 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $74 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $83 million~Currency~: Kenyan shilling (plural--shillings); 1 Kenyan shilling(KSh) = 100 cents~Exchange rates~: Kenyan shillings (KSh) per US$1--21.749 (December1989), 20.572 (1989), 17.747 (1988), 16.454 (1987), 16.226 (1986),16.432 (1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 July-30 June~
Communications~Railroads~: 2,040 km 1.000-meter gauge~Highways~: 64,590 km total; 7,000 km paved, 4,150 km gravel, remainderimproved earth~Inland waterways~: part of Lake Victoria system is within boundariesof Kenya; principal inland port is at Kisumu~Pipelines~: refined products, 483 km~Ports~: Mombasa, Lamu~Civil air~: 14 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 247 total, 211 usable; 18 with permanent-surface runways; 2with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 45 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: in top group of African systems; consists ofradio relay links, open-wire lines, and radiocommunication stations;260,000 telephones; stations--11 AM, 4 FM, 4 TV; satellite earthstations--1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean INTLESAT~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, Air Force; paramilitary GeneralService Unit~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 5,240,551; 3,235,557 fit for militaryservice; no conscription~Defense expenditures~: 1.0% of GDP, or $100 million (1989 est.) ~[000000122~000895182~000000000~000000000~000001535~000000019~000886821~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Kingman Reef(territory of the US)~
Geography~Total area~: 1 km2; land area: 1 km2~Comparative area~: about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington,DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 3 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 12 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 m;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: tropical, but moderated by prevailing winds~Terrain~: low and nearly level with a maximum elevation of about 1meter~Natural resources~: none~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other~Environment~: barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; wet orawash most of the time~Note~: located 1,600 km south-southwest of Honolulu in the NorthPacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa;maximum elevation of about 1 meter makes this a navigational hazard;closed to the public~
People~Population~: uninhabited~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Navy~
Economy~Overview~: no economic activity~
Communications~Airports~: lagoon was used as a halfway station between Hawaii andAmerican Samoa by Pan American Airways for flying boats in 1937 and1938~Ports~: none; offshore anchorage only~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is the responsibility of the US ~[000000123~000896720~000000000~000000000~000006435~000000062~000895182~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Kiribati~
Geography~Total area~: 717 km2; land area: 717 km2; includes three islandgroups--Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands~Comparative area~: slightly more than four times the size ofWashington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 1,143 km~Maritime claims~:  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds~Terrain~: mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs~Natural resources~: phosphate (production discontinued in 1979)~Land use~: NEGL% arable land; 51% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 3% forest and woodland; 46% other~Environment~: typhoons can occur any time, but usually November toMarch; 20 of the 33 islands are inhabited~Note~: Banaba or Ocean Island is one of the three great phosphate rockislands in the Pacific (the others are Makatea in French Polynesiaand Nauru)~
People~Population~: 70,012 (July 1990), growth rate 1.7% (1990)~Birth rate~: 34 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 5 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 65 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 52 years male, 57 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 4.3 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Kiribatian(s); adjective--Kiribati~Ethnic divisions~: Micronesian~Religion~: 48% Roman Catholic, 45% Protestant (Congregational), someSeventh-Day Adventist and Baha'i~Language~: English (official), Gilbertese~Literacy~: 90%~Labor force~: 7,870 economically active (1985 est.)~Organized labor~: Kiribati Trades Union Congress--2,500 members~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Kiribati~Type~: republic~Capital~: Tarawa~Administrative divisions~: 3 units; Gilbert Islands, Line Islands,Phoenix Islands; note--a new administrative structure of 6 districts(Banaba, Central Gilberts, Line Islands, Northern  Gilberts,Southern  Gilberts, Tarawa) may have been changed to 20 islandcouncils (one for each of the inhabited islands) named Abaiang,Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Kiritimati,Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea,Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa, Teraina~Independence~: 12 July 1979 (from UK; formerly Gilbert Islands)~Constitution~: 12 July 1979~National holiday~: Independence Day, 12 July (1979)~Executive branch~: president, vice president, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral House of Assembly (Maneaba NiMaungatabu)~Judicial branch~: Court of Appeal, High Court~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Ieremia T.TABAI (since 12 July 1979); Vice President Teatao TEANNAKI (since 20July 1979)~Political parties and leaders~: Gilbertese National Party; ChristianDemocratic Party, Teburoro Tito, secretary; essentially notorganized on basis of political parties~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: President--last held on 12 May 1987 (next to be held May1991); results--Ieremia T. Tabai 50.1%, Tebruroro Tito 42.7%, TetaoTannaki 7.2%;  National Assembly--last held on 19 March l987 (next to be held March1991); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(40 total; 39elected) percent of seats by party NA~Member of~: ACP, ADB, Commonwealth, ESCAP (associate member), GATT (defacto), ICAO, IMF, SPF, WHO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador (vacant) lives in Tarawa(Kiribati); US--none~Flag~: the upper half is red with a yellow frigate bird flying over ayellow rising sun and the lower half is blue with three horizontalwavy white stripes to represent the ocean~
Economy~Overview~: The country has few national resources. Phosphate depositswere exhausted at the time of independence in 1979. Copra and fishnow represent the bulk of production and exports. The economy hasfluctuated widely in recent years. Real GDP declined about 8% in1987, as the fish catch fell sharply to only one-fourth the level of1986 and copra production was hampered by repeated rains. Outputrebounded strongly in 1988, with real GDP growing by 17%. The upturnin economic growth came from an increase in copra production and agood fish catch. Following the strong surge in output in 1988, GDPremained about the same in 1989.~GDP~: $34 million, per capita $500; real growth rate 0% (1989)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 3.1% (1988)~Unemployment rate~: 2% (1985); considerable underemployment~Budget~: revenues $22.0 million; expenditures $12.7 million, includingcapital expenditures of $9.7 million (1988)~Exports~: $5.1 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--fish 55%, copra42%; partners--EC 20%, Marshall Islands 12%, US 8%, American Samoa4% (1985)~Imports~: $21.5 million (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--foodstuffs, fuel,transportation equipment; partners--Australia 39%, Japan 21%, NZ 6%,UK 6%, US 3% (1985)~External debt~: $2.0 million (December 1987 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 5,000 kW capacity; 13 million kWh produced, 190 kWh percapita (1989)~Industries~: fishing, handicrafts~Agriculture~: accounts for 30% of GDP (including fishing); copra andfish contribute 95% to exports; subsistence farming predominates;food crops--taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables; notself-sufficient in food~Aid~: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-87), $245 million~Currency~: Australian dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Australian dollar($A) = 100 cents~Exchange rates~: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1--1.2784 (January1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987), 1.4905 (1986),1.4269 (1985)~Fiscal year~: NA~
Communications~Highways~: 640 km of motorable roads~Inland waterways~: small network of canals, totaling 5 km, in LineIslands~Ports~: Banaba and Betio (Tarawa)~Civil air~: 2 Trislanders; no major transport aircraft~Airports~: 22 total; 21 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 2,439 m; 5 with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: 1,400 telephones; stations--1 AM, no FM, no TV; 1Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: NA~Military manpower~: NA~Defense expenditures~: NA ~[000000124~000903158~000000000~000000000~000008395~000000083~000896720~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Korea, North~
Geography~Total area~: 120,540 km2; land area: 120,410 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Mississippi~Land boundaries~: 1,671 km total; China 1,416 km, South Korea 238 km,USSR 17 km~Coastline~: 2,495 km~Maritime claims~:  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm;  Military boundary line: 50 nm (all foreign vessels and aircraftwithout permission are banned)~Disputes~: short section of boundary with China is indefinite;Demarcation Line with South Korea~Climate~: temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer~Terrain~: mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrowvalleys; coastal plains wide in west, discontinuous in east~Natural resources~: coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite,iron ore, copper, gold, pyrites, salt, fluorspar, hydropower~Land use~: 18% arable land; 1% permanent crops; NEGL% meadows andpastures; 74% forest and woodland; 7% other; includes 9% irrigated~Environment~: mountainous interior is isolated, nearly inaccessible,and sparsely populated; late spring droughts often followed bysevere flooding~Note~: strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and USSR~
People~Population~: 21,292,649 (July 1990), growth rate 1.7% (1990)~Birth rate~: 22 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 27 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 69 years male, 75 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.1 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Korean(s); adjective--Korean~Ethnic divisions~: racially homogeneous~Religion~: Buddhism and Confucianism; religious activities now almostnonexistent~Language~: Korean~Literacy~: 95% (est.)~Labor force~: 9,615,000; 36% agricultural, 64% nonagricultural;shortage of skilled and unskilled labor (mid-1987 est.)~Organized labor~: 1,600,000 members; single-trade union systemcoordinated by the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea underthe Central Committee~
Government~Long-form name~: Democratic People's Republic of Korea; abbreviatedDPRK~Type~: Communist state; one-man rule~Capital~: P'yongyang~Administrative divisions~: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 3special cities* (jikhalsi, singular and plural); Chagang-do,Hamgyong-namdo, Hamgyong-bukto, Hwanghae-namdo, Hwanghae-bukto,Kaesong-si*, Kangwon-do, Namp'o-si*, P'yongan-bukto, P'yongan-namdo,P'yongyang-si*, Yanggang-do~Independence~: 9 September 1948~Constitution~: adopted 1948, revised 27 December 1972~Legal system~: based on German civil law system with Japaneseinfluences and Communist legal theory; no judicial review oflegislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Independence Day, 9 September (1948)~Executive branch~: president, two vice presidents, premier, nine vicepremiers, State Administration Council (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral Supreme People's Assembly (Choe Ko InMin Hoe Ui)~Judicial branch~: Central Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--President KIM Il-song (since 28 December1972); Designated Successor KIM Chong-Il (son of President, born 16February 1942);  Head of Government--Premier YON Hyong-muk (since NA December 1988)~Political parties and leaders~: only party--Korean Workers' Party(KWP); Kim Il-song, General Secretary, and his son, Kim Chong-Il,Secretary, Central Committee~Suffrage~: universal at age 17~Elections~: President--last held 29 December 1986 (next to be heldDecember 1990); results--President Kim Il Song was reelected withoutopposition;  Supreme People's Assembly--last held on 2 November 1986 (next to beheld November 1990, but the constitutional provision for electionsevery four years is not always followed); results--KWP is the onlyparty; seats--(655 total) KWP 655; the KWP approves a single list ofcandidates who are elected without opposition~Communists~: KWP claims membership of about 2 million, or aboutone-tenth of population~Member of~: ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, IMO, IPU, ITU, NAM, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTO, UNIDO, WMO; official observerstatus at UN~Diplomatic representation~: none~Flag~: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), andblue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the redband is a white disk with a red five-pointed star~
Economy~Overview~: More than 90% of this command economy is socialized;agricultural land is collectivized; and state-owned industryproduces 95% of manufactured goods. State control of economicaffairs is unusually tight even for a Communist country because ofthe small size and homogeneity of the society and the strict one-manrule of Kim. Economic growth during the period 1984-89 has averagedapproximately 3%. Abundant natural resources and hydropower form thebasis of industrial development. Output of the extractive industriesincludes coal, iron ore, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead,and precious metals. Manufacturing emphasis is centered on heavyindustry, with light industry lagging far behind. The use ofhigh-yielding seed varieties, expansion of irrigation, and the heavyuse of fertilizers have enabled North Korea to become largelyself-sufficient in food production. North Korea, however, is farbehind South Korea in economic development and living standards.~GNP~: $28 billion, per capita $1,240; real growth rate 3% (1989)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: NA%~Unemployment rate~: officially none~Budget~: revenues $15.6 billion; expenditures $15.6 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $NA (1989)~Exports~: $2.4 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--minerals,metallurgical products, agricultural products, manufactures;partners--USSR, China, Japan, FRG, Hong Kong, Singapore~Imports~: $3.1 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--petroleum,machinery and equipment, coking coal, grain; partners--USSR, Japan,China, FRG, Hong Kong, Singapore~External debt~: $2.5 billion hard currency (1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 6,440,000 kW capacity; 40,250 million kWh produced,1,740 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: machine building, military products, electric power,chemicals, mining, metallurgy, textiles, food processing~Agriculture~: accounts for about 25% of GNP and 36% of work force;principal crops--rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; livestockand livestock products--cattle, hogs, pork, eggs; notself-sufficient in grain; fish catch estimated at 1.7 million metrictons in 1987~Aid~: Communist countries (1970-88), $1.3 billion~Currency~: North Korean won (plural--won); 1 North Korean won (Wn) =100 chon~Exchange rates~: North Korean won (Wn) per US$1--2.3 (December 1989),2.13 (December 1988), 0.94 (March 1987), NA (1986), NA (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 4,535 km total operating in 1980; 3,870 km 1.435-meterstandard gauge, 665 km 0.762-meter narrow gauge, 159 km doubletrack; 3,175 km electrified; government owned~Highways~: about 20,280 km (1980); 98.5% gravel, crushed stone, orearth surface; 1.5% concrete or bituminous~Inland waterways~: 2,253 km; mostly navigable by small craft only~Pipelines~: crude oil, 37 km~Ports~: Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam, Namp'o, Wonsan, Songnim, Najin~Merchant marine~: 65 ships (1,000 GRT and over) totaling 437,103GRT/663,835 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 1 short-sea passenger, 1passenger-cargo, 56 cargo, 2 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL)tanker, 3 bulk, 1 combination bulk~Airports~: 50 total, 50 usable; about 30 with permanent-surfacerunways; fewer than 5 with runways over 3,659 m; 20 with runways2,440-3,659 m; 30 with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: stations--18 AM, no FM, 11 TV; 200,000 TV sets;3,500,000 radio receivers; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Ministry of People's Armed Forces (consists of the army,navy, and air force)~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 6,054,774; 3,699,088 fit for militaryservice; 223,087 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 22% of GNP (1987) ~[000000125~000911556~000000000~000000000~000009333~000000100~000903158~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Korea, South~
Geography~Total area~: 98,480 km2; land area: 98,190 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Indiana~Land boundary~: 238 km with North Korea~Coastline~: 2,413 km~Maritime claims~:  Territorial sea: 12 nm (3 nm in the Korea Strait)~Disputes~: Demarcation Line with North Korea; Liancourt Rocks claimedby Japan~Climate~: temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter~Terrain~: mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west andsouth~Natural resources~: coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead,hydropower~Land use~: 21% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 1% meadows andpastures; 67% forest and woodland; 10% other; includes 12% irrigated~Environment~: occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods;earthquakes in southwest; air pollution in large cities~Notes~: strategic location along the Korea Strait, Sea of Japan, andYellow Sea~
People~Population~: 43,045,098 (July 1990), growth rate 0.8% (1990)~Birth rate~: 20 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 1 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 23 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 66 years male, 73 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.6 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Korean(s); adjective--Korean~Ethnic divisions~: homogeneous; small Chinese minority (about 20,000)~Religion~: strong Confucian tradition; vigorous Christian minority(28% of the total population); Buddhism; pervasive folk religion(Shamanism); Chondokyo (religion of the heavenly way), eclecticreligion with nationalist overtones founded in 19th century, claimsabout 1.5 million adherents~Language~: Korean; English widely taught in high school~Literacy~: over 90%~Labor force~: 16,900,000; 52% services and other; 27% mining andmanufacturing; 21% agriculture, fishing, forestry (1987)~Organized labor~: about 10% of nonagricultural labor force ingovernment-sanctioned unions~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Korea; abbreviated ROK~Type~: republic~Capital~: Seoul~Administrative divisions~: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 6special cities* (jikhalsi, singular and plural); Cheju-do,Cholla-bukto, Cholla-namdo, Ch'ungch'ong-bukto, Ch'ungch'ong-namdo,Inch'on-jikhalsi*, Kangwon-do, Kwangju-jikhalsi, Kyonggi-do,Kyongsang-bukto, Kyongsang-namdo, Pusan-jikhalsi*, Soul-t'ukpyolsi*,Taegu-jikhalsi*, Taejon-jikhalsi~Independence~: 15 August 1948~Constitution~: 25 February 1988~Legal system~: combines elements of continental European civil lawsystems, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Independence Day, 15 August (1948)~Executive branch~: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister,State Council (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Assembly~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--President ROH Tae Woo (since 25 February1988);  Head of Government--Prime Minister KANG Young Hoon (since 5 December1988); Deputy Prime Minister CHO Soon (since 5 December 1988)~Political parties and leaders~: major party is government's DemocraticJustice Party (DJP), Roh Tae Woo, president, and Park Tae Chun,chairman; opposition parties are Peace and Democracy Party (PPD),Kim Dae Jung; Korea Reunification Democratic Party (RPD), Kim YoungSam; New Democratic Republican Party (NDRP), Kim Jong Pil; severalsmaller parties~Suffrage~: universal at age 20~Elections~: President--last held on 16 December 1987 (next to be heldDecember 1992); results--Roh Tae Woo (DJP) 35.9%, Kim Young Sam(RDP) 27.5%, Kim Dae Jung (PPD) 26.5%, other 10.1%;  National Assembly--last held on 26 April 1988 (next to be held April1992); results--DJP 34%, RPD 24%, PPD 19%, NDRP 15%, others 8%;seats--(299 total) DJP 125, PPD 71, RPD 59, NDRP 35, others 9~Communists~: Communist party activity banned by government~Other political or pressure groups~: Korean National Council ofChurches; large, potentially volatile student populationconcentrated in Seoul; Federation of Korean Trade Unions; KoreanVeterans' Association; Federation of Korean Industries; KoreanTraders Association~Member of~: ADB, AfDB, ASPAC, CCC, Colombo Plan, ESCAP, FAO, G-77,GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IHO, IMF, IMO,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, IRC, ITU, IWC--International WhalingCommission, IWC--International Wheat Council, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNESCO,UNICEF, UNIDO, UN Special Fund, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO; officialobserver status at UN~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Tong-Jin PARK; Chancery at 2320Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone]; there are Korean Consulates General in Agana (Guam),Anchorage, Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, NewYork, San Francisco, and Seattle; US--Ambassador Donald GREGG;Embassy at 82 Sejong-Ro, Chongro-ku, Seoul (mailing address is APOSan Francisco 96301); telephone ╒82σ (2) 732-2601 through 2618;there is a US Consulate in Pusan~Flag~: white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center;there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book ofChanges) in each corner of the white field~
Economy~Overview~: The driving force behind the economy's dynamic growth hasbeen the planned development of an export-oriented economy in avigorously entrepreneurial society. GNP increased almost 13% in both1986 and 1987 and 12% in 1988 before slowing to 6.5% in 1989. Such arapid rate of growth was achieved with an inflation rate of only 3%in the period 1986-87, rising to 7% in 1988 and 5% in 1989.Unemployment is also low, and some labor bottlenecks have appearedin several processing industries. While the South Korean economy isexpected to grow at more than 5% annually during the 1990s, laborunrest--which led to substantial wage hikes in 1987-89--threatens toundermine noninflationary growth.~GNP~: $200 billion, per capita $4,600; real growth rate 6.5% (1989)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 5% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 3% (1989)~Budget~: revenues $33.6 billion; expenditures $33.6 billion, includingcapital expenditures of NA (1990)~Exports~: $62.3 billion (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--textiles,clothing, electronic and electrical equipment, footwear, machinery,steel, automobiles, ships, fish; partners--US 33%, Japan 21%~Imports~: $61.3 billion (c.i.f., 1989); commodities--machinery,electronics and electronic equipment, oil, steel, transportequipment, textiles, organic chemicals, grains; partners--Japan 28%,US 25% (1990)~External debt~: $30.5 billion (September 1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate 3.5% (1989)~Electricity~: 20,500,000 kW capacity; 80,000 million kWh produced,1,850 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: textiles, clothing, footwear, food processing, chemicals,steel, electronics, automobile production, ship building~Agriculture~: accounts for 11% of GNP and employs 21% of work force(including fishing and forestry); principal crops--rice, root crops,barley, vegetables, fruit; livestock and livestock products--cattle,hogs, chickens, milk, eggs; self-sufficient in food, except forwheat; fish catch of 2.9 million metric tons, seventh-largest inworld~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-85), $3.9 billion~Currency~: South Korean won (plural--won); 1 South Korean won (W) =100 chon (theoretical)~Exchange rates~: South Korean won (W) per US$1--683.43 (January 1990),671.46 (1989), 731.47 (1988), 822.57 (1987), 881.45 (1986), 870.02(1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 3,106 km operating in 1983; 3,059 km 1.435-meter standardgauge, 47 km 0.610-meter narrow gauge, 712 km double track, 418 kmelectrified; government owned~Highways~: 62,936 km total (1982); 13,476 km national highway, 49,460km provincial and local roads~Inland waterways~: 1,609 km; use restricted to small native craft~Pipelines~: 294 km refined products~Ports~: Pusan, Inchon, Kunsan, Mokpo, Ulsan~Merchant marine~: 423 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 7,006,481GRT/11,658,104 DWT; includes 2 short-sea passenger, 130 cargo, 41container, 11 refrigerated cargo, 11 vehicle carrier, 49 petroleum,oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 8 chemical tanker, 10 liquefiedgas, 10 combination ore/oil, 143 bulk, 7 combination bulk, 1multifunction large-load carrier~Civil air~: 93 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 112 total, 105 usable; 61 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 17 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: adequate domestic and international services;4,800,000 telephones; stations--79 AM, 46 FM, 256 TV (57 of 1 kW orgreater); satellite earth stations--2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT and 1Indian Ocean INTELSAT~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 12,792,426; 8,260,886 fit formilitary service; 445,320 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 5% of GNP, or $10 billion (1989 est.) ~[000000126~000920892~000000000~000000000~000007532~000000078~000911556~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Kuwait~
Geography~Total area~: 17,820 km2; land area: 17,820 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than New Jersey~Land boundaries~: 462 km total; Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km~Coastline~: 499 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: not specific;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: ownership of Warbah and Bubiyan islands disputed by Iraq;ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim Islands disputed by SaudiArabia~Climate~: dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters~Terrain~: flat to slightly undulating desert plain~Natural resources~: petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas~Land use~: NEGL% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 8% meadows andpastures; NEGL% forest and woodland; 92% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: some of world's largest and most sophisticateddesalination facilities provide most of water; air and waterpollution; desertification~Note~: strategic location at head of Persian Gulf~
People~Population~: 2,123,711 (July 1990), growth rate 3.8% (1990)~Birth rate~: 29 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 2 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 11 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 15 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 72 years male, 76 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 3.7 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Kuwaiti(s); adjective--Kuwaiti~Ethnic divisions~: 27.9% Kuwaiti, 39% other Arab, 9% South Asian, 4%Iranian, 20.1% other~Religion~: 85% Muslim (30% Shia, 45% Sunni, 10% other), 15% Christian,Hindu, Parsi, and other~Language~: Arabic (official); English widely spoken~Literacy~: 71% (est.)~Labor force~: 566,000 (1986); 45.0% services, 20.0% construction,12.0% trade, 8.6% manufacturing, 2.6% finance and real estate, 1.9%agriculture, 1.7% power and water, 1.4% mining and quarrying; 70% oflabor force is non-Kuwaiti~Organized labor~: labor unions exist in oil industry and amonggovernment personnel~
Government~Long-form name~: State of Kuwait~Type~: nominal constitutional monarchy~Capital~: Kuwait~Administrative divisions~: 4 governorates (muhafazat,singular--muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al Jahrah, Al Kuwayt, Hawalli;note--there may be a new governorate of Farwaniyyah~Independence~: 19 June 1961 (from UK)~Constitution~: 16 November 1962 (some provisions suspended since 29August 1962)~Legal system~: civil law system with Islamic law significant inpersonal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: National Day, 25 February~Executive branch~: amir, prime minister, deputy prime minister,Council of Ministers (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: National Assembly (Majlis al Umma) dissolved 3July 1986~Judicial branch~: High Court of Appeal~Leaders~: Chief of State--Amir Sheikh Jabir al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al SABAH(since 31 December 1977);  Head of Government--Prime Minister and Crown Prince Sad Abdallahal-Salim Al SABAH (since 8 February 1978)~Political parties and leaders~: none~Suffrage~: adult males who resided in Kuwait before 1920 and theirmale descendants at age 21; note--out of all citizens, only 8.3% areeligible to vote and only 3.5% actually vote~Elections~: National Assembly--dissolved 3 July 1986 and no electionsare planned~Communists~: insignificant~Other political or pressure groups~: large (350,000) Palestiniancommunity; several small, clandestine leftist and Shiafundamentalist groups are active~Member of~: Arab League, FAO, G-77, GATT, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA,IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IPU, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU,WHO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Shaikh Saud Nasir AL-SABAH;Chancery at 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone[phone]; US--Ambassador W. Nathaniel HOWELL; Embassy at Bneidal-Gar (opposite the Hilton Hotel), Kuwait City (mailing address isP. O. Box 77 Safat, 13001 Safat, Kuwait City); telephone ╒965σ242-4151 through 4159~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and redwith a black trapezoid based on the hoist side~
Economy~Overview~: The oil sector dominates the economy. Of the countries inthe Middle East, Kuwait has oil reserves second only to those ofSaudi Arabia. Earnings from hydrocarbons generate over 90% of bothexport and government revenues and contribute about 40% to GDP. Mostof the nonoil sector is dependent upon oil-derived governmentrevenues to provide infrastructure development and to promotelimited industrial diversification. The economy is heavily dependentupon foreign labor--Kuwaitis account for less than 20% of the laborforce. The early years of the Iran-Iraq war pushed Kuwait's GDP wellbelow its 1980 peak; however, during the period 1986-88, GDPincreased each year, rising to 5% in 1988.~GDP~: $20.5 billion, per capita $10,500; real growth rate 5.0% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 1.5% (1988)~Unemployment rate~: 0%~Budget~: revenues $7.1 billion; expenditures $10.5 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $3.1 billion (FY88)~Exports~: $7.1 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--oil 90%;partners--Japan, Italy, FRG, US~Imports~: $5.2 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--food, constructionmaterial, vehicles and parts, clothing; partners--Japan, US, FRG, UK~External debt~: $7.2 billion (December 1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate 3% (1988)~Electricity~: 8,287,000 kW capacity; 21,500 million kWh produced,10,710 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing,salt, construction~Agriculture~: virtually none; dependent on imports for food; about 75%of potable water must be distilled or imported~Aid~: donor--pledged $18.3 billion in bilateral aid to less developedcountries (1979-89)~Currency~: Kuwaiti dinar (plural--dinars); 1 Kuwaiti dinar (KD) =1,000 fils~Exchange rates~: Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US$1--0.2915 (January 1990),0.2937 (1989), 0.2790 (1988), 0.2786 (1987), 0.2919 (1986), 0.3007(1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 July-30 June~
Communications~Highways~: 3,000 km total; 2,500 km bituminous; 500 km earth, sand,light gravel~Pipelines~: crude oil, 877 km; refined products, 40 km; natural gas,165 km~Ports~: Ash Shuwaykh, Ash Shuaybah, Mina al Ahmadi~Merchant marine~: 51 ships (1,000 GRT or over), totaling 1,862,010GRT/2,935,007 DWT; includes 18 cargo, 5 container, 5 livestockcarrier, 18 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 5liquefied gas~Civil air~: 19 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 8 total, 4 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: excellent international, adequate domesticfacilities; 258,000 telephones; stations--3 AM, 2 FM, 3 TV;satellite earth stations--1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, and 2 AtlanticOcean INTELSAT; 1 INMARSAT, 1 ARABSAT; coaxial cable and radio relayto Iraq and Saudi Arabia~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Force, NationalGuard~Military manpower~: males 15-49, about 688,516; about 411,742 fit formilitary service; 18,836 reach military age (18) annually~Defense expenditures~: 5.8% of GDP, or $1.2 billion (FY89) ~[000000127~000928427~000000000~000000000~000007844~000000081~000920892~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Laos~
Geography~Total area~:  236,800 km2; land area: 230,800 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Utah~Land boundaries~: 5,083 km total; Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km~Coastline~: none--landlocked~Maritime claims~: none--landlocked~Disputes~: boundary dispute with Thailand~Climate~: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season(December to April)~Terrain~: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus~Natural resources~: timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones~Land use~: 4% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 3% meadows andpastures; 58% forest and woodland; 35% other; includes 1% irrigated~Environment~: deforestation; soil erosion; subject to floods~Note~: landlocked~
People~Population~: 4,023,726 (July 1990), growth rate 2.2% (1990)~Birth rate~: 37 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 15 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 126 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 48 years male, 51 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 5.1 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Lao (sing., Lao or Laotian); adjective--Lao orLaotian~Ethnic divisions~: 50% Lao, 15% Phoutheung (Kha), 20% tribal Thai, 15%Meo, Hmong, Yao, and other~Religion~: 85% Buddhist, 15% animist and other~Language~: Lao (official), French, and English~Literacy~: 85%~Labor force~: 1-1.5 million; 85-90% in agriculture (est.)~Organized labor~: Lao Federation of Trade Unions is subordinate to theCommunist party~
Government~Long-form name~: Lao People's Democratic Republic~Type~: Communist state~Capital~: Vientiane~Administrative divisions~: 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural)and 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural); Attapu,Bokeo, Bolikhamsai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louang Namtha,Louangphrabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Saravan, Savannakhet, Sekong,Vientiane, Vientiane*, Xaignabouri, Xiangkhoang~Independence~: 19 July 1949 (from France)~Constitution~: draft constitution under discussion since 1976~Legal system~: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: National Day (proclamation of the Lao People'sDemocratic Republic), 2 December (1975)~Executive branch~: president, chairman and five vice chairmen of theCouncil of Ministers, Council of Ministers (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: Supreme People's Assembly~Judicial branch~: Central Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Acting President PHOUMI VONGVICHIT (since 29October 1986);  Head of Government--Chairman of the Council of Ministers GeneralKAYSONE PHOMVIHAN (since 2 December 1975)~Political parties and leaders~: Lao People's Revolutionary Party(LPRP), Kaysone Phomvihan, party chairman; includes Lao PatrioticFront and Alliance Committee of Patriotic Neutralist Forces; otherparties moribund~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: Supreme People's Assembly--last held on 26 March 1989(next to be held NA); results--percent of vote by party NA;seats--(79 total) number of seats by party NA~Other political or pressure groups~: non-Communist political groupsmoribund; most leaders have fled the country~Member of~: ADB, Colombo Plan, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA,IFAD, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, IPU, IRC, ITU, Mekong Committee, NAM, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: First Secretary, Charge d'Affaires adinterim DONE SOMVORACHIT; Chancery at 2222 S Street NW, WashingtonDC 20008; telephone [phone] or 6417; US--Charge d'AffairesCharles B. SALMON; Embassy at Rue Bartholonie, Vientiane (mailingaddress is B. P. 114, Vientiane, or Box V, APO San Francisco 96346);telephone 2220, 2357, 2384~Flag~: three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), andred with a large white disk centered in the blue band~
Economy~Overview~: One of the world's poorest nations, Laos has had aCommunist centrally planned economy with government ownership andcontrol of productive enterprises of any size. Recently, however,the government has been decentralizing control and encouragingprivate enterprise. Laos is a landlocked country with a primitiveinfrastructure, that is, it has no railroads, a rudimentary roadsystem, limited external and internal telecommunications, andelectricity available in only a limited area. Subsistenceagriculture is the main occupation, accounting for over 60% of GDPand providing about 85-90% of total employment. The predominant cropis rice. For the foreseeable future the economy will continue todepend for its survival on foreign aid--from CEMA, IMF, and otherinternational sources.~GDP~: $585 million, per capita $150; real growth rate 3% (1989 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 35% (1989 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 15% (1989 est.)~Budget~: revenues $71 million; expenditures $198 million, includingcapital expenditures of $132 million (1988 est.)~Exports~: $57.5 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--electricity, wood products, coffee, tin; partners--Thailand,Malaysia, Vietnam, USSR, US~Imports~: $219 million (c.i.f., 1989 est.); commodities--food, fueloil, consumer goods, manufactures; partners--Thailand, USSR, Japan,France, Vietnam~External debt~: $964 million (1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate 8% (1989 est.)~Electricity~: 176,000 kW capacity; 900 million kWh produced, 225 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: tin mining, timber, electric power, agriculturalprocessing~Agriculture~: accounts for 60% of GDP and employs most of the workforce; subsistence farming predominates; normally self-sufficient;principal crops--rice (80% of cultivated land), potatoes,vegetables, coffee, sugarcane, cotton~Illicit drugs~: illicit producer of cannabis and opium poppy for theinternational drug trade; production of cannabis increased in 1989;marijuana and heroin are shipped to Western countries, including theUS~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-79), $276 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$468 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $895 million~Currency~: new kip (plural--kips); 1 new kip (NK) = 100 at~Exchange rates~: new kips (NK) per US$1--700 (December 1989), 725(1989), 350 (1988), 200 (1987), 108 (1986), 95 (1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 July-30 June~
Communications~Highways~: about 27,527 km total; 1,856 km bituminous or bituminoustreated; 7,451 km gravel, crushed stone, or improved earth; 18,220km unimproved earth and often impassable during rainy season mid-Mayto mid-September~Inland waterways~: about 4,587 km, primarily Mekong and tributaries;2,897 additional kilometers are sectionally navigable by craftdrawing less than 0.5 m~Pipelines~: 136 km, refined products~Ports~: none~Airports~: 64 total, 50 usable; 9 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 12 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: service to general public considered poor; radionetwork provides generally erratic service to government users;7,390 telephones (1986); stations--10 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 satelliteearth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Lao People's Army (LPA, which consists of an army withnaval, aviation, and militia elements), Air Force, National PoliceDepartment~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 967,047; 517,666 fit for militaryservice; 44,176 reach military age (18) annually; conscription ageNA~Defense expenditures~: 3.8% of GDP (1987) ~[000000128~000936274~000000000~000000000~000012989~000000153~000928427~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Lebanon~
Geography~Total area~: 10,400 km2; land area: 10,230 km2~Comparative area~: about 0.8 times the size of Connecticut~Land boundaries~: 454 km total; Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km~Coastline~: 225 km~Maritime claims~:  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: separated from Israel by the 1949 Armistice Line; Israelitroops in southern Lebanon since June 1982; Syrian troops innorthern Lebanon since October 1976~Climate~: Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, drysummers~Terrain~: narrow coastal plain; Al Biqa (Bekaa Valley) separatesLebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains~Natural resources~: limestone, iron ore, salt; water-surplus state ina water-deficit region~Land use~: 21% arable land; 9% permanent crops; 1% meadows andpastures; 8% forest and woodland; 61% other; includes 7% irrigated~Environment~: rugged terrain historically helped isolate, protect, anddevelop numerous factional groups based on religion, clan,ethnicity; deforestation; soil erosion; air and water pollution;desertification~Note~: Nahr al Litani only major river in Near East not crossing aninternational boundary~
People~Population~: 3,339,331 (July 1990), growth rate 1.3% (1990)~Birth rate~: 28 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 8 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 49 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 66 years male, 70 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 3.7 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Lebanese (sing., pl.); adjective--Lebanese~Ethnic divisions~: 93% Arab, 6% Armenian, 1% other~Religion~: 75% Islam, 25% Christian, NEGL% Judaism; 17 legallyrecognized sects--4 Orthodox Christian (Armenian Orthodox, GreekOrthodox, Nestorean, Syriac Orthodox), 7 Uniate Christian (ArmenianCatholic, Caldean, Greek Catholic, Maronite, Protestant, RomanCatholic, Syrian Catholic), 5 Islam (Alawite or Nusayri, Druze,Ismailite, Shia, Sunni), and 1 Jewish~Language~: Arabic and French (both official); Armenian, English~Literacy~: 75%~Labor force~: 650,000; 79% industry, commerce, and services, 11%agriculture, 10% goverment (1985)~Organized labor~: 250,000 members (est.)~
Government~Note~: Between early 1975 and late 1976 Lebanon was torn by civil warbetween its Christians--then aided by Syrian troops--and its Muslimsand their Palestinian allies. The cease-fire established in October1976 between the domestic political groups generally held for aboutsix years, despite occasional fighting. Syrian troops constituted asthe Arab Deterrent Force by the Arab League have remained inLebanon. Syria's move toward supporting the Lebanese Muslims and thePalestinians and Israel's growing support for Lebanese Christiansbrought the two sides into rough equilibrium, but no progress wasmade toward national reconciliation or political reforms--theoriginal cause of the war.     Continuing Israeli concern about the Palestinian presence inLebanon led to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in June 1982. Israeliforces occupied all of the southern portion of the country andmounted a summer-long siege of Beirut, which resulted in theevacuation of the PLO from Beirut in September under the supervisionof a multinational force (MNF) made up of US, French, and Italiantroops.     Within days of the departure of the MNF, Lebanon's newly electedpresident, Bashir Gemayel, was assassinated. In the wake of hisdeath, Christian militiamen massacred hundreds of Palestinianrefugees in two Beirut camps. This prompted the return of the MNF toease the security burden on Lebanon's weak Army and security forces.In late March 1984 the last MNF units withdrew.     Lebanese Parliamentarians met in Taif, Saudi Arabia in late 1989and concluded a national reconciliation pact that codified a newpower-sharing formula, specifiying a Christian president but givingMuslims more authority. Rene Muawad was subsequently electedpresident on 4 November 1989, ending a 13-month period during whichLebanon had no president and rival Muslim and Christian governments.Muawad was assassinated 17 days later, on 22 November; on 24November Elias Harawi was elected to succeed Muawad.     Progress toward lasting political compromise in Lebanon has beenstalled by opposition from Christian strongman Gen. Michel Awn.Awn--appointed acting Prime Minister by outgoing president AminGemayel in September 1988--called the national reconciliation accordillegitimate and has refused to recognize the new LebaneseGovernment.     Lebanon continues to be partially occupied by Syrian troops. Syriaaugmented its troop presence during the weeks following Muawad'sassassination. Troops are deployed in West Beirut and its southernsuburbs, in Al Biqa, and in northern Lebanon. Iran also maintains asmall contingent of revolutionary guards in Al Biqa, from which itsupports Lebanese Islamic fundamentalist groups.     Israel withdrew the bulk of its forces from the south in 1985,although it still retains troops in a 10-km-deep security zone northof its border with Lebanon. Israel arms and trains the Army of SouthLebanon (ASL), which also occupies the security zone and is Israel'sfirst line of defense against attacks on its northern border.     The following description is based on the present constitutionaland customary practices of the Lebanese system.~Long-form name~: Republic of Lebanon; note--may be changed to LebaneseRepublic~Type~: republic~Capital~: Beirut~Administrative divisions~: 5 governorates (muhafazat,singular--muhafazah); Al Biqa, Al Janub, Ash Shamal, Bayrut, JabalLubnan~Independence~: 22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate underFrench administration)~Constitution~: 26 May 1926 (amended)~Legal system~: mixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code, andcivil law; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Independence Day, 22 November (1943)~Executive branch~: president, prime minister, Cabinet; note--bycustom, the president is a Maronite Christian, the prime minister isa Sunni Muslim, and the president of the legislature is a ShiaMuslim~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Assembly (Arabic--MajlisAlnuwab, French--Assemblee Nationale)~Judicial branch~: four Courts of Cassation (three courts for civil andcommercial cases and one court for criminal cases)~Leaders~: Chief of State--Elias HARAWI (since 24 November 1989);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Salim AL-HUSS (since 24 November1989)~Political parties and leaders~: political party activity is organizedalong largely sectarian lines; numerous political groupings exist,consisting of individual political figures and followers motivatedby religious, clan, and economic considerations; most parties havewell-armed militias, which are still involved in occasional clashes~Suffrage~: compulsory for all males at age 21; authorized for women atage 21 with elementary education~Elections~: National Assembly--elections should be held every fouryears but security conditions have prevented elections since May1972~Communists~: the Lebanese Communist Party was legalized in 1970;members and sympathizers estimated at 2,000-3,000~Member of~: Arab League, CCC, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA,IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IPU, ITU, IWC--International Wheat Council, NAM, OIC, UN,UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WSG, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'AffairesSuleiman RASSI; note--the former Lebanese Ambassador, Dr. AbdallahBouhabib, is loyal to Gen. Awn and has refused to abandon hisresidence or relinquish his post; Chancery at 2560 28th Street NW,Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone]; there are LebaneseConsulates General in Detroit, New York, and Los Angeles;US--Ambassador John T. MCCARTHY; Embassy at Avenue de Paris, Beirut(mailing address is P. O. Box 70-840, Beirut); telephone ╒961σ417774 or 415802, 415803, 402200, 403300~Flag~: three horizontal bands of red (top), white (double width), andred with a green and brown cedar tree centered in the white band~
Economy~Overview~: Severe factional infighting in 1989 has been destroyingphysical property, interrupting the established pattern of economicaffairs, and practically ending chances of restoring Lebanon'sposition as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. The ordinaryLebanese citizen struggles to keep afloat in an environment ofphysical danger, high unemployment, and growing shortages. Thecentral government's ability to collect taxes has suffered greatlyfrom militia control and taxation of local areas. As the civilstrife persists, the US dollar has become more and more the mediumof exchange. Transportation, communications, and other parts of theinfrastructure continue to deteriorate. Family remittances, foreignpolitical money going to the factions, international emergency aid,and a small volume of manufactured exports help prop up the batteredeconomy. Prospects for 1990 are grim, with expected further declinesin economic activity and living standards.~GDP~: $2.3 billion, per capita $700; real growth rate NA% (1989 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 60% (1989 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 33% (1987 est.)~Budget~: revenues $50 million; expenditures $650 million, includingcapital expenditures of $NA (1988 est.)~Exports~: $1.0 billion (f.o.b., 1987); commodities--agriculturalproducts, chemicals, textiles, precious and semiprecious metals andjewelry, metals and metal products; partners--Saudi Arabia 16%,Switzerland 8%, Jordan 6%, Kuwait 6%, US 5%~Imports~: $1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1987); commodities--NA;partners--Italy 14%, France 12%, US 6%, Turkey 5%, Saudi Arabia 3%~External debt~: $935 million (December 1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 1,381,000 kW capacity; 3,870 million kWh produced, 1,170kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: banking, food processing, textiles, cement, oil refining,chemicals, jewelry, some metal fabricating~Agriculture~: accounts for about one-third of GDP; principalproducts--citrus fruits, vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco, hemp(hashish), sheep, and goats; not self-sufficient in grain~Illicit drugs~: illicit producer of opium poppy and cannabis for theinternational drug trade; opium poppy production in Al Biqa isincreasing; most hashish production is shipped to Western Europe~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $356 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$509 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $962 million; Communistcountries (1970-86), $9 million~Currency~: Lebanese pound (plural--pounds); 1 Lebanese pound (LL) =100 piasters~Exchange rates~: Lebanese pounds (LL) per US$1--474.21 (December1989), 496.69 (1989), 409.23 (1988), 224.60 (1987), 38.37 (1986),16.42 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 378 km total; 296 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 82 km1.050-meter gauge; all single track; system almost entirelyinoperable~Highways~: 7,370 km total; 6,270 km paved, 450 km gravel and crushedstone, 650 km improved earth~Pipelines~: crude oil, 72 km (none in operation)~Ports~: Beirut, Tripoli, Ras Silata, Juniyah, Sidon, Az Zahrani, Tyre,Shikka (none are under the direct control of the LebaneseGovernment); northern ports are occupied by Syrian forces andsouthern ports are occupied or partially quarantined by Israeliforces; illegal ports scattered along the central coast are ownedand operated by various Christian, Druze, and Shia militias~Merchant marine~: 67 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 325,361GRT/494,319 DWT; includes 43 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 2 vehiclecarrier, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 2 container, 7 livestock carrier,1 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1specialized tanker, 6 bulk, 1 combination bulk~Civil air~: 15 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 9 total, 8 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m; none under the direct control of the LebaneseGovernment~Telecommunications~: rebuilding program disrupted; had fair system ofradio relay, cable; 325,000 telephones; stations--5 AM, 3 FM, 15 TV;1 inactive Indian Ocean INTELSAT satellite earth station; 3submarine coaxial cables; radio relay to Jordan and Syria,inoperable~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Navy, Air Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 702,961; 434,591 fit for militaryservice; about 44,625 reach military age (18) yearly~Defense expenditures~: NA ~[000000129~000949266~000000000~000000000~000007784~000000080~000936274~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Lesotho~
Geography~Total area~: 30,350 km2; land area: 30,350 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Maryland~Land boundary~: 909 km with South Africa~Coastline~: none--landlocked~Maritime claims~: none--landlocked~Climate~: temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers~Terrain~: mostly highland with some plateaus, hills, and mountains~Natural resources~: some diamonds and other minerals, water,agricultural and grazing land~Land use~: 10% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 66% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 24% other~Environment~: population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areasresults in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, soil exhaustion;desertification~Note~: surrounded by South Africa; Highlands Water Project willcontrol, store, and redirect water to South Africa~
People~Population~: 1,754,664 (July 1990), growth rate 2.6% (1990)~Birth rate~: 37 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 80 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 59 years male, 62 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 4.9 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Mosotho (sing.), Basotho (pl.); adjective--Basotho~Ethnic divisions~: 99.7% Sotho; 1,600 Europeans, 800 Asians~Religion~: 80% Christian, rest indigenous beliefs~Language~: Sesotho (southern Sotho) and English (official); also Zuluand Xhosa~Literacy~: 59% (1989)~Labor force~: 689,000 economically active; 86.2% of residentpopulation engaged in subsistence agriculture; roughly 60% of activemale labor force works in South Africa~Organized labor~: there are two trade union federations; thegovernment favors formation of a single, umbrella trade unionconfederation~
Government~Long-form name~: Kingdom of Lesotho~Type~: constitutional monarchy~Capital~: Maseru~Administrative divisions~: 10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe,Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohales Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qachas Nek, Quthing,Thaba-Tseka~Independence~: 4 October 1966 (from UK; formerly Basutoland)~Constitution~: 4 October 1966, suspended January 1970~Legal system~: based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law;judicial review of legislative acts in High Court and Court ofAppeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Independence Day, 4 October (1966)~Executive branch~: monarch, chairman of the Military Council, MilitaryCouncil, Council of Ministers (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: a bicameral Parliament consisting of an upperhouse or Senate and a lower house or National Assembly was dissolvedin January 1970; following the military coup of 20 January 1986,legislative powers were vested in the monarch~Judicial branch~: High Court, Court of Appeal~Leaders~: Chief of State--King MOSHOESHOE II (Paramount Chief from1960 until independence on 4 October 1966, when he became King);Heir Apparent Letsie David SEEISO (son of the King);  Head of Government--Chairman of the Military Council Maj. Gen. JustinMetsing LEKHANYA (since 24 January 1986)~Political parties and leaders~: Basotho National Party (BNP), positionvacant; Basutoland Congress Party (BCP), Ntsu Mokhehle; BasothoDemocratic Alliance (BDA), A. S. Nqojane; National Independent Party(NIP), A. C. Manyeli; Marematlou Freedom Party (MFP), S. H.Mapheleba; United Democratic Party, C. D. Mofeli~Suffrage~: universal at age 21~Elections~: National Assembly --dissolved following the military coupin January 1986; no date set for national elections~Communists~: small Lesotho Communist Party~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, CCC, Commonwealth, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto),IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, ITU, NAM, OAU,Southern African Customs Union, SADCC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador W. T. VAN TONDER; Chancery at2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone]; US--Ambassador (vacant): Deputy Chief of Mission HowardF. JETER; Embassy at address NA, Maseru (mailing address is P. O.Box 333, Maseru 100); telephone ╒266σ 312666~Flag~: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upperhalf is white bearing the brown silhouette of a large shield withcrossed spear and club; the lower half is a diagonal blue band witha green triangle in the corner~
Economy~Overview~: Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho has noimportant natural resources other than water. Its economy is basedon agriculture, light manufacturing, and remittances from laborersemployed in South Africa. Subsistence farming is the principaloccupation for about 86% of the domestic labor force and accountsfor about 20% of GDP. Manufacturing depends largely on farm productsto support the milling, canning, leather, and jute industries; otherindustries include textile, clothing, and light engineering.Industry's share of total GDP rose from 6% in 1982 to 10.5% in 1987.During the period 1985-87 real GDP growth averaged 2.9% per year,only slightly above the population growth rate. In FY89 per capitaGDP was only $245 and nearly 25% of the labor force was unemployed.~GDP~: $412 million, per capita $245; real growth rate 8.2% (FY89 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 15.0% (FY89 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 23% (1988)~Budget~: revenues $159 million; expenditures $224 million, includingcapital expenditures of $68 million (FY89 est.)~Exports~: $55 million (f.o.b., FY89 est.); commodities--wool, mohair,wheat, cattle, peas, beans, corn, hides, skins, baskets;partners--South Africa 87%, EC 10%, (1985)~Imports~: $526 million (f.o.b., FY89 est.); commodities--mainly corn,building materials, clothing, vehicles, machinery, medicines,petroleum, oil, and lubricants; partners--South Africa 95%, EC 2%(1985)~External debt~: $235 million (December 1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate 10.3% (1988 est.)~Electricity~: power supplied by South Africa~Industries~: tourism~Agriculture~: exceedingly primitive, mostly subsistence farming andlivestock; principal crops are corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $252 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$714 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $4 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $14 million~Currency~: loti (plural--maloti); 1 loti (L) = 100 lisente~Exchange rates~: maloti (M) per US$1--2.5555 (January 1990), 2.6166(1989), 2.2611 (1988), 2.0350 (1987), 2.2685 (1986), 2.1911 (1985);note--the Basotho loti is at par with the South African rand~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Railroads~: 1.6 km; owned, operated, and included in the statistics ofSouth Africa~Highways~: 5,167 km total; 508 km paved; 1,585 km crushed stone,gravel, or stabilized soil; 946 km improved earth, 2,128 kmunimproved earth~Civil air~: 2 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 28 total, 28 usable; 2 with permanent surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: modest system consisting of a few land lines, asmall radio relay system, and minor radiocommunication stations;5,920 telephones; stations--2 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic OceanINTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Air Wing, Police Department~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 381,015; 205,499 fit for militaryservice~Defense expenditures~: 8.6% of GDP, or $35 million (1989 est.) ~[000000130~000957053~000000000~000000000~000008864~000000094~000949266~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Liberia~
Geography~Total area~: 111,370 km2; land area: 96,320 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Tennessee~Land boundaries~: 1,585 km total; Guinea 563 km, Ivory Coast 716 km,Sierra Leone 306 km~Coastline~: 579 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Territorial sea: 200 nm~Climate~: tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool tocold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers~Terrain~: mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rollingplateau and low mountains in northeast~Natural resources~: iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold~Land use~: 1% arable land; 3% permanent crops; 2% meadows andpastures; 39% forest and woodland; 55% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: West Africa's largest tropical rain forest, subject todeforestation~
People~Population~: 2,639,809 (July 1990), growth rate 3.4% (1990)~Birth rate~: 45 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 14 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 2 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 126 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 54 years male, 58 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 6.6 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Liberian(s); adjective--Liberian~Ethnic divisions~: 95% indigenous African tribes, including Kpelle,Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai,and Bella; 5% descendants of repatriated slaves known asAmerico-Liberians~Religion~: 70% traditional, 20% Muslim, 10% Christian~Language~: English (official); more than 20 local languages of theNiger-Congo language group; English used by about 20%~Literacy~: 35%~Labor force~: 510,000, including 220,000 in the monetary economy;70.5% agriculture, 10.8% services, 4.5% industry and commerce, 14.2%other; non-African foreigners hold about 95% of the top-levelmanagement and engineering jobs; 52% of population of working age~Organized labor~: 2% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Liberia~Type~: republic~Capital~: Monrovia~Administrative divisions~: 13 counties; Bomi, Bong, Grand Bassa, GrandCape Mount, Grand Jide, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland,Montserrado, Nimba, Rivercess, Sino~Independence~: 26 July 1847~Constitution~: 6 January 1986~Legal system~: dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-Americancommon law for the modern sector and customary law based onunwritten tribal practices for indigenous sector~National holiday~: Independence Day, 26 July (1847)~Executive branch~: president, vice president, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral National Assembly consists of an upperhouse or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives~Judicial branch~: People's Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Gen. Dr.Samuel Kanyon DOE (since 12 April 1980); Vice President Harry F.MONIBA (since 6 January 1986)~Political parties and leaders~: National Democratic Party of Liberia(NDPL), Augustus Caine, chairman; Liberian Action Party (LAP),Emmanuel Koromah, chairman; Unity Party (UP), Carlos Smith,chairman; United People's Party (UPP), Gabriel Baccus Matthews,chairman~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: President--last held on 15 October 1985 (next to be heldOctober 1991); results--Samuel Kanyon Doe (NDPL) 50.9%, Jackson Doe(LAP) 26.4%, others 22.7%;  Senate--last held on 15 October 1985 (next to be held 15 October1991); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(26 total) NDPL21, LAP 3, UP 1, LUP 1;  House of Representatives--last held on 15 October 1985 (next to beheld October 1991); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(64total) NDPL 51, LAP 8, UP 3, LUP 2~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IPU, IRC, ITU, ManoRiver Union, NAM, OAU, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Eugenia A.WORDSWORTH-STEVENSON; Chancery at 5201 16th Street NW, Washington DC20011; telephone [phone] through 0440; there is a LiberianConsulate General in New York; US--Ambassador James K. BISHOP;Embassy at 111 United Nations Drive, Monrovia (mailing address is P.O. Box 98, Monrovia, or APO New York 09155); telephone ╒231σ 222991through 222994~Flag~: 11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternatingwith white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue square inthe upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the US flag~
Economy~Overview~: In 1988 and 1989 the Liberian economy posted its best twoyears in a decade, thanks to a resurgence of the rubber industry andrapid growth in exports of forest products. Richly endowed withwater, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable toagriculture, Liberia is a producer and exporter of basic products.Local manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, is small in scope.Liberia imports primarily machinery and parts, transportationequipment, petroleum products, and foodstuffs. Persistent budgetdeficits, the flight of capital, and deterioration of transport andother infrastructure continue to hold back economic progress.~GDP~: $988 million, per capita $395; real growth rate 1.5% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 12% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 43% urban (1988)~Budget~: revenues $242.1 million; expenditures $435.4 million,including capital expenditures of $29.5 million (1989)~Exports~: $550 million (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--iron ore 61%,rubber 20%, timber 11%, coffee; partners--US, EC, Netherlands~Imports~: $335 million (c.i.f., 1989); commodities--rice, mineralfuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, otherfoodstuffs; partners--US, EC, Japan, China, Netherlands, ECOWAS~External debt~: $1.7 billion (December 1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate 1.5% in manufacturing (1987)~Electricity~: 400,000 kW capacity; 730 million kWh produced, 290 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: rubber processing, food processing, constructionmaterials, furniture, palm oil processing, mining (iron ore,diamonds)~Agriculture~: accounts for about 40% of GDP (including fishing andforestry); principal products--rubber, timber, coffee, cocoa, rice,cassava, palm oil, sugarcane, bananas, sheep, and goats; notself-sufficient in food, imports 25% of rice consumption~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $634 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$793 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $25 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $77 million~Currency~: Liberian dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Liberian dollar (L$) =100 cents~Exchange rates~: Liberian dollars (L$) per US$1--1.00 (fixed ratesince 1940); unofficial parallel exchange rate of L$2.5 = US$1,January 1989~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 480 km total; 328 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 152 km1.067-meter narrow gauge; all lines single track; rail systems ownedand operated by foreign steel and financial interests in conjunctionwith Liberian Government~Highways~: 10,087 km total; 603 km bituminous treated, 2,848 km allweather, 4,313 km dry weather; there are also 2,323 km of private,laterite-surfaced roads open to public use, owned by rubber andtimber companies~Ports~: Monrovia, Buchanan, Greenville, Harper (or Cape Palmas)~Merchant marine~: 1,379 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 48,655,666DWT/ 90,005,898 DWT; includes 11 passenger, 148 cargo, 26refrigerated cargo, 18 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 42 vehicle carrier,42 container, 4 barge carrier, 436 petroleum, oils, and lubricants(POL) tanker, 100 chemical, 63 combination ore/oil, 41 liquefiedgas, 6 specialized tanker, 413 bulk, 2 multifunction large-loadcarrier, 26 combination bulk; note--a flag of convenience registry;all ships are foreign owned; the top four owning flags are US 17%,Hong Kong 13%, Japan 10%, and Greece 10%; China owns at least 20ships and Vietnam owns 1~Civil air~: 3 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 76 total, 60 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 4 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: telephone and telegraph service via radio relaynetwork; main center is Monrovia; 8,500 telephones; stations--3 AM,4 FM, 5 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Armed Forces of Liberia, Liberia National Coast Guard~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 627,519; 335,063 fit for militaryservice; no conscription~Defense expenditures~: 2.4% of GDP (1987) ~[000000131~000965920~000000000~000000000~000008624~000000094~000957053~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Libya~
Geography~Total area~: 1,759,540 km2; land area: 1,759,540 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Alaska~Land boundaries~: 4,383 km total; Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt1,150 km, Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km~Coastline~: 1,770 km~Maritime claims~:  Territorial sea: 12 nm;  Gulf of Sidra closing line: 32o 30' N~Disputes~: claims and occupies a small portion of the Aozou Strip innorthern Chad; maritime boundary dispute with Tunisia; Libya claimsabout 19,400 km2 in northern Niger; Libya claims about 19,400 km2 insoutheastern Algeria~Climate~: Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior~Terrain~: mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus,depressions~Natural resources~: crude oil, natural gas, gypsum~Land use~: 1% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 8% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 91% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lastingone to four days in spring and fall; desertification; sparse naturalsurface-water resources~Note~: the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water developmentscheme in the world, is being built to bring water from largeaquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities~
People~Population~: 4,221,141 (July 1990), growth rate 3.1% (1990)~Birth rate~: 37 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 64 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 65 years male, 70 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 5.2 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Libyan(s); adjective--Libyan~Ethnic divisions~: 97% Berber and Arab; some Greeks, Maltese,Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, and Tunisians~Religion~: 97% Sunni Muslim~Language~: Arabic; Italian and English widely understood in majorcities~Literacy~: 50-60%~Labor force~: 1,000,000, includes about 280,000 resident foreigners;31% industry, 27% services, 24% government, 18% agriculture~Organized labor~: National Trade Unions' Federation, 275,000 members;General Union for Oil and Petrochemicals; Pan-Africa Federation ofPetroleum Energy and Allied Workers~
Government~Long-form name~: Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya~Type~: Jamahiriya (a state of the masses); in theory, governed by thepopulace through local councils; in fact, a military dictatorship~Capital~: Tripoli~Administrative divisions~: 46 municipalities (baladiyat,singular--baladiyah); Ajdabiya, Al Abyar, Al Aziziyah, Al Bayda, AlJufrah, Al Jumayl, Al Khums, Al Kufrah, Al Marj, Al Qarabulli, AlQubbah, Al Ujaylat, Ash Shati, Awbari, Az Zahra, Az Zawiyah,Banghazi, Bani Walid, Bin Jawwad, Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Ghat,Jadu, Jalu, Janzur, Masallatah, Misratah, Mizdah, Murzuq, Nalut,Qaminis, Qasr Bin Ghashir, Sabha, Sabratah, Shahhat, Surman, Surt,Tajura, Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Tukrah, Yafran, Zlitan,Zuwarah; note--the number of municipalities may have been reduced to13 named Al Jabal al-Akhdar, Al Jabal al-Gharbi, Al Jabal al-Khums,Al Batnam, Al Kufrah, Al Marqab, Al Marzuq, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi,Khalij Surt, Sabha, Tripoli, Wadi al-Hayat~Independence~: 24 December 1951 (from Italy)~Constitution~: 11 December 1969, amended 2 March 1977~Legal system~: based on Italian civil law system and Islamic law;separate religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicialreview of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction~National holiday~: Revolution Day, 1 September (1969)~Executive branch~: revolutionary leader, chairman of the GeneralPeople's Committee, General People's Committee (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral General People's Congress~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Revolutionary Leader Col. Muammar Abu Minyaral-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969);  Head of Government--Chairman of the General People's Committee(Premier) Umar Mustafa al-MUNTASIR (since 1 March 1987)~Political parties and leaders~: none~Suffrage~: universal and compulsory at age 18~Elections~: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy ofrevolutionary committees~Flag~: plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the statereligion)~
Economy~Overview~: The socialist-oriented economy depends primarily uponrevenues from the oil sector, which contributes virtually all exportearnings and over 50% to GNP. Since 1980, however, the sharp drop inoil prices and resulting decline in export revenues has adverselyaffected economic development. In 1986 per capita GNP was thehighest in Africa at $5,410, but it had been $2,000 higher in 1982.Severe cutbacks in imports over the past five years have led toshortages of basic goods and foodstuffs, although the reopening ofthe Libyan-Tunisian border in April 1988 and the Libyan-Egyptianborder in December 1989 have somewhat eased shortages. Austeritybudgets and a lack of trained technicians have undermined thegovernment's ability to implement a number of planned infrastructuredevelopment projects. The nonoil industrial and constructionsectors, which account for about 15% of GNP, have expanded fromprocessing mostly agricultural products to include petrochemicals,iron, steel, and aluminum. Although agriculture accounts for lessthan 5% of GNP, it employs 20% of the labor force. Climaticconditions and poor soils severely limit farm output, requiringLibya to import about 75% of its food requirements.~GNP~: $20 billion, per capita $5,410; real growth rate 0% (1988 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 20% (1988 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 2% (1988 est.)~Budget~: revenues $6.4 billion; expenditures $11.3 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $3.6 billion (1986 est.)~Exports~: $6.1 billion (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities--petroleum,peanuts, hides; partners--Italy, USSR, FRG, Spain, France,Belgium/Luxembourg, Turkey~Imports~: $5.0 billion (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities--machinery,transport equipment, food, manufactured goods; partners--Italy,USSR, FRG, UK, Japan~External debt~: $2.1 billion, excluding military debt (December 1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 4,580,000 kW capacity; 13,360 million kWh produced,3,270 kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: petroleum, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement~Agriculture~: 5% of GNP; cash crops--wheat, barley, olives, dates,citrus fruits, peanuts; 75% of food is imported~Aid~: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-87), $242 million~Currency~: Libyan dinar (plural--dinars); 1 Libyan dinar (LD) = 1,000dirhams~Exchange rates~: Libyan dinars (LD) per US$1--0.2896 (January 1990),0.2922 (1989), 0.2853 (1988), 0.2706 (1987), 0.3139 (1986), 0.2961(1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Highways~: 32,500 km total; 24,000 km bituminous and bituminoustreated, 8,500 km gravel, crushed stone and earth~Pipelines~: crude oil 4,383 km; natural gas 1,947 km; refined products443 km (includes 256 km liquid petroleum gas)~Ports~: Tobruk, Tripoli, Banghazi, Misratah, Marsa el Brega~Merchant marine~: 30 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 816,546GRT/1,454,874 DWT; includes 3 short-sea passenger, 11 cargo, 4roll-on/roll-off cargo, 11 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL)tanker, 1 chemical tanker~Civil air~: 59 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 130 total, 122 usable; 53 with permanent-surface runways; 7with runways over 3,659 m; 30 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 44 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: modern telecommunications system using radiorelay, coaxial cable, tropospheric scatter, and domestic satellitestations; 370,000 telephones; stations--18 AM, 3 FM, 13 TV;satellite earth stations-- 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian OceanINTELSAT, and 14 domestic; submarine cables to France and Italy;radio relay to Tunisia; tropospheric scatter to Greece; plannedARABSAT and Intersputnik satellite stations~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Armed Forces of the Libyan Arab Jamahariya includesPeople's Defense (Army), Arab Air Force and Air Defense Command,Arab Navy~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 991,368; 584,512 fit for militaryservice; 50,379 reach military age (17) annually; conscription nowbeing implemented~Defense expenditures~: 11.1% of GNP (1987) ~[000000132~000974547~000000000~000000000~000006253~000000058~000965920~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Liechtenstein~
Geography~Total area~: 160 km2; land area: 160 km2~Comparative area~: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC~Land boundaries~: 78 km total; Austria 37 km, Switzerland 41 km~Coastline~: none--landlocked~Maritime claims~: none--landlocked~Climate~: continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow orrain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers~Terrain~: mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third~Natural resources~: hydroelectric potential~Land use~: 25% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 38% meadows andpastures; 19% forest and woodland; 18% other~Environment~: variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation~Note~: landlocked~
People~Population~: 28,292 (July 1990), growth rate 0.7% (1990)~Birth rate~: 13 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 5 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 73 years male, 81 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.5 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Liechtensteiner(s); adjective--Liechtenstein~Ethnic divisions~: 95% Alemannic, 5% Italian and other~Religion~: 82.7% Roman Catholic, 7.1% Protestant, 10.2% other~Language~: German (official), Alemannic dialect~Literacy~: 100%~Labor force~: 12,258; 5,078 foreign workers (mostly from Switzerlandand Austria); 54.4% industry, trade, and building; 41.6% services;4.0% agriculture, fishing, forestry, and horticulture~Organized labor~: NA~
Government~Long-form name~: Principality of Liechtenstein~Type~: hereditary constitutional monarchy~Capital~: Vaduz~Administrative divisions~: 11 communes (gemeinden,singular--gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken,Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz~Independence~: 23 January 1719, Imperial Principality of Liechtensteinestablished~Constitution~: 5 October 1921~Legal system~: local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations~National holiday~: St. Joseph's Day, 19 March~Executive branch~: reigning prince, hereditary prince, prime minister,deputy prime minister~Legislative branch~: unicameral Diet (Landtag)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Oberster Gerichtshof) for criminalcases and Superior Court (Obergericht) for civil cases~Leaders~: Chief of State--Prince HANS ADAM von und zu Liechtenstein(since 13 November 1989; assumed executive powers 26 August 1984);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Hans BRUNHART (since 26 April1978); Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Herbert WILLE (since 2 February1986)~Political parties and leaders~: Fatherland Union (VU), Dr. OttoHasler; Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP), Dr. Herbert Batliner;Christian Social Party, Fritz Kaiser~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: Diet--last held on 5 March 1989 (next to be held by March1993); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(25 total) VU13, FBP 12~Communists~: none~Member of~: Council of Europe, EFTA, IAEA, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, ITU,UNCTAD, UNIDO, UNICEF, UPU, WIPO; considering UN membership; hasconsultative status in the EC~Diplomatic representation~: in routine diplomatic matters,Liechtenstein is represented in the US by the Swiss Embassy; US--theUS has no diplomatic or consular mission in Liechtenstein, but theUS Consul General at Zurich (Switzerland) has consular accreditationat Vaduz~Flag~: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a goldcrown on the hoist side of the blue band~
Economy~Overview~: The prosperous economy is based primarily on small-scalelight industry and some farming. Industry accounts for 54% of totalemployment, the service sector 42% (mostly based on tourism), andagriculture and forestry 4%. The sale of postage stamps tocollectors is estimated at $10 million annually and accounts for 10%of revenues. Low business taxes (the maximum tax rate is 20%) andeasy incorporation rules have induced about 25,000 holding orso-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices inLiechtenstein. Such companies, incorporated solely for tax purposes,provide an additional 30% of state revenues. The economy is tiedclosely to that of Switzerland in a customs union, and incomes andliving standards parallel those of the more prosperous Swiss groups.~GNP~: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA%~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 1.5% (1987 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 0.1% (December 1986)~Budget~: revenues $171 million; expenditures $189 million, includingcapital expenditures of NA (1986)~Exports~: $807 million; commodities--small specialty machinery, dentalproducts, stamps, hardware, pottery; partners--EC 40%, EFTA 26%(Switzerland 19%) (1986)~Imports~: $NA; commodities--machinery, metal goods, textiles,foodstuffs, motor vehicles; partners--NA~External debt~: $NA~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 23,000 kW capacity; 150 million kWh produced, 5,340 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: electronics, metal manufacturing, textiles, ceramics,pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism~Agriculture~: livestock, vegetables, corn, wheat, potatoes, grapes~Aid~: none~Currency~: Swiss franc, franken, or franco (plural--francs, franken,or franchi); 1 Swiss franc, franken, or franco (SwF) = 100 centimes,rappen, or centesimi~Exchange rates~: Swiss francs, franken, or franchi (SwF) perUS$1--1.5150 (January 1990), 1.6359 (1989), 1.4633 (1988), 1.4912(1987), 1.7989 (1986), 2.4571 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 18.5 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, electrified; owned,operated, and included in statistics of Austrian Federal Railways~Highways~: 130.66 km main roads, 192.27 km byroads~Civil air~: no transport aircraft~Airports~: none~Telecommunications~: automatic telephone system; 25,400 telephones;stations--no AM, no FM, no TV~
Defense Forces~Note~: defense is responsibility of Switzerland ~[000000133~000980803~000000000~000000000~000007909~000000081~000974547~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Luxembourg~
Geography~Total area~: 2,586 km2; land area: 2,586 km2~Comparative area~: slightly smaller than Rhode Island~Land boundaries~: 359 km total; Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, FRG 138km~Coastline~: none--landlocked~Maritime claims~: none--landlocked~Climate~: modified continental with mild winters, cool summers~Terrain~: mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys;uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down toMoselle floodplain in the southeast~Natural resources~: iron ore (no longer exploited)~Land use~: 24% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 20% meadows andpastures; 21% forest and woodland; 34% other~Environment~: deforestation~Note~: landlocked~
People~Population~: 383,813 (July 1990), growth rate 1.1% (1989)~Birth rate~: 12 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 9 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 72 years male, 80 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.5 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Luxembourger(s); adjective--Luxembourg~Ethnic divisions~: Celtic base, with French and German blend; alsoguest and worker residents from Portugal, Italy, and Europeancountries~Religion~: 97% Roman Catholic, 3% Protestant and Jewish~Language~: Luxembourgish, German, French; many also speak English~Literacy~: 100%~Labor force~: 161,000; one-third of labor force is foreign workers,mostly from Portugal, Italy, France, Belgium, and FRG; 48.9%services, 24.7% industry, 13.2% government, 8.8% construction, 4.4%agriculture (1984)~Organized labor~: 100,000 (est.) members of four confederated tradeunions~
Government~Long-form name~: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg~Type~: constitutional monarchy~Capital~: Luxembourg~Administrative divisions~: 3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher,Luxembourg~Independence~: 1839~Constitution~: 17 October 1868, occasional revisions~Legal system~: based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction~National holiday~: National Day (public celebration of the GrandDuke's birthday), 23 June (1921)~Executive branch~: grand duke, prime minister, vice prime minister,Council of Ministers (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral Chamber of Deputies (Chambre desDeputes); note--the Council of State (Conseil d'Etat) is an advisorybody whose views are considered by the Chamber of Deputies~Judicial branch~: Superior Court of Justice (Cour Superieure de deJustice)~Leaders~: Chief of State--Grand Duke JEAN (since 12 November 1964);Heir Apparent Prince HENRI (son of Grand Duke Jean, born 16 April1955);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Jacques SANTER (since 21 July1984); Deputy Prime Minister Jacques F. POOS (since 21 July 1984)~Political parties and leaders~: Christian Social Party (CSV), JacquesSanter; Socialist Workers Party (LSAP), Jacques Poos; Liberal (DP),Colette Flesch; Communist (KPL), Rene Urbany; Green Alternative(GAP), Jean Huss~Suffrage~: universal and compulsory at age 18~Elections~: Chamber of Deputies--last held on 18 June 1989 (next to beheld by June 1994); results--CSV 31.7%, LSAP 27.2%, DP 16.2%, Greens8.4%, PAC 7.3%, KPL 5.1%, others 4%; seats--(60 total) CSV 22, LSAP18, DP 11, Greens 4, PAC 4, KPL 1, others 4~Communists~: 500 party members (1982)~Other political or pressure groups~: group of steel industriesrepresenting iron and steel industry, Centrale Paysanne representingagricultural producers; Christian and Socialist labor unions;Federation of Industrialists; Artisans and Shopkeepers Federation~Member of~: Benelux, BLEU, CCC, Council of Europe, EC, EIB, EMS, FAO,GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IOOC, IPU, ITU, NATO, OECD, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WEU, WHO,WIPO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Andre PHILIPPE; Chancery at2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone]; there are Luxembourg Consulates General in New York andSan Francisco; US--Ambassador Jean B. S. GERARD; Embassy at 22Boulevard Emmanuel-Servais, 2535 Luxembourg City (mailing address isAPO New York 09132); telephone ╒352σ 460123~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and lightblue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands which uses a darkerblue and is shorter; design was based on the flag of France~
Economy~Overview~: The stable economy features moderate growth, low inflation,and negligible unemployment. Agriculture is based on small buthighly productive family-owned farms. The industrial sector, untilrecently dominated by steel, has become increasingly morediversified, particularly toward high-technology firms. During thepast decade growth in the financial sector has more than compensatedfor the decline in steel. Services, especially banking, account fora growing proportion of the economy. Luxembourg participates in aneconomic union with Belgium on trade and most financial matters andis also closely connected economically with the Netherlands.~GDP~: $6.3 billion, per capita $17,200; real growth rate 4% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 3.0% (1989 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 1.6% (1989 est.)~Budget~: revenues $2.5 billion; expenditures $2.3 billion, includingcapital expenditures of NA (1988)~Exports~: $4.7 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--finished steelproducts, chemicals, rubber products, glass, aluminum, otherindustrial products; partners--EC 75%, US 6%~Imports~: $5.9 billion (c.i.f., 1988 est.); commodities--minerals,metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods; partners--FRG 40%,Belgium 35%, France 15%, US 3%~External debt~: $131.6 million (1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate 5% (1989 est.)~Electricity~: 1,500,000 kW capacity; 1,163 million kWh produced, 3,170kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: banking, iron and steel, food processing, chemicals,metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum~Agriculture~: accounts for less than 3% of GDP (including forestry);principal products--barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits, winegrapes; cattle raising widespread~Aid~: none~Currency~: Luxembourg franc (plural--francs); 1 Luxembourg franc(LuxF) = 100 centimes~Exchange rates~: Luxembourg francs (LuxF) per US$1--35.468 (January1990), 39.404 (1989), 36.768 (1988), 37.334 (1987), 44.672 (1986),59.378 (1985); note--the Luxembourg franc is at par with the Belgianfranc, which circulates freely in Luxembourg~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: Luxembourg National Railways (CFL) operates 270 km1.435-meter standard gauge; 162 km double track; 162 km electrified~Highways~: 5,108 km total; 4,995 km paved, 57 km gravel, 56 km earth;about 80 km limited access divided highway~Inland waterways~: 37 km; Moselle River~Pipelines~: refined products, 48 km~Ports~:  Mertert (river port)~Merchant marine~: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,138 GRT/9,373DWT; includes 2 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 2chemical tanker~Civil air~: 13 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 2 total, 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; 1 withrunways less than 1,220 m; 1 with runways over 3,659 m~Telecommunications~: adequate and efficient system, mainly buriedcables; 230,000 telephones; stations--2 AM, 4 FM, 6 TV; 2communication satellite earth stations operating in EUTELSAT anddomestic systems~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 99,734; 83,237 fit for militaryservice; 2,368 reach military age (19) annually~Defense expenditures~: 1.2% of GDP, or $76 million (1989 est.) ~[000000134~000988715~000000000~000000000~000006184~000000059~000980803~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Macau(overseas territory of Portugal)~
Geography~Total area~: 16 km2; land area: 16 km2~Comparative area~: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC~Land boundary~: 0.34 km with China~Coastline~: 40 km~Maritime claims~:  Exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm;  Territorial sea: 6 nm~Disputes~: scheduled to become a Special Administrative Region ofChina in 1999~Climate~: subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers~Terrain~: generally flat~Natural resources~: negligible~Land use~: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other~Environment~: essentially urban; one causeway and one bridge connectthe two islands to the peninsula on mainland~Note~: 27 km west southwest of Hong Kong on the southeast coast ofChina~
People~Population~: 441,691 (July 1990), growth rate 1.1% (1990)~Birth rate~: 16 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 75 years male, 79 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.2 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Macanese (sing. and pl.); adjective--Macau~Ethnic divisions~: 95% Chinese, 3% Portuguese, 2% other~Religion~: mainly Buddhist; 17,000 Roman Catholics, of whom about halfare Chinese~Language~: Portuguese (official); Cantonese is the language ofcommerce~Literacy~: almost 100% among Portuguese and Macanese; no data onChinese population~Labor force~: 180,000 (1986)~Organized labor~: none~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: overseas territory of Portugal; scheduled to revert to China in1999~Capital~: Macau~Administrative divisions~: 2 districts (concelhos,singular--concelho); Ilhas, Macau~Independence~: none (territory of Portugal); Portugal signed anagreement with China on 13 April 1987 to return Macau to China on 20December 1999; in the joint declaration, China promises to respectMacau's existing social and economic systems and lifestyle for 50years after transition~Constitution~: 17 February 1976, Organic Law of Macau~Legal system~: Portuguese civil law system~National holiday~: Day of Portugal, 10 June~Executive branch~: president of Portugal, governor, ConsultativeCouncil, (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: Legislative Assembly~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--President (of Portugal) Mario Alberto SOARES(since 9 March 1986);  Head of Government--Governor Carlos MELANCIA (since 3 July 1987)~Political parties and leaders~: Association to Defend the Interests ofMacau; Macau Democratic Center; Group to Study the Development ofMacau; Macau Independent Group~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: Legislative Assembly--last held on 9 November 1988 (nextto be held November 1991); results--percent of vote by party NA;seats--(17 total; 6 elected by universal suffrage, 6 by indirectsuffrage) number of seats by party NA~Other political or pressure groups~: wealthy Macanese and Chineserepresenting local interests, wealthy pro-Communist merchantsrepresenting China's interests; in January 1967 the Macau Governmentacceded to Chinese demands that gave China veto power overadministration~Member of~: Multifiber Agreement~Diplomatic representation~: as Chinese territory under Portugueseadministration, Macanese interests in the US are represented byPortugal; US--the US has no offices in Macau and US interests aremonitored by the US Consulate General in Hong Kong~Flag~: the flag of Portugal is used~
Economy~Overview~: The economy is based largely on tourism (includinggambling), and textile and fireworks manufacturing. Efforts todiversify have spawned other small industries--toys, artificialflowers, and electronics. The tourist sector has accounted forroughly 25% of GDP, and the clothing industry has provided abouttwo-thirds of export earnings. Macau depends on China for most ofits food, fresh water, and energy imports. Japan and Hong Kong arethe main suppliers of raw materials and capital goods.~GDP~: $2.7 billion, per capita $6,300; real growth rate 5% (1989 est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 9.5% (1989)~Unemployment rate~: 2% (1989 est.)~Budget~: revenues $305 million; expenditures $298 million, includingcapital expenditures of $NA (1989)~Exports~: $1.7 billion (1989 est.); commodities--textiles, clothing,toys; partners--US 33%, Hong Kong 15%, FRG 12%, France 10% (1987)~Imports~: $1.6 billion (1989 est.); commodities--raw materials,foodstuffs, capital goods; partners--Hong Kong 39%, China 21%, Japan10% (1987)~External debt~: $91 million (1985)~Industrial production~: NA~Electricity~: 179,000 kW capacity; 485 million kWh produced, 1,110 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: clothing, textiles, toys, plastic products, furniture,tourism~Agriculture~: rice, vegetables; food shortages--rice, vegetables,meat; depends mostly on imports for food requirements~Aid~: none~Currency~: pataca (plural--patacas); 1 pataca (P) = 100 avos~Exchange rates~: patacas (P) per US$1--8.03 (1989), 8.044 (1988),7.993 (1987), 8.029 (1986), 8.045 (1985); note--linked to the HongKong dollar at the rate of 1.03 patacas per Hong Kong dollar~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Highways~: 42 km paved~Ports~: Macau~Civil air~: no major transport aircraft~Airports~: none; 1 seaplane station~Telecommunications~: fairly modern communication facilities maintainedfor domestic and international services; 52,000 telephones;stations--4 AM, 3 FM, no TV; 75,000 radio receivers (est.);international high-frequency radio communication facility; access tointernational communications carriers provided via Hong Kong andChina; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 166,956; 93,221 fit for militaryservice~Note~: defense is responsibility of Portugal ~[000000135~000994902~000000000~000000000~000009810~000000108~000988715~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Madagascar~
Geography~Total area~: 587,040 km2; land area: 581,540 km2~Comparative area~: slightly less than twice the size of Arizona~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 4,828 km~Maritime claims~:  Exclusive fishing zone: 150 nm;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands,Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all administered byFrance)~Climate~: tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south~Terrain~: narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center~Natural resources~: graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz,tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish~Land use~: 4% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 58% meadows andpastures; 26% forest and woodland; 11% other; includes 2% irrigated~Environment~: subject to periodic cyclones; deforestation;overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification~Note~: world's fourth-largest island; strategic location alongMozambique Channel~
People~Population~: 11,800,524 (July 1990), growth rate 3.2% (1990)~Birth rate~: 47 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 15 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 97 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 50 years male, 54 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 6.9 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Malagasy (sing. and pl.); adjective--Malagasy~Ethnic divisions~: basic split between highlanders of predominantlyMalayo-Indonesian origin (Merina 1,643,000 and related Betsileo760,000) on the one hand and coastal tribes, collectively termed theCotiers, with mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry(Betsimisaraka 941,000, Tsimihety 442,000, Antaisaka 415,000,Sakalava 375,000), on the other; there are also 11,000 EuropeanFrench, 5,000 Indians of French nationality, and 5,000 Creoles~Religion~: 52% indigenous beliefs; about 41% Christian, 7% Muslim~Language~: French and Malagasy (official)~Literacy~: 67.5%~Labor force~: 4,900,000; 90% nonsalaried family workers engaged insubsistence agriculture; 175,000 wage earners--26% agriculture, 17%domestic service, 15% industry, 14% commerce, 11% construction, 9%services, 6% transportation, 2% other; 51% of population of workingage (1985)~Organized labor~: 4% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Democratic Republic of Madagascar~Type~: republic~Capital~: Antananarivo~Administrative divisions~: 6 provinces (plural--NA,singular--faritanin); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa,Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara~Independence~: 26 June 1960 (from France; formerly Malagasy Republic)~Constitution~: 21 December 1975~Legal system~: based on French civil law system and traditionalMalagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Independence Day, 26 June (1960)~Executive branch~: president, Supreme Council of the Revolution, primeminister, Council of Ministers~Legislative branch~: unicameral Popular National Assembly (AssembleeNationale Populaire)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme), High ConstitutionalCourt (Haute Cour Constitutionnelle)~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Adm. Didier RATSIRAKA (since 15June 1975);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Lt. Col. Victor RAMAHATRA (since12 February 1988)~Political parties and leaders~: seven parties are now allowed limitedpolitical activity under the national front and are represented onthe Supreme Revolutionary Council: Advance Guard of the MalagasyRevolution (AREMA), Didier Ratsiraka; Congress Party for MalagasyIndependence (AKFM); Congress Party for MalagasyIndependence-Revival (AKFM-R), Pastor Richard Andriamanjato;Movement for National Unity (VONJY), Dr. Marojama Razanabahiny;Malagasy Christian Democratic Union (UDECMA), NorbertAndriamorasata; Militants for the Establishment of a ProletarianRegime (MFM), Manandafy Rakotonirina; National Movement for theIndependence of Madagascar (MONIMA), Monja Jaona; SocialistOrganization Monima (VSM, an offshoot of MONIMA), TsihozonyMaharanga~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: President--last held on 12 March 1989 (next to be heldMarch 1996); results--Didier Ratsiraka (AREMA) 62%, ManandafyRakotonirina (MFM/MFT) 20%, Dr. Jerome Marojama Razanabahiny (VONJY)15%, Monja Jaona (MONIMA) 3%;  People's National Assembly--last held on 28 May 1989 (next to be heldMay 1994); results--AREMA 88.2%, MFM 5.1%, AKFM 3.7%, VONJY 2.2%,others 0.8%; seats--(137 total) AREMA 120, MFM 7, AKFM 5, VONJY 4,MONIMA 1, independent 1~Communists~: Communist party of virtually no importance; small andvocal group of Communists has gained strong position in leadershipof AKFM, the rank and file of which is non-Communist~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, CCC, EAMA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IRC, ISO,ITU, NAM, OAU, OCAM, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Pierrot Jocelyn RAJAONARIVELO;Chancery at 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008;telephone [phone] or 5526; there is a Malagasy ConsulateGeneral in New York; US--Ambassador Howard K. WALKER; Embassy at 14and 16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo (mailing address isB. P. 620, Antananarivo); telephone 212-57, 209-56, 200-89, 207-18~Flag~: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with avertical white band of the same width on hoist side~
Economy~Overview~: Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world.During the period 1980-85 it had a population growth of 3% a yearand a - 0.4% GDP growth rate. Agriculture, including fishing andforestry, is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for over 40% ofGDP, employing about 85% of the labor force, and contributing morethan 70% to export earnings. Industry is confined to the processingof agricultural products and textile manufacturing; in 1988 itcontributed only 16% to GDP and employed 3% of the labor force.Industrial development has been hampered by government policies thathave restricted imports of equipment and spare parts and put strictcontrols on foreign-owned enterprises. In 1986 the governmentintroduced a five-year development plan that stressesself-sufficiency in food (mainly rice) by 1990, increased productionfor exports, and reduced energy imports.~GDP~: $1.7 billion, per capita $155; real growth rate 2.2% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 17.0% (1988)~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $337 million; expenditures $245 million, includingcapital expenditures of $163 million (1988)~Exports~: $284 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--coffee 45%,vanilla 15%, cloves 11%, sugar, petroleum products;partners--France, Japan, Italy, FRG, US~Imports~: $319 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--intermediatemanufactures 30%, capital goods 28%, petroleum 15%, consumer goods14%, food 13%; partners--France, FRG, UK, other EC, US~External debt~: $3.6 billion (1989)~Industrial production~: growth rate - 3.9 % (1988)~Electricity~: 119,000 kW capacity; 430 million kWh produced, 40 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: agricultural processing (meat canneries, soap factories,brewery, tanneries, sugar refining), light consumer goods industries(textiles, glassware), cement, automobile assembly plant, paper,petroleum~Agriculture~: accounts for 40% of GDP; cash crops--coffee, vanilla,sugarcane, cloves, cocoa; food crops--rice, cassava, beans, bananas,peanuts; cattle raising widespread; not self-sufficient in rice andwheat flour~Illicit drugs~: illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wildvarieties) used mostly for domestic consumption~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $118 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$2.6 billion; Communist countries (1970-88), $491 million~Currency~: Malagasy franc (plural--francs); 1 Malagasy franc (FMG) =100 centimes~Exchange rates~: Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1--1,531.0 (January1990), 1603.4 (1989), 1,407.1 (1988), 1,069.2 (1987), 676.3 (1986),662.5 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 1,020 km 1.000-meter gauge~Highways~: 40,000 km total; 4,694 km paved, 811 km crushed stone,gravel, or stabilized soil, 34,495 km improved and unimproved earth(est.)~Inland waterways~: of local importance only; isolated streams andsmall portions of Canal des Pangalanes~Ports~: Toamasina, Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Toliara~Merchant marine~: 13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 58,126GRT/79,420 DWT; includes 8 cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1liquefied gas~Civil air~: 5 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 147 total, 115 usable; 30 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 43with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: above average system includes open-wire lines,coaxial cables, radio relay, and troposcatter links; submarine cableto Bahrain; satellite earth stations--1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT; over 38,200 telephones; stations--14 AM, 1FM, 7 (30 repeaters) TV~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Popular Army, Aeronaval Forces (includes Navy and AirForce), paramilitary Gendarmerie~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 2,550,775; 1,519,084 fit for militaryservice; 116,438 reach military age (20) annually~Defense expenditures~: 2.2% of GDP, or $37 million (1989 est.) ~[000000136~001004715~000000000~000000000~000007727~000000078~000994902~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Malawi~
Geography~Total area~: 118,480 km2; land area: 94,080 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than Pennsylvania~Land boundaries~: 2,881 km total; Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475km, Zambia 837 km~Coastline~: none--landlocked~Maritime claims~: none--landlocked~Disputes~: dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (LakeMalawi)~Climate~: tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May toNovember)~Terrain~: narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills,some mountains~Natural resources~: limestone; unexploited deposits of uranium, coal,and bauxite~Land use~: 25% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 20% meadows andpastures; 50% forest and woodland; 5% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: deforestation~Note~: landlocked~
People~Population~: 9,157,528 (July 1990), growth rate 1.8% (1990)~Birth rate~: 52 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 18 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 16 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 130 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 48 years male, 50 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 7.7 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Malawian(s); adjective--Malawian~Ethnic divisions~: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuko, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga,Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European~Religion~: 55% Protestant, 20% Roman Catholic, 20% Muslim; traditionalindigenous beliefs are also practiced~Language~: English and Chichewa (official); other languages importantregionally~Literacy~: 41.2%~Labor force~: 428,000 wage earners; 43% agriculture, 16%manufacturing, 15% personal services, 9% commerce, 7% construction,4% miscellaneous services, 6% other permanently employed (1986)~Organized labor~: small minority of wage earners are unionized~Note~: there are 800,000 Mozambican refugees in Malawi (1989 est.)~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Malawi~Type~: one-party state~Capital~: Lilongwe~Administrative divisions~: 24 districts; Blantyre, Chikwawa,Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Kasupe,Lilongwe, Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Ncheu, NkhataBay, Nkhota Kota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba~Independence~: 6 July 1964 (from UK; formerly Nyasaland)~Constitution~: 6 July 1964; republished as amended January 1974~Legal system~: based on English common law and customary law; judicialreview of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Independence Day, 6 July (1964)~Executive branch~: president, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Assembly~Judicial branch~: High Court, Supreme Court of Appeal~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Dr.Hastings Kamuzu BANDA (since 6 July 1966; sworn in as President forLife 6 July 1971)~Political parties and leaders~: only party--Malawi Congress Party(MCP), Maxwell Pashane, administrative secretary; John Tembo,treasurer general; top party position of secretary general vacantsince 1983~Suffrage~: universal at age 21~Elections~: President--President Banda sworn in as President for Lifeon 6 July 1971;  National Assembly--last held 27-28 May 1987 (next to be held by May1992); results--MCP is the only party; seats--(133 total, 112elected) MCP 133~Communists~: no Communist party~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, CCC, Commonwealth, EC (associated member), FAO,G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IPU, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, SADCC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Robert B. MBAYA; Chancery at2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone]; US--Ambassador George A. TRAIL, III; Embassy in newcapital city development area, address NA (mailing address is P. O.Box 30016, Lilongwe); telephone 730-166~Flag~: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and greenwith a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band; similarto the flag of Afghanistan which is longer and has the national coatof arms superimposed on the hoist side of the black and red bands~
Economy~Overview~: A landlocked country, Malawi ranks among the world's leastdeveloped with a per capita GDP of $180. The economy ispredominately agricultural and operates under a relatively freeenterprise environment, with about 90% of the population living inrural areas. Agriculture accounts for 40% of GDP and 90% of exportrevenues. After two years of weak performance, economic growthimproved significantly in 1988 as a result of good weather and abroadly based economic adjustment effort by the government. Theclosure of traditional trade routes through Mozambique continues tobe a constraint on the economy.~GDP~: $1.4 billion, per capita $180; growth rate 3.6% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 31.5% (1988)~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $246 million; expenditures $390 million, includingcapital expenditures of $97 million (FY88 est.)~Exports~: $292 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--tobacco, tea,sugar, coffee, peanuts; partners--US, UK, Zambia, South Africa, FRG~Imports~: $402 million (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--food, petroleum,semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment;partners--South Africa, Japan, US, UK, Zimbabwe~External debt~: $1.4 billion (December 1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate 6.4% (1988)~Electricity~: 181,000 kW capacity; 535 million kWh produced, 60 kWhper capita (1989)~Industries~: agricultural processing (tea, tobacco, sugar),sawmilling, cement, consumer goods~Agriculture~: accounts for 40% of GDP; cash crops--tobacco, sugarcane,cotton, tea, and corn; subsistence crops--potatoes, cassava,sorghum, pulses; livestock--cattle and goats~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $182 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$1.8 billion~Currency~: Malawian kwacha (plural--kwacha); 1 Malawian kwacha (MK) =100 tambala~Exchange rates~: Malawian kwacha (MK) per US$1--2.6793 (January 1990),2.7595 (1989), 2.5613 (1988), 2.2087 (1987), 1.8611 (1986), 1.7191(1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Railroads~: 789 km 1.067-meter gauge~Highways~: 13,135 km total; 2,364 km paved; 251 km crushed stone,gravel, or stabilized soil; 10,520 km earth and improved earth~Inland waterways~: Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi); Shire River, 144 km~Ports~: Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, and Nkotakota--all on LakeNyasa (Lake Malawi)~Civil air~: 3 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 48 total, 47 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 9 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: fair system of open-wire lines, radio relaylinks, and radio communication stations; 36,800 telephones;stations--8 AM, 4 FM, no TV; satellite earth stations--1 IndianOcean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT~Note~: a majority of exports would normally go through Mozambique onthe Beira or Nacala railroads, but now most go through South Africabecause of insurgent activity and damage to rail lines~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Army Air Wing, Army Naval Detachment, paramilitaryPolice Mobile Force Unit, paramilitary Young Pioneers~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 1,904,445; 967,032 fit for militaryservice~Defense expenditures~: 1.6% of GDP, or $22 million (1989 est.) ~[000000137~001012445~000000000~000000000~000012465~000000144~001004715~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Malaysia~
Geography~Total area~: 329,750 km2; land area: 328,550 km2~Comparative area~: slightly larger than New Mexico~Land boundaries~: 2,669 km total; Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782,Thailand 506 km~Coastline~: 4,675 km total (2,068 km Peninsular Malaysia, 2,607 kmEast Malaysia)~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation, specifiedboundary in the South China Sea;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Extended economic zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Disputes~: involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands withChina, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam; state of Sabah claimed bythe Philippines; Brunei may wish to purchase the Malaysian salientthat divides Brunei into two parts~Climate~: tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast(October to February) monsoons~Terrain~: coastal plains rising to hills and mountains~Natural resources~: tin, crude oil, timber, copper, iron ore, naturalgas, bauxite~Land use~: 3% arable land; 10% permanent crops; NEGL% meadows andpastures; 63% forest and woodland; 24% other; includes 1% irrigated~Environment~: subject to flooding; air and water pollution~Note~: strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern SouthChina Sea~
People~Population~: 17,510,546 (July 1990), growth rate 2.3% (1990)~Birth rate~: 29 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 30 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 65 years male, 71 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 3.5 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Malaysian(s); adjective--Malaysian~Ethnic divisions~: 59% Malay and other indigenous, 32% Chinese, 9%Indian~Religion~: Peninsular Malaysia--Malays nearly all Muslim, Chinesepredominantly Buddhists, Indians predominantly Hindu; Sabah--38%Muslim, 17% Christian, 45% other; Sarawak--35% tribal religion, 24%Buddhist and Confucianist, 20% Muslim, 16% Christian, 5% other~Language~: Peninsular Malaysia--Malay (official); English, Chinesedialects, Tamil; Sabah--English, Malay, numerous tribal dialects,Mandarin and Hakka dialects predominate among Chinese;Sarawak--English, Malay, Mandarin, numerous tribal languages~Literacy~: 65.0% overall, age 20 and up; Peninsular Malaysia--80%;Sabah--60%; Sarawak--60%~Labor force~: 6,800,000; 30.8% agriculture, 17% manufacturing, 13.6%government, 5.8% construction, 4.3% finance, 3.4% business services,transport and communications, 0.6% mining, 24.5% other (1989 est.)~Organized labor~: 660,000, 10% of total labor force (1988)~
Government~Long-form name~: none~Type~: Federation of Malaysia formed 9 July 1963; constitutionalmonarchy nominally headed by the paramount ruler (king) and abicameral Parliament composed of a 58-member Senate and a 177-memberHouse of Representatives; Peninsular Malaysian states--hereditaryrulers in all but Penang and Melaka, where governors are appointedby Malaysian Government; powers of state governments are limited byfederal Constitution; Sabah--self-governing state, holds 20 seats inHouse of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internalsecurity, and other powers delegated to federal government;Sarawak--self-governing state within Malaysia, holds 24 seats inHouse of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internalsecurity, and other powers delegated to federal government~Capital~: Kuala Lumpur~Administrative divisions~: 13 states (negeri-negeri, singular--negeri)and 2 federal territories* (wilayah-wilayah persekutuan,singular--wilayah persekutuan); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Labuan*,Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah,Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu, Wilayah Persekutuan*~Independence~: 31 August 1957 (from UK)~Constitution~: 31 August 1957, amended 16 September 1963 whenFederation of Malaya became Federation of Malaysia~Legal system~: based on English common law; judicial review oflegislative acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head ofthe federation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: National Day, 31 August (1957)~Executive branch~: paramount ruler, deputy paramount ruler, primeminister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: bicameral Parliament (Parlimen) consists of anupper house or Senate (Dewan Negara) and a lower house or House ofRepresentatives (Dewan Rakyat)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court~Leaders~: Chief of State--Paramount Ruler AZLAN Muhibbuddin Shah ibniSultan Yusof Izzudin (since 26 April 1989); Deputy Paramount RulerJA'AFAR ibni Abdul Rahman (since 26 April 1989);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Dr. MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (since 16July 1981); Deputy Prime Minister Abdul GHAFAR Baba (since 7 May1986)~Political parties and leaders~: Peninsular Malaysia--National Front, aconfederation of 14 political parties dominated by United MalaysNational Organization Baru (UMNO Baru), Mahathir bin Mohamad;Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), Ling Liong Sik; Gerakan RakyatMalaysia, Datuk Lim Keng Yaik; Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC),Datuk Samy Vellu;  Sabah--Berjaya Party, Datuk Haji Mohamed Noor Mansoor; Bersatu Sabah(PBS), Joseph Pairin Kitingan; United Sabah National Organizaton(USNO), Tun Datuk Mustapha;  Sarawak--coalition Sarawak National Front composed of the PartyPesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Haji AbdulTaib Mahmud; Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), Datuk AmarStephen Yong Kuat Tze; Sarawak National Party (SNAP), Datuk JamesWong; Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS), Datuk Leo Moggie; majoropposition parties are Democratic Action Party (DAP), Lim Kit Siangand Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Fadzil Noor~Suffrage~: universal at age 21~Elections~: House of Representatives--last held 2-3 August 1986 (nextto be held by August 1991); results--National Front 57.4%, DAP20.8%, PAS 15.6%, independents 3.3%, others 2.9%; note--within theNational Front, UMNO got 35% and MCA 14% of the vote; seats--(177total) National Front 148, DAP 24, PAS 1, independents 4;note--within the National Front, UMNO got 83 seats and MCA 17 seats~Communists~: Peninsular Malaysia--about 1,000 armed insurgents onThailand side of international boundary and about 200 full timeinside Malaysia surrendered on 2 December 1989; only about 100Communist insurgents remain in North Kalimantan and Sabah~Member of~: ADB, ANRPC, ASEAN, Association of Tin Producing Countries,CCC, Colombo Plan, Commonwealth, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, IDA, IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, IRC, ITC, ITU, NAM, OIC, UN, UNESCO, UPU,WHO, WMO, WTO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Albert S. TALALLA; Chancery at2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone]; there are Malaysian Consulates General in Los Angeles andNew York; US--Ambassador Paul M. CLEVELAND; Embassy at 376 Jalan TunRazak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur (mailing address is P. O. Box No. 10035,50700 Kuala Lumpur); telephone ╒6σ [phone]~Flag~: fourteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating withwhite (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-sidecorner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow fourteen-pointed star;the crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; thedesign was based on the flag of the US~
Economy~Overview~: In 1988-89 booming exports helped Malaysia continue torecover from the severe 1985-86 recession. Real output grew by 8.7%in 1988 and about 7.7% in 1989, helped by vigorous growth inmanufacturing output and further increases in foreign directinvestment, particularly from Japanese and Taiwanese firms facinghigher costs at home. Malaysia has become the world's third-largestproducer of semiconductor devices (after the US and Japan) and theworld's largest exporter of semiconductor devices. Inflationremained low as unemployment stood at about 8% of the labor forceand as the government followed prudent fiscal/monetary policies. Thecountry is not self-sufficient in food, and a majority of the ruralpopulation subsists at the poverty level. Malaysia's high exportdependence (merchandise exports are 63% of GDP) leaves it vulnerableto a recession in the OECD countries or a fall in world commodityprices.~GDP~: $37.9 billion, per capita $2,270; real growth rate 7.7% (1989est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 3.6% (1989 est.)~Unemployment rate~: 7.9% (1989 est.)~Budget~: revenues $8.8 billion; expenditures $11.2 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $2.5 billion (1989 est.)~Exports~: $24 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--naturalrubber, palm oil, tin, timber, petroleum, electronics, lightmanufactures; partners--Singapore, Japan, USSR, EC, Australia, US~Imports~: $20 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--food, crudeoil, consumer goods, intermediate goods, capital equipment,chemicals; partners--Japan, Singapore, FRG, UK, Thailand, China,Australia, US~External debt~: $16.3 billion (1989 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate 13.6% (1988)~Electricity~: 5,600,000 kW capacity; 16,500 million kWh produced, 990kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: Peninsular Malaysia--rubber and oil palm processing andmanufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin miningand smelting, logging and processing timber; Sabah--logging,petroleum production; Sarawak--agriculture processing, petroleumproduction and refining, logging~Agriculture~: Peninsular Malaysia--natural rubber, palm oil, rice;Sabah--mainly subsistence; main crops--rubber, timber, coconut,rice; Sarawak--main crops--rubber, timber, pepper; there is adeficit of rice in all areas; fish catch of 608,000 metric tons in1987~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-84), $170 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$3.8 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $42 million~Currency~: ringgit (plural--ringgits); 1 ringgit (M$) = 100 sen~Exchange rates~: ringgits (M$) per US$1--2.7038 (January 1990), 2.7087(1989), 2.6188 (1988), 2.5196 (1987), 2.5814 (1986), 2.4830 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: Peninsular Malaysia--1,665 km 1.04-meter gauge; 13 kmdouble track, government owned; Sabah--136 km 1.000-meter gauge~Highways~: Peninsular Malaysia--23,600 km (19,352 km hard surfaced,mostly bituminous-surface treatment, and 4,248 km unpaved);Sabah--3,782 km; Sarawak--1,644 km~Inland waterways~: Peninsular Malaysia--3,209 km; Sabah--1,569 km;Sarawak--2,518 km~Ports~: Tanjong, Kidurong, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Pasir Gudang,Penang, Port Kelang, Sandakan, Tawau~Merchant marine~: 159 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,525,635GRT/2,216,215 DWT; includes 2 short-sea passenger, 71 cargo, 21container, 2 vehicle carrier, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 livestockcarrier, 28 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 chemicaltanker, 6 liquefied gas, 1 specialized tanker, 1 passenger-cargo, 22bulk, 1 passenger~Civil air~: 53 major transport aircraft~Pipelines~: crude oil, 1,307 km; natural gas, 379 km~Airports~: 126 total, 121 usable; 32 with permanent-surface runways;none with runways over 3,659 m; 8 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 19with runways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: good intercity service provided to peninsularMalaysia mainly by microwave relay, adequate intercity radio relaynetwork between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; international servicegood; good coverage by radio and television broadcasts; 994,860telephones (1984); stations--28 AM, 3 FM, 33 TV; submarine cablesextend to India and Sarawak; SEACOM submarine cable links to HongKong and Singapore; satellite earth stations--1 Indian OceanINTELSAT and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT, and 2 domestic~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Royal Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal MalaysianAir Force, Royal Malaysian Police Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 4,499,495; 2,744,743 fit for militaryservice; 178,923 reach military age (21) annually~Defense expenditures~: 3.8% of GDP, or $1.4 billion (1990 est.) ~[000000138~001024913~000000000~000000000~000006734~000000065~001012445~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Maldives~
Geography~Total area~: 300 km2; land area: 300 km2~Comparative area~: slightly more than 1.5 times the size ofWashington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 644 km~Maritime claims~:  Exclusive fishing zone: about 100 nm (defined by geographiccoordinates);  Extended economic zone: 37-310 nm (segment of zone coincides withmaritime boundary with India);  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November toMarch); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)~Terrain~: flat with elevations only as high as 2.5 meters~Natural resources~: fish~Land use~: 10% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 3% meadows andpastures; 3% forest and woodland; 84% other~Environment~: 1,200 coral islands grouped into 19 atolls~Note~: archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sealanes in Indian Ocean~
People~Population~: 217,945 (July 1990), growth rate 3.7% (1990)~Birth rate~: 46 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 76 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 60 years male, 65 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 6.6 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Maldivian(s); adjective--Maldivian~Ethnic divisions~: admixtures of Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, and black~Religion~: Sunni Muslim~Language~: Divehi (dialect of Sinhala; script derived from Arabic);English spoken by most government officials~Literacy~: 36%~Labor force~: 66,000 (est.); 80% engaged in fishing industry~Organized labor~: none~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Maldives~Type~: republic~Capital~: Male~Administrative divisions~: 19 district (atolls); Aliff, Baa, Daalu,Faafu, Gaafu Aliff, Gaafu Daalu, Haa Aliff, Haa Daalu, Kaafu, Laamu,Laviyani, Meemu, Naviyani, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Waavu~Independence~: 26 July 1965 (from UK)~Constitution~: 4 June 1964~Legal system~: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English commonlaw primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction~National holiday~: Independence Day, 26 July (1965)~Executive branch~: president, Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral Citizens' Council (Majlis)~Judicial branch~: High Court~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President MaumoonAbdul GAYOOM (since since 11 November 1978)~Political parties and leaders~: no organized political parties;country governed by the Didi clan for the past eight centuries~Suffrage~: universal at age 21~Elections~: President--last held 23 September 1988 (next to be heldSeptember 1994); results--President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom reelected; Citizens' Council--last held on 7 December 1984 (next to be held 7December 1989); results--percent of vote NA; seats--(48 total, 40elected)~Communists~: negligible~Member of~: ADB, Colombo Plan, Commonwealth (special member), ESCAP,FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto), IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB--IslamicDevelopment Bank, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN,UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Maldives does not maintain an embassy inthe US, but does have a UN mission in New York; US--the USAmbassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodicvisits there; US Consular Agency, Mahduedurage, Violet Magu,Henveru, Male; telephone 2581~Flag~: red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing avertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on thehoist side of the flag~
Economy~Overview~: The economy is based on fishing, tourism, and shipping.Agriculture is limited to the production of a few subsistence cropsthat provide only 10% of food requirements. Fishing is the largestindustry, employing 80% of the work force and accounting for over60% of exports; it is also an important source of governmentrevenue. During the 1980s tourism has become one of the mostimportant and highest growth sectors of the economy. In 1988industry accounted for about 14% of GDP. Real GDP is officiallyestimated to have increased by about 10% annually during the period1974-86, and GDP estimates for 1988 show a further growth of 9% onthe strength of a record fish catch and an improved tourist season.~GDP~: $136 million, per capita $670; real growth rate 9.2% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 14% (1988 est.)~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $51 million; expenditures $50 million, includingcapital expenditures of $25 million (1988 est.)~Exports~: $47.0 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities--fish 57%,clothing 39%; partners--Thailand, Western Europe, Sri Lanka~Imports~: $90.0 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.); commodities--intermediate and capital goods 47%, consumer goods 42%, petroleumproducts 11%; partners--Japan, Western Europe, Thailand~External debt~: $70 million (December 1988)~Industrial production~: growth rate 3.9% (1988 est.)~Electricity~: 5,000 kW capacity; 10 million kWh produced, 50 kWh percapita (1989)~Industries~: fishing and fish processing, tourism, shipping, boatbuilding, some coconut processing, garments, woven mats, coir(rope), handicrafts~Agriculture~: accounts for almost 30% of GDP (including fishing);fishing more important than farming; limited production of coconuts,corn, sweet potatoes; most staple foods must be imported~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $28 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $84million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $14 million~Currency~: rufiyaa (plural--rufiyaa); 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laaris~Exchange rates~: rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1--9.3043 (January 1990), 9.0408(1989), 8.7846 (1988), 9.2230 (1987), 7.1507 (1986), 7.0981 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Highways~: Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the city~Ports~: Male, Gan~Merchant marine~: 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 70,066GRT/112,480 DWT; includes 12 cargo, 1 container, 1 petroleum, oils,and lubricants (POL) tanker, 2 bulk~Civil air~: 1 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 2 with permanent-surface runways 2,440-3,659 m~Telecommunications~: minimal domestic and international facilities;2,325 telephones; stations--2 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian OceanINTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: no military force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 49,261; 27,519 fit for militaryservice~Defense expenditures~: $1.8 million (1984 est.) ~[000000139~001031650~000000000~000000000~000007852~000000083~001024913~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Mali~
Geography~Total area~: 1,240,000 km2; land area: 1,220,000 km2~Comparative area~: slightly less than twice the size of Texas~Land boundaries~: 7,243 km total; Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina 1,000 km,Guinea 858 km, Ivory Coast 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821km, Senegal 419 km~Coastline~: none--landlocked~Maritime claims~: none--landlocked~Disputes~: the disputed international boundary between Burkina andMali was submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) inOctober 1983 and the ICJ issued its final ruling in December 1986,which both sides agreed to accept; Burkina and Mali are proceedingwith boundary demarcation, including the tripoint with Niger~Climate~: subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy,humid, and mild June to November; cool and dry November to February~Terrain~: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand;savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast~Natural resources~: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone,uranium; bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits areknown but not exploited~Land use~: 2% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 25% meadows andpastures; 7% forest and woodland; 66% other; includes NEGL%irrigated~Environment~: hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dryseasons; desertification~Note~: landlocked~
People~Population~: 8,142,373 (July 1990), growth rate 2.3% (1990)~Birth rate~: 51 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 21 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: - 7 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 116 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 45 years male, 47 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 7.1 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Malian(s); adjective--Malian~Ethnic divisions~: 50% Mande (Bambara, Malinke, Sarakole), 17% Peul,12% Voltaic, 6% Songhai, 5% Tuareg and Moor, 10% other~Religion~: 90% Muslim, 9% indigenous beliefs, 1% Christian~Language~: French (official); Bambara spoken by about 80% of thepopulation; numerous African languages~Literacy~: 18%~Labor force~: 2,666,000 (1986 est.); 80% agriculture, 19% services, 1%industry and commerce (1981); 50% of population of working age(1985)~Organized labor~: National Union of Malian Workers (UNTM) is umbrellaorganization for over 13 national unions~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Mali~Type~: republic; single-party constitutional government~Capital~: Bamako~Administrative divisions~: 7 regions (regions, singular--region); Gao,Kayes, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou; note--there maybe a new capital district of Bamako~Independence~: 22 September 1960 (from France; formerly French Sudan)~Constitution~: 2 June 1974, effective 19 June 1979; amended September1981 and March 1985~Legal system~: based on French civil law system and customary law;judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Section ofCourt of State; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction~National holiday~: Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, 22September (1960)~Executive branch~: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)~Legislative branch~: unicameral National Assembly (Assemble Nationale)~Judicial branch~: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)~Leaders~: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Gen. MoussaTRAORE (since 6 December 1968)~Political parties and leaders~: only party--Democratic Union of MalianPeople (UDPM)~Suffrage~: universal at age 21~Elections~: President--last held on 9 June 1985 (next to be held June1991); results--General Moussa Traore was reelected withoutopposition;  National Assembly--last held on 26 June 1988 (next to be held June1991); results--UDPM is the only party; seats--(82 total) UDPM 82~Communists~: a few Communists and some sympathizers (no legalCommunist party)~Member of~: ACP, AfDB, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto),IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC,ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, IRC, ITU, NAM, Niger RiverCommission, OAU, OIC, OMVS (Organization for the Development of theSenegal River Valley), UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO,~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Alhousseyni TOURE; Chancery at2130 R Street NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone] or939-8950; US--Ambassador Robert M. PRINGLE; Embassy at Rue Testardand Rue Mohamed V., Bamako (mailing address is B. P. 34, Bamako);telephone 225834~Flag~: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, andred; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia~
Economy~Overview~: Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, withabout 80% of its land area desert or semidesert. Economic activityis largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger.About 10% of the population lives as nomads and some 80% of thelabor force is engaged in agriculture and fishing. Industrialactivity is concentrated on processing farm commodities.~GDP~: $1.94 billion, per capita $220; real growth rate - 0.9% (1988est.)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: NA% (1987)~Unemployment rate~: NA%~Budget~: revenues $338 million; expenditures $559 million, includingcapital expenditures of $NA (1987)~Exports~: $260 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities--livestock,peanuts, dried fish, cotton, skins; partners--mostly franc zone andWestern Europe~Imports~: $493 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities--textiles,vehicles, petroleum products, machinery, sugar, cereals;partners--mostly franc zone and Western Europe~External debt~: $2.1 billion (December 1988 est.)~Industrial production~: growth rate NA%~Electricity~: 92,000 kW capacity; 165 million kWh produced, 20 kWh percapita (1989)~Industries~: small local consumer goods and processing, construction,phosphate, gold, fishing~Agriculture~: accounts for 50% of GDP; most production based on smallsubsistence farms; cotton and livestock products account for over70% of exports; other crops--millet, rice, corn, vegetables,peanuts; livestock--cattle, sheep, and goats~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $313 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$2.4 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $92 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $190 million~Currency~: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural--francs); 1CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes~Exchange rates~: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) perUS$1--287.99 (January 1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54(1987), 346.30 (1986), 449.26 (1985)~Fiscal year~: calendar year~
Communications~Railroads~: 642 km 1.000-meter gauge; linked to Senegal's rail systemthrough Kayes~Highways~: about 15,700 km total; 1,670 km bituminous, 3,670 km graveland improved earth, 10,360 km unimproved earth~Inland waterways~: 1,815 km navigable~Civil air~: no major transport aircraft~Airports~: 37 total, 29 usable; 8 with permanent-surface runways; nonewith runways over 3,659 m; 7 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 9 withrunways 1,220-2,439 m~Telecommunications~: domestic system poor but improving; provides onlyminimal service with radio relay, wire, and radio communicationsstations; expansion of radio relay in progress; 11,000 telephones;stations--2 AM, 2 FM, 2 TV; satellite earth stations--1 AtlanticOcean INTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Army, Air Force; paramilitary, Gendarmerie, RepublicanGuard, National Guard~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 1,585,878; 913,000 fit for militaryservice; no conscription~Defense expenditures~: 2.5% of GDP (1987) ~[000000140~001039505~000000000~000000000~000007544~000000075~001031650~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Malta~
Geography~Total area~: 320 km2; land area: 320 km2~Comparative area~: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 140 km~Maritime claims~:  Contiguous zone: 24 nm;  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm;  Territorial sea: 12 nm~Climate~: Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers~Terrain~: mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastalcliffs~Natural resources~: limestone, salt~Land use~: 38% arable land; 3% permanent crops; 0% meadows andpastures; 0% forest and woodland; 59% other; includes 3% irrigated~Environment~: numerous bays provide good harbors; fresh water veryscarce--increasing reliance on desalination~Note~: strategic location in central Mediterranean, 93 km south ofSicily, 290 km north of Libya~
People~Population~: 353,465 (July 1990), growth rate 0.9% (1990)~Birth rate~: 15 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 74 years male, 78 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 2.0 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Maltese (sing. and pl.); adjective--Maltese~Ethnic divisions~: mixture of Arab, Sicilian, Norman, Spanish,Italian, English~Religion~: 98% Roman Catholic~Language~: Maltese and English (official)~Literacy~: 83%~Labor force~: 125,674; 30% services, 24% manufacturing, 21% government(except job corps), 8% construction, 5% utilities and drydocks, 4%agriculture (1987)~Organized labor~: about 40% of labor force~
Government~Long-form name~: Republic of Malta~Type~: parliamentary democracy~Capital~: Valletta~Administrative divisions~: none (administration directly fromValletta)~Independence~: 21 September 1964 (from UK)~Constitution~: 26 April 1974, effective 2 June 1974~Legal system~: based on English common law and Roman civil law; hasaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations~National holiday~: Freedom Day, 31 March~Executive branch~: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister,Cabinet~Legislative branch~: unicameral House of Representatives~Judicial branch~: Constitutional Court and Court of Appeal~Leaders~: Chief of State--President Vincent (Censu) TABONE (since 4April 1989);  Head of Government--Prime Minister Dr. Edward (Eddie) FENECH ADAMI(since 12 May 1987); Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Guido DE MARCO (since14 May 1987)~Political parties and leaders~: Nationalist Party, Edward FenechAdami; Malta Labor Party, Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici~Suffrage~: universal at age 18~Elections~: House of Representatives--last held on 9 May 1987 (next tobe held by May 1992); results--NP 51.1%, MLP 48.9%; seats--(usually65 total, but additional seats are given to the party with thelargest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; current total69) MLP 34, NP 31 before popular vote adjustment; MLP 34, NP 35after adjustment~Communists~: fewer than 100 (est.)~Member of~: CCC, Commonwealth, Council of Europe, FAO, G-77, GATT,IBRD, ICAO, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, ITU, IWC--InternationalWheat Council, NAM,UN, UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO~Diplomatic representation~: Ambassador Salvatore J. STELLINI; Chanceryat 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone [phone] or 3612; there is a Maltese Consulate General in New York;US--Ambassador Sally J. NOVETZKE; Embassy at 2nd Floor, DevelopmentHouse, St. Anne Street, Floriana, Valletta (mailing address is P. O.Box 535, Valletta); telephone ╒356σ 623653 or 620424, 623216~Flag~: two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in theupper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross,edged in red~
Economy~Overview~: Significant resources are limestone, a favorable geographiclocation, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about20% of its food needs, has limited freshwater supplies, and has nodomestic energy sources. Consequently, the economy is highlydependent on foreign trade and services. Manufacturing and tourismare the largest contributors to the economy. Manufacturing accountsfor about 30% of GDP, with the textile and clothing industry a majorcontributor. In 1988 inflation was held to a low 0.9%. Per capitaGDP at $5,100 places Malta in the middle-income range of the world'snations.~GDP~: $1.9 billion, per capita $5,100; real growth rate 7.1% (1988)~Inflation rate (consumer prices)~: 0.9% (1988)~Unemployment rate~: 4.4% (1987)~Budget~: revenues $844 million; expenditures $938 million, includingcapital expenditures of $226 million (1989 est.)~Exports~: $710 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--clothing,textiles, footwear, ships; partners--FRG 31%, UK 14%, Italy 14%~Imports~: $1,360 million (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--food, petroleum,nonfood raw materials; partners--FRG 19%, UK 17%, Italy 17%, US 11%~External debt~: $90 million, medium and long-term (December 1987)~Industrial production~: growth rate 6.2% (1987)~Electricity~: 328,000 kW capacity; 1,110 million kWh produced, 2,990kWh per capita (1989)~Industries~: tourism, ship repair yard, clothing, construction, foodmanufacturing, textiles, footwear, clothing, beverages, tobacco~Agriculture~: overall, 20% self-sufficient; main products--potatoes,cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers,green peppers, hogs, poultry, eggs; generally adequate supplies ofvegetables, poultry, milk, pork products; seasonal or periodicshortages in grain, animal fodder, fruits, other basic foodstuffs~Aid~: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $172 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$332 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $76 million; Communistcountries (1970-88), $48 million~Currency~: Maltese lira (plural--liri); 1 Maltese lira (LM) = 100cents~Exchange rates~: Maltese liri (LM) per US$1--0.3332 (January 1990),0.3483 (1989), 0.3306 (1988), 0.3451 (1987), 0.3924 (1986), 0.4676(1985)~Fiscal year~: 1 April-31 March~
Communications~Highways~: 1,291 km total; 1,179 km paved (asphalt), 77 km crushedstone or gravel, 35 km improved and unimproved earth~Ports~: Valletta, Marsaxlokk~Merchant marine~: 314 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,677,797GRT/6,357,733 DWT; includes 3 passenger, 4 short-sea passenger, 127cargo, 2 container, 1 passenger-cargo, 13 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 2vehicle carrier, 6 refrigerated cargo, 7 chemical tanker, 4combination ore/oil, 1 specialized tanker, 61 petroleum, oils, andlubricants (POL) tanker, 72 bulk, 11 combination bulk; note--a flagof convenience registry; China owns 1 ship, Cuba owns 8, and Vietnamowns 1~Civil air~: 8 major transport aircraft~Airports~: 1 with permanent-surface runways 2,440-3,659 m~Telecommunications~: modern automatic system centered in Valletta;153,000 telephones; stations--9 AM, 3 FM, 2 TV; 1 submarine cable; 1Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station~
Defense Forces~Branches~: Armed Forces, Police, Paramilitary Dejima Force~Military manpower~: males 15-49, 92,610; 74,256 fit for militaryservice~Defense expenditures~: 1.3% of GDP, or $25 million (1989 est.) ~[000000141~001047052~000000000~000000000~000005556~000000046~001039505~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~000000000~         ]Man, Isle of(British crown dependency)~
Geography~Total area~: 588 km2; land area: 588 km2~Comparative area~: slightly less than 3.5 times the size ofWashington, DC~Land boundaries~: none~Coastline~: 113 km~Maritime claims~:  Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;  Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;  Territorial sea: 3 nm~Climate~: cool summers and mild winters; humid; overcast about halfthe time~Terrain~: hills in north and south bisected by central valley~Natural resources~: lead, iron ore~Land use~: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows andpastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; extensive arable landand forests~Environment~: strong westerly winds prevail~Note~: located in Irish Sea equidistant from England, Scotland, andIreland~
People~Population~: 64,859 (July 1990), growth rate 0.2% (1990)~Birth rate~: 11 births/1,000 population (1990)~Death rate~: 15 deaths/1,000 population (1990)~Net migration rate~: 5 migrants/1,000 population (1990)~Infant mortality rate~: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)~Life expectancy at birth~: 72 years male, 78 years female (1990)~Total fertility rate~: 1.8 children born/woman (1990)~Nationality~: noun--Manxman, Manxwoman, adjective--Manx~Ethnic divisions~: native Manx of Norse-Celtic descent; British~Religion~: Anglican, Roman Ca