The 1992 CIA World Factbook (part 4 of 5)
Population: 8,205,058 (July 1992), growth rate 3.1% (1992) Birth rate: 44 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 80 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 54 years male, 57 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Senegalese (singular and plural); adjective - Senegalese Ethnic divisions: Wolof 36%, Fulani 17%, Serer 17%, Toucouleur 9%, Diola 9%, Mandingo 9%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 2% Religions: Muslim 92%, indigenous beliefs 6%, Christian 2% (mostly Roman Catholic) Languages: French (official); Wolof, Pulaar, Diola, Mandingo Literacy: 38% (male 52%, female 25%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2,509,000; 77% subsistence agricultural workers; 175,000 wage earners - private sector 40%, government and parapublic 60%; 52% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: majority of wage-labor force represented by unions; however, dues-paying membership very limited; major confederation is National Confederation of Senegalese Labor (CNTS), an affiliate of the governing party
:Senegal Government
Long-form name: Republic of Senegal Type: republic under multiparty democratic rule Capital: Dakar Administrative divisions: 10 regions (regions, singular - region); Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaolack, Kolda, Louga, Saint-Louis, Tambacounda, Thies, Ziguinchor Independence: 20 August 1960 (from France); The Gambia and Senegal signed an agreement on 12 December 1981 (effective 1 February 1982) that called for the creation of a loose confederation to be known as Senegambia, but the agreement was dissolved on 30 September 1989 Constitution: 3 March 1963, last revised in 1991 Legal system: based on French civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court, which also audits the government's accounting office; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 4 April (1960) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State: President Abdou DIOUF (since 1 January 1981) Head of Government: Prime Minister Habib THIAM (since 7 April 1991) Political parties and leaders: Socialist Party (PS), President Abdou DIOUF; Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS), Abdoulaye WADE; 13 other small uninfluential parties Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 28 February 1988 (next to be held NA February 1993); results - Abdou DIOUF (PS) 73%, Abdoulaye WADE (PDS) 26%, other 1% National Assembly: last held 28 February 1988 (next to be held NA February 1993); results - PS 71%, PDS 25%, other 4%; seats - (120 total) PS 103, PDS 17 Other political or pressure groups: students, teachers, labor, Muslim Brotherhoods Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Ibra Deguene KA; Chancery at 2112 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 234-0540 or 0541 US: Ambassador Katherine SHIRLEY; Embassy on Avenue Jean XXIII at the corner of Avenue Kleber, Dakar (mailing address is B. P. 49, Dakar); telephone [221] 23-42-96 or 23-34-24; FAX [221] 22-29-91
:Senegal Government
Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
:Senegal Economy
Overview: The agricultural sector accounts for about 20% of GDP and provides employment for about 75% of the labor force. About 40% of the total cultivated land is used to grow peanuts, an important export crop. The principal economic resource is fishing, which brought in about $200 million or about 25% of total foreign exchange earnings in 1987. Mining is dominated by the extraction of phosphate, but production has faltered because of reduced worldwide demand for fertilizers in recent years. Over the past 10 years tourism has become increasingly important to the economy. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $5.0 billion, per capita $615; real growth rate 3.6% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.0% (1990) Unemployment rate: 3.5% (1987) Budget: revenues $921 million; expenditures $1,024 million; including capital expenditures of $14 million (FY89 est.) Exports: $814 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: manufactures 30%, fish products 27%, peanuts 11%, petroleum products 11%, phosphates 10% partners: France, other EC members, Mali, Ivory Coast, India Imports: $1.05 billion (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: semimanufactures 30%, food 27%, durable consumer goods 17%, petroleum 12%, capital goods 14% partners: France, other EC, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Algeria, China, Japan External debt: $2.9 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate 4.7% (1989); accounts for 15% of GDP Electricity: 215,000 kW capacity; 760 million kWh produced, 100 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining, petroleum refining, building materials Agriculture: including fishing, accounts for 20% of GDP and more than 75% of labor force; major products - peanuts (cash crop), millet, corn, sorghum, rice, cotton, tomatoes, green vegetables; estimated two-thirds self-sufficient in food; fish catch of 299,000 metric tons in 1987 Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $551 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $5.23 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $589 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $295 million Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January 1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987)
:Senegal Economy
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June; note - in January 1993, Senegal will switch to a calendar year
:Senegal Communications
Railroads: 1,034 km 1.000-meter gauge; all single track except 70 km double track Dakar to Thies Highways: 14,007 km total; 3,777 km paved, 10,230 km laterite or improved earth Inland waterways: 897 km total; 785 km on the Senegal, 112 km on the Saloum Ports: Dakar, Kaolack, Foundiougne, Ziguinchor Merchant marine: 2 ships (1,000 GRT and over) totaling 7,676 GRT/12,310 DWT; includes 1 cargo, 1 bulk Civil air: 3 major transport aircraft Airports: 25 total, 19 usable; 10 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 15 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: above-average urban system, using microwave and cable; broadcast stations - 8 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 3 submarine cables; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Senegal Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie, National Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,814,452; 947,723 fit for military service; 88,271 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $100 million, 2% of GDP (1989 est.)
:Serbia and Montenegro Geography
Total area: 102,350 km2 Land area: 102,136 km2: note - Serbia has a total area and a land area of 88,412 km2 while Montenegro has a total area of 13,938 km2 and a land area of 13,724 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Kentucky; note - Serbia is slightly larger than Maine while Montenegro is slightly larger than Connecticut Land boundaries: 2,234 km total; Albania 287 km (114 km with Serbia, 173 km with Montenegro), Bosnia and Hercegovina 527 km (312 km with Serbia, 215 km with Montenegro), Bulgaria 318 km, Croatia (north) 239 km, Croatia (south) 15 km, Hungary 151 km, Macedonia 221 km, Romania 476 km; note - the internal boundary between Montenegro and Serbia is 211 km Coastline: 199 km; Montenegro 199 km, Serbia 0 km Maritime claims: none - landlocked Contiguous zone: NA nm Continental shelf: NA meter depth Exclusive fishing zone: NA nm Exclusive economic zone: NA nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: Sandzak region bordering northern Montenegro and southeastern Serbia - Muslims seeking autonomy; Vojvodina taken from Hungary and awarded to the former Yugoslavia (Serbia) by Treaty of Trianon in 1920; disputes with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia over Serbian populated areas; Albanian minority in Kosovo seeks independence from Serbian Republic Climate: in the north, continental climate - cold winter and hot, humid summers with well distributed rainfall; central portion, continental and Mediterranean climate; to the south, Adriatic climate along the coast, hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall inland Terrain: extremely varied; to the north, rich fertile plains; to the east, limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast, ancient mountain and hills; to the southwest, extremely high shoreline with no islands off the coast; home of largest lake in former Yugoslavia, Lake Scutari Natural resources: oil, gas, coal, antimony, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, gold, pyrite, chrome Land use: arable land 30%; permanent crops 5%; meadows and pastures 20%; forest and woodland 25%; other 20%; includes irrigated 5% Environment: coastal water pollution from sewage outlets, especially in tourist related areas such as Kotor; air pollution around Belgrade and other industrial cities; water pollution along Danube from industrial waste dump into the Sava which drains into the Danube; subject to destructive earthquakes Note: controls one of the major land routes from Western Europe to Turkey and the Near East; strategic location along the Adriatic coast
:Serbia and Montenegro People
Population: 10,642,000 (July 1992), growth rate NA% (1991) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: Serbia - 70.11 years male, 75.21 years female (1992); Montenegro - 76.33 years male, 82.27 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Serbian(s) and Montenegrin(s); adjective - Serbian and Montenegrin Ethnic divisions: Serbs 63%, Albanians 14%, Montenegrins 6%, Hungarians 4% Religions: Orthodox 65%, Muslim 19%, Roman Catholic 4%, Protestant 1%, other 11% Languages: Serbo-Croatian 100% Literacy: 89% (male 95%, female 83%) age 10 and over can read and write (1991 est.) Labor force: 2,640,909; industry, mining 40%, agriculture 5% (1990) Organized labor: NA
:Serbia and Montenegro Government
Long-form name: none Type: republic Capital: Belgrade Administrative divisions: 2 provinces (pokajine, singular - pokajina); and 2 automous provinces*; Kosovo*, Montenegro, Serbia, Vojvodina* Independence: NA April 1992 Constitution: NA April 1992 Legal system: based on civil law system National holiday: NA Executive branch: president, vice president, prime minister, deputy prime minister Legislative branch: Parliament Judicial branch: NA Leaders: Chief of State: President Dobric COSIC (since NA), Vice President Branko KOSTIC (since July 1991); note - Slobodan MILOSEVIC is president of Serbia Head of Government: Prime Minister Milan PANIC (since 14 July 1992), Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr MITROVIC (since March 1989) Political parties and leaders: former Communisty Party, Slobodan MILOSEVIC; Serbian Radical Party, Vojislav SESELJ; Serbian Renewal Party, Vok DRASKOVIC Suffrage: at age 16 if employed, universal at age 18 Elections: President: NA Parliament: last held 4 June 1992 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (138 total) former Community Party 73, Radical Party 33, other 32 Communists: NA Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: CSCE, UN Diplomatic representation: none; US does not recognize Serbia and Montenegro Flag: NA
:Serbia and Montenegro Economy
Overview: The swift collapse of the Yugoslav federation has been accompanied by bloody ethnic warfare, the destabilization of republic boundaries, and the breakup of important interrepublic trade flows. The situation in Serbia and Montenegro remains fluid in view of the extensive political and military strife. This new state faces major economic problems. First, like the other former Yugoslav republics, Serbia and Montenegro depended on their sister republics for large amounts of foodstuffs, energy supplies, and manufactures. Wide varieties in climate, mineral resources, and levels of technology among the six republics accentuated this interdependence, as did the Communist practice of concentrating much industrial output in a small number of giant plants. The breakup of many of the trade links, the sharp drop in output as industrial plants lost suppliers and markets, and the destruction of physical assets in the fighting all have contributed to the economic difficulties of the republics. One singular factor in the economic situation of Serbia and Montenegro is the continuation in office of a Communist government that is primarily interested in political and military mastery, not economic reform. A further complication is the major economic sanctions by the leading industrial nations. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $44 billion, per capita $4,200; real growth rate NA% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 60% per month Unemployment rate: 25-40% Budget: NA Exports: $4.4 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 29%, manufactured goods 28.5%, miscellaneous manufactured articles 13.5%, chemicals 11%, food and live animals 9%, raw materials 6%, fuels and lubricants 2%, beverages and tobacco 1% partners: principally the other former Yugoslav republics; Italy, Germany, other EC, the former USSR, East European countries, US Imports: $6.4 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 26%, fuels and lubricants 18%, manufactured goods 16%, chemicals 12.5%, food and live animals 11%, miscellaneous manufactured items 8%, raw materials, including coking coal for the steel industry, 7%, beverages, tobacco, and edible oils 1.5% partners: principally the other former Yugoslav republics; the former USSR, EC countries (mainly Italy and Germany), East European countries, US External debt: $4.2 billion (may assume some part of foreign debt of former Yugoslavia) Industrial production: growth rate -20% or greater (1991 est.) Electricity: 8,633,000 kW capacity; 34,600 million kWh produced, 3,496 kWh per capita (1991)
:Serbia and Montenegro Economy
Industries: machine building (aircraft, trucks, and automobiles; armored vehicles and weapons; electrical equipment; agricultural machinery), metallurgy (steel, aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, chromium, antimony, bismuth, cadmium), mining (coal, bauxite, nonferrous ore, iron ore, limestone), consumer goods (textiles, footwear, foodstuffs, appliances), electronics, petroleum products, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals Agriculture: the fertile plains of Vojvodina produce 80% of the cereal production of the former Yugoslavia and most of the cotton, oilseeds, and chicory; Vojvodina also produces fodder crops to support intensive beef and dairy production; Serbia proper, although hilly, has a well-distributed rainfall and a long growing season; produces fruit, grapes, and cereals; in this area, livestock production (sheep and cattle) and dairy farming prosper; Kosovo province produces fruits, vegetables, tobacco, and a small amount of cereals; the mountainous pastures of Kosovo and Montenegro support sheep and goat husbandry; Montenegro has only a small agriculture sector, mostly near the coast where a Mediterranean climate permits the culture of olives, citrus, grapes, and rice Illicit drugs: NA Economic aid: NA Currency: Yugoslav New Dinar (plural - New Dinars); 1 Yugo New Dinar (YD) = 100 paras Exchange rates: Yugoslav New Dinars (YD) per US $1 - 28.230 (December 1991), 15.162 (1990), 15.528 (1989), 0.701 (1988), 0.176 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Serbia and Montenegro Communications
Railroads: NA Highways: 46,019 km total (1990); 26,949 km paved, 10,373 km gravel, 8,697 km earth Inland waterways: NA km Pipelines: crude oil 415 km, petroleum products 130 km, natural gas 2,110 km Ports: maritime - Bar; inland - Belgrade Merchant marine: 43 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 866,915 GRT/1,449,094 DWT; includes 19 cargo, 5 container, 16 bulk carriers, 2 combination/ore carrier and 1 passenger ship, under Serbian and Montenegrin flag; note - Montenegro also operates 3 bulk carriers under the flags of Panama and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Civil air: NA Airports: NA Telecommunications: 700,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 26 AM, 9 FM, 18 TV; 2,015,000 radios; 1,000,000 TVs; satellite ground stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
:Serbia and Montenegro Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, and Air Forces Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,545,357; NA fit for military service; 96,832 reach military age (18) annually (est.) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
:Seychelles Geography
Total area: 455 km2 Land area: 455 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 491 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claims Tromelin Island Climate: tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May) Terrain: Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs Natural resources: fish, copra, cinnamon trees Land use: arable land 4%; permanent crops 18%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 18%; other 60% Environment: lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible; no fresh water - catchments collect rain; 40 granitic and about 50 coralline islands Note: located north-northeast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean
:Seychelles People
Population: 69,519 (July 1992), growth rate 0.8% (1992) Birth rate: 23 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -8 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 15 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 75 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Seychellois (singular and plural); adjective - Seychelles Ethnic divisions: Seychellois (mixture of Asians, Africans, Europeans) Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Anglican 8%, other 2% Languages: English and French (official); Creole Literacy: 85% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990) Labor force: 27,700; industry and commerce 31%, services 21%, government 20%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 12%, other 16% (1985); 57% of population of working age (1983) Organized labor: three major trade unions
:Seychelles Government
Long-form name: Republic of Seychelles Type: republic Capital: Victoria Administrative divisions: 23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe Island), Grand' Anse (on Praslin Island), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka Independence: 29 June 1976 (from UK) Constitution: 5 June 1979 Legal system: based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law National holiday: Liberation Day (anniversary of coup), 5 June (1977) Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly (Assemblee du Peuple) Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President France Albert RENE (since 5 June 1977) Political parties and leaders: ruling party - Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF), France Albert RENE; note - in December 1991, President RENE announced that the Seychelles would begin an immediate transition to a multiparty political system; registration of new political parties was scheduled to begin in January 1992 Suffrage: universal at age 17 Elections: election of delegates to a multiparty constitutional conference is scheduled for June 1992 President: last held 9-11 June 1989 (next to be held NA June 1994); results - President France Albert RENE reelected without opposition People's Assembly: last held 5 December 1987 (next to be held NA December 1992); results - SPPF was the only legal party; seats - (25 total, 23 elected) SPPF 23 Other political or pressure groups: trade unions, Roman Catholic Church Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Second Secretary, Charge d'Affaires ad interim Marc R. MARENGO; Chancery (temporary) at 820 Second Avenue, Suite 900F, New York, NY 10017; telephone (212) 687-9766 US: Ambassador Richard W. CARLSON; Embassy at 4th Floor, Victoria House, Victoria (mailing address is Box 148, Victoria, and Victoria House, Box 251, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles, or APO AE 09815-2501); telephone (248) 25256; FAX (248) 25189
:Seychelles Government
Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), white (wavy), and green; the white band is the thinnest, the red band is the thickest
:Seychelles Economy
Overview: In this small, open, tropical island economy, the tourist industry employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings. In recent years the government has encouraged foreign investment in order to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the high dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $350 million, per capita $5,200; real growth rate -4.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 9% (1987) Budget: revenues $180 million; expenditures $202 million, including capital expenditures of $32 million (1989) Exports: $40 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: fish, copra, cinnamon bark, petroleum products (reexports) partners: France 63%, Pakistan 12%, Reunion 10%, UK 7% (1987) Imports: $186 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: manufactured goods, food, tobacco, beverages, machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products partners: UK 20%, France 14%, South Africa 13%, PDRY 13%, Singapore 8%, Japan 6% (1987) External debt: $189 million (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 7% (1987); accounts for 10% of GDP Electricity: 30,000 kW capacity; 80 million kWh produced, 1,160 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: tourism, processing of coconut and vanilla, fishing, coir rope factory, boat building, printing, furniture, beverage Agriculture: accounts for 7% of GDP, mostly subsistence farming; cash crops - coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla; other products - sweet potatoes, cassava, bananas; broiler chickens; large share of food needs imported; expansion of tuna fishing under way Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY78-89), $26 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1978-89), $315 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $5 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $60 million Currency: Seychelles rupee (plural - rupees); 1 Seychelles rupee (SRe) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Seychelles rupees (SRe) per US$1 - 5.2946 (March 1992), 5.2893 (1991), 5.3369 (1990), 5.6457 (1989), 5.3836 (1988), 5.6000 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Seychelles Communications
Highways: 260 km total; 160 km paved, 100 km crushed stone or earth Ports: Victoria Merchant marine: 1 refrigerated cargo totaling 1,827 GRT/2,170 DWT Civil air: 1 major transport aircraft Airports: 14 total, 14 usable; 8 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: direct radio communications with adjacent islands and African coastal countries; 13,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 2 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station; USAF tracking station
:Seychelles Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential Protection Unit, Police Force, Militia Manpower availability: males 15-49, 17,739; 9,096 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $12 million, 4% of GDP (1990 est.)
:Sierra Leone Geography
Total area: 71,740 km2 Land area: 71,620 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: 958 km total; Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km Coastline: 402 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 200 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April) Terrain: coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east Natural resources: diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite Land use: arable land 25%; permanent crops 2%; meadows and pastures 31%; forest and woodland 29%; other 13%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: extensive mangrove swamps hinder access to sea; deforestation; soil degradation
:Sierra Leone People
Population: 4,456,737 (July 1992), growth rate -0.2% (1992) Birth rate: 46 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 20 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -28 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 148 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 43 years male, 48 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Sierra Leonean(s); adjective - Sierra Leonean Ethnic divisions: native African 99% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%); Creole, European, Lebanese, and Asian 1%; 13 tribes Religions: Muslim 30%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10%, other or none 30% Languages: English (official); regular use limited to literate minority; principal vernaculars are Mende in south and Temne in north; Krio is the language of the resettled ex-slave population of the Freetown area and is lingua franca Literacy: 21% (male 31%, female 11%) age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic (1990 est.) Labor force: 1,369,000 (est.); agriculture 65%, industry 19%, services 16% (1981); only about 65,000 earn wages (1985); 55% of population of working age Organized labor: 35% of wage earners
:Sierra Leone Government
Long-form name: Republic of Sierra Leone Type: military government Capital: Freetown Administrative divisions: Western Area and 3 provinces; Eastern, Northern, Southern Independence: 27 April 1961 (from UK) Constitution: 1 October 1991; amended September 1991 Legal system: based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Republic Day, 27 April (1961) Executive branch: National Provisional Ruling Council Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (suspended after coup of 29 April 1992) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (suspended after coup of 29 April 1992) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Gen. Joseph Saidu MOMOH was ousted in coup of 29 April 1992; succeeded by Chairman of the National Provisional Ruling Council Valentine STRASSER (since 29 April 1992) Political parties and leaders: status of existing political parties are unknown following 29 April 1992 coup Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: suspended after 29 April 1992 coup; Chairman STRASSER promises multi-party elections sometime in the future Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador (vacant); Chancery at 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 939-9261 US: Ambassador Johnny YOUNG; Embassy at the corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens Street, Freetown; telephone [232] (22) 226-481; FAX [232] (22) 225471 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue
:Sierra Leone Economy
Overview: The economic and social infrastructure is not well developed. Subsistence agriculture dominates the economy, generating about one-third of GDP and employing about two-thirds of the working population. Manufacturing, which accounts for roughly 10% of GDP, consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for the domestic market. Diamond mining provides an important source of hard currency. The economy suffers from high unemployment, rising inflation, large trade deficits, and a growing dependency on foreign assistance. The government in 1990 was attempting to get the budget deficit under control and, in general, to bring economic policy in line with the recommendations of the IMF and the World Bank. Since March 1991, however, military incursions by Liberian rebels in southern and eastern Sierra Leone have severely strained the economy and have undermined efforts to institute economic reforms. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $1.4 billion, per capita $330; real growth rate 3% (FY91 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 110% (1990) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $134 million; expenditures $187 million, including capital expenditures of $32 million (FY91 est.) Exports: $138 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: rutile 50%, bauxite 17%, cocoa 11%, diamonds 3%, coffee 3% partners: US, UK, Belgium, FRG, other Western Europe Imports: $146 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: capital goods 40%, food 32%, petroleum 12%, consumer goods 7%, light industrial goods partners: US, EC, Japan, China, Nigeria External debt: $572 million (1990) Industrial production: NA Electricity: 85,000 kW capacity; 185 million kWh produced, 45 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: mining (diamonds, bauxite, rutile), small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear), petroleum refinery Agriculture: accounts for over 30% of GDP and two-thirds of the labor force; largely subsistence farming; cash crops - coffee, cocoa, palm kernels; harvests of food staple rice meets 80% of domestic needs; annual fish catch averages 53,000 metric tons Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $161 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $848 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $18 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $101 million Currency: leone (plural - leones); 1 leone (Le) = 100 cents
:Sierra Leone Economy
Exchange rates: leones (Le) per US$1 - 476.74 (March 1992), 295.34 (1991), 144.9275 (1990), 58.1395 (1989), 31.2500 (1988), 30.7692 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
:Sierra Leone Communications
Railroads: 84 km 1.067-meter narrow-gauge mineral line is used on a limited basis because the mine at Marampa is closed Highways: 7,400 km total; 1,150 km paved, 490 km laterite (some gravel), remainder improved earth Inland waterways: 800 km; 600 km navigable year round Ports: Freetown, Pepel, Bonthe Merchant marine: 1 cargo ship totaling 5,592 GRT/9,107 DWT Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 12 total, 7 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: marginal telephone and telegraph service; national microwave system unserviceable at present; 23,650 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Sierra Leone Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, National Police Force, Special Security Detachment Manpower availability: males 15-49, 976,147; 472,112 fit for military service; no conscription Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $6 million, 0.7% of GDP (1988 est.)
:Singapore Geography
Total area: 632.6 km2 Land area: 622.6 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 193 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm Disputes: two islands in dispute with Malaysia Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy; no pronounced rainy or dry seasons; thunderstorms occur on 40% of all days (67% of days in April) Terrain: lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports Land use: arable land 4%; permanent crops 7%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 5%; other 84% Environment: mostly urban and industrialized Note: focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes
:Singapore People
Population: 2,792,092 (July 1992), growth rate 1.3% (1992) Birth rate: 18 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 73 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Singaporean(s); adjective - Singapore Ethnic divisions: Chinese 76.4%, Malay 14.9%, Indian 6.4%, other 2.3% Religions: majority of Chinese are Buddhists or atheists; Malays are nearly all Muslim (minorities include Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Taoists, Confucianists) Languages: Chinese, Malay, Tamil, and English (all official); Malay (national) Literacy: 88% (male 93%, female 84%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 1,485,800; financial, business, and other services 30.2%, manufacturing 28.4%, commerce 22.0%, construction 9.0%, other 10.4% (1990) Organized labor: 210,000; 16.1% of labor force (1989)
:Singapore Government
Long-form name: Republic of Singapore Type: republic within Commonwealth Capital: Singapore Administrative divisions: none Independence: 9 August 1965 (from Malaysia) Constitution: 3 June 1959, amended 1965; based on preindependence State of Singapore Constitution Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day, 9 August (1965) Executive branch: president, prime minister, two deputy prime ministers, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President WEE Kim Wee (since 3 September 1985) Head of Government: Prime Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 28 November 1990); Deputy Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 28 November 1990); Deputy Prime Ministers ONG Teng Cheong (since 2 January 1985) and LEE Hsien Loong Political parties and leaders: government: People's Action Party (PAP), LEE Kuan Yew, secretary general; opposition: Workers' Party (WP), J. B. JEYARETNAM; Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), CHIAM See Tong; National Solidarity Party (NSP), leader NA; Barisan Sosialis (BS, Socialist Front), leader NA Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 20 Elections: President: last held 31 August 1989 (next to be held NA August 1993); results - President WEE Kim Wee was reelected by Parliament without opposition Parliament: last held 31 August 1991 (next to be held 31 August 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (81 total) PAP 77, SDP 3, WP 1 Communists: 200-500; Barisan Sosialis infiltrated by Communists; note - Communist party illegal Member of: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador S. R. NATHAN; Chancery at 1824 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 667-7555 US: Ambassador Robert D. ORR; Embassy at 30 Hill Street, Singapore 0617 (mailing address is FPO AP 96534); telephone [65] 338-0251; FAX [65] 338-4550
:Singapore Government
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle
:Singapore Economy
Overview: Singapore has an open entrepreneurial economy with strong service and manufacturing sectors and excellent international trading links derived from its entrepot history. During the 1970s and early 1980s, the economy expanded rapidly, achieving an average annual growth rate of 9%. Per capita GDP is among the highest in Asia. The economy grew at a respectable 6.5% in 1991, down from 8.3% in 1990, in part because of a slowdown in overseas demand and lower growth in the financial and business services sector. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $38.3 billion, per capita $13,900; real growth rate 6.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 1.5% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $9.8 billion; expenditures $9.0 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.8 billion (FY91 est.) Exports: $57.8 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: includes transshipments to Malaysia - petroleum products, rubber, electronics, manufactured goods partners: US 20%, Malaysia 15%, Japan 9%, Hong Kong 7%, Thailand 6% Imports: $65.8 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: includes transshipments from Malaysia - capital equipment, petroleum, chemicals, manufactured goods, foodstuffs partners: Japan 21%, US 16%, Malaysia 15%, Taiwan 4% External debt: $3.8 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 9% (1991 est.); accounts for 29% of GDP (1990) Electricity: 4,000,000 kW capacity; 14,400 million kWh produced, 5,300 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: petroleum refining, electronics, oil drilling equipment, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, entrepot trade, financial services, biotechnology Agriculture: occupies a position of minor importance in the economy; self-sufficient in poultry and eggs; must import much of other food; major crops - rubber, copra, fruit, vegetables Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-83), $590 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.0 billion Currency: Singapore dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Singapore dollar (S$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Singapore dollars (S$) per US$1 - 1.6596 (March 1992), 1.7276 (1991), 1.8125 (1990), 1.9503 (1989), 2.0124 (1988), 2.1060 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
:Singapore Communications
Railroads: 38 km of 1.000-meter gauge Highways: 2,597 km total (1984) Ports: Singapore Merchant marine: 468 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 8,751,619 GRT/14,195,718 DWT; includes 1 passenger-cargo, 126 cargo, 74 container, 7 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 5 refrigerated cargo, 18 vehicle carrier, 1 livestock carrier, 144 petroleum tanker, 5 chemical tanker, 4 combination ore/oil, 1 specialized tanker, 5 liquefied gas, 74 bulk, 2 combination bulk, 1 short-sea passenger; note - many Singapore flag ships are foreign owned Civil air: 38 major transport aircraft (est.) Airports: 10 total, 10 usable; 10 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good domestic facilities; good international service; good radio and television broadcast coverage; 1,110,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 13 AM, 4 FM, 2 TV; submarine cables extend to Malaysia (Sabah and peninsular Malaysia), Indonesia, and the Philippines; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT
:Singapore Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, People's Defense Force, Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 847,435; 626,914 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.7 billion, 4% of GDP (1990 est.)
:Slovenia Geography
Total area: 20,296 km2 Land area: 20,296 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than New Jersey Land boundaries: 998 km total; Austria 262 km, Croatia 455 km, Italy 199 km, Hungary 83 km Coastline: 32 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: NA nm Continental shelf: 200 m or to depth of exploitation Exclusive economic zone: NA nm Exclusive fishing zone: NA nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: dispute with Croatia over fishing rights in the Adriatic; small vocal minority in northern Italy seeks the return of parts of southwestern Slovenia Climate: Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east Terrain: a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain region adjacent to Italy, mixed mountain and valleys with numerous rivers to the east Natural resources: lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silver Land use: arable land 10%; permanent crops 2%; meadows and pastures 20%; forest and woodland 45%; other 23%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; heavy metals and toxic chemicals along coastal waters; near Koper, forest damage from air pollutants originating at metallurgical and chemical plants; subject to flooding and earthquakes
:Slovenia People
Population: 1,963,000 (July 1992), growth rate 0.2% (1992) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 70 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Slovene(s); adjective - Slovenia Ethnic divisions: Slovene 91%, Croat 3%, Serb 2%, Muslim 1%, other 3% Religions: Roman Catholic 94%, Orthodox Catholic 2%, Muslim 1%, other 3% Languages: Slovenian 91%, Serbo-Croatian 7%, other 2% Literacy: 99.2% (male 99.3%, female 99.1%) age 10 and over can read and write Labor force: 786,036; 2% agriculture, manufacturing and mining 46% Organized labor: NA
:Slovenia Government
Long-form name: Republic of Slovenia Type: emerging democracy Capital: Ljubljana Administrative divisions: 62 provinces (pokajine, singular - pokajina) Independence: 25 June 1991; 15 January 1992 from Yugoslavia Constitution: adopted 23 December 1991, effective 23 December 1991 Legal system: based on civil law system National holiday: NA Executive branch: president, 4 vice presidents Legislative branch: bicameral; consists of the State Assembly and the State Council; note - will take effect after next election Judicial branch: NA Leaders: Chief of State: President Milan KUCAN (since 22 April 1990); Vice President Matjaz KMECL (since 11 April 1990); Vice President Ivan OMAN (since 11 April 1990); Vice President Dusan PLUT (since 11 April 1990); Vice President Ciril ZLOBEC (since 11 April 1990) Head of Government: Prime Minister Janez DRNOVSEK (since 14 May 1992) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic, Lozje PETERLE, chairman; Liberal Democratic, Janez DRNOVSEK, chairman; Social Democratic, Joze PUNIK, chairman; Socialist, Viktor ZAKELJ, chairman; Greens, Dusan PLUT, chairman; National Democratic, Rajko PIRNAT, chairman; Democratic Peoples Party, Marjan PODOBNIK, chairman; Reformed Socialists (former Communist Party), Ciril RIBICIC, chairman Suffrage: at age 16 if employed, universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held NA (next to be held NA) State Assembly: last held NA (next to be held NA); State Council: last held NA (next to be held NA) Communists: NA Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: CSCE, IMF, UN Diplomatic representation: Representative Ernest PETRIC; Chancery at 1300 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 828-1650 US: Ambassador Ignac GOLOB, Embassy at NA (mailing address is APO AE 09862); telephone NA
:Slovenia Government
Flag: a three color flag, white (hoist side), blue, and red of equal width with the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav in white against a blue background at the center; beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers; around it, there are three six-sided stars arranged in an inverted triangle); the seal is located in the upper hoist side of the flag centered in the white and blue band
:Slovenia Economy
Overview: Slovenia was by far the most prosperous of the old Yugoslav republics, with a per capita income more than twice the Yugoslav average, indeed not far below the levels in neighboring Austria and Italy. Because of its strong ties to Western Europe and the small scale of damage during internecine fighting in Yugoslavia, Slovenia has the brightest prospects among the former Yugoslav republics for economic reform and recovery over the next few years. The political and economic disintegration of Yugoslavia, however, has led to severe short-term dislocations in production, employment, and trade ties. For example, overall industrial production fell 10% in 1991; particularly hard hit were the iron and steel, machine-building, chemical, and textile industries. Meanwhile, fighting has continued in other republics leading to further destruction of long-established trade channels and to an influx of tens of thousands of Croatian refugees. As in other former Communist areas in Eastern Europe, economic reform has often sputtered not only because of the vested interests of old bosses in retaining old rules of the game but also because of the tangible losses experienced by rank-and-file people in the transition to a more market-oriented system. The key program for breaking up and privatizing major industrial firms has not yet begun. Bright spots for encouraging Western investors are Slovenia's comparatively well-educated work force, its developed infrastructure, and its Western business attitudes. Slovenia in absolute terms is a small economy, and a little Western investment would go a long way. GDP: $21 billion, per capita $10,700; real growth rate -10% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15-20% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 10% (April 1992) Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $4,120 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 38%, other manufactured goods 44%, chemicals 9%, food and live animals 4.6%, raw materials 3%, beverages and tobacco less than 1% partners: principally the other former Yugoslav republics, Austria, and Italy Imports: $4,679 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 35%, other manufactured goods 26.7%, chemicals 14.5%, raw materials 9.4%, fuels and lubricants 7%, food and live animals 6% partners: principally the other former Yugoslav republics, Germany, former USSR, US, Hungary, Italy, and Austria External debt: $2.5 billion Industrial production: industrial production has been declining at a rate of about 1% per month (1991-92), mostly because of lost markets in the other former Yugoslav republics Electricity: 2,900,000 kW capacity; 12,250 million kWh produced, 6,447 kWh per capita (1991)
:Slovenia Economy
Industries: ferrous metallurgy and rolling mill products, aluminum reduction and rolled products, lead and zinc smelting, electronics (including military electronics), trucks, electric power equipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools Agriculture: dominated by stock breeding (sheep and cattle) and dairy farming; main crops are potatoes, hops, hemp, and flax; although self-sufficient and having an export surplus in these commodities, Slovenia must import many other agricultural products and has a negative overall trade balance in this sector Illicit drugs: NA Economic aid: NA Currency: Slovene Tolar (plural - Tolars); 1 Tolar (SLT) = 100 NA Exchange rates: Tolars (SLT) per US$1 - 28 (January 1992) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Slovenia Communications
Railroads: NA Highways: 14,553 km total; 10,525 km paved, 4,028 km gravel Inland waterways: NA Pipelines: crude oil 290 km, natural gas 305 km Ports: maritime - Koper Merchant marine: 0 ships (1,000 GRT or over) are under Slovenian flag; note - Slovenian owners control 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 334,995 GRT/558,621 DWT; includes 14 bulk carriers and 7 general cargo ships all under Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag Civil air: NA major transport aircraft Airports: 3 main airports Telecommunications: 130,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 5 FM, 7 TV; 370,000 radios; 330,000 TVs
:Slovenia Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 444,030; NA fit for military service; 18,219 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - 13.5 billion Slovene Tolars, 4.5% of GDP (1992); note - conversion of the military budget into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results
:Solomon Islands Geography
Total area: 28,450 km2 Land area: 27,540 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland Land boundaries: none Coastline: 5,313 km Maritime claims: (measured from claimed archipelagic baselines) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather Terrain: mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls Natural resources: fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates Land use: arable land 1%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 1%; forest and woodland 93%; other 4% Environment: subject to typhoons, which are rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earth tremors Note: located just east of Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific Ocean
:Solomon Islands People
Population: 360,010 (July 1992), growth rate 3.5% (1992) Birth rate: 40 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 30 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 67 years male, 72 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Solomon Islander(s); adjective - Solomon Islander Ethnic divisions: Melanesian 93.0%, Polynesian 4.0%, Micronesian 1.5%, European 0.8%, Chinese 0.3%, other 0.4% Religions: almost all at least nominally Christian; Anglican 34%, Roman Catholic 19%, Baptist 17%, United (Methodist/Presbyterian) 11%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10%, other Protestant 5% Languages: 120 indigenous languages; Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca; English spoken by 1-2% of population Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: 23,448 economically active; agriculture, forestry, and fishing 32.4%; services 25%; construction, manufacturing, and mining 7.0%; commerce, transport, and finance 4.7% (1984) Organized labor: NA, but most of the cash-economy workers have trade union representation
:Solomon Islands Government
Long-form name: none Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Honiara Administrative divisions: 7 provinces and 1 town*; Central, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Temotu, Western Independence: 7 July 1978 (from UK; formerly British Solomon Islands) Constitution: 7 July 1978 Legal system: common law National holiday: Independence Day, 7 July (1978) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament Judicial branch: High Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir George LEPPING (since 27 June 1989, previously acted as governor general since 7 July 1988) Head of Government: Prime Minister Solomon MAMALONI (since 28 March 1989); Deputy Prime Minister Sir Baddeley DEVESI (since NA October 1990) Political parties and leaders: People's Alliance Party (PAP); United Party (UP), leader NA; Solomon Islands Liberal Party (SILP), Bartholemew ULUFA'ALU; Nationalist Front for Progress (NFP), Andrew NORI; Labor Party (LP), Joses TUHANUKU Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: National Parliament: last held 22 February 1989 (next to be held NA February 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (38 total) PAP 13, UP 6, NFP 4, SILP 4, LP 2, independents 9 Member of: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador (vacant) resides in Honiara (Solomon Islands) US: the ambassador in Papua New Guinea is accredited to the Solomon Islands; Embassy at Mud Alley, Honiara (mailing address is American Embassy, P. O. Box 561, Honiara); telephone (677) 23890; FAX (677) 23488 Flag: divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green
:Solomon Islands Economy
Overview: About 90% of the population depend on subsistence agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of their livelihood. Agriculture, fishing, and forestry contribute about 70% to GDP, with the fishing and forestry sectors being important export earners. The service sector contributes about 25% to GDP. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. The economy suffered from a severe cyclone in mid-1986 that caused widespread damage to the infrastructure. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $200 million, per capita $600; real growth rate 6.0% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.2% (1990) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $44 million; expenditures $45 million, including capital expenditures of $22 million (1989 est.) Exports: $67.3 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: fish 46%, timber 31%, copra 5%, palm oil 5% partners: Japan 51%, UK 12%, Thailand 9%, Netherlands 8%, Australia 2%, US 2% (1985) Imports: $86.0 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: plant and machinery 30%, fuel 19%, food 16% partners: Japan 36%, US 23%, Singapore 9%, UK 9%, NZ 9%, Australia 4%, Hong Kong 4%, China 3% (1985) External debt: $128 million (1988 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 0% (1987); accounts for 5% of GDP Electricity: 21,000 kW capacity; 39 million kWh produced, 115 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: copra, fish (tuna) Agriculture: including fishing and forestry, accounts for about 70% of GDP; mostly subsistence farming; cash crops - cocoa, beans, coconuts, palm kernels, timber; other products - rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, cattle, pigs; not self-sufficient in food grains; 90% of the total fish catch of 44,500 metric tons was exported (1988) Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $250 million Currency: Solomon Islands dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Solomon Islands dollar (SI$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Solomon Islands dollars (SI$) per US$1 - 2.8740 (March 1992), 2.7148 (1991), 2.5288 (1990), 2.2932 (1989), 2.0825 (1988), 2.0033 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Solomon Islands Communications
Highways: about 2,100 km total (1982); 30 km paved, 290 km gravel, 980 km earth, 800 private logging and plantation roads of varied construction Ports: Honiara, Ringi Cove Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 33 total, 30 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 3,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 4 AM, no FM, no TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Solomon Islands Defense Forces
Branches: Police Force Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
:Somalia Geography
Total area: 637,660 km2 Land area: 627,340 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: 2,340 km total; Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,600 km, Kenya 682 km Coastline: 3,025 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 200 nm Disputes: southern half of boundary with Ethiopia is a Provisional Administrative Line; territorial dispute with Ethiopia over the Ogaden; possible claims to Djibouti and parts of Ethiopia and Kenya based on unification of ethnic Somalis Climate: desert; northeast monsoon (December to February), cooler southwest monsoon (May to October); irregular rainfall; hot, humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north Natural resources: uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt Land use: arable land 2%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 46%; forest and woodland 14%; other 38%; includes irrigated 3% Environment: recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Note: strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal
:Somalia People
Population: 7,235,226 (July 1992), growth rate 2.1% (1992) Birth rate: 46 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -12 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 115 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 56 years male, 57 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 7.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Somali(s); adjective - Somali Ethnic divisions: Somali 85%, rest mainly Bantu; Arabs 30,000, Europeans 3,000, Asians 800 Religions: almost entirely Sunni Muslim Languages: Somali (official); Arabic, Italian, English Literacy: 24% (male 36%, female 14%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2,200,000; very few are skilled laborers; pastoral nomad 70%, agriculture, government, trading, fishing, handicrafts, and other 30%; 53% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: General Federation of Somali Trade Unions was controlled by the government prior to January 1991; the fall of SIAD regime may have led to collapse of Trade Union organization
:Somalia Government
Long-form name: none Type: none Capital: Mogadishu Administrative divisions: 16 regions (plural - NA, singular - gobolka); Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe, Jubbada Hoose, Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe, Shabeellaha Hoose, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed Independence: 1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland, which became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic) Constitution: 25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979 National holiday: NA Executive branch: president, two vice presidents, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly (Golaha Shacbiga) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Interim President ALI Mahdi Mohamed (since 27 January 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister OMAR Arteh Ghalib (since 27 January 1991) Political parties and leaders: the United Somali Congress (USC) ousted the former regime on 27 January 1991; note - formerly the only party was the Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party (SRSP), headed by former President and Commander in Chief of the Army Maj. Gen. Mohamed SIAD Barre Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 23 December 1986 (next to be held NA); results - President SIAD was reelected without opposition People's Assembly: last held 31 December 1984 (next to be held NA); results - SRSP was the only party; seats - (177 total, 171 elected) SRSP 171; note - the United Somali Congress (USC) ousted the regime of Maj. Gen. Mohamed SIAD Barre on 27 January 1991; the provisional government has promised that a democratically elected government will be established Member of: ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador (vacant); Chancery at Suite 710, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 342-1575; there is a Somali Consulate General in New York; note - Somalian Embassy ceased operations on 8 May 1991
:Somalia Government
US: Ambassador (vacant); Embassy at K-7, AFGOI Road, Mogadishu (mailing address is P. O. Box 574, Mogadishu); telephone [252] (01) 39971; note - US Embassy evacuated and closed indefinitely in January 1991 Flag: light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; design based on the flag of the UN (Italian Somaliland was a UN trust territory)
:Somalia Economy
Overview: One of the world's poorest and least developed countries, Somalia has few resources. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, with the livestock sector accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export earnings. Nomads and seminomads who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihoods make up more than half of the population. Crop production generates only 10% of GDP and employs about 20% of the work force. The main export crop is bananas; sugar, sorghum, and corn are grown for the domestic market. The small industrial sector is based on the processing of agricultural products and accounts for less than 10% of GDP. Greatly increased political turmoil in 1991-92 has resulted in a substantial drop in output, with widespread famine a grim fact of life. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $1.7 billion, per capita $210; real growth rate -1.4% (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 210% (1989) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $190 million; expenditures $195 million, including capital expenditures of $111 million (1989 est.) Exports: $58.0 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: bananas, livestock, fish, hides, skins partners: US 0.5%, Saudi Arabia, Italy, FRG (1986) Imports: $249 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials partners: US 13%, Italy, FRG, Kenya, UK, Saudi Arabia (1986) External debt: $1.9 billion (1989) Industrial production: growth rate -5.0% (1988); accounts for 5% of GDP Electricity: 75,000 kW capacity; 60 million kWh produced, 10 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: a few small industries, including sugar refining, textiles, petroleum refining Agriculture: dominant sector, led by livestock raising (cattle, sheep, goats); crops - bananas, sorghum, corn, mangoes, sugarcane; not self-sufficient in food; fishing potential largely unexploited Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $639 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.8 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $1.1 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $336 million Currency: Somali shilling (plural - shillings); 1 Somali shilling (So. Sh.) = 100 centesimi Exchange rates: Somali shillings (So. Sh.) per US$1 - 3,800.00 (December 1990), 490.7 (1989), 170.45 (1988), 105.18 (1987), 72.00 (1986)
:Somalia Economy
Fiscal year: calendar year
:Somalia Communications
Highways: 15,215 km total; including 2,335 km paved, 2,880 km gravel, and 10,000 km improved earth or stabilized soil (1983) Pipelines: crude oil 15 km Ports: Mogadishu, Berbera, Chisimayu, Bosaso Merchant marine: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,913 GRT/8,718 DWT; includes 2 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo Civil air: 1 major transport aircraft Airports: 53 total, 40 usable; 7 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 6 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 15 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: minimal telephone and telegraph service; microwave and troposcatter system centered on Mogadishu connects a few towns; 6,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station; scheduled to receive an ARABSAT ground station
:Somalia Defense Forces
Branches: NA Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,673,542; 942,153 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
:South Africa Geography
Total area: 1,221,040 km2 Land area: 1,221,040 km2; includes Walvis Bay, Marion Island, and Prince Edward Island Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: 4,973 km total; Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique 491 km, Namibia 1,078 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km Coastline: 2,881 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claim by Namibia to Walvis Bay exclave and 12 offshore islands administered by South Africa; South Africa and Namibia have agreed to jointly administer the area for an interim period; the terms and dates to be covered by joint administration arrangements have not been established at this time; and Namibia will continue to maintain a claim to sovereignty over the entire area Climate: mostly semiarid; subtropical along coast; sunny days, cool nights Terrain: vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain Natural resources: gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas Land use: arable land 10%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 65%; forest and woodland 3%; other 21%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water conservation and control measures Note: Walvis Bay is an exclave of South Africa in Namibia; South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost completely surrounds Swaziland
:South Africa People
Population: 41,688,360 (July 1992), growth rate 2.6% (1992); includes the 10 so-called homelands, which are not recognized by the US Population: four independent homelands: Bophuthatswana 2,489,347, growth rate 2.86%; Ciskei 1,088,476, growth rate 2.99%; Transkei 4,746,796, growth rate 4.13%; Venda 718,207, growth rate 3.81% six other homelands: Gazankulu 803,806, growth rate 3.96%; Kangwane 597,783, growth rate 3.60%; KwaNdebele 373,012, growth rate 3.40%; KwaZulu 5,748,950, growth rate 3.58%; Lebowa 2,924,584, growth rate 3.90%; QwaQwa 288,155, growth rate 3.60% Birth rate: 34 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 50 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 62 years male, 67 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - South African(s); adjective - South African Ethnic divisions: black 75.2%, white 13.6%, Colored 8.6%, Indian 2.6% Religions: most whites and Coloreds and about 60% of blacks are Christian; about 60% of Indians are Hindu; Muslim 20% Languages: Afrikaans, English (both official); many vernacular languages, including Zulu, Xhosa, North and South Sotho, Tswana Literacy: 76% (male 78%, female 75%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: 11,000,000 economically active (1989); services 34%, agriculture 30%, industry and commerce 29%, mining 7% (1985) Organized labor: about 17% of total labor force belongs to a registered trade union (1989); African unions represent 15% of black labor force
:South Africa Government
Long-form name: Republic of South Africa; abbreviated RSA Type: republic Capital: Pretoria (administrative); Cape Town (legislative); Bloemfontein (judicial) Administrative divisions: 4 provinces; Cape, Natal, Orange Free State, Transvaal; there are 10 homelands not recognized by the US - 4 independent (Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, Transkei, Venda) and 6 other (Gazankulu, Kangwane, KwaNdebele, KwaZulu, Lebowa, QwaQwa) Independence: 31 May 1910 (from UK) Constitution: 3 September 1984 Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Republic Day, 31 May (1910) Executive branch: state president, Executive Council (cabinet), Ministers' Councils (from the three houses of Parliament) Legislative branch: tricameral Parliament (Parlement) consists of the House of Assembly (Volksraad; whites), House of Representatives (Raad van Verteenwoordigers; Coloreds), and House of Delegates (Raad van Afgevaardigdes; Indians) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: State President Frederik W. DE KLERK (since 13 September 1989) Political parties and leaders: white political parties and leaders: National Party (NP), Frederik W. DE KLERK (majority party); Conservative Party (CP), Dr. Andries P. TREURNICHT (official opposition party); Democratic Party (DP), Zach DE BEER Colored political parties and leaders: Labor Party (LP), Allan HENDRICKSE (majority party); Freedom Party; note - the Democratic Reform Party (DRP) and the United Democratic Party (UDP) were disbanded in May 1991 Indian political parties and leaders: Solidarity, J. N. REDDY (majority party); National People's Party (NPP), Amichand RAJBANSI; Merit People's Party Suffrage: universal at age 18, but voting rights are racially based Elections: House of Assembly (whites): last held 6 September 1989 (next to be held by NA March 1995); results - NP 58%, CP 23%, DP 19%; seats - (178 total, 166 elected) NP 103, CP 41, DP 34; note - by February 1992 because of byelections, changes in number of seats held by parties were as follows: NP 102, CP 42, DP 33, vacant 1 House of Representatives (Coloreds): last held 6 September 1989 (next to be held no later than March 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (85 total, 80 elected) LP 69, DRP 5, UDP 3, Freedom Party 1, independents 2; note - since the National Party became multiracial, by February 1992 many representatives from other parties have changed their allegiance causing the following changes in seating: LP 39, NP 38, Freedom Party 1, independents 7
:South Africa Government
House of Delegates (Indians): last held 6 September 1989 (next to be held no later than March 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (45 total, 40 elected) Solidarity 16, NPP 9, Merit People's Party 3, independents 6, other 6; note - due to delegates changing party affiliation, seating as of February 1992 is as follows: Solidarity 25, NPP 7, Merit People's Party 2, other 5, independents 5, vacancy 1 Communists: South African Communist Party, Chris HANI, secretary general, and Joe SLOVO, national chairman Other political or pressure groups: African National Congress (ANC), Nelson MANDELA, president; Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Mangosuthu BUTHELEZI, president; Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC), Clarence MAKWETU, president Member of: BIS, CCC, ECA, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO (suspended), ICC, IDA, IFC, IMF, INTELSAT, ISO, ITU (suspended), LORCS, SACU, UN, UNCTAD, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO (suspended) Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Harry SCHWARZ; Chancery at 3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 232-4400; there are South African Consulates General in Beverly Hills (California), Chicago, Houston, and New York US: Ambassador William L. SWING; Embassy at Thibault House, 225 Pretorius Street, Pretoria; telephone [27] (12) 28-4266, FAX [27] (12) 21-92-78; there are US Consulates General in Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg Flag: actually four flags in one - three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band of the former flag of the Netherlands, which has three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature flags are a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontal flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal flag of the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other side
:South Africa Economy
Overview: Many of the white one-seventh of the South African population enjoy incomes, material comforts, and health and educational standards equal to those of Western Europe. In contrast, most of the remaining population suffers from the poverty patterns of the Third World, including unemployment, lack of job skills, and barriers to movement into higher-paying fields. Inputs and outputs thus do not move smoothly into the most productive employments, and the effectiveness of the market is further lowered by international constraints on dealings with South Africa. The main strength of the economy lies in its rich mineral resources, which provide two-thirds of exports. Average growth of less than 2% in output in recent years falls far short of the 5% to 6% level needed to absorb some 300,000 new entrants to the labor force annually. Economic developments in the 1990s will be driven partly by the changing relations among the various ethnic groups. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $104 billion, per capita $2,600; real growth rate - 0.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15.7% (March 1992) Unemployment rate: 40% (1991); well over 50% in some homeland areas (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $29.4 billion; expenditures $35.0 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.1 billion (FY93 est.) Exports: $24.0 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: gold 25-30%, minerals and metals 20-25%, food 5%, chemicals 3% partners: Italy, Japan, US, FRG, UK, other EC members, Hong Kong Imports: $18.8 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: machinery 32%, transport equipment 15%, chemicals 11%, oil, textiles, scientific instruments, base metals partners: FRG, Japan, UK, US, Italy External debt: $19.0 billion (December 1991) Industrial production: growth rate NA%; accounts for about 40% of GDP Electricity: 46,000,000 kW capacity; 180,000 million kWh produced, 4,100 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textile, iron and steel, chemical, fertilizer, foodstuffs Agriculture: accounts for about 5% of GDP and 30% of labor force; diversified agriculture, with emphasis on livestock; products - cattle, poultry, sheep, wool, milk, beef, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; self-sufficient in food Economic aid: NA Currency: rand (plural - rand); 1 rand (R) = 100 cents
:South Africa Economy
Exchange rates: rand (R) per US$1 - 2.7814 (January 1992), 2.7563 (1991), 2.5863 (1990), 2.6166 (1989), 2.2611 (1988), 2.0350 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
:South Africa Communications
Railroads: 20,638 km route distance total; 35,079 km of 1.067-meter gauge trackage (counts double and multiple tracking as single track); 314 km of 610 mm gauge Highways: 188,309 km total; 54,013 km paved, 134,296 km crushed stone, gravel, or improved earth Pipelines: crude oil 931 km, petroleum products 1,748 km, natural gas 322 km Ports: Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Richard's Bay, Saldanha, Mosselbaai, Walvis Bay Merchant marine: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 213,708 GRT/201,043 DWT; includes 4 container, 1 vehicle carrier Civil air: 90 major transport aircraft Airports: 901 total, 732 usable; 132 with permanent-surface runways; 5 with runways over 3,659 m; 10 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 224 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: the system is the best developed, most modern, and has the highest capacity in Africa; it consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines, coaxial cables, radio relay links, fiber optic cable, and radiocommunication stations; key centers are Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria; over 4,500,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 14 AM, 286 FM, 67 TV; 1 submarine cable; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
:South Africa Defense Forces
Branches: South African Defense Force (SADF; including Army, Navy, Air Force, Medical Services), South African Police (SAP) Manpower availability: males 15-49, 10,051,202; 6,133,484 fit for military service; 420,275 reach military age (18) annually; obligation for service in Citizen Force or Commandos begins at 18; volunteers for service in permanent force must be 17; national service obligation is one year; figures include the so-called homelands not recognized by the US Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.5 billion, about 3% of GDP (FY92)
:South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Geography
Total area: 4,066 km2 Land area: 4,066 km2; includes Shag and Clerke Rocks, South Georgia, Bird Island, South Sandwich Islands Comparative area: slightly larger than Rhode Island Land boundaries: none Coastline: undetermined Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina Climate: variable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year, interspersed with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls as snow Terrain: most of the islands, rising steeply from the sea, are rugged and mountainous; South Georgia is largely barren and has steep, glacier-covered mountains; the South Sandwich Islands are of volcanic origin with some active volcanoes Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100%; largely covered by permanent ice and snow with some sparse vegetation consisting of grass, moss, and lichen Environment: reindeer, introduced early in this century, live on South Georgia; weather conditions generally make it difficult to approach the South Sandwich Islands; the South Sandwich Islands are subject to active volcanism Note: the north coast of South Georgia has several large bays, which provide good anchorage
:South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands People
Population: no permanent population; there is a small military garrison on South Georgia, and the British Antarctic Survey has a biological station on Bird Island; the South Sandwich Islands are uninhabited
:South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Government
Long-form name: South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (no short-form name) Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: none; Grytviken on South Georgia is the garrison town 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, commissioner Legislative branch: none Judicial branch: none Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Commissioner William Hugh FULLERTON (since 1988; resident at Stanley, Falkland Islands)
:South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Economy
Overview: Some fishing takes place in adjacent waters. There is a potential source of income from harvesting fin fish and krill. The islands receive income from postage stamps produced in the UK. Budget: revenues $291,777; expenditures $451,011, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY88 est.) Electricity: 900 kW capacity; 2 million kWh produced, NA kWh per capita (1990)
:South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Communications
Highways: NA Ports: Grytviken on South Georgia Airports: 5 total, 5 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runway 2,440-3,659 m Telecommunications: coastal radio station at Grytviken; no broadcast stations
:South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
:Spain Geography
Total area: 504,750 km2 Land area: 499,400 km2; includes Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, and five places of sovereignty (plazas de soberania) on and off the coast of Morocco - Ceuta, Mellila, Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Oregon Land boundaries: 1,903.2 km total; Andorra 65 km, France 623 km, Gibraltar 1.2 km, Portugal 1,214 km Coastline: 4,964 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: Gibraltar question with UK; Spain controls five places of sovereignty (plazas de soberania) on and off the coast of Morocco - the coastal enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, which Morocco contests, as well as the islands of Penon de Alhucemas, Penon de Velez de la Gomera, and Islas Chafarinas Climate: temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast Terrain: large, flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rugged hills; Pyrenees in north Natural resources: coal, lignite, iron ore, uranium, mercury, pyrites, fluorspar, gypsum, zinc, lead, tungsten, copper, kaolin, potash, hydropower Land use: arable land 31%; permanent crops 10%; meadows and pastures 21%; forest and woodland 31%; other 7%; includes irrigated 6% Environment: deforestation; air pollution Note: strategic location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar
:Spain People
Population: 39,118,399 (July 1992), growth rate 0.2% (1992) Birth rate: 11 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 81 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Spaniard(s); adjective - Spanish Ethnic divisions: composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types Religions: Roman Catholic 99%, other sects 1% Languages: Castilian Spanish; second languages include Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2% Literacy: 95% (male 97%, female 93%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 14,621,000; services 53%, industry 24%, agriculture 14%, construction 9% (1988) Organized labor: less 10% of labor force (1988)
:Spain Government
Long-form name: Kingdom of Spain Type: parliamentary monarchy Capital: Madrid Administrative divisions: 17 autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas, singular - comunidad autonoma); Andalucia, Aragon, Asturias, Canarias, Cantabria, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Cataluna, Communidad Valencia, Extremadura, Galicia, Islas Baleares, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia, Navarra, Pais Vasco; note - there are five places of sovereignty on and off the coast of Morocco (Ceuta, Mellila, Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera) with administrative status unknown Independence: 1492 (expulsion of the Moors and unification) Constitution: 6 December 1978, effective 29 December 1978 Legal system: civil law system, with regional applications; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day, 12 October Executive branch: monarch, president of the government (prime minister), deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet), Council of State Legislative branch: bicameral The General Courts or National Assembly (Las Cortes Generales) consists of an upper house or Senate (Senado) and a lower house or Congress of Deputies (Congreso de los Diputados) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo) Leaders: Chief of State: King JUAN CARLOS I (since 22 November 1975) Head of Government: Prime Minister Felipe GONZALEZ Marquez (since 2 December 1982); Deputy Prime Minister Narcis SERRA (since 13 March 1991) Political parties and leaders: principal national parties, from right to left - Popular Party (PP), Jose Maria AZNAR; Popular Democratic Party (PDP), Luis DE GRANDES; Social Democratic Center (CDS), Rafael Calvo ORTEGA; Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE), Felipe GONZALEZ Marquez; Socialist Democracy Party (DS), Ricardo Garcia DAMBORENEA; Spanish Communist Party (PCE), Julio ANGUITA; chief regional parties - Convergence and Unity (CiU), Jordi PUJOL Saley, in Catalonia; Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), Xabier ARZALLUS; Basque Solidarity (EA), Carlos GARAICOETXEA Urizza; Basque Popular Unity (HB), Jon IDIGORAS; Basque Left (EE), Kepa AULESTIA; Andalusian Party (PA), Pedro PACHECO; Independent Canary Group (AIC); Aragon Regional Party (PAR); Valencian Union (UV) Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Senate: last held 29 October 1989 (next to be held NA October 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (208 total) PSOE 106, PP 79, CiU 10, PNV 4, HB 3, AIC 1, other 5
:Spain Government
Congress of Deputies: last held 29 October 1989 (next to be held NA October 1993); results - PSOE 39.6%, PP 25.8%, CDS 9%, Communist-led coalition (IU) 9%, CiU 5%, PNV 1.2%, HB 1%, PA 1%, other 8.4%; seats - (350 total) PSOE 175, PP 106, CiU 18, IU 17, CDS 14, PNV 5, HB 4, other 11 Communists: PCE membership declined from a possible high of 160,000 in 1977 to roughly 60,000 in 1987; the party gained almost 1 million voters and 10 deputies in the 1989 election; voters came mostly from the disgruntled socialist left; remaining strength is in labor, where it dominates the Workers Commissions trade union (one of the country's two major labor centrals), which claims a membership of about 1 million; experienced a modest recovery in 1986 national election, nearly doubling the share of the vote it received in 1982 Other political or pressure groups: on the extreme left, the Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) and the First of October Antifascist Resistance Group (GRAPO) use terrorism to oppose the government; free labor unions (authorized in April 1977) include the Communist-dominated Workers Commissions (CCOO); the Socialist General Union of Workers (UGT), and the smaller independent Workers Syndical Union (USO); the Catholic Church; business and landowning interests; Opus Dei; university students Member of: AG (observer), AsDB, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, ESA, FAO, G-8, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNAVEM, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Jaime de OJEDA; Chancery at 2700 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 265-0190 or 0191; there are Spanish Consulates General in Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) US: Ambassador Joseph ZAPPALA; Embassy at Serrano 75, 28006 Madrid (mailing address is APO AE 09642); telephone [34] (1) 577-4000, FAX [34] (1) 577-5735; there is a US Consulate General in Barcelona and a Consulate in Bilbao Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width), and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band; the coat of arms includes the royal seal framed by the Pillars of Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar
:Spain Economy
Overview: Spain has done well since joining the EC in 1986. In accordance with its accession treaty, Spain has almost wholly liberalized trade and capital markets. Foreign and domestic investment has spurred average growth of 4% per year. Beginning in 1989, Madrid implemented a tight monetary policy to fight inflation - around 7% in 1989 and 1990. As a result growth slowed to 2.5% in 1991. Spanish policymakers remain concerned with inflation - still hovering at 6%. Government officials also are worried about 16% unemployment, although many people listed as unemployed work in the underground economy. Spanish economists believe that structural adjustments due to the ongoing integration of the European market are likely to lead to more displaced workers. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $487.5 billion, per capita $12,400; real growth rate 2.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.9% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 16.0% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $111.0 billion; expenditures $115.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $20.8 billion (1991 est.) Exports: $60.1 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: cars and trucks, semifinished manufactured goods, foodstuffs, machinery partners: EC 71.0%, US 4.9%, other developed countries 7.9% Imports: $93.1 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: machinery, transport equipment, fuels, semifinished goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals partners: EC 60.0%, US 8.0%, other developed countries 11.5%, Middle East 2.6% External debt: $45 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 2.0% (1991 est.) Electricity: 46,589,000 kW capacity; 157,040 million kWh produced, 3,980 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and beverages, metals and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding, automobiles, machine tools, tourism Agriculture: accounts for about 5% of GDP and 14% of labor force; major products - grain, vegetables, olives, wine grapes, sugar beets, citrus fruit, beef, pork, poultry, dairy; largely self-sufficient in food; fish catch of 1.4 million metric tons is among top 20 nations Illicit drugs: key European gateway country for Latin American cocaine entering the European market Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $1.9 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-79), $545.0 million; not currently a recipient
:Spain Economy
Currency: peseta (plural - pesetas); 1 peseta (Pta) = 100 centimos Exchange rates: pesetas (Ptas) per US$1 - 104.79 (March 1992), 103.91 (1991), 101.93 (1990), 118.38 (1989), 116.49 (1988), 123.48 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Spain Communications
Railroads: 15,430 km total; Spanish National Railways (RENFE) operates 12,691 km 1.668-meter gauge, 6,184 km electrified, and 2,295 km double track; FEVE (government-owned narrow-gauge railways) operates 1,821 km of predominantly 1.000-meter gauge and 441 km electrified; privately owned railways operate 918 km of predominantly 1.000-meter gauge, 512 km electrified, and 56 km double track Highways: 150,839 km total; 82,513 km national (includes 2,433 km limited-access divided highway, 63,042 km bituminous treated, 17,038 km intermediate bituminous, concrete, or stone block) and 68,326 km provincial or local roads (bituminous treated, intermediate bituminous, or stone block) Inland waterways: 1,045 km, but of minor economic importance Pipelines: crude oil 265 km, petroleum products 1,794 km, natural gas 1,666 km Ports: Algeciras, Alicante, Almeria, Barcelona, Bilbao, Cadiz, Cartagena, Castellon de la Plana, Ceuta, El Ferrol del Caudillo, Puerto de Gijon, Huelva, La Coruna, Las Palmas (Canary Islands), Mahon, Malaga, Melilla, Rota, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Sagunto, Tarragona, Valencia, Vigo, and 175 minor ports Merchant marine: 278 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,915,409 GRT/5,228,378 DWT; includes 2 passenger, 9 short-sea passenger, 86 cargo, 13 refrigerated cargo, 15 container, 32 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 4 vehicle carrier, 48 petroleum tanker, 14 chemical tanker, 7 liquefied gas, 3 specialized tanker, 45 bulk Civil air: 210 major transport aircraft Airports: 105 total, 99 usable; 60 with permanent-surface runways; 4 with runways over 3,659 m; 22 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 25 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: generally adequate, modern facilities; 15,350,464 telephones; broadcast stations - 190 AM, 406 (134 repeaters) FM, 100 (1,297 repeaters) TV; 22 coaxial submarine cables; 2 communications satellite earth stations operating in INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean); MARECS, INMARSAT, and EUTELSAT systems; tropospheric links
:Spain Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Civil Guard, National Police, Coastal Civil Guard Manpower availability: males 15-49, 10,205,741; 8,271,151 fit for military service; 337,407 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $8.7 billion, 2% of GDP (1991)
:Spratly Islands Geography
Total area: NA but less than 5 km2 Land area: less than 5 km2; includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over the South China Sea Comparative area: undetermined Land boundaries: none Coastline: 926 km Maritime claims: undetermined Disputes: all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam; parts of them are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines; in 1984, Brunei established an exclusive economic zone, which encompasses Louisa Reef, but has not publicly claimed the island Climate: tropical Terrain: flat Natural resources: fish, guano; undetermined oil and natural gas potential Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100% Environment: subject to typhoons; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs Note: strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; serious navigational hazard
:Spratly Islands People
Population: no permanent inhabitants; garrisons
:Spratly Islands Government
Long-form name: none
:Spratly Islands Economy
Overview: Economic activity is limited to commercial fishing, proximity to nearby oil- and gas-producing sedimentary basins suggests the potential for oil and gas deposits, but the Spratlys region is largely unexplored, and there are no reliable estimates of potential reserves; commercial exploitation has yet to be developed. Industries: none
:Spratly Islands Communications
Ports: no natural harbors Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; none with runways over 2,439 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
:Spratly Islands Defense Forces
Note: 44 small islands or reefs are occupied by China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam
:Sri Lanka Geography
Total area: 65,610 km2 Land area: 64,740 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: none Coastline: 1,340 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; monsoonal; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October) Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior Natural resources: limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay Land use: arable land 16%; permanent crops 17%; meadows and pastures 7%; forest and woodland 37%; other 23%; includes irrigated 8% Environment: occasional cyclones, tornados; deforestation; soil erosion Note: only 29 km from India across the Palk Strait; near major Indian Ocean sea lanes
:Sri Lanka People
Population: 17,631,528 (July 1992), growth rate 1.2% (1992); note - about 120,000 people fled to India in 1991 because of fighting between government forces and Tamil insurgents; about 200,000 Tamils will be repatriated in 1992 Birth rate: 20 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 21 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 69 years male, 74 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Sri Lankan(s); adjective - Sri Lankan Ethnic divisions: Sinhalese 74%; Tamil 18%; Moor 7%; Burgher, Malay, and Veddha 1% Religions: Buddhist 69%, Hindu 15%, Christian 8%, Muslim 8% Languages: Sinhala (official); Sinhala and Tamil listed as national languages; Sinhala spoken by about 74% of population, Tamil spoken by about 18%; English commonly used in government and spoken by about 10% of the population Literacy: 86% (male 91%, female 81%) age 15 and over can read and write (1981) Labor force: 6,600,000; agriculture 45.9%, mining and manufacturing 13.3%, trade and transport 12.4%, services and other 28.4% (1985 est.) Organized labor: about 30% of labor force, over 50% of which are employed on tea, rubber, and coconut estates
:Sri Lanka Government
Long-form name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Type: republic Capital: Colombo Administrative divisions: the administrative structure now includes 9 provinces - Central, Eastern, North, North Central, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, and Western and 24 districts - Amparai, Anuradhapura, Badulla, Batticaloa, Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Hambantota, Jaffna, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalla, Kurunegala, Mannar, Matale, Matara, Moneragala, Mullaittivu, Nuwara Eliya, Polonnaruwa, Puttalam, Ratnapura, Trincomalee, Vavuniya; note - in the future there may be only 8 provinces (combining the two provinces of North and Eastern into one province of North Eastern) and 25 districts (adding Kilinochchi to the existing districts) Independence: 4 February 1948 (from UK; formerly Ceylon) Constitution: 31 August 1978 Legal system: a highly complex mixture of English common law, Roman-Dutch, Muslim, Sinhalese, and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence and National Day, 4 February (1948) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Ranasinghe PREMADASA (since 2 January 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister Dingiri Banda WIJETUNGE (since 6 March 1989) Political parties and leaders: United National Party (UNP), Ranasinghe PREMADASA; Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Sirimavo BANDARANAIKE; Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), M. H. M. ASHRAFF; All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC), Kumar PONNAMBALAM; People's United Front (MEP, or Mahajana Eksath Peramuna), Dinesh GUNAWARDENE; Eelam Democratic Front (EDF), Edward Sebastian PILLAI; Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), leader (vacant); Eelam Revolutionary Organization of Students (EROS), Velupillai BALAKUMARAN; New Socialist Party (NSSP, or Nava Sama Samaja Party), Vasudeva NANAYAKKARA; Lanka Socialist Party/Trotskyite (LSSP, or Lanka Sama Samaja Party), Colin R. de SILVA; Sri Lanka People's Party (SLMP, or Sri Lanka Mahajana Party), Ossie ABEYGUNASEKERA; Communist Party, K. P. SILVA; Communist Party/Beijing (CP/B), N. SHANMUGATHASAN; note - the United Socialist Alliance (USA) includes the NSSP, LSSP, SLMP, CP/M, and CP/B Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 19 December 1988 (next to be held NA December 1994); results - Ranasinghe PREMADASA (UNP) 50%, Sirimavo BANDARANAIKE (SLFP) 45%, other 5%
:Sri Lanka Government
Parliament: last held 15 February 1989 (next to be held by NA February 1995); results - UNP 51%, SLFP 32%, SLMC 4%, TULF 3%, USA 3%, EROS 3%, MEP 1%, other 3%; seats - (225 total) UNP 125, SLFP 67, other 33 Other political or pressure groups: Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and other smaller Tamil separatist groups; Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP or People's Liberation Front); Buddhist clergy; Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups; labor unions Member of: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador W. Susanta De ALWIS; Chancery at 2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 483-4025 through 4028; there is a Sri Lankan Consulate in New York US: Ambassador Marion V. CREEKMORE, Jr.; Embassy at 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3 (mailing address is P. O. Box 106, Colombo); telephone [94] (1) 44180107, FAX [94] (1) 43-73-45 Flag: yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other panel is a large dark red rectangle with a yellow lion holding a sword, and there is a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a border that goes around the entire flag and extends between the two panels
:Sri Lanka Economy
Overview: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing dominate the economy, employing half of the labor force and accounting for one quarter of GDP. The plantation crops of tea, rubber, and coconuts provide about one-third of export earnings. The economy has been plagued by high rates of unemployment since the late 1970s. Economic growth, which has been depressed by ethnic unrest, accelerated in 1991 as domestic conditions began to improve. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $7.2 billion, per capita $410; real growth rate 5.0% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1991) Unemployment rate: 14% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $2.0 billion; expenditures $3.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $500 million (1992) Exports: $2.3 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: textiles and garment, teas, petroleum products, coconut, rubber, agricultural products, gems and jewelry, marine products partners: US 25%, FRG, Japan, UK, Belgium, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China Imports: $3.0 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: food and beverages, textiles and textile materials, petroleum, machinery and equipment partners: Japan, Iran, US 7.7%, India, Taiwan, Singapore, FRG, UK External debt: $5.8 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate 8% (1991 est.); accounts for 20% of GDP Electricity: 1,300,000 kW capacity; 4,200 million kWh produced, 240 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, and other agricultural commodities; cement, petroleum refining, textiles, tobacco, clothing Agriculture: accounts for 26% of GDP and nearly half of labor force; most important staple crop is paddy rice; other field crops - sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseeds, roots, spices; cash crops - tea, rubber, coconuts; animal products - milk, eggs, hides, meat; not self-sufficient in rice production Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.0 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $5.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $169 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $369 million Currency: Sri Lankan rupee (plural - rupees); 1 Sri Lankan rupee (SLRe) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Sri Lankan rupees (SLRes) per US$1 - 43.112 (March 1992), 41.372 (1991), 40.063 (1990), 36.047 (1989), 31.807 (1988), 29.445 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Sri Lanka Communications
Railroads: 1,948 km total (1990); all 1.868-meter broad gauge; 102 km double track; no electrification; government owned Highways: 75,749 km total (1990); 27,637 km paved (mostly bituminous treated), 32,887 km crushed stone or gravel, 14,739 km improved earth or unimproved earth; several thousand km of mostly unmotorable tracks (1988 est.) Inland waterways: 430 km; navigable by shallow-draft craft Pipelines: crude oil and petroleum products 62 km (1987) Ports: Colombo, Trincomalee Merchant marine: 30 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 310,173 GRT/489,378 DWT; includes 13 cargo, 6 refrigerated cargo, 5 container, 3 petroleum tanker, 3 bulk Civil air: 8 major transport (including 1 leased) Airports: 14 total, 13 usable; 12 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 7 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good international service; 114,000 telephones (1982); broadcast stations - 12 AM, 5 FM, 5 TV; submarine cables extend to Indonesia and Djibouti; 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth stations
:Sri Lanka Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 4,709,203; 3,678,952 fit for military service; 177,554 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $432 million, 6% of GDP (1991) \
:Sudan Geography
Total area: 2,505,810 km2 Land area: 2,376,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than one-quarter the size of the US Land boundaries: 7,697 km total; Central African Republic 1,165 km, Chad 1,360 km, Egypt 1,273 km, Ethiopia 2,221 km, Kenya 232 km, Libya 383 km, Uganda 435 km, Zaire 628 km Coastline: 853 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 18 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: administrative boundary with Kenya does not coincide with international boundary; administrative boundary with Egypt does not coincide with international boundary Climate: tropical in south; arid desert in north; rainy season (April to October) Terrain: generally flat, featureless plain; mountains in east and west Natural resources: small reserves of crude oil, iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, crude oil Land use: arable land 5%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 24%; forest and woodland 20%; other 51%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: dominated by the Nile and its tributaries; dust storms; desertification Note: largest country in Africa
:Sudan People
Population: 28,305,046 (July 1992), growth rate 3.1% (1992) Birth rate: 44 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 83 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 53 years male, 54 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Sudanese (singular and plural); adjective - Sudanese Ethnic divisions: black 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, foreigners 2%, other 1% Religions: Sunni Muslim (in north) 70%, indigenous beliefs 20%, Christian (mostly in south and Khartoum) 5% Languages: Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, and Sudanic languages, English; program of Arabization in process Literacy: 27% (male 43%, female 12%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 6,500,000; agriculture 80%, industry and commerce 10%, government 6%; labor shortages for almost all categories of skilled employment (1983 est.); 52% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: trade unions suspended following 30 June 1989 coup; now in process of being legalized anew
:Sudan Government
Long-form name: Republic of the Sudan Type: military; civilian government suspended and martial law imposed after 30 June 1989 coup Capital: Khartoum Administrative divisions: 9 states (wilayat, singular - wilayat or wilayah*); A'ali an Nil, Al Wusta*, Al Istiwa'iyah*, Al Khartum, Ash Shamaliyah*, Ash Sharqiyah*, Bahr al Ghazal, Darfur, Kurdufan Independence: 1 January 1956 (from Egypt and UK; formerly Anglo-Egyptian Sudan) Constitution: 12 April 1973, suspended following coup of 6 April 1985; interim constitution of 10 October 1985 suspended following coup of 30 June 1989 Legal system: based on English common law and Islamic law; as of 20 January 1991, the Revolutionary Command Council imposed Islamic law in the six northern states of Al Wusta, Al Khartum, Ash Shamaliyah, Ash Sharqiyah, Darfur, and Kurdufan; the council is still studying criminal provisions under Islamic law; Islamic law will apply to all residents of the six northern states regardless of their religion; some separate religious courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Independence Day, 1 January (1956) Executive branch: executive and legislative authority vested in a 12-member Revolutionary Command Council (RCC); chairman of the RCC acts as prime minister; in July 1989, RCC appointed a predominately civilian 22-member cabinet to function as advisers Legislative branch: appointed 300-member Transitional National Assembly; note - as announced 1 January 1992 by RCC Chairman BASHIR, the Assembly assumes all legislative authority for Sudan until the eventual, unspecified resumption of national elections Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Special Revolutionary Courts Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: Revolutionary Command Council Chairman and Prime Minister Lt. Gen. Umar Hasan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 30 June 1989); Deputy Chairman of the Command Council and Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. al-Zubayr Muhammad SALIH Ahmed (since 9 July 1989) Political parties and leaders: none; banned following 30 June 1989 coup Suffrage: none Elections: none Member of: ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador `Abdallah Ahmad `ABDALLAH; Chancery at 2210 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 338-8565 through 8570; there is a Sudanese Consulate General in New York
:Sudan Government
US: Ambassador James R. CHEEK (will be replaced summer of 1992); Embassy at Shar'ia Ali Abdul Latif, Khartoum (mailing address is P. O. Box 699, Khartoum, or APO AE 09829); telephone 74700 or 74611; Telex 22619 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist side
:Sudan Economy
Overview: Sudan is buffeted by civil war, chronic political instability, adverse weather, high inflation, and counterproductive economic policies. The economy is dominated by governmental entities that account for more than 70% of new investment. The private sector's main areas of activity are agriculture and trading, with most private industrial investment predating 1980. The economy's base is agriculture, which employs 80% of the work force. Industry mainly processes agricultural items. Sluggish economic performance over the past decade, attributable largely to declining annual rainfall, has reduced levels of per capita income and consumption. A high foreign debt and huge arrearages continue to cause difficulties. In 1990 the International Monetary Fund took the unusual step of declaring Sudan noncooperative because of its nonpayment of arrearages to the Fund. Despite subsequent government efforts to implement reforms urged by the IMF and the World Bank, the economy remained stagnant in FY91 as entrepreneurs lack the incentive to take economic risks. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $12.1 billion, per capita $450; real growth rate 0% (FY91 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 95% (FY91 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (FY91 est.) Budget: revenues $1.3 billion; expenditures $2.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $505 million (FY91 est.) Exports: $325 million (f.o.b., FY91 est.) commodities: cotton 52%, sesame, gum arabic, peanuts partners: Western Europe 46%, Saudi Arabia 14%, Eastern Europe 9%, Japan 9%, US 3% (FY88) Imports: $1.40 billion (c.i.f., FY91 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum products, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, medicines and chemicals, textiles partners: Western Europe 32%, Africa and Asia 15%, US 13%, Eastern Europe 3% (FY88) External debt: $14.6 billion (June 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA%; accounts for 11% of GDP (FY89) Electricity: 610,000 kW capacity; 905 million kWh produced, 40 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap distilling, shoes, petroleum refining Agriculture: accounts for 35% of GDP and 80% of labor force; water shortages; two-thirds of land area suitable for raising crops and livestock; major products - cotton, oilseeds, sorghum, millet, wheat, gum arabic, sheep; marginally self-sufficient in most foods Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.5 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $5.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $3.1 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $588 million
:Sudan Economy
Currency: Sudanese pound (plural - pounds); 1 Sudanese pound (#Sd) = 100 piasters Exchange rates: official rate - Sudanese pounds (#Sd) per US$1 - 90.1 (March 1992), 5.4288 (1991), 4.5004 (fixed rate since 1987), 2.8121 (1987); note - free market rate 83 (December 1991) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
:Sudan Communications
Railroads: 5,500 km total; 4,784 km 1.067-meter gauge, 716 km 1.6096-meter-gauge plantation line Highways: 20,000 km total; 1,600 km bituminous treated, 3,700 km gravel, 2,301 km improved earth, 12,399 km unimproved earth and track Inland waterways: 5,310 km navigable Pipelines: refined products 815 km Ports: Port Sudan, Swakin Merchant marine: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 42,277 GRT/59,588 DWT; includes 3 cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo Civil air: 18 major transport aircraft Airports: 72 total, 57 usable; 8 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 31 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: large, well-equipped system by African standards, but barely adequate and poorly maintained by modern standards; consists of microwave, cable, radio communications, and troposcatter; domestic satellite system with 14 stations; broadcast stations - 11 AM, 3 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 ARABSAT
:Sudan Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 6,432,270; 3,949,518 fit for military service; 302,696 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $610 million, 7.2% of GDP (1989 est.)
:Suriname Geography
Total area: 163,270 km2 Land area: 161,470 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Georgia Land boundaries: 1,707 km total; Brazil 597 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km Coastline: 386 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claims area in French Guiana between Litani Rivier and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); claims area in Guyana between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Kutari Rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne) Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds Terrain: mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps Natural resources: timber, hydropower potential, fish, shrimp, bauxite, iron ore, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, gold Land use: arable land NEGL%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forest and woodland 97%; other 3%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: mostly tropical rain forest
:Suriname People
Population: 410,016 (July 1992), growth rate 1.5% (1992) Birth rate: 26 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -5 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 34 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 66 years male, 71 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Surinamer(s); adjective - Surinamese Ethnic divisions: Hindustani (East Indian) 37.0%, Creole (black and mixed) 31.0%, Javanese 15.3%, Bush black 10.3%, Amerindian 2.6%, Chinese 1.7%, Europeans 1.0%, other 1.1% Religions: Hindu 27.4%, Muslim 19.6%, Roman Catholic 22.8%, Protestant (predominantly Moravian) 25.2%, indigenous beliefs about 5% Languages: Dutch (official); English widely spoken; Sranan Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki) is native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others; also Hindi Suriname Hindustani (a variant of Bhoqpuri) and Javanese Literacy: 95% (male 95%, female 95%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 104,000 (1984) Organized labor: 49,000 members of labor force
:Suriname Government
Long-form name: Republic of Suriname Type: republic Capital: Paramaribo Administrative divisions: 10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica Independence: 25 November 1975 (from Netherlands; formerly Netherlands Guiana or Dutch Guiana) Constitution: ratified 30 September 1987 Legal system: NA National holiday: Independence Day, 25 November (1975) Executive branch: president, vice president and prime minister, Cabinet of Ministers, Council of State; note - Commander in Chief of the National Army maintains significant power Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Ronald VENETIAAN (since 16 September 1991); Vice President and Prime Minister Jules AJODHIA (since 16 September 1991) Political parties and leaders: traditional ethnic-based parties: The New Front (NF), a coalition formed of four parties following the 24 December 1990 military coup - Progressive Reform Party (VHP), Jaggernath LACHMON; National Party of Suriname (NPS), Henck ARRON; Indonesian Peasants Party (KTPI), Willie SOEMITA; and Suriname Labor Party (SPA) Fred DERBY; promilitary: National Democratic Party (NDP), Orlando VAN AMSON; Democratic Alternative '91 (DA '91), Winston JESSURUN, a coalition of five parties formed in January 1991 - Alternative Forum (AF), Gerard BRUNINGS, Winston JESSURUN; Reformed Progressive Party (HPP), Panalal PARMESSAR; Party for Brotherhood and Unity in Politics (BEP), Cipriano ALLENDY; Pendawalima, Marsha JAMIN; and Independent Progressive Group, Karam RAMSUNDERSINGH; leftists: Revolutionary People's Party (RVP), Michael NAARENDORP; Progressive Workers and Farmers (PALU), Iwan KROLIS Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 6 September 1991 (next to be held NA May 1996); results - elected by the National Assembly - Ronald VENETIAAN (NF) 80% (645 votes), Jules WIJDENBOSCH (NDP) 14% (115 votes), Hans PRADE (DA '91) 6% (49 votes) National Assembly: last held 25 May 1991 (next to be held NA May 1996); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (51 total) NF 30, NDP 12, DA '91 9
:Suriname Government
Member of: ACP, CARICOM (observer), ECLAC, FAO, GATT, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Willem A. UDENHOUT; Chancery at Suite 108, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 244-7488 or 7490 through 7492; there is a Surinamese Consulate General in Miami US: Ambassador John (Jack) P. LEONARD; Embassy at Dr. Sophie Redmonstraat 129, Paramaribo (mailing address is P. O. Box 1821, Paramaribo); telephone [597] 472900, 477881, or 476459; FAX [597] 410025 Flag: five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is a large yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band
:Suriname Economy
Overview: The economy is dominated by the bauxite industry, which accounts for about 70% of export earnings and 40% of tax revenues. The economy has been in trouble since the Dutch ended development aid in 1982. A drop in world bauxite prices which started in the late 1970s and continued until late 1986 was followed by the outbreak of a guerrilla insurgency in the interior that crippled the important bauxite sector. Although the insurgency has since ebbed and the bauxite sector recovered, a military coup in December 1990 reflected continued political instability and deterred investment and economic reform. High inflation, high unemployment, widespread black market activity, and hard currency shortfalls continue to mark the economy. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $1.4 billion, per capita $3,400; real growth rate 0% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 50% (1989 est.) Unemployment rate: 33% (1990) Budget: revenues $466 million; expenditures $716 million, including capital expenditures of $123 million (1989 est.) Exports: $549 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.) commodities: alumina, bauxite, aluminum, rice, wood and wood products, shrimp and fish, bananas partners: Norway 33%, Netherlands 20%, US 15%, FRG 9%, Brazil 5%, UK 5%, Japan 3%, other 10% Imports: $331 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.) commodities: capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods partners: US 37%, Netherlands 15%, Netherlands Antilles 11%, Trinidad and Tobago 9%, Brazil 5%, UK 3%, other 20% External debt: $138 million (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA; accounts for 22% of GDP Electricity: 458,000 kW capacity; 2,018 million kWh produced, 5,015 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: bauxite mining, alumina and aluminum production, lumbering, food processing, fishing Agriculture: accounts for 11% of GDP; paddy rice planted on 85% of arable land and represents 60% of total farm output; other products - bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts, beef, chicken; shrimp and forestry products of increasing importance; self-sufficient in most foods Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-83), $2.5 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.5 billion Currency: Surinamese guilder, gulden, or florin (plural - guilders, gulden, or florins); 1 Surinamese guilder, gulden, or florin (Sf.) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Surinamese guilders, gulden, or florins (Sf.) per US$1 - 1.7850 (fixed rate)
:Suriname Economy
Fiscal year: calendar year
:Suriname Communications
Railroads: 166 km total; 86 km 1.000-meter gauge, government owned, and 80 km 1.435-meter standard gauge; all single track Highways: 8,300 km total; 500 km paved; 5,400 km bauxite gravel, crushed stone, or improved earth; 2,400 km sand or clay Inland waterways: 1,200 km; most important means of transport; oceangoing vessels with drafts ranging up to 7 m can navigate many of the principal waterways Ports: Paramaribo, Moengo Merchant marine: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,472 GRT/8,914 DWT; includes 2 cargo, 1 container Civil air: 1 major transport aircraft Airports: 46 total, 40 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: international facilities good; domestic microwave system; 27,500 telephones; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 14 FM, 6 TV, 1 shortwave; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations
:Suriname Defense Forces
Branches: National Army (including Navy which is company-size, small Air Force element), Civil Police, People's Militia Manpower availability: males 15-49, 109,551; 65,250 fit for military service Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
:Svalbard Geography
Total area: 62,049 km2 Land area: 62,049 km2; includes Spitsbergen and Bjornoya (Bear Island) Comparative area: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: none Coastline: 3,587 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm unilaterally claimed by Norway, not recognized by Russia Territorial sea: 4 nm Disputes: focus of maritime boundary dispute in the Barents Sea between Norway and Russia Climate: arctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool summers, cold winters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and north coasts of Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the year Terrain: wild, rugged mountains; much of high land ice covered; west coast clear of ice about half the year; fjords along west and north coasts Natural resources: coal, copper, iron ore, phosphate, zinc, wildlife, fish Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100%; there are no trees and the only bushes are crowberry and cloudberry Environment: great calving glaciers descend to the sea Note: located 445 km north of Norway where the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea meet
:Svalbard People
Population: 3,181 (July 1992), growth rate -3.9% (1992); about one-third of the population resides in the Norwegian areas (Longyearbyen and Svea on Vestspitsbergen) and two-thirds in the Russian areas (Barentsburg and Pyramiden on Vestspitsbergen); about 9 persons live at the Polish research station Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1992) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1992) Ethnic divisions: Russian 64%, Norwegian 35%, other 1% (1981) Languages: Russian, Norwegian Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: NA Organized labor: none
:Svalbard Government
Long-form name: none Type: territory of Norway administered by the Ministry of Industry, Oslo, through a governor (sysselmann) residing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920) sovereignty was given to Norway Capital: Longyearbyen Leaders: Chief of State: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991) Head of Government: Governor Leif ELDRING (since NA) Member of: none Flag: the flag of Norway is used
:Svalbard Economy
Overview: Coal mining is the major economic activity on Svalbard. By treaty (9 February 1920), the nationals of the treaty powers have equal rights to exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the only companies still mining are Norwegian and Russian. The settlements on Svalbard are essentially company towns. The Norwegian state-owned coal company employs nearly 60% of the Norwegian population on the island, runs many of the local services, and provides most of the local infrastructure. There is also some trapping of seal, polar bear, fox, and walrus. Budget: revenues $13.3 million, expenditures $13.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990) Electricity: 21,000 kW capacity; 45 million kWh produced, 11,420 kWh per capita (1989) Currency: Norwegian krone (plural - kroner); 1 Norwegian krone (NKr) = 100 ore Exchange rates: Norwegian kroner (NKr) per US$1 - 6.5189 (March 1992), 6.4829 (1991), 6.2597 (1990), 6.9045 (1989), 6.5170 (1988), 6.7375 (1987)
:Svalbard Communications
Ports: limited facilities - Ny-Alesund, Advent Bay Airports: 4 total, 4 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 5 meteorological/radio stations; local telephone service; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 (2 repeaters) FM, 1 TV; satellite communication with Norwegian mainland
:Svalbard Defense Forces
Note: demilitarized by treaty (9 February 1920)
:Swaziland Geography
Total area: 17,360 km2 Land area: 17,200 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: 535 km total; Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: varies from tropical to near temperate Terrain: mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains Natural resources: asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc Land use: arable land 8%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 67%; forest and woodland 6%; other 19%; includes irrigated 2% Environment: overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion Note: landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa
:Swaziland People
Population: 913,008 (July 1992), growth rate 2.6% (1992) Birth rate: 44 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -6 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 98 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 52 years male, 60 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Swazi(s); adjective - Swazi Ethnic divisions: African 97%, European 3% Religions: Christian 60%, indigenous beliefs 40% Languages: English and siSwati (official); government business conducted in English Literacy: 55% (male 57%, female 54%) age 15 and over can read and write (1976) Labor force: 195,000; over 60,000 engaged in subsistence agriculture; about 92,000 wage earners (many only intermittently), with agriculture and forestry 36%, community and social services 20%, manufacturing 14%, construction 9%, other 21%; 16,800 employed in South Africa mines (1990) Organized labor: about 10% of wage earners
:Swaziland Government
Long-form name: Kingdom of Swaziland Type: monarchy; independent member of Commonwealth Capital: Mbabane (administrative); Lobamba (legislative) Administrative divisions: 4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni Independence: 6 September 1968 (from UK) Constitution: none; constitution of 6 September 1968 was suspended on 12 April 1973; a new constitution was promulgated 13 October 1978, but has not been formally presented to the people Legal system: based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts, Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Somhlolo (Independence) Day, 6 September (1968) Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament is advisory and consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Assembly Judicial branch: High Court, Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986) Head of Government: Prime Minister Obed DLAMINI (since 12 July 1989) Political parties and leaders: none; banned by the Constitution promulgated on 13 October 1978 Suffrage: none Elections: indirect parliamentary election through Swaziland's Tinkhundala System scheduled for November 1992 Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, PCA, SACU, SADCC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Absalom Vusani MAMBA; Chancery at 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 362-6683 US: Ambassador Stephen H. ROGERS; Embassy at Central Bank Building, Warner Street, Mbabane (mailing address is P. O. Box 199, Mbabane); telephone [268] 46441 through 5; FAX [268] 45959 Flag: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally
:Swaziland Economy
Overview: The economy is based on subsistence agriculture, which occupies most of the labor force and contributes nearly 25% to GDP. Manufacturing, which includes a number of agroprocessing factories, accounts for another quarter of GDP. Mining has declined in importance in recent years; high-grade iron ore deposits were depleted in 1978, and health concerns cut world demand for asbestos. Exports of sugar and forestry products are the main earners of hard currency. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa, from which it receives 75% of its imports and to which it sends about half of its exports. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $563 million, per capita $725; real growth rate 5.0% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 13% (1990) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $335.4 million; expenditures $360.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY93 est.) Exports: $557 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, citrus, canned fruit partners: South Africa 50% (est.), EC, Canada Imports: $632 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, petroleum products, foodstuffs, chemicals partners: South Africa 75% (est.), Japan, Belgium, UK External debt: $290 million (1990) Industrial production: growth rate NA; accounts for 26% of GDP (1989) Electricity: 60,000 kW capacity; 155 million kWh produced, 180 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: mining (coal and asbestos), wood pulp, sugar Agriculture: accounts for 23% of GDP and over 60% of labor force; mostly subsistence agriculture; cash crops - sugarcane, cotton, maize, tobacco, rice, citrus fruit, pineapples; other crops and livestock - corn, sorghum, peanuts, cattle, goats, sheep; not self-sufficient in grain Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $142 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $518 million Currency: lilangeni (plural - emalangeni); 1 lilangeni (E) = 100 cents Exchange rates: emalangeni (E) per US$1 - 2.7814 (January 1992), 2.7563 (1991), 2.5863 (1990), 2.6166 (1989), 2.2611 (1988), 2.0350 (1987); note - the Swazi emalangeni is at par with the South African rand Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
:Swaziland Communications
Railroads: 297 km (plus 71 km disused), 1.067-meter gauge, single track Highways: 2,853 km total; 510 km paved, 1,230 km crushed stone, gravel, or stabilized soil, and 1,113 km improved earth Civil air: 4 major transport aircraft Airports: 23 total, 21 usable; 1 with permanent-surfaced runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: system consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines and low-capacity microwave links; 17,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 7 AM, 6 FM, 10 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Swaziland Defense Forces
Branches: Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force, Royal Swaziland Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 197,654; 114,204 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $11 million, about 2% of GNP (1989)
:Sweden Geography
Total area: 449,964 km2 Land area: 410,928 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than California Land boundaries: 2,205 km total; Finland 586 km, Norway 1,619 km Coastline: 3,218 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north Terrain: mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west Natural resources: zinc, iron ore, lead, copper, silver, timber, uranium, hydropower potential Land use: arable land 7%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 2%; forest and woodland 64%; other 27%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: water pollution; acid rain Note: strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas
:Sweden People
Population: 8,602,157 (July 1992), growth rate 0.4% (1992) Birth rate: 13 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 75 years male, 81 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Swede(s); adjective - Swedish Ethnic divisions: homogeneous white population; small Lappish minority; foreign born or first-generation immigrants (Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks) about 12% Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 94%, Roman Catholic 1.5%, Pentecostal 1%, other 3.5% (1987) Languages: Swedish, small Lapp- and Finnish-speaking minorities; immigrants speak native languages Literacy: 99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1979 est.) Labor force: 4,552,000 community, social and personal services 38.3%, mining and manufacturing 21.2%, commerce, hotels, and restaurants 14.1%, banking, insurance 9.0%, communications 7.2%, construction 7.0%, agriculture, fishing, and forestry 3.2% (1991) Organized labor: 80% of labor force (1990 est.)
:Sweden Government
Long-form name: Kingdom of Sweden Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Stockholm Administrative divisions: 24 provinces (lan, singular and plural); Alvsborgs Lan, Blekinge Lan, Gavleborgs Lan, Goteborgs och Bohus Lan, Gotlands Lan, Hallands Lan, Jamtlands Lan, Jonkopings Lan, Kalmar Lan, Kopparbergs Lan, Kristianstads Lan, Kronobergs Lan, Malmohus Lan, Norrbottens Lan, Orebro Lan, Ostergotlands Lan, Skaraborgs Lan, Sodermanlands Lan, Stockholms Lan, Uppsala Lan, Varmlands Lan, Vasterbottens Lan, Vasternorrlands Lan, Vastmanlands Lan Independence: 6 June 1809, constitutional monarchy established Constitution: 1 January 1975 Legal system: civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Day of the Swedish Flag, 6 June Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral parliament (Riksdag) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Hogsta Domstolen) Leaders: Chief of State: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the King (born 14 July 1977) Head of Government: Prime Minister Carl BILDT (since 3 October 1991) Political parties and leaders: ruling four-party coalition consists of the Moderate Party (conservative), Carl BILDT; Liberal People's Party, Bengt WESTERBERG; Center Party, Olof JOHANSSON; and the Christian Democratic Party, Alf SVENSSON; Social Democratic Party, Ingvar CARLSSON; New Democracy Party, Count Ian WACHTMEISTER; Left Party (VP; Communist), Lars WERNER; Swedish Communist Party (SKP), Rune PETTERSSON; Communist Workers' Party, Rolf HAGEL; Green Party, no formal leader Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Riksdag: last held 15 September 1991 (next to be held NA September 1994); results - Social Democratic Party 37.6%, Moderate Party (conservative) 21.9%, Liberal People's Party 9.1%, Center Party 8.5%, Christian Democrats 7.1%, New Democracy 6.7%, Left Party (Communist) 4.5%, Green Party 3.4%, other 1.2%; seats - (349 total) Social Democratic 138, Moderate Party (conservative) 80, Liberal People's Party 33, Center Party 31, Christian Democrats 26, New Democracy 25, Left Party (Communist) 16; note - the Green Party has no seats in the Riksdag because it received less than the required 4% of the vote Communists: VP and SKP; VP, formerly the Left Party-Communists, is reported to have roughly 17,800 members and attracted 5.8% of the vote in the 1988 election; VP dropped the Communist label in 1990, but maintains a Marxist ideology
:Sweden Government
Member of: AfDB, AG (observer) AsDB, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-6, G-8, G-9, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTERPOL, INTELSAT, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIIMOG, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Anders THUNBORG; Chancery at Suite 1200, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 944-5600; there are Swedish Consulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and New York US: Ambassador Charles E. REDMAN; Embassy at Strandvagen 101, S-115 89 Stockholm; telephone [46] (8) 783-5300; FAX [46] (8) 661-1964 Flag: blue with a yellow cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
:Sweden Economy
Overview: Aided by a long period of peace and neutrality during World War I through World War II, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has essentially full employment, a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy that is heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. In the last few years, however, this extraordinarily favorable picture has been clouded by inflation, growing absenteeism, and a gradual loss of competitiveness in international markets. The new center-right government, facing a sagging economic situation which is unlikely to improve until 1993, is pushing full steam ahead with economic reform proposals to end Sweden's recession and to prepare for possible EC membership in 1995. The free-market-oriented reforms are designed to spur growth, maintain price stability, lower unemployment, create a more efficient welfare state, and further adapt to EC standards. The measures include: cutting taxes, particularly the value-added tax (VAT) and levies on new and small business; privatization; liberalizing foreign ownership restrictions; and opening the welfare system to competition and private alternatives, which the government will still finance. Growth is expected to remain flat in 1992, but increase slightly in 1993, while inflation should remain around 3% for the next few years. On the down side, unemployment may climb to slightly over 4% in 1993, and the budget deficit will reach nearly $9 billion in 1992. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $147.6 billion, per capita $17,200; real growth rate -1.1% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.0% (1991) Unemployment rate: 2.7% (1991) Budget: revenues $67.5 billion; expenditures $78.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY92 est.) Exports: $54.5 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: machinery, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products partners: EC, (FRG, UK, Denmark), US, Norway Imports: $50.2 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, foodstuffs, iron and steel, clothing partners: EC 55.3%, US 8.4% (1990) External debt: $10.7 billion (November 1991) Industrial production: growth rate -5.3% (1991) Electricity: 39,716,000 kW capacity; 142,000 million kWh produced, 16,700 kWh per capita (1991)
:Sweden Economy
Industries: iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles Agriculture: animal husbandry predominates, with milk and dairy products accounting for 37% of farm income; main crops - grains, sugar beets, potatoes; 100% self-sufficient in grains and potatoes, 85% self-sufficient in sugar beets Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $10.3 billion Currency: Swedish krona (plural - kronor); 1 Swedish krona (SKr) = 100 ore Exchange rates: Swedish kronor (SKr) per US$1 - 6.0259 (March 1992), 6.0475 (1991) 5.9188 (1990), 6.4469 (1989), 6.1272 (1988), 6.3404 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
:Sweden Communications
Railroads: 12,000 km total; Swedish State Railways (SJ) - 10,819 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 6,955 km electrified and 1,152 km double track; 182 km 0.891-meter gauge; 117 km rail ferry service; privately owned railways - 511 km 1.435-meter standard gauge (332 km electrified); 371 km 0.891-meter gauge (all electrified) Highways: 97,400 km (51,899 km paved, 20,659 km gravel, 24,842 km unimproved earth) Inland waterways: 2,052 km navigable for small steamers and barges Pipelines: natural gas 84 km Ports: Gavle, Goteborg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Kalmar, Malmo, Stockholm; numerous secondary and minor ports Merchant marine: 186 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,665,902 GRT/3,646,165 DWT; includes 10 short-sea passenger, 29 cargo, 3 container, 43 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 12 vehicle carrier, 2 railcar carrier, 33 petroleum tanker, 28 chemical tanker, 4 specialized tanker, 1 liquefied gas, 7 combination ore/oil, 12 bulk, 1 combination bulk, 1 refrigerated cargo Civil air: 115 major transports Airports: 254 total, 252 usable; 139 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 10 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 94 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: excellent domestic and international facilities; 8,200,000 telephones; mainly coaxial and multiconductor cables carry long-distance network; parallel microwave network carries primarily radio, TV and some telephone channels; automatic system; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 360 (mostly repeaters) FM, 880 (mostly repeaters) TV; 5 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 EUTELSAT
:Sweden Defense Forces
Branches: Swedish Army, Swedish Navy, Swedish Air Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,129,996; 1,858,944 fit for military service; 57,492 reach military age (19) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $6.2 billion, about 4% of GDP (FY91)
:Switzerland Geography
Total area: 41,290 km2 Land area: 39,770 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of New Jersey Land boundaries: 1,852 km total; Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers Terrain: mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes Natural resources: hydropower potential, timber, salt Land use: arable land 10%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 40%; forest and woodland 26%; other 23%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: dominated by Alps Note: landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe
:Switzerland People
Population: 6,828,023 (July 1992), growth rate 0.6% (1992) Birth rate: 12 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 3 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 76 years male, 83 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Swiss (singular and plural); adjective - Swiss Ethnic divisions: total population - German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%; Swiss nationals - German 74%, French 20%, Italian 4%, Romansch 1%, other 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 47.6%, Protestant 44.3%, other 8.1% (1980) Languages: total population - German 65%, French 18%, Italian 12%, Romansch 1%, other 4%; Swiss nationals - German 74%, French 20%, Italian 4%, Romansch 1%, other 1% Literacy: 99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) Labor force: 3,310,000; 904,095 foreign workers, mostly Italian; services 50%, industry and crafts 33%, government 10%, agriculture and forestry 6%, other 1% (1989) Organized labor: 20% of labor force
:Switzerland Government
Long-form name: Swiss Confederation Type: federal republic Capital: Bern Administrative divisions: 26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; kantone, singular - kanton in German); Aargau, Ausser-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Inner-Rhoden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich Independence: 1 August 1291 Constitution: 29 May 1874 Legal system: civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of general obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Anniversary of the Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291) Executive branch: president, vice president, Federal Council (German - Bundesrat, French - Conseil Federal, Italian - Consiglio Federale) Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly (German - Bundesversammlung, French - Assemblee Federale, Italian - Assemblea Federale) consists of an upper council or Council of States (German - Standerat, French - Conseil des Etats, Italian - Consiglio degli Stati) and a lower council or National Council (German - Nationalrat, French - Conseil National, Italian - Consiglio Nazionale) Judicial branch: Federal Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Rene FELBER (1992 calendar year; presidency rotates annually); Vice President Adolf OGI (term runs concurrently with that of president) Political parties and leaders: Free Democratic Party (FDP), Bruno HUNZIKER, president; Social Democratic Party (SPS), Helmut HUBACHER, chairman; Christian Democratic People's Party (CVP), Eva SEGMULLER-WEBER, chairman; Swiss People's Party (SVP), Hans UHLMANN, president; Green Party (GPS), Peter SCHMID, president; Automobile Party (AP), DREYER; Alliance of Independents' Party (LdU), Dr. Franz JAEGER, president; Swiss Democratic Party (SD), NA; Evangelical People's Party (EVP), Max DUNKI, president; Workers' Party (PdA; Communist), Jean SPIELMANN, general secretary; Ticino League, leader NA Liberal Party (LPS), Gilbert COUTAU, president Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Council of States: last held throughout 1991 (next to be held NA 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (46 total) FDP 18, CVP 16, SVP 4, SPS 3, LPS 3, LdU 1, Ticino League 1
:Switzerland Government
National Council: last held 20 October 1991 (next to be held NA October 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (200 total) FDP 44, SPS 42, CVP 37, SVP 25, GPS 14, LPS 10, AP 8, LdU 6, SD 5, EVP 3, PdA 2, Ticino League 2, other 2 Communists: 4,500 members (est.) Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-8, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IEA, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM (guest), NEA, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Edouard BRUNNER; Chancery at 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 745-7900; there are Swiss Consulates General in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco US: Ambassador Joseph B. GILDENHORN; Embassy at Jubilaeumstrasse 93, 3005 Bern; telephone [41] (31) 437-011; FAX [41] (31) 437-344; there is a Branch Office of the Embassy in Geneva and a Consulate General in Zurich Flag: red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag
:Switzerland Economy
Overview: Switzerland's economic success is matched in few other nations. Per capita output, general living standards, education and science, health care, and diet are unsurpassed in Europe. Economic stability helps promote the important banking and tourist sectors. Since World War II, Switzerland's economy has adjusted smoothly to the great changes in output and trade patterns in Europe and presumably can adjust to the challenges of the 1990s, particularly to the further economic integration of Western Europe and the amazingly rapid changes in East European political and economic prospects. After 8 years of growth, the economy experienced a mild recession in 1991 because monetary policy was tightened to combat inflation and because of the weak international economy. In the second half of 1992, however, Switzerland is expected to resume growth, despite inflation and unemployment problems. GDP growth for 1992 may be just under 1%, inflation should drop from 5.9% to 3.5%, and the trade deficit will continue to decline after dropping by over 15% to $5 billion, due to increased exports to Germany. Unemployment, however, is forecast to rise to 1.6% in 1992, up from 1.3% in 1991 and 0.5% in 1990. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $147.4 billion, per capita $21,700; real growth rate -0.2% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.9% (1991) Unemployment rate: 1.3% (1991) Budget: revenues $24.0 billion; expenditures $23.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990) Exports: $62.2 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, precision instruments, metal products, foodstuffs, textiles and clothing partners: Western Europe 64% (EC 56%, other 8%), US 9%, Japan 4% Imports: $68.5 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: agricultural products, machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals, textiles, construction materials partners: Western Europe 78% (EC 71%, other 7%), US 6% External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 0.4% (1991 est.) Electricity: 17,710,000 kW capacity; 59,070 million kWh produced, 8,930 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments Agriculture: dairy farming predominates; less than 50% self-sufficient; food shortages - fish, refined sugar, fats and oils (other than butter), grains, eggs, fruits, vegetables, meat Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $3.5 billion
:Switzerland Economy
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) per US$1 - 1.4037 (January 1992), 1.4340 (1991), 1.3892 (1990), 1.6359 (1989), 1.4633 (1988), 1.4912 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Switzerland Communications
Railroads: 5,174 km total; 2,971 km are government owned and 2,203 km are nongovernment owned; the government network consists of 2,897 km 1.435-meter standard gauge and 74 km 1.000-meter narrow gauge track; 1,432 km double track, 99% electrified; the nongovernment network consists of 710 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 1,418 km 1.000-meter gauge, and 75 km 0.790-meter gauge track, 100% electrified Highways: 62,145 km total (all paved), of which 18,620 km are canton and 1,057 km are national highways (740 km autobahn); 42,468 km are communal roads Inland waterways: 65 km; Rhine (Basel to Rheinfelden, Schaffhausen to Bodensee); 12 navigable lakes Pipelines: crude oil 314 km, natural gas 1,506 km Ports: Basel (river port) Merchant marine: 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 325,234 GRT/576,953 DWT; includes 5 cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 3 chemical tanker, 2 specialized tanker, 9 bulk, 1 petroleum tanker Civil air: 89 major transport aircraft Airports: 66 total, 65 usable; 42 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 18 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: excellent domestic, international, and broadcast services; 5,890,000 telephones; extensive cable and microwave networks; broadcast stations - 7 AM, 265 FM, 18 (1,322 repeaters) TV; communications satellite earth station operating in the INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean) system
:Switzerland Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Air Force, Frontier Guards, Fortification Guards Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,798,632; 1,544,191 fit for military service; 43,952 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $4.6 billion, about 2% of GDP (1990)
:Syria Geography
Total area: 185,180 km2 Land area: 184,050 km2 (including 1,295 km2 of Israeli-occupied territory) Comparative area: slightly larger than North Dakota Land boundaries: 2,253 km total; Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375 km, Turkey 822 km Coastline: 193 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 6 nm beyond territorial sea limit Territorial sea: 35 nm Disputes: separated from Israel by the 1949 Armistice Line; Golan Heights is Israeli occupied; Hatay question with Turkey; periodic disputes with Iraq over Euphrates water rights; ongoing dispute over water development plans by Turkey for the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Climate: mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast Terrain: primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west Natural resources: crude oil, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum Land use: arable land 28%; permanent crops 3%; meadows and pastures 46%; forest and woodland 3%; other 20%; includes irrigated 3% Environment: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Note: there are 38 Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights
:Syria People
Population: 13,730,436 (July 1992), growth rate 3.8% (1992); in addition, there are at least 14,500 Druze and 14,000 Jewish settlers in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (1992 est.) Birth rate: 44 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 45 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 67 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Syrian(s); adjective - Syrian Ethnic divisions: Arab 90.3%; Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7% Religions: Sunni Muslim 74%, Alawite, Druze, and other Muslim sects 16%, Christian (various sects) 10%, tiny Jewish communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo Languages: Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian; French widely understood Literacy: 64% (male 78%, female 51%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2,400,000; miscellaneous and government services 36%, agriculture 32%, industry and construction 32%; majority unskilled; shortage of skilled labor (1984) Organized labor: 5% of labor force
:Syria Government
Long-form name: Syrian Arab Republic Type: republic; under leftwing military regime since March 1963 Capital: Damascus Administrative divisions: 14 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Hasakah, Al Ladhiqiyah, Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As Suwayda', Dar`a, Dayr az Zawr, Dimashq, Halab, Hamah, Hims, Idlib, Rif Dimashq, Tartus Independence: 17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration); formerly United Arab Republic Constitution: 13 March 1973 Legal system: based on Islamic law and civil law system; special religious courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day, 17 April (1946) Executive branch: president, three vice presidents, prime minister, three deputy prime ministers, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral People's Council (Majlis al-Chaab) Judicial branch: Supreme Constitutional Court, High Judicial Council, Court of Cassation, State Security Courts Leaders: Chief of State: President Hafiz al-ASAD (since 22 February 1971); Vice Presidents `Abd al-Halim KHADDAM, Vice President Rif`at al-ASAD, and Vice President Muhammad Zuhayr MASHARIQA (since 11 March 1984) Head of Government: Prime Minister Mahmud ZU`BI (since 1 November 1987); Deputy Prime Minister Lt. Gen. Mustafa TALAS (since 11 March 1984); Deputy Prime Minister Salim YASIN (since NA December 1981); Deputy Prime Minister Mahmud QADDUR (since NA May 1985) Political parties and leaders: ruling party is the Arab Socialist Resurrectionist (Ba`th) Party; the Progressive National Front is dominated by Ba`thists but includes independents and members of the Syrian Arab Socialist Party (ASP), Arab Socialist Union (ASU), Syrian Communist Party (SCP), Arab Socialist Unionist Movement, and Democratic Socialist Union Party Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 2 December 1991 (next to be held December 1998); results - President Hafiz al-ASAD was reelected for a fourth seven-year term with 99.98% of the vote People's Council: last held 22-23 May 1990 (next to be held NA May 1994); results - Ba`th 53.6%, ASU 3.2%, SCP 3.2%, Arab Socialist Unionist Movement 2.8%, ASP 2%, Democratic Socialist Union Party 1.6%, independents 33.6%; seats - (250 total) Ba`th 134, ASU 8, SCP 8, Arab Socialist Unionist Movement 7, ASP 5, Democratic Socialist Union Party 4, independents 84; note - the People's Council was expanded to 250 seats total prior to the May 1990 election
:Syria Government
Communists: Syrian Communist Party (SCP) Other political or pressure groups: non-Ba`th parties have little effective political influence; Communist party ineffective; conservative religious leaders; Muslim Brotherhood Member of: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Walid MOUALEM; Chancery at 2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 232-6313 US: Ambassador Christopher W. S. ROSS; Embassy at Abu Rumaneh, Al Mansur Street No. 2, Damascus (mailing address is P. O. Box 29, Damascus); telephone [963] (11) 333052 or 332557, 330416, 332814, 332315, 714108, 337178, 333232; FAX [963] (11) 718-687 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with two small green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band and of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt, which has a symbolic eagle centered in the white band
:Syria Economy
Overview: Syria's state-dominated Ba`thist economy has benefited from the Gulf war, increased oil production, good weather, and economic deregulation. Economic growth averaged nearly 12% annually in 1990-91, buoyed by increased oil production and improved agricultural performance. The Gulf war of early 1991 provided Syria an aid windfall of several billion dollars from Arab, European, and Japanese donors. These inflows more than offset Damascus's war-related costs and will help Syria cover some of its debt arrears, restore suspended credit lines, and initiate selected military and civilian purchases. For the long run, Syria's economy is still saddled with a large number of poorly performing public sector firms; investment levels remain low; and industrial and agricultural productivity is poor. A major long-term concern is the additional drain of upstream Euphrates water by Turkey when its vast dam and irrigation projects are completed by mid-decade. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $30 billion, per capita $2,300; real growth rate 11% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $5.4 billion; expenditures $7.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.9 billion (1991 est.) Exports: $3.6 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: petroleum 40%, farm products 13%, textiles, phosphates (1989) partners: USSR and Eastern Europe 42%, EC 31%, Arab countries 17%, US/Canada 2% (1989) Imports: $2.7 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: foodstuffs and beverages 21%, metal and metal products 16%, machinery 14%, textiles, petroleum products (1989) partners: EC 42%, USSR and Eastern Europe 13%, other Europe 13%, US/Canada 8%, Arab countries 6% (1989) External debt: $5.2 billion in hard currency (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 6% (1991 est.); accounts for 17% of GDP Electricity: 3,005,000 kW capacity; 8,800 million kWh produced, 680 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining, petroleum Agriculture: accounts for 27% of GDP and one-third of labor force; all major crops (wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas) grown mainly on rainfed land causing wide swings in production; animal products - beef, lamb, eggs, poultry, milk; not self-sufficient in grain or livestock products Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $538 million; Western (non-US) ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.23 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $12.3 billion; former Communist countries (1970-89), $3.3 billion Currency: Syrian pound (plural - pounds); 1 Syrian pound (#S) = 100 piasters
:Syria Economy
Exchange rates: Syrian pounds (#S) per US$1 - 22.0 (promotional rate since 1991), 11.2250 (fixed rate 1987-90), 3.9250 (fixed rate 1976-87) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Syria Communications
Railroads: 2,350 km total; 2,035 km standard gauge, 315 km 1.050-meter (narrow) gauge Highways: 28,000 km total; 22,000 km paved, 3,000 km gravel or crushed stone, 3,000 km improved earth Inland waterways: 672 km; minimal economic importance Pipelines: crude oil 1,304 km, petroleum products 515 km Ports: Tartus, Latakia, Baniyas Merchant marine: 29 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 85,417 GRT/138,078 DWT; includes 25 cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 vehicle carrier, 2 bulk Civil air: 35 major transport aircraft Airports: 104 total, 100 usable; 24 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 21 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair system currently undergoing significant improvement; 512,600 telephones; broadcast stations - 9 AM, 1 FM, 17 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Intersputnik, 1 submarine cable; coaxial cable and radio relay to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey
:Syria Defense Forces
Branches: Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air Force, Syrian Arab Air Defense Forces, Police and Security Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 3,012,671; 1,691,660 fit for military service; 145,976 reach military age (19) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.5 billion, 8% of GDP (1989)
:Taiwan Geography
Total area: 35,980 km2 Land area: 32,260 km2; includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy Comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: none Coastline: 1,448 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: involved in complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu Tai) claimed by China and Taiwan Climate: tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year Terrain: eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west Natural resources: small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos Land use: arable land 24%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 5%; forest and woodland 55%; other 15%; irrigated 14% Environment: subject to earthquakes and typhoons
:Taiwan People
Population: 20,878,556 (July 1992), growth rate 1.0% (1992) Birth rate: 16 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Chinese (singular and plural); adjective - Chinese Ethnic divisions: Taiwanese 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, aborigine 2% Religions: mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5% Languages: Mandarin Chinese (official); Taiwanese (Miu) and Hakka dialects also used Literacy: 91.2% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990) Labor force: 7,900,000; industry and commerce 53%, services 22%, agriculture 15.6%, civil administration 7% (1989) Organized labor: 2,728,000 or about 44% (1991)
:Taiwan Government
Long-form name: none Type: multiparty democratic regime; opposition political parties legalized in March, 1989 Capital: Taipei Administrative divisions: the authorities in Taipei claim to be the government of all China; in keeping with that claim, the central administrative divisions include 2 provinces (sheng, singular and plural) and 2 municipalities* (shih, singular and plural) - Fu-chien (some 20 offshore islands of Fujian Province including Quemoy and Matsu), Kao-hsiung*, T'ai-pei*, and Taiwan (the island of Taiwan and the Pescadores islands); the more commonly referenced administrative divisions are those of Taiwan Province - 16 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 5 municipalities* (shih, singular and plural), and 2 special municipalities** (chuan-shih, singular and plural); Chang-hua, Chia-i, Chia-i*, Chi-lung*, Hsin-chu, Hsin-chu*, Hua-lien, I-lan, Kao-hsiung, Kao-hsiung**, Miao-li, Nan-t'ou, P'eng-hu, P'ing-tung, T'ai-chung, T'ai-chung*, T'ai-nan, T'ai-nan*, T'ai-pei, T'ai-pei**, T'ai-tung, T'ao-yuan, and Yun-lin; the provincial capital is at Chung-hsing-hsin-ts'un; note - Taiwan uses the Wade-Giles system for romanization Constitution: 25 December 1947, presently undergoing revision Legal system: based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: National Day (Anniversary of the Revolution), 10 October (1911) Executive branch: president, vice president, premier of the Executive Yuan, vice premier of the Executive Yuan, Executive Yuan Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Yuan, unicameral National Assembly Judicial branch: Judicial Yuan Leaders: Chief of State: President LI Teng-hui (since 13 January 1988); Vice President LI Yuan-zu (since 20 May 1990) Head of Government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) HAO Po-ts'un (since 2 May 1990); Vice Premier (Vice President of the Executive Yuan) SHIH Ch'i-yang (since NA July 1988) Political parties and leaders: Kuomintang (Nationalist Party), LI Teng-hui, chairman; Democratic Socialist Party and Young China Party controlled by Kuomintang; Democratic Progressive Party (DPP); Labor Party; 27 other minor parties Suffrage: universal at age 20 Elections: President: last held 21 March 1990 (next to be held NA March 1996); results - President LI Teng-hui was reelected by the National Assembly Vice President: last held 21 March 1990 (next to be held NA March 1996); results - LI Yuan-zu was elected by the National Assembly
:Taiwan Government
Legislative Yuan: last held 2 December 1989 (next to be held NA December 1992); results - KMT 65%, DPP 33%, independents 2%; seats - (304 total, 102 elected) KMT 78, DPP 21, independents 3 Elections: National Assembly: first National Assembly elected in November 1947 with a supplementary election in December 1986; second National Assembly elected in December 1991 Member of: expelled from UN General Assembly and Security Council on 25 October 1971 and withdrew on same date from other charter-designated subsidiary organs; expelled from IMF/World Bank group April/May 1980; seeking to join GATT; attempting to retain membership in INTELSAT; suspended from IAEA in 1972, but still allows IAEA controls over extensive atomic development; APEC, AsDB, ICC, ICFTU, IOC Diplomatic representation: none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people of the US are maintained through a private instrumentality, the Coordination Council for North American Affairs (CCNAA) with headquarters in Taipei and field offices in Washington and 10 other US cities with all addresses and telephone numbers NA US: unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people of Taiwan are maintained through a private institution, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), which has offices in Taipei at #7, Lane 134, Hsiu Yi Road, Section 3, telephone [886] (2) 709-2000, and in Kao-hsiung at #2 Chung Cheng 3d Road, telephone [886] (7) 224-0154 through 0157, and the American Trade Center at Room 3207 International Trade Building, Taipei World Trade Center, 333 Keelung Road Section 1, Taipei 10548, telephone [886] (2) 720-1550 Flag: red with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays
:Taiwan Economy
Overview: Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with considerable government guidance of investment and foreign trade and partial government ownership of some large banks and industrial firms. Real growth in GNP has averaged about 9% a year during the past three decades. Export growth has been even faster and has provided the impetus for industrialization. Agriculture contributes about 4% to GNP, down from 35% in 1952. Taiwan currently ranks as number 13 among major trading countries. Traditional labor-intensive industries are steadily being replaced with more capital- and technology-intensive industries. Taiwan has become a major investor in China, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia. The tightening of labor markets has led to an influx of foreign workers, both legal and illegal. GNP: purchasing power equivalent - $150.8 billion, per capita $7,380; real growth rate 5.2% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.1% (1990); 3.8% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 1.7% (1990); 1.5% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $30.3 billion; expenditures $30.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY91 est.) Exports: $67.2 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: electrical machinery 18.2%, textiles 15.6%, general machinery and equipment 14.8%, basic metals and metal products 7.8%, foodstuffs 1.7%, plywood and wood products 1.6% (1989) partners: US 36.2%, Japan 13.7% (1989) Imports: $54.7 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: machinery and equipment 15.3%, basic metals 13.0%, chemical and chemical products 11.1%, crude oil 5%, foodstuffs 2.2% (1989) partners: Japan 31%, US 23%, FRG 5% (1989) External debt: $1.1 billion (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 6.5% (1991 est.) Electricity: 17,000,000 kW capacity; 76,900 million kWh produced, 3,722 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: electronics, textiles, chemicals, clothing, food processing, plywood, sugar milling, cement, shipbuilding, petroleum Agriculture: accounts for 4% of GNP and 16% of labor force (includes part-time farmers); heavily subsidized sector; major crops - vegetables, rice, fruit, tea; livestock - hogs, poultry, beef, milk, cattle; not self-sufficient in wheat, soybeans, corn; fish catch increasing, 1.4 million metric tons (1988) Economic aid: US, including Ex-Im (FY46-82), $4.6 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $500 million Currency: New Taiwan dollar (plural - dollars); 1 New Taiwan dollar (NT$) = 100 cents
:Taiwan Economy
Exchange rates: New Taiwan dollars per US$1 - 25.000 (February 1992), 25.748 (1991), 27.108 (1990), 26.407 (1989) 28.589 (1988), 31.845 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
:Taiwan Communications
Railroads: about 4,600 km total track with 1,075 km common carrier lines and 3,525 km industrial lines; common carrier lines consist of the 1.067-meter gauge 708 km West Line and the 367 km East Line; a 98.25 km South Link Line connection was completed in late 1991; common carrier lines owned by the government and operated by the Railway Administration under Ministry of Communications; industrial lines owned and operated by government enterprises Highways: 20,041 km total; 17,095 km bituminous or concrete pavement, 2,371 km crushed stone or gravel, 575 km graded earth Pipelines: petroleum products 615 km, natural gas 97 km Ports: Kao-hsiung, Chi-lung (Keelung), Hua-lien, Su-ao, T'ai-tung Merchant marine: 213 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,491,539 GRT/9,082,118 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 42 cargo, 15 refrigerated cargo, 73 container, 17 petroleum tanker, 3 combination ore/oil, 1 specialized tanker, 58 bulk, 1 roll-on/roll-off, 2 combination bulk Airports: 40 total, 39 usable; 36 with permanent-surface runways; 3 with runways over 3,659 m; 16 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 8 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: best developed system in Asia outside of Japan; 7,800,000 telephones; extensive microwave transmission links on east and west coasts; broadcast stations - 91 AM, 23 FM, 15 TV (13 repeaters); 8,620,000 radios; 6,386,000 TVs (5,680,000 color, 706,000 monochrome); satellite earth stations - 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT; submarine cable links to Japan (Okinawa), the Philippines, Guam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe
:Taiwan Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy (including Marines), Air Force, Taiwan General Garrison Headquarters, Ministry of National Defense Manpower availability: males 15-49, 5,982,717; 4,652,586 fit for military service; about 180,706 currently reach military age (19) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $9.16 billion, 4.5% of GNP (FY92)
:Tajikistan Geography
Total area: 143,100 km2 Land area: 142,700 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Wisconsin Land boundaries: 3,651 km total; Afghanistan 1,206 km, China 414 km, Kyrgyzstan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,161 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: boundary with China under dispute Climate: midlatitude semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains Terrain: Pamir and Alay Mountains dominate landscape; western Fergana Valley in north, Kafirnigan and Vakhsh Valleys in southeast Natural resources: significant hydropower potential, petroleum, uranium, mercury, small production of petroleum, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten Land use: 6% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; includes NA% irrigated Environment: NA Note: landlocked
:Tajikistan People
Population: 5,680,242 (July 1992), growth rate 3.0% (1992) Birth rate: 40 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 74 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 64 years male, 70 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 5.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Tajik(s); adjective - Tajik Ethnic divisions: Tajik 62%, Uzbek 24%, Russian 8%, Tatar 2%, other 4% Religions: Sunni Muslim approximately 80%, Shi`a Muslim 5% Languages: Tajik (official) NA% Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write Labor force: 1,938,000; agriculture and forestry 43%, industry and construction 22%, other 35% (1990) Organized labor: NA
:Tajikistan Government
Long-form name: Republic of Tajikistan Type: republic Capital: Dushanbe Administrative divisions: 3 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast') and one autonomous oblast*; Gorno-Badakhshan*; Kurgan-Tyube, Kulyab, Leninabad (Khudzhand); note - the rayons around Dushanbe are under direct republic jurisdiction; an oblast usually has the same name as its administrative center (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Independence: 9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union); formerly Tajikistan Soviet Socialist Republic Constitution: adopted NA April 1978 Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts National holiday: NA Executive branch: president, prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Soviet Judicial branch: NA Leaders: Chief of State: President Rakhman NABIYEV (since NA September 1991); note - a government of National Reconciliation was formed in May 1992; NABIYEV is titular head Head of Government: Prime Minister Akbar MIRZOYEV (since 10 January 1992); First Deputy Prime Minister Davlat USMON Political parties and leaders: Tajik Democratic Party, Shodmon YUSUF, chairman; Rastokhez (Rebirth), Tohir ABDULJABAR, chairman; Islamic Revival Party, Sharif HIMMOT-ZODA, chairman Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 27 October 1991 (next to be held NA); results - Rakhman NABIYEV, Communist Party 60%; Daolat KHUDONAZAROV, Democratic Party, Islamic Rebirth Party and Rastokhoz Party 30% Supreme Soviet: last held 25 February 1990 (next to be held NA); results - Communist Party 99%, other 1%; seats - (230 total) Communist Party 227, other 3 Communists: NA Other political or pressure groups: Kazi Kolon, Akbar TURAJON-SODA, Muslim leader Member of: CSCE, IMF, UN Diplomatic representation: NA US: Ambassador-designate Stan ESCUDERO; Embassy at Interim Chancery, #39 Ainii Street; Residences: Oktyabrskaya Hotel, Dushanbe (mailing address is APO AE 09862); telephone [8] (011) 7-3772-24-32-23
:Tajikistan Government
Flag: NA; still in the process of designing one
:Tajikistan Economy
Overview: Tajikistan has had the lowest standard of living and now faces the bleakest economic prospects of the 15 former Soviet republics. Agriculture is the main economic sector, normally accounting for 38% of employment and featuring cotton and fruits. Industry is sparse, bright spots including electric power and aluminum production based on the country's sizable hydropower resources and a surprising specialty in the production of metal-cutting machine tools. In 1991 and early 1992, disruptions in food supplies from the outside have severely strained the availability of food throughout the republic. The combination of the poor food supply, the general disruption of industrial links to suppliers and markets, and political instability have meant that the republic's leadership could make little progress in economic reform in 1991 and early 1992. GDP: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate -9% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 84% (1991) Unemployment rate: 25% (1991 est.) Budget: $NA Exports: $706 million (1990) commodities: aluminum, cotton, fruits, vegetable oil, textiles partners: Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan Imports: $1.3 billion (1990) commodities: chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, textiles, foodstuffs partners: NA External debt: $650 million (end of 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -2.0% (1991) Electricity: 4,575,000 kW capacity; 17,500 million kWh produced, 3,384 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: aluminum, zinc, lead, chemicals and fertilizers, cement, vegetable oil, metal-cutting machine tools, refrigerators and freezers Agriculture: cotton, grain, fruits, grapes, vegetables; cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, yaks Illicit drugs: illicit producers of cannabis and opium; mostly for domestic consumption; status of government eradication programs unknown; used as transshipment points for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: NA Currency: as of May 1992, retaining ruble as currency Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year
:Tajikistan Communications
Railroads: 480 km all 1.520-meter (broad) gauge (includes NA km electrified); does not include industrial lines (1990); 258 km between Dushanbe (Tajikistan) and Termez (Uzbekistan), connects with the railroad system of the other republics of the former Soviet Union at Tashkent in Uzbekistan Highways: 29,900 km total (1990); 24,400 km hard surfaced, 8,500 km earth Inland waterways: NA km perennially navigable Pipelines: NA Civil air: NA Airports: NA Telecommunications: poorly developed; telephone density NA; linked by landline or microwave with other CIS member states and by leased connections via the Moscow international gateway switch to other countries; satellite earth stations - Orbita and INTELSAT (TV receive only)
:Tajikistan Defense Forces
Branches: Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard; CIS Forces (Ground, Air, and Air Defense) Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service; NA reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
:Tanzania Geography
Total area: 945,090 km2 Land area: 886,040 km2; includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar Comparative area: slightly larger than twice the size of California Land boundaries: 3,402 km total; Burundi 451 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km, Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217 km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km Coastline: 1,424 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: boundary dispute with Malawi in Lake Nyasa; Tanzania-Zaire-Zambia tripoint in Lake Tanganyika may no longer be indefinite since it is reported that the indefinite section of the Zaire-Zambia boundary has been settled Climate: varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands Terrain: plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south Natural resources: hydropower potential, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel Land use: arable land 5%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 40%; forest and woodland 47%; other 7%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: lack of water and tsetse fly limit agriculture; recent droughts affected marginal agriculture; Kilimanjaro is highest point in Africa
:Tanzania People
Population: 27,791,552 (July 1992), growth rate 3.4% (1992) Birth rate: 49 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 15 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 103 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 50 years male, 55 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 7.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Tanzanian(s); adjective - Tanzanian Ethnic divisions: mainland - native African consisting of well over 100 tribes 99%; Asian, European, and Arab 1% Religions: mainland - Christian 33%, Muslim 33%, indigenous beliefs 33%; Zanzibar - almost all Muslim Languages: Swahili and English (official); English primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education; Swahili widely understood and generally used for communication between ethnic groups; first language of most people is one of the local languages; primary education is generally in Swahili Literacy: 46% (male 62%, female 31%) age 15 and over can read and write (1978) Labor force: 732,200 wage earners; 90% agriculture, 10% industry and commerce (1986 est.) Organized labor: 15% of labor force
:Tanzania Government
Long-form name: United Republic of Tanzania Type: republic Capital: Dar es Salaam; some government offices have been transferred to Dodoma, which is planned as the new national capital by the end of the 1990s Administrative divisions: 25 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Lindi, Mara, Mbeya, Morogoro, Mtwara, Mwanza, Pemba North, Pemba South, Pwani, Rukwa, Ruvuma, Shinyanga, Singida, Tabora, Tanga, Zanzibar Central/South, Zanzibar North, Zanzibar Urban/West, Ziwa Magharibi Independence: Tanganyika became independent 9 December 1961 (from UN trusteeship under British administration); Zanzibar became independent 19 December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with Zanzibar 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; renamed United Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964 Constitution: 15 March 1984 (Zanzibar has its own Constitution but remains subject to provisions of the union Constitution) Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Union Day, 26 April (1964) Executive branch: president, first vice president and prime minister of the union, second vice president and president of Zanzibar, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Bunge) Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, High Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Ali Hassan MWINYI (since 5 November 1985); First Vice President John MALECELA (since 9 November 1990); Second Vice President Salmin AMOUR (since 9 November 1990) Head of Government: Prime Minister John MALECELA (since 9 November 1990) Political parties and leaders: only party - Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM or Revolutionary Party), Ali Hassan MWINYI, party chairman Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 28 October 1990 (next to be held NA October 1995); results - Ali Hassan MWINYI was elected without opposition National Assembly: last held 28 October 1990 (next to be held NA October 1995); results - CCM is the only party; seats - (241 total, 168 elected) CCM 168 Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, EADB, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-6, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, SADCC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
:Tanzania Government
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador-designate Charles Musama NYIRABU; Chancery at 2139 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 939-6125 US: Ambassador Edmund DE JARNETTE, Jr.; Embassy at 36 Laibon Road (off Bagamoyo Road), Dar es Salaam (mailing address is P. O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam); telephone [255] (51) 66010/13; FAX [255] (51)66701 Flag: divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is blue
:Tanzania Economy
Overview: Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which accounts for about 47% of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 90% of the work force. Industry accounts for 8% of GDP and is mainly limited to processing agricultural products and light consumer goods. The economic recovery program announced in mid-1986 has generated notable increases in agricultural production and financial support for the program by bilateral donors. The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's deteriorated economic infrastructure. Growth in 1991 was featured by a pickup in industrial production and a substantial increase in output of minerals led by gold. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $6.9 billion, per capita $260 (1989 est.); real growth rate 4.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 16.5% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $495 million; expenditures $631 million, including capital expenditures of $118 million (FY90) Exports: $478 million (f.o.b., FY91 est.) commodities: coffee, cotton, sisal, tea, cashew nuts, meat, tobacco, diamonds, gold, coconut products, pyrethrum, cloves (Zanzibar) partners: FRG, UK, Japan, Netherlands, Kenya, Hong Kong, US Imports: $1.5 billion (c.i.f., FY91 est.) commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and transportation equipment, cotton piece goods, crude oil, foodstuffs partners: FRG, UK, US, Japan, Italy, Denmark External debt: $5.2 billion (December 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 4.2% (1988); accounts for 8% of GDP Electricity: 405,000 kW capacity; 905 million kWh produced, 35 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: primarily agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine), diamond and gold mining, oil refinery, shoes, cement, textiles, wood products, fertilizer Agriculture: accounts for over 45% of GDP; topography and climatic conditions limit cultivated crops to only 5% of land area; cash crops - coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), cashews, tobacco, cloves (Zanzibar); food crops - corn, wheat, cassava, bananas, fruits, and vegetables; small numbers of cattle, sheep, and goats; not self-sufficient in food grain production Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $400 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $9.8 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $44 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $614 million
:Tanzania Economy
Currency: Tanzanian shilling (plural - shillings); 1 Tanzanian shilling (TSh) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Tanzanian shillings (TSh) per US$1 - 236.01 (February (1992), 219.16 (1991), 195.06 (1990), 143.38 (1989), 99.29 (1988), 64.26 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
:Tanzania Communications
Railroads: 3,555 km total; 960 km 1.067-meter gauge; 2,595 km 1.000-meter gauge, 6.4 km double track, 962 km Tazara Railroad 1.067-meter gauge; 115 km 1.000-meter gauge planned by end of decade Highways: total 81,900 km, 3,600 km paved; 5,600 km gravel or crushed stone; remainder improved and unimproved earth Inland waterways: Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, Lake Nyasa Pipelines: crude oil 982 km Ports: Dar es Salaam, Mtwara, Tanga, and Zanzibar are ocean ports; Mwanza on Lake Victoria and Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika are inland ports Merchant marine: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 19,185 GRT/22,916 DWT; includes 2 passenger-cargo, 2 cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 petroleum tanker Civil air: 8 major transport aircraft Airports: 104 total, 94 usable; 12 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3, 659 m; 43 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair system operating below capacity; open wire, radio relay, and troposcatter; 103,800 telephones; broadcast stations - 12 AM, 4 FM, 2 TV; 1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Tanzania Defense Forces
Branches: Tanzanian People's Defense Force (TPDF; including Army, Navy, and Air Force); paramilitary Police Field Force Unit; Militia Manpower availability: males 15-49, 5,747,542; 3,319,116 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $119 million, about 2% of GDP (FY89 budget)
:Thailand Geography
Total area: 514,000 km2 Land area: 511,770 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming Land boundaries: 4,863 km total; Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km Coastline: 3,219 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: boundary dispute with Laos; unresolved maritime boundary with Vietnam Climate: tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid Terrain: central plain; eastern plateau (Khorat); mountains elsewhere Natural resources: tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite Land use: arable land 34%; permanent crops 4%; meadows and pastures 1%; forest and woodland 30%; other 31%; includes irrigated 7% Environment: air and water pollution; land subsidence in Bangkok area Note: controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore
:Thailand People
Population: 57,624,180 (July 1992), growth rate 1.4% (1992) Birth rate: 20 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 35 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 67 years male, 71 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Thai (singular and plural); adjective - Thai Ethnic divisions: Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11% Religions: Buddhism 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christianity 0.5%, Hinduism 0.1%, other 0.6% (1991) Languages: Thai; English is the secondary language of the elite; ethnic and regional dialects Literacy: 93% (male 96%, female 90%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 30,870,000; agriculture 62%, industry 13%, commerce 11%, services (including government) 14% (1989 est.) Organized labor: 309,000 union members (1989)
:Thailand Government
Long-form name: Kingdom of Thailand Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Bangkok Administrative divisions: 72 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Ang Thong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep Mahanakhon, Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon Independence: 1238 (traditional founding date); never colonized Constitution: 22 December 1978; new constitution approved 7 December 1991 Legal system: based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; martial law in effect since 23 February 1991 military coup National holiday: Birthday of His Majesty the King, 5 December (1927) Executive branch: monarch, interim prime minister, three interim deputy prime ministers, interim Council of Ministers (cabinet), Privy Council; following the military coup of 23 February 1991 a National Peace-Keeping Council was set up Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly (Rathasatha) consists of an upper house or Senate (Vuthisatha) and a lower house or House of Representatives (Saphaphoothan-Rajsadhorn) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Sarndika) Leaders: Chief of State: King PHUMIPHON Adunlayadet (since 9 June 1946); Heir Apparent Crown Prince WACHIRALONGKON (born 28 July 1952) Head of Government: Prime Minister Anan PANYARACHUN (since 10 June 1992) Political parties and leaders: Justice Unity Party (Samakki Tham); Chart Thai Party; Solidarity Party; Thai Citizens Party (TCP, Prachakorn Thai); Social Action Party (SAP); Democrat Party (DP); Force of Truth Party (Palang Dharma); New Aspiration Party; Rassadorn Party; Muanchon Party; Puangchon Chothai Party Suffrage: universal at age 21
:Thailand Government
Elections: House of Representatives: last held 22 March 1992 (next to be held by NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (360 total) Samakki Tham 79, Chart Thai Party 74, New Aspiration Party 72, DP 44, Palang Dharma 41, SAP 31, TCP 7, Solidarity Party 6, Rassadorn 4, Muanchon 1, Puangchon Chotahi 1 Communists: illegal Communist party has 500 to 1,000 members; armed Communist insurgents throughout Thailand total 200 (est.) Member of: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador-designate PHIRAPHONG Kasemsi; Embassy at 2300 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 483-7200; there are Thai Consulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York US: Ambassador David F. LAMBERTSON; Embassy at 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok (mailing address is APO AP 96546); telephone [66] (2) 252-5040; FAX [66] (2) 254-2990; there is a US Consulate General in Chiang Mai and Consulates in Songkhla and Udorn Flag: five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red
:Thailand Economy
Overview: Thailand, one of the more advanced developing countries in Asia, enjoyed a year of 8% growth in 1991, although down from an annual average of 11% growth between 1987 and 1990. The increasingly sophisticated manufacturing sector benefited from export-oriented investment. The manufacturing and service sectors have accounted for the lion's share of economic growth. Thailand's traditional agricultural sector continued to become less important to the overall economy in 1991. The trade deficit continued to increase in 1991, to $11 billion; earnings from tourism and remittances grew marginally as a result of the Gulf War; and Thailand's import bill grew, especially for manufactures and oil. The government has followed fairly sound fiscal and monetary policies. Aided by increased tax receipts from the fast-moving economy; Bangkok recorded its fourth consecutive budget surplus in 1991. The government is moving ahead with new projects - especially for telecommunications, roads, and port facilities - needed to refurbish the country's overtaxed infrastructure. Political unrest and the military's shooting of antigovernment demonstrators in May 1992 have caused international businessmen to question Thailand's political stability. Thailand's general economic outlook remains good, however, assuming the continuation of the government's progrowth measures. GNP: exchange rate conversion - $92.6 billion, per capita $1,630; real growth rate 8% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.6% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.1% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $17.9 billion; expenditures $17.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.0 billion (FY92 est.) Exports: $27.5 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: machinery and manufactures 62%, food 28%, crude materials 7% (1990) partners: US 23.4%, Japan 17.2%, Singapore 7.3%, Germany 5.3%, Hong Kong 4.8%, UK 4.4%, Netherlands 4.3%, Malaysia, France, China (1990) Imports: $39.0 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: machinery and manufactures 67%, chemicals l0%, fuels 9%, crude materials 6% (1990) partners: Japan 30.2%, US 12%, Singapore 6.9%, Taiwan 5%, Germany 4.8%, China 3.2%, South Korea, Malaysia, UK (1990) External debt: $25.1 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate 14% (1990 est.); accounts for about 25% of GDP Electricity: 7,400,000 kW capacity; 37,500 million kWh produced, 660 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: tourism is the largest source of foreign exchange; textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, other light manufacturing, such as jewelry; electric appliances and components, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics; world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer
:Thailand Economy
Agriculture: accounts for 12% of GDP and 60% of labor force; leading producer and exporter of rice and cassava (tapioca); other crops - rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans; except for wheat, self-sufficient in food Illicit drugs: a minor producer, major illicit trafficker of heroin, particularly from Burma and Laos, and cannabis for the international drug market; eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been affected by eradication efforts Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $870 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $8.6 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $19 million Currency: baht (plural - baht); 1 baht (B) = 100 satang Exchange rates: baht (B) per US$1 - 25.614 (March 1992), 25.517 (1991), 25.585 (1990), 25.702 (1989), 25.294 (1988), 25.723 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September
:Thailand Communications
Railroads: 3,940 km 1.000-meter gauge, 99 km double track Highways: 44,534 km total; 28,016 km paved, 5,132 km earth surface, 11,386 km under development Inland waterways: 3,999 km principal waterways; 3,701 km with navigable depths of 0.9 m or more throughout the year; numerous minor waterways navigable by shallow-draft native craft Pipelines: natural gas 350 km, petroleum products 67 km Ports: Bangkok, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha Merchant marine: 151 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 628,225 GRT/957,095 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 87 cargo, 11 container, 31 petroleum tanker, 9 liquefied gas, 2 chemical tanker, 3 bulk, 4 refrigerated cargo, 2 combination bulk, 1 passenger Civil air: 41 (plus 2 leased) major transport aircraft Airports: 115 total, 97 usable; 50 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 13 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 28 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: service to general public inadequate; bulk of service to government activities provided by multichannel cable and radio relay network; 739,500 telephones (1987); broadcast stations - over 200 AM, 100 FM, and 11 TV in government-controlled networks; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT domestic satellite system being developed
:Thailand Defense Forces
Branches: Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (including Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force, Paramilitary Forces Manpower availability: males 15-49, 16,361,393; 9,966,446 fit for military service; 612,748 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.7 billion, about 3% of GNP (1992 budget)
:Togo Geography
Total area: 56,790 km2 Land area: 54,390 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: 1,647 km total; Benin 644 km, Burkina 126 km, Ghana 877 km Coastline: 56 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 30 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north Terrain: gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes Natural resources: phosphates, limestone, marble Land use: arable land 25%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 4%; forest and woodland 28%; other 42%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; recent droughts affecting agriculture; deforestation
:Togo People
Population: 3,958,863 (July 1992), growth rate 3.6% (1992) Birth rate: 48 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 94 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 54 years male, 58 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 7.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Togolese (singular and plural); adjective - Togolese Ethnic divisions: 37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabye; under 1% European and Syrian-Lebanese Religions: indigenous beliefs about 70%, Christian 20%, Muslim 10% Languages: French, both official and language of commerce; major African languages are Ewe and Mina in the south and Dagomba and Kabye in the north Literacy: 43% (male 56%, female 31%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: NA; agriculture 78%, industry 22%; about 88,600 wage earners, evenly divided between public and private sectors; 50% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: Federation of Togolese Workers (CNTT) was only legal labor union until Spring 1991; at least two more groups established since then: Labor Federation of Togolese Workers (CSTT) and the National Union of Independent Syndicates (UNSIT), each with 10-12 member unions; four other civil service unions have formed a loose coalition known as the Autonomous Syndicates of Togo (CTSA)
:Togo Government
Long-form name: Republic of Togo Type: republic; under transition to multiparty democratic rule Capital: Lome Administrative divisions: 21 circumscriptions (circonscriptions, singular - circonscription); Amlame (Amou), Aneho (Lacs), Atakpame (Ogou), Badou (Wawa), Bafilo (Assoli), Bassar (Bassari), Dapango (Tone), Kande (Keran), Klouto (Kloto), Pagouda (Binah), Lama-Kara (Kozah), Lome (Golfe), Mango (Oti), Niamtougou (Doufelgou), Notse (Haho), Pagouda, Sotouboua, Tabligbo (Yoto), Tchamba, Nyala, Tchaoudjo, Tsevie (Zio), Vogan (Vo); note - the 21 units may now be called prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture) and reported name changes for individual units are included in parentheses Independence: 27 April 1960 (from UN trusteeship under French administration, formerly French Togo) Constitution: 1980 constitution nullified during national reform conference; transition constitution adopted 24 August 1991; multiparty draft constitution sent to High Council of the Republic for approval in November 1991, scheduled to be put to public referendum in NA 1992 Legal system: French-based court system National holiday: Independence Day 27 April (1960) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: National Assembly dissolved during national reform conference; 79-member interim High Council for the Republic (HCR) formed to act as legislature during transition to multiparty democracy; legislative elections scheduled to be held in NA Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel), Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State: President Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA (since 14 April 1967) Head of Government: interim Prime Minister Joseph Kokou KOFFIGOH (since 28 August 1991) Political parties and leaders: Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) led by President EYADEMA was the only party until the formation of multiple parties was legalized 12 April 1991; more than 10 parties formed as of mid-May, though none yet legally registered; a national conference to determine transition regime took place 10 July-28 August 1991 Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Elections: President: last held 21 December 1986 (next to be held NA 1992); results - Gen. EYADEMA was reelected without opposition National Assembly: last held 4 March 1990; dissolved during national reform conference (next to be held April/May 1992); results - RPT was the only party; seats - (77 total) RPT 77
:Togo Government
Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEAO (observer), ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Ellom-Kodjo SCHUPPIUS; Chancery at 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 234-4212 or 4213 US: Ambassador Harmon E. KIRBY; Embassy at Rue Pelletier Caventou and Rue Vauban, Lome (mailing address is B. P. 852, Lome); telephone [228] 21-29-91 through 94 and 21-77-17; FAX [228] 21-79-52 Flag: five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating with yellow; there is a white five-pointed star on a red square in the upper hoist-side corner; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
:Togo Economy
Overview: The economy is heavily dependent on subsistence agriculture, which accounts for about 35% of GDP and provides employment for 78% of the labor force. Primary agricultural exports are cocoa, coffee, and cotton, which together account for about 30% of total export earnings. Togo is self-sufficient in basic foodstuffs when harvests are normal. In the industrial sector phosphate mining is by far the most important activity, with phosphate exports accounting for about 40% of total foreign exchange earnings. Togo serves as a regional commercial and trade center. The government, over the past decade, with IMF and World Bank support, has been implementing a number of economic reform measures, that is, actively encouraging foreign investment and attempting to bring revenues in line with expenditures. Political unrest throughout 1991, however, has jeopardized the reform program and has disrupted vital economic activity. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $1.5 billion, per capita $400; real growth rate 2% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.0% (1990) Unemployment rate: 2.0% (1987) Budget: revenues $330 million; expenditures $363 million, including capital expenditures of $101 million (1990 est.) Exports: $396 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: phosphates, cocoa, coffee, cotton, manufactures, palm kernels partners: EC 70%, Africa 9%, US 2%, other 19% (1985) Imports: $502 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: food, fuels, durable consumer goods, other intermediate goods, capital goods partners: EC 61%, US 6%, Africa 4%, Japan 4%, other 25% (1989) External debt: $1.3 billion (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 4.9% (1987 est.); 6% of GDP Electricity: 179,000 kW capacity; 209 million kWh produced, 60 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement, handicrafts, textiles, beverages Agriculture: cash crops - coffee, cocoa, cotton; food crops - yams, cassava, corn, beans, rice, millet, sorghum; livestock production not significant; annual fish catch, 10,000-14,000 tons Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $132 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.9 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $35 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $51 million Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
:Togo Economy
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 281.99 (March 1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Togo Communications
Railroads: 515 km 1.000-meter gauge, single track Highways: 6,462 km total; 1,762 km paved; 4,700 km unimproved roads Inland waterways: 50 km Mono River Ports: Lome, Kpeme (phosphate port) Merchant marine: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 20,975 GRT/34,022 DWT; includes 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 multifunction large-load carrier Civil air: 3 major transport aircraft Airports: 9 total, 9 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair system based on network of radio relay routes supplemented by open wire lines; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 3 (2 relays) TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 SYMPHONIE
:Togo Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males 15-49, 828,259; 435,113 fit for military service; no conscription Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $43 million, about 3% of GDP (1989)
:Tokelau Geography
Total area: 10 km2 Land area: 10 km2 Comparative area: about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 101 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November) Terrain: coral atolls enclosing large lagoons Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100% Environment: lies in Pacific typhoon belt Note: located 3,750 km southwest of Honolulu in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand
:Tokelau People
Population: 1,760 (July 1992), growth rate 0.7% (1992) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1992) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Tokelauan(s); adjective - Tokelauan Ethnic divisions: all Polynesian, with cultural ties to Western Samoa Religions: Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%, other 2%; on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, with the Congregational Christian Church predominant Languages: Tokelauan (a Polynesian language) and English Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: NA Organized labor: NA
:Tokelau Government
Long-form name: none Type: territory of New Zealand Capital: none; each atoll has its own administrative center Administrative divisions: none (territory of New Zealand) Independence: none (territory of New Zealand) Constitution: administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948, as amended in 1970 Legal system: British and local statutes National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) Executive branch: British monarch, administrator (appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in New Zealand), official secretary Legislative branch: Council of Elders (Taupulega) on each atoll Judicial branch: High Court in Niue, Supreme Court in New Zealand Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) Head of Government: Administrator Neil WALTER (since NA February 1988); Official Secretary Casimilo J. PEREZ, Office of Tokelau Affairs Suffrage: NA Elections: NA Member of: SPC Diplomatic representation: none (territory of New Zealand) Flag: the flag of New Zealand is used
:Tokelau Economy
Overview: Tokelau's small size, isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The people must rely on aid from New Zealand to maintain public services, annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $1.4 million, per capita $800; real growth rate NA% (1988 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $430,830; expenditures $2.8 million, including capital expenditures of $37,300 (FY87) Exports: $98,000 (f.o.b., 1983) commodities: stamps, copra, handicrafts partners: NZ Imports: $323,400 (c.i.f., 1983) commodities: foodstuffs, building materials, fuel partners: NZ External debt: none Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 200 kW capacity; 300,000 kWh produced, 180 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: small-scale enterprises for copra production, wood work, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing Agriculture: coconuts, copra; basic subsistence crops - breadfruit, papaya, bananas; pigs, poultry, goats Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $24 million Currency: New Zealand dollar (plural - dollars); 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.8245 (March 1992), l.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990), 1.6708 (1989), 1.5244 (1988), 1.6886 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
:Tokelau Communications
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: none; lagoon landings by amphibious aircraft from Western Samoa Telecommunications: telephone service between islands and to Western Samoa
:Tokelau Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
:Tonga Geography
Total area: 748 km2 Land area: 718 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 419 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: no specific limits Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December) Terrain: most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base Natural resources: fish, fertile soil Land use: arable land 25%; permanent crops 55%; meadows and pastures 6%; forest and woodland 12%; other 2% Environment: archipelago of 170 islands (36 inhabited); subject to cyclones (October to April); deforestation Note: located about 2,250 km north-northwest of New Zealand, about two-thirds of the way between Hawaii and New Zealand
:Tonga People
Population: 103,114 (July 1992), growth rate 0.8% (1992) Birth rate: 26 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -11 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 22 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 70 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.7 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Tongan(s); adjective - Tongan Ethnic divisions: Polynesian; about 300 Europeans Religions: Christian; Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents Languages: Tongan, English Literacy: 100% (male 100%, female 100%) age 15 and over can read and write a simple message in Tongan or English (1976) Labor force: NA; 70% agriculture; 600 engaged in mining Organized labor: none
:Tonga Government
Long-form name: Kingdom of Tonga Type: hereditary constitutional monarchy Capital: Nuku`alofa Administrative divisions: three island groups; Ha`apai, Tongatapu, Vava`u Independence: 4 June 1970 (from UK; formerly Friendly Islands) Constitution: 4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967 Legal system: based on English law National holiday: Emancipation Day, 4 June (1970) Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet), Privy Council Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (Fale Alea) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965) Head of Government: Prime Minister Baron VAEA (since 22 August 1991); Deputy Prime Minister S. Langi KAVALIKU (since 22 August 1991) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Reform Movement, 'Akilisi POHIVA Suffrage: all literate, tax-paying males and all literate females over 21 Elections: Legislative Assembly: last held 14-15 February 1990 (next to be held NA February 1993); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (29 total, 9 elected) 6 proreform, 3 traditionalist Member of: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, SPC, SPF, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Siosaia a'Ulupekotofa TUITA resides in London US: the US has no offices in Tonga; the Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga and makes periodic visits Flag: red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner
:Tonga Economy
Overview: The economy's base is agriculture, which employs about 70% of the labor force and contributes 50% to GDP. Coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops and make up two-thirds of exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The manufacturing sector accounts for only 11% of GDP. Tourism is the primary source of hard currency earnings, but the island remains dependent on sizable external aid and remittances to offset its trade deficit. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $92 million, per capita $900; real growth rate 2.5% (FY90 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.9% (third quarter 1991) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $30.6 million; expenditures $48.9 million, including capital expenditures of $22.5 million (FY89 est.) Exports: $9.6 million (f.o.b., FY90 est.) commodities: coconut oil, desiccated coconut, copra, bananas, taro, vanilla beans, fruits, vegetables, fish partners: NZ 35%, Australia 22%, US 13%, Fiji 5% (FY90) Imports: $59.9 million (c.i.f., FY90 est.) commodities: food products, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, fuels, chemicals partners: NZ 30%, Australia 23%, US 12%, Japan 7% (FY90) External debt: $42.0 million (FY89) Industrial production: growth rate 15% (FY86); accounts for 11% of GDP Electricity: 6,000 kW capacity; 8 million kWh produced, 80 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: tourism, fishing Agriculture: dominated by coconut, copra, and banana production; vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $16 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $258 million Currency: pa'anga (plural - pa'anga); 1 pa'anga (T$) = 100 seniti Exchange rates: pa'anga (T$) per US$1 - 1.2987 (January 1992), 1.2961 (1991), 1.2809 (1990), 1.2637 (1989), 1.2799 (1988), 1.4282 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
:Tonga Communications
Highways: 198 km sealed road (Tongatapu); 74 km (Vava`u); 94 km unsealed roads usable only in dry weather Ports: Nukualofa, Neiafu, Pangai Merchant marine: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,511 GRT/17,816 DWT; includes 2 cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 liquefied gas Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 6 total, 6 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 3,529 telephones; 66,000 radios; no TV sets; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Tonga Defense Forces
Branches: Tonga Defense Force, Tonga Maritime Division, Royal Tongan Marines, Royal Tongan Guard, Police Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
:Trinidad and Tobago Geography
Total area: 5,130 km2 Land area: 5,130 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Delaware Land boundaries: none Coastline: 362 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: outer edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to December) Terrain: mostly plains with some hills and low mountains Natural resources: crude oil, natural gas, asphalt Land use: arable land 14%; permanent crops 17%; meadows and pastures 2%; forest and woodland 44%; other 23%; includes irrigated 4% Environment: outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms Note: located 11 km from Venezuela
:Trinidad and Tobago People
Population: 1,299,301 (July 1992), growth rate 1.1% (1992) Birth rate: 21 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -3 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 17 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 68 years male, 73 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s); adjective - Trinidadian, Tobagonian Ethnic divisions: black 43%, East Indian 40%, mixed 14%, white 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 32.2%, Hindu 24.3%, Anglican 14.4%, other Protestant 14%, Muslim 6%, none or unknown 9.1% Languages: English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish Literacy: 95% (male 97%, female 93%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: 463,900; construction and utilities 18.1%; manufacturing, mining, and quarrying 14.8%; agriculture 10.9%; other 56.2% (1985 est.) Organized labor: 22% of labor force (1988)
:Trinidad and Tobago Government
Long-form name: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Port-of-Spain Administrative divisions: 8 counties, 3 municipalities*, and 1 ward**; Arima*, Caroni, Mayaro, Nariva, Port-of-Spain*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick, San Fernando*, Tobago**, Victoria Independence: 31 August 1962 (from UK) Constitution: 31 August 1976 Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 31 August (1962) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Noor Mohammed HASSANALI (since 18 March 1987) Head of Government: Prime Minister Patrick Augustus Mervyn MANNING (since 17 December 1991) Political parties and leaders: People's National Movement (PNM), Patrick MANNING; United National Congress (UNC), Basdeo PANDAY; National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR), Carson CHARLES; Movement for Social Transformation (MOTION), David ABDULLAH; National Joint Action Committee (NJAC), Makandal DAAGA Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Representatives: last held 16 December 1991 (next to be held by December 1996);results - PNM 32%, UNC 13%, NAR 2%; seats - (36 total) PNM 21, UNC 13, NAR 2 Communists: Communist Party of Trinidad and Tobago; Trinidad and Tobago Peace Council, James MILLETTE Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Corinne BAPTISTE; Chancery at 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 467-6490; Trinidad and Tobago has a Consulate General in New York US: Ambassador Sally GROOMS-COWAL; Embassy at 15 Queen's Park West, Port-of-Spain (mailing address is P. O. Box 752, Port-of-Spain); telephone (809) 622-6372 through 6376, 6176; FAX (809) 628-5462
:Trinidad and Tobago Government
Flag: red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side
:Trinidad and Tobago Economy
Overview: Trinidad and Tobago's petroleum-based economy began to emerge from a lengthy depression in 1990 and 1991. The economy fell sharply through most of the 1980s, largely because of the decline in oil prices. This sector accounts for 80% of export earnings and more than 25% of GDP. The government, in response to the oil revenue loss, pursued a series of austerity measures that pushed the unemployment rate as high as 22% in 1988. The economy showed signs of recovery in 1990, however, helped along by rising oil prices. Agriculture employs only about 11% of the labor force and produces about 3% of GDP. Since this sector is small, it has been unable to absorb the large numbers of the unemployed. The government currently seeks to diversify its export base. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $4.9 billion, per capita $3,600; real growth rate 0.7% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.1% (1990) Unemployment rate: 21% (1990) Budget: revenues $1.5 billion; expenditures $1.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $150 million (1991 est.) Exports: $2.0 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: includes reexports - petroleum and petroleum products 82%, steel products 9%, fertilizer, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus (1988) partners: US 54%, CARICOM 16%, EC 10%, Latin America 3% (1989) Imports: $1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: raw materials and intermediate goods 47%, capital goods 26%, consumer goods 26% (1988) partners: US 41%, Latin America 10%, UK 8%, Canada 5%, CARICOM 6% (1989) External debt: $2.5 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate 2.3%, excluding oil refining (1986); accounts for 40% of GDP, including petroleum Electricity: 1,176,000 kW capacity; 3,480 million kWh produced, 2,708 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food processing, cement, beverage, cotton textiles Agriculture: highly subsidized sector; major crops - cocoa and sugarcane; sugarcane acreage is being shifted into rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables; poultry sector most important source of animal protein; must import large share of food needs Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $373 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $518 million Currency: Trinidad and Tobago dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TT$) = 100 cents
:Trinidad and Tobago Economy
Exchange rates: Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TT$) per US$1 - 4.2500 (March 1992), 4.2500 (1991), 4.2500 (1990), 4.2500 (1989), 3.8438 (1988), 3.6000 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Trinidad and Tobago Communications
Railroads: minimal agricultural railroad system near San Fernando Highways: 8,000 km total; 4,000 km paved, 1,000 km improved earth, 3,000 km unimproved earth Pipelines: crude oil 1,032 km, petroleum products 19 km, natural gas 904 km Ports: Port-of-Spain, Point Lisas, Pointe-a-Pierre Civil air: 14 major transport aircraft Airports: 6 total, 5 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: excellent international service via tropospheric scatter links to Barbados and Guyana; good local service; 109,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 4 FM, 5 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Trinidad and Tobago Defense Forces
Branches: Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (Army), Coast Guard, Air Wing, Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Manpower availability: males 15-49, 344,990; 248,912 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $59 million, 1-2% of GDP (1989 est.)
:Tromelin Island 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: 3.7 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claimed by Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles Climate: tropical Terrain: sandy Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other - scattered bushes 100% Environment: wildlife sanctuary Note: located 350 km east of Madagascar and 600 km north of Reunion in the Indian Ocean; climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones
:Tromelin Island People
Population: uninhabited
:Tromelin Island Government
Long-form name: none Type: French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic Jacques DEWATRE (since NA July 1991), resident in Reunion Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion
:Tromelin Island Economy
Overview: no economic activity
:Tromelin Island Communications
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: 1 with runway less than 1,220 m Telecommunications: important meteorological station
:Tromelin Island Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of France
:Tunisia Geography
Total area: 163,610 km2 Land area: 155,360 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Georgia Land boundaries: 1,424 km total; Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km Coastline: 1,148 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Libya; land boundary disputes with Algeria under discussion Climate: temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south Terrain: mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara Natural resources: crude oil, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt Land use: arable land 20%; permanent crops 10%; meadows and pastures 19%; forest and woodland 4%; other 47%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Note: strategic location in central Mediterranean; only 144 km from Italy across the Strait of Sicily; borders Libya on east
:Tunisia People
Population: 8,445,656 (July 1992), growth rate 2.0% (1992) Birth rate: 25 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 38 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 70 years male, 74 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Tunisian(s); adjective - Tunisian Ethnic divisions: Arab-Berber 98%, European 1%, Jewish less than 1% Religions: Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish less than 1% Languages: Arabic (official); Arabic and French (commerce) Literacy: 65% (male 74%, female 56%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2,250,000; agriculture 32%; shortage of skilled labor Organized labor: about 360,000 members claimed, roughly 20% of labor force; General Union of Tunisian Workers (UGTT), quasi-independent of Constitutional Democratic Party
:Tunisia Government
Long-form name: Republic of Tunisia; note - may be changed to Tunisian Republic Type: republic Capital: Tunis Administrative divisions: 23 governorates; Beja, Ben Arous, Bizerte, Gabes, Gafsa, Jendouba, Kairouan, Kasserine, Kebili, L'Ariana, Le Kef, Mahdia, Medenine, Monastir, Nabeul, Sfax, Sidi Bou Zid, Siliana, Sousse, Tataouine, Tozeur, Tunis, Zaghouan Independence: 20 March 1956 (from France) Constitution: 1 June 1959 Legal system: based on French civil law system and Islamic law; some judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court in joint session National holiday: National Day, 20 March (1956) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies (Majlis al-Nuwaab) Judicial branch: Court of Cassation (Cour de Cassation) Leaders: Chief of State: President Gen. Zine el Abidine BEN ALI (since 7 November 1987) Head of Government: Prime Minister Hamed KAROUI (since 26 September 1989) Political parties and leaders: Constitutional Democratic Rally Party (RCD), President BEN ALI (official ruling party); Movement of Democratic Socialists (MDS), Mohammed MOUAADA; five other political parties are legal, including the Communist Party Suffrage: universal at age 20 Elections: President: last held 2 April 1989 (next to be held NA April 1994); results - Gen. Zine el Abidine BEN ALI was reelected without opposition Chamber of Deputies: last held 2 April 1989 (next to be held NA April 1994); results - RCD 80.7%, independents/Islamists 13.7%, MDS 3.2%, other 2.4%; seats - (141 total) RCD 141 Member of: ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Ismail KHELIL; Chancery at 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20005; telephone (202) 862-1850 US: Ambassador John T. McCARTHY; Embassy at 144 Avenue de la Liberte, 1002 Tunis-Belvedere; telephone [216] (1) 782-566; FAX [216] (1) 789-719 Flag: red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam
:Tunisia Economy
Overview: The economy depends primarily on petroleum, phosphates, tourism, and exports of light manufactures. Following two years of drought-induced economic decline, the economy made a strong recovery in 1990 as a result of a bountiful harvest, continued export growth, and higher domestic investment. Continued high inflation and unemployment have eroded popular support for the government, however, and forced Tunis to slow the pace of economic reform. Nonetheless, the government appears committed to implementing its IMF-supported structural adjustment program and to servicing its foreign debt. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $10.9 billion, per capita $1,320; real growth rate 3.5% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.2% (1991) Unemployment rate: 15% (1991) Budget: revenues $3.8 billion; expenditures $5.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $970 million (1992 est.) Exports: $3.7 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: hydrocarbons, agricultural products, phosphates and chemicals partners: EC 74%, Middle East 11%, US 2%, Turkey, USSR Imports: $4.9 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: industrial goods and equipment 57%, hydrocarbons 13%, food 12%, consumer goods partners: EC 67%, US 6%, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Turkey, Algeria External debt: $8.6 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 5% (1989); accounts for about 25% of GDP, including petroleum Electricity: 1,493,000 kW capacity; 4,210 million kWh produced, 530 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, food, beverages Agriculture: accounts for 16% of GDP and one-third of labor force; output subject to severe fluctuations because of frequent droughts; export crops - olives, dates, oranges, almonds; other products - grain, sugar beets, wine grapes, poultry, beef, dairy; not self-sufficient in food; fish catch of 99,200 metric tons (1987) Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $730 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $5.2 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $684 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $410 million Currency: Tunisian dinar (plural - dinars); 1 Tunisian dinar (TD) = 1,000 millimes Exchange rates: Tunisian dinars (TD) per US$1 - 0.9272 (March 1992), 0.9246 (1991), 0.8783 (1990), 0.9493 (1989), 0.8578 (1988), 0.8287 (1987)
:Tunisia Economy
Fiscal year: calendar year
:Tunisia Communications
Railroads: 2,115 km total; 465 km 1.435-meter (standard) gauge; 1,650 km 1.000-meter gauge Highways: 17,700 km total; 9,100 km bituminous; 8,600 km improved and unimproved earth Pipelines: crude oil 797 km, petroleum products 86 km, natural gas 742 km Ports: Bizerte, Gabes, Sfax, Sousse, Tunis, La Goulette, Zarzis Merchant marine: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 160,069 GRT/218,791 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 4 cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 2 petroleum tanker, 6 chemical tanker, 1 liquefied gas, 5 bulk Civil air: 19 major transport aircraft Airports: 29 total, 26 usable; 13 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 7 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 7 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: the system is above the African average; facilities consist of open-wire lines, coaxial cable, and radio relay; key centers are Sfax, Sousse, Bizerte, and Tunis; 233,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 7 AM, 8 FM, 19 TV; 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 ARABSAT with back-up control station; coaxial cable to Algeria and Libya; radio relay to Algeria, and Libya
:Tunisia Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary forces, National Guard Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,117,864; 1,217,819 fit for military service; 88,619 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $520 million, 5% of GDP (1992 budget)
:Turkey Geography
Total area: 780,580 km2 Land area: 770,760 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Texas Land boundaries: 2,627 km total; Armenia 268 km, Azerbaijan 9 km, Bulgaria 240 km, Georgia 252 km, Greece 206 km, Iran 499 km, Iraq 331 km, Syria 822 km Coastline: 7,200 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: in Black Sea only - to the maritime boundary agreed upon with the former USSR Territorial sea: 6 nm in the Aegean Sea, 12 nm in Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea Disputes: complex maritime and air (but not territorial) disputes with Greece in Aegean Sea; Cyprus question; Hatay question with Syria; ongoing dispute with downstream riparians (Syria and Iraq) over water development plans for the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Climate: temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior Terrain: mostly mountains; narrow coastal plain; high central plateau (Anatolia) Natural resources: antimony, coal, chromium, mercury, copper, borate, sulphur, iron ore Land use: arable land 30%; permanent crops 4%; meadows and pastures 12%; forest and woodland 26%; other 28%; includes irrigated 3% Environment: subject to severe earthquakes, especially along major river valleys in west; air pollution; desertification Note: strategic location controlling the Turkish straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and Aegean Seas
:Turkey People
Population: 59,640,143 (July 1992), growth rate 2.1% (1992) Birth rate: 27 births/1,000 populatition (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 55 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 68 years male, 72 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Turk(s); adjective - Turkish Ethnic divisions: Turkish 80%, Kurdish 17%, other 3% (est.) Religions: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 99.8%, other (Christian and Jews) 0.2% Languages: Turkish (official), Kurdish, Arabic Literacy: 81% (male 90%, female 71%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 20,700,000; agriculture 49%, services 30%, industry 15%; about 1,500,000 Turks work abroad (1989) Organized labor: 10% of labor force
:Turkey Government
Long-form name: Republic of Turkey Type: republican parliamentary democracy Capital: Ankara Administrative divisions: 73 provinces (iller, singular - il); Adana, Adiyaman, Afyon, Agri, Aksaray, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Batman, Bayburt, Bilecik, Bingol, Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Cankiri, Corum, Denizli, Diyarbakir, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir, Gaziantep, Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Icel, Isparta, Istanbul, Izmir, Kahraman Maras, Karaman, Kars, Kastamonu, Kayseri, Kirikkale, Kirklareli, Kirsehir, Kocaeli, Konya, Kutahya, Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mugla, Mus, Nevsehir, Nigde, Ordu, Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Siirt, Sinop, Sirnak, Sivas, Tekirdag, Tokat, Trabzon, Tunceli, Urfa, Usak, Van, Yozgat, Zonguldak Independence: 29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire) Constitution: 7 November 1982 Legal system: derived from various continental legal systems; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Anniversary of the Declaration of the Republic, 29 October (1923) Executive branch: president, Presidential Council, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Grand National Assembly (Buyuk Millet Meclisi) Judicial branch: Court of Cassation Leaders: Chief of State: President Turgut OZAL (since 9 November 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister Suleyman DEMIREL (since 30 November 1991); Deputy Prime Minister Erdal INONU (since 30 November 1991) Political parties and leaders: Correct Way Party (DYP), Suleyman DEMIREL; Motherland Party (ANAP), Mesut YILMAZ; Social Democratic Populist Party (SHP), Erdal INONU; Refah Party (RP), Necmettin ERBAKAN; Democratic Left Party (DSP), Bulent ECEVIT; Nationalist Labor Party (MCP), Alpaslan TURKES; People's Labor Party (HEP), Feridun YAZAR; Socialist Unity Party (SBP), leader NA; Great Anatolia Party (BAP), leader NA; Democratic Center Party (DSP), Bedrettin DALAN; Grand National Party (GNP), leader NA Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: Grand National Assembly: last held 20 October 1991 (next to be held NA October 1996); results - DYP 27.03%, ANAP 24.01%, SHP 20.75%, RP 16.88%, DSP 10.75%, SBP 0.44%, independent 0.14%; seats - (450 total) DYP 178, ANAP 115, SHP 86, RP 40, MCP 19, DSP 7, other 5
:Turkey Government
Member of: AsDB, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN (observer), COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NATO, NEA, OECD, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UNRWA, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Nuzhet KANDEMIR; Chancery at 1606 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC; 20008; telephone (202) 387-3200; there are Turkish Consulates General in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York US: Ambassador Richard C. BARKLEY; Embassy at 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Ankara (mailing address is PSC 88, Box 5000, Ankara, or APO AE 09823); telephone [90] (4) 126 54 70; FAX [90] (4) 167-0057; there are US Consulates General in Istanbul and Izmir, and a Consulate in Adana Flag: red with a vertical white crescent (the closed portion is toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just outside the crescent opening
:Turkey Economy
Overview: The impressive stream of benefits from the economic reforms that Turkey launched in 1980 have begun to peter out. Although real growth in per capita GDP averaged 5% annually between 1983 and 1988, recent economic performance has fallen substantially. Moreover, inflation and interest rates remain high, and a large budget deficit will continue to provide difficulties for a country undergoing a substantial transformation from a centrally controlled to a free market economy. Agriculture remains an important economic sector, employing about half of the work force, accounting for 18% of GDP, and contributing 19% to exports. The government has launched a multibillion-dollar development program in the southeastern region, which includes the building of a dozen dams on the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers to generate electric power and irrigate large tracts of farmland. The planned tapping of huge additional quantities of Euphrates water has raised serious concern in the downstream riparian nations of Syria and Iraq. The Turkish economy emerged from the Gulf War of early 1991 in stronger shape than Ankara had expected. Although the negative effects of the crisis were felt primarily in the politically sensitive southeast, aid pledges by the coalition allies of more than $4 billion have helped offset the burden. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $198 billion, per capita $3,400; real growth rate 1.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 71.1% (1991) Unemployment rate: 11.1% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $41.9 billion; expenditures $49.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $9.9 billion (1992) Exports: $13.0 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: industrial products (steel, chemicals) 81%; fruits, vegetables, tobacco and meat products 19% partners: EC countries 49%, US 7%, Iran 5% Imports: $22.3 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: crude oil, machinery, transport equipment, metals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, dyes, plastics, rubber, fertilizers, grain partners: EC countries 49%, US 7%, Iran 5% External debt: $49.0 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate 10% (1990 est.); accounts for 29% of GDP Electricity: 14,400,000 kW capacity; 44,000 million kWh produced, 750 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: textiles, food processing, mining (coal, chromite, copper, boron minerals), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper Agriculture: accounts for 18% of GDP and employs about half of working force; products - tobacco, cotton, grain, olives, sugar beets, pulses, citrus fruit, variety of animal products; self-sufficient in food most years
:Turkey Economy
Illicit drugs: one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $2.3 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $10.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $665 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $4.5 billion; note - aid for Persian Gulf war efforts from coalition allies (1991), $4.1 billion; aid pledged for Turkish Defense Fund, $2.5 billion Currency: Turkish lira (plural - liras); 1 Turkish lira (TL) = 100 kurus Exchange rates: Turkish liras (TL) per US$1 - 6,098.4 (March 1992), 4,171.8 (1991), 2,608.6 (1990), 2,121.7 (1989), 1,422.3 (1988), 857.2 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Turkey Communications
Railroads: 8,401 km 1.435-meter gauge; 479 km electrified Highways: 49,615 km total; 26,915 km paved; 16,500 km gravel or crushed stone; 4,000 km improved earth; 2,200 km unimproved earth (1985) Inland waterways: about 1,200 km Pipelines: crude oil 1,738 km, petroleum products 2,321 km, natural gas 708 km Ports: Iskenderun, Istanbul, Mersin, Izmir Merchant marine: 353 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,056,455 GRT/7,143,096 DWT; includes 7 short-sea passenger, 1 passenger-cargo, 191 cargo, 1 container, 5 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 3 refrigerated cargo, 1 livestock carrier, 37 petroleum tanker, 9 chemical tanker, 3 liquefied gas, 10 combination ore/oil, 1 specialized tanker, 80 bulk, 4 combination bulk Civil air: 52 major transport aircraft (1991) Airports: 109 total, 104 usable; 65 with permanent-surface runways; 3 with runways over 3,659 m; 30 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 27 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair domestic and international systems; trunk radio relay network; limited open wire network; 3,400,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 15 AM; 94 FM; 357 TV; 1 satellite ground station operating in the INTELSAT (2 Atlantic Ocean) and EUTELSAT systems; 1 submarine cable
:Turkey Defense Forces
Branches: Land Forces, Navy (including Naval Air and Naval Infantry), Air Force, Coast Guard, Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males 15-49, 15,274,591; 9,330,851 fit for military service; 597,814 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $5.2 billion, 3-4% of GDP (1992 budget)
:Turkmenistan Geography
Total area: 488,100 km2 Land area: 488,100 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: 3,736 km total; Afghanistan 744 km, Iran 992 km, Kazakhstan 379 km, Uzbekistan 1,621 km Coastline: 0 km note: Turkmenistan does border the Caspian Sea (1,768 km) Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: subtropical desert Terrain: flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; borders Caspian Sea in west Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, sulphur, salt, magnesium Land use: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; includes NA% irrigated Environment: NA Note: landlocked
:Turkmenistan People
Population: 3,838,108 (July 1992), growth rate 2.4% (1992) Birth rate: 36 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -3 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 94 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 59 years male, 66 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Turkmen(s); adjective - Turkmen Ethnic divisions: Turkmen 72%, Russian 9%, Uzbek 9%, other 10% Religions: Islam 85%, Eastern Orthodox 10%, unknown 5% Languages: Turkmen 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7% Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA) age 15 and over can read and write Labor force: 1,542,000; agriculture and forestry 42%, industry and construction 21%, other 37% (1990) Organized labor: NA
:Turkmenistan Government
Long-form name: none Type: republic Capital: Ashgabat (Ashkhabad) Administrative divisions: 4 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast'); Balkan (Nebit-Dag), Chardzhou, Mary, Tashauz; note - the rayons around Ashgabat are under direct republic jurisdiction; all oblasts have the same name as their administrative center except Balkan Oblast, centered at Nebit-Dag Independence: 27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union; formerly Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic) Constitution: adopted 18 May 1992 Legal system: NA National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1991) Executive branch: president, prime minister, two deputy prime ministers, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: Majlis Judicial branch: NA Leaders: Chief of State: President Saparmurad NIYAZOV (since 21 June 1992) Head of Government: Prime Minister (vacant), Deputy Prime Ministers V. G. OCHERTSOV and Atta CHARYYEV (since NA 1991) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party (formerly Communist), Saparmurad NIYAZOV, chairman opposition: Democratic Party, Durdymorad KHODZHA Mukhammed, chairman Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 21 June 1992 (next to be held NA June 1997); results - Saparmurad NIYAZOV 99.5% (ran unopposed) Majlis: last held 7 January 1990 (next to be held NA 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (175 total) elections not officially by party, but Communist Party members won nearly 90% of seats Communists: renamed Democratic Party, 16 December 1990 Other political or pressure groups: Agzybirlik (Unity) Movement Member of: CIS, CSCE, IBRD, IMF, NACC, UN, UNCTAD Diplomatic representation: NA US: Ambassador-designate Joseph HULINGS; Embassy at Yubilenaya Hotel, Ashgabat (Ashkhabad) (mailing address is APO; AE 09862); telephone [8] (011) 7-3630-24-49-08
:Turkmenistan Government
Flag: green field with five claret carpet gels (that is, a repeated carpet pattern) on the hoist side; a white crescent and five white stars in the upper left corner to the right of the carpet gels
:Turkmenistan Economy
Overview: Like the other 15 former Soviet republics, Turkmenistan faces enormous problems of economic adjustment - to move away from Moscow-based central planning toward a system of decisionmaking by private enterpreneurs, local government authorities, and, hopefully, foreign investors. This process requires wholesale changes in supply sources, markets, property rights, and monetary arrangements. Industry - with 10% of the labor force - is heavily weighted toward the energy sector, which produced 11% of the ex-USSR's gas and 1% of its oil. Turkmenistan ranked second among the former Soviet republics in cotton production, mainly in the irrigated western region, where the huge Karakumskiy Canal taps the Amu Darya. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate -0.6% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 85% (1991) Unemployment rate: 20-25% (1991 est.) Budget: NA Exports: $239 million (1990) commodities: natural gas, oil, chemicals, cotton, textiles, carpets partners: Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan Imports: $970 million (1990) commodities: machinery and parts, plastics and rubber, consumer durables, textiles partners: NA External debt: $650 million (end of 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 4.1% (1991) Electricity: 3,170,000 kW capacity; 14,900 million kWh produced, 4,114 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: oil and gas, petrochemicals, fertilizers, food processing, textiles Agriculture: cotton, fruits, vegetables Illicit drugs: illicit producers of cannabis and opium; mostly for domestic consumption; status of government eradication programs unknown; used as transshipment points for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: NA Currency: As of May 1992, retaining ruble as currency Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year
:Turkmenistan Communications
Railroads: 2,120 km all 1.520-meter gauge Highways: 23,000 km total (1990); 18,300 km hard surfaced, 4,700 km earth Inland waterways: NA km Pipelines: NA Ports: inland - Krasnovodsk Civil air: NA Airports: NA Telecommunications: poorly developed; telephone density NA; linked by landline or microwave to other CIS member states and Iran, and by leased connections via the Moscow international gateway switch to other countries; satellite earth stations - Orbita and INTELSAT (TV receive only)
:Turkmenistan Defense Forces
Branches: Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard; CIS Forces (Ground, Air and Air Defense) Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service; NA reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
:Turks and Caicos Islands Geography
Total area: 430 km2 Land area: 430 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 389 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry Terrain: low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps Natural resources: spiny lobster, conch Land use: arable land 2%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures; 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 98% Environment: 30 islands (eight inhabited); subject to frequent hurricanes Note: located 190 km north of the Dominican Republic in the North Atlantic Ocean
:Turks and Caicos Islands People
Population: 12,697 (July 1992), growth rate 3.3% (1992) Birth rate: 16 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 22 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 13 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 73 years male, 77 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: no noun or adjectival forms Ethnic divisions: majority of African descent Religions: Baptist 41.2%, Methodist 18.9%, Anglican 18.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.7%, other 19.9% (1980) Languages: English (official) Literacy: 98% (male 99%, female 98%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) Labor force: NA; majority engaged in fishing and tourist industries; some subsistence agriculture Organized labor: Saint George's Industrial Trade Union
:Turks and Caicos Islands Government
Long-form name: none Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Grand Turk (Cockburn Town) Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Constitution: introduced 30 August 1976, suspended in 1986, and a Constitutional Commission is currently reviewing its contents Legal system: based on laws of England and Wales with a small number adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas National holiday: Constitution Day, 30 August (1976) Executive branch: British monarch, governor, Executive Council, chief minister Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1953), represented by Governor Michael J. BRADLEY (since 1987) Head of Government: Chief Minister Washington MISSIC (since NA 1991) Political parties and leaders: People's Democratic Movement (PDM), Oswald SKIPPINGS; Progressive National Party (PNP), Washington MISSIC; National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Ariel MISSICK Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Legislative Council: last held on 3 April 1991 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (20 total, 13 elected) PNP 8, PDM 5 Member of: CDB Diplomatic representation: as a dependent territory of the UK, the interests of the Turks and Caicos Islands are represented in the US by the UK US: none Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus
:Turks and Caicos Islands Economy
Overview: The economy is based on fishing, tourism, and offshore banking. Only subsistence farming - corn and beans - exists on the Caicos Islands, so that most foods, as well as nonfood products, must be imported. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $44.9 million, per capita $5,000; real growth rate NA% (1986) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 12% (1989) Budget: revenues $12.4 million; expenditures $15.8 million, including capital expenditures of $2.6 million (FY87) Exports: $2.9 million (f.o.b., FY84) commodities: lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells partners: US, UK Imports: $26.3 million (c.i.f., FY84) commodities: foodstuffs, drink, tobacco, clothing partners: US, UK External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 9,050 kW capacity; 11.1 million kWh produced, 1,140 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: fishing, tourism, offshore financial services Agriculture: subsistence farming prevails, based on corn and beans; fishing more important than farming; not self-sufficient in food Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $110 million Currency: US currency is used Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: calendar year
:Turks and Caicos Islands Communications
Highways: 121 km, including 24 km tarmac Ports: Grand Turk, Salt Cay, Providenciales, Cockburn Harbour Civil air: Air Turks and Caicos (passenger service) and Turks Air Ltd. (cargo service) Airports: 7 total, 7 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair cable and radio services; 1,446 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, no FM, several TV; 2 submarine cables; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Turks and Caicos Islands Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
:Tuvalu Geography
Total area: 26 km2 Land area: 26 km2 Comparative area: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 24 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March) Terrain: very low-lying and narrow coral atolls Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100% Environment: severe tropical storms are rare Note: located 3,000 km east of Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific Ocean
:Tuvalu People
Population: 9,494 (July 1992), growth rate 1.8% (1992) Birth rate: 28 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 34 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 61 years male, 64 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Tuvaluans(s); adjective - Tuvaluan Ethnic divisions: 96% Polynesian Religions: Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, Baha'i 1%, other 0.6% Languages: Tuvaluan, English Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: NA Organized labor: none
:Tuvalu Government
Long-form name: none Type: democracy Capital: Funafuti Administrative divisions: none Independence: 1 October 1978 (from UK; formerly Ellice Islands) Constitution: 1 October 1978 National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1978) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Palamene) Judicial branch: High Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Tupua LEUPENA (since 1 March 1986) Head of Government: Prime Minister Bikenibeu PAENIU (since 16 October 1989); Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Alesana SELUKA (since October 1989) Political parties and leaders: none Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Parliament: last held 28 September 1989 (next to be held by NA September 1993); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (12 total) Member of: ACP, C (special), ESCAP, SPC, SPF, UPU Diplomatic representation: Ambassador (vacant) US: none Flag: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country with nine yellow five-pointed stars symbolizing the nine islands
:Tuvalu Economy
Overview: Tuvalu consists of a scattered group of nine coral atolls with poor soil. The country has no known mineral resources and few exports. Subsistence farming and fishing are the primary economic activities. The islands are too small and too remote for development of a tourist industry. Government revenues largely come from the sale of stamps and coins and worker remittances. Substantial income is received annually from an international trust fund established in 1987 by Australia, New Zealand, and the UK and supported also by Japan and South Korea. GNP: exchange rate conversion - $4.6 million, per capita $530; real growth rate NA% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (1984) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $4.3 million; expenditures $4.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989) Exports: $1.0 million (f.o.b., 1983 est.) commodities: copra partners: Fiji, Australia, NZ Imports: $2.8 million (c.i.f., 1983 est.) commodities: food, animals, mineral fuels, machinery, manufactured goods partners: Fiji, Australia, NZ External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA Electricity: 2,600 kW capacity; 3 million kWh produced, 330 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: fishing, tourism, copra Agriculture: coconuts, copra Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $1 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $101 million Currency: Tuvaluan dollar and Australian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Tuvaluan dollar ($T) or 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Tuvaluan dollars ($T) or Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3117 (March 1992), 1.2835 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987) Fiscal year: NA
:Tuvalu Communications
Highways: 8 km gravel Ports: Funafuti, Nukufetau Merchant marine: 1 passenger-cargo (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,043 GRT/450 DWT Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 1 with runway 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV; 300 radiotelephones; 4,000 radios; 108 telephones
:Tuvalu Defense Forces
Branches: Police Force Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GNP
:Uganda Geography
Total area: 236,040 km2 Land area: 199,710 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Oregon Land boundaries: 2,698 km total; Kenya 933 km, Rwanda 169 km, Sudan 435 km, Tanzania 396 km, Zaire 765 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast Terrain: mostly plateau with rim of mountains Natural resources: copper, cobalt, limestone, salt Land use: arable land 23%; permanent crops 9%; meadows and pastures 25%; forest and woodland 30%; other 13%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: straddles Equator; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion Note: landlocked
:Uganda People
Population: 19,386,104 (July 1992), growth rate 3.7% (1992) Birth rate: 51 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 14 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 91 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 50 years male, 52 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 7.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Ugandan(s); adjective - Ugandan Ethnic divisions: African 99%, European, Asian, Arab 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 33%, Protestant 33%, Muslim 16%, rest indigenous beliefs Languages: English (official); Luganda and Swahili widely used; other Bantu and Nilotic languages Literacy: 48% (male 62%, female 35%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 4,500,000 (est.); 50% of population of working age (1983) Organized labor: 125,000 union members
:Uganda Government
Long-form name: Republic of Uganda Type: republic Capital: Kampala Administrative divisions: 10 provinces; Busoga, Central, Eastern, Karamoja, Nile, North Buganda, Northern, South Buganda, Southern, Western Independence: 9 October 1962 (from UK) Constitution: 8 September 1967, in process of constitutional revision Legal system: government plans to restore system based on English common law and customary law and reinstitute a normal judicial system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Independence Day, 9 October (1962) Executive branch: president, vice president, prime minister, three deputy prime ministers, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Resistance Council Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, High Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since 29 January 1986); Vice President Samson Babi Mululu KISEKKA (since NA January 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister George Cosmas ADYEBO (since NA January 1991) Political parties and leaders: only party - National Resistance Movement (NRM); note - the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM), Ugandan People's Congress (UPC), Democratic Party (DP), and Conservative Party (CP) are all proscribed from conducting public political activities Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: National Resistance Council: last held 11-28 February 1989 (next to be held by January 1995); results - NRM was the only party; seats - (278 total, 210 indirectly elected) 210 members elected without party affiliation Other political or pressure groups: Uganda People's Front (UPF), Uganda People's Christian Democratic Army (UPCDA), Ruwenzori Movement Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, EADB, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Stephen Kapimpina KATENTA-APULI; 5909 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011; telephone (202) 726-7100 through 7102 US: Ambassador Johnnie CARSON; Embassy at Parliament Avenue, Kampala (mailing address is P. O. Box 7007, Kampala); telephone [256] (41) 259792, 259793, 259795
:Uganda Government
Flag: six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black, yellow, and red; a white disk is superimposed at the center and depicts a red-crested crane (the national symbol) facing the staff side
:Uganda Economy
Overview: Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of copper and cobalt. The economy has been devastated by widespread political instability, mismanagement, and civil war since independence in 1962, keeping Uganda poor with a per capita income of about $300. (GDP remains below the levels of the early 1970s, as does industrial production.) Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing over 80% of the work force. Coffee is the major export crop and accounts for the bulk of export revenues. Since 1986 the government has acted to rehabilitate and stabilize the economy by undertaking currency reform, raising producer prices on export crops, increasing petroleum prices, and improving civil service wages. The policy changes are especially aimed at dampening inflation, which was running at over 300% in 1987, and boosting production and export earnings. During the period 1990-91, the economy turned in a solid performance based on continued investment in the rehabilitation of infrastructure, improved incentives for production and exports, and gradually improving domestic security. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $5.6 billion, per capita $300; real growth rate 4.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $365 million; expenditures $545 million, including capital expenditures of $165 million (FY89 est.) Exports: $208 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: coffee 97%, cotton, tea partners: US 25%, UK 18%, France 11%, Spain 10% Imports: $209 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: petroleum products, machinery, cotton piece goods, metals, transportation equipment, food partners: Kenya 25%, UK 14%, Italy 13% External debt: $1.9 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 7.0% (1990); accounts for 5% of GDP Electricity: 175,000 kW capacity; 315 million kWh produced, 15 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles, cement Agriculture: mainly subsistence; accounts for 57% of GDP and over 80% of labor force; cash crops - coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco; food crops - cassava, potatoes, corn, millet, pulses; livestock products - beef, goat meat, milk, poultry; self-sufficient in food Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (1970-89), $145 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.4 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $60 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $169 million
:Uganda Economy
Currency: Ugandan shilling (plural - shillings); 1 Ugandan shilling (USh) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Ugandan shillings (USh) per US$1 - 1,031.3 (March 1992), 734.0 (1991), 428.85 (1990), 223.1 (1989), 106.1 (1988), 42.8 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
:Uganda Communications
Railroads: 1,300 km, 1.000-meter-gauge single track Highways: 26,200 km total; 1,970 km paved; 5,849 km crushed stone, gravel, and laterite; remainder earth roads and tracks Inland waterways: Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga, Lake George, Lake Edward; Victoria Nile, Albert Nile; principal inland water ports are at Jinja and Port Bell, both on Lake Victoria Merchant marine: 1 roll-on/roll-off (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,697 GRT Civil air: 6 major transport aircraft Airports: 35 total, 27 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 10 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair system with microwave and radio communications stations; broadcast stations - 10 AM, no FM, 9 TV; satellite communications ground stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
:Uganda Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, about 4,132,887; about 2,243,933 for military service Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
:Ukraine Geography
Total area: 603,700 km2 Land area: 603,700 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: 4,558 km total; Belarus 891 km, Czechoslovakia 90 km, Hungary 103 km, Moldova 939 km, Poland 428 km, Romania (southwest) 169 km, Romania (west) 362 km, Russia 1,576 km Coastline: 2,782 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: NA nm Continental shelf: NA meter depth Exclusive fishing zone: NA nm Exclusive economic zone: NA nm Territorial sea: NA nm Disputes: potential border disputes with Moldova and Romania in northern Bukovina and southern Odessa oblast Climate: temperate continental; subtropical only on the southern Crimean coast; precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest in west and north, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland; summers are warm across the greater part of the country, hot in the south Terrain: most of Ukraine consists of fertile plains (steppes) and plateaux, mountains being found only in the west (the Carpathians), and in the Crimean peninsula in the extreme south Natural resources: iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulphur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber Land use: 56% arable land; 2% permanent crops; 12% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; 30% other; includes 3% irrigated Environment: air and water pollution, deforestation, radiation contamination around Chernobyl nuclear plant Note: strategic position at the crossroads between Europe and Asia; second largest country in Europe
:Ukraine People
Population: 51,940,426 (July 1992), growth rate 0.2% (1992) Birth rate: 14 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 22 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 75 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Ukrainian(s); adjective - Ukrainian Ethnic divisions: Ukrainian 73%, Russian 22%, Jewish 1%, other 4% Religions: Ukrainian Autonomous Orthodox, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox, Ukrainian Catholic (Uniate), Protestant, Jewish Languages: Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Polish Literacy: NA% Labor force: 25,277,000; industry and construction 41%, agriculture and forestry 19%, health, education, and culture 18%, trade and distribution 8%, transport and communication 7%, other 7% (1990) Organized labor: NA
:Ukraine Government
Long-form name: none Type: republic Capital: Kiev (Kyyiv) Administrative divisions: 24 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast') and 1 autonomous republic* (avtomnaya respublika); Chernigov, Cherkassy, Chernovtsy, Dnepropetrovsk, Donetsk, Ivano-Frankovsk, Khar'kov, Kherson, Khmel'nitskiy, Kiev, Kirovograd, Krym (Simferopol')*, Lugansk, L'vov, Nikolayev, Odessa, Poltava, Rovno, Sumy, Ternopol', Vinnitsa, Volyn' (Lutsk), Zakarpat (Uzhgorod), Zaporozh'ye, Zhitomir; note - an oblast usually has the same name as its administrative center (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Independence: 24 August 1991; 1 December 1991 de facto from USSR; note - formerly the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic in the Soviet Union Constitution: currently being drafted Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts National holiday: Independence Day, 24 August (1991) Executive branch: president, prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Council Judicial branch: being organized Leaders: Chief of State: President Leonid M. KRAVCHUK (since 5 December 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister Vitol'd FOKIN (since 14 November 1991); two First Deputy Prime Ministers: Valentyn SYMONENKO and Konstantyn MASYK (since 21 May 1991); two Deputy Prime Ministers: Oleh SLEPICHEV and Viktor SYTNYK (since 21 May 1991) Political parties and leaders: Ukrainian Republican Party, Levko LUKYANENKO, chairman; Green Party, Yuriy SHCHERBAK, chairman; Social Democratic Party, Andriy NOSENKO, chairman; Ukrainian Democratic Party, Yuriy BADZO, chairman; Democratic Rebirth Party, Oleksandr Volodymyr GRINEV, Oleksandr FILENKO, YEMETS, Miroslav POPOVICH, Sergei LYLYK, Oleksandr BAZYLYUK, Valeriy KHMELKO, leaders; People's Party of Ukraine, Leopold TABURYANSKIY, chairman; Peasant Democratic Party, Jerhiy PLACHYNDA, chairman; Ukrainian Socialist Party, Oleksandr MOROZ, chairman Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 1 December 1991 (next to be held NA 1996); results - Leonid KRAVCHUK 61.59%, Vyacheslav CHERNOVIL 23.27%, Levko LUKYANENKO 4.49%, Volodymyr GRINEV 4.17%, Iher YUKHNOVSKY 1.74%, Leopold TABURYANSKIY 0.57% Supreme Council: last held 4 March 1990 (next scheduled for 1995, may be held earlier in late 1992 or 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (NA total) number of seats by party NA
:Ukraine Government
Communists: Communist Party of Ukraine was banned by decree of the Supreme Council on 30 August 1991 Other political or pressure groups: Ukraninan People's Movement for Restructuring (RUKH) Member of: CIS, CSCE, CE, ECE, IAEA, IMF, INMARSAT, IOC, ITU, NACC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Oleh H. BILORUS; Embassy at 1828 L Street, NW, Suite 711, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 296-6960 US: Ambassador Roman POPADIUK; Embassy at ;10 Vul. Yuriy Kotsubinskoho, Kiev (mailing address is APO AE 09862); telephone (044) 244-7349; FAX (044) 244-7350 Flag: two horizontal bars of equal size: azure (sky blue) top half, golden yellow bottom half (represents grainfields under a blue sky)
:Ukraine Economy
Overview: Because of its size, geographic location, Slavic population, and rich resources, the loss of Ukraine was the final and most bitter blow to the Soviet leaders wishing to preserve some semblance of the old political, military, and economic power of the USSR. After Russia, the Ukrainian republic was far and away the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union producing more than three times the output of the next-ranking republic. Its fertile black soil generated more than one fourth of Soviet agricultural output, and its farms provided substantial quantities of meat, milk, grain and vegetables to other republics. Likewise, its well-developed and diversified heavy industry supplied equipment and raw materials to industrial and mining sites in other regions of the USSR. In early 1992 the continued wholesale disruption of economic ties and the lack of an institutional structure necessary to formulate and implement economic reforms preclude a near-term recovery of output. GDP: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate -10% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 83% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: not finalized as of May 1992 Exports: $13.5 billion (1990) commodities: coal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals, chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, grain, meat partners: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan Imports: $16.7 billion (1990) commodities: machinery and parts, transportation equipment, chemicals, textiles partners: none *** No entry for this item *** External debt: $10.4 billion (end of 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -4.5% (1991) Electricity: NA kW capacity; 298,000 million kWh produced, 5,758 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: coal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food-processing Agriculture: grain, vegetables, meat, milk Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis and opium; mostly for domestic consumption; status of government eradication programs unknown; used as transshipment points for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: $NA
:Ukraine Economy
Currency: as of August 1992 using ruble and Ukrainian coupons as legal tender; Ukraine plans to withdraw the ruble from circulation and convert to a coupon-based economy on 1 October 1992; Ukrainian officials claim this will be an interim move toward introducing a Ukrainian currency - the hryvnya - possibly as early as January 1993 Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year
:Ukraine Communications
Railroads: 22,800 km all 1.500-meter gauge; does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 273,700 km total (1990); 236,400 km hard surfaced, 37,300 km earth Inland waterways: NA km perennially navigable Pipelines: NA Ports: maritime - Berdyansk, Il'ichevsk Kerch', Kherson, Mariupol' (formerly Zhdanov), Nikolayev, Odessa, Sevastopol', Yuzhnoye; inland - Kiev Merchant marine: 338 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,117,595 GRT/5,403,685 DWT; includes 221 cargo, 11 container, 9 barge carriers, 59 bulk cargo, 9 petroleum tanker, 2 chemical tanker, 3 liquefied gas, 24 passenger Civil air: NA major transport aircraft Airports: NA Telecommunications: inheriting part of the former USSR system, Ukraine has about 7 million telephone lines (13.5 telephones for each 100 persons); as of 31 January 1990, 3.56 million applications for telephones could not be satisfied; international calls can be made via satellite, by landline to other CIS countries, and through the Moscow international switching center; satellite earth stations employ INTELSAT, INMARSAT, and Intersputnik
:Ukraine Defense Forces
Branches: Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard; CIS Forces (Ground Navy, Air, and Defense) Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service; NA reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
:United Arab Emirates Geography
Total area: 83,600 km2 Land area: 83,600 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Maine Land boundaries: 1,016 km total; Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 586 km, Qatar 20 km Coastline: 1,448 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: defined by bilateral boundaries or equidistant line Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm (assumed), 12 nm for Ash Shariqah (Sharjah) Disputes: boundary with Qatar is unresolved; no defined boundary with Saudi Arabia; no defined boundary with most of Oman, but Administrative Line in far north; claims two islands in the Persian Gulf occupied by Iran (Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg or Greater Tunb, and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Kuchek or Lesser Tunb); claims island in the Persian Gulf jointly administered with Iran (Jazireh-ye Abu Musa or Abu Musa,) Climate: desert; cooler in eastern mountains Terrain: flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert waste- land; mountains in east Natural resources: crude oil and natural gas Land use: arable land NEGL%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 2%; forest and woodland NEGL%; other 98%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: frequent dust and sand storms; lack of natural freshwater resources being overcome by desalination plants; desertification Note: strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
:United Arab Emirates People
Population: 2,522,315 (July 1992), growth rate 5.4% (1992) Birth rate: 29 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 3 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 27 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 23 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 70 years male, 74 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.7 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Emirian(s), adjective - Emirian Ethnic divisions: Emirian 19%, other Arab 23%, South Asian (fluctuating) 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8%; less than 20% of the population are UAE citizens (1982) Religions: Muslim 96% (Shi`a 16%); Christian, Hindu, and other 4% Languages: Arabic (official); Persian and English widely spoken in major cities; Hindi, Urdu Literacy: 68% (male 70%, female 63%) age 10 and over but definition of literacy not available (1980) Labor force: 580,000 (1986 est.); industry and commerce 85%, agriculture 5%, services 5%, government 5%; 80% of labor force is foreign Organized labor: trade unions are illegal
:United Arab Emirates Government
Long-form name: United Arab Emirates (no short-form name); abbreviated UAE Type: federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE central government and other powers reserved to member emirates Capital: Abu Dhabi Administrative divisions: 7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), `Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn Independence: 2 December 1971 (from UK; formerly Trucial States) Constitution: 2 December 1971 (provisional) Legal system: secular codes are being introduced by the UAE Government and in several member shaykhdoms; Islamic law remains influential National holiday: National Day, 2 December (1971) Executive branch: president, vice president, Supreme Council of Rulers, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral Federal National Council (Majlis Watani Itihad) Judicial branch: Union Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Shaykh Zayid bin Sultan Al NUHAYYAN, (since 2 December 1971), ruler of Abu Dhabi; Vice President Shaykh Maktum bin Rashid al-MAKTUM (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy Head of Government: Prime Minister Shaykh Maktum bin Rashid al-MAKTUM (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy; Deputy Prime Minister Sultan bin Zayid Al NUHAYYAN (since 20 November 1990) Political parties and leaders: none Suffrage: none Elections: none Other political or pressure groups: a few small clandestine groups may be active Member of: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Muhammad bin Husayn Al SHAALI; Chancery at Suite 740, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 338-6500 US: Ambassador Edward S. WALKER, Jr.; Embassy at Al-Sudan Street, Abu Dhabi (mailing address is P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi); telephone [971] (2) 336691, afterhours 338730; FAX [971] (2) 318441; there is a US Consulate General in Dubayy (Dubai) Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a thicker vertical red band on the hoist side
:United Arab Emirates Economy
Overview: The UAE has an open economy with one of the world's highest incomes per capita outside the OECD nations. This wealth is based on oil and gas, and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. Since 1973, when petroleum prices shot up, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. At present levels of production, crude oil reserves should last for over 100 years. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $33.7 billion, per capita $14,100 (1990); real growth rate 11% (1989) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.5% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: NEGL (1988) Budget: revenues $3.8 billion; expenditures $3.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989 est.) Exports: $21.3 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: crude oil 65%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates partners: Japan 35%, Singapore 6%, US 4%, Korea 3% Imports: $11.0 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: food, consumer and capital goods partners: Japan 14%, UK 10%, US 9%, Germany 9% External debt: $11.0 billion (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: NA Electricity: 5,800,000 kW capacity; 17,000 million kWh produced, 7,115 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: petroleum, fishing, petrochemicals, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, pearling Agriculture: accounts for 2% of GDP and 5% of labor force; cash crop - dates; food products - vegetables, watermelons, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish; only 25% self-sufficient in food Economic aid: donor - pledged $9.1 billion in bilateral aid to less developed countries (1979-89) Currency: Emirian dirham (plural - dirhams); 1 Emirian dirham (Dh) = 100 fils Exchange rates: Emirian dirhams (Dh) per US$1 - 3.6710 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: calendar year
:United Arab Emirates Communications
Highways: 2,000 km total; 1,800 km bituminous, 200 km gravel and graded earth Pipelines: crude oil 830 km, natural gas, including natural gas liquids, 870 km Ports: Al Fujayrah, Khawr Fakkan, Mina' Jabal `Ali, Mina' Khalid, Mina' Rashid, Mina' Saqr, Mina' Zayid Merchant marine: 55 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,033,866 GRT/1,772,646 DWT; includes 18 cargo, 8 container, 3 roll-on/roll-off, 20 petroleum tanker, 4 bulk, 1 refrigerated cargo, 1 vehicle carrier Civil air: 10 major transport aircraft Airports: 37 total, 34 usable; 20 with permanent-surface runways; 7 with runways over 3,659 m; 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 5 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: adequate system of microwave and coaxial cable; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubayy; 386,600 telephones; broadcast stations - 8 AM, 3 FM, 12 TV; satellite communications ground stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 ARABSAT; submarine cables to Qatar, Bahrain, India, and Pakistan; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave to Saudi Arabia
:United Arab Emirates Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Federal Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 974,288; 533,673 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.47 billion, 5.3% of GDP (1989 est.)
:United Kingdom Geography
Total area: 244,820 km2 Land area: 241,590 km2; includes Rockall and Shetland Islands Comparative area: slightly smaller than Oregon Land boundaries: 360 km; Ireland 360 km Coastline: 12,429 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: as defined in continental shelf orders or in accordance with agreed upon boundaries Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: Northern Ireland question with Ireland; Gibraltar question with Spain; Argentina claims Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas); Argentina claims South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; Mauritius claims island of Diego Garcia in British Indian Ocean Territory; Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Iceland, and Ireland (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area); territorial claim in Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory) Climate: temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than half of the days are overcast Terrain: mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling plains in east and southeast Natural resources: coal, crude oil, natural gas, tin, limestone, iron ore, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, lead, silica Land use: arable land 29%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 48%; forest and woodland 9%; other 14%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: pollution control measures improving air, water quality; because of heavily indented coastline, no location is more than 125 km from tidal waters Note: lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km from France and now being linked by tunnel under the English Channel
:United Kingdom People
Population: 57,797,514 (July 1992), growth rate 0.3% (1992) Birth rate: 14 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 73 years male, 79 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Briton(s), British (collective pl.); adjective - British Ethnic divisions: English 81.5%, Scottish 9.6%, Irish 2.4%, Welsh 1.9%, Ulster 1.8%, West Indian, Indian, Pakistani, and other 2.8% Religions: Anglican 27.0 million, Roman Catholic 5.3 million, Presbyterian 2.0 million, Methodist 760,000, Jewish 410,000 Languages: English, Welsh (about 26% of population of Wales), Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland) Literacy: 99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1978 est.) Labor force: 26,177,000; services 60.6%, manufacturing and construction 27.2%, government 8.9%, energy 2.1%, agriculture 1.2% (June 1991) Organized labor: 40% of labor force (1991)
:United Kingdom Government
Long-form name: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; abbreviated UK Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: London Administrative divisions: 47 counties, 7 metropolitan counties, 26 districts, 9 regions, and 3 islands areas England: 39 counties, 7 metropolitan counties*; Avon, Bedford, Berkshire, Buckingham, Cambridge, Cheshire, Cleveland, Cornwall, Cumbria, Derby, Devon, Dorset, Durham, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucester, Greater London*, Greater Manchester*, Hampshire, Hereford and Worcester, Hertford, Humberside, Isle of Wight, Kent, Lancashire, Leicester, Lincoln, Merseyside*, Norfolk, Northampton, Northumberland, North Yorkshire, Nottingham, Oxford, Shropshire, Somerset, South Yorkshire*, Stafford, Suffolk, Surrey, Tyne and Wear*, Warwick, West Midlands*, West Sussex, West Yorkshire*, Wiltshire Northern Ireland: 26 districts; Antrim, Ards, Armagh, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Banbridge, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, Coleraine, Cookstown, Craigavon, Down, Dungannon, Fermanagh, Larne, Limavady, Lisburn, Londonderry, Magherafelt, Moyle, Newry and Mourne, Newtownabbey, North Down, Omagh, Strabane Scotland: 9 regions, 3 islands areas*; Borders, Central, Dumfries and Galloway, Fife, Grampian, Highland, Lothian, Orkney*, Shetland*, Strathclyde, Tayside, Western Isles* Wales: 8 counties; Clwyd, Dyfed, Gwent, Gwynedd, Mid Glamorgan, Powys, South Glamorgan, West Glamorgan Independence: 1 January 1801, United Kingdom established Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice Dependent areas: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Jersey, Isle of Man, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands Legal system: common law tradition with early Roman and modern continental influences; no judicial review of Acts of Parliament; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday in June) Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or House of Lords and a lower house or House of Commons Judicial branch: House of Lords Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Heir Apparent Prince CHARLES (son of the Queen, born 14 November 1948) Head of Government: Prime Minister John MAJOR (since 28 November 1990)
:United Kingdom Government
Political parties and leaders: Conservative and Unionist Party, John MAJOR; Labor Party, John SMITH; Liberal Democrats (LD), Jeremy (Paddy) ASHDOWN; Scottish National Party, Alex SALMOND; Welsh National Party (Plaid Cymru), Dafydd Iwan WIGLEY; Ulster Unionist Party (Northern Ireland), James MOLYNEAUX; Democratic Unionist Party (Northern Ireland), Rev. Ian PAISLEY; Ulster Popular Unionist Party (Northern Ireland), James KILFEDDER; Social Democratic and Labor Party (SDLP, Northern Ireland), John HUME; Sinn Fein (Northern Ireland), Gerry ADAMS; Alliance Party (Northern Ireland), John ALDERDICE; Democratic Left, Nina TEMPLE Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Commons: last held 9 April 1992 (next to be held by NA April 1997); results - Conservative 41.9%, Labor 34.5%, Liberal Democratic 17.9%, other 5.7%; seats - (651 total) Conservative 336, Labor 271, Liberal Democratic 20, other 24 Communists: 15,961 Other political or pressure groups: Trades Union Congress, Confederation of British Industry, National Farmers' Union, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, BIS, C, CCC, CDB, CE, CERN, COCOM, CP, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECA (associate), ECE, ECLAC, EIB, ESCAP, ESA, FAO, G-5, G-7, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NATO, NEA, OECD, PCA, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UN Security Council, UN Trusteeship Council, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Sir Robin RENWICK; Chancery at 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 462-1340; there are British Consulates General in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, and Consulates in Dallas, Miami, and Seattle US: Ambassador Raymond G. H. SEITZ; Embassy at 24/31 Grosvenor Square, London, W.1A1AE, (mailing address is FPO AE 09498-4040); telephone [44] (71) 499-9000; FAX 409-1637; there are US Consulates General in Belfast and Edinburgh Flag: blue with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland) which is superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland); known as the Union Flag or Union Jack; the design and colors (especially the Blue Ensign) have been the basis for a number of other flags including dependencies, Commonwealth countries, and others Note: Hong Kong is scheduled to become a Special Administrative Region of China in 1997
:United Kingdom Economy
Overview: The UK is one of the world's great trading powers and financial centers, and its economy ranks among the four largest in Europe. The economy is essentially capitalistic with a generous admixture of social welfare programs and government ownership. Prime Minister MAJOR has continued the basic thrust of THATCHER's efforts to halt the expansion of welfare measures and promote extensive reprivatization of the government economic sector. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with only 1% of the labor force. Industry is a mixture of public and private enterprises, employing about 27% of the work force and generating 22% of GDP. The UK is an energy-rich nation with large coal, natural gas, and oil reserves; primary energy production accounts for 12% of GDP, one of the highest shares of any industrial nation. In mid-1990 the economy fell into recession after eight years of strong economic expansion, which had raised national output by one quarter. Britain's inflation rate, which has been consistently well above those of her major trading partners, declined significantly in 1991. Between 1986 and 1990 unemployment fell from 11% to about 6%, but crept back up to 8% in 1991 because of the economic slowdown. As a major trading nation, the UK will continue to be greatly affected by world boom or recession, swings in the international oil market, productivity trends in domestic industry, and the terms on which the economic integration of Europe proceeds. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $915.5 billion, per capita $15,900; real growth rate -1.9% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.8% (1991) Unemployment rate: 8.1% (1991) Budget: revenues $435 billion; expenditures $469 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY92 est.) Exports: $186.4 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, chemicals, semifinished goods, transport equipment partners: EC 53.2% (FRG 12.7%, France 10.5%, Netherlands 7.0%), US 12.4% Imports: $211.9 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: manufactured goods, machinery, semifinished goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods partners: EC 52.2% (FRG 15.6%, France 9.3%, Netherlands 8.4%), US 11.5% External debt: $10.5 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate 0% (1991) Electricity: 98,000,000 kW capacity; 316,500 million kWh produced, 5,520 kWh per capita (1991)
:United Kingdom Economy
Industries: production machinery including machine tools, electric power equipment, equipment for the automation of production, railroad equipment, shipbuilding, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, electronics and communications equipment, metals, chemicals, coal, petroleum, paper and paper products, food processing, textiles, clothing, and other consumer goods Agriculture: accounts for only 1.5% of GDP and 1% of labor force; highly mechanized and efficient farms; wide variety of crops and livestock products produced; about 60% self-sufficient in food and feed needs; fish catch of 665,000 metric tons (1987) Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $21.0 billion Currency: British pound or pound sterling (plural - pounds); 1 British pound (#) = 100 pence Exchange rates: British pounds (#) per US$1 - 0.5799 (March 1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
:United Kingdom Communications
Railroads: Great Britain - 16,629 km total; British Railways (BR) operates 16,629 km 1.435-meter (standard) gauge (4,205 km electrified and 12,591 km double or multiple track); several additional small standard-gauge and narrow-gauge lines are privately owned and operated; Northern Ireland Railways (NIR) operates 332 km 1.600-meter gauge, including 190 km double track Highways: UK, 362,982 km total; Great Britain, 339,483 km paved (including 2,573 km limited-access divided highway); Northern Ireland, 23,499 km (22,907 paved, 592 km gravel) Inland waterways: 2,291 total; British Waterways Board, 606 km; Port Authorities, 706 km; other, 979 km Pipelines: crude oil (almost all insignificant) 933 km, petroleum products 2,993 km, natural gas 12,800 km Ports: London, Liverpool, Felixstowe, Tees and Hartlepool, Dover, Sullom Voe, Southampton Merchant marine: 224 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,905,571 GRT/4,840,862 DWT; includes 7 passenger, 21 short-sea passenger, 37 cargo, 27 container, 14 roll-on/roll-off, 10 refrigerated cargo, 1 vehicle carrier, 1 railcar carrier, 66 petroleum tanker, 2 chemical tanker, 9 liquefied gas, 1 combination ore/oil, 1 specialized tanker, 26 bulk, 1 combination bulk Civil air: 618 major transport aircraft Airports: 498 total, 385 usable; 249 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 37 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 133 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: technologically advanced domestic and international system; 30,200,000 telephones; equal mix of buried cables, microwave and optical-fiber systems; excellent countrywide broadcast systems; broadcast stations - 225 AM, 525 (mostly repeaters) FM, 207 (3,210 repeaters) TV; 40 coaxial submarine cables; 5 satellite ground stations operating in INTELSAT (7 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean), MARISAT, and EUTELSAT systems; at least 8 large international switching centers
:United Kingdom Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Royal Navy (including Royal Marines), Royal Air Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 14,462,820; 12,122,497 fit for military service; no conscription Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $42 billion, 4.3% of GDP (FY91)
:United States Geography
Total area: 9,372,610 km2 Land area: 9,166,600 km2; includes only the 50 states and District of Colombia Comparative area: about three-tenths the size of Russia; about one-third the size of Africa; about one-half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly smaller than China; about two and one-half times the size of Western Europe Land boundaries: 12,248.1 km; Canada 8,893 km (including 2,477 km with Alaska), Mexico 3,326 km, Cuba (US naval base at Guantanamo) 29.1 km Coastline: 19,924 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: not specified Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: maritime boundary disputes with Canada (Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca); US Naval Base at Guantanamo is leased from Cuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease; Haiti claims Navassa Island; US has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other nation; Marshall Islands claims Wake Island Climate: mostly temperate, but varies from tropical (Hawaii) to arctic (Alaska); arid to semiarid in west with occasional warm, dry chinook wind Terrain: vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged, volcanic topography in Hawaii Natural resources: coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, crude oil, natural gas, timber Land use: arable land 20%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 26%; forest and woodland 29%; other 25%; includes irrigated 2% Environment: pollution control measures improving air and water quality; acid rain; agricultural fertilizer and pesticide pollution; management of sparse natural water resources in west; desertification; tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; continuous permafrost in northern Alaska is a major impediment to development Note: world's fourth-largest country (after Russia, Canada, and China)
:United States People
Population: 254,521,000 (July 1992), growth rate 0.8% (1992) Birth rate: 14 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 10 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 79 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - American(s); adjective - American Ethnic divisions: white 84.1%, black 12.4%, other 3.5% (1989) Religions: Protestant 56%, Roman Catholic 28%, Jewish 2%, other 4%, none 10% (1989) Languages: predominantly English; sizable Spanish-speaking minority Literacy: 98% (male 97%, female 98%) age 25 and over having completed 5 or more years of schooling (1989) Labor force: 126,867,000 (includes armed forces and unemployed); civilian labor force 125,303,000 (1991) Organized labor: 16,568,000 members; 16.1% of total wage and salary employment which was 102,786,000 (1991)
:United States Government
Long-form name: United States of America; abbreviated US or USA Type: federal republic; strong democratic tradition Capital: Washington, DC Administrative divisions: 50 states and 1 district*; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Independence: 4 July 1776 (from England) Constitution: 17 September 1787, effective 4 June 1789 Dependent areas: American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island; Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Wake Island Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Independence Day, 4 July (1776) Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Congress consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President George BUSH (since 20 January 1989); Vice President Dan QUAYLE (since 20 January 1989) Political parties and leaders: Republican Party, Richard N. BOND, national committee chairman; Jeanie AUSTIN, co-chairman; Democratic Party, Ronald H. BROWN, national committee chairman; several other groups or parties of minor political significance Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 8 November 1988 (next to be held 3 November 1992); results - George BUSH (Republican Party) 53.37%, Michael DUKAKIS (Democratic Party) 45.67%, other 0.96% Senate: last held 6 November 1990 (next to be held 3 November 1992); results - Democratic Party 51%, Republican Party 47%, other 2%; seats - (100 total) Democratic Party 56, Republican Party 44 House of Representatives: last held 6 November 1990 (next to be held 3 November 1992); results - Democratic Party 52%, Republican Party 44%, other 4%; seats - (435 total) Democratic Party 267, Republican Party 167, Socialist 1
:United States Government
Communists: Communist Party (claimed 15,000-20,000 members), Gus HALL, general secretary; Socialist Workers Party (claimed 1,800 members), Jack BARNES, national secretary Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), ANZUS, APEC, AsDB, BIS, CCC, COCOM, CP, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, FAO, ESCAP, G-2, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NATO, NEA, OAS, OECD, PCA, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UN Security Council, UN Trusteeship Council, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: US Representative to the UN, Ambassador Thomas R. PICKERING; Mission at 799 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017; telephone (212) 415-4050, after hours (212) 415-4444; FAX (212) 415-4443 Flag: thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small white five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico Note: since 18 July 1947, the US has administered the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, but recently entered into a new political relationship with three of the four political units; the Northern Mariana Islands is a Commonwealth in political union with the US (effective 3 November 1986); Palau concluded a Compact of Free Association with the US that was approved by the US Congress but to date the Compact process has not been completed in Palau, which continues to be administered by the US as the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; the Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 3 November 1986); the Republic of the Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 21 October 1986)
:United States Economy
Overview: The US has the most powerful, diverse, and technologically advanced economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $22,470, the largest among major industrial nations. The economy is market oriented with most decisions made by private individuals and business firms and with government purchases of goods and services made predominantly in the marketplace. In 1989 the economy enjoyed its seventh successive year of substantial growth, the longest in peacetime history. The expansion featured moderation in wage and consumer price increases and a steady reduction in unemployment to 5.2% of the labor force. In 1990, however, growth slowed to 1% because of a combination of factors, such as the worldwide increase in interest rates, Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August, the subsequent spurt in oil prices, and a general decline in business and consumer confidence. In 1991 output failed to recover, unemployment grew, and signs of recovery proved premature. Ongoing problems for the 1990s include inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical costs, and sizable budget and trade deficits. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $5,673 billion, per capita $22,470; real growth rate -0.7% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.2% (1991) Unemployment rate: 6.6% (1991) Budget: revenues $1,054 billion; expenditures $1,323 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY91) Exports: $428.1 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: capital goods, automobiles, industrial supplies and raw materials, consumer goods, agricultural products partners: Western Europe 27.3%, Canada 22.1%, Japan 12.1% (1989) Imports: $499.4 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: crude and partly refined petroleum, machinery, automobiles, consumer goods, industrial raw materials, food and beverages partners: Western Europe 21.5%, Japan 19.7%, Canada 18.8% (1989) External debt: NA Industrial production: growth rate -1.9% (1991) Electricity: 776,550,000 kW capacity; 3,020,000 million kWh produced, 12,080 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: leading industrial power in the world, highly diversified; petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, fishing, lumber, mining Agriculture: accounts for 2% of GDP and 2.8% of labor force; favorable climate and soils support a wide variety of crops and livestock production; world's second largest producer and number one exporter of grain; surplus food producer; fish catch of 5.0 million metric tons (1988)
:United States Economy
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for domestic consumption with 1987 production estimated at 3,500 metric tons or about 25% of the available marijuana; ongoing eradication program aimed at small plots and greenhouses has not reduced production Economic aid: donor - commitments, including ODA and OOF, (FY80-89), $115.7 billion Currency: United States dollar (plural - dollars); 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: British pounds: (#) per US$ - 0.5599 (March 1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987) Canadian dollars: (Can$) per US$ - 1.1926 (March 1992), 1.1457 (1991), 1.1668 (1990), 1.1840 (1989), 1.2307 (1988), 1.3260 (1987) French francs: (F) per US$ - 5.6397, (March 1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987) Italian lire: (Lit) per US$ - 1,248.4 (March 1992), 1,240.6 (1991), 1,198.1 (1990), 1.372.1 (1989), 1,301.6 (1988), 1,296.1 (1987) Japanese yen: (Y) per US$ - 132.70 (March 1992), 134.71 (1991), 144.79 (1990), 137.96 (1989), 128.15 (1988), 144.64 (1987) German deutsche marks: (DM) per US$ - 1.6611 (March 1992), 1.6595 (1991), 1.6157 (1990), 1.8800 (1989), 1.7562 (1988), 1.7974 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
:United States Communications
Railroads: 270,312 km Highways: 6,365,590 km, including 88,641 km expressways Inland waterways: 41,009 km of navigable inland channels, exclusive of the Great Lakes (est.) Pipelines: petroleum 275,800 km, natural gas 305,300 km (1985) Ports: Anchorage, Baltimore, Beaumont, Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Cleveland, Duluth, Freeport, Galveston, Hampton Roads, Honolulu, Houston, Jacksonville, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Mobile, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Portland (Oregon), Richmond (California), San Francisco, Savannah, Seattle, Tampa, Wilmington Merchant marine: 396 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 12,969 GRT/20,179 DWT; includes 3 passenger-cargo, 38 cargo, 25 bulk, 174 tanker, 13 tanker tug-barge, 14 liquefied gas, 129 intermodal; in addition, there are 231 government-owned vessels Civil air: 8,252 commercial multiengine transport aircraft (weighing 9,000 kg and over) including 6,036 jet, 831 turboprop, 1,382 piston (December 1989) Airports: 14,177 total, 12,417 usable; 4,820 with permanent-surface runways; 63 with runways over 3,659 m; 325 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2,524 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 182,558,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 4,892 AM, 5,200 FM (including 3,915 commercial and 1,285 public broadcasting), 7,296 TV (including 796 commercial, 300 public broadcasting, and 6,200 commercial cable); 495,000,000 radio receivers (1982); 150,000,000 TV sets (1982); satellite ground stations - 45 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 16 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT
:United States Defense Forces
Branches: Department of the Army, Department of the Navy (including Marine Corps), Department of the Air Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 66,458,000; NA fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $323.5 billion, 5.7% of GNP (1991)
:Uruguay Geography
Total area: 176,220 km2 Land area: 173,620 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Washington State Land boundaries: 1,564 km total; Argentina 579 km, Brazil 985 km Coastline: 660 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Territorial sea: 200 nm (overflight and navigation permitted beyond 12 nm) Disputes: short section of boundary with Argentina is in dispute; two short sections of the boundary with Brazil are in dispute (Arroyo de la Invernada area of the Rio Quarai and the islands at the confluence of the Rio Quarai and the Uruguay) Climate: warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown Terrain: mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland Natural resources: soil, hydropower potential, minor minerals Land use: arable land 8%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 78%; forest and woodland 4%; other 10%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: subject to seasonally high winds, droughts, floods
:Uruguay People
Population: 3,141,533 (July 1992), growth rate 0.6% (1992) Birth rate: 17 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 23 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 69 years male, 76 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Uruguayan(s); adjective - Uruguayan Ethnic divisions: white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4% Religions: Roman Catholic (less than half adult population attends church regularly) 66%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, nonprofessing or other 30% Languages: Spanish Literacy: 96% (male 97%, female 96%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 1,355,000 (1991 est.); government 25%, manufacturing 19%, agriculture 11%, commerce 12%, utilities, construction, transport, and communications 12%, other services 21% (1988 est.) Organized labor: Interunion Workers' Assembly/National Workers' Confederation (PIT/CNT) Labor Federation
:Uruguay Government
Long-form name: Oriental Republic of Uruguay Type: republic Capital: Montevideo Administrative divisions: 19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres Independence: 25 August 1828 (from Brazil) Constitution: 27 November 1966, effective February 1967, suspended 27 June 1973, new constitution rejected by referendum 30 November 1980 Legal system: based on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 25 August (1828) Executive branch: president, vice president, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: bicameral General Assembly (Asamblea General) consists of an upper chamber or Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Representatives (Camera de Representantes) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Luis Alberto LACALLE (since 1 March 1990); Vice President Gonzalo AGUIRRE Ramirez (since 1 March 1990) Political parties and leaders: National (Blanco) Party, Carlos CAT; Colorado Party, Jorge BATLLE Ibanez; Broad Front Coalition, Liber SEREGNI Mosquera - includes Communist Party led by Jaime PEREZ and National Liberation Movement (MLN) or Tupamaros led by Eleuterio FERNANDEZ Huidobro; New Space Coalition consists of the Party of the Government of the People (PGP), Hugo BATALLA; Christian Democratic Party (PDC), leader NA; and Civic Union, Humberto CIGANDA Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 18 Elections: President: last held 26 November 1989 (next to be held NA November 1994); results - Luis Alberto LACALLE Herrera (Blanco) 37%, Jorge BATLLE Ibanez (Colorado) 29%, Liber SEREGNI Mosquera (Broad Front) 20% Chamber of Senators: last held 26 November 1989 (next to be held NA November 1994); results - Blanco 40%, Colorado 30%, Broad Front 23% New Space 7%; seats - (30 total) Blanco 12, Colorado 9, Broad Front 7, New Space 2 Chamber of Representatives: last held NA November 1989 (next to be held NA November 1994); results - Blanco 39%, Colorado 30%, Broad Front 22%, New Space 8%, other 1%; seats - (99 total) number of seats by party NA Communists: 50,000
:Uruguay Government
Member of: AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UNMOGIP, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Eduardo MACGILLICUDDY; Chancery at 1918 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20006; telephone (202) 331-1313 through 1316; there are Uruguayan Consulates General in Los Angeles, Miami, and New York, and a Consulate in New Orleans US: Ambassador Richard C. BROWN; Embassy at Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo (mailing address is APO AA 34035); telephone [598] (2) 23-60-61 or 48-77-77; FAX [598] (2) 48-86-11 Flag: nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; there is a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May and 16 rays alternately triangular and wavy
:Uruguay Economy
Overview: The economy is slowly recovering from the deep recession of the early 1980s. In 1988 real GDP grew by only 0.5% and in 1989 by 1.5%. The recovery was led by growth in the agriculture and fishing sectors, agriculture alone contributing 20% to GDP, employing about 11% of the labor force, and generating a large proportion of export earnings. Raising livestock, particularly cattle and sheep, is the major agricultural activity. In 1991, domestic growth improved somewhat over 1990, but various government factors, including concentration on the external sector, adverse weather conditions, and greater attention to bringing down inflation and reducing the fiscal deficit kept output from expanding rapidly. In a major step toward greater regional economic cooperation, Uruguay joined Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay in forming the Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur). President LACALLE continues to press ahead with a broad economic reform plan to reduce state intervention in the economy, but he faces strong opposition. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $9.1 billion, per capita $2,935; real growth rate 2.3% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 60% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.5% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $1.2 billion; expenditures $1.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $165 million (1988) Exports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: hides and leather goods 17%, beef 10%, wool 9%, fish 7%, rice 4% partners: Brazil, US, Argentina, Germany Imports: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: fuels and lubricants 15%, metals, machinery, transportation equipment, industrial chemicals partners: Brazil 23%, Argentina 17%, US 10%, EC 27.1% (1990) External debt: $4.2 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -1.4% (1990), accounts for almost 25% of GDP Electricity: 2,065,000 kW capacity; 5,677 million kWh produced, 1,819 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: meat processing, wool and hides, sugar, textiles, footwear, leather apparel, tires, cement, fishing, petroleum refining, wine Agriculture: large areas devoted to livestock grazing; wheat, rice, corn, sorghum; self-sufficient in most basic foodstuffs Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $105 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $420 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $69 million Currency: new Uruguayan peso (plural - pesos); 1 new Uruguayan peso (N$Ur) = 100 centesimos
:Uruguay Economy
Exchange rates: new Uruguayan pesos (N$Ur) per US$1 - 2,732.8 (March 1992), 2,018.8 (1991), 1,171.0 (1990), 605.5 (1989), 359.4 (1988), 226.7 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Uruguay Communications
Railroads: 3,000 km, all 1.435-meter (standard) gauge and government owned Highways: 49,900 km total; 6,700 km paved, 3,000 km gravel, 40,200 km earth Inland waterways: 1,600 km; used by coastal and shallow-draft river craft Ports: Montevideo, Punta del Este Merchant marine: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 56,737 GRT/104,143 DWT; includes 1 cargo, 1 container, 1 petroleum tanker Civil air: 11 major transport aircraft Airports: 90 total, 83 usable; 16 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 16 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new nationwide microwave network; 337,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 99 AM, no FM, 26 TV, 9 shortwave; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations
:Uruguay Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy (including Naval Air Arm, Coast Guard, and Marines), Air Force, Grenadier Guards, Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 745,728; 605,392 fit for military service; no conscription Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $168 million, 2.2% of GDP (1988)
:Uzbekistan Geography
Total area: 447,400 km2 Land area: 425,400 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: 6,221 km total; Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km Coastline: 0 km note: Uzbekistan does border the Aral Sea (420 km) Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: mostly mid latitude desert; semiarid grassland in east Terrain: mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; Fergana valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum Land use: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; includes NA% irrigated Environment: drying up of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts Note: landlocked
:Uzbekistan People
Population: 21,626,784 (July 1992), growth rate 2.4% (1992) Birth rate: 34 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -2 migrants/1,000 population (1992); note - 179,000 persons left Uzbekistan in 1990 Infant mortality rate: 65 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 64 years male, 70 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Uzbek(s); adjective - Uzbek Ethnic divisions: Uzbek 71%, Russian 8%, Tajik 5%, other 16%; note - includes 70% of Crimean Tatars since their World War II deportation Religions: Muslim (mostly Sunnis) 75-80%, other (includes Farsi) 20-25% Languages: Uzbek 85%, Russian 5%, other 10% Literacy: NA% Labor force: 7,941,000; agriculture and forestry 39%, industry and construction 24%, other 37% (1990) Organized labor: NA
:Uzbekistan Government
Long-form name: Republic of Uzbekistan Type: republic Capital: Tashkent (Toshkent) Administrative divisions: 11 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast') and 1 autonomous republic* (avtomnaya respublika); Andizhan, Bukhara, Dzhizak, Fergana, Karakalpakstan* (Nukus), Kashkadar'ya (Karshi), Khorezm (Urgench), Namangan, Samarkand, Surkhandar'ya (Termez), Syrdar'ya (Gulistan), Tashkent; note - an administrative division has the same name as its administrative center (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Independence: 31 August 1991 from the Soviet Union; note - formerly Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic in the Soviet Union Constitution: NA Legal system: NA National holiday: NA Executive branch: president Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Soviet Judicial branch: NA Leaders: Chief of State: President Islam KARIMOV (since 29 December 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister Abdulhashim MUTALOV (since 13 January 1992) Political parties and leaders: People's Democratic Party of Uzbekistan (formerly Communist Party), Islam KARIMOV, chairman; ERK, Mukhammad SOLIKH, chairman Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 29 December 1991 (next to be held NA December 1996); results - Islam KARIMOV 86%, Mukhammad SOLIKH 12%, other 2% Supreme Soviet: last held NA March 1990 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (500 total) Communist 450, ERK 10, other 40 Communists: NA Other political or pressure groups: Birlik (Unity) Abdurakhim PULATOV, chairman; Islamic Renaissance Party, Abdulljon UTAEV, chairman Member of: CIS, CSCE, IMF, NACC, UN UNCTAD Diplomatic representation: NA US: Charge d'Affaires Michael MOZUR; Embassy at Hotel Uzbekistan, ;55 Chelendarskaya, Tashkent (mailing address is APO AE 09862); telephone [8] (011) 7-3712-33-15-74
:Uzbekistan Government
Flag: three equal horizontal bands - blue (top), white, and green with a crescent moon and 12 stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant
:Uzbekistan Economy
Overview: Although Uzbekistan accounted for only 3.4% of total Soviet output, it produced two-thirds of the USSR's cotton. Moscow's push for ever-increasing amounts of cotton included massive irrigation projects which caused extensive environmental damage to the Aral Sea and rivers of the republic. Furthermore, the lavish use of chemical fertilizers has caused extensive pollution and widespread health problems. Recently the republic has sought to encourage food production at the expense of cotton. The small industrial sector specializes in such items as agricultural machinery, mineral fertilizers, vegetable oil, and electrical cranes. Uzbekistan also has some important natural resources including gold (about 30% of Soviet production), uranium, and natural gas. The Uzbek government has encouraged land reform but has shied away from other aspects of economic reform. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate -0.9% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 83% (1991) Unemployment rate: NA Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $1.5 billion (1990) commodities: cotton, gold, textiles, chemical and mineral fertilizers, vegetable oil partners: Russia, Ukraine, Eastern Europe Imports: $3.5 billion (1990) commodities: machinery and parts, consumer durables, grain, other foods partners: principally other former Soviet republics External debt: $2 billion (end of 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 1.8% (1991) Electricity: 11,400,000 kW capacity; 54,100 million kWh produced, 2,662 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: chemical and mineral fertilizers, vegetable oil, textiles Agriculture: cotton, with much smaller production of grain, fruits, vegetables, and livestock Illicit drugs: illicit producers of cannabis and opium; mostly for domestic consumption; status of government eradication programs unknown; used as transshipment points for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: $NA Currency: as of May 1992, retaining ruble as currency Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year
:Uzbekistan Communications
Railroads: 3,460 km all 1.520-meter gauge (includes NA km electrified); does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 78,400 km total (1990); 67,000 km hard-surfaced, 11,400 km earth Inland waterways: NA km Pipelines: NA Ports: none - landlocked Civil air: NA Airports: NA Telecommunications: poorly developed; telephone density NA; linked by landline or microwave with CIS member states and by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch to other countries; satellite earth stations - Orbita and INTELSAT (TV receive only)
:Uzbekistan Defense Forces
Branches: Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard; CIS Forces (Ground, Air and Air Defense) Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service; NA reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
:Vanuatu Geography
Total area: 14,760 km2 Land area: 14,760 km2; includes more than 80 islands Comparative area: slightly larger than Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2,528 km Maritime claims: (measured from claimed archipelagic baselines) Contiguous zone: 24 nm Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains Natural resources: manganese, hardwood forests, fish Land use: arable land 1%; permanent crops 5%; meadows and pastures 2%; forest and woodland 1%; other 91% Environment: subject to tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanism causes minor earthquakes Note: located 5,750 km southwest of Honolulu in the South Pacific Ocean about three-quarters of the way between Hawaii and Australia
:Vanuatu People
Population: 174,574 (July 1992), growth rate 3.0% (1992) Birth rate: 35 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 30 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 67 years male, 72 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 5.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural); adjective - Ni-Vanuatu Ethnic divisions: indigenous Melanesian 94%, French 4%, remainder Vietnamese, Chinese, and various Pacific Islanders Religions: Presbyterian 36.7%, Anglican 15%, Catholic 15%, indigenous beliefs 7.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6.2%, Church of Christ 3.8%, other 15.7% Languages: English and French (official); pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama) Literacy: 53% (male 57%, female 48%) age 15 and over can read and write (1979) Labor force: NA Organized labor: 7 registered trade unions - largest include Oil and Gas Workers' Union, Vanuatu Airline Workers' Union
:Vanuatu Government
Long-form name: Republic of Vanuatu Type: republic Capital: Port-Vila Administrative divisions: 11 island councils; Ambrym, Aoba/Maewo, Banks/Torres, Efate, Epi, Malakula, Paama, Pentecote, Santo/Malo, Shepherd, Tafea Independence: 30 July 1980 (from France and UK; formerly New Hebrides) Constitution: 30 July 1980 Legal system: unified system being created from former dual French and British systems National holiday: Independence Day, 30 July (1980) Executive branch: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament; note - the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of custom and land Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Frederick TIMAKATA (since 30 January 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister Maxime CARLOT (since 16 December 1991); Deputy Prime Minister Sethy REGENVANU (since 17 December 1991) Political parties and leaders: Vanuatu Party (VP), Donald KALPOKAS; Union of Moderate Parties (UMP), Serge VOHOR; Melanesian Progressive Party (MPP), Barak SOPE; National United Party (NUP), Walter LINI; Tan Union Party (TUP), Vincent BOULEKONE; Nagriamel Party, Jimmy STEVENS; Friend Melanesian Party, leader NA Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Parliament: last held 2 December 1991 (next to be held by November 1995); note - after election, a coalition was formed by the Union of Moderate Parties and the National United Party to form new government on 16 December 1991; seats - (46 total) UMP 19; NUP 10; VP 10; MPP 4; TUP 1; Nagriamel 1; Friend 1 Member of: ACCT, ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFC, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, NAM, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Vanuatu does not have a mission in Washington US: the ambassador in Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green (bottom) with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle); centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed namele leaves, all in yellow
:Vanuatu Economy
Overview: The economy is based primarily on subsistence farming which provides a living for about 80% of the population. Fishing and tourism are the other mainstays of the economy. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $142 million, per capita $900 (1988 est.); real growth rate 6% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1990) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $90.0 million; expenditures $103.0 million, including capital expenditures of $45.0 million (1989 est.) Exports: $15.6 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: copra 59%, cocoa 11%, meat 9%, fish 8%, timber 4% partners: Netherlands, Japan, France, New Caledonia, Belgium Imports: $60.4 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: machines and vehicles 25%, food and beverages 23%, basic manufactures 18%, raw materials and fuels 11%, chemicals 6% partners: Australia 36%, Japan 13%, NZ 10%, France 8%, Fiji 8% External debt: $30 million (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA%; accounts for about 10% of GDP Electricity: 17,000 kW capacity; 30 million kWh produced, 180 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning Agriculture: accounts for 40% of GDP; export crops - copra, cocoa, coffee, and fish; subsistence crops - copra, taro, yams, coconuts, fruits, and vegetables Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $606 million Currency: vatu (plural - vatu); 1 vatu (VT) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: vatu (VT) per US$1 - 112.55 (March 1992), 111.68 (1991), 116.57 (1990), 116.04 (1989), 104.43 (1988), 109.85 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Vanuatu Communications
Railroads: none Highways: 1,027 km total; at least 240 km sealed or all-weather roads Ports: Port-Vila, Luganville, Palikoulo, Santu Merchant marine: 121 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,093,443 GRT/3,168,822 DWT; includes 26 cargo, 14 refrigerated cargo, 5 container, 11 vehicle carrier, 1 livestock carrier, 5 petroleum tanker, 2 chemical tanker, 3 liquefied gas, 51 bulk, 1 combination bulk, 1 passenger, 1 short-sea passenger; note - a flag of convenience registry Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 33 total, 31 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, no TV; 3,000 telephones; satellite ground stations - 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT
:Vanuatu Defense Forces
Branches: no military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
:Venezuela Geography
Total area: 912,050 km2 Land area: 882,050 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of California Land boundaries: 4,993 km total; Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km Coastline: 2,800 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 15 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claims all of Guyana west of the Essequibo river; maritime boundary dispute with Colombia in the Gulf of Venezuela Climate: tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands Terrain: Andes mountains and Maracaibo lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guyana highlands in southeast Natural resources: crude oil, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds Land use: arable land 3%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 20%; forest and woodland 39%; other 37%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts; increasing industrial pollution in Caracas and Maracaibo Note: on major sea and air routes linking North and South America
:Venezuela People
Population: 20,675,970 (July 1992), growth rate 2.4% (1992) Birth rate: 27 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 4 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 23 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 71 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Venezuelan(s); adjective - Venezuelan Ethnic divisions: mestizo 67%, white 21%, black 10%, Indian 2% Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2% Languages: Spanish (official); Indian dialects spoken by about 200,000 Amerindians in the remote interior Literacy: 88% (male 87%, female 90%) age 15 and over can read and write (1981 est.) Labor force: 5,800,000; services 56%, industry 28%, agriculture 16% (1985) Organized labor: 32% of labor force
:Venezuela Government
Long-form name: Republic of Venezuela Type: republic Capital: Caracas Administrative divisions: 21 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 territory* (territorios, singular - territorio), 1 federal district** (distrito federal), and 1 federal dependence*** (dependencia federal); Amazonas*, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales***, Distrito Federal**, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Yaracuy, Zulia; note - the federal dependence consists of 11 federally controlled island groups with a total of 72 individual islands Independence: 5 July 1811 (from Spain) Constitution: 23 January 1961 Legal system: based on Napoleonic code; judicial review of legislative acts in Cassation Court only; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1811) Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: bicameral Congress of the Republic (Congreso de la Republica) consists of an upper chamber or Senate (Senado) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados) Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justica) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Carlos Andres PEREZ (since 2 February 1989) Political parties and leaders: Social Christian Party (COPEI), Hilarion CARDOZO, president, and Eduardo FERNANDEZ, secretary general; Democratic Action (AD), Humberto CELLI, president, and Luis ALFARO Ucero, secretary general; Movement Toward Socialism (MAS), Argelia LAYA, president, and Freddy MUNOZ, secretary general Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 4 December 1988 (next to be held NA December 1993); results - Carlos Andres PEREZ (AD) 54.6%, Eduardo FERNANDEZ (COPEI) 41.7%, other 3.7% Senate: last held 4 December 1988 (next to be held NA December 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (49 total) AD 23, COPEI 22, other 4; note - 3 former presidents (1 from AD, 2 from COPEI) hold lifetime senate seats Chamber of Deputies: last held 4 December 1988 (next to be held NA December 1993); results - AD 43.7%, COPEI 31.4%, MAS 10.3%, other 14.6%; seats - (201 total) AD 97, COPEI 67, MAS 18, other 19 Communists: 10,000 members (est.)
:Venezuela Government
Other political or pressure groups: FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers, the Democratic Action - dominated labor organization Member of: AG, CDB, CG, ECLAC, FAO, G-3, G-11, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Simon Alberto CONSALVI Bottaro; Chancery at 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone (202) 342-2214; there are Venezuelan Consulates General in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) US: Ambassador Michael Martin SKOL; Embassy at Avenida Francisco de Miranda and Avenida Principal de la Floresta, Caracas (mailing address is P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A, or APO AA 34037); telephone [58] (2) 285-2222; FAX [58] (2) 285-0336; there is a US Consulate in Maracaibo Flag: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of seven white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band
:Venezuela Economy
Overview: Petroleum is the cornerstone of the economy and accounted for 23% of GDP, 80% of central government revenues, and 80% of export earnings in 1991. President PEREZ introduced an economic readjustment program when he assumed office in February 1989. Lower tariffs and price supports, a free market exchange rate, and market-linked interest rates threw the economy into confusion, causing an 8% decline in GDP in 1989. However, the economy recovered part way in 1990, and grew by 9.2% in 1991, led by the petroleum sector. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $52.3 billion, per capita $2,590; real growth rate 9.2% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 30.7% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 9.3% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $13.2 billion; expenditures $13.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991) Exports: $15.1 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: petroleum 80%, bauxite and aluminum, iron ore, agricultural products, basic manufactures partners: US 50.7%, Europe 13.7%, Japan 4.0% (1989) Imports: $10.2 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, chemicals, manufactures, machinery and transport equipment partners: US 44%, FRG 8.0%, Japan 4%, Italy 7%, Canada 2% (1989) External debt: $30.9 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 5.4% (1991 est.); accounts for one-fourth of GDP, including petroleum Electricity: 20,128,000 kW capacity; 55,753 million kWh produced, 2,762 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: petroleum, iron-ore mining, construction materials, food processing, textiles, steel, aluminum, motor vehicle assembly Agriculture: accounts for 6% of GDP and 16% of labor force; products - corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee, beef, pork, milk, eggs, fish; not self-sufficient in food other than meat Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis and coca leaf for the international drug trade on a small scale; however, large quantities of cocaine transit the country from Colombia Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-86), $488 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $10 million Currency: bolivar (plural - bolivares); 1 bolivar (Bs) = 100 centimos Exchange rates: bolivares (Bs) per US$1 - 65.39 (March 1992), 56.82 (1991), 46.90 (1990), 34.68 (1989), 14.50 (fixed rate 1987-88)
:Venezuela Economy
Fiscal year: calendar year
:Venezuela Communications
Railroads: 542 km total; 363 km 1.435-meter standard gauge all single track, government owned; 179 km 1.435-meter gauge, privately owned Highways: 77,785 km total; 22,780 km paved, 24,720 km gravel, 14,450 km earth roads, and 15,835 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 7,100 km; Rio Orinoco and Lago de Maracaibo accept oceangoing vessels Pipelines: crude oil 6,370 km; petroleum products 480 km; natural gas 4,010 km Ports: Amuay Bay, Bajo Grande, El Tablazo, La Guaira, Puerto Cabello, Puerto Ordaz Merchant marine: 57 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 790,108 GRT/1,257,637 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 1 passenger cargo, 22 cargo, 1 container, 2 roll-on/roll-off, 17 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 2 liquefied gas, 8 bulk, 1 vehicle carrier, 1 combination bulk Civil air: 56 major transport aircraft Airports: 308 total, 287 usable; 135 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 14 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 88 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: modern and expanding; 1,440,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 181 AM, no FM, 59 TV, 26 shortwave; 3 submarine coaxial cables; satellite ground stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 3 domestic
:Venezuela Defense Forces
Branches: Ground Forces (Army), Naval Forces (including Navy, Marines, Coast Guard), Air Forces, Armed Forces of Cooperation (National Guard) Manpower availability: males 15-49, 5,365,880; 3,884,558 fit for military service; 210,737 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.95 billion, 4% of GDP (1991)
:Vietnam Geography
Total area: 329,560 km2 Land area: 325,360 Comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: 3,818 km total; Cambodia 982 km, China 1,281 km, Laos 1,555 km Coastline: 3,444 km; excludes islands Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: maritime boundary with Cambodia not defined; involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and possibly Brunei; unresolved maritime boundary with Thailand; maritime boundary dispute with China in the Gulf of Tonkin; Paracel Islands occupied by China but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan Climate: tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (mid-May to mid-September) and warm, dry season (mid-October to mid-March) Terrain: low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly, mountainous in far north and northwest Natural resources: phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil deposits, forests Land use: arable land 22%; permanent crops 2%; meadows and pastures 1%; forest and woodland 40%; other 35%; includes irrigated 5% Environment: occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding
:Vietnam People
Population: 68,964,018 (July 1992), growth rate 2.0% (1992) Birth rate: 29 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 47 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 63 years male, 67 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Vietnamese (singular and plural); adjective - Vietnamese Ethnic divisions: predominantly Vietnamese 85-90%; Chinese 3%; ethnic minorities include Muong, Thai, Meo, Khmer, Man, Cham; other mountain tribes Religions: Buddhist, Confucian, Taoist, Roman Catholic, indigenous beliefs, Islamic, Protestant Languages: Vietnamese (official), French, Chinese, English, Khmer, tribal languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian) Literacy: 88% (male 92%, female 84%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 32.7 million; agricultural 65%, industrial and service 35% (1990 est.) Organized labor: reportedly over 90% of wage and salary earners are members of the Vietnam Federation of Trade Unions (VFTU)
:Vietnam Government
Long-form name: Socialist Republic of Vietnam; abbreviated SRV Type: Communist state Capital: Hanoi Administrative divisions: 50 provinces (tinh, singular and plural), 3 municipalities* (thanh pho, singular and plural); An Giang, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Bac Thai, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Thuan, Can Tho, Cao Bang, Dac Las, Dong Nai, Dong Tay, Gia Lai, Ha Bac, Ha Giang, Ha Noi*, Ha Tay, Ha Tinh, Hai Hung, Hai Phong*, Ho Chi Minh*, Hoa Binh, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Minh Hai, Nam Ha, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam-Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Song Be, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phu, Yen Bai; note - diacritical marks are not included Independence: 2 September 1945 (from France) Constitution: 18 December 1980; new Constitution to be approved Spring 1992 Legal system: based on Communist legal theory and French civil law system National holiday: Independence Day, 2 September (1945) Executive branch: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Quoc-Hoi) Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Vo Chi CONG (since 18 June 1987) Head of Government: Prime Minister Vo Van KIET (since 9 August 1991); Deputy Prime Minister Phan Van KHAI (since 10 August 1991) Political parties and leaders: only party - Vietnam Communist Party (VCP), DO MUOI Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: National Assembly: last held 19 April 1987 (next to be held 19 July 1992); results - VCP is the only party; seats - (496 total) VCP or VCP-approved 496; note - number of seats under new government 395 Communists: nearly 2 million Member of: ACCT, AsDB, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBEC, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IIB, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: none Flag: red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center
:Vietnam Economy
Overview: This is a formerly centrally planned, developing economy with extensive government ownership and control of productive facilities. The economy is primarily agricultural; the sector employs about 70% of the labor force and accounts for half of GNP. Rice is the staple crop; substantial amounts of maize, sorghum, cassava, and sweet potatoes are also grown. The government permits sale of surplus grain on the open market. Most of the mineral resources are located in the north, including coal, which is an important export item. Oil was discovered off the southern coast in 1986 with production reaching 70,000 barrels per day in 1991 and expected to increase in the years ahead. Following the end of the war in 1975, heavy-handed government measures undermined efforts at an efficient merger of the agricultural resources of the south and the industrial resources of the north. The economy remains heavily dependent on foreign aid and has received assistance from UN agencies, France, Australia, Sweden, and Communist countries. Inflation, although down from recent triple-digit levels, is still a major weakness and is showing signs of accelerating upwards again. Per capita output is among the world's lowest. Since late 1986 the government has sponsored a broad reform program that seeks to turn more economic activity over to the private sector. GNP: exchange rate conversion - $15 billion, per capita $220; real growth rate 2.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 80% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $551 million; expenditures $830 million, including capital expenditures of $58 million (1990) Exports: $1.8 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: agricultural and handicraft products, coal, minerals, crude petroleum, ores, seafood partners: Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Eastern Europe, USSR Imports: $1.9 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: petroleum products, steel products, railroad equipment, chemicals, medicines, raw cotton, fertilizer, grain partners: Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Eastern Europe, USSR External debt: $16.8 billion (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -3.6% (1989); accounts for 30% of GNP Electricity: 3,300,000 kW capacity; 9,200 million kWh produced, 140 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food processing, textiles, machine building, mining, cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil, fishing Agriculture: accounts for half of GNP; paddy rice, corn, potatoes make up 50% of farm output; commercial crops (rubber, soybeans, coffee, tea, bananas) and animal products other 50%; since 1989 self-sufficient in food staple rice; fish catch of 943,100 metric tons (1989 est.)
:Vietnam Economy
Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-74), $3.1 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.9 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $61 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $12.0 billion Currency: new dong (plural - new dong); 1 new dong (D) = 100 xu Exchange rates: new dong (D) per US$1 - 11,100 (May 1992), 8,100 (July 1991), 7,280 (December 1990), 3,996 (March 1990), 2,047 (1988), 225 (1987); note - 1985-89 figures are end of year Fiscal year: calendar year
:Vietnam Communications
Railroads: 3,059 km total; 2,454 1.000-meter gauge, 151 km 1.435-meter (standard) gauge, 230 km dual gauge (three rails), and 224 km not restored to service after war damage Highways: about 85,000 km total; 9,400 km paved, 48,700 km gravel or improved earth, 26,900 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: about 17,702 km navigable; more than 5,149 km navigable at all times by vessels up to 1.8 meter draft Pipelines: petroleum products 150 km Ports: Da Nang, Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City Merchant marine: 89 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 400,430 GRT/643,877 DWT; includes 73 cargo 4 refrigerated cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off, 8 petroleum tanker, 3 bulk; note - Vietnam owns 11 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 134,719 DWT under the registries of Panama and Malta Civil air: controlled by military Airports: 100 total, 100 usable; 50 with permanent-surface runways; 10 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 20 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 25 telephones per 10,000 persons (1991); broadcast stations - 16 AM, 1 FM, 2 TV; 2,300,000 TV sets; 6,000,000 radio receivers; 3 satellite earth stations
:Vietnam Defense Forces
Branches: Ground, Navy (including Naval Infantry), Air Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 16,839,400; 10,739,128 fit for military service; 787,026 reach military age (17) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GNP
:Virgin Islands Geography
Total area: 352 km2 Land area: 349 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 188 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: subtropical, tempered by easterly tradewinds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November Terrain: mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land Natural resources: sun, sand, sea, surf Land use: arable land 15%; permanent crops 6%; meadows and pastures 26%; forest and woodland 6%; other 47% Environment: rarely affected by hurricanes; subject to frequent severe droughts, floods, earthquakes; lack of natural freshwater resources Note: important location 1,770 km southeast of Miami and 65 km east of Puerto Rico, along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural, deepwater harbors in the Caribbean
:Virgin Islands People
Population: 98,942 (July 1992), growth rate -1.0% (1992) Birth rate: 21 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -26 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 13 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 77 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.7 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Virgin Islander(s); adjective - Virgin Islander; US citizens Ethnic divisions: West Indian (45% born in the Virgin Islands and 29% born elsewhere in the West Indies) 74%, US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 5%, other 8%; black 80%, white 15%, other 5%; Hispanic origin 14% Religions: Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% Languages: English (official), but Spanish and Creole are widely spoken Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: 45,500 (1988) Organized labor: 90% of the government labor force
:Virgin Islands Government
Long-form name: Virgin Islands of the United States Type: organized, unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior Capital: Charlotte Amalie Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US) Independence: none (territory of the US) Constitution: Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 Legal system: based on US National holiday: Transfer Day (from Denmark to US), 31 March (1917) Executive branch: US president, popularly elected governor and lieutenant governor Legislative branch: unicameral Senate Judicial branch: US District Court handles civil matters over $50,000, felonies (persons 15 years of age and over), and federal cases; Territorial Court handles civil matters up to $50,000 small claims, juvenile, domestic, misdemeanors, and traffic cases Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President George BUSH (since 20 January 1989); Governor Alexander A. FARRELLY (since 5 January 1987); Lieutenant Governor Derek M. HODGE (since 5 January 1987) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Marilyn STAPLETON; Independent Citizens' Movement (ICM), Virdin C. BROWN; Republican Party, Charlotte-Poole DAVIS Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Governor: last held 6 November 1990 (next to be held November 1994); results - Governor Alexander FARRELLY (Democratic Party) 56.5% defeated Juan LUIS (independent) 38.5% Senate: last held 6 November 1990 (next to be held 3 November 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total) number of seats by party NA US House of Representatives: last held 6 November 1990 (next to be held 3 November 1992); results - Ron DE LUGO reelected as nonvoting delegate seats - (1 total); seat by party NA; note - the Virgin Islands elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives Member of: ECLAC (associate), IOC, applied for associate membership in OECS in February 1990 Diplomatic representation: none (territory of the US) Flag: white with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows an eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel
:Virgin Islands Economy
Overview: Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of employment. The manufacturing sector consists of textile, electronics, pharmaceutical, and watch assembly plants. The agricultural sector is small, most food being imported. International business and financial services are a small but growing component of the economy. The world's largest petroleum refinery is at Saint Croix. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $1.2 billion, per capita $11,000; real growth rate NA% (1987) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 2.0% (1990) Budget: revenues $364.4 million; expenditures $364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90) Exports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1988) commodities: refined petroleum products partners: US, Puerto Rico Imports: $3.7 billion (c.i.f., 1988) commodities: crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials partners: US, Puerto Rico External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 12% Electricity: 358,000 kW capacity; 532 million kWh produced, 5,360 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics Agriculture: truck gardens, food crops (small scale), fruit, sorghum, Senepol cattle Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $42 million Currency: US currency is used Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
:Virgin Islands Communications
Highways: 856 km total Ports: Saint Croix - Christiansted, Frederiksted; Saint Thomas - Long Bay, Crown Bay, Red Hook; Saint John - Cruz Bay Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m; international airports on Saint Thomas and Saint Croix Telecommunications: 44,280 telephones; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 8 FM, 4 TV; modern system using fiber-optic cable, submarine cable, microwave radio, and satellite facilities; 98,000 radios; 63,000 TV (1988)
:Virgin Islands Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the US
:Wake Island 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: none Coastline: 19.3 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claimed by the Republic of the Marshall Islands Climate: tropical Terrain: atoll of three coral islands built up on an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim; average elevation less than four meters Natural resources: none Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100% Environment: subject to occasional typhoons Note: strategic location 3,700 km west of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way between Hawaii and the Northern Mariana Islands; emergency landing location for transpacific flights
:Wake Island People
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; 381 temporary population (US Air Force personnel, civilian weather service personnel, and US and Thai contractors) (January 1992); note - population peaked about 1970 with over 1,600 persons during the Vietnam conflict
:Wake Island Government
Long-form name: none Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Air Force (under an agreement with the US Department of Interior) since 24 June 1972 Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC Flag: the US flag is used
:Wake Island Economy
Overview: Economic activity is limited to providing services to US military personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Electricity: supplied by US military
:Wake Island Communications
Ports: none; because of the reefs, there are only two offshore anchorages for large ships Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runways 2,440-3,659 m Telecommunications: underwater cables to Guam and through Midway to Honolulu; 1 Autovon circuit off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS); Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio and television service provided by satellite; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV Note: formerly an important commercial aviation base, now used only by US military and some commercial cargo planes
:Wake Island Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the US
:Wallis and Futuna Geography
Total area: 274 km2 Land area: 274 km2; includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets Comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 129 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October) Terrain: volcanic origin; low hills Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land 5%; permanent crops 20%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 75% Environment: both island groups have fringing reefs Note: located 4,600 km southwest of Honolulu in the South Pacific Ocean about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
:Wallis and Futuna People
Population: 17,095 (July 1992), growth rate 3.0% (1992) Birth rate: 27 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 8 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 29 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 70 years male, 71 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders; adjective - Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander Ethnic divisions: almost entirely Polynesian Religions: largely Roman Catholic Languages: French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language) Literacy: 50% (male 50%, female 51%) at all ages can read and write (1969) Labor force: NA Organized labor: NA
:Wallis and Futuna Government
Long-form name: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands Type: overseas territory of France Capital: Mata Utu (on Ile Uvea) Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France) Independence: none (overseas territory of France) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French National holiday: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Executive branch: French president, chief administrator; note - there are three traditional kings with limited powers Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly (Assemblee Territoriale) Judicial branch: none; justice generally administered under French law by the chief administrator, but the three traditional kings administer customary law and there is a magistrate in Mata Utu Leaders: Chief of State: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) Head of Government: Chief Administrator Robert POMMIES (since 26 September 1990) Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR); Union Populaire Locale (UPL); Union Pour la Democratie Francaise (UDF); Lua kae tahi (Giscardians); Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche (MRG) Suffrage: universal adult at age 18 Elections: Territorial Assembly: last held 15 March 1987 (next to be held NA March 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (20 total) RPR 7, UPL 5, UDF 4, UNF 4 French Senate: last held NA September 1989 (next to be held by NA September 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) RPR 1 French National Assembly: last held 12 June 1988 (next to be held by NA September 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) MRG 1 Member of: FZ, SPC Diplomatic representation: as an overseas territory of France, local interests are represented in the US by France Flag: the flag of France is used
:Wallis and Futuna Economy
Overview: The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of the labor force earning its livelihood from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. About 4% of the population is employed in government. Revenues come from French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New Caledonia. Wallis and Futuna imports food, fuel, clothing, machinery, and transport equipment, but its exports are negligible, consisting of copra and handicrafts. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $25 million, per capita $1,500; real growth rate NA% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $2.7 million; expenditures $2.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1983) Exports: negligible commodities: copra, handicrafts partners: NA Imports: $13.3 million (c.i.f., 1984) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, transportation equipment, fuel partners: France, Australia, New Zealand External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 1,200 kW capacity; 1 million kWh produced, 70 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber Agriculture: dominated by coconut production, with subsistence crops of yams, taro, bananas, and herds of pigs and goats Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $118 million Currency: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (plural - francs); 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 102.53 (March 1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.0 (1990), 115.99 (1989), 108.30 (1988), 109.27 (1987); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc Fiscal year: NA
:Wallis and Futuna Communications
Highways: 100 km on Ile Uvea, 16 km sealed; 20 km earth surface on Ile Futuna Inland waterways: none Ports: Mata-Utu, Leava Airports: 2 total; 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 225 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV
:Wallis and Futuna Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of France
:West Bank Header
Note: The war between Israel and the Arab states in June 1967 ended with Israel in control of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Sinai, and the Golan Heights. As stated in the 1978 Camp David Accords and reaffirmed by President Bush's post-Gulf crisis peace initiative, the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, their relationship with their neighbors, and a peace treaty between Israel and Jordan are to be negotiated among the concerned parties. Camp David further specifies that these negotiations will resolve the respective boundaries. Pending the completion of this process, it is US policy that the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip has yet to be determined. In the view of the US, the term West Bank describes all of the area west of the Jordan River under Jordanian administration before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. However, with respect to negotiations envisaged in the framework agreement, it is US policy that a distinction must be made between Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank because of the city's special status and circumstances. Therefore, a negotiated solution for the final status of Jerusalem could be different in character from that of the rest of the West Bank.
:West Bank Geography
Total area: 5,860 km2 Land area: 5,640 km2; includes West Bank, East Jerusalem, Latrun Salient, Jerusalem No Man's Land, and the northwest quarter of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus Comparative area: slightly larger than Delaware Land boundaries: 404 km total; Israel 307 km, Jordan 97 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: Israeli occupied with status to be determined Climate: temperate, temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters Terrain: mostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west, but barren in east Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land 27%, permanent crops 0%, meadows and pastures 32%, forest and woodland 1%, other 40% Environment: highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastal aquifers Note: landlocked; there are 175 Jewish settlements in the West Bank and 14 Israeli-built Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem
:West Bank People
Population: 1,362,464 (July 1992), growth rate 3.1% (1992); in addition, there are 95,000 Jewish settlers in the West Bank and 132,000 in East Jerusalem (1992 est.) Birth rate: 35 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 37 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 68 years male, 71 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: NA Ethnic divisions: Palestinian Arab and other 88%, Jewish 12% Religions: Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 80%, Jewish 12%, Christian and other 8% Languages: Arabic, Israeli settlers speak Hebrew, English widely understood Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: NA; excluding Israeli Jewish settlers - small industry, commerce, and business 29.8%, construction 24.2%, agriculture 22.4%, service and other 23.6% (1984) Organized labor: NA
:West Bank Government
Long-form name: none Note: The West Bank is currently governed by Israeli military authorities and Israeli civil administration. It is US policy that the final status of the West Bank will be determined by negotiations among the concerned parties. These negotiations will determine how the area is to governed.
:West Bank Economy
Overview: Economic progress in the West Bank has been hampered by Israeli military administration and the effects of the Palestinian uprising (intifadah). Industries using advanced technology or requiring sizable investment have been discouraged by a lack of local capital and restrictive Israeli policies. Capital investment consists largely of residential housing, not productive assets that would enable local firms to compete with Israeli industry. A major share of GNP is derived from remittances of workers employed in Israel and Persian Gulf states, but such transfers from the Gulf dropped dramatically after Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990. In the wake of the Persian Gulf crisis, many Palestinians have returned to the West Bank, increasing unemployment, and export revenues have plunged because of the loss of markets in Jordan and the Gulf states. Israeli measures to curtail the intifadah also have pushed unemployment up and lowered living standards. The area's economic outlook remains bleak. GNP: exchange rate conversion - $1.3 billion, per capita $1,200; real growth rate -10% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (1990 est.) Budget: revenues $31.0 million; expenditures $36.1 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY88) Exports: $150 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.) commodities: NA partners: Jordan, Israel Imports: $410 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.) commodities: NA partners: Jordan, Israel External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 1% (1989); accounts for about 4% of GNP 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 in the settlements and industrial centers Agriculture: accounts for about 15% of GNP; olives, citrus and other fruits, vegetables, beef, and dairy products Economic aid: NA Currency: new Israeli shekel (plural - shekels) and Jordanian dinar (plural - dinars); 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot and 1 Jordanian dinar (JD) = 1,000 fils
:West Bank Economy
Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 2.4019 (March 1992), 2.2791 (1991), 2.0162 (1990), 1.9164 (1989), 1.5989 (1988), 1.5946 (1987); Jordanian dinars (JD) per US$1 - 0.6760 (January 1992), 0.6810 (1991), 0.6636 (1990), 0.5704 (1989), 0.3709 (1988), 0.3387 (1987) Fiscal year: previously 1 April - 31 March; FY91 was 1 April - 31 December, and since 1 January 1992 the fiscal year has conformed to the calendar year
:West Bank Communications
Highways: small road network, Israelis developing east-west axial highways to service new settlements Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: open-wire telephone system currently being upgraded; broadcast stations - no AM, no FM, no TV
:West Bank Defense Forces
Branches: NA Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
:Western Sahara Geography
Total area: 266,000 km2 Land area: 266,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Colorado Land boundaries: 2,046 km total; Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km Coastline: 1,110 km Maritime claims: contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue Disputes: claimed and administered by Morocco, but sovereignty is unresolved and the UN is attempting to hold a referendum on the issue; the UN-administered cease-fire has been currently in effect since September 1991 Climate: hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore currents produce fog and heavy dew Terrain: mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore Land use: arable land NEGL%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 19%; forest and woodland 0%; other 81% Environment: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility; sparse water and arable land
:Western Sahara People
Population: 201,467 (July 1992), growth rate 2.6% (1992) Birth rate: 48 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 20 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 159 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 43 years male, 45 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 7.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s); adjective - Sahrawian, Sahraouian Ethnic divisions: Arab and Berber Religions: Muslim Languages: Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: 12,000; 50% animal husbandry and subsistence farming Organized labor: NA
:Western Sahara Government
Long-form name: none Type: legal status of territory and question of sovereignty unresolved; territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), which in February 1976 formally proclaimed a government in exile of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR); territory partitioned between Morocco and Mauritania in April 1976, with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds; Mauritania, under pressure from Polisario guerrillas, abandoned all claims to its portion in August 1979; Morocco moved to occupy that sector shortly thereafter and has since asserted administrative control; the Polisario's government in exile was seated as an OAU member in 1984; guerrilla activities continued sporadically, until a UN-monitored cease-fire was implemented 6 September 1991 Capital: none Administrative divisions: none (under de facto control of Morocco) Leaders: none Member of: none Diplomatic representation: none
:Western Sahara Economy
Overview: Western Sahara, a territory poor in natural resources and having little rainfall, has a per capita GDP of roughly $300. Pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining are the principal sources of income for the population. Most of the food for the urban population must be imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled by the Moroccan Government. GDP: $60 million, per capita $300; real growth rate NA% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $8 million (f.o.b., 1982 est.) commodities: phosphates 62% partners: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts Imports: $30 million (c.i.f., 1982 est.) commodities: fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs partners: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 60,000 kW capacity; 79 million kWh produced, 425 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: phosphate, fishing, handicrafts Agriculture: limited largely to subsistence agriculture; some barley is grown in nondrought years; fruit and vegetables are grown in the few oases; food imports are essential; camels, sheep, and goats are kept by the nomadic natives; cash economy exists largely for the garrison forces Economic aid: NA Currency: Moroccan dirham (plural - dirhams); 1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1 - 8.889 (March 1992), 8.071 (1991), 8.242 (1990), 8.488 (1989), 8.209 (1988), 8.359 (1987) Fiscal year: NA
:Western Sahara Communications
Highways: 6,200 km total; 1,450 km surfaced, 4,750 km improved and unimproved earth roads and tracks Ports: El Aaiun, Ad Dakhla Airports: 13 total, 13 usable; 3 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 5 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: sparse and limited system; tied into Morocco's system by microwave, tropospheric scatter, and 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations linked to Rabat, Morocco; 2,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 2 TV
:Western Sahara Defense Forces
Branches: NA Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
:Western Samoa Geography
Total area: 2,860 km2 Land area: 2,850 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Rhode Island Land boundaries: none Coastline: 403 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; rainy season (October to March), dry season (May to October) Terrain: narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interior Natural resources: hardwood forests, fish Land use: arable land 19%; permanent crops 24%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forest and woodland 47%; other 10% Environment: subject to occasional typhoons; active volcanism Note: located 4,300 km southwest of Honolulu in the South Pacific Ocean about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand
:Western Samoa People
Population: 194,992 (July 1992), growth rate 2.4% (1992) Birth rate: 34 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -4 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 40 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 70 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Western Samoan(s); adjective - Western Samoan Ethnic divisions: Samoan; Euronesians (persons of European and Polynesian blood) about 7%, Europeans 0.4% Religions: Christian 99.7% (about half of population associated with the London Missionary Society; includes Congregational, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Latter Day Saints, Seventh-Day Adventist) Languages: Samoan (Polynesian), English Literacy: 97% (male 97%, female 97%) age 15 and over can read and write (1971) Labor force: 38,000; 22,000 employed in agriculture (1987 est.) Organized labor: Public Service Association (PSA)
:Western Samoa Government
Long-form name: Independent State of Western Samoa Type: constitutional monarchy under native chief Capital: Apia Administrative divisions: 11 districts; A`ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa`asaleleaga, Gaga`emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa`itea, Tuamasaga, Va`a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano Independence: 1 January 1962 (from UN trusteeship administered by New Zealand) Constitution: 1 January 1962 Legal system: based on English common law and local customs; judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day, 1 June Executive branch: chief, Executive Council, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (Fono) Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State: Chief Susuga Malietoa TANUMAFILI II (Co-Chief of State from 1 January 1962 until becoming sole Chief of State on 5 April 1963) Head of Government: Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana (since 7 April 1988) Political parties and leaders: Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), TOFILAU Eti, chairman; Samoan National Development Party (SNDP), VA'AI Kolone, chairman Suffrage: universal adult over age 21, but only matai (head of family) are able to run for the Legislative Assembly Elections: Legislative Assembly: last held NA February 1991 (next to be held by NA February 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (47 total) HRPP 30, SNDP 14, independents 3 Member of: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IOC, ITU, LORCS, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Fili (Felix) Tuaopepe WENDT; Chancery (temporary) at suite 510, 1155 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005; telephone (202) 833-1743 US: the ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to Western Samoa (mailing address is P.O. Box 3430, Apia); telephone (685) 21-631; FAX (685) 22-030 Flag: red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation
:Western Samoa Economy
Overview: Agriculture employs more than half of the labor force, contributes 50% to GDP, and furnishes 90% of exports. The bulk of export earnings comes from the sale of coconut oil and copra. The economy depends on emigrant remittances and foreign aid to support a level of imports several times export earnings. Tourism has become the most important growth industry, and construction of the first international hotel is under way. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $115 million, per capita $690 (1989); real growth rate -4.5% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1990) Unemployment rate: NA%; shortage of skilled labor Budget: revenues $95.3 million; expenditures $95.4 million, including capital expenditures of $41 million (FY92) Exports: $9 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: coconut oil and cream 54%, taro 12%, copra 9%, cocoa 3% partners: NZ 28%, American Samoa 23%, Germany 22%, US 6% (1990) Imports: $75 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: intermediate goods 58%, food 17%, capital goods 12% partners: New Zealand 41%, Australia 18%, Japan 13%, UK 6%, US 6% External debt: $83 million (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -4% (1990 est.); accounts for 14% of GDP Electricity: 29,000 kW capacity; 45 million kWh produced, 240 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: timber, tourism, food processing, fishing Agriculture: accounts for 50% of GDP; coconuts, fruit (including bananas, taro, yams) Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $18 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $306 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $4 million Currency: tala (plural - tala); 1 tala (WS$) = 100 sene Exchange rates: tala (WS$) per US$1 - 2,4284 (March 1992), 2,3975 (1991), 2.3095 (1990), 2.2686 (1989), 2.0790 (1988), 2.1204 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Western Samoa Communications
Highways: 2,042 km total; 375 km sealed; remainder mostly gravel, crushed stone, or earth Ports: Apia Merchant marine: 1 roll-on/roll-off ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,838 GRT/5,536 DWT Civil air: 3 major transport aircraft Airports: 3 total, 3 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 7,500 telephones; 70,000 radios; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT ground station
:Western Samoa Defense Forces
Branches: Department of Police and Prisons Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
:World Geography
Total area: 510,072,000 km2 Land area: 148,940,000 km2 (29.2%) Comparative area: land area about 16 times the size of the US Land boundaries: 442,000 km Coastline: 356,000 km Maritime claims: range from 3 to 200 nm; 1 claim is rectangular; 112 states claim a 12 nm limit; note - boundary situations with neighboring states prevent many countries from extending their fishing or economic zones to a full 200 nm; 41 nations and other areas are landlocked and include Afghanistan, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Paraguay, Rwanda, San Marino, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, West Bank, Zambia, Zimbabwe Contiguous zone: 39 states claim contiguous zone, 33 of which have 24 nm limits Continental shelf: approximately 78 states have specific continental shelf claims, the limit of 42 claims is based on depth (200 m) plus exploitability, 21 claims define the continental shelf as 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Exclusive fishing zone: 23 claims with limits ranging from 12 nm to 200 nm Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): 83 states claim an EEZ, with most limits being 200 nm Territorial sea: claims range from 3 to 200 nm, 112 states claim a 12 nm limit; note - 41 nations and miscellaneous areas are landlocked and comprise Afghanistan, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Byelarus, Central African Republic, Chad, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macebia, Zimbabwe Disputes: major international land boundary or territorial diputes - Bahrain-Qatar, Chad-Libya, China-India, China-Russia, Ecuador-Peru, El Salvador-Honduras, Israel-Jordan, Israel-Syria, Japan-Russia, North Korea-South Korea, Saudi Arabia-Yemen, South China Sea Climate: two large areas of polar climates separated by two rather narrow temperate zones from a wide equatorial band of tropical to subtropical climates Terrain: highest elevation is Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters and lowest depression is the Dead Sea at 392 meters below sea level; greatest ocean depth is the Marianas Trench at 10,924 meters Natural resources: the rapid using up of nonrenewable mineral resources, the depletion of forest areas and wetlands, the extinction of animal and plant species, and the deterioration in air and water quality (especially in Eastern Europe and the former USSR) pose serious long-term problems that governments and peoples are only beginning to address Land use: arable land 10%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 24%; forest and woodland 31%; other 34%; includes irrigated 1.6%
:World Geography
Environment: large areas subject to severe weather (tropical cyclones), natural disasters (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions), overpopulation, industrial disasters, pollution (air, water, acid rain, toxic substances), loss of vegetation (overgrazing, deforestation, desertification), loss of wildlife resources, soil degradation, soil depletion, erosion
:World People
Population: 5,515,617,484 (July 1992), growth rate 1.7% (1992) Birth rate: 26 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 63 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 61 years male, 65 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.3 children born/woman (1992) Literacy: 74% (male 81%, female 67%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2.24 billion (1992) Organized labor: NA
:World Government
Administrative divisions: 187 sovereign nations plus 72 dependent, other, and miscellaneous areas Legal system: varies by individual country; 182 are parties to the United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ or World Court) Diplomatic representation: there are 178 members of the UN
:World Economy
Overview: Aggregate world output in 1991 increased by 1.3%, in contrast to estimated 2% growth in 1990 and 3% growth in 1989. In 1991, the developed countries grew by 2.5% and the LDCs by 3.5%, these gains being offset by a 10-15% drop in the former Communist-dominated areas of the USSR and Eastern Europe. As usual, results among individual countries differed widely. In the developed group, Japan led with 4.5%, the West European members averaged 1.2%, and the recession-plagued United States lagged,with GDP down 0.7%. As for the 15 former Soviet republics and the seven nations of Eastern Europe, output plummeted in many economic sectors because of fundamental changes in the rules of the game and in the channels of production and exchange. China and the Four Dragons performed well in 1991 but many of the other developing countries are mired in poverty and political instability. For the world as a whole, the addition of nearly 100 million people each year to an already overcrowded globe will exacerbate the problems of pollution, desertification, underemployment, epidemics, and famine. GWP (gross world product): purchasing power equivalent - $25 trillion, per capita $4,600; real growth rate 1.3% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): developed countries 5%; developing countries 50%, with wide variations (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Exports: $3.34 trillion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and services partners: in value, about 75% of exports from developed countries Imports: $3.49 trillion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and services partners: in value, about 75% of imports by the developed countries External debt: $1.0 trillion for less developed countries (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 3% (1990 est.) Electricity: 2,864,000,000 kW capacity; 11,450,000 million kWh produced, 2,150 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: industry worldwide is dominated by the onrush of technology, especially in computers, robotics, telecommunications, and medicines and medical equipment; most of these advances take place in OECD nations; only a small portion of non-OECD countries have succeeded in rapidly adjusting to these technological forces, and the technological gap between the industrial nations and the less-developed countries continues to widen; the rapid development of new industrial (and agricultural) technology is complicating already grim environmental problems
:World Economy
Agriculture: the production of major food crops has increased substantially in the last 20 years. The annual production of cereals, for instance, has risen by 50%, from about 1.2 billion metric tons to about 1.8 billion metric tons; production increases have resulted mainly from increased yields rather than increases in planted areas; while global production is sufficient for aggregate demand, about one-fifth of the world's population remains malnourished, primarily because local production cannot adequately provide for large and rapidly growing populations, which are too poor to pay for food imports; conditions are especially bad in Africa where drought in recent years has exacerbated the consequences of all other factors Economic aid: NA
:World Communications
Railroads: 239,430 km of narrow gauge track; 710,754 km of standard gauge track; 251,153 km of broad gauge track; includes about 190,000 to 195,000 km of electrified routes of which 147,760 km are in Europe, 24,509 km in the Far East, 11,050 km in Africa, 4,223 km in South America, and only 4,160 km in North America; fastest speed in daily service is 300 km/hr attained by France's SNCF TGV-Atlantique line Ports: Mina al Ahmadi (Kuwait), Chiba, Houston, Kawasaki, Kobe, Marseille, New Orleans, New York, Rotterdam, Yokohama Merchant marine: 23,596 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 386,736,000 GRT/637,493,000 DWT; includes 348 passenger-cargo, 12,441 freighters, 5,446 bulk carriers, and 5,361 tankers (January 1991) Civil air: 14,500-16,000 major transport aircraft with gross take-off weight of 9,000 kg (20,000 lbs) or more (1992 est.)
:World Defense Forces
Branches: ground, maritime, and air forces at all levels of technology Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,400,000,000; NA fit for military service Defense expenditures: $1.0 trillion, 4% of total world output; decline of 5-10% (1991 est.)
:Yemen Geography
Total area: 527,970 km2 Land area: 527,970 km2; includes Perim, Socotra, the former Yemen Arab Republic (YAR or North Yemen), and the former People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY or South Yemen) Comparative area: slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming Land boundaries: 1,746 km total; Oman 288 km, Saudi Arabia 1,458 km Coastline: 1,906 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: North - 18 nm; South - 24 nm Continental shelf: North - 200 meters (depth); South - edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: undefined section of boundary with Saudi Arabia; Administrative Line with Oman; there is a proposed treaty with Oman (which has not yet been formerly accepted) to settle the Yemeni-Omani boundary Climate: mostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in western mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry, harsh desert in east Terrain: narrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged mountains; dissected upland desert plains in center slope into the desert interior of the Arabian Peninsula Natural resources: crude oil, fish, rock salt, marble; small deposits of coal, gold, lead, nickel, and copper; fertile soil in west Land use: arable land 6%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 30%; forest and woodland 7%; other 57%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: subject to sand and dust storms in summer; scarcity of natural freshwater resources; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Note: controls Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, one of world's most active shipping lanes
:Yemen People
Population: 10,394,749 (July 1992), growth rate 3.3% (1992) Birth rate: 51 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 16 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -3 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 118 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 49 years male, 52 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 7.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Yemeni(s); adjective - Yemeni Ethnic divisions: North - Arab 90%, Afro-Arab (mixed) 10%; South - almost all Arabs; a few Indians, Somalis, and Europeans Religions: North - Muslim almost 100% (45% Sunni and 55% Zaydi Shi`a); NEGL Jewish; South - Sunni Muslim, some Christian and Hindu Languages: Arabic Literacy: 38% (male 53%, female 26%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: North - NA number of workers with agriculture and herding 70%, and expatriate laborers 30% (est.); South - 477,000 with agriculture 45.2%, services 21.2%, construction 13.4%, industry 10.6%, commerce and other 9.6% (1983) Organized labor: North - NA; South - 348,200 and the General Confederation of Workers of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen had 35,000 members
:Yemen Government
Long-form name: Republic of Yemen Type: republic Capital: Sanaa Administrative divisions: 17 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Abyan, `Adan, Al Bayda', Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Al Mahrah, Al Mahwit, Dhamar, Hadramawt, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahij, Ma'rib, Sa`dah, San`a', Shabwah, Ta`izz Independence: Republic of Yemen was established on 22 May 1990 with the merger of the Yemen Arab Republic {Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen} and the Marxist-dominated People's Democratic Republic of Yemen {Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen}; previously North Yemen had become independent on NA November 1918 (from the Ottoman Empire) and South Yemen had become independent on 30 November 1967 (from the UK); the union is to be solidified during a 30-month transition period, which coincides with the remainder of the five-year terms of both legislatures Constitution: 16 April 1991 Legal system: based on Islamic law, Turkish law, English common law, and local customary law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Proclamation of the Republic, 22 May (1990) Executive branch: five-member Presidential Council (president, vice president, two members from northern Yemen and one member from southern Yemen), prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives Judicial branch: North - State Security Court; South - Federal High Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President `Ali `Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May 1990, the former president of North Yemen); Vice President Ali Salim al-BIDH (since 22 May 1990, and Secretary General of the Yemeni Socialist Party); Presidential Council Member Salim Salih MUHAMMED; Presidential Council Member Kadi Abdul-Karim al-ARASHI; Presidential Council Member Abdul-Aziz ABDUL-GHANI; Prime Minister Haydar Abu Bakr al-`ATTAS (since 22 May 1990, former president of South Yemen) Political parties and leaders: General People's Congress, `Ali `Abdallah SALIH; Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP; formerly South Yemen's ruling party - a coalition of National Front, Ba`th, and Communist Parties), Ali Salim al-BIDH; Yemen Grouping for Reform or Islaah, Abdallah Husayn AHMAR Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Representatives: last held NA (next to be held NA November 1992); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (301); number of seats by party NA; note - the 301 members of the new House of Representatives come from North Yemen's Consultative Assembly (159 members), South Yemen's Supreme People's Council (111 members), and appointments by the New Presidential Council (31 members) Communists: small number in North, greater but unknown number in South
:Yemen Government
Other political or pressure groups: conservative tribal groups, Muslim Brotherhood, leftist factions - pro-Iraqi Ba`thists, Nasirists, National Democratic Front (NDF) Member of: ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Muhsin Ahmad al-AYNI; Chancery at Suite 840, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 965-4760 or 4761; there is a Yemeni Consulate General in Detroit and a Consulate in San Francisco US: Ambassador Arthur H. HUGHES; Embassy at Dhahr Himyar Zone, Sheraton Hotel District, Sanaa (mailing address is P. O. Box 22347 Sanaa, Republic of Yemen or Sanaa - Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-6330); telephone [967] (2) 238-842 through 238-852; FAX [967] (2) 251-563 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; similar to the flag of Syria which has two green stars and of Iraq which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt which has a symbolic eagle centered in the white band
:Yemen Economy
Overview: Whereas the northern city Sanaa is the political capital of a united Yemen, the southern city Aden, with its refinery and port facilities, is the economic and commercial capital. Future economic development depends heavily on Western-assisted development of promising oil resources. South Yemen's willingness to merge stemmed partly from the steady decline in Soviet economic support. Overview: North: The low level of domestic industry and agriculture have made northern Yemen dependent on imports for virtually all of its essential needs. Large trade deficits have been made up for by remittances from Yemenis working abroad and foreign aid. Once self-sufficient in food production, northern Yemen has become a major importer. Land once used for export crops - cotton, fruit, and vegetables - has been turned over to growing qat, a mildly narcotic shrub chewed by Yemenis which has no significant export market. Oil export revenues started flowing in late 1987 and boosted 1988 earnings by about $800 million. South: This has been one of the poorest Arab countries, with a per capita GNP of about $500. A shortage of natural resources, a widely dispersed population, and an arid climate have made economic development difficult. The economy has grown at an average annual rate of only 2-3% since the mid-1970s. The economy had been organized along socialist lines, dominated by the public sector. Economic growth has been constrained by a lack of incentives, partly stemming from centralized control over production decisions, investment allocation, and import choices. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $5.3 billion, per capita $545; real growth rate NA% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): North: 16.9% (1988) South: 0% (1989) Unemployment rate: North: 13% (1986) South: NA% Budget: North: revenues $1.4 billion; expenditures $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $590 million (1988 est.) South: revenues and grants $435 million; expenditures $1.0 billion, including capital expenditure of $460 million (1988 est.) Exports: North: $606 million (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: crude oil, cotton, coffee, hides, vegetables partners: FRG 29%, US 26%, Netherlands 12% South: $113.8 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.) commodities: cotton, hides, skins, dried and salted fish
:Yemen Economy
partners: Japan, North Yemen, Italy Imports: North: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1988) Imports: commodities: textiles and other manufactured consumer goods, petroleum products, sugar, grain, flour, other foodstuffs, and cement partners: Saudi Arabia 12%, France 6%, US 5%, Australia 5% (1985) South: $553.9 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.) commodities: grain, consumer goods, crude oil, machinery, chemicals partners: USSR, UK, Ethiopia External debt: $5.75 billion (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: North: growth rate 2% in manufacturing (1988) South: growth rate NA% in manufacturing Electricity: 700,000 kW capacity; 1,200 million kWh produced, 120 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: crude oil production and petroleum refining; small-scale production of cotton textiles and leather goods; food processing; handicrafts; fishing; small aluminum products factory; cement Agriculture: North: accounted for 26% of GDP and 70% of labor force; farm products - grain, fruits, vegetables, qat (mildly narcotic shrub), coffee, cotton, dairy, poultry, meat, goat meat; not self-sufficient in grain South: accounted for 17% of GNP and 45% of labor force; products - grain, qat (mildly narcotic shrub), coffee, fish, livestock; fish and honey major exports; most food imported Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $389 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.0 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $3.2 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $2.4 billion Currency: North Yemeni riyal (plural - riyals); 1 North Yemeni riyal (YR) = 100 fils; South Yemeni dinar (plural - dinars); 1 South Yemeni dinar (YD) = 1,000 fils Exchange rates: North Yemeni riyals (YR) per US$1 - 12,1000 (June 1992), 12.0000 (1991), 9.7600 (1990), 9.7600 (January 1989), 9.7717 (1988), 10.3417 (1987); South Yemeni dinars (YD) per US$1 - 0.3454 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Yemen Communications
Highways: 15,500 km; 4,000 km paved, 11,500 km natural surface (est.) Pipelines: crude oil 644 km, petroleum products 32 km Ports: Aden, Al Hudaydah, Al Khalf, Mocha, Nishtun, Ra's Kathib, Salif Merchant marine: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,309 GRT/6,568 DWT; includes 2 cargo, 1 petroleum tanker Civil air: 11 major transport aircraft Airports: 46 total, 40 usable; 10 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 20 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 11 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: since unification in 1990, efforts are being made to create a national domestic civil telecommunications network and to revitalize the infrastructure of a united Yemen; the network consists of microwave, cable and troposcatter; 65,000 telephones (est.); broadcast stations - 4 AM, 1 FM, 10 TV; satellite earth stations - 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Intersputnik, 2 ARABSAT; microwave to Saudi Arabia, and Djibouti
:Yemen Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,981,710; 1,127,391 fit for military service; 130,405 reach military age (14) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.06 billion, 20% of GDP (1990)
:Zaire Geography
Total area: 2,345,410 km2 Land area: 2,267,600 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than one-quarter the size of US Land boundaries: 10,271 km total; Angola 2,511 km, Burundi 233 km, Central African Republic 1,577 km, Congo 2,410 km, Rwanda 217 km, Sudan 628 km, Uganda 765 km, Zambia 1,930 km Coastline: 37 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: Tanzania-Zaire-Zambia tripoint in Lake Tanganyika may no longer be indefinite since it is reported that the indefinite section of the Zaire-Zambia boundary has been settled; long section with Congo along the Congo River is indefinite (no division of the river or its islands has been made) Climate: tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator - wet season April to October, dry season December to February; south of Equator - wet season November to March, dry season April to October Terrain: vast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in east Natural resources: cobalt, copper, cadmium, crude oil, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, germanium, uranium, radium, bauxite, iron ore, coal, hydropower potential Land use: arable land 3%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 4%; forest and woodland 78%; other 15%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands; periodic droughts in south Note: straddles Equator; very narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo River and is only outlet to South Atlantic Ocean
:Zaire People
Population: 39,084,400 (July 1992), growth rate 3.3% (1992) Birth rate: 45 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 97 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 52 years male, 56 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Zairian(s); adjective - Zairian Ethnic divisions: over 200 African ethnic groups, the majority are Bantu; four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of the population Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other syncretic sects and traditional beliefs 10% Languages: French (official), Lingala, Swahili, Kingwana, Kikongo, Tshiluba Literacy: 72% (male 84%, female 61%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 15,000,000; agriculture 75%, industry 13%, services 12%; wage earners 13% (1981); population of working age 51% (1985) Organized labor: National Union of Zairian Workers (UNTZA) was the only officially recognized trade union until April 1990; other unions are now in process of seeking official recognition
:Zaire Government
Long-form name: Republic of Zaire Type: republic with a strong presidential system Capital: Kinshasa Administrative divisions: 10 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 town* (ville); Bandundu, Bas-Zaire, Equateur, Haut-Zaire, Kasai-Occidental, Kasai-Oriental, Kinshasa*, Maniema, Nord-Kivu, Shaba, Sud-Kivu Independence: 30 June 1960 (from Belgium; formerly Belgian Congo, then Congo/Leopoldville, then Congo/Kinshasa) Constitution: 24 June 1967, amended August 1974, revised 15 February 1978; amended April 1990; new constitution to be promulgated in 1992 Legal system: based on Belgian civil law system and tribal law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Anniversary of the Regime (Second Republic), 24 November (1965) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Executive Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (Conseil Legislatif) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State: President Marshal MOBUTU Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga (since 24 November 1965) Head of Government: Prime Minister Jean NGUZ a Karl-i-Bond (since 26 November 1991) Political parties and leaders: sole legal party until January 1991 - Popular Movement of the Revolution (MPR); other parties include Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), Etienne TSHISEKEDI wa Mulumba; Democratic Social Christian Party (PDSC), Joseph ILEO; Union of Federalists and Independent Republicans (UFERI), NGUZ a Karl-I-Bond; and Congolese National Movement-Lumumba (MNC-L) Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 18 Elections: President: last held 29 July 1984 (next to be scheduled by ongoing National Conference); results - President MOBUTU was reelected without opposition Legislative Council: last held 6 September 1987 (next to be scheduled by ongoing National Conference); results - MPR was the only party; seats - (210 total) MPR 210; note - MPR still holds majority of seats but some deputies have joined other parties Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, APC, CCC, CEEAC, CEPGL, CIPEC, ECA, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador TATANENE Manata; Chancery at 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 234-7690 or 7691
:Zaire Government
US: Ambassador Melissa F. WELLS; Embassy at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa (mailing address is APO AE 09828); telephone [243] (12) 21532, 21628; FAX [243] (12) 21232; the US Consulate General in Lubumbashi was closed and evacuated in October 1991 because of the poor security situation Flag: light green with a yellow disk in the center bearing a black arm holding a red flaming torch; the flames of the torch are blowing away from the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
:Zaire Economy
Overview: In 1990, in spite of large mineral resources Zaire had a GDP per capita of only about $260, putting it among the desperately poor African nations. The country's chronic economic problems worsened in 1991, with copper and cobalt production down 20-30%, inflation near 8,000% in 1991 as compared with 100% in 1987-89, and IMF and most World Bank support suspended until the institution of agreed-on changes. Agriculture, a key sector of the economy, employs 75% of the population but generates under 25% of GDP. The main potential for economic development has been the extractive industries. Mining and mineral processing account for about one-third of GDP and three-quarters of total export earnings. Zaire is the world's largest producer of diamonds and cobalt. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $9.8 billion, per capita $260; real growth rate -3% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8,000% (1991) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $685 million; expenditures $1.1 billion, does not include capital expenditures mostly financed by donors (1990) Exports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.) commodities: copper 37%, coffee 24%, diamonds 12%, cobalt, crude oil partners: US, Belgium, France, FRG, Italy, UK, Japan, South Africa Imports: $2.1 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.) commodities: consumer goods, foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment, fuels partners: South Africa, US, Belgium, France, FRG, Italy, Japan, UK External debt: $7.9 billion (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -7.3%; accounts for almost 30% of GDP (1989) Electricity: 2,580,000 kW capacity; 6,000 million kWh produced, 160 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: mining, mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, and cigarettes), processed foods and beverages, cement, diamonds Agriculture: cash crops - coffee, palm oil, rubber, quinine; food crops - cassava, bananas, root crops, corn Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for domestic consumption Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.1 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $6.9 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $35 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $263 million Currency: zaire (singular and plural); 1 zaire (Z) = 100 makuta Exchange rates: zaire (Z) per US$1 - 111,196 (March 1992), 15,587 (1991), 719 (1990), 381 (1989), 187 (1988), 112 (1987)
:Zaire Economy
Fiscal year: calendar year
:Zaire Communications
Railroads: 5,254 km total; 3,968 km 1.067-meter gauge (851 km electrified); 125 km 1.000-meter gauge; 136 km 0.615-meter gauge; 1,025 km 0.600-meter gauge; limited trackage in use because of civil strife Highways: 146,500 km total; 2,800 km paved, 46,200 km gravel and improved earth; 97,500 unimproved earth Inland waterways: 15,000 km including the Congo, its tributaries, and unconnected lakes Pipelines: petroleum products 390 km Ports: Matadi, Boma, Banana Merchant marine: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,921 GRT/30,332 DWT; includes 1 passenger cargo, 1 cargo Civil air: 45 major transport aircraft Airports: 284 total, 239 usable; 24 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 6 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 73 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: barely adequate wire and microwave service; broadcast stations - 10 AM, 4 FM, 18 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 14 domestic
:Zaire Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary National Gendarmerie, Civil Guard, Special Presidential Division Manpower availability: males 15-49, 8,521,292; 4,333,492 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $49 million, 0.8% of GDP (1988)
:Zambia Geography
Total area: 752,610 km2 Land area: 740,720 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Texas Land boundaries: 5,664 km total; Angola 1,110 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia 233 km, Tanzania 338 km, Zaire 1,930 km, Zimbabwe 797 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: quadripoint with Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe is in disagreement; Tanzania-Zaire-Zambia tripoint in Lake Tanganyika may no longer be indefinite since it is reported that the indefinite section of the Zaire-Zambia boundary has been settled Climate: tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April) Terrain: mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains Natural resources: copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower potential Land use: arable land 7%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 47%; forest and woodland 27%; other 19%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification Note: landlocked
:Zambia People
Population: 8,745,284 (July 1992), growth rate 3.5% (1992) Birth rate: 48 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 77 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 55 years male, 59 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Zambian(s); adjective - Zambian Ethnic divisions: African 98.7%, European 1.1%, other 0.2% Religions: Christian 50-75%, Muslim and Hindu 24-49%, remainder indigenous beliefs 1% Languages: English (official); about 70 indigenous languages Literacy: 73% (male 81%, female 65%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2,455,000; agriculture 85%; mining, manufacturing, and construction 6%; transport and services 9% Organized labor: about 238,000 wage earners are unionized
:Zambia Government
Long-form name: Republic of Zambia Type: multiparty system; on 17 December 1990, President Kenneth KAUNDA signed into law the constitutional amendment that officially reintroduced the multiparty system in Zambia ending 17 years of one-party rule Capital: Lusaka Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western Independence: 24 October 1964 (from UK; formerly Northern Rhodesia) Constitution: NA August 1991 Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in an ad hoc constitutional council; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 24 October (1964) Executive branch: president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Frederick CHILUBA (since 31 October 1991) Political parties and leaders: Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), Frederick CHILUBA; United National Independence Party (UNIP), none; elections pending Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 31 October 1991 (next to be held mid-1995); results - Frederick CHILUBA 84%, Kenneth KAUNDA 16% National Assembly: last held 31 October 1991 (next to be held mid-1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (150 total) MMD 125, UNIP 25 Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-19, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, SADCC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador (vacant); Chancery at 2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 265-9717 through 9721 US: Ambassador Gordon L. STREEB; Embassy at corner of Independence Avenue and United Nations Avenue, Lusaka (mailing address is P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka); telephone [2601] 228-595, 228-601, 228-602, 228-603; FAX [2601] 251-578 Flag: green with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer edge of the flag
:Zambia Economy
Overview: The economy has been in decline for more than a decade with falling imports and growing foreign debt. Economic difficulties stem from a sustained drop in copper production and ineffective economic policies. In 1991 real GDP fell by 2%. An annual population growth of more than 3% has brought a decline in per capita GDP of 50% over the past decade. A high inflation rate has also added to Zambia's economic woes in recent years. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $4.7 billion, per capita $600; real growth rate -2% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 100% (1991) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $665 million; expenditures $767 million, including capital expenditures of $300 million (1991 est.) Exports: $1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: copper, zinc, cobalt, lead, tobacco partners: EC, Japan, South Africa, US, India Imports: $1.3 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, foodstuffs, fuels, manufactures partners: EC, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, US External debt: $8 billion (December 1991) Industrial production: growth rate -2% (1991); accounts for 50% of GDP Electricity: 2,775,000 kW capacity; 12,000 million kWh produced, 1,400 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: copper mining and processing, transport, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, and fertilizer Agriculture: accounts for 17% of GDP and 85% of labor force; crops - corn (food staple), sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava; cattle, goats, beef, eggs Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (1970-89), $4.8 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.8 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $60 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $533 million Currency: Zambian kwacha (plural - kwacha); 1 Zambian kwacha (ZK) = 100 ngwee Exchange rates: Zambian kwacha (ZK) per US$1 - 128.2051 (March 1992), 61.7284 (1991), 28.9855 (1990), 12.9032 (1989), 8.2237 (1988), 8.8889 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Zambia Communications
Railroads: 1,266 km, all 1.067-meter gauge; 13 km double track Highways: 36,370 km total; 6,500 km paved, 7,000 km crushed stone, gravel, or stabilized soil; 22,870 km improved and unimproved earth Inland waterways: 2,250 km, including Zambezi and Luapula Rivers, Lake Tanganyika Pipelines: crude oil 1,724 km Ports: Mpulungu (lake port) Civil air: 12 major transport aircraft Airports: 117 total, 104 usable; 13 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 22 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa; high-capacity microwave connects most larger towns and cities; broadcast stations - 11 AM, 5 FM, 9 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
:Zambia Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Air Force, Police, paramilitary Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,818,545; 953,718 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
:Zimbabwe Geography
Total area: 390,580 km2 Land area: 386,670 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Montana Land boundaries: 3,066 km total; Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km, Zambia 797 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: quadripoint with Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia is in disagreement Climate: tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March) Terrain: mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east Natural resources: coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals Land use: arable land 7%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 12%; forest and woodland 62%; other 19%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare; deforestation; soil erosion; air and water pollution Note: landlocked
:Zimbabwe People
Population: 11,033,376 (July 1992), growth rate 2.9% (1992) Birth rate: 40 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -3 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 59 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 60 years male, 64 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 5.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Zimbabwean(s); adjective - Zimbabwean Ethnic divisions: African 98% (Shona 71%, Ndebele 16%, other 11%); white 1%, mixed and Asian 1% Religions: syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, a few Muslim Languages: English (official); Shona, Sindebele Literacy: 67% (male 74%, female 60%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 3,100,000; agriculture 74%, transport and services 16%, mining, manufacturing, construction 10% (1987) Organized labor: 17% of wage and salary earners have union membership
:Zimbabwe Government
Long-form name: Republic of Zimbabwe Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Harare Administrative divisions: 8 provinces; Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo (Victoria), Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands Independence: 18 April 1980 (from UK; formerly Southern Rhodesia) Constitution: 21 December 1979 Legal system: mixture of Roman-Dutch and English common law National holiday: Independence Day, 18 April (1980) Executive branch: executive president, 2 vice presidents, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Co-Vice President Simon Vengai MUZENDA (since 31 December 1987); Co-Vice President Joshua M. NKOMO (since 6 August 1990) Political parties and leaders: Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), Robert MUGABE; Zimbabwe African National Union-Sithole (ZANU-S), Ndabaningi SITHOLE; Zimbabwe Unity Movement (ZUM), Edgar TEKERE; Democratic Party (DP), Emmanuel MAGOCHE Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Executive President: last held 28-30 March 1990 (next to be held NA March 1996); results - Robert MUGABE 78.3%, Edgar TEKERE 21.7% Parliament: last held 28-30 March 1990 (next to be held NA March 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (150 total, 120 elected) ZANU-PF 117, ZUM 2, ZANU-S 1 Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, PCA, SADCC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Counselor (Political Affairs), Head of Chancery, Ambassador Stanislaus Garikai CHIGWEDERE; Chancery at 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 332-7100 US: Ambassador Edward Gibson LANPHER; Embassy at 172 Herbert Chitapo Avenue, Harare (mailing address is P. O. Box 3340, Harare); telephone [263] (4) 794-521
:Zimbabwe Government
Flag: seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red, black, red, yellow, and green with a white equilateral triangle edged in black based on the hoist side; a yellow Zimbabwe bird is superimposed on a red five-pointed star in the center of the triangle
:Zimbabwe Economy
Overview: Agriculture employs three-fourths of the labor force and supplies almost 40% of exports. The manufacturing sector, based on agriculture and mining, produces a variety of goods and contributes 35% to GDP. Mining accounts for only 5% of both GDP and employment, but supplies of minerals and metals account for about 40% of exports. Wide year-to-year fluctuations in agricultural production over the past six years have resulted in an uneven growth rate, one that on average has matched the 3% annual increase in population. Helped by an IMF/World Bank structural adjustment program, output rose 3.5% in 1991. A drought beginning toward the end of 1991 suggests rough going for 1992. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $7.1 billion, per capita $660; real growth rate 3.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: at least 30% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $2.7 billion; expenditures $3.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $330 million (FY91) Exports: $1.8 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: agricultural 35% (tobacco 20%, other 15%), manufactures 20%, gold 10%, ferrochrome 10%, cotton 5% partners: Europe 55% (EC 40%, Netherlands 5%, other 15%), Africa 20% (South Africa 10%, other 10%), US 5% Imports: $1.6 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment 37%, other manufactures 22%, chemicals 16%, fuels 15% partners: EC 31%, Africa 29% (South Africa 21%, other 8%), US 8%, Japan 4% External debt: $2.96 billion (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 5% (1991 est.); accounts for 35% of GDP Electricity: 3,650,000 kW capacity; 7,500 million kWh produced, 700 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: mining, steel, clothing and footwear, chemicals, foodstuffs, fertilizer, beverage, transportation equipment, wood products Agriculture: accounts for 11% of GDP and employs 74% of population; 40% of land area divided into 4,500 large commercial farms and 42% in communal lands; crops - corn (food staple), cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts; livestock - cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; self-sufficient in food Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY80-89), $389 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.6 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $36 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $134 million Currency: Zimbabwean dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Zimbabwean dollar (Z$) = 100 cents
:Zimbabwe Economy
Exchange rates: Zimbabwean dollars (Z$) per US$1 - 4.3066 (March 1992), 3.4282 (1991), 2.4480 (1990), 2.1133 (1989), 1.8018 (1988), 1.6611 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
:Zimbabwe Communications
Railroads: 2,745 km 1.067-meter gauge; 42 km double track; 355 km electrified Highways: 85,237 km total; 15,800 km paved, 39,090 km crushed stone, gravel, stabilized soil: 23,097 km improved earth; 7,250 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: Lake Kariba is a potential line of communication Pipelines: petroleum products 8 km Civil air: 12 major transport aircraft Airports: 491 total, 401 usable; 22 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 32 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: system was once one of the best in Africa, but now suffers from poor maintenance; consists of microwave links, open-wire lines, and radio communications stations; 247,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 8 AM, 18 FM, 8 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Zimbabwe Defense Forces
Branches: Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe National Police (including Police Support Unit, Paramilitary Police), People's Militia Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,355,965; 1,456,829 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $412.4 million, about 6% of GDP (FY91 est.)
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Notes, Definitions, and Abbreviations
Text (264 nations, dependent areas, and other entities)
Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Arctic Ocean Argentina Armenia Aruba Ashmore and Cartier Islands Atlantic Ocean Australia Austria Azerbaijan
Bahamas, The Bahrain Baker Island Bangladesh Barbados Bassas da India Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Hercegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Burma Burundi
Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China (also see separate Taiwan entry) Christmas Island Clipperton Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Cook Islands Coral Sea Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechoslovakia
Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic
Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Estonia Ethiopia Europa Island
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Gabon Gambia, The Gaza Strip Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Glorioso Islands Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana
Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Honduras Hong Kong Howland Island Hungary
Iceland India Indian Ocean Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel (also see separate Gaza Strip and West Bank entries) Italy Ivory Coast
Jamaica Jan Mayen Japan Jarvis Island Jersey Johnston Atoll Jordan (also see separate West Bank entry) Juan de Nova Island
Kazakhstan Kenya Kingman Reef Kiribati Korea, North Korea, South Kuwait Kyrgyzstan
Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg
Macau Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Man, Isle of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Midway Islands Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montserrat Morocco Mozambique
Namibia Nauru Navassa Island Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway
Oman
Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the (Palau) Pacific Ocean Pakistan Palmyra Atoll Panama Papua New Guinea Paracel Islands Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Islands Poland Portugal Puerto Rico
Qatar
Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda
Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain Spratly Islands Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria
Taiwan (follows Zimbabwe) Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tromelin Island Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu
Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan
Vanuatu Vatican City Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands
Wake Island Wallis and Futuna West Bank Western Sahara Western Samoa World
Yemen
Zaire Zambia Zimbabwe
Taiwan
Appendixes
A: The United Nations System B: Abbreviations for International Organizations and Groups C: International Organizations and Groups D: Weights and Measures E: Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names
Standard Time Zones of the World
Notes, Definitions, and Abbreviations
There have been some significant changes in this edition. The Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, and the Iraq - Saudi Arabia Neutral Zone have been dropped. All 15 former Soviet republics have been added - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Slovenia have replaced Yugoslavia. Three maps on areas of special interest have been added this year - two maps on the Commonwealth of Independent States (European States and Central Asian States) and a map of Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe.
Abbreviations: (see Appendix B for international organizations and groups)
avdp.: avoirdupois
c.i.f.: cost, insurance, and freight
CY: calendar year
DWT: deadweight ton
est.: estimate
Ex-Im: Export-Import Bank of the United States
f.o.b.: free on board
FRG: Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany); used for information dated before 3 October 1990 or CY91
FY: fiscal year
GDP: gross domestic product
GDR: German Democratic Republic (East Germany); used for information dated before 3 October 1990 or CY91
GNP: gross national product
GRT: gross register ton
km: kilometer
km2: square kilometer
kW: kilowatt
kWh: kilowatt hour
m: meter
NA: not available
NEGL: negligible
nm: nautical mile
NZ: New Zealand
ODA: official development assistance
OOF: other official flows
PDRY: People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]; used for information dated before 22 May 1990 or CY91
UAE: United Arab Emirates
UK: United Kingdom
US: United States
USSR: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Soviet Union); used for information dated before 25 December 1991
YAR: Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen]; used for information dated before 22 May 1990 or CY91
Administrative divisions: The numbers, designatory terms, and first-order administrative divisions are generally those approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet acted on by BGN are noted.
Area: Total area is the sum of all land and water areas delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines. Land area is the aggregate of all surfaces delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines, excluding inland water bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers). Comparative areas are based on total area equivalents. Most entities are compared with the entire US or one of the 50 states. The smaller entities are compared with Washington, DC (178 km2, 69 miles2) or the Mall in Washington, DC (0.59 km2, 0.23 miles2, 146 acres).
Birth rate: The average annual number of births during a year per 1,000 population at midyear; also known as crude birth rate.
Dates of information: In general, information available as of 1 January 1992 was used in the preparation of this edition. Population figures are estimates for 1 July 1992, with population growth rates estimated for mid-1992 through mid-1993. Major political events have been updated through 30 June 1992. Military age figures are for 1992.
Death rate: The average annual number of deaths during a year per l,000 population at midyear; also known as crude death rate.
Diplomatic representation: The US Government has diplomatic relations with 176 nations (the US has not yet established full diplomatic relations with Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, and Slovenia). The US has diplomatic relations with 167 of the 178 UN members - the exceptions are Angola, Bhutan, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Slovenia, and Vietnam. In addition, the US has diplomatic relations with 9 nations that are not in the UN - Andorra, Kiribati, Monaco, Nauru, San Marino, Switzerland, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vatican City.
Disputes: This category includes a wide variety of situations that range from traditional bilateral boundary disputes to unilateral claims of one sort or another. Every international land boundary dispute in the ``Guide to Interna- tional Boundaries,'' a map published by the Department of State, is included. References to other situations may also be included that are border or frontier relevant, such as maritime disputes, geopolitical questions, or irredentist issues. However, inclusion does not necessarily constitute official acceptance or recognition by the US Government.
Economic aid: This entry refers to bilateral commitments of official develop- ment assistance (ODA), which is defined as government grants that are administered with the promotion of economic development and welfare of LDCs as their main objective and are concessional in character and contain a grant element of at least 25%, and other official flows (OOF) or transactions by the official sector whose main objective is other than development motivated or whose grant element is below the 25% threshold for ODA. OOF transactions include official export credits (such as Eximbank credits), official equity and portfolio investment, and debt reorganization by the official sector that does not meet concessional terms. Aid is considered to have been committed when agreements are initialed by the parties involved and constitute a formal declaration of intent.
Entities: Some of the nations, dependent areas, areas of special sovereignty, and governments included in this publication are not independent, and others are not officially recognized by the US Government. ``Nation'' refers to a people politically organized into a sovereign state with a definite territory. ``Dependent'' area refers to a broad category of political entities that are associated in some way with a nation. Names used for page headings are usually the short-form names as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names. The long-form name is included in the ``Government'' section, and an entry of ``none'' indicates a long-form name does not exist. In some instances, no short-form name exists - then the long-form name must serve for all usages. There are 264 entities in The World Factbook that may be categorized as follows:
NATIONS
177 UN members (excluding Yugoslavia)
11 nations that are not members of the UN - Andorra, Georgia, Kiribati, Macedonia, Monaco, Nauru, Serbia and Montenegro, Switzerland, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vatican City (Holy See)
OTHER
1 Taiwan
DEPENDENT AREAS
6 Australia - Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island
2 Denmark - Faroe Islands, Greenland
16 France - Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands, Guadeloupe, Juan de Nova Island, Martinique, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Reunion, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Tromelin Island, Wallis and Futuna
2 Netherlands - Aruba, Netherlands Antilles
3 New Zealand - Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau
3 Norway - Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard
1 Portugal - Macau
16 United Kingdom - Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Jersey, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands
15 United States - American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau), Virgin Islands, Wake Island
MISCELLANEOUS
6 Antarctica, Gaza Strip, Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, West Bank, Western Sahara
OTHER ENTITIES
4 oceans - Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean
1 World
264 total
note: The US Government does not recognize the four so-called independent homelands of Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, Transkei, and Venda in South Africa.
Gross domestic product (GDP): The value of all goods and services produced domestically.
Gross national product (GNP): The value of all goods and services produced domestically plus income earned abroad, minus income earned by foreigners from domestic production.
GNP/GDP methodology: In the ``Economy'' section, GNP/GDP dollar estimates for the OECD countries, the former Soviet republics, and the East European countries are derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) calculations rather than from conversions at official currency exchange rates. The PPP method normally involves the use of international dollar price weights, which are applied to the quantities of goods and services produced in a given economy. In addition to the lack of reliable data from the majority of countries, the statistician faces a major difficulty in specifying, identifying, and allowing for the quality of goods and services. The division of a PPP GNP/GDP estimate in dollars by the corresponding estimate in the local currency gives the PPP conversion rate. One thousand dollars will buy the same market basket of goods in the US as one thousand dollars - converted to the local currency at the PPP conversion rate - will buy in the other country. GNP/GDP estimates for the LDCs, on the other hand, are based on the conversion of GNP/GDP estimates in local currencies to dollars at the official currency exchange rates. One caution: the proportion of, say, defense expenditures as a percent of GNP/GDP in local currency accounts may differ substantially from the proportion when GNP/GDP accounts are expressed in PPP terms, as, for example, when an observer estimates the dollar level of Russian or Japanese military expenditures; similar problems exist when components are expressed in dollars under currency exchange rate procedures. Finally, as academic research moves forward on the PPP method, we hope to convert all GNP/GDP estimates to this method in future editions of The World Factbook.
Growth rate (population): The annual percent change in the population, resulting from a surplus (or deficit) of births over deaths and the balance of migrants entering and leaving a country. The rate may be positive or negative.
Illicit drugs: There are five categories of illicit drugs - narcotics, stimulants, depressants (sedatives), hallucinogens, and cannabis. These categories include many drugs legally produced and prescribed by doctors as well as those illegally produced and sold outside medical channels.
Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) is the common hemp plant, which provides hallucinogens with some sedative properties, and includes marijuana (pot, Acapulco gold, grass, reefer), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, Marinol), hashish (hash), and hashish oil (hash oil).
Coca (Erythroxylon coca) is a bush, and the leaves contain the stimulant cocaine. Coca is not to be confused with cocoa, which comes from cacao seeds and is used in making chocolate, cocoa, and cocoa butter.
Cocaine is a stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca bush.
Depressants (sedatives) are drugs that reduce tension and anxiety and include chloral hydrate, barbiturates (Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, phenobarbital), benzodiazepines (Librium, Valium), methaqualone (Quaalude), glutethimide (Doriden), and others (Equanil, Placidyl, Valmid).
Drugs are any chemical substances that effect a physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral change in an individual.
Drug abuse is the use of any licit or illicit chemical substance that results in physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral impairment in an individual.
Hallucinogens are drugs that affect sensation, thinking, self-awareness, and emotion.
Hallucinogens include LSD (acid, microdot), mescaline and peyote (mexc, buttons, cactus), amphetamine variants (PMA, STP, DOB), phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust, hog), phencyclidine analogues (PCE, PCPy, TCP), and others (psilocybin, psilocyn).
Hashish is the resinous exudate of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa).
Heroin is a semisynthetic derivative of morphine.
Marijuana is the dried leaves of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa).
Narcotics are drugs that relieve pain, often induce sleep, and refer to opium, opium derivatives, and synthetic substitutes. Natural narcotics include opium (paregoric, parepectolin), morphine (MS-Contin, Roxanol), codeine (Tylenol w/codeine, Empirin w/codeine, Robitussan A-C), and thebaine. Semisynthetic narcotics include heroin (horse, smack), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid). Synthetic narcotics include meperidine or Pethidine (Demerol, Mepergan), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), and others (Darvon, Lomotil).
Opium is the milky exudate of the incised, unripe seedpod of the opium poppy.
Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is the source for many natural and semisynthetic narcotics.
Poppy straw concentrate is the alkaloid derived from the mature dried opium poppy.
Qat (kat, khat) is a stimulant from the buds or leaves of Catha edulis that is chewed or drunk as tea.
Stimulants are drugs that relieve mild depression, increase energy and activity, and include cocaine (coke, snow, crack), amphetamines (Desoxyn, Dexedrine), phenmetrazine (Preludin), methylphenidate (Ritalin), and others (Cylert, Sanorex, Tenuate).
Infant mortality rate: The number of deaths to infants under one year old in a given year per l,000 live births occurring in the same year.
Land use: Human use of the land surface is categorized as arable land - land cultivated for crops that are replanted after each harvest (wheat, maize, rice); permanent crops - land cultivated for crops that are not replanted after each harvest (citrus, coffee, rubber); meadows and pastures - land permanently used for herbaceous forage crops; forest and woodland - land under dense or open stands of trees; and other - any land type not specifi- cally mentioned above (urban areas, roads, desert). The percentage figure for irrigated land refers to the portion of the entire amount of land area that is artificially supplied with water.
Leaders: The chief of state is the titular leader of the country who represents the state at official and ceremonial funcions but is not involved with the day-to-day activities of the government. The head of government is the administrative leader who manages the day-to-day activities of the government. In the UK, the monarch is the chief of state, and the Prime Minister is the head of government. In the US, the President is both the chief of state and the head of government.
Life expectancy at birth: The average number of years to be lived by a group of people all born in the same year, if mortality at each age remains constant in the future.
Literacy: There are no universal definitions and standards of literacy. Unless otherwise noted, all rates are based on the most common definition - the ability to read and write at a specified age. Detailing the standards that individual countries use to assess the ability to read and write is beyond the scope of this publication.
Maps: All maps will be available only in the printed version for the fore- seeable future.
Maritime claims: The proximity of neighboring states may prevent some national claims from being fully extended.
Merchant marine: All ships engaged in the carriage of goods. All commercial vessels (as opposed to all nonmilitary ships), which excludes tugs, fishing vessels, offshore oil rigs, etc.; also, a grouping of merchant ships by nationality or register.
Captive register - A register of ships maintained by a territory, possession, or colony primarily or exclusively for the use of ships owned in the parent country; also referred to as an offshore register, the offshore equivalent of an internal register. Ships on a captive register will fly the same flag as the parent country, or a local variant of it, but will be subject to the maritime laws and taxation rules of the offshore territory. Although the nature of a captive register makes it especially desirable for ships owned in the parent country, just as in the internal register, the ships may also be owned abroad. The captive register then acts as a flag of convenience register, except that it is not the register of an independent state.
Flag of convenience register - A national register offering registration to a merchant ship not owned in the flag state. The major flags of convenience (FOC) attract ships to their register by virtue of low fees, low or nonexistent taxation of profits, and liberal manning requirements. True FOC registers are characterized by having relatively few of the ships registered actually owned in the flag state. Thus, while virtually any flag can be used for ships under a given set of circumstances, an FOC register is one where the majority of the merchant fleet is owned abroad. It is also referred to as an open register.
Flag state - The nation in which a ship is registered and which holds legal jurisdiction over operation of the ship, whether at home or abroad. Differences in flag state maritime legislation determine how a ship is manned and taxed and whether a foreign-owned ship may be placed on the register.
Internal register - A register of ships maintained as a subset of a national register. Ships on the internal register fly the national flag and have that nationality but are subject to a separate set of maritime rules from those on the main national register. These differences usually include lower taxation of profits, manning by foreign nationals, and, usually, ownership outside the flag state (when it functions as an FOC register). The Norwegian International Ship Register and Danish International Ship Register are the most notable examples of an internal register. Both have been instrumental in stemming flight from the national flag to flags of convenience and in attracting foreign-owned ships to the Norwegian and Danish flags.
Merchant ship - A vessel that carries goods against payment of freight; commonly used to denote any nonmilitary ship but accurately restricted to commercial vessels only.
Register - The record of a ship's ownership and nationality as listed with the maritime authorities of a country; also, the compendium of such individual ships' registrations. Registration of a ship provides it with a nationality and makes it subject to the laws of the country in which registered (the flag state) regardless of the nationality of the ship's ultimate owner.
Money figures: All are expressed in contemporaneous US dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Net migration rate: The balance between the number of persons entering and leaving a country during the year per 1,000 persons (based on midyear population). An excess of persons entering the country is referred to as net immigration (3.56 migrants/1,000 population); an excess of persons leaving the country as net emigration (-9.26 migrants/1,000 population).
Population: Figures are estimates from the Bureau of the Census based on statistics from population censuses, vital registration systems, or sample surveys pertaining to the recent past, and on assumptions about future trends.
Total fertility rate: The average number of children that would be born per woman if all women lived to the end of their childbearing years and bore children according to a given fertility rate at each age.
Years: All year references are for the calendar year (CY) unless indicated as fiscal year (FY).
Note: Information for the US and US dependencies was compiled from material in the public domain and does not represent Intelligence Community estimates. The Handbook of International Economic and Environmental Statistics, published annually in September by the Central Intelligence Agency, contains detailed economic information for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries, Eastern Europe, the newly independent republics of the former nations of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, and selected other countries. The Handbook can be obtained wherever The World Factbook is available.
Appendix A:
The United Nations System
The UN is composed of six principal organs and numerous subordinate agencies and bodies as follows:
1) Secretariat
2) General Assembly: UNCHS United Nations Center for Human Settlements (Habitat) UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNDP United Nations Development Program UNEP United Nations Environment Program UNFPA United Nations Population Fund UNHCR United Nations Office of High Commissioner for Refugees UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund UNITAR United Nations Institute for Training and Research UNRWA United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East UNSF United Nations Special Fund UNU United Nations University WFC World Food Council WFP World Food Program
3) Security Council: UNAVEM United Nations Angola Verification Mission UNDOF United Nations Disengagement Observer Force UNFICYP United Nations Force in Cyprus UNIFIL United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon UNIIMOG United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group UNMOGIP United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan UNTSO United Nations Truce Supervision Organization
4) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): Specialized agencies FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization IDA International Development Association IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development IFC International Finance Corporation ILO International Labor Organization IMF International Monetary Fund IMO International Maritime Organization ITU International Telecommunication Union UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization UPU Universal Postal Union WHO World Health Organization WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization WMO World Meteorological Organization Related organizations GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency Regional commissions ECA Economic Commission for Africa ECE Economic Commission for Europe ECLAC Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean ESCAP Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific ESCWA Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia Functional commissions Commission on Human Rights Commission on Narcotic Drugs Commission for Social Development Commission on the Status of Women Population Commission Statistical Commission
5) Trusteeship Council
6) International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Appendix B
Abbreviations for International Organizations and Groups
ABEDA Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa ACC Arab Cooperation Council ACCT Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation ACP African, Caribbean, and Pacific Countries AfDB African Development Bank AFESD Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development AG Andean Group AL Arab League ALADI Asociacion Latinoamericana de Integracion; see Latin American Integration Association (LAIA) AMF Arab Monetary Fund AMU Arab Maghreb Union ANZUS Australia-New Zealand-United States Security Treaty APEC Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation AsDB Asian Development Bank ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations
BAD Banque Africaine de Developpement; see African Development Bank (AfDB) BADEA Banque Arabe de Developpement Economique en Afrique; see Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA) BCIE Banco Centroamericano de Integracion Economico; see Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) BDEAC Banque de Developpment des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale; see Central African States Development Bank (BDEAC) Benelux Benelux Economic Union BID Banco Interamericano de Desarvollo; see Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) BIS Bank for International Settlements BOAD Banque Ouest-Africaine de Developpement; see West African Development Bank (WADB)
C Commonwealth CACM Central American Common Market CAEU Council of Arab Economic Unity CARICOM Caribbean Community and Common Market CCC Customs Cooperation Council CDB Caribbean Development Bank CE Council of Europe CEAO Communaute Economique de l'Afrique de l'Ouest; see West African Economic Community (CEAO) CEEAC Communaute Economique des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale; see Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC) CEMA Council for Mutual Economic Assistance; also known as CMEA or Comecon; abolished 1 January 1991 CEPGL Communaute Economique des Pays des Grands Lacs; see Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL) CERN Conseil Europeen pour la Recherche Nucleaire; see European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) CG Contadora Group CIS Commonwealth of Independent States CMEA Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CEMA); also known as Comecon; abolished 1 January 1991 COCOM Coordinating Committee on Export Controls Comecon Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CEMA); also known as CMEA; abolished 1 January 1991 CP Colombo Plan CSCE Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe
DC developed country
EADB East African Development Bank EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EC European Community ECA Economic Commission for Africa ECAFE Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East; see Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) ECE Economic Commission for Europe ECLA Economic Commission for Latin America; see Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) ECLAC Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean ECOSOC Economic and Social Council ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States ECWA Economic Commission for Western Asia; see Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) EFTA European Free Trade Association EIB European Investment Bank Entente Council of the Entente ESA European Space Agency ESCAP Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific ESCWA Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FLS Front Line States FZ Franc Zone
G-2 Group of 2 G-3 Group of 3 G-5 Group of 5 G-6 Group of 6 (not to be confused with the Big Six) G-7 Group of 7 G-8 Group of 8 G-9 Group of 9 G-10 Group of 10 G-11 Group of 11 G-15 Group of 15 G-19 Group of 19 G-24 Group of 24 G-30 Group of 30 G-33 Group of 33 G-77 Group of 77 GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade GCC Gulf Cooperation Council
Habitat see United Nations Center for Human Settlements (UNCHS) HG Hexagonal Group
IADB Inter-American Development Bank IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency IBEC International Bank for Economic Cooperation IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization ICC International Chamber of Commerce ICEM Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration; see International Organization for Migration (IOM) ICFTU International Confederation of Free Trade Unions ICJ International Court of Justice ICM Intergovernmental Committee for Migration; see International Organization for Migration (IOM) ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross IDA International Development Association IDB Islamic Development Bank IEA International Energy Agency IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development IFC International Finance Corporation IGADD Inter-Governmental Authority on Drought and Development IIB International Investment Bank ILO International Labor Organization IMCO Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization; see International Maritime Organization (IMO) IMF International Monetary Fund IMO International Maritime Organization INMARSAT International Maritime Satellite Organization INTELSAT International Telecommunications Satellite Organization INTERPOL International Criminal Police Organization IOC International Olympic Committee IOM International Organization for Migration ISO International Organization for Standardization ITU International Telecommunication Union
LAES Latin American Economic System LAIA Latin American Integration Association LAS League of Arab States; see Arab League (AL) LDC less developed country LLDC least developed country LORCS League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
MERCOSUR Southern Cone Common Market MTCR Missile Technology Control Regime
NACC North Atlantic Cooperation Council NAM Nonaligned Movement NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization NC Nordic Council NEA Nuclear Energy Agency NIB Nordic Investment Bank NIC newly industrializing country; see newly industrializing economy (NIE) NIE newly industrializing economy NSG Nuclear Suppliers Group
OAPEC Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries OAS Organization of American States OAU Organization of African Unity OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OECS Organization of Eastern Caribbean States OIC Organization of the Islamic Conference OPANAL Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean OPEC Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
PCA Permanent Court of Arbitration
RG Rio Group
SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation SACU Southern African Customs Union SADCC Southern African Development Coordination Conference SELA Sistema Economico Latinoamericana; see Latin American Economic System (LAES) SPC South Pacific Commission SPF South Pacific Forum
UDEAC Union Douaniere et Economique de l'Afrique Centrale; see Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC) UN United Nations UNAVEM United Nations Angola Verification Mission UNCHS United National Center for Human Settlements (also known as Habitat) UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNDOF United Nations Disengagement Observer Force UNDP United Nations Development Program UNEP United Nations Environment Program UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization UNFICYP United Nations Force in Cyprus UNFPA United Nations Fund for Population Activities; see UN Population Fund (UNFPA) UNHCR United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees UNICEF United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund; see United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIFIL United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon UNIIMOG United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group UNMOGIP United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan UNRWA United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East UNTSO United Nations Truce Supervision Organization UPU Universal Postal Union USSR/EE USSR/Eastern Europe
WADB West African Development Bank WCL World Confederation of Labor WEU Western European Union WFC World Food Council WFP World Food Program WFTU World Federation of Trade Unions WHO World Health Organization WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization WMO World Meteorological Organization WP Warsaw Pact (members met 1 July 1991 to dissolve the alliance) WTO World Tourism Organization
ZC Zangger Committee
note: not all international organizations and groups have abbreviations
Appendix C:
International Organizations and Groups
**********
advanced developing countries
Note - another term for those less developed countries (LDCs) with particularly rapid industrial development; see newly industrializing economies (NIEs)
**********
African, Caribbean, and Pacific Countries (ACP)
established - 1 April 1976
aim - members have a preferential economic and aid relationship with the EC
members - (69) Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Boswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Western Samoa, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
**********
African Development Bank (AfDB), also known as Banque Africaine de Developpement (BAD)
established - 4 August 1963
aim - to promote economic and social development
regional members - (51) Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
nonregional members - (25) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US, Yugoslavia
**********
Agence de Cooperation Culturelle et Technique (ACCT)
Note - see Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation (ACCT)
**********
Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation (ACCT)
Note - acronym from Agence de Cooperation Culturelle et Technique
established - 21 March 1970
aim - to promote cultural and technical cooperation among French- speaking countries
members - (32) Belgium, Benin, Burkina, Burundi, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, France, Gabon, Guinea, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Monaco, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Togo, Tunisia, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zaire
associate members - (7) Cameroon, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Laos, Mauritania, Morocco, Saint Lucia
participating governments - (2) New Brunswick (Canada), Quebec (Canada)
**********
Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL)
Note - acronym from Organismo para la Proscripcion de las Armas Nucleares en la America Latina y el Caribe (OPANAL)
established - 14 February 1967
aim - to encourage the peaceful uses of atomic energy and prohibit nuclear weapons
members - (24) Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela
**********
Andean Group (AG)
established - 26 May 1969, effective 16 October 1969
aim - to promote harmonious development through economic integration
members - (5) Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
associate member - (1) Panama
observers - (26) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Paraguay, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US, Uruguay, Yugoslavia
Note - The US view is that the Socialist Federal represents its continuation. Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) has dissolved and that none of the successor republics
**********
Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA)
Note - also known as Banque Arabe de Developpement Economique en Afrique (BADEA)
established - 18 February 1974
effective - 16 September 1974
aim - to promote economic development
members - (16 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Palestine Liberation Organization; note - these are all the members of the Arab League except Djibouti, Somalia, and Yemen
**********
Arab Cooperation Council (ACC)
established - 16 February 1989
aim - to promote economic cooperation and integration, possibly leading to an Arab Common Market
members - (4) Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen
**********
Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD)
established - 16 May 1968
aim - to promote economic and social development
members - (20 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt (suspended from 1979 to 1988), Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization
**********
Arab League (AL)
Note - also known as League of Arab States (LAS)
established - 22 March 1945
aim - to promote economic, social, political, and military cooperation
members - (20 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization
**********
Arab Maghreb Union (AMU)
established - 17 February 1989
aim - to promote cooperation and integration among the Arab states of northern Africa
members - (5) Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia
**********
Arab Monetary Fund (AMF)
established - 27 April 1976
effective - 2 February 1977
aim - to promote Arab cooperation, development, and integration in monetary and economic affairs
members - (19 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization
**********
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
established - NA November 1989
aim - to promote trade and investment in the Pacific basin
members - (15) all ASEAN members (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand) plus Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, NZ, Taiwan, US
**********
Asian Development Bank (AsDB)
established - 19 December 1966
aim - to promote regional economic cooperation
regional members - (35) Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Nepal, NZ, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Western Samoa
nonregional members - (15) Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US
**********
Asociacion Latinoamericana de Integracion (ALADI)
Note - see Latin American Integration Association (LAIA)
**********
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
established - 9 August 1967
aim - regional economic, social, and cultural cooperation among the non-Communist countries of Southeast Asia
members - (6) Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand
observer - (1) Papua New Guinea
**********
Australia Group
established - 1984
aim - to consult on and coordinate export controls related to chemical and biological weapons
members - (22) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US
**********
Australia - New Zealand - United States Security Treaty (ANZUS)
established - 1 September 1951, effective 29 April 1952
aim - trilateral mutual security agreement, although the US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986
members - (3) Australia, NZ, US
**********
Banco Centroamericano de Integracion Economico (BCIE)
Note - see Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE)
**********
Banco Interamericano de Desarvollo (BID)
Note - see Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)
**********
Bank for International Settlements (BIS)
established - 20 January 1930
effective - 17 March 1930
aim - to promote cooperation among central banks in international financial settlements
members - (29) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US, Yugoslavia
**********
Banque Africaine de Developpement (BAD)
Note - see African Development Bank (AfDB)
**********
Banque Arabe de Developpement Economique en Afrique (BADEA)
Note - see Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA)
**********
Banque de Developpement des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale (BDEAC)
Note - see Central African States Development Bank (BDEAC)
**********
Banque Ouest-Africaine de Developpement (BOAD)
Note - see West African Development Bank (WADB)
**********
Benelux Economic Union (Benelux)
Note - acronym from Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg
established - 3 February 1958
effective - 1 November 1960
aim - to develop closer economic cooperation and integration
members - (3) Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands
**********
Big Seven
Note - membership is the same as the Group of 7
established - NA
aim - to discuss and coordinate major economic policies
members - (7) Big Six (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK) plus the US
**********
Big Six
Note - not to be confused with the Group of 6
established - NA
aim - economic cooperation
members - (6) Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK
**********
Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM)
established - 4 July 1973
effective - 1 August 1973
aim - to promote economic integration and development, especially among the less developed countries
members - (13) Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago
associate members - (2) British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands
observers - (10) Anguilla, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Venezuela
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Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)
established - 18 October 1969
effective - 26 January 1970
aim - to promote economic development and cooperation
regional members - (20) Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Venezuela
nonregional members - (5) Canada, France, Germany, Italy, UK
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Cartagena Group
Note - see Group of 11
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Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC)
Note - acronym from Union Douaniere et Economique de l'Afrique Centrale
established - 8 December 1964
effective - 1 January 1966
aim - to promote the establishment of a Central African Common Market
members - (6) Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon
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Central African States Development Bank (BDEAC)
Note - acronym from Banque de Developpement des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale
established - 3 December 1975
aim - to provide loans for economic development
members - (9) Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Germany, Kuwait
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Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE)
Note - acronym from Banco Centroamericano de Integracion Economico
established - 13 December 1960
aim - to promote economic integration and development
members - (5) Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua
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Central American Common Market (CACM)
established - 13 December 1960
effective - 3 June 1961
aim - to promote establishment of a Central American Common Market
members - (5) Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua
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centrally planned economies
Note - a term applied mainly to the traditionally Communist states that looked to the former USSR for leadership; most are now evolving toward more democratic and market-oriented systems; also known formerly as the Second World or as the Communist countries; through the 1980s, this group included Albania, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, GDR, Hungary, North Korea, Laos, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, USSR, Vietnam, Yugoslavia
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Colombo Plan (CP)
established - 1 July 1951
aim - to promote economic and social development in Asia and the Pacific
nembers - (26) Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, Canada, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, NZ, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UK, US
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Commission for Social Development
established - 21 June 1946 as the Social Commission, renamed 29 July 1966
aim - ECOSOC organization dealing with social development programs
members - (31) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
**********
Commission on Human Rights
established - 18 February 1946
aim - ECOSOC organization dealing with human rights
members - (43) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
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Commission on Narcotic Drugs
established - 16 February 1946
aim - ECOSOC organization dealing with illicit drugs
members - (38) selected on a rotating basis from all regions with emphasis on producing and processing countries
**********
Commission on the Status of Women
established - 21 June 1946
aim - ECOSOC organization dealing with women's rights
members - (32) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
**********
Commonwealth (C)
established - 31 December 1931
aim - voluntary association that evolved from the British Empire and that seeks to foster multinational cooperation and assistance
members - (48) Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, NZ, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, UK, Vanuatu, Western Samoa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
special members - (2) Nauru, Tuvalu
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Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
established - 8 December 1991
effective - 21 December 1991
aim - to coordinate intercommonwealth relations and to provide a mechanism for the orderly dissolution of the USSR
members - (11) Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
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Communaute Economique de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (CEAO)
Note - see West African Economic Community (CEAO)
**********
Communaute Economique des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale (CEEAC)
Note - see Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC)
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Communaute Economique des Pays des Grands Lacs (CEPGL)
Note - see Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL)
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Communist countries
Note - traditionally the Marxist-Leninist states with authoritarian governments and command economies based on the Soviet model; most of the successor states are no longer Communist; see centrally planned economies
**********
Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE)
established - NA November 1972
aim - discusses issues of mutual concern and reviews implementation of the Helsinki Agreement
members - (52) Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UK, US, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Yugoslavia
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Conseil Europeen pour la Recherche Nucleaire (CERN)
Note - see European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)
**********
Contadora Group (CG) - Note - was established 5 January 1983 (on the Panamanian island of Contadora) to reduce tensions and conflicts in Central America but evolved into the Rio Group (RG); members included Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela
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Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf
Note - see Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
**********
Coordinating Committee on Export Controls (COCOM)
established - NA 1949
aim - to control the export of strategic products and technical data from member countries to proscribed destinations<ATT>
members - (17) Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, UK, US
cooperating countries - (8) Austria, Finland, Ireland, South Korea, NZ, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland
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Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CEMA)
Note - also known as CMEA or Comecon, was established 25 January 1949 to promote the development of socialist economies and was abolished 1 January 1991; members included Afghanistan (observer), Albania (had not participated since 1961 break with USSR), Angola (observer), Bulgaria, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia (observer), GDR, Hungary, Laos (observer), Mongolia, Mozambique (observer), Nicaragua (observer), Poland, Romania, USSR, Vietnam, Yemen (observer), Yugoslavia (associate)
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Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU)
established - 3 June 1957
effective - 30 May 1964
aim - to promote economic integration among Arab nations
members - (11 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization
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Council of Europe (CE)
established - 5 May 1949
effective - 3 August 1949
aim - to promote increased unity and quality of life in Europe
members - (28) Austria, Belgium, Belarus, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK
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Council of the Entente (Entente)
established - 29 May 1959
aim - to promote economic, social, and political coordination
members - (5) Benin, Burkina, Ivory Coast, Niger, Togo
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Customs Cooperation Council (CCC)
established - 15 December 1950
aim - to promote international cooperation in customs matters
members - (108) Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bermuda, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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developed countries (DCs)
Note - the top group in the comprehensive but mutually exclusive hierarchy of developed countries (DCs), former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE), and less developed countries (LDCs); includes the market-oriented economies of the mainly democratic nations in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Bermuda, Israel, South Africa, and the European ministates; also known as the First World, high-income countries, the North, industrial countries; generally have a per capita GNP/GDP in excess of $10,000 although some OECD countries and South Africa have figures well under $10,000 and two of the excluded OPEC countries have figures of more than $10,000. The 34 DCs are: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US, Vatican City
**********
developing countries
Note - an imprecise term for the less developed countries with growing economies; see less developed countries (LDCs)
**********
East African Development Bank (EADB)
established - 6 June 1967
effective - 1 December 1967
aim - to promote economic development
members - (3) Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda
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Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
established - 28 March 1947 as Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE)
aim - to promote economic development as a regional commission for the UN's ECOSOC
members - (39) Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, China, Fiji, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UK, US, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Western Samoa
associate members - (10) American Samoa, Cook Islands, Guam, Hong Kong, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau)
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Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)
established - 9 August 1973 as Economic Commission for Western Asia (ECWA)
aim - to promote economic development as a regional commission for the UN's ECOSOC
members - (12 and the Palestine Liberation Organization) Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization
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Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
established - 26 June 1945
effective - 24 October 1945
aim - to coordinate the economic and social work of the UN; includes five regional commissions (see Economic Commission for Africa, Economic Commission for Europe, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia) and six functional commissions (see Commission for Social Development, Commission on Human Rights, Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Commission on the Status of Women, Population Commission, and Statistical Commission)
members - (54) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
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Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
established - 29 April 1958
aim - to promote economic development as a regional commission of the UN's ECOSOC
members - (52) Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa (suspended), Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE) <p>see Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
**********
Economic Commission for Europe (ECE)
established - 28 March 1947
aim - to promote economic development as a regional commission of the UN's ECOSOC
members - (33) Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, Ukraine, US, Yugoslavia
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Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA) <p>see Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
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Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
established - 25 February 1948 as Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA)
aim - to promote economic development as a regional commission of the UN's ECOSOC
members - (41) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela
associate members - (5) Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Virgin Islands
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Economic Commission for Western Asia (ECWA)
Note - see Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)
**********
Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC) - acronym from Communaute Economique des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale
established - 18 October 1983
aim - to promote regional economic cooperation and establish a Central African Common Market
members - (10) Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Zaire
observer - (1) Angola
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Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL)
Note - acronym from Communaute Economique des Pays des Grands Lacs
established - 26 September 1976
aim - to promote regional economic cooperation and integration
members - (3) Burundi, Rwanda, Zaire
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Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
established - 28 May 1975
aim - to promote regional economic cooperation
members - (16) Benin, Burkina, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo
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European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
established - 15 April 1991
aim - to facilitate the transition of seven centrally planned economies in Europe (Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, former USSR, and former Yugoslavia) to market economies by committing 60% of its loans to privatization
members - (35) Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, European Community (EC), Egypt, European Investment Bank (EIB), Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US; note - includes all 24 members of the OECD and the EC as an institution
**********
European Community (EC)
established - 8 April 1965
effective - 1 July 1967
aim - a fusing of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), the European Coal and Steel Community (ESC), and the European Economic Community (EEC or Common Market); the EC plans to establish a completely integrated common market in 1992 and an eventual federation of Europe
members - (12) Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK
associate member - (1) Czechoslovakia
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European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
established - 4 January 1960
effective - 3 May 1960
aim - to promote expansion of free trade
members - (6) Austria, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland
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European Investment Bank (EIB)
established - 25 March 1957
effective - 1 January 1958
aim - to promote economic development of the EC
members - (12) Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK
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European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)
Note - acronym retained from the predecessor organization Conseil Europeen pour la Recherche Nucleaire
established - 1 July 1953
effective - 29 September 1954
aim - to foster nuclear research for peaceful purposes only
members - (16) Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK
observers - (2) Turkey, Yugoslavia
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European Space Agency (ESA)
established - 31 July 1973
effective - 1 May 1975
aim - to promote peaceful cooperation in space research and technology
members - (13) Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK
associate member - (1) Finland
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First World
Note - another term for countries with advanced, industrialized economies; this term is fading from use; see developed countries (DCs)
**********
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
established - 16 October 1945
aim - UN specialized agency to raise living standards and increase availability of agricultural products
members - (157) all UN members except Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Brunei, Croatia, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan; other members are Cook Islands, Switzerland, Tonga
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Former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE)
Note - the middle group in the comprehensive but mutually exclusive hierarchy of developed countries (DCs), former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE), and less developed countries (LDCs); these countries are in political and economic transition and may well be grouped differently in the near future; this includes Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czecholovakia, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Yugoslavia
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Four Dragons
Note - the four small Asian less developed countries (LDCs) that have experienced unusually rapid economic growth; also known as the Four Tigers; this group includes Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan
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Four Tigers
Note - another term for the Four Dragons; see Four Dragons
**********
Franc Zone (FZ)
established - NA
aim - monetary union among countries whose currencies are linked to the French franc
members - (15) Benin, Burkina, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo; note - France includes metropolitan France, the four overseas departments of France (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion), the two territorial collectivities of France (Mayotte, Saint Pierre and Miquelon), and the three overseas territories of France (French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna)
**********
Front Line States (FLS)
established - NA
aim - to achieve black majority rule in South Africa
members - (7) Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
**********
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
established - 30 October 1947
effective - 1 January 1948
aim - to promote the expansion of international trade on a nondiscriminatory basis
members - (98) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UK, US, Uruguay, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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Group of 2 (G-2)
established - informal term that came into use about 1986
aim - bilateral economic cooperation between the two most powerful economic giants
members - (2) Japan, US
**********
Group of 3 (G-3)
established - NA October 1990
aim - mechanism for policy coordination
members - (3) Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela
**********
Group of 5 (G-5)
established - 22 September 1985
aim - the five major non-Communist economic powers
members - (5) France, Germany, Japan, UK, US
**********
Group of 6 (G-6)
Note - not to be confused with the Big Six
established - 22 May 1984
aim - seeks to achieve nuclear disarmament
members - (6) Argentina, Greece, India, Mexico, Sweden, Tanzania
**********
Group of 7 (G-7)
Note - membership is the same as the Big Seven
established - 22 September 1985
aim - the seven major non-Communist economic powers
members - (7) Group of 5 (France, Germany, Japan, UK, US) plus Canada and Italy
**********
Group of 8 (G-8)
established - NA October 1975
aim - the developed countries (DCs) that participated in the Conference on International Economic Cooperation (CIEC), held in several sessions between NA December 1975 and 3 June 1977
members - (8) Australia, Canada, EC (as one member), Japan, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, US
**********
Group of 9 (G-9)
established - NA
aim - informal group that meets occasionally on matters of mutual interest
members - (9) Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Romania, Sweden, Yugoslavia
**********
Group of 10 (G-10)
Note - also known as the Paris Club
established - NA October 1962
aim - wealthiest members of the IMF who provide most of the money to be loaned and act as the informal steering committee; name persists in spite of the addition of Switzerland on NA April 1984
members - (11) Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US
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Group of 11 (G-11)
Note - also known as the Cartagena Group
established - 22 June 1984, in Cartagena, Colombia
aim - forum for largest debtor nations in Latin America
members - (11) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
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Group of 15 (G-15)
Note - byproduct of the Non-Aligned Movement
established - 1989
aim - to promote economic cooperation among developing nations; to act as the main political organ for the Non-Aligned Movement
members - (15) Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Senegal, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe
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Group of 19 (G-19)
established - NA October 1975
aim - the less developed countries (LDCs) that participated in the Conference on International Economic Cooperation (CIEC) held in several sessions between NA December 1975 and 3 June 1977
members - (19) Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Cameroon, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia
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Group of 24 (G-24)
established - NA January 1972
aim - to promote the interests of developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America within the IMF
members - (24) Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Iran, Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zaire
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Group of 30 (G-30)
established - NA 1979
aim - to discuss and propose solutions to the world's economic problems
members - (30) informal group of 30 leading international bankers, economists, financial experts, and businessmen organized by Johannes Witteveen (former managing director of the IMF)
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Group of 33 (G-33)
established - NA 1987
aim - to promote solutions to international economic problems
members - (33) leading economists from 13 countries
**********
Group of 77 (G-77)
established - NA October 1967
aim - to promote economic cooperation among developing countries; name persists in spite of increased membership
members - (127 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, UAE, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Palestine Liberation Organization
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Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
Note - also known as the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf
established - 25-26 May 1981
aim - to promote regional cooperation in economic, social, political, and military affairs
members - (6) Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE
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Habitat
Note - see United Nations Center for Human Settlements (UNCHS)
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Hexagonal Group
Note - HG - the old Pentagonal Group plus one)
established - July 1991
aim - to form an economic and political cooperation group for the region between the Adriatic and the Baltic Seas
members - (6) Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Yugoslavia
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high-income countries
Note - another term for the industrialized countries with high per capita GNPs/GDPs; see developed countries (DCs)
**********
industrial countries
Note - another term for the developed countries; see developed countries (DCs)
**********
Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)
Note - also known as Banco Interamericano de Desarvollo (BID)
established - 8 April 1959
effective - 30 December 1959
aim - to promote economic and social development in Latin America
members - (44) Argentina, Austria, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yugoslavia
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Inter-Governmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD)
established - NA January 1986
aim - to promote cooperation on drought-related matters
members - (6) Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda
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International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
established - 26 October 1956
effective - 29 July 1957
aim - to promote peaceful uses of atomic energy
members - (115) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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International Bank for Economic Cooperation (IBEC)
Note - established in 22 October 1963; aim was to promote economic cooperation and development - members were Bulgaria, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, USSR, Vietnam; now a Russian bank with a new charter
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International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
Note - also known as the World Bank
established - 22 July 1944
effective - 27 December 1945
aim - UN specialized agency that initially promoted economic rebuilding after World War II and now provides economic development loans
members - (156) all UN members except Armenia, Azerbaijan, Brunei, Cuba, Estonia, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, San Marino, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan; other members are Kiribati, Tonga
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International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
established - NA 1919
aim - to promote free trade and private enterprise and to represent business interests at national and international levels
members - (58 national councils) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Burkina, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zaire
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International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
established - 7 December 1944
effective - 4 April 1947
aim - UN specialized agency to promote international cooperation in civil aviation
members - (164) all UN members except Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Dominica, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Moldova, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Western Samoa; other members are Cook Islands, Kiribati, Monaco, Nauru, Switzerland, Tonga
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International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
established - NA 1863
aim - to provide humanitarian aid in wartime
members - (25 individuals) all Swiss nationals
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International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU)
established - NA December 1949
aim - to promote the trade union movement
members - (144 national organizations in the following 103 areas) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Basque Country, Belgium, Bermuda, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, French Polynesia, The Gambia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, South Korea, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Montserrat, Morocco, Netherlands, New Caledonia, NZ, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UK, US, Vatican City, Venezuela, Western Samoa
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International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Note - also known as the World Court
established - 26 June 1945
effective - 24 October 1945
aim - primary judicial organ of the UN
members - (15 judges) elected by the General Assembly and Security Council to represent all principal legal systems
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International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL)
established - 13 June 1956
aim - to promote international cooperation between criminal police authorities
members - (152) Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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International Development Association (IDA)
established - 26 January 1960
effective - 24 September 1960
aim - UN specialized agency and IBRD affiliate that provides economic loans for low income countries
members - (136) Part I - (22 more economically advanced countries) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, UAE, UK, US
members - Part II - (114 less developed nations) Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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International Energy Agency (IEA)
established - 15 November 1974
aim - established by the OECD to promote cooperation on energy matters, especially emergency oil sharing and relations between oil consumers and oil producers
members - (21) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US
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International Finance Corporation (IFC)
established - 25 May 1955
effective - 20 July 1956
aim - UN specialized agency and IBRD affiliate that helps private enterprise sector in economic development
members - (133) Afghanistan, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
established - NA November 1974
aim - UN specialized agency that promotes agricultural development
members - (144) Category I - (21 industrialized aid contributors) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US
members - Category II - (12 petroleum-exporting aid contributors) Algeria, Gabon, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Venezuela