The 1994 CIA World Factbook (part 5 of 5)
Names: conventional long form: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland conventional short form: United Kingdom Abbreviation: UK Digraph: 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 Dependent areas: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Hong Kong (scheduled to become a Special Administrative Region of China on 1 July 1997), Jersey, Isle of Man, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands Independence: 1 January 1801 (United Kingdom established) National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday in June) Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice 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 Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Heir Apparent Prince CHARLES (son of the Queen, born 14 November 1948) head of government: Prime Minister John MAJOR (since 28 November 1990) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament House of Lords: consists of a 1,200-member body, four-fifths are hereditary peers, 2 archbishops, 24 other senior bishops, serving and retired Lords of Appeal in Ordinary, other life peers, Scottish peers House of Commons: elections 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 Judicial branch: House of Lords Political parties and leaders: Conservative and Unionist Party, John MAJOR; Labor Party; 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), Sir James KILFEDDER; Social Democratic and Labor Party (SDLP, Northern Ireland), John HUME; Sinn Fein (Northern Ireland), Gerry ADAMS 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, Australian Group, BIS, C, CCC, CDB (non-regional), CE, CERN, COCOM, 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, MINURSO, MTRC, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OECD, PCA, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNPROFOR, UNRWA, UN Security Council, UNTAC, UN Trusteeship Council, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, ZC Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sir Robin RENWICK chancery: 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 462-1340 FAX: (202) 898-4255 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, consulate(s): Dallas, Miami, Nuku'alofa, and Seattle US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Adm. William CROWE embassy: 24/31 Grosvenor Square, London, W.1A1AE mailing address: PSC 801, Box 40, FPO AE 09498-4040 telephone: [44] (71) 499-9000 FAX: [44] (71) 409-1637 consulate(s) general: 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
@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 Western Europe. The economy is essentially capitalistic; over the past thirteen years the ruling Tories have greatly reduced public ownership and contained the growth of social welfare programs. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with only 1% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil reserves, and primary energy production accounts for 12% of GDP, one of the highest shares of any industrial nation. Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by far for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to decline in importance, now employing only 25% of the work force and generating only 21% of GDP. The economy is emerging out of its 3-year recession with only weak recovery in 1993; even so, the economy fared better in 1993 than the economies of most other European countries. Unemployment is hovering around 10% of the labor force. The government in 1992 adopted a pro-growth strategy, cutting interest rates sharply and removing the pound from the European exchange rate mechanism. Excess industrial capacity probably will moderate inflation which for the first time in a decade is below the EC average. The major economic policy question for Britain in the 1990s is the terms on which it participates in the financial and economic integration of Europe. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $980.2 billion (1993) National product real growth rate: 2.1% (1993) National product per capita: $16,900 (1993) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% (1993) Unemployment rate: 10.3% (1993) Budget: revenues: $325.5 billion expenditures: $400.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $33 billion (1993 est.) Exports: $190.1 billion (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, chemicals, semifinished goods, transport equipment partners: EC countries 56.7% (Germany 14.0%, France 11.1%, Netherlands 7.9%), US 10.9% Imports: $221.6 billion (c.i.f., 1993) commodities: manufactured goods, machinery, semifinished goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods partners: EC countries 51.7% (Germany 14.9%, France 9.3%, Netherlands 8.4%), US 11.6% External debt: $16.2 billion (June 1992) Industrial production: growth rate 2.2% (1993 est.) Electricity: capacity: 99,000,000 kW production: 317 billion kWh consumption per capita: 5,480 kWh (1992) 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 Illicit drugs: gateway country for Latin American cocaine entering the European market; producer of synthetic drugs; money-laundering center Economic aid: donor: ODA and OOF commitments (1992-93), $3.2 billion Currency: 1 British pound (#) = 100 pence Exchange rates: British pounds (#) per US$1 - 0.6699 (January 1994), 0.6033 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989) Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
@United Kingdom, Communications
Railroads: UK, 16,914 km total; Great Britain's British Railways (BR) operates 16,584 km 1,435-mm (standard) gauge (including 4,545 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 330 km 1,600-mm gauge (including 190 km double track) Highways: total: 362,982 km (Great Britian 339,483 km; Northern Ireland 23,499 km) paved: 362,390 km (Great Britian 339,483 km, including 2,573 km limited access divided highway; Northern Ireland 22,907 km) unpaved: gravel 592 km (in Northern Ireland) 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: 180 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,428,571 GRT/4,297,489 DWT, bulk 17, cargo 35, chemical tanker 2, combination bulk 1, container 24, liquefied gas 5, oil tanker 59, passenger 7, passenger cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 13, short-sea passenger 14, specialized tanker 1 Airports: total: 497 usable: 388 with permanent-surface runways: 251 with runways over 3,659 m: 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 37 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 133 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), INMARSAT, 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 age 15-49 14,432,081; fit for military service 12,056,828 Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $34.8 billion, 3.7% of GDP (FY93/94)
@United States, Geography
Location: North America, between Canada and Mexico Map references: North America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 9,372,610 sq km land area: 9,166,600 sq km comparative area: about half the size of Russia; about three-tenths 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 note: includes only the 50 states and District of Columbia Land boundaries: total 12,248 km, Canada 8,893 km (including 2,477 km with Alaska), Cuba 29 km (US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay), Mexico 3,326 km Coastline: 19,924 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm depth continental shelf: 200-m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: maritime boundary disputes with Canada (Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca); US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 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; Republic of Marshall Islands claims Wake Island Climate: mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida and arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in January and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains 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, petroleum, natural gas, timber Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 26% forest and woodland: 29% other: 25% Irrigated land: 181,020 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: air pollution resulting in acid rain in both the US and Canada; the US is the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels; water pollution from runoff of pesticides and fertilizers; sparse water resources in much of the western part of the country requires careful management; desertification natural hazards: tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic coast; tornadoes in the midwest; mudslides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska is a major impediment to development international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Hazardous Wastes Note: world's fourth-largest country (after Russia, Canada, and China)
@United States, People
Population: 260,713,585 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.99% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 15.2 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 8.68 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 3.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.11 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.9 years male: 72.58 years female: 79.39 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.06 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: American(s) adjective: American Ethnic divisions: white 83.4%, black 12.4%, Asian 3.3%, Native American 0.8% (1992) Religions: Protestant 56%, Roman Catholic 28%, Jewish 2%, other 4%, none 10% (1989) Languages: English, Spanish (spoken by a sizable minority) Literacy: age 15 and over having completed 5 or more years of schooling (1991) total population: 97% male: 97% female: 97% Labor force: 129.525 million (includes armed forces and unemployed); civilian labor force 128.040 million) (1993) by occupation: managerial and professional 27.1%; technical, sales and administrative support 30.9%; services 13.8%; manufacturing, mining, transportation, and crafts 25.5%; farming, forestry, and fishing 2.8%
@United States, Government
Names: conventional long form: United States of America conventional short form: United States Abbreviation: US or USA Digraph: US 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 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 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) Independence: 4 July 1776 (from England) National holiday: Independence Day, 4 July (1776) Constitution: 17 September 1787, effective 4 March 1789 Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993); election last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 5 November 1996); results - William Jefferson CLINTON (Democratic Party) 43.2%, George BUSH (Republican Party) 37.7%, Ross PEROT (Independent) 19.0%, other 0.1% cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president with Senate approval Legislative branch: bicameral Congress Senate: elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 8 November 1994); results - Democratic Party 53%, Republican Party 47%, other NEGL%; seats - (100 total) Democratic Party 57, Republican Party 43 House of Representatives: elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 8 November 1994); results - Democratic Party 52%, Republican Party 46%, other 2%; seats - (435 total) Democratic Party 258, Republican Party 176, Independent 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Republican Party, Haley BARBOUR, national committee chairman; Jeanie AUSTIN, co-chairman; Democratic Party, David C. WILHELM, national committee chairman; several other groups or parties of minor political significance Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), ANZUS, APEC, AsDB, Australian Group, 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, MINURSO, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, PCA, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOSOM, UNRWA, UN Security Council, UNTAC, UN Trusteeship Council, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC 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
@United States, Economy
Overview: The US has the most powerful, diverse, and technologically advanced economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $24,700, 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 fell by 1%, unemployment grew, and signs of recovery proved premature. Growth picked up to 2.6% in 1992 and to 3.0% in 1993. Unemployment, however, declined only gradually, the increase in GDP being mainly attributable to gains in output per worker. Ongoing economic problems for the remainder of the 1990s include inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical costs, and sizable budget and trade deficits. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $6.379 trillion (1993) National product real growth rate: 3% (1993) National product per capita: $24,700 (1993) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1993) Unemployment rate: 6% (May 1994) Budget: revenues: $1.1535 trillion expenditures: $1.4082 trillion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.) Exports: $449 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: capital goods, automobiles, industrial supplies and raw materials, consumer goods, agricultural products partners: Western Europe 24.3%, Canada 22.1%, Japan 10.5% (1993 est.) Imports: $582 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.) commodities: crude oil and refined petroleum products, machinery, automobiles, consumer goods, industrial raw materials, food and beverages partners: Canada, 19.3%, Western Europe 18.1%, Japan 18.1% (1993 est.) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 4.6% (1993); accounts for 23% of GDP (1991) Electricity: capacity: 780,000,000 kW production: 3.23 trillion kWh consumption per capita: 12,690 kWh (1992) Industries: leading industrial power in the world, highly diversified and technologically advanced; petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, 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 4.4 million metric tons (1990) 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), $115.7 billion Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: British pounds: (#) per US$ - 0.6699 (January 1994), 0.6033 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989) Canadian dollars: (Can$) per US$ - 1.3174 (January 1994), 1.2901 (1993), 1.2087 (1992), 1.1457 (1991), 1.1668 (1990), 1.1840 (1989) French francs: (F) per US$ - 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989) Italian lire: (Lit) per US$ - 1,700.2 (January 1994), 1,573.7 (1993), 1,232.4 (1992), 1,240.6 (1991), 1,198.1 (1990), 1.372.1 (1989) Japanese yen: (Y) per US$ - 111.51 (January 1994), 111.20 (1993), 126.65 (1992), 134.71 (1991), 144.79 (1990), 137.96 (1989) German deutsche marks: (DM) per US$ - 1.7431 (January 1994), 1.6533 (1993), 1.5617 (1992), 1.6595 (1991), 1.6157 (1990), 1.8800 (1989) Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
@United States, Communications
Railroads: 240,000 km of mainline routes, all standard 1.435 meter track, no government ownership (1989) Highways: total: 6,243,163 km paved: 3,633,520 km (including 84,865 km of expressways) unpaved: 2,609,643 km (1990) Inland waterways: 41,009 km of navigable inland channels, exclusive of the Great Lakes (est.) Pipelines: petroleum 276,000 km; natural gas 331,000 km (1991) 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: 385 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 12,567,000 GRT/19,511,000 DWT, bulk 23, cargo 36, intermodal 128, liquefied gas 13, passenger-cargo 3, tanker 169, tanker tug-barge 13 note: in addition, there are 219 government-owned vessels Airports: total: 14,177 usable: 12,417 with permanent-surface runways: 4,820 with runways over 3,659 m: 63 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 325 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 2,524 Telecommunications: 126,000,000 telephone access lines; 7,557,000 cellular phone subscribers; broadcast stations - 4,987 AM, 4,932 FM, 1,092 TV; about 9,000 TV cable systems; 530,000,000 radio sets and 193,000,000 TV sets in use; 16 satellites and 24 ocean cable systems in use; satellite ground stations - 45 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 16 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT (1990)
@United States, Defense Forces
Branches: Department of the Army, Department of the Navy (including Marine Corps), Department of the Air Force Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $315.5 billion, 5.3% of GDP (1992)
@Uruguay, Geography
Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean between Argentina and Brazil Map references: South America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 176,220 sq km land area: 173,620 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Washington State Land boundaries: total 1,564 km, 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 International 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 (Arroio Invernada) area of the Rio Quarai and the islands at the confluence of the Rio Cuareim (Rio Quarai) and the Uruguay River 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: 0% meadows and pastures: 78% forest and woodland: 4% other: 10% Irrigated land: 1,100 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: subject to seasonally high winds, droughts, floods international agreements: party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation
@Uruguay, People
Population: 3,198,910 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.75% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 17.7 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 9.39 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -0.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 17.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.09 years male: 70.88 years female: 77.47 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.44 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Uruguayan(s) adjective: Uruguayan Ethnic divisions: white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4% Religions: Roman Catholic 66% (less than half adult population attends church regularly), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, nonprofessing or other 30% Languages: Spanish, Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 96% male: 97% female: 96% Labor force: 1.355 million (1991 est.) by occupation: government 25%, manufacturing 19%, agriculture 11%, commerce 12%, utilities, construction, transport, and communications 12%, other services 21% (1988 est.)
@Uruguay, Government
Names: conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay conventional short form: Uruguay local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay local short form: Uruguay Digraph: UY 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) National holiday: Independence Day, 25 August (1828) 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 Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Luis Alberto LACALLE (since 1 March 1990); Vice President Gonzalo AGUIRRE Ramirez (since 1 March 1990); election 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% cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president Legislative branch: bicameral General Assembly (Asamblea General) Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores): elections 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 (Camera de Representantes): elections 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 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: National (Blanco) Party; Colorado Party, Jorge BATLLE; Broad Front Coalition, Gen. Liber SEREGNI Mosquera; New Space Coalition, Hugo BATALLA 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, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, MERCOSUR, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP, UNOMOZ, UNTAC, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Eduardo MACGILLYCUDDY chancery: 1918 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: telephone (202) 331-1313 through 1316 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, and New York consulate(s): New Orleans US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas DODD embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo mailing address: 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: Uruguay is a small economy with favorable climate, good soils, and solid hydropower potential. Economic development has been held back by excessive government regulation of economic detail and 50% to 130% inflation. After several years of sluggish growth, real GDP jumped by about 7.5% in 1992. The rise is attributable mainly to an increase in Argentine demand for Uruguayan exports, particularly agricultural products and electricity. In a major step toward greater regional economic cooperation, Uruguay in 1991 had joined Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay in forming the Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur). A referendum in December 1992 overturned key portions of landmark privatization legislation, dealing a serious blow to President LACALLE's broad economic reform plan. Hampered by a slowdown in the agricultural sector, the economy grew at only 2% in 1993 compared with 7.5% in 1992. Although inflation declined for the second consecutive year, a surge in the money supply, rising food prices, a record trade deficit, and an increase in the government deficit toward the end of the year foreshadowed troubles ahead in 1994. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $19 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 2% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $6,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 50% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.8% (1993 est.) Budget: revenues: $2.9 billion expenditures: $3 billion, including capital expenditures of $388 million (1991 est.) Exports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: wool and textile manufactures, beef and other animal products, leather, rice partners: Brazil, Argentina, US, China, Italy Imports: $2 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles, chemicals, minerals, plastics partners: Brazil, Argentina, US, Nigeria External debt: $4.2 billion (1993) Industrial production: growth rate 4.2% (1992 est.), accounts for almost 25% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 2,168,000 kW production: 5.96 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,900 kWh (1992) Industries: meat processing, wool and hides, sugar, textiles, footwear, leather apparel, tires, cement, fishing, petroleum refining, wine Agriculture: accounts for 12% of GDP; large areas devoted to livestock grazing; wheat, rice, corn, sorghum; self-sufficient in most basic foodstuffs Economic aid: recipient: 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), $69 million Currency: 1 Uruguayan peso ($Ur) = 100 centesimos Exchange rates: Uruguayan pesos ($Ur) per US$1 - 4.4710 (January 1994), 3.9484 (1993); new Uruguayan pesos (N$Ur) per US$1 - 3,457.5 (December 1992), 3,026.9 (1992), 2,489 (1991), 1,594 (1990), 805 (1989) note: on 1 March 1993 the former New Peso (N$Ur) was replaced as Uruguay's unit of currency by the Peso which is equal to 1,000 of the New Pesos; consequently there is a major change in the peso/dollar exchange rate Fiscal year: calendar year
@Uruguay, Communications
Railroads: 3,000 km, all 1.435-meter (standard) gauge and government owned Highways: total: 49,900 km paved: 6,700 km unpaved: gravel 3,000 km; earth 40,200 km Inland waterways: 1,600 km; used by coastal and shallow-draft river craft Ports: Montevideo, Punta del Este, Colonia Merchant marine: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 84,797 GRT/132,296 DWT, cargo 1, container 2, oil tanker 1 Airports: total: 87 usable: 80 with permanent-surface runways: 16 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 14 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, Marines), Air Force, Grenadier Guards, Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 765,490; fit for military service 621,629 Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $216 million, 2.3% of GDP (1991 est.)
@Uzbekistan, Geography
Location: Central Asia, bordering the Aral Sea, between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan Map references: Asia, Commonwealth of Independent States - Central Asian States, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 447,400 sq km land area: 425,400 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: total 6,221 km, Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km Coastline: 0 km note: Uzbekistan borders the Aral Sea (420 km) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: Russia may dispute current de facto maritime border to midpoint of Caspian Sea from shore Climate: mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid grassland in east Terrain: mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya and Sirdaryo Rivers; 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: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 47% forest and woodland: 0% other: 42% Irrigated land: 41,550 sq km (1990) Environment: current issues: drying up of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and contribute to desertification; water pollution from industrial wastes is the cause of many human health disorders; increasing soil salinization; soil contamination from agricultural chemicals, including DDT natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection Note: landlocked
@Uzbekistan, People
Population: 22,608,866 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.13% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 30.01 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 6.51 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -2.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 53.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.58 years male: 65.28 years female: 72.04 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.73 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Uzbek(s) adjective: Uzbek Ethnic divisions: Uzbek 71.4%, Russian 8.3%, Tajik 4.7%, Kazakh 4.1%, Tatar 2.4%, Karakalpak 2.1%, other 7% Religions: Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3% Languages: Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1% Literacy: age 9-49 can read and write (1970) total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Labor force: 8.234 million by occupation: agriculture and forestry 43%, industry and construction 22%, other 35% (1992)
@Uzbekistan, Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of Uzbekistan conventional short form: Uzbekistan local long form: Uzbekiston Respublikasi local short form: none former: Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic Digraph: UZ Type: republic Capital: Tashkent (Toshkent) Administrative divisions: 12 wiloyatlar (singular - wiloyat), 1 autonomous republic* (respublikasi, singular - respublika), and 1 city** (shahri); Andijon Wiloyati, Bukhoro Wiloyati, Jizzakh Wiloyati, Farghona Wiloyati, Karakalpakstan* (Nukus), Qashqadaryo Wiloyati (Qarshi), Khorazm Wiloyati (Urganch), Namangan Wiloyati, Nawoiy Wiloyati, Samarqand Wiloyati, Sirdaryo Wiloyati (Guliston), Surkhondaryo Wiloyati (Termiz), Toshkent Shahri**, Toshkent Wiloyati 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 Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 September (1991) Constitution: new constitution adopted 8 December 1992 Legal system: evolution of Soviet civil law; still lacks independent judicial system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Islam KARIMOV (since NA March 1990); election last held 29 December 1991 (next to be held NA December 1996); results - Islam KARIMOV 86%, Mukhammad SOLIKH 12%, other 2% head of government: Prime Minister Abdulkhashim MUTALOV (since 13 January 1992), First Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Hakimovitch DJURABEKOV (since NA) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers; appointed by the president with approval of the Supreme Assembly Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Soviet: elections last held 18 February 1990 (next to be held winter 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (500 total) Communist 450, ERK 10, other 40; note - total number of seats will be reduced to 250 in next election Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: People's Democratic Party (PDP; formerly Communist Party), Islam A. KARIMOV, chairman; Erk (Freedom) Democratic Party (EDP), Muhammad SOLIKH, chairman (in exile); note - ERK was banned 9 December 1992 Other political or pressure groups: Birlik (Unity) People's Movement (BPM), Abdul Rakhim PULATOV, chairman (in exile); Islamic Rebirth Party (IRP), Abdullah UTAYEV, chairman note: PULATOV (BPM) and SOLIKH (EDP) are both in exile in the West; UTAYEV (IRP) is either in prison or in exile Member of: CCC, CIS, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IOC, ITU, NACC, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Fatikh TESHABAYEV chancery: Suites 619 and 623, 1511 K Street NW, Washington DC, 20005 telephone: (202) 638-4266/4267 FAX: (202) 638-4268 consulate(s) general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Henry L. CLARKE embassy: 82 Chelanzanskaya, Tashkent mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [7] (3712) 77-14-07, 77-11-32 FAX: [7] (3712) 77-69-53 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and green separated by red fimbriations with a crescent moon and 12 stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant
@Uzbekistan, Economy
Overview: Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 20% is intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. It is one of the poorest states of the former USSR with 60% of its population living in overpopulated rural communities. Nevertheless, Uzbekistan is the world's third largest cotton exporter, a major producer of gold and natural gas, and a regionally significant producer of chemicals and machinery. Since independence, the government has sought to prop up the Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on prices and production. Such policies have buffered the economy from the sharp declines in output and high inflation experienced by many other former Soviet republics. By late 1993, however, they had become increasingly unsustainable as inflation soared and Russia forced the Uzbek Government to introduce its own currency. Faced with mounting economic problems, the government has increased its cooperation with international financial institutions, announced an acceleration of privatization, and stepped up efforts to attract foreign investors. Nevertheless, the regime is likely to resist full-fledged market reforms. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $53.7 billion (1993 estimate from the UN International Comparison Program, as extended to 1991 and published in the World Bank's World Development Report 1993; and as extrapolated to 1993 using official Uzbek statistics, which are very uncertain because of major economic changes since 1990) National product real growth rate: -3.5% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $2,430 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 18% per month (1993) Unemployment rate: 0.2% includes only officially registered unemployed; large numbers of underemployed workers Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $706.5 million to outside the FSU countries (1993) commodities: cotton, gold, natural gas, mineral fertilizers, ferrous metals, textiles, food products partners: Russia, Ukraine, Eastern Europe, US Imports: $947.3 million from outside the FSU countries (1993) commodities: grain, machinery and parts, consumer durables, other foods partners: principally other FSU countries, Czech Republic External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate -7% (1993) Electricity: capacity: 11,950,000 kW production: 50.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,300 kWh (1992) Industries: textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, natural gas Agriculture: livestock, cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy; mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication programs; used as transshipment points for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: recipient: $125 million by yearend 1993; future commitments for about $500 million Currency: introduced provisional som-coupons 10 November 1993 which circulated parallel to the Russian rubles; became the sole legal currency 31 January 1994; will be replaced in July 1994 by the som currency Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year
@Uzbekistan, Communications
Railroads: 3,460 km; does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: total: 78,400 km paved and gravel: 67,000 km unpaved: earth 11,400 km (1990) Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 810 km (1992) Ports: none; landlocked Airports: total: 265 usable: 74 with permanent-surface runways: 30 with runways over 3,659 m: 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 20 with runways 1,060-2,439 m: 19 note: a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstrip Telecommunications: poorly developed; 1,458,000 telephone circuits with 68.75 circuits per 1,000 persons (1991); linked by landline or microwave with CIS member states and by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch to other countries; new INTELSAT links to Tokyo and Ankara give Uzbekistan international access independent of Russian facilities; satellite earth stations - Orbita and INTELSAT; NMT-450 analog cellular network established in Tashkent
@Uzbekistan, Defense Forces
Branches: Army, National Guard, Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 5,388,456; fit for military service 4,403,497; reach military age (18) annually 222,405 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
@Vanuatu, Geography
Location: Oceania, Melanesia, 5,750 km southwest of Honolulu in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way between Hawaii and Australia Map references: Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 14,760 sq km land area: 14,760 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Connecticut note: includes more than 80 islands Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2,528 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or the edge of continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International 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% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: subject to tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanism causes minor earthquakes international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Marine Dumping, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea
@Vanuatu, People
Population: 169,776 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.29% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 32.21 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 9.31 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 68.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59.25 years male: 57.51 years female: 61.09 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.31 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural) adjective: Ni-Vanuatu Ethnic divisions: indigenous Melanesian 94%, French 4%, Vietnamese, Chinese, 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 (official), French (official), pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1979) total population: 53% male: 57% female: 48% Labor force: NA by occupation: NA
@Vanuatu, Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu conventional short form: Vanuatu former: New Hebrides Digraph: NH 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) National holiday: Independence Day, 30 July (1980) Constitution: 30 July 1980 Legal system: unified system being created from former dual French and British systems Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jean Marie LEYE (since 2 March 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Maxime CARLOT Korman (since 16 December 1991); Deputy Prime Minister Sethy REGENVANU (since 17 December 1991) cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister, responsible to parliament Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament: elections 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 a new government on 16 December 1991, but political party associations are fluid; seats - (46 total) UMP 19; NUP 10; VP 10; MPP 4; TUP 1; Nagriamel 1; Friend 1 note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of custom and land Judicial branch: Supreme Court 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 Member of: ACCT, ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, NAM, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: Vanuatu does not have a mission in the US US diplomatic representation: the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green 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. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $142 million (1988 est.) National product real growth rate: 6% (1991) National product per capita: $1,050 (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.3% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $90 million expenditures: $103 million, including capital expenditures of $45 million (1989 est.) Exports: $14.9 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: copra, beef, cocoa, timber, coffee partners: Netherlands, Japan, France, New Caledonia, Belgium Imports: $74 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: machines and vehicles, food and beverages, basic manufactures, raw materials and fuels, chemicals partners: Australia 36%, Japan 13%, NZ 10%, France 8%, Fiji 8% External debt: $38 million (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 8.1% (1990); accounts for about 10% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 17,000 kW production: 30 million kWh consumption per capita: 180 kWh (1990) Industries: food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning Agriculture: accounts for 40% of GDP; export crops - coconuts, cocoa, coffee, fish; subsistence crops - taro, yams, coconuts, fruits, vegetables Economic aid: recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $606 million Currency: 1 vatu (VT) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: vatu (VT) per US$1 - 123.48 (September 1993), 113.39 (1992), 111.68 (1991), 116.57 (1990), 116.04 (1989) Fiscal year: calendar year
@Vanuatu, Communications
Railroads: none Highways: total: 1,027 km paved: 240 km unpaved: 787 km Ports: Port-Vila, Luganville, Palikoulo Merchant marine: 131 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,992,201 GRT/2,909,381 DWT, bulk 57, cargo 23, chemical tanker 2, combination bulk 1, container 5, liquefied gas 3, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 8, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 19, vehicle carrier 11 note: a flag of convenience registry Airports: total: 31 usable: 31 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 2 Telecommunications: broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, no TV; 3,000 telephones; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT ground station
@Vanuatu, Defense Forces
Branches: Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) note: no military forces Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
@Venezuela, Geography
Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea between Colombia and Guyana Map references: South America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 912,050 sq km land area: 882,050 sq km comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of California Land boundaries: total 4,993 km, 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 International 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); Guiana Highlands in southeast Natural resources: petroleum, 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% Irrigated land: 2,640 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast natural hazards: subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping Note: on major sea and air routes linking North and South America
@Venezuela, People
Population: 20,562,405 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.16% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 25.74 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 4.63 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 27.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73 years male: 70.12 years female: 76.03 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.05 children born/woman (1994 est.) 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: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 88% male: 87% female: 90% Labor force: 5.8 million by occupation: services 56%, industry 28%, agriculture 16% (1985)
@Venezuela, Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of Venezuela conventional short form: Venezuela local long form: Republica de Venezuela local short form: Venezuela Digraph: VE Type: republic Capital: Caracas Administrative divisions: 21 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 territory* (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) National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1811) 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 Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Rafael CALDERA Rodriquez (since 2 February 1994); election last held 5 December 1993 (next to be held December 1998); results - Rafael CALDERA (National Convergence) 30.45%, Claudio FERMIN (AD) 23.59%, Oswaldo ALVAREZ PAZ (COPEI) 22.72%, Andres VELASQUEZ (Causa R) 21.94%, other 1.3% cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president Legislative branch: bicameral Congress of the Republic (Congreso de la Republica) Senate (Senado): elections last held 5 December 1993 (next to be held December 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (52 total) AD 18, COPEI 15, Causa R 9, MAS 5, National Convergence 5; note - 3 former presidents (2 from AD, 1 from COPEI) hold lifetime senate seats Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados): elections last held 5 December 1993 (next to be held December 1998); results - AD 27.9%, COPEI 26.9%, MAS 12.4%, National Convergence 12.9%, Causa R 19.9%; seats - (201 total) AD 55, COPEI 53, MAS 24, National Convergence 26, Causa R 40, other 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia) Gonzalo RODRIGUEZ Corro, President Political parties and leaders: National Convergence (Convergencia), Jose Miguel UZCATEGUI, director; Social Christian Party (COPEI), Hilarion CARDOZO, president, and Jose CURIEL, secretary general; Democratic Action (AD), Pedro PARIS Montesinos, president, and Luis ALFARO Ucero, secretary general; Movement Toward Socialism (MAS), Argelia LAYA, president, and Freddy MUNOZ, secretary general; Radical Cause (La Causa R), Pablo MEDINA, secretary general Other political or pressure groups: FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers (CTV, labor organization dominated by the Democratic Action); VECINOS groups Member of: AG, BCIE, CARICOM (observer), CDB, CG, ECLAC, FAO, G-3, G-11, G-15, 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, MINURSO, NAM, OAS, ONUSAL, OPANAL, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNPROFOR, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pedro Luis ECHEVERRIA chancery: 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: (202) 342-2214 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Jeffrey DAVIDOW embassy: Avenida Francisco de Miranda and Avenida Principal de la Floresta, Caracas mailing address: P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A, or APO AA 34037 telephone: [58] (2) 285-2222 FAX: [58] (2) 285-0336 consulate(s): Maracaibo (closed March 1994) 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 backbone of the economy, accounting for 23% of GDP, 61% of central government ordinary revenues, and 77% of export earnings in 1993. Former President PEREZ introduced an economic readjustment program when he assumed office in February 1989. Lower tariffs and the removal of price controls, a free market exchange rate, and market-linked interest rates threw the economy into confusion, causing an 8% decline in GDP in 1989. The economy recovered part way in 1990 and grew by 9.7% in 1991 and 6.8% in 1992; economic activity fell by 1% in 1993, primarily because of business concerns over political instability. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $161 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: -1% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $8,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 46% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.2% (1993 est.) Budget: revenues: $9.8 billion expenditures: $11.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $103 million (1993 est.) Exports: $14.2 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: petroleum 77%, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures partners: US and Puerto Rico 42%, Japan, Netherlands, Italy Imports: $11 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials partners: US 50%, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Canada External debt: $28.5 billion (1993) Industrial production: growth rate 6.1% (1992 est.); accounts for 40% of GDP, including petroleum Electricity: capacity: 21,130,000 kW production: 58.541 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,830 kWh (1992) 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; important money-laundering hub Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-86), $488 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $10 million Currency: 1 bolivar (Bs) = 100 centimos Exchange rates: bolivares (Bs) per US$1 - 107.260 (January 1994), 90.826 (1993), 68.38 (1992), 56.82 (1991), 46.90 (1990), 34.68 (1989) 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: total: 81,000 km paved: 31,200 km unpaved: gravel 24,800 km; earth and unimproved earth 25,000 km 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: 47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 741,688 GRT/1,204,233 DWT, bulk 4, cargo 16, combination bulk 1, container 1, liquefied gas 2, oil tanker 17, passenger cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4, short-sea passenger 1 Airports: total: 425 usable: 392 with permanent-surface runways: 139 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 15 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 92 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: National Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales, FAN) includes - Ground Forces or Army (Fuerzas Terrestres or Ejercito), Naval Forces (Fuerzas Navales or Armada), Air Forces (Fuerzas Aereas or Aviacion), Armed Forces of Cooperation or National Guard (Fuerzas Armadas de Cooperation or Guardia Nacional) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 5,341,855; fit for military service 3,875,523; reach military age (18) annually 224,550 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.95 billion, 4% of GDP (1991)
@Vietnam, Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea, between Laos and the Philippines Map references: Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 329,560 sq km land area: 325,360 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: total 3,818 km, 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: 200 nm or the edge of continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International 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% Irrigated land: 18,300 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: deforestation; soil degradation; water pollution and overfishing threatening marine life populations natural hazards: occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding international agreements: party to - Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban
@Vietnam, People
Population: 73,103,898 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 1.78% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 27.13 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 7.76 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -1.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 45.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.41 years male: 63.37 years female: 67.58 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.33 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Vietnamese (singular and plural) adjective: Vietnamese Ethnic divisions: Vietnamese 85-90%, Chinese 3%, Muong, Thai, Meo, Khmer, Man, Cham Religions: Buddhist, Taoist, Roman Catholic, indigenous beliefs, Islamic, Protestant Languages: Vietnamese (official), French, Chinese, English, Khmer, tribal languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 88% male: 93% female: 83% Labor force: 32.7 million by occupation: agricultural 65%, industrial and service 35% (1990 est.)
@Vietnam, Government
Names: conventional long form: Socialist Republic of Vietnam conventional short form: Vietnam local long form: Cong Hoa Chu Nghia Viet Nam local short form: Viet Nam Abbreviation: SRV Digraph: VM 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 Lac, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, 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 Independence: 2 September 1945 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 2 September (1945) Constitution: 15 April 1992 Legal system: based on Communist legal theory and French civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Le Duc ANH (since 23 September 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Vo Van KIET (since 9 August 1991); First Deputy Prime Minister Phan Van KHAI (since 10 August 1991); Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen KHANH (since NA February 1987); Deputy Prime Minister Tran Duc LUONG (since NA February 1987) cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president on proposal of the prime minister and ratification of the Assembly Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Quoc-Hoi): elections last held 19 July 1992 (next to be held NA July 1997); results - VCP is the only party; seats - (395 total) VCP or VCP-approved 395 Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court Political parties and leaders: only party - Vietnam Communist Party (VCP), DO MUOI, general secretary Member of: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: none; Ambassador Le Van BANG is the Permanent Representative to the UN US diplomatic representation: none Flag: red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center
@Vietnam, Economy
Overview: Vietnam has made significant progress in recent years moving away from the planned economic model toward a more effective market-based economic system. Most prices are now fully decontrolled, and the Vietnamese currency has been effectively devalued and floated at world market rates. In addition, the scope for private sector activity has been expanded, primarily through decollectivization of the agricultural sector and introduction of laws giving legal recognition to private business. Nearly three-quarters of export earnings are generated by only two commodities, rice and crude oil. Led by industry and construction, the economy did well in 1993 with output rising perhaps 7%. However, the industrial sector remains burdened by uncompetitive state-owned enterprises the government is unwilling or unable to privatize. Unemployment looms as a serious problem with roughly 25% of the workforce without jobs and with population growth swelling the ranks of the unemployed yearly. National product: GNP - purchasing power equivalent - $72 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 7% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $1,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.2% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 25% (1993 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.9 billion expenditures: $2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) Exports: $2.6 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: petroleum, rice, agricultural products, marine products, coffee partners: Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Germany, Indonesia Imports: $3.1 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: petroleum products, steel products, railroad equipment, chemicals, medicines, raw cotton, fertilizer, grain partners: Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, Taiwan External debt: $3.4 billion Western countries; $4.5 billion CEMA debts primarily to Russia; $700 million commercial debts (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 15% (1992); accounts for 20% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 3,300,000 kW production: 9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 130 kWh (1992) Industries: food processing, textiles, machine building, mining, cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil Agriculture: accounts for almost 40% of GDP; paddy rice, corn, potatoes make up 50% of farm output; commercial crops (rubber, soybeans, coffee, tea, bananas) and animal products 50%; since 1989 self-sufficient in food staple rice; fish catch of 943,100 metric tons (1989 est.) Illicit drugs: minor opium producer and secondary transit point for Southeast Asian heroin destined for the US and Europe Economic aid: recipient: $1.9 billion in credits and grants pledged by international donors for 1994, Japan largest contributor with $550 million Currency: 1 new dong (D) = 100 xu Exchange rates: new dong (D) per US$1 - 10,800 (November 1993), 8,100 (July 1991), 7,280 (December 1990), 3,996 (March 1990); 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: total: 85,000 km paved: 9,400 km unpaved: gravel, improved earth 48,700 km; unimproved earth 26,900 km Inland waterways: 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: 101 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 460,225 GRT/741,231 DWT, bulk 3, cargo 86, oil tanker 8, refrigerated cargo 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 Airports: total: 100 usable: 100 with permanent-surface runways: 50 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 10 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 20 Telecommunications: the inadequacies of the obsolete switching equipment and cable system is a serious constraint on the business sector and on economic growth, and restricts access to the international links that Vietnam has established with most major countries; the telephone system is not generally available for private use (25 telephones for each 10,000 persons); 3 satellite earth stations; broadcast stations - NA AM, 288 FM; 36 (77 repeaters) TV; about 2,500,000 TV receivers and 7,000,000 radio receivers in use (1991)
@Vietnam, Defense Forces
Branches: People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) including: Ground, Navy (including Naval Infantry), Air Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 18,281,483; fit for military service 11,602,318; reach military age (17) annually 762,943 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GNP
@Virgin Islands
Header Affiliation: (territory of the US)
@Virgin Islands, Geography
Location: Caribbean, in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about 110 km east and southeast of Puerto Rico Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total area: 352 sq km land area: 349 sq km comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 188 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International 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% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources natural hazards: rarely affected by hurricanes; subject to frequent severe droughts, floods, earthquakes international agreements: NA Note: important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural, deepwater harbors in the Caribbean
@Virgin Islands, People
Population: 97,564 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: -0.52% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 19.41 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -19.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 12.54 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.29 years male: 73.6 years female: 77.2 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.53 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Virgin Islander(s) adjective: Virgin Islander 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), Spanish, Creole Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 45,500 (1988) by occupation: tourism 70%
@Virgin Islands, Government
Names: conventional long form: Virgin Islands of the United States conventional short form: Virgin Islands Digraph: VQ 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) National holiday: Transfer Day, 31 March (1917) (from Denmark to US) Constitution: Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 Legal system: based on US Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections Executive branch: chief of state: President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993) head of government: Governor Alexander A. FARRELLY (since 5 January 1987); Lieutenant Governor Derek M. HODGE (since 5 January 1987); election 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% Legislative branch: unicameral Senate: elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 2 November 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total) number of seats by party NA US House of Representatives: elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 2 November 1994); results - Ron DE LUGO reelected as delegate; seats - (1 total); seat by party NA; note - the Virgin Islands elect one representative to the US House of Representatives 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 Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Marilyn STAPLETON; Independent Citizens' Movement (ICM), Virdin C. BROWN; Republican Party, Charlotte-Poole DAVIS Member of: ECLAC (associate), IOC Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of the US) US 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. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $1.2 billion (1987) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $11,000 (1987) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 3.7% (1992) Budget: revenues: $364.4 million expenditures: $364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.) Exports: $2.8 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: refined petroleum products partners: US, Puerto Rico Imports: $3.3 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials partners: US, Puerto Rico External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 12% (year NA); accounts for NA% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 380,000 kW production: 565 million kWh consumption per capita: 5,710 kWh (1992) 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: recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $42 million Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
@Virgin Islands, Communications
Highways: total: 856 km paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Saint Croix - Christiansted, Frederiksted; Saint Thomas - Long Bay, Crown Bay, Red Hook; Saint John - Cruz Bay Airports: total: 2 usable: 2 with permanent-surface runways : 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 2 note: international airports on Saint Thomas and Saint Croix Telecommunications: modern telephone system using fiber-optic cable, submarine cable, microwave radio, and satellite facilities; 58,931 telephones; 98,000 radios; 63,000 TV sets in use; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 8 FM, 4 TV (1988)
@Virgin Islands, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the US
@Wake Island
Header Affiliation: (territory of the US)
@Wake Island, Geography
Location: Oceania, Micronesia, in the North Pacific Ocean, 3,700 km west of Honolulu, about two-thirds of the way between Hawaii and the Northern Mariana Islands Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 6.5 sq km land area: 6.5 sq km comparative area: about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 19.3 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International 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 4 meters Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: subject to occasional typhoons international agreements: NA Note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights
@Wake Island, People
Population: 302 (July 1994 est.)
@Wake Island, Government
Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Wake Island Digraph: WQ 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; presently administered by Base Commander, Major James ANDEL until August 1994, when Willis ALLEY will take over until July 1995 Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC Independence: none (territory of the US) 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: total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: satellite communications; 1 Autovon circuit off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS); Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio and television service provided by satellite; broadcast station - closed early 1992. Note: formerly an important commercial aviation base, now used by US military, some commercial cargo planes, as well as the US Army Space and Strategic Defense Command for missile launches
@Wake Island, Defense Forces
defense is the responsibility of the US
@Wallis and Futuna
Header Affiliation: (overseas territory of France)
@Wallis and Futuna, Geography
Location: Oceania, Polynesia in the South Pacific Ocean, 4,600 km southwest of Honolulu, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 274 sq km land area: 274 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 129 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International 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% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: both island groups have fringing reefs
@Wallis and Futuna, People
Population: 14,338 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 1.13% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 25.74 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 5.26 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -9.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 26.26 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.72 years male: 71.08 years female: 72.4 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.23 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander Ethnic divisions: Polynesian Religions: Roman Catholic Languages: French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language) Literacy: all ages can read and write (1969) total population: 50% male: 50% female: 51% Labor force: NA by occupation: agriculture, livestock, and fishing 80%, government 4% (est.)
@Wallis and Futuna, Government
Names: conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna local short form: Wallis et Futuna Digraph: WF 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 legal system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) head of government: High Administrator Philippe LEGRIX (since NA); President of the Territorial Assembly Soane Noni UHILA (since NA March 1992) cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of 3 kings and 3 members appointed by the high administrator on advice of the Territorial Assembly note: there are three traditional kings with limited powers Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly (Assemblee Territoriale): elections 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: elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held by NA September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) RPR 1 French National Assembly: elections last held 21 and 28 March 1992 (next to be held by NA September 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) MRG 1 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 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) Member of: FZ, SPC Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas territory of France) US diplomatic representation: none (overseas territory of 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. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $25 million (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $1,500 (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 est.) 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: capacity: 1,200 kW production: 1 million kWh consumption per capita: 70 kWh (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: recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $118 million Currency: 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 107.63 (January 1994), 102.96 (1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.0 (1990), 115.99 (1989); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc Fiscal year: NA
@Wallis and Futuna, Communications
Highways: total: 120 km (Ile Uvea 100 km, Ile Futuna 20km) paved: 16 km (on Il Uvea) unpaved: 104 km (Ile Uvea 84 km, Ile Futuna 20 km) Inland waterways: none Ports: Mata-Utu, Leava Airports: total: 2 usable: 2 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 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 The war between Israel and Egypt, Syria, and Jordan in June 1967 ended with Israel in control of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, the Sinai Peninsula, and the Golan Heights. Israel withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula pursuant to a 1979 peace treaty with Egypt. The Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements ("the DOP"), signed in Washington on 13 September 1993, provides for a transitional period not exceeding five years of Palestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Under the DOP, final status negotiations are to begin no later than the beginning of the third year of the transitional period.
@West Bank, Geography
Location: Middle East, between Jordan and Israel Map references: Middle East Area: total area: 5,860 sq km land area: 5,640 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Delaware note: includes West Bank, East Jerusalem, Latrun Salient, Jerusalem No Man's Land, and the northwest quarter of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus Land boundaries: total 404 km, Israel 307 km, Jordan 97 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli occupied with interim status subject to Israeli/Palestinian negotiations - final 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% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastal aquifers; there are 200 Jewish settlements and civilian land use sites in the West Bank and 25 in East Jerusalem (April 1994)
@West Bank, People
Population: 1,443,790 (July 1994 est.) note: in addition, there are 110,500 Jewish settlers in the West Bank and 144,100 in East Jerusalem (1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.68% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 32.48 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 5.11 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -0.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 33.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.39 years male: 68.88 years female: 71.98 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.2 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: NA adjective: NA Ethnic divisions: Palestinian Arab and other 88%, Jewish 12% Religions: Muslim 80% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 12%, Christian and other 8% Languages: Arabic, Hebrew spoken by Israeli settlers, English widely understood Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: NA by occupation: construction 28.2%, agriculture 21.8%, industry 14.5%, commerce, restaurants, and hotels 12.6%, other services 22.9% (1991) note: excluding Jewish settlers
@West Bank, Government
Note: Under the Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arragements ("the DOP"), Israel agreed to transfer certain powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, and subsequently to an elected Palestinian Council, as part of interim self-governing arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza Strip and Jericho has taken place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area. The DOP provides that Israel will retain responsibility during the transitional period for external security and for internal security and public order of settlements and Israelis. Final status is to be determined through direct negotiations within five years. Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: West Bank Digraph: WE
@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 Palestinian firms to compete with Israeli industry. A major share of GNP has traditionally been derived from remittances of workers employed in Israel and Persian Gulf states. Such transfers from the Gulf dropped 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 dropped because of the decline of markets in Jordan and the Gulf states. Israeli measures to curtail the intifadah also have added to unemployment and lowered living standards. The area's economic situation has worsened since Israel's partial closure of the territories in 1993. National product: GNP - exchange rate conversion - $2 billion (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: -7% (1991 est.) National product per capita: $2,050 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues: $43.4 million expenditures: $43.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90) Exports: $175 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: olives, fruit, vegetables partners: Jordan, Israel Imports: $775 million (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: food, consumer goods, construction materials partners: Jordan, Israel External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate -1% (1991); accounts for about 6% 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 23% of GNP; olives, citrus and other fruits, vegetables, beef, and dairy products Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot; 1 Jordanian dinar (JD) = 1,000 fils Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 2.9760 (February 1994), 2.8301 (1993), 2.4591 (1992), 2.2791 (1991), 2.0162 (1990), 1.9164 (1989); Jordanian dinars (JD) per US$1 - 0.7019 (February 1994), 0.6928 (1993), 0.6797 (1992), 0.6808 (1991), 0.6636 (1990), 0.5704 (1989) Fiscal year: calendar year (since 1 January 1992)
@West Bank, Communications
Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA note: small road network, Israelis developing east-west axial highways to service new settlements Airports: total: 2 usable: 2 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: open-wire telephone system currently being upgraded; broadcast stations - no AM, no FM, no TV
@West Bank, Defense Forces
Branches: NA Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
@Western Sahara, Geography
Location: Northern Africa, along the Atlantic Ocean, between Morocco and Mauritania Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 266,000 sq km land area: 266,000 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Colorado Land boundaries: total 2,046 km, Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km Coastline: 1,110 km Maritime claims: contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue International 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 air 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: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 19% forest and woodland: 0% other: 81% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: sparse water and arable land natural hazards: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility international agreements: NA
@Western Sahara, People
Population: 211,877 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.5% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 47.22 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 19.04 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -3.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 152.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 45.59 years male: 44.66 years female: 46.83 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.96 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s) adjective: Sahrawian, Sahraouian Ethnic divisions: Arab, Berber Religions: Muslim Languages: Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 12,000 by occupation: animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50%
@Western Sahara, Government
Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Western Sahara Digraph: WI 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) Executive branch: none Member of: none Diplomatic representation in US: none US 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. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $60 million (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $300 (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: capacity: 60,000 kW production: 79 million kWh consumption per capita: 425 kWh (1989) Industries: phosphate mining, 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: 1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1 - 9.669 (January 1994), 9.299 (1993), 8.538 (1992), 8.707 (1991), 8.242 (1990), 8.488 (1989) Fiscal year: NA
@Western Sahara, Communications
Highways: total: 6,200 km unpaved: gravel 1,450 km; improved, unimproved earth, tracks 4,750 km Ports: El Aaiun, Ad Dakhla Airports: total: 14 usable: 14 with permanent-surface runways: 3 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 5 Telecommunications: sparse and limited system; tied into Morocco's system by microwave radio relay, troposcatter, 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 Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
@Western Samoa, Geography
Location: Oceania, Polynesia, 4,300 km southwest of Honolulu in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand Map references: Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 2,860 sq km land area: 2,850 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Rhode Island Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 403 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International 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: 0% forest and woodland: 47% other: 10% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: soil erosion natural hazards: subject to occasional typhoons; active volcanism international agreements: party to - Biodiversity; signed, but not ratified - Climate Change, Law of the Sea
@Western Samoa, People
Population: 204,447 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.38% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 32.41 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 6.02 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -2.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 37 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.97 years male: 65.59 years female: 70.48 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.16 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Western Samoan(s) adjective: Western Samoan Ethnic divisions: Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of European and Polynesian blood), 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: age 15 and over can read and write (1971) total population: 97% male: 97% female: 97% Labor force: 38,000 by occupation: agriculture 22,000 (1987 est.)
@Western Samoa, Government
Names: conventional long form: Independent State of Western Samoa conventional short form: Western Samoa Digraph: WS 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) National holiday: National Day, 1 June (1962) 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 Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal, but only matai (head of family) are able to run for the Legislative Assembly Executive branch: 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) cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the head of state with the prime minister's advice Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (Fono): elections last held 5 April 1991 (next to be held by NA 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (47 total) HRPP 28, SNDP 18, independents 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), TOFILAU Eti Alesana, chairman; Samoan National Development Party (SNDP), TAPUA Tamasese Efi, chairman Member of: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, LORCS, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Neroni SLADE chancery: 820 Second Avenue, Suite 800, New York, NY 10017 telephone: (212) 599-6196 or 6197 FAX: (212) 972-3970 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: the ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to Western Samoa embassy: 5th floor, Beach Road, Apia mailing address: 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 much greater than export earnings. Tourism has become the most important growth industry, and construction of the first international hotel is under way. The economy continued to falter in 1993, as remittances and tourist earnings fell off. A fungal plant disease severely damaged the taro crop, the primary food and export crop. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $400 million (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: -4.3% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $2,000 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $95.3 million expenditures: $95.4 million, including capital expenditures of $41 million (1992 est.) Exports: $5.7 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: coconut oil and cream, taro, copra, cocoa partners: New Zealand 34%, American Samoa 21%, Germany 18%, Australia 11% Imports: $11.5 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.) commodities: intermediate goods 58%, food 17%, capital goods 12% partners: New Zealand 37%, Australia 25%, Japan 11%, Fiji 9% External debt: $83 million (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -0.3% (1992 est.); accounts for 16% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 29,000 kW production: 45 million kWh consumption per capita: 240 kWh (1990) Industries: timber, tourism, food processing, fishing Agriculture: accounts for about 50% of GDP; coconuts, fruit (including bananas, taro, yams) Economic aid: recipient: 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), $4 million Currency: 1 tala (WS$) = 100 sene Exchange rates: tala (WS$) per US$1 - 2.5920 (January 1994), 2.5681 (1993), 2.4655 (1992), 2.3975 (1991), 2.3095 (1990), 2.2686 (1989) Fiscal year: calendar year
@Western Samoa, Communications
Highways: total: 2,042 km paved: 375 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone, earth 1,667 km Ports: Apia Merchant marine: 1 roll on/roll off cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,838 GRT/5,536 DWT Airports: total: 3 usable: 3 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 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 Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
@World, Geography
Map references: Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 510.072 million sq km land area: 148.94 million sq km water area: 361.132 million sq km comparative area: land area about 16 times the size of the US note: 70.8% of the world is water, 29.2% is land Land boundaries: the land boundaries in the world total 250,883.64 km (not counting shared boundaries twice) Coastline: 356,000 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm claimed by most but can vary continental shelf: 200-m depth claimed by most or to depth of exploitation, others claim 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm claimed by most but can vary exclusive economic zone: 200 nm claimed by most but can vary territorial sea: 12 nm claimed by most but can vary note: boundary situations with neighboring states prevent many countries from extending their fishing or economic zones to a full 200 nm; 42 nations and other areas that are landlocked include Afghanistan, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Holy See (Vatican City), Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Paraguay, Rwanda, San Marino, Slovakia, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tajikistan, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, West Bank, Zambia, Zimbabwe 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% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: large areas subject to overpopulation, industrial disasters, pollution (air, water, acid rain, toxic substances), loss of vegetation (overgrazing, deforestation, desertification), loss of wildlife, soil degradation, soil depletion, erosion natural hazards: large areas subject to severe weather (tropical cyclones), natural disasters (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions) international agreements: 20 selected international environmental agreements included under the Environment entry for each country and in Appendix E: Selected International Environmental Agreements
@World, People
Population: 5,643,289,771 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 1.5% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 25 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 65 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62 years male: 61 years female: 64 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.1 children born/woman (1994 est.) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.); total population: 82% male: 68% female: 75% Labor force: 2.24 billion (1992) by occupation: NA
@World, Government
Digraph: XX Administrative divisions: 265 sovereign nations, dependent areas, other, and miscellaneous entries Legal system: varies by individual country; 182 are parties to the United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ or World Court)
@World, Economy
Overview: Real global output - gross world product (GWP) - rose roughly 2% in 1993, with results varying widely among regions and countries. Average growth of 1% in the GDP of industrialized countries (57% of GWP in 1993) and average growth of 6% in the GDP of less developed countries (37% of GWP) were partly offset by a further 10% drop in the GDP of the former USSR/Eastern Europe area (now only 6% of GWP). Within the industrialized world the US posted a 3% growth rate whereas both Japan and the 12-member European Union (formerly the European Community) had zero growth. With the notable exception of Japan at 2.5%, unemployment was typically 6-11% in the industrial world. The US accounted for 22% of GWP in 1993; Western Europe accounted for 22.5%; and Japan accounted for 9%. These are the three "economic superpowers" which are presumably destined to compete for mastery in international markets on into the 21st century. As for the less developed countries, China, India, and the Four Dragons--South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore--once again posted good records; however, many other countries, especially in Africa, continued to suffer from drought, rapid population growth, inflation, and civil strife. Central Europe, especially Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, made considerable progress in moving toward "market-friendly" economies, whereas the 15 ex-Soviet countries typically experienced further declines in output of 10-15%. Externally, the nation-state, as a bedrock economic-political institution, is steadily losing control over international flows of people, goods, funds, and technology. Internally, the central government in a number of cases is losing control over resources as separatist regional movements - typically based on ethnicity - gain momentum, e.g., in the successor states of the former Soviet Union, in former Yugoslavia, and in India. In Western Europe, governments face the difficult political problem of channeling resources away from welfare programs in order to increase investment and strengthen incentives to seek employment. The addition of nearly 100 million people each year to an already overcrowded globe is exacerbating the problems of pollution, desertification, underemployment, epidemics, and famine. Because of their own internal problems, the industrialized countries have inadequate resources to deal effectively with the poorer areas of the world, which, at least from the economic point of view, are becoming further marginalized. (For the specific economic problems of each country, see the individual country entries in this volume.) National product: GWP (gross world product) - purchasing power equivalent - $29 trillion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 2% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $5,200 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): developed countries: 5% (1993 est.) developing countries: 50% (1993 est.) note: these figures vary widely in individual cases Unemployment rate: developed countries typically 6%-11%; developing countries, extensive unemployment and underemployment (1993) Exports: $3.64 trillion (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and services partners: in value, about 75% of exports from the developed countries Imports: $3.82 trillion (c.i.f., 1992 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 trillion for less developed countries (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -1% (1992 est.) Electricity: capacity: 2,864,000,000 kW production: 11.45 trillion kWh consumption per capita: 2,150 kWh (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 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 intensified the consequences of overpopulation 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 Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Mina' al Ahmadi (Kuwait), Chiba, Houston, Kawasaki, Kobe, Marseille, New Orleans, New York, Rotterdam, Yokohama Merchant marine: 23,943 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 397,225,000 GRT/652,025,000 DWT, bulk carrier 5,473, freighter 12,581, passenger-cargo 347, tanker 5,542 (all data as of January 1992)
@World, Defense Forces
Branches: ground, maritime, and air forces at all levels of technology Defense expenditures: somewhat less than $1.0 trillion, 3% of total world output; decline of 5%-10% (1993 est.)
@Yemen, Geography
Location: Middle East, along the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, south of Saudi Arabia Map references: Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 527,970 sq km land area: 527,970 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming note: 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) Land boundaries: total 1,746 km, Oman 288 km, Saudi Arabia 1,458 km Coastline: 1,906 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 18 nm in the North; 24 nm in the South continental shelf: 200-m depth in the North; 200 nm in the South or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: undefined section of boundary with Saudi Arabia; a treaty with Oman defining the Yemeni-Omani boundary was ratified in December 1992 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: petroleum, fish, rock salt, marble, small deposits of coal, gold, lead, nickel, and copper, fertile soil in west Land use: arable land: 6% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 30% forest and woodland: 7% other: 57% Irrigated land: 3,100 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: scarcity of natural freshwater resources (shortages of potable water); overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification natural hazards: subject to sandstorms and dust storms in summer international agreements: party to - Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change 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: 11,105,202 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 3.34% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 50.72 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 14.94 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -2.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 112.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.47 years male: 50.34 years female: 52.65 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 7.2 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Yemeni(s) adjective: Yemeni Ethnic divisions: predominantly Arab; Afro-Arab concentrations in coastal locations; South Asians in southern regions; small European communities in major metropolitan areas; 60,000 (est.) Somali refugees encamped near Aden Religions: Muslim including Sha'fi (Sunni) and Zaydi (Shi'a), Jewish, Christian, Hindu Languages: Arabic Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 38% male: 53% female: 26% Labor force: no reliable estimates exist, most people are employed in agriculture and herding or as expatriate laborers; services, construction, industry, and commerce account for less than half of the labor force
@Yemen, Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of Yemen conventional short form: Yemen local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Yamaniyah local short form: Al Yaman Digraph: YM Type: republic Capital: Sanaa Administrative divisions: 17 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Abyan, Adan, Al Bayda, Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Al Mahrah, Al Mahwit, Dhamar, Hadramaut, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahij, Marib, Sadah, Sana, Shabwah, Taizz note: there may be a new capital district of Sana Independence: 22 May 1990 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) National holiday: Proclamation of the Republic, 22 May (1990) Constitution: 16 May 1991 Legal system: based on Islamic law, Turkish law, English common law, and local customary law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Ali Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May 1990, the former president of North Yemen); note - Sanaa dismissed Vice President Ali Salim al-BIDH, Prime Minister Haydar Abu Bakr al-ATTAS (the former president of South Yemen), and 14 other southern officials following the outbreak of civil war on 4 May 1994 five-member Presidential Council: president, vice president, two members from General People's Congress party, two members from Yemeni Socialist Party, and one member from Yemeni Grouping for Reform, or Islaah party cabinet: Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives: elections last held 27 April 1993 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (301 total) GPC 124, YSP 55, Islaah 61, Ba'thist parties 7, Nasserist parties 4, Hizb al-Haqq 2, Independents 47, election nullified 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Ba'thist parties; General People's Congress (GPC), Ali Abdallah SALIH; Hizb al Haqq, Ibrahim al-WAZIR, Sheikh Ahmad ibn Ali SHAMI (Secretary General); Nasserist parties; Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP), Ali Salim al-BIDH; Yemeni Grouping for Reform or Islaah, Shaykh Abdallah bin Husayn al-AHMAR Other political or pressure groups: NA 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 in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Muhsin Ahmad AL-AYNI chancery: Suite 705, 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: (202) 965-4760 or 4761 FAX: (202) 337-2017 consulate general(s): Detroit US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Arthur H. HUGHES embassy: Dhahr Himyar Zone, Sheraton Hotel District, Sanaa mailing address: P. O. Box 22347 Sanaa or Sanaa, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-6330 telephone: [967] (1) 238-842 through 238-852 FAX: [967] (1) 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 its moderate oil resources. Former South Yemen's willingness to merge stemmed partly from the steady decline in Soviet economic support. The low level of domestic industry and agriculture have made northern Yemen dependent on imports for practically all of its essential needs. Large trade deficits have been compensated for by remittances from Yemenis working abroad and by foreign aid. Because of the Gulf crisis, remittances have dropped substantially. 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 a shrub called qat, whose leaves are chewed for their stimulant effect by Yemenis and which has no significant export market. Economic growth in former South Yemen has been constrained by a lack of incentives, partly stemming from centralized control over production decisions, investment allocation, and import choices. Nominal growth in 1994-95 is apt to be under 3% annually because of low oil prices and political deadlock that is causing a lack of economic cooperation and leadership. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $9 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 3.1% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $800 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 55% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% (December 1992) Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $695 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: crude oil, cotton, coffee, hides, vegetables, dried and salted fish partners: Italy 55%, US 32%, Jordan 5% (1991) Imports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: textiles and other manufactured consumer goods, petroleum products, sugar, grain, flour, other foodstuffs, cement, machinery, chemicals partners: UAE 6%, Japan 6%, Saudi Arabia 6%, Kuwait 6%, US 6% (1991) External debt: $7 billion (1993) Industrial production: growth rate NA%, accounts for 18% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 714,000 kW production: 1.224 billion kWh consumption per capita: 120 kWh (1992) Industries: crude oil production and petroleum refining; small-scale production of cotton textiles and leather goods; food processing; handicrafts; small aluminum products factory; cement Agriculture: accounted for 26% of GDP; products - grain, fruits, vegetables, qat (mildly narcotic shrub), coffee, cotton, dairy, poultry, meat, fish; not self-sufficient in grain Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $389 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $3.2 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $2.4 billion Currency: Yemeni rial (new currency); 1 North Yemeni riyal (YR) = 100 fils; 1 South Yemeni dinar (YD) = 1,000 fils note: following the establishment of the Republic of Yemen on 22 May 1990, the North Yemeni riyal and the South Yemeni dinar are to be replaced with a new Yemeni rial Exchange rates: Yemeni rials per US$1 - 12.0 (official); 70 (market rate, April 1994) Fiscal year: calendar year
@Yemen, Communications
Highways: total: 15,500 km paved: 4,000 km unpaved: natural surface 11,500 km Pipelines: crude oil 644 km; petroleum products 32 km Ports: Aden, Al Hudaydah, Al Khalf, Al Mukalla, Mocha, Nishtun, Ra's Kathib, Salif Merchant marine: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,309 GRT/6,568 DWT, cargo 2, oil tanker 1 Airports: total: 46 usable: 40 with permanent-surface runways: 10 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 18 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 11 Telecommunications: since unification in 1990, efforts are still being made to create a national domestic civil telecommunications network; the network consists of microwave radio relay, 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 radio relay to Saudi Arabia, and Djibouti
@Yemen, Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,142,519; fit for military service 1,219,985; reach military age (14) annually 137,497 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $762 million, 14% of GDP (1992)
@Zaire, Geography
Location: Central Africa, between Congo and Zambia Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 2,345,410 sq km land area: 2,267,600 sq km comparative area: slightly more than one-quarter the size of US Land boundaries: total 10,271 km, 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 International 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, petroleum, 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: 0% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 78% other: 15% Irrigated land: 100 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: poaching threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; deforestation natural hazards: periodic droughts in south international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Tropical Timber; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental Modification Note: straddles Equator; very narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo River and is only outlet to South Atlantic Ocean; dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands
@Zaire, People
Population: 42,684,091 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 3.17% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 48.39 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 16.74 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 110.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.4 years male: 45.57 years female: 49.29 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.7 children born/woman (1994 est.) 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, Lingala, Swahili, Kingwana, Kikongo, Tshiluba Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 72% male: 84% female: 61% Labor force: 15 million (13% of the labor force is wage earners; 51% of the population is of working age) by occupation: agriculture 75%, industry 13%, services 12% (1985)
@Zaire, Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of Zaire conventional short form: Zaire local long form: Republique du Zaire local short form: Zaire former: Belgian Congo Congo/Leopoldville Congo/Kinshasa Digraph: CG 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) National holiday: Anniversary of the Regime (Second Republic), 24 November (1965) Constitution: 24 June 1967, amended August 1974, revised 15 February 1978; amended April 1990; new transitional constitution promulgated in April 1994 Legal system: based on Belgian civil law system and tribal law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Marshal MOBUTU Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga (since 24 November 1965) election last held 29 July 1984 (next to be scheduled by High Council, the opposition-controlled transition legislature); results - President MOBUTU was reelected without opposition head of government: Prime Minister Etienne TSHISEKEDI (since NA 1993); note - de facto executive authority is exercised by President MOBUTU cabinet: National Executive Council; appointed by the president on recommendation of the prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral parliament: a single body consisting of the High Council of the Republic and the Parliament of the Transition with membership equally divided between presidential supporters and opponents Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) 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; Unified Lumumbast Party (PALU), Antoine GIZENGA Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC, CEPGL, 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, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador TATANENE Manata chancery: 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: (202) 234-7690 or 7691 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: (vacant); Deputy Chief of Mission John YATES embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa mailing address: Unit 31550, Kinshasha; APO AE 09828 telephone: [243] (12) 21532, 21628 FAX: [243] (12) 21232 or 21534/5, ext. 2308 consulate(s) general: Lubumbashi (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: Zaire's economy has continued to disintegrate. While meaningful economic figures are difficult to come by, Zaire's hyperinflation, the largest government deficit ever, and plunging mineral production have made the country one of the world's poorest. Most formal transactions are conducted in hard currency as indigenous banknotes have lost almost all value, and a barter economy now flourishes in all but the largest cities. Most individuals and families hang on grimly through subsistence farming and petty trade. The government has not been able to meet its financial obligations to the International Momentary Fund or put in place the financial measures advocated by the IMF. Although short-term prospects for improvement are dim, improved political stability would boost Zaire's long-term potential to effectively exploit its vast wealth of mineral and agricultural resources. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $21 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: -6% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $500 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35%-40% per month (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $1.5 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: copper, coffee, diamonds, cobalt, crude oil partners: US, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, UK, Japan, South Africa Imports: $1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: consumer goods, foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment, fuels partners: South Africa, US, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK External debt: $9.2 billion (May 1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 2,580,000 kW production: 6 billion kWh consumption per capita: 160 kWh (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: recipient: 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 note: except for humanitarian aid to private organizations, no US assistance was given to Zaire in 1992 Currency: 1 zaire (Z) = 100 makuta Exchange rates: zaire (Z) per US$1 - 7,915,000 (September 1993), 1,990,000 (1992), 15,587 (1991), 719 (1990), 381 (1989) 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: total: 146,500 km paved: 2,800 km unpaved: gravel, improved earth 46,200 km; unimproved earth 97,500 km Inland waterways: 15,000 km including the Congo, its tributaries, and unconnected lakes Pipelines: petroleum products 390 km Ports: Matadi, Boma, Banana Merchant marine: 1 passenger cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 15,489 GRT/13,481 DWT Airports: total: 278 usable: 233 with permanent-surface runways: 25 with runways over 3,659 m: 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 6 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 72 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 age 15-49 9,178,659; fit for military service 4,674,819 Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $49 million, 0.8% of GDP (1988)
@Zambia, Geography
Location: Southern Africa, between Zaire and Zimbabwe Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 752,610 sq km land area: 740,720 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Texas Land boundaries: total 5,664 km, Angola 1,110 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia 233 km, Tanzania 338 km, Zaire 1,930 km, Zimbabwe 797 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International 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: 0% meadows and pastures: 47% forest and woodland: 27% other: 19% Irrigated land: 320 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: poaching seriously threatens rhinoceros and elephant populations; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands Note: landlocked
@Zambia, People
Population: 9,188,190 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.83% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 45.99 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 17.65 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -0.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 85 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 44.18 years male: 43.82 years female: 44.54 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.68 children born/woman (1994 est.) 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%, indigenous beliefs 1% Languages: English (official) note: about 70 indigenous languages Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 73% male: 81% female: 65% Labor force: 2.455 million by occupation: agriculture 85%, mining, manufacturing, and construction 6%, transport and services 9%
@Zambia, Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of Zambia conventional short form: Zambia former: Northern Rhodesia Digraph: ZA Type: republic Capital: Lusaka Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western Independence: 24 October 1964 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 24 October (1964) Constitution: 2 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 Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Frederick CHILUBA (since 31 October 1991); Vice President Levy MWANAWASA (since 31 October 1991); election last held 31 October 1991 (next to be held in 1996); results - Frederick CHILUBA 84%, Kenneth KAUNDA 16% cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president from members of the National Assembly Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly: elections last held 31 October 1991 (next to be held in 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (150 total) MMD 125, UNIP 25; note - the MMD's majority was weakened by the defection of 13 of its parliamentary members during 1993 and the defeat of its candidates in 4 of the resulting by-elections Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), Frederick CHILUBA; United National Independence Party (UNIP), Kebby MUSOKATWANE; National Party (NP), Inonge MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA; Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-19, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFTU, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMOZ, UNOSOM, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dunstan Weston KAMANA chancery: 2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 265-9717 through 9721 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Roland KUCHEL embassy: corner of Independence Avenue and United Nations Avenue, Lusaka mailing address: P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka telephone: [260-1] 228-595, 228-601, 228-602, 228-603 FAX: [260-1] 261-538 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 chronically depressed level of copper production and ineffective economic policies. In 1991 real GDP fell by 2% and in 1992 by 3% more. An annual population growth of 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. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $7.3 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: -2.8% (1992) National product per capita: $800 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 191% (1992) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $665 million expenditures: $767 million, including capital expenditures of $300 million (1991 est.) Exports: $1 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: copper, zinc, cobalt, lead, tobacco partners: EC countries, Japan, South Africa, US, India Imports: $1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1992 est.) commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, foodstuffs, fuels, manufactures partners: EC countries, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, US External debt: $7.6 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate -2% (1991); accounts for 40% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 2,775,000 kW production: 12 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,400 kWh (1991) Industries: copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, and fertilizer Agriculture: accounts for 12% of GDP and 85% of labor force; crops - corn (food staple), sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava; cattle, goats, beef, eggs Illicit drugs: role as regional transshipment center for mandrax and heroin Economic aid: recipient: 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: 1 Zambian kwacha (ZK) = 100 ngwee Exchange rates: Zambian kwacha (ZK) per US$1 - 344.8276 (October 1993), 156.25 (1992), 61.7284 (1991), 28.9855 (1990), 12.9032 (1989) Fiscal year: calendar year
@Zambia, Communications
Railroads: 1,266 km, all 1.067-meter gauge; 13 km double track Highways: total: 36,370 km paved: 6,500 km unpaved: crushed stone, gravel, stabilized earth 7,000 km; improved, unimproved earth 22,870 km Inland waterways: 2,250 km, including Zambezi and Luapula Rivers, Lake Tanganyika Pipelines: crude oil 1,724 km Ports: Mpulungu (lake port) Airports: total: 113 usable: 103 with permanent-surface runways: 13 with runways over 3,659 m: 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 22 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 Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,882,053; fit for military service 988,913 Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $45 million, 1% of GDP (1992 est.)
@Zimbabwe, Geography
Location: Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 390,580 sq km land area: 386,670 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Montana Land boundaries: total 3,066 km, Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km, Zambia 797 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International 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: NA% (coffee is a permanent crop) meadows and pastures: 12% forest and woodland: 62% other: NA% Irrigated land: 2,200 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air and water pollution natural hazards: recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity Note: landlocked
@Zimbabwe, People
Population: 10,975,078 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 1.2% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 37.24 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 18.1 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -7.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: tatal population: 42.06 years male: 40.44 years female: 43.74 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.1 children born/woman (1994 est.) 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%, Muslim and other 1% Languages: English (official), Shona, Sindebele Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.); total population: 67% male: 74% female: 60% Labor force: 3.1 million by occupation: agriculture 74%, transport and services 16%, mining, manufacturing, construction 10% (1987)
@Zimbabwe, Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of Zimbabwe conventional short form: Zimbabwe former: Southern Rhodesia Digraph: ZI 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) National holiday: Independence Day, 18 April (1980) Constitution: 21 December 1979 Legal system: mixture of Roman-Dutch and English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: 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); election last held 28-30 March 1990 (next to be held NA March 1996); results - Robert MUGABE 78.3%, Edgar TEKERE 21.7% cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president; responsible to Parliament Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament: elections 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 Judicial branch: Supreme Court 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 and Abel MUYOREWA; Democratic Party (DP), Emmanuel MAGOCHE; Forum Party, Enock DUMBUTSHENA Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-15, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, PCA, SADC, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMUR, UNOSOM, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Amos Bernard Muvengwa MIDZI chancery: 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: (202) 332-7100 FAX: (202) 483-9326 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Edward Gibson LANPHER embassy: 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare mailing address: P. O. Box 3340, Harare telephone: [263] (4) 794-521 FAX: [263] (4) 796-488 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 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 severe drought in 1991/92 caused the economy to contract by about 10% in 1992. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $15.9 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 2% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $1,400 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 22% (January 1994 est.) Unemployment rate: at least 35% (1993 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.7 billion expenditures: $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $253 million (FY93) Exports: $1.5 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: agricultural 35% (tobacco 30%, other 10%), manufactures 25%, gold 12%, ferrochrome 10%, textiles 8% (1992) partners: UK 14%, Germany 11%, South Africa 10%, Japan 7%, US 5% (1991) Imports: $1.8 billion (c.i.f., 1992 est.) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment 41%, other manufactures 23%, chemicals 16%, fuels 12% (1991) partners: South Africa 25%, UK 15%, Germany 9%, US 6%, Japan 5% (1991) External debt: $3.5 billion (December 1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 2.3% (1992); accounts for 35% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 3,650,000 kW production: 8.18 billion kWh (1992) consumption per capita: 740 kWh (1992) Industries: mining, steel, clothing and footwear, chemicals, foodstuffs, fertilizer, beverage, transportation equipment, wood products Agriculture: accounts for 20% of GDP and employs 74% of population; 40% of land area divided into 4,500 large commercial farms and 42% in communal lands; crops - corn (food staple), cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts; livestock - cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; self-sufficient in food Economic aid: NA Currency: 1 Zimbabwean dollar (Z$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Zimbabwean dollars (Z$) per US$1 - 8.1037 (January 1994), 6.4725 (1993), 5.1046 (1992), 3.4282 (1991), 2.4480 (1990), 2.1133 (1989) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
@Zimbabwe, Communications
Railroads: 2,745 km 1.067-meter gauge (including 42 km double track, 355 km electrified) Highways: total: 85,237 km paved: 15,800 km unpaved: crushed stone, gravel, stabilized earth 39,090 km; improved earth 23,097 km; unimproved earth 7,250 km Inland waterways: Lake Kariba is a potential line of communication Pipelines: petroleum products 212 km Airports: total: 477 usable: 401 with permanent-surface runways: 22 with runways over 3,659 m: 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 28 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 Republic Police (including Police Support Unit, Paramilitary Police) Manpower availability: males 15-49 2,371,186; fit for military service 1,472,603 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $412.4 million, about 6% of GDP (FY91 est.)
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:
Habitat Commission on Human Settlements 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 UN Institute for Training and Research UNRWA United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East UN Special Fund UN University WFC World Food Council WFP World Food Program
3) Security Council:
Peacekeeping Forces and Organizations UNAVEM II United Nations Angola Verification Mission UNDOF United Nations Disengagement Observer Force UNFICYP United Nations Force in Cyprus UNIFIL United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon UNMOGIP United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan UNTSO United Nations Truce Supervision Organization UNIKOM United Nations Iran-Kuwait Observation Mission MINURSO United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara ONUSAL United Nations Observer Mission in El Salvador UNTAC United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia UNPROFOR United Nations Protection Force UNOSOM II United Nations Operation in Somalia UNOMIG United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia UNOMOZ United Nations Operation in Mozambique UNOMUR United Nations Observer Mission Uganda-Rwanda
Commissions Established Pursuant to SC Res.687 UNSCOM UN Special Commission United National Compensation Commission UN Iraq/Kuwait Boundary Demarcation Commission
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 Narcotics Drugs Commission for Social Development Commission on the Status of Women Population Commission Statistical Commission Commission on Science and Technology for Development Commission on Sustainable Development Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Commission on Transnational Corporations
5) Trusteeship Council
6) International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Appendix B: Abbreviations for International Organizations and Groups
A ABEDA Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa ACC Arab Cooperation Council ACCT Agence de Cooperation Culturelle et Technique; see 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
B 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 Desarrollo; see Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) BIS Bank for International Settlements BOAD Banque Ouest-Africaine de Developpement; see West African Development Bank (WADB) BSEC Black Sea Economic Cooperation Zone
C C Commonwealth CACM Central American Common Market CAEU Council of Arab Economic Unity CARICOM Caribbean Community and Common Market CBSS Council of the Baltic Sea States 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) CEI Central European Initiative 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
D DC developed country
E EADB East African Development Bank EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EC European Community; see European Union (EU) 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 ECO Economic Cooperation Organization ECOSOC Economic and Social Council ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States ECSC European Coal and Steel Community ECWA Economic Commission for Western Asia; see Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) EEC European Economic Community 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 EU European Union Euratom European Atomic Energy Community
F FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FLS Front Line States FZ Franc Zone
G 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
H Habitat Commission on Human Settlements
I 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 IFCTU International Federation of Christian Trade Unions 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
L 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
M MERCOSUR Mercado Comun del Cono Sur; see Southern Cone Common Market MINURSO United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara MTCR Missile Technology Control Regime
N 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
O 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 ONUSAL United Nations Observer Mission in El Salvador OPANAL Organismo para la Proscripcion de las Armas Nucleares en la America Latina y el Caribe; see Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean OPEC Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
P PCA Permanent Court of Arbitration
R RG Rio Group
S SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation SACU Southern African Customs Union SADC Southern African Development Community SADCC Southern African Development Coordination Conference SELA Sistema Economico Latinoamericana; see Latin American Economic System (LAES) SPARTECA South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement SPC South Pacific Commission SPF South Pacific Forum
U UDEAC Union Douaniere et Economique de l'Afrique Centrale; see Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC) UN United Nations UNAVEM II United Nations Angola Verification Mission 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 Children's Fund UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIFIL United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon UNIKOM United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission UNMOGIP United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan UNOMIG United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia UNOMOZ United Nations Operation in Mozambique UNOMUR United Nations Observer Mission Uganda-Rwanda UNOSOM United Nations Operation in Somalia UNPROFOR United Nations Protection Force UNRWA United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East UNTAC United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia UNTSO United Nations Truce Supervision Organization UPU Universal Postal Union USSR/EE USSR/Eastern Europe
W 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
Z ZC Zangger Committee
Note: Not all international organizations and groups have abbreviations
Appendix C: International Organizations and Groups
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Note: The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) has dissolved, and ceases to exist. None of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, including Serbia and Montenegro, have been permitted to participate solely on the basis of the membership of the former Yugoslavia in the United Nations General Assembly and Economic and Social Council and their subsidiary bodies and in various United Nations Specialized Agencies. The United Nations, however, permits the seat and nameplate of the SFRY to remain, permits the SFRY mission to continue to function, and continues to fly the flag of the former Yugoslavia. For a variety of reasons, a number of other organizations have not yet taken action with regard to the membership of the former Yugoslavia. The World Factbook therefore continues to list Yugoslavia under international organizations where the SFRY seat remains or where no action has yet been taken.
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advanced developing countries
another term for those less developed countries (LDCs) with particularly rapid industrial development; see newly industrializing economies (NIEs)
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African, Caribbean, and Pacific Countries (ACP)
established - 1 April 1976
aim - members have a preferential economic and aid relationship with the EU
members - (70) Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, 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
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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 - (53) Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
nonregional members - (26) Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US, Yugoslavia
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Agence de Cooperation Culturelle et Technique (ACCT)
see Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation (ACCT)
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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 - (34) Belgium, Benin, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Guinea, Haiti, Laos, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Monaco, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Togo, Tunisia, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zaire
associate members - (5) Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Morocco, Saint Lucia
participating governments - (2) New Brunswick (Canada), Quebec (Canada)
observers - (3) Bulgaria, Cambodia, Romania
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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 - (26) Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela
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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
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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 - (17 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, 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
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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
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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
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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
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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 - 7 November 1989
aim - to promote trade and investment in the Pacific basin
members - (16) all ASEAN members (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand) plus Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, NZ, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, US
-----
Asian Development Bank (AsDB)
established - 19 December 1966
aim - to promote regional economic cooperation
regional members - (37) 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, Nauru, Nepal, NZ, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Western Samoa
nonregional members - (16) Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US
-----
Asociacion Latinoamericana de Integracion (ALADI)
see Latin American Integration Association (LAIA)
-----
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
established - 9 August 1967
aim - to encourage regional economic, social, and cultural cooperation among the non-Communist countries of Southeast Asia
members - (6) Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand
observers - (3) Laos, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam
-----
Australia Group
established - 1984
aim - to consult on and coordinate export controls related to chemical and biological weapons
members - (25) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US
observer - (1) Singapore
-----
Australia--New Zealand--United States Security Treaty (ANZUS)
established - 1 September 1951
effective - 29 April 1952
aim - to implement a 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)
see Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE)
-----
Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID)
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 - (33) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US, Yugoslavia
-----
Banque Africaine de Developpement (BAD)
see African Development Bank (AfDB)
-----
Banque Arabe de Developpement Economique en Afrique (BADEA)
see Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA)
-----
Banque de Developpement des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale (BDEAC)
see Central African States Development Bank (BDEAC)
-----
Banque Ouest-Africaine de Developpement (BOAD)
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 1975
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 1967
aim - to foster economic cooperation
members - (6) Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK
-----
Black Sea Economic Cooperation Zone (BSEC)
established - 25 June 1992
aim - to enhance regional stability through economic cooperation
members - (11) Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine
observer - (1) Poland
-----
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
-----
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
-----
Cartagena Group
see Group of 11
-----
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
-----
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
-----
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
nonregional members - (4) Argentina, Mexico, Taiwan, Venezuela
-----
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
-----
Central European Initiative (CEI)
note - evolved from the Hexagonal Group
established - 27 July 1991
aim - to form an economic and political cooperation group for the region between the Adriatic and the Baltic Seas
members - (10) Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Yugoslavia
participating nonmembers - (6) Baden-Wurtemburg, Bavaria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine
-----
centrally planned economies
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
-----
Colombo Plan (CP)
established - 1 July 1951
aim - to promote economic and social development in Asia and the Pacific
members - (24) Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, NZ, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, US
-----
Commission for Social Development
established - 21 June 1946 as the Social Commission, renamed 29 July 1966
aim - Economic and Social Council organization dealing with social development programs of UN
members - (32) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
-----
Commission on Human Rights
established - 18 February 1946
aim - Economic and Social Council organization dealing with human rights programs of UN
members - (53) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
-----
Commission on Human Settlements (Habitat)
established - 12 October 1978
aim - Economic and Social Council organization assisting in solving human settlement problems of UN
members - (58) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
-----
Commission on Narcotic Drugs
established - 16 February 1946
aim - Economic and Social Council organization dealing with illicit drugs programs of UN
members - (53) 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 - Economic and Social Council organization dealing with women's rights goals of UN
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
-----
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 - (12) Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
-----
Communaute Economique de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (CEAO)
see West African Economic Community (CEAO)
-----
Communaute Economique des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale (CEEAC)
see Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC)
-----
Communaute Economique des Pays des Grands Lacs (CEPGL)
see Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL)
-----
Communist countries
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 - 3 July 1973
aim - discusses issues of mutual concern and reviews implementation of the Helsinki Agreement
members - (53) Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UK, US, Uzbekistan, Yugoslavia (suspended)
observer - (1) The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
-----
Conseil Europeen pour la Recherche Nucleaire (CERN)
see European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)
-----
Contadora Group (CG)
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
-----
Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf
see Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
-----
Coordinating Committee on Export Controls (COCOM)
note - was abolished 31 March 1994; COCOM members are working on a new organization with expanded membership which focuses on nonproliferation export controls as opposed to East-West controls of advanced technology
established - NA 1949
aim - to control the export of strategic products and technical data from member countries to proscribed destinations
members - (17) Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, UK, US
cooperating countries - (14) Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, South Korea, NZ, Poland, Singapore, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan
-----
Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CEMA) 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)
-----
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
-----
Council of Europe (CE)
established - 5 May 1949
effective - 3 August 1949
aim - to promote increased unity and quality of life in Europe
members - (32) Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK
guests - (8) Albania, Belarus, Croatia, Latvia, Moldova, Russia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine
observers - (2) Holy See, Israel
-----
Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS)
established - 5 March 1992
aim - to promote cooperation among the Baltic Sea states in the areas of aid to new democratic institutions, economic development, humanitarian aid, energy and the environment, cultural programs and education, and transportation and communication
members - (10) Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden
observers - (2) Belarus, Ukraine
-----
Council of the Entente (Entente)
established - 29 May 1959
aim - to promote economic, social, and political coordination
members - (5) Benin, Burkina, Cote d'Ivoire, Niger, Togo
-----
Customs Cooperation Council (CCC)
established - 15 December 1950
aim - to promote international cooperation in customs matters
members - (126) Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bermuda, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, South Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
-----
developed countries (DCs)
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 four 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 35 DCs are: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holy See, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US
-----
developing countries
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
-----
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 carryout the commitment of the Economic and Social Council of the UN to promote economic development
members - (48) Afghanistan, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, China, Fiji, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, UK, US, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Western Samoa
associate members - (10) American Samoa, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Guam, Hong Kong, Macau, New Caledonia, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau)
-----
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 Economic and Social Council
members - (12 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization
-----
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, Statistical Commission, Commission on Science and Technology for Development, Commission on Sustainable Development, Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, and Commission on Transnational Corporations)
members - (54) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
-----
Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
established - 29 April 1958
aim - to promote economic development as a regional commission of the UN's Economic and Social Council
members - (53) Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, 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
associate members - (2) France, UK
-----
Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE)
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 Economic and Social Council
members - (54) Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UK, US, Uzbekistan, Yugoslavia
-----
Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA)
see Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
-----
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 Economic and Social Council
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, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela
associate members - (6) Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
-----
Economic Commission for Western Asia (ECWA)
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
-----
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
-----
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
established - 28 May 1975
aim - to promote regional economic cooperation
members - (16) Benin, Burkina, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo
-----
Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO)
established - NA 1985
aim - to promote regional cooperation in trade, transportation, communications, tourism, cultural affairs, and economic development
members - (11) Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
-----
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
established - 15 April 1991
aim - to facilitate the transition of seven centrally planned economies in Europe (Bulgaria, former Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, former USSR, and former Yugoslavia) to market economies by committing 60% of its loans to privatization
members - (58) Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, European Community (EC), European Investment Bank (EIB), Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UK, US, Uzbekistan, Yugoslavia; note - includes all 25 members of the OECD; also includes the EC as a single entity
-----
European Community (or European Communities, EC) was established 8 April 1965 to integrate the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), the European Coal and Steel Community (ESC), the European Economic Community (EEC or Common Market), and to establish a completely integrated common market and an eventual federation of Europe; merged into the European Union (EU) on 7 February 1992; member states at the time of merger were Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK
-----
European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
established - 4 January 1960
effective - 3 May 1960
aim - to promote expansion of free trade
members - (7) Austria, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland
-----
European Investment Bank (EIB)
established - 25 March 1957
effective - 1 January 1958
aim - to promote economic development of the EU
members - (12) Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK
-----
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 - (19) Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK
observers - (6) EC, Israel, Russia, Turkey, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Yugoslavia
-----
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
cooperating state - (1) Canada
-----
European Union (EU)
note - evolved from the European Community (EC)
established - 7 February 1992
effective - 1 November 1993
aim - to coordinate policy among the 12 members in three fields: economics, building on the European Economic Community's (EEC) efforts to establish a common market and eventually a common currency; defense, within the concept of a Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP); and justice and home affairs, including immigration, drugs, terrorism, and improved living and working conditions
members-(12) Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK
-----
First World
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 - (162) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, EC, 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, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
associate member - (1) Puerto Rico
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Former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE)
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 group of 27 countries consists of Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
-----
Four Dragons
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
-----
Four Tigers
another term for the Four Dragons; see Four Dragons
-----
Franc Zone (FZ)
established - NA
aim - to form a monetary union among countries whose currencies are linked to the French franc
members - (15) Benin, Burkina, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, 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)
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Front Line States (FLS)
established - NA
aim - to achieve black majority rule in South Africa
members - (7) Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
note - to be subsumed by the World Trade Organization on 31 December 1994
established - 30 October 1947
effective - 1 January 1948
aim - to promote the expansion of international trade on a nondiscriminatory basis
members - (117) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yugoslavia (suspended), 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
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Group of 3 (G-3)
established - NA October 1990
aim - mechanism for policy coordination
members - (3) Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela
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Group of 5 (G-5)
established - 22 September 1985
aim - to coordinate the economic policies of the five major non-Communist economic powers
members - (5) France, Germany, Japan, UK, US
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Group of 6 (G-6)
note - also known as Groupe des Six Sur le Desarmement not to be confused with the Big Six
established - 22 May 1984
aim - to achieve nuclear disarmament
members - (6) Argentina, Greece, India, Mexico, Sweden, Tanzania
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Group of 7 (G-7)
note - membership is the same as the Big Seven
established - 22 September 1985
aim - to facilitate economic cooperation among the seven major non- Communist economic powers
members - (7) Group of 5 (France, Germany, Japan, UK, US) plus Canada and Italy
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Group of 8 (G-8)
established - NA October 1975
aim - to facilitate economic cooperation among 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, EU (as one member), Japan, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, US
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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
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Group of 10 (G-10)
note - also known as the Paris Club, 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
established - NA October 1962
aim - to make credit policy
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 - to provide a 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 - September 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 - to represent the interests of 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, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Iran, 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
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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 - (128 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, Cote d'Ivoire, 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, 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, South Africa, 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 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
see Commission on Human Settlements
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Hexagonal Group
see Central European Initiative (CEI)
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high-income countries
another term for the industrialized countries with high per capita GNPs/GDPs; see developed countries (DCs)
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industrial countries
another term for the developed countries; see developed countries (DCs)
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Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)
note - also known as Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (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, Belize, 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
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Inter-Governmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD)
established - 15-16 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 - (116) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, 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, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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International Bank for Economic Cooperation (IBEC)
was established on 22 October 1963 to promote economic cooperation and development; members were Bulgaria, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, USSR, Vietnam; now it is 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 - (177) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, 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, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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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 - (59 national councils) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Burkina, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Cote d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Kuwait, 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 - (181) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, 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, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa (suspended), Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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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 - (164 national organizations in the following 117 areas) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Basque Country, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Curacao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Montserrat, Morocco, Netherlands, New Caledonia, NZ, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UK, US, Venezuela, Western Samoa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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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 UN 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 - (170) Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, 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, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, 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, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
subbureaus - (11) American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Macau, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos Islands
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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 - (156)
Part I - (24 more economically advanced countries) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, UK, US
Part II - (132 less developed nations) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), 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 - (23) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, 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 - (159) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, 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, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), 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 - (150)
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
Category II - (12 petroleum-exporting aid contributors) Algeria, Gabon, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Venezuela
Category III - (117 aid recipients) Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Uruguay, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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International Investment Bank (IIB)
established on 7 July 1970; to promote economic development; members were Bulgaria, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, USSR, Vietnam; now it is a Russian bank with a new charter
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International Labor Organization (ILO)
established - 11 April 1919 (affiliated with the UN 14 December 1946)
aim - UN specialized agency concerned with world labor issues
members - (169) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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International Maritime Organization (IMO)
note - name changed from Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) on 22 May 1982
established - 17 March 1958
aim - UN specialized agency concerned with world maritime affairs
members - (146) Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire
associate members - (2) Hong Kong, Macau
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International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT)
established - 3 September 1976
effective - 26 July 1979
aim - to provide worldwide communications for maritime shipping and other applications
members - (69) Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Liberia, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Mozambique, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Yugoslavia
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International Monetary Fund (IMF)
established - 22 July 1944
effective - 27 December 1945
aim - UN specialized agency concerned with world monetary stability and economic development
members - (179) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
observers-(3) Holy See, North Korea, Monaco
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International Olympic Committee (IOC)
established-23 June 1894
aim-to promote the Olympic ideals and administer the Olympic games: 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway (12-27 February); 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, United States (20 July-4 August); 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan (date NA)
members-(184) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazahkstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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International Organization for Migration (IOM)
established as Provisional Intergovernmental Committee for the Movement of Migrants from Europe; renamed Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM) on 15 November 1952; renamed Intergovernmental Committee for Migration (ICM) in November 1980; current name adopted 14 November 1989
established - 5 December 1951
aim - to facilitate orderly international emigration and immigration
members - (48) Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Kenya, South Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Uganda, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia
observers - (40) Albania, Belize, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Croatia, Czech Republic, Federation of Ethnic Communities' Council of Australia Inc., Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, India, Indonesia, Japan, Japan International Friendship and Welfare Foundation, Jordan, Latvia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, NZ, Niwano Peace Foundation, Partnership with the Children of the Third World, Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief/Episcopal Church, Refugee Council of Australia, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, Spain, Turkey, UK, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe
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International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
established - NA February 1947
aim - to promote the development of international standards
members - (73 national standards organizations) Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe
correspondent members - (20) Bahrain, Barbados, Brunei, Estonia, Hong Kong, Jordan, Kuwait, Lithuania, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Nepal, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Seychelles, Uganda, UAE
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International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
established - NA 1928
aim - to promote worldwide humanitarian aid through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in wartime, and League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (LORCS) in peacetime
members - (9) 2 representatives from ICRC, 2 from LORCS, and 5 from national societies elected by the international conference of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
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International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
established - 9 December 1932
effective - 1 January 1934
affiliated with the UN - 15 November 1947
aim - UN specialized agency concerned with world telecommunications
members - (182) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa (suspended), Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (INTELSAT)
established - 20 August 1971
effective - 12 February 1973
aim - to develop and operate a global commercial telecommunications satellite system
members - (126) Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
nonsignatory users - (56) Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belarus, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Cuba, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, North Korea, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Lithuania, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Moldova, Mongolia, Namibia, Nauru, Niue, Poland, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Tajikistan, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Ukraine, Vanuatu, Western Samoa
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Islamic Development Bank (IDB)
established - 15 December 1973
aim - to promote Islamic economic aid and social development
members - (47 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan (suspended), Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei, Burkina, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization
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Latin American Economic System (LAES)
note - also known as Sistema Economico Latinoamericana (SELA)
established - 17 October 1975
aim - to promote economic and social development through regional cooperation
members - (27) Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela
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Latin American Integration Association (LAIA)
note - also known as Asociacion Latinoamericana de Integracion (ALADI)
established - 12 August 1980
effective - 18 March 1981
aim - to promote freer regional trade
members - (11) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
observers - (16) Commission of the European Communities, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Inter-American Development Bank, Italy, Nicaragua, Organization of American States, Panama, Portugal, Spain, United Nations Development Program, United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
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League of Arab States (LAS)
see Arab League (AL)
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League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (LORCS)
established - 5 May 1919
aim - to provide humanitarian aid in peacetime
members - (153) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
associate members - (2) Equatorial Guinea, Gabon
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least developed countries (LLDCs)
that subgroup of the less developed countries (LDCs) initially identified by the UN General Assembly in 1971 as having no significant economic growth, per capita GNPs/GDPs normally less than $1,000, and low literacy rates; also known as the undeveloped countries. The 42 LLDCs are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Western Samoa, Yemen
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less developed countries (LDCs)
the bottom group in the comprehensive but mutually exclusive hierarchy of developed countries (DCs), former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE), and less developed countries (LDCs); mainly countries with low levels of output, living standards, and technology; per capita GNPs/GDPs are generally below $5,000 and often less than $1,500; however, the group also includes a number of countries with high per capita incomes, areas of advanced technology, and rapid rates of growth; includes the advanced developing countries, developing countries, Four Dragons (Four Tigers), least developed countries (LLDCs), low-income countries, middle-income countries, newly industrializing economies (NIEs), the South, Third World, underdeveloped countries, undeveloped countries; the 174 LDCs are: Afghanistan, Algeria, American Samoa, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands, Fiji, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gabon, The Gambia, Gaza Strip, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jersey, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Isle of Man, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Oman, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau), Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, 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, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, UAE, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Wallis and Futuna, West Bank, Western Sahara, Western Samoa, Yemen, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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low-income countries
another term for those less developed countries with below-average per capita GNPs/GDPs; see less developed countries (LDCs)
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London Suppliers Group
see Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)
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Mercado Comun del Cono Sur (MERCOSUR)
see Southern Cone Common Market
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middle-income countries
another term for those less developed countries with above-average per capita GNPs/GDPs; see less developed countries (LDCs)
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Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)
established - April 1987
aim - to arrest missile proliferation by controlling the export of key missile technologies and equipment
members - (25) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US
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Near Abroad
the 14 non-Russian successor states of the USSR, in which 25 million ethnic Russians live and in which Moscow has expressed a strong national security interest
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newly industrializing countries (NICs)
former term for the newly industrializing economies; see newly industrializing economies (NIEs)
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newly industrializing economies (NIEs)
that subgroup of the less developed countries (LDCs) that has experienced particularly rapid industrialization of their economies; formerly known as the newly industrializing countries (NICs); also known as advanced developing countries; usually includes the Four Dragons (Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan) plus Brazil
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Nonaligned Movement (NAM)
established - 1-6 September 1961
aim - to establish political and military cooperation apart from the traditional East or West blocs
members - (107 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brunei, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, UAE, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Palestine Liberation Organization
observers - (21) African National Congress, Afro-Asian Solidarity Organization, Antigua and Barbuda, Arab League, Armenia, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominica, El Salvador, Islamic Conference, Kanaka Socialist National Liberation Front (New Caledonia), Mexico, Mongolia, Organization of African Unity, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, Socialist Party of Puerto Rico, Thailand, UN, Uruguay
guests - (21) Australia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Dominican Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
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Nordic Council (NC)
established - 16 March 1952
effective - 12 February 1953
aim - to promote regional economic, cultural, and environmental cooperation
members - (5) Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden; note - Denmark includes Faroe Islands and Greenland, and Finland includes Aland Islands
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Nordic Investment Bank (NIB)
established - 4 December 1975
effective - 1 June 1976
aim - to promote economic cooperation and development
members - (5) Denmark (including Faroe Islands and Greenland), Finland (including Aland Islands), Iceland, Norway, Sweden
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North
a popular term for the rich industrialized countries generally located in the northern portion of the Northern Hemisphere; the counterpart of the South; see developed countries (DCs)
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North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC)
note - an extension of NATO
established - 8 November 1991
effective - 20 December 1991
aim - to form a forum to discuss cooperation concerning mutual political and security issues
members - (38) Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UK, US, Uzbekistan
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North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
established - 17 September 1949
aim - to promote mutual defense and cooperation
members - (16) Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, UK, US
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Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)
established - NA 1958
aim - associated with OECD, seeks to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy
members - (23) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US
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Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)
note - also known as the London Suppliers Group
established - 1974
aim - to establish guidelines for exports of technical information, processing equipment for uranium enrichment and nuclear materials to countries of proliferation concern and regions of conflict and instability
members - (28) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US
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Organismo para la Proscripcion de las Armas Nucleares en la America Latina y el Caribe (OPANAL)
see Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL)
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Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
established - 14 December 1960
effective - 30 September 1961
aim - to promote economic cooperation and development
members - (25) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US
special member - (1) EU
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Organization of African Unity (OAU)
established - 25 May 1963
aim - to promote unity and cooperation among African states
members - (53) Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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Organization of American States (OAS)
established - 30 April 1948
effective - 13 December 1951
aim - to promote regional peace and security as well as economic and social development
members - (35) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba (excluded from formal participation since 1962), Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, US, Uruguay, Venezuela
observers - (31) Algeria, Angola, Austria, Belgium, Central American Parliament, Cyprus, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Morocco, Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia
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Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC)
established - 9 January 1968
aim - to promote cooperation in the petroleum industry
members - (10) Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE
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Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)
established - 18 June 1981
effective - 4 July 1981
aim - to promote political, economic, and defense cooperation
members - (7) Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
associate member - (1) British Virgin Islands
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Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
established - 14 September 1960
aim - to coordinate petroleum policies
members - (12) Algeria, Gabon, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Venezuela
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Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)
established - 22-25 September 1969
aim - to promote Islamic solidarity and cooperation in economic, social, cultural, and political affairs
members - (47 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan (suspended), Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei, Burkina, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization
observers - (4) Kazakhstan, Mozambique, Nigeria, "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus"
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Paris Club
see Group of 10
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Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
established - 29 July 1899
aim - to facilitate the settlement of international disputes
members - (78) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zimbabwe
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Population Commission
established - 3 October 1946
aim - Economic and Social Council organization dealing with population matters of importance to the UN
members - (27) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
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Rio Group (RG)
note - formerly known as Grupo de los Ocho, established in December 1986
established - NA 1988
aim - a consultation mechanism on regional Latin American issues
members - (11) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru (suspended), Uruguay, Venezuela; note-Panama was expelled in 1988; Peru was suspended after April 1992 coup
-----
Second World
another term for the traditionally Marxist-Leninist states with authoritarian governments and command economies based on the Soviet model; the term is fading from use; see centrally planned economies
-----
socialist countries in general, countries in which the government owns and plans the use of the major factors of production; note - the term is sometimes used incorrectly as a synonym for Communist countries
-----
South
a popular term for the poorer, less industrialized countries generally located south of the developed countries; the counterpart of the North; see less developed countries (LDCs)
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South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
established - 8 December 1985
aim - to promote economic, social, and cultural cooperation
members - (7) Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
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South Pacific Commission (SPC)
established - 6 February 1947
effective - 29 July 1948
aim - to promote regional cooperation in economic and social matters
members - (27) American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, NZ, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau), Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, UK, US, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, Western Samoa
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South Pacific Forum (SPF)
established - 5 August 1971
aim - to promote regional cooperation in political matters
members - (15) Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, NZ, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Samoa
observer - (1) Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau)
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South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (SPARTECA)
established - NA 1981
aim - to redress unequal trade relationship of Australia and New Zealand with small island economies in Pacific region
members - (15) Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, NZ, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Samoa
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Southern African Customs Union (SACU)
established - 11 December 1969
aim - to promote free trade and cooperation in customs matters
members - (9) Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland
-----
Southern African Development Community (SADC)
note - evolved from the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC)
established - 17 August 1992
aim - to promote regional economic development and integration
members - (10) Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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Southern Cone Common Market (MERCOSUR)
established - 26 March 1991
aim - regional economic cooperation
members - (4) Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay
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Statistical Commission
established - 21 June 1946
aim - Economic and Social Council organization dealing with development and standardization of national statistics of interest to the UN
members - (25) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
-----
Third World
another term for the less developed countries; the term is fading from use; see less developed countries (LDCs)
-----
underdeveloped countries
refers to those less developed countries with the potential for above- average economic growth; see less developed countries (LDCs)
-----
undeveloped countries
refers to those extremely poor less developed countries (LDCs) with little prospect for economic growth; see least developed countries (LLDCs)
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Union Douaniere et Economique de l'Afrique Centrale (UDEAC)
see Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC)
-----
United Nations (UN)
established - 26 June 1945
effective - 24 October 1945
aim - to maintain international peace and security and to promote cooperation involving economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems
members - (183 excluding Yugoslavia) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe; note - all UN members are represented in the General Assembly
observers - (2 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Holy See, Switzerland, Palestine Liberation Organization
-----
United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II)
note - successor to original UNAVEM
established - 20 December 1988
aim - established by the UN Security Council to verify the withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola
members - (25) Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Congo, Czech Republic, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, India, Ireland, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe
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United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
note - acronym retained from the predecessor organization UN International Children's Emergency Fund
established - 11 December 1946
aim - to help establish child health and welfare services
members - (41) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
-----
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
established - 30 December 1964
aim - to promote international trade
members - (187) all UN members plus Holy See, Switzerland, Tonga
-----
United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
established - 22 November 1965
aim - to provide technical assistance to stimulate economic and social development
members - (48) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
-----
United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF)
established - 31 May 1974
aim - established by the UN Security Council to observe the 1973 Arab- Israeli ceasefire
members - (4) Austria, Canada, Finland, Poland
-----
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
established - 16 November 1945
effective - 4 November 1946
aim - to promote cooperation in education, science, and culture
members - (178) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
associate members - (3) Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Netherlands Antilles
-----
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
established - 15 December 1972
aim - to promote international cooperation on all environmental matters
members - (58) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
-----
United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP)
established - 4 March 1964
aim - established by the UN Security Council to serve as a peacekeeping force between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus
members - (8) Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, UK
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United Nations General Assembly
established - 26 June 1945
effective - 24 October 1945
aim - primary deliberative organ in the UN
members - (184) all UN members are represented in the General Assembly
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United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
established - 17 November 1966
effective - 1 January 1967
aim - UN specialized agency that promotes industrial development especially among the members
members - (165) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, 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, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
established - 19 March 1978
aim - established by the UN Security Council to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces, restore peace, and reestablish Lebanese authority in southern Lebanon
members - (10) Fiji, Finland, France, Ghana, Ireland, Italy, Nepal, Norway, Poland, Sweden
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United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM)
established - 9 April 1991
aim - established by the UN Security Council to observe and monitor the demilitarized zone established between Iraq and Kuwait
members - (33) Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Denmark, Fiji, Finland, France, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela -----
United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP)
established - 13 August 1948
aim - established by the UN Security Council to observe the 1949 India-Pakistan ceasefire
members - (8) Belgium, Chile, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Uruguay
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United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO)
established - 29 April 1991
aim - established by the UN Security Council to supervise the referendum in Western Sahara
members - (26) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, Tunisia, UK, US, Venezuela
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United Nations Observer Mission in El Salvador (ONUSAL)
established - 20 May 1991
aim - established by the UN Security Council to verify ceasefire arrangements and to monitor the maintenance of public order pending the organization of a new National Civil Police
members - (16) Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Guyana, India, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Venezuela
----- United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG)
established - 1993 for a period of six months
aim - to verify compliance with the cease-fire agreement reached 27 July 1993 and investigate reports of violations of that agreement
members - (10) Austria, Bangladesh, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Poland, Sierra Leone, Sweden, Switzerland
----- United Nations Observer Mission Uganda-Rwanda (UNOMUR)
established - 1993 for six months
aim - to monitor the Uganda/Rwanda border to verify that no military assistance reaches Rwanda across the border
members - (10) Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Fiji, Hungary, Netherlands, Senegal Slovakia, Zimbabwe
-----
United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
established - 3 December 1949
effective - 1 January 1951
aim - to try to ensure the humanitarian treatment of refugees and find permanent solutions to refugee problems
members - (46) Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Madagascar, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Somalia, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UK, US, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zaire
-----
United Nations Operation in Mozambique (UNOMOZ)
established - 16 December 1992
aim - established by the UN Security Council to supervise the ceasefire
members - (18) Argentina, Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Czech Republic, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, India, Malaysia, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Uruguay, Zambia
-----
United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM)
established - 24 April 1992
aim - established by the UN Security Council to facilitate an immediate cessation of hostilities, to maintain a ceasefire in order to promote a political settlement, and to provide urgent humanitarian assistance
members - (33) Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Botswana, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, South Korea, Malaysia, Morocco, Namibia, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, US, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
note - acronym retained from predecessor organization UN Fund for Population Activities
established - NA July 1967
aim - to assist in both developed and developing countries dealing with population problems
members - (51) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
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United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR)
established - 28 February 1992
aim - established by the UN Security Council to create conditions for peace and security required for the negotiation of an overall settlement of the "Yugoslav" crisis
members - (34) Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Ghana, India, Ireland, Jordan, Kenya, Luxembourg, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Ukraine, UK, Venezuela
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United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
established - 8 December 1949
aim - to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees
members - (10) Belgium, Egypt, France, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, UK, US
-----
United Nations Secretariat
established - 26 June 1945
effective - 24 October 1945
aim - to serve as the primary administrative organ of the UN; a Secretary General is appointed for a five-year term by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council
-----
United Nations Security Council
established - 26 June 1945
effective - 24 October 1945
aim - to maintain international peace and security
permanent members - (5) China, France, Russia, UK, US
nonpermanent members - (10) elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly; Brazil (1993-94), Cape Verde (1992-93), Djibouti (1993-94), Hungary (1992-93), Japan (1992-93), Morocco (1992-93), NZ (1993-94), Pakistan (1993-94), Spain (1993-94), Venezuela (1992-93)
-----
United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC)
established - 28 February 1992
aim - established by the UN Security Council to contribute to the restoration and maintenance of peace and to the holding of free elections
members - (45) Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Egypt, Fiji, France, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Senegal, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, Tunisia, UK, US, Uruguay
-----
United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO)
established - NA May 1948
aim - initially established by the UN Security Council to supervise the 1948 Arab-Israeli ceasefire and subsequently extended to work in the Sinai, Lebanon, Jordan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan
members - (19) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, US
-----
United Nations Trusteeship Council
established - 26 June 1945
effective - 24 October 1945
aim - to supervise the administration of the UN trust territories; only one of the original 11 trusteeships remains - the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau)
members - (5) China, France, Russia, UK, US
-----
Universal Postal Union (UPU)
established - 9 October 1874, affiliated with the UN 15 November 1947
effective - 1 July 1948
aim - UN specialized agency that promotes international postal cooperation
members-(185) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Overseas Territories of the UK, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
------
Warsaw Pact (WP)
was established 14 May 1955 to promote mutual defense; members met 1 July 1991 to dissolve the alliance; member states at the time of dissolution were Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the USSR; earlier members included East Germany and Albania
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West African Development Bank (WADB)
note - also known as Banque Ouest-Africaine de Developpement (BOAD)
established - 14 November 1973
aim - to promote regional economic development and integration
members - (7) Benin, Burkina, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo
-----
West African Economic Community (CEAO)
note - acronym from Communaute Economique de l'Afrique de l'Ouest
established - 3 June 1972
aim - to promote regional economic development
members - (7) Benin, Burkina, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal
observers - (2) Guinea, Togo
-----
Western European Union (WEU)
established - 23 October 1954
effective - 6 May 1955
aim - mutual defense and progressive political unification
members - (9) Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK
associate members - (4) Greece, Iceland, Norway, Turkey
observers - (2) Denmark, Ireland
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World Bank
see International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
-----
World Bank Group
includes International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Development Association (IDA), and International Finance Corporation (IFC)
-----
World Confederation of Labor (WCL)
established - 19 June 1920 as the International Federation of Christian Trade Unions (IFCTU), renamed 4 October 1968
aim - to promote the trade union movement
members - (99 national organizations) Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bonaire Island, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Curacao, Cyprus, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, French Guiana, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Martinique, Mauritius, Mexico, Montserrat, Namibia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
-----
World Court
see International Court of Justice (ICJ)
-----
World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)
established - 3 October 1945
aim - to promote the trade union movement
members - (86) Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, The Gambia, Greece, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, North Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Madagascar, Martinique, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Namibia, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Romania, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zaire
-----
World Food Council (WFC)
established - 17 December 1974
aim - ECOSOC organization that studies world food problems and recommends solutions
members - (36) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
-----
World Food Program (WFP)
established - 24 November 1961
aim - ECOSOC organization that provides food aid to assist in development or disaster relief
members - (42) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
-----
World Health Organization (WHO)
established - 22 July 1946
effective - 7 April 1948
aim - UN specialized agency concerned with health matters
members - (186) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
associate members - (2) Puerto Rico, Tokelau
-----
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
established - 14 July 1967
effective - 26 April 1970
aim - UN specialized agency concerned with the protection of literary, artistic, and scientific works
members - (140) Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
established - 11 October 1947
effective - 4 April 1951
aim - specialized UN agency concerned with meteorological cooperation
members - (173) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, British Caribbean Territories, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa (suspended), Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
-----
World Tourism Organization (WTO)
established - 2 January 1975
aim - to promote tourism as a means of contributing to economic development, international understanding, and peace
members - (109) Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
associate members-(4) Aruba, Macau, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico
observer-(1) Holy See
-----
Zangger Committee (ZC)
established-early 1970s
aim-to establish guidelines for the export control provisions of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
members-(29) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US
Appendix D: Abbreviations for Selected International Environmental Agreements
A Air Pollution Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Nitrogen Oxides Protocol) Air Pollution-Sulphur Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Sulphur Protocol) Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Volatile Organic Compounds Protocol) Antarctic-Environmental Protocol Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty
B Biodiversity Convention on Biological Diversity
C Climate Change United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
E Endangered Species Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) Environmental Modification Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques
H Hazardous Wastes Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
L Law of the Sea United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOS)
M Marine Dumping Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter; note - also known as the London Convention Marine Life Conservation Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas
N Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water
O Ozone Layer Protection Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer
S Ship Pollution International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships (MARPOL)
T Tropical Timber International Tropical Timber Agreement
W Wetlands Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially As Waterfowl Habitat; note - also known as Ramsar Whaling International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
Note: Not all of the selected international environmental agreements have abbreviations.
6 April 1994
Appendix E: Selected International Environmental Agreements
Air Pollution
see Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution
-----
Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides
see Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Nitrogen Oxides Protocol)
-----
Air Pollution-Sulphur
see Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Sulphur Protocol)
-----
Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds
see Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Volatile Organic Compounds Protocol) ----- Antarctic-Environmental Protocol
see Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty
-----
Antarctic Treaty
date opened for signature - 1959
objective - to ensure that Antarctica is used for peaceful purposes, for international cooperation in scientific research, and that it does not become the scene or object of international discord
parties - (42) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay
-----
Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
note - abbreviated as Hazardous Wastes
date opened for signature - 1989
objective - to reduce transboundary movements of wastes subject to the Convention to a minimum consistent with the environmentally sound and efficient management of such wastes; to minimize the amount and toxicity of wastes generated and ensure their environmentally sound management as closely as possible to the source of generation; and to assist LDCs in environmentally sound management of the hazardous and other wastes they generate
parties - (65) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, European Union, Finland, France, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay
note - the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the convention: Afghanistan, Bolivia, Colombia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Israel, Lebanon, New Zealand, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, United States, Venezuela
-----
Biodiversity
see Convention on Biological Diversity
-----
Convention on Biological Diversity
note - abbreviated as Biodiversity
date opened for signature - 1992
objective - to develop national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity
parties - (53) Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Brazil, Burkina, Canada, China, Cook Islands, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, European Union, Fiji, Germany, Guinea, Hungary, India, Japan, Jordan, Malawi, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Western Samoa, Zambia
note - the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the convention: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritania, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, former Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zimbabwe
-----
Climate Change
see United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
-----
Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas
note - abbreviated as Marine Life Conservation
date opened for signature - 1958
objective - to solve through international cooperation the problems involved in the conservation of living resources of the high seas, considering that through the development of modern techniques some of these resources are in danger of being over exploited
parties - (37) Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina, Cambodia, Colombia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Finland, France, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, former Yugoslavia
note - the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the convention: Afghanistan, Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ghana, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Lebanon, Liberia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Panama, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (Canada signed on behalf of Taiwan), Tunisia, Uruguay
-----
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution
note - abbreviated as Air Pollution
date opened for signature - 1979
objective - to protect the human environment against air pollution and to gradually reduce and prevent air pollution, including long-range transboundary air pollution
parties - (38) Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, former Yugoslavia
note - the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the convention: Holy See, San Marino
-----
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Nitrogen Oxides Protocol)
note - abbreviated as Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides
date opened for signature - 1988
objective - to provide for the control or reduction of nitrogen oxides and their transboundary fluxes
parties - (23) Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States
note - the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the convention: Belgium, Greece, Ireland, Poland, Spain
-----
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Sulphur Protocol)
note - abbreviated as Air Pollution-Sulphur
date opened for signature - 1985; a second protocol to further reduce sulfur dioxide emissions was completed in 1994
objective - to provide for a 30% reduction in sulfur emissions or transboundary fluxes by 1993
parties - (21) Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine
-----
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Volatile Organic Compounds Protocol)
note - abbreviated as Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds
date opened for signature - 1991, but not yet in force
objective - to provide for the control and reduction of emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds in order to reduce their transboundary fluxes so as to protect human health and the environment from adverse effects
parties - (8) Finland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
note - the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the convention: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, European Union, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States
-----
Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)
note - abbreviated as Endangered Species
date opened for signature - 1973
objective - to protect certain endangered species from overexploitation by means of a system of import/export permits
parties - (104) Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Liberia, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Rwanda, Senegal, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
note - the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the convention: Cambodia, Ireland, Kuwait, Lesotho, Vietnam
-----
Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention)
note - abbreviated as Marine Dumping
date opened for signature - 1972
objective - to control pollution of the sea by dumping, and to encourage regional agreements supplementary to the Convention
parties - (70) Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, European Union, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Libya, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vanuatu, former Yugoslavia, Zaire
-----
Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques
note - abbreviated as Environmental Modification
date opened for signature - 1976
objective - to prohibit the military or other hostile use of environmental modification techniques in order to further world peace and trust among nations
parties - (62) Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Malawi, Mauritius, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen
note - the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the convention: Bolivia, Ethiopia, Holy See, Iceland, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, Luxembourg, Morocco, Nicaragua, Portugal, Sierra Leone, Syria, Turkey, Uganda, Zaire
-----
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially As Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar)
note - abbreviated as Wetlands
date opened for signature - 1971
objective - to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value
parties - (65) Algeria, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Burkina, Canada, Chad, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, former Yugoslavia, Zambia
-----
Endangered Species
see Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)
-----
Environmental Modification
see Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques
-----
Hazardous Wastes
see Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
-----
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships (MARPOL)
note - abbreviated as Ship Pollution
date opened for signature - 1973/78
objective - to preserve the marine environment by achieving the complete elimination of pollution by oil and other harmful substances and the minimization of accidental discharge of such substances
parties - (83) Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burma, Canada, China, Colombia, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vietnam, former Yugoslavia
-----
International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
note - abbreviated as Whaling
date opened for signature - 1946
objective - to protect all species of whales from overfishing and safeguard for future generations the great natural resources represented by whale stocks; to establish a system of international regulation for the whale fisheries to ensure proper conservation and development of whale stocks
parties - (39) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Belize, Brazil, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States
-----
International Tropical Timber Agreement
note - abbreviated as Tropical Timber
date opened for signature - 1983; a new agreement was opened for signature in 1994, but is not yet in force
objective - to provide an effective framework for cooperation between tropical timber producers and consumers and to encourage the development of national policies aimed at sustainable utilization and conservation of tropical forests and their genetic resources
parties - (45) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Burma, Cameroon, Canada, China, Colombia, Congo, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Liberia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States, Zaire
note - the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the agreement: Bolivia, Brazil, Cote d'Ivoire, European Union, Honduras, Peru, Philippines
-----
Law of the Sea
see United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOS)
-----
Marine Dumping
see Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention)
-----
Marine Life Conservation
see Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas ----- Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer
note - abbreviated as Ozone Layer Protection
date opened for signature - 1987
objective - to protect the ozone layer by taking precautionary measures to control emissions of substances that deplete it
parties - (136) Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, European Union, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia
note - the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the protocol: Congo, Morocco
-----
Nuclear Test Ban
see Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water
-----
Ozone Layer Protection
see Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
-----
Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty
note - abbreviated as Antarctic-Environmental Protocol
date opened for signature - 1991, but not yet in force
objective - to enhance the protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems
parties - (9) Argentina, Australia, Ecuador, France, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Spain, Sweden
note - the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the protocol: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay
-----
Ship Pollution
see International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships (MARPOL)
-----
Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water
note - abbreviated as Nuclear Test Ban
date opened for signature - 1963
objective - to obtain an agreement on general and complete disarmament under strict international control in accordance with the objectives of the United Nations; to put an end to the armaments race and eliminate incentives for the production and testing of all kinds of weapons, including nuclear weapons
parties - (112) Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burma, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, former Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia
note - the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the treaty: Algeria, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Haiti, Mali, Paraguay, Portugal, Somalia, Vietnam
-----
Tropical Timber
see International Tropical Timber Agreement
-----
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOS)
note - abbreviated as Law of the Sea
date opened for signature - 1982, but not yet in force
objective - to set up a comprehensive new legal regime for the sea and oceans and, as far as environmental provisions are concerned, to establish material rules concerning environmental standards as well as enforcement provisions dealing with pollution of the marine environment
parties - (60) Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Indonesia, Iraq, Jamaica, Kenya, Kuwait, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, Paraguay, Philippines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Slovakia, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, Yemen, former Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
note - the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the convention: Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, European Union, Finland, France, Gabon, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Mauritius, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Niue, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Western Samoa
-----
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
note - abbreviated as Climate Change
date opened for signature - 1992
objective-to achieve stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a low enough level to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system
parties - (64) Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Barbados, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Canada, China, Cook Islands, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, European Union, Fiji, France, Germany, Guinea, Hungary, Iceland, India, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Tuvulu, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe
note - the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the convention: Afghanistan, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Suriname, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, former Yugoslavia, Zaire
-----
Wetlands
see Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially As Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar)
-----
Whaling see International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
Appendix F: Weights and Measures
Mathematical Notation
Mathematical Power Name 10^18 or 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 one quintillion 10^15 or 1,000,000,000,000,000 one quadrillion 10^12 or 1,000,000,000,000 one trillion 10^9 or 1,000,000,000 one billion 10^6 or 1,000,000 one million 10^3 or 1,000 one thousand 10^2 or 100 one hundred 10^1 or 10 ten 10^0 or 1 one 10-^1 or 0.1 one-tenth 10-^2 or 0.01 one-hundredth 10-^3 or 0.001 one-thousandth 10-^6 or 0.000 001 one-millionth 10-^9 or 0.000 000 001 one-billionth 10-^12 or 0.000 000 000 001 one-trillionth 10-^15 or 0.000 000 000 000 001 one-quadrillionth 10-^18 or 0.000 000 000 000 000 00 one-quintillionth
Metric Interrelationships
Conversions from a multiple or submultiple to the basic units of meters, liters, or grams can be done using the table. For example, to convert from kilometers to meters, multiply by 1,000 (9.26 kilometers equals 9,260 meters) or to convert from meters to kilometers, multiply by 0.001 (9,260 meters equals 9.26 kilometers).
Prefix Symbol Length, weight, or capacity Area Volume exa E 10^18 10^36 10^54 peta P 10^15 10^30 10^45 tera T 10^12 10^24 10^36 giga G 10^9 10^18 10^27 mega M 10^6 10^12 10^18 hectokilo hk 10^5 10^10 10^15 myria ma 10^4 10^8 10^12 kilo k 10^3 10^6 10^9 hecto h 10^2 10^4 10^6 basic unit - 1 meter, 1 meter^2 1 meter^3 1 gram, 1 liter deci d 10-^1 10-^2 10-^3 centi c 10-^2 10-^4 10-^6 milli m 10-^3 10-^6 10-^9 decimilli dm 10-^4 10-^8 10-^12 centimilli cm 10-^5 10-^10 10-^15 micro u 10-^6 10-^12 10-^18 nano n 10-^9 10-^18 10-^27 pico p 10-^12 10-^24 10-^36 femto f 10-^15 10-^30 10-^45 atto a 10-^18 10-^36 10-^54
Equivalents
Units Metric Equivalent US Equivalent
acre 0.404 685 64 hectares 43,560 feet^2 acre 4,046,856 4 meters^2 4,840 yards^2 acre 0.004 046 856 4 0.001 562 5 miles^2, kilometers^2 statute are 100 meters^2 119.599 yards^2 barrel (petroleum, US) 158.987 29 liters 42 gallons (proof spirits, US) 151.416 47 liters 40 gallons (beer, US) 117.347 77 liters 31 gallons bushel 35.239 07 liters 4 pecks cable 219.456 meters 120 fathoms chain (surveyor's) 20.116 8 meters 66 feet cord (wood) 3.624 556 meters^3 128 feet^3 cup 0.236 588 2 liters 8 ounces, liquid (US) degrees, Celsius (water boils at 100 multiply by 1.8 and add 32 degrees C, freezes at to obtain degrees F 0 degrees C) degrees, Fahrenheit subtract 32 and divide water boils at 212 degrees by 1.8 to obtain F, freezes at 32 degrees F) degrees C dram, avdp. 1.771 845 2 grams 0.0625 5 ounces, avdp. dram, troy 3.887 934 6 grams 0.125 ounces, troy dram, liquid (US) 3.696 69 milliliters 0.125 ounces, liquid fathom 1.828 8 meters 6 feet foot 30.48 centimeters 12 inches foot 0.304 8 meters 0.333 333 3 yards foot 0.000 304 8 kilometers 0.000 189 39 miles, statute foot^2 929.030 4 centimeters^2 144 inches^2 foot^2 0.092 903 04 meters^2 0.111 111 1 yards^2 foot^3 28.316 846 592 liters 7.480 519 gallons foot^3 0.028 316 847 meters^3 1,728 inches^3 furlong 201.168 meters 220 yards gallon, liquid (US) 3.785 411 784 liters 4 quarts, liquid gill (US) 118.294 118 milliliters 4 ounces, liquid grain 64.798 91 milligrams 0.002 285 71 ounces, advp. gram 1,000 milligrams 0.035 273 96 ounces, advp. hand (height of horse) 10.16 centimeters 4 inches hectare 10,000 meters^2 2.471 053 8 acres hundredweight, long 50.802 345 kilograms 112 pounds, avdp. hundredweight, short 45.359 237 kilograms 100 pounds, avdp. inch 2.54 centimeters 0.083 333 33 feet inch^2 6.451 6 centimeters^2 0.006 944 44 feet^2 inch^3 16.387 064 centimeters^3 0.000 578 7 feet^3 inch^3 16.387 064 milliliters 0.029 761 6 pints, dry inch^3 16.387 064 milliliters 0.034 632 0 pints, liquid kilogram 0.001 tons, metric 2.204 623 pounds, avdp. kilometer 1,000 meters 0.621 371 19 miles, statute kilometer^2 100 hectares 247.105 38 acres kilometer^2 1,000,000 meters^2 0.386 102 16 miles^2, statute knot (1 nautical mi/hr) 1.852 kilometers/hour 1.151 statute miles/hour league, nautical 5.559 552 kilometers 3 miles, nautical league, statute 4.828.032 kilometers 3 miles, statute link (surveyor's) 20.116 8 centimeters 7.92 inches liter 0.001 meters^3 61.023 74 inches^3 liter 0.1 dekaliter 0.908 083 quarts, dry liter 1,000 milliliters 1.056 688 quarts, liquid meter 100 centimeters 1.093 613 yards meter^2 10,000 centimeters^2 1.195 990 yards^2 meter^3 1,000 liters 1.307 951 yards^3 micron 0.000 001 meter 0.000 039 4 inches mil 0.025 4 millimeters 0.001 inch mile, nautical 1.852 kilometers 1.150 779 4 miles, statute mile^2, nautical 3.429 904 kilometers^2 1.325 miles^2, statute mile, statute 1.609 344 kilometers 5,280 feet or 8 furlongs mile^2, statute 258.998 811 hectares 640 acres or 1 section mile^2, statute 2.589 988 11 kilometers^2 0.755 miles^2, nautical minim (US) 0.061 611 52 milliliters 0.002 083 33 ounces, liquid or one-sixtieth of a dram ounce, avdp. 28.349 523 125 grams 437.5 grains ounce, liquid (US) 29.573 53 milliliters 0.062 5 pints, liquid ounce, troy 31.103 476 8 grams 480 grains pace 76.2 centimeters 30 inches peck 8.809 767 5 liters 8 quarts, dry pennyweight 1.555 173 84 grams 24 grains pint, dry (US) 0.550 610 47 liters 0.5 quarts, dry pint, liquid (US) 0.473 176 473 liters 0.5 quarts, liquid point (typographical) 0.351 459 8 millimeters 0.013 837 inches pound, avdp 453.592 37 grams 16 ounces, avdp pound, troy 373.241 721 6 grams 12 ounces, troy quart, dry (US) 1.101 221 liters 2 pints, dry quart, liquid (US) 0.946 352 946 liters 2 pints, liquid quintal 100 kilograms 220.462 26 pounds, avdp. rod 5.029 2 meters 5.5 yards scruple 1.295 978 2 grams 20 grains section (US) 2.589 988 1 kilometers^2 1 mile^2, statute or 640 acres span 22.86 centimeters 9 inches stere 1 meter^3 1.307 95 yards^3 tablespoon 14.786 76 milliliters 3 teaspoons teaspoon 4.928 922 milliliters 0.333 333 tablespoons ton, long or deadweight 1,016.046 909 kilograms 2,240 pounds, avdp. ton, metric 1,000 kilograms 2,204.623 pounds, avdp. ton, metric 1,000 kilograms 32,150.75 ounces, troy ton, register 2.831 684 7 meters^3 100 feet^3 ton, short 907.184 74 kilograms 2,000 pounds, avdp. township (US) 93.239 572 kilometers^2 36 miles^2, statute yard 0.914 4 meters 3 feet yard^2 0.836 127 36 meters^2 9 feet^2 yard^3 0.764 554 86 meters^3 27 feet^3 yard^3 764.554 857 984 liters 201.974 gallons
Appendix G: Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names
This list indicates where various names, including all United States Foreign Service Posts, alternate names, former names, and political or geographical portions of larger entities, can be found in The World Fact- book. Spellings are not necessarily those approved by the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Alternate names are included in parentheses; additional information is included in brackets.
Name Entry in The World Factbook
A Abidjan [US Embassy] Cote d'Ivoire
Abu Dhabi [US Embassy] United Arab Emirates
Abuja [US Embassy Branch Office] Nigeria
Acapulco [US Consular Agency] Mexico
Accra [US Embassy] Ghana
Adamstown Pitcairn Islands
Adana [US Consulate] Turkey
Addis Ababa [US Embassy] Ethiopia
Adelie Land (Terre Adelie) Antarctica [claimed by France]
Aden Yemen
Aden, Gulf of Indian Ocean
Admiralty Islands Papua New Guinea
Adriatic Sea Atlantic Ocean
Aegean Islands Greece
Aegean Sea Atlantic Ocean
Afars and Issas, French Territory Djibouti of the (F.T.A.I.)
Agalega Islands Mauritius
Agana Guam
Aland Islands Finland
Alaska United States
Alaska, Gulf of Pacific Ocean
Aldabra Islands Seychelles
Alderney Guernsey
Aleutian Islands United States
Alexander Island Antarctica
Alexandria [US Consulate General Egypt closed in September 1993]
Algiers [US Embassy] Algeria
Alhucemas, Penon de Spain
Alma-Ata (see Almaty) Kazakhstan
Almaty (Alma-Ata) [US Embassy] Kazakhstan
Alofi Niue
Alphonse Island Seychelles
Amami Strait Pacific Ocean
Amindivi Islands India
Amirante Isles Seychelles
Amman [US Embassy] Jordan
Amsterdam [US Consulate General] Netherlands
Amsterdam Island (Ile Amsterdam) French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Amundsen Sea Pacific Ocean
Amur China; Russia
Andaman Islands India
Andaman Sea Indian Ocean
Andorra la Vella Andorra
Anegada Passage Atlantic Ocean
Anglo-Egyptian Sudan Sudan
Anjouan Comoros
Ankara [US Embassy] Turkey
Annobon Equatorial Guinea
Antananarivo [US Embassy] Madagascar
Antipodes Islands New Zealand
Antwerp [European Logistical Belgium Support Office]
Aozou Strip Chad
Apia [US Embassy] Western Samoa
Aqaba, Gulf of Indian Ocean
Arabian Sea Indian Ocean
Arafura Sea Pacific Ocean
Argun China; Russia
Ascension Island Saint Helena
Ashgabat [US Embassy] Turkmenistan
Ashkhabad (see Ashgabat) Turkmenistan
Asmara [US Embassy] Eritrea
Asmera (see Asmara) Eritrea
Assumption Island Seychelles
Asuncion [US Embassy] Paraguay
Asuncion Island Northern Mariana Islands
Atacama Chile
Athens [US Embassy] Greece
Attu United States
Auckland [US Consulate General] New Zealand
Auckland Islands New Zealand
Australes Iles (Iles Tubuai) French Polynesia
Avarua Cook Islands
Axel Heiberg Island Canada
Azores Portugal
Azov, Sea of Atlantic Ocean
B Bab el Mandeb Indian Ocean
Babuyan Channel Pacific Ocean
Babuyan Islands Philippines
Baffin Bay Arctic Ocean
Baffin Island Canada
Baghdad [US Embassy temporarily Iraq suspended; US Interests Section located in Poland's embassy in Baghdad]
Baku [US Embassy] Azerbaijan
Baky (Baku) Azerbaijan
Balabac Strait Pacific Ocean
Balearic Islands Spain
Balearic Sea (Iberian Sea) Atlantic Ocean
Bali Sea Indian Ocean
Balintang Channel Pacific Ocean
Balintang Islands Philippines
Balleny Islands Antarctica
Balochistan Pakistan
Baltic Sea Atlantic Ocean
Bamako [US Embassy] Mali
Banaba (Ocean Island) Kiribati
Bandar Seri Begawan [US Embassy] Brunei
Banda Sea Pacific Ocean
Bangkok [US Embassy] Thailand
Bangui [US Embassy] Central African Republic
Banjul [US Embassy] Gambia, The
Banks Island Canada
Banks Islands (Iles Banks) Vanuatu
Barcelona [US Consulate General] Spain
Barents Sea Arctic Ocean
Barranquilla [US Consulate] Colombia
Bashi Channel Pacific Ocean
Basilan Strait Pacific Ocean
Bass Strait Pacific Ocean
Basse-Terre Guadeloupe
Basseterre Saint Kitts and Nevis
Batan Islands Philippines
Basutoland Lesotho
Bavaria (Bayern) Germany
Beagle Channel Atlantic Ocean
Bear Island (Bjornoya) Svalbard
Beaufort Sea Arctic Ocean
Bechuanaland Botswana
Beijing [US Embassy] China
Beirut [US Embassy] Lebanon
Belau (see Palu) Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the
Belem [US Consular Agency] Brazil
Belep Islands (Iles Belep) New Caledonia
Belfast [US Consulate General] United Kingdom
Belgian Congo Zaire
Belgrade [US Embassy; US does not Serbia and Montenegro maintain full diplomatic relations with Serbia and Montenegro]
Belize City [US Embassy] Belize
Belle Isle, Strait of Atlantic Ocean
Bellingshausen Sea Pacific Ocean
Belmopan Belize
Belorussia Belarus
Bengal, Bay of Indian Ocean
Bering Sea Pacific Ocean
Bering Strait Pacific Ocean
Berkner Island Antarctica
Berlin [US Branch Office] Germany
Berlin, East Germany
Berlin, West Germany
Bern [US Embassy] Switzerland
Bessarabia Romania; Moldova
Bijagos, Arquipelago dos Guinea-Bissau
Bikini Atoll Marshall Islands
Bilbao [US Consulate] Spain
Bioko Equatorial Guinea
Biscay, Bay of Atlantic Ocean
Bishkek [US Embassy] Kyrgyzstan
Bishop Rock United Kingdom
Bismarck Archipelago Papua New Guinea
Bismarck Sea Pacific Ocean
Bissau [US Embassy] Guinea-Bissau
Bjornoya (Bear Island) Svalbard
Black Rock Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Black Sea Atlantic Ocean
Bloemfontein South Africa
Boa Vista Cape Verde
Bogota [US Embassy] Colombia
Bombay [US Consulate General] India
Bonaire Netherlands Antilles
Bonifacio, Strait of Atlantic Ocean
Bonin Islands Japan
Bonn [US Embassy] Germany
Bophuthatswana South Africa
Bora-Bora French Polynesia
Bordeaux [US Consulate General] France
Borneo Brunei; Indonesia; Malaysia
Bornholm Denmark
Bosporus Atlantic Ocean
Bothnia, Gulf of Atlantic Ocean
Bougainville Island Papua New Guinea
Bougainville Strait Pacific Ocean
Bounty Islands New Zealand
Brasilia [US Embassy] Brazil
Bratislava [US Embassy] Slovakia
Brazzaville [US Embassy] Congo
Bridgetown [US Embassy] Barbados
Brisbane [US Consulate] Australia
British East Africa Kenya
British Guiana Guyana
British Honduras Belize
British Solomon Islands Solomon Islands
British Somaliland Somalia
Brussels [US Embassy, US Mission Belgium to European Union, US Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (USNATO)]
Bucharest [US Embassy] Romania
Budapest [US Embassy] Hungary
Buenos Aires [US Embassy] Argentina
Bujumbura [US Embassy] Burundi
Burnt Pine Norfolk Island
Byelorussia Belarus
C Cabinda Angola
Cabot Strait Atlantic Ocean
Caicos Islands Turks and Caicos Islands
Cairo [US Embassy] Egypt
Calcutta [US Consulate General] India
Calgary [US Consulate General] Canada
California, Gulf of Pacific Ocean
Campbell Island New Zealand
Canal Zone Panama
Canary Islands Spain
Canberra [US Embassy] Australia
Canton (Guangzhou) China
Canton Island Kiribati
Cape Town [US Consulate General] South Africa
Caracas [US Embassy] Venezuela
Cargados Carajos Shoals Mauritius
Caroline Islands Micronesia, Federated States of; Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the
Caribbean Sea Atlantic Ocean
Carpentaria, Gulf of Pacific Ocean
Casablanca [US Consulate General] Morocco
Castries Saint Lucia
Cato Island Australia
Cayenne French Guiana
Cebu [US Consulate General] Philippines
Celebes Indonesia
Celebes Sea Pacific Ocean
Celtic Sea Atlantic Ocean
Central African Empire Central African Republic
Ceuta Spain
Ceylon Sri Lanka
Chafarinas, Islas Spain
Chagos Archipelago (Oil Islands) British Indian Ocean Territory
Channel Islands Guernsey; Jersey
Charlotte Amalie Virgin Islands
Chatham Islands New Zealand
Cheju-do Korea, South
Cheju Strait Pacific Ocean
Chengdu [US Consulate General] China
Chesterfield Islands New Caledonia (Iles Chesterfield)
Chiang Mai [US Consulate General] Thailand
Chihli, Gulf of (see Bo Hai) Pacific Ocean
China, People's Republic of China
China, Republic of Taiwan
Chisinau [US Embassy] Moldova
Choiseul Solomon Islands
Christmas Island [Indian Ocean] Australia
Christmas Island [Pacific Ocean] Kiribati (Kiritimati)
Chukchi Sea Arctic Ocean
Ciskei South Africa
Ciudad Juarez [US Consulate General] Mexico
Coco, Isla del Costa Rica
Cocos Islands Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Colombo [US Embassy] Sri Lanka
Colon, Archipielago de Ecuador (Galapagos Islands)
Commander Islands Russia (Komandorskiye Ostrova)
Conakry [US Embassy] Guinea
Congo (Brazzaville) Congo
Congo (Kinshasa) Zaire
Congo (Leopoldville) Zaire
Con Son Islands Vietnam
Cook Strait Pacific Ocean
Copenhagen [US Embassy] Denmark
Coral Sea Pacific Ocean
Corn Islands (Islas del Maiz) Nicaragua
Corsica France
Cosmoledo Group Seychelles
Cotonou [US Embassy] Benin
Crete Greece
Crooked Island Passage Atlantic Ocean
Crozet Islands (Iles Crozet) French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Curacao [US Consulate General] Netherlands Antilles
Czechoslovakia Czech Republic; Slovakia
D Dahomey Benin
Daito Islands Japan
Dakar [US Embassy] Senegal
Daman (Damao) India
Damascus [US Embassy] Syria
Danger Atoll Cook Islands
Danish Straits Atlantic Ocean
Danzig (Gdansk) Poland
Dao Bach Long Vi Vietnam
Dardanelles Atlantic Ocean
Dar es Salaam [US Embassy] Tanzania
Davis Strait Atlantic Ocean
Deception Island Antarctica
Denmark Strait Atlantic Ocean
D'Entrecasteaux Islands Papua New Guinea
Devon Island Canada
Dhahran [US Consulate General] Saudi Arabia
Dhaka [US Embassy] Bangladesh
Diego Garcia British Indian Ocean Territory
Diego Ramirez Chile
Diomede Islands Russia [Big Diomede]; United States [Little Diomede]
Diu India
Djibouti [US Embassy] Djibouti
Dodecanese Greece
Dodoma Tanzania
Doha [US Embassy] Qatar
Douala [US Consulate closed in Cameroon September 1993]
Douglas Man, Isle of
Dover, Strait of Atlantic Ocean
Drake Passage Atlantic Ocean
Dubai (see Dubayy) United Arab Emirates
Dubayy [US Consulate General] United Arab Emirates
Dublin [US Embassy] Ireland
Durban [US Consulate General] South Africa
Dushanbe [Embassy] Tajikistan
Dutch East Indies Indonesia
Dutch Guiana Suriname
E East China Sea Pacific Ocean
Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) Chile
Eastern Channel (East Korea Strait Pacific Ocean or Tsushima Strait)
East Germany (German Democratic Germany Republic)
East Korea Strait (Eastern Channel Pacific Ocean or Tsushima Strait)
East Pakistan Bangladesh
East Siberian Sea Arctic Ocean
East Timor (Portuguese Timor) Indonesia
Edinburgh [US Consulate General] United Kingdom
Elba Italy
Ellef Ringnes Island Canada
Ellesmere Island Canada
Ellice Islands Tuvalu
Elobey, Islas de Equatorial Guinea
Enderbury Island Kiribati
Enewetak Atoll (Eniwetok Atoll) Marshall Islands
England United Kingdom
English Channel Atlantic Ocean
Eniwetok Atoll Marshall Islands
Epirus, Northern Albania; Greece
Essequibo [claimed by Venezuela] Guyana
Etorofu Russia [de facto]
F Farquhar Group Seychelles
Fernando de Noronha Brazil
Fernando Po (Bioko) Equatorial Guinea
Finland, Gulf of Atlantic Ocean
Florence [US Consulate General] Italy
Florida, Straits of Atlantic Ocean
Formosa Taiwan
Formosa Strait (Taiwan Strait) Pacific Ocean
Fortaleza [US Consular Agency] Brazil
Fort-de-France [US Consulate General] Martinique
Frankfurt am Main [US Germany Consulate General]
Franz Josef Land Russia
Freetown [US Embassy] Sierra Leone
French Cameroon Cameroon
French Indochina Cambodia; Laos; Vietnam
French Guinea Guinea
French Sudan Mali
French Territory of the Afars Djibouti and Issas (F.T.A.I.)
French Togo Togo
Friendly Islands Tonga
Frunze (Bishkek) Kyrgyzstan
Fukuoka [US Consulate] Japan
Funafuti Tuvalu
Fundy, Bay of Atlantic Ocean
Futuna Islands (Hoorn Islands) Wallis and Futuna
G Gaborone [US Embassy] Botswana
Galapagos Islands (Archipielago Ecuador de Colon)
Galleons Passage Atlantic Ocean
Gambier Islands (Iles Gambier) French Polynesia
Gaspar Strait Pacific Ocean
Geneva [Branch Office of the Switzerland US Embassy, US Mission to European Office of the UN and Other International Organizations]
Genoa [US Consulate General closed Italy in June 1993]
George Town [US Consular Agency] Cayman Islands
Georgetown [US Embassy] Guyana
German Democratic Republic Germany (East Germany)
German Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany)
Gibraltar, Strait of Atlantic Ocean
Gilbert Islands Kiribati
Goa India
Gold Coast Ghana
Golan Heights Syria
Good Hope, Cape of South Africa
Goteborg Sweden
Gotland Sweden
Gough Island Saint Helena
Grand Banks Atlantic Ocean
Grand Cayman Cayman Islands
Grand Turk [US Consular Agency] Turks and Caicos Islands
Great Australian Bight Indian Ocean
Great Belt (Store Baelt) Atlantic Ocean
Great Britain United Kingdom
Great Channel Indian Ocean
Greater Sunda Islands Brunei; Indonesia; Malaysia
Green Islands Papua New Guinea
Greenland Sea Arctic Ocean
Grenadines, Northern Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Grenadines, Southern Grenada
Grytviken Georgia
Guadalajara [US Consulate General] Mexico
Guadalcanal Solomon Islands
Guadalupe, Isla de Mexico
Guangzhou [US Consulate General] China
Guantanamo Bay [US Naval Base] Cuba
Guatemala [US Embassy] Guatemala
Gubal, Strait of Indian Ocean
Guinea, Gulf of Atlantic Ocean
Guayaquil [US Consulate General] Ecuador
H Ha'apai Group Tonga
Habomai Islands Russia [de facto]
Hague, The [US Embassy] Netherlands
Hainan Dao China
Halifax [US Consulate General] Canada
Halmahera Indonesia
Hamburg [US Consulate General] Germany
Hamilton [US Consulate General] Bermuda
Hanoi Vietnam
Harare [US Embassy] Zimbabwe
Hatay Turkey
Havana [US post not maintained; Cuba representation by US Interests Section (USINT) of the Swiss Embassy]
Hawaii United States
Heard Island Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Helsinki [US Embassy] Finland
Hermosillo [US Consulate] Mexico
Hispaniola Dominican Republic; Haiti
Hokkaido Japan
Hong Kong [US Consulate General] Hong Kong
Honiara [US Consulate] Solomon Islands
Honshu Japan
Hormuz, Strait of Indian Ocean
Horn, Cape (Cabo de Hornos) Chile
Horne, Iles de Wallis and Futuna
Horn of Africa Ethiopia; Somalia
Hudson Bay Arctic Ocean
Hudson Strait Arctic Ocean
I Inaccessible Island Saint Helena
Indochina Cambodia; Laos; Vietnam
Inner Mongolia (Nei Mongol) China
Ionian Islands Greece
Ionian Sea Atlantic Ocean
Irian Jaya Indonesia
Irish Sea Atlantic Ocean
Islamabad [US Embassy] Pakistan
Islas Malvinas Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Istanbul [US Consulate General] Turkey
Italian Somaliland Somalia
Ivory Coast Cote d'Ivoire
Iwo Jima Japan
J Jakarta [US Embassy] Indonesia
Jamestown Saint Helena
Japan, Sea of Pacific Ocean
Java Indonesia
Java Sea Pacific Ocean
Jeddah (see Jiddah) Saudi Arabia
Jerusalem [US Consulate General] Israel; West Bank
Jiddah [US Consulate General] Saudi Arabia
Johannesburg [US Consulate General] South Africa
Juan de Fuca, Strait of Pacific Ocean
Juan Fernandez, Isla de Chile
Juventud, Isla de la (Isle of Youth) Cuba
K Kabul [US Embassy now closed] Afghanistan
Kaduna [US Consulate General] Nigeria
Kalimantan Indonesia
Kamchatka Peninsula Russia (Poluostrov Kamchatka)
Kampala [US Embassy] Uganda
Kampuchea Cambodia
Karachi [US Consulate General] Pakistan
Kara Sea Arctic Ocean
Karimata Strait Pacific Ocean
Kathmandu [US Embassy] Nepal
Kattegat Atlantic Ocean
Kauai Channel Pacific Ocean
Keeling Islands Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Kerguelen, Iles French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Kermadec Islands New Zealand
Khabarovsk Russia
Khartoum [US Embassy] Sudan
Khmer Republic Cambodia
Khuriya Muriya Islands (Kuria Oman Muria Islands)
Khyber Pass Pakistan
Kiel Canal (Nord-Ostsee Kanal) Atlantic Ocean
Kiev [US Embassy] Ukraine
Kigali [US Embassy closed Rwanda indefinitely]
Kingston [US Embassy] Jamaica
Kingston Norfolk Island
Kingstown Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Kinshasa [US Embassy] Zaire
Kirghiziya Kyrgyzstan
Kiritimati (Christmas Island) Kiribati
Kishinev (Chisinau) Moldova
Kithira Strait Atlantic Ocean
Kodiak Island United States
Kola Peninsula (Kol'skiy Poluostrov) Russia
Kolonia [US Embassy] Micronesia, Federated States of
Korea Bay Pacific Ocean
Korea, Democratic People's Korea, North Republic of
Korea, Republic of Korea, South
Korea Strait Pacific Ocean
Koror [US Liaison Office] Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of
Kosovo Serbia and Montenegro
Kowloon Hong Kong
Krakow [US Consulate General] Poland
Kuala Lumpur [US Embassy] Malaysia
Kunashiri (Kunashir) Russia [de facto]
Kuril Islands Russia [de facto]
Kuwait [US Embassy] Kuwait
Kwajalein Atoll Marshall Islands
Kyushu Japan
Kyyiv (Kiev) Ukraine
L Labrador Canada
Laccadive Islands India
Laccadive Sea Indian Ocean
Lagos [US Embassy] Nigeria
Lahore [US Consulate General] Pakistan
Lakshadweep India
La Paz [US Embassy] Bolivia
La Perouse Strait Pacific Ocean
Laptev Sea Arctic Ocean
Las Palmas [US Consular Agency] Spain
Lau Group Fiji
Leipzig [US Consulate General] Germany
Leningrad (see Saint Petersburg) Russia
Lesser Sunda Islands Indonesia
Leyte Philippines
Liancourt Rocks [claimed by Japan] Korea, South
Libreville [US Embassy] Gabon
Ligurian Sea Atlantic Ocean
Lilongwe [US Embassy] Malawi
Lima [US Embassy] Peru
Lincoln Sea Arctic Ocean
Line Islands Kiribati; Palmyra Atoll
Lisbon [US Embassy] Portugal
Ljubljana [US Embassy] Slovenia
Lobamba Swaziland
Lombok Strait Indian Ocean
Lome [US Embassy] Togo
London [US Embassy] United Kingdom
Longyearbyen Svalbard
Lord Howe Island Australia
Louisiade Archipelago Papua New Guinea
Loyalty Islands (Iles Loyaute) New Caledonia
Luanda [US Embassy] Angola
Lusaka [US Embassy] Zambia
Luxembourg [US Embassy] Luxembourg
Luzon Philippines
Luzon Strait Pacific Ocean
M Macao Macau
Macedonia The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Macquarie Island Australia
Madeira Islands Portugal
Madras [US Consulate General] India
Madrid [US Embassy] Spain
Magellan, Strait of Atlantic Ocean
Maghreb Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia
Mahe Island Seychelles
Maiz, Islas del (Corn Islands) Nicaragua
Majorca (Mallorca) Spain
Majuro [US Embassy] Marshall Islands
Makassar Strait Pacific Ocean
Malabo [US Embassy] Equatorial Guinea
Malacca, Strait of Indian Ocean
Malagasy Republic Madagascar
Male [US Consular Agency] Maldives
Mallorca (Majorca) Spain
Malpelo, Isla de Colombia
Malta Channel Atlantic Ocean
Malvinas, Islas Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Mamoutzou Mayotte
Managua [US Embassy] Nicaragua
Manama [US Embassy] Bahrain
Manaus [US Consular Agency] Brazil
Manchukuo China
Manchuria China
Manila [US Embassy] Philippines
Manipa Strait Pacific Ocean
Mannar, Gulf of Indian Ocean
Manua Islands American Samoa
Maputo [US Embassy] Mozambique
Marcus Island (Minami-tori-shima) Japan
Mariana Islands Guam; Northern Mariana Islands
Marion Island South Africa
Marmara, Sea of Atlantic Ocean
Marquesas Islands (Iles Marquises) French Polynesia
Marseille [US Consulate General] France
Martin Vaz, Ilhas Brazil
Mas a Tierra (Robinson Crusoe Chile Island)
Mascarene Islands Mauritius; Reunion
Maseru [US Embassy] Lesotho
Matamoros [US Consulate] Mexico
Mata-Utu Wallis and Futuna
Mazatlan [US Consulate closed Mexico May 1993]
Mbabane [US Embassy] Swaziland
McDonald Islands Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Medan [US Consulate] Indonesia
Mediterranean Sea Atlantic Ocean
Melbourne [US Consulate General] Australia
Melilla Spain
Merida [US Consulate Mexico
Messina, Strait of Atlantic Ocean
Mexico [US Embassy] Mexico
Mexico, Gulf of Atlantic Ocean
Milan [US Consulate General] Italy
Minami-tori-shima Japan
Mindanao Philippines
Mindoro Strait Pacific Ocean
Minicoy Island India
Minsk [US Embassy] Belarus
Mogadishu [US Liaison Office] Somalia
Moldavia Moldova
Mombasa [US Consulate closed Kenya May 1993]
Mona Passage Atlantic Ocean
Monrovia [US Embassy] Liberia
Montenegro Serbia and Montenegro
Monterrey [US Consulate General] Mexico
Montevideo [US Embassy] Uruguay
Montreal [US Consulate General, US Canada Mission to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)]
Moravian Gate Czech Republic
Moroni [US Embassy] Comoros
Mortlock Islands Micronesia, Federated States of
Moscow [US Embassy] Russia
Mozambique Channel Indian Ocean
Munich [US Consulate General] Germany
Musandam Peninsula Oman; United Arab Emirates
Muscat [US Embassy] Oman
Muscat and Oman Oman
Myanma, Myanmar Burma
N Naha [US Consulate General] Japan
Nairobi [US Embassy] Kenya
Nampo-shoto Japan
Naples [US Consulate General] Italy
Nassau [US Embassy] Bahamas, The
Natuna Besar Islands Indonesia
N'Djamena [US Embassy] Chad
Netherlands East Indies Indonesia
Netherlands Guiana Suriname
Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis
New Delhi [US Embassy] India
Newfoundland Canada
New Guinea Indonesia; Papua New Guinea
New Hebrides Vanuatu
New Siberian Islands Russia
New Territories Hong Kong
New York, New York [US Mission to United States the United Nations (USUN)]
Niamey [US Embassy] Niger
Nicobar Islands India
Nicosia [US Embassy] Cyprus
Nightingale Island Saint Helena
North Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean
North Channel Atlantic Ocean
Northeast Providence Channel Atlantic Ocean
Northern Epirus Albania; Greece
Northern Grenadines Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Northern Ireland United Kingdom
Northern Rhodesia Zambia
North Island New Zealand
North Korea Korea, North
North Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean
North Sea Atlantic Ocean
North Vietnam Vietnam
Northwest Passages Arctic Ocean
North Yemen (Yemen Arab Republic) Yemen
Norwegian Sea Atlantic Ocean
Nouakchott [US Embassy] Mauritania
Noumea New Caledonia
Novaya Zemlya Russia
Nuku'alofa Tonga
Nuevo Laredo [US Consulate] Mexico
Nuuk (Godthab) Greenland
Nyasaland Malawi
O Oahu United States
Ocean Island (Banaba) Kiribati
Ocean Island (Kure Island) United States
Ogaden Ethiopia; Somalia
Oil Islands (Chagos Archipelago) British Indian Ocean Territory
Okhotsk, Sea of Pacific Ocean
Okinawa Japan
Oman, Gulf of Indian Ocean
Ombai Strait Pacific Ocean
Oran [US Consulate] Algeria
Oranjestad Aruba
Oresund (The Sound) Atlantic Ocean
Orkney Islands United Kingdom
Osaka-Kobe [US Consulate General] Japan
Oslo [US Embassy] Norway
Otranto, Strait of Atlantic Ocean
Ottawa [US Embassy] Canada
Ouagadougou [US Embassy] Burkina
Outer Mongolia Mongolia
P Pagan Northern Mariana Islands
Pago Pago American Samoa
Palau Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the
Palawan Philippines
Palermo [US Consulate General] Italy
Palk Strait Indian Ocean
Pamirs China; Tajikistan
Panama [US Embassy] Panama
Panama Canal Panama
Panama, Gulf of Pacific Ocean
Papeete French Polynesia
Paramaribo [US Embassy] Suriname
Parece Vela Japan
Paris [US Embassy, US Mission to the France Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), US Observer Mission at the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)]
Pascua, Isla de (Easter Island) Chile
Passion, Ile de la Clipperton Island
Pashtunistan Afghanistan; Pakistan
Peking (Beijing) China
Pemba Island Tanzania
Pentland Firth Atlantic Ocean
Perim Yemen
Perouse Strait, La Pacific Ocean
Persian Gulf Indian Ocean
Perth [US Consulate General] Australia
Pescadores Taiwan
Peshawar [US Consulate] Pakistan
Peter I Island Antarctica
Philip Island Norfolk Island
Philippine Sea Pacific Ocean
Phnom Penh [US Embassy] Cambodia
Phoenix Islands Kiribati
Pines, Isle of (Isla de la Juventud) Cuba
Pleasant Island Nauru
Plymouth Montserrat
Ponape (Pohnpei) Micronesia
Ponta Delgada [US Consulate] Portugal
Port-au-Prince [US Embassy] Haiti
Port Louis [US Embassy] Mauritius
Port Moresby [US Embassy] Papua New Guinea
Porto Alegre [US Consulate] Brazil
Port-of-Spain [US Embassy] Trinidad and Tobago
Porto-Novo Benin
Portuguese Guinea Guinea-Bissau
Portuguese Timor (East Timor) Indonesia
Port-Vila Vanuatu
Poznan [US Consulate General] Poland
Prague [US Embassy] Czech Republic
Praia [US Embassy] Cape Verde
Pretoria [US Embassy] South Africa
Pribilof Islands United States
Prince Edward Island Canada
Prince Edward Islands South Africa
Prince Patrick Island Canada
Principe Sao Tome and Principe
Pusan [US Consulate] Korea, South
P'yongyang Korea, North
Q Quebec [US Consulate General] Canada
Queen Charlotte Islands Canada
Queen Elizabeth Islands Canada
Queen Maud Land [claimed by Norway] Antarctica
Quito [US Embassy] Ecuador
R Rabat [US Embassy] Morocco
Ralik Chain Marshall Islands
Rangoon [US Embassy] Burma
Ratak Chain Marshall Islands
Recife [US Consulate] Brazil
Redonda Antigua and Barbuda
Red Sea Indian Ocean
Revillagigedo Island United States
Revillagigedo Islands Mexico
Reykjavik [US Embassy] Iceland
Rhodes Greece
Rhodesia Zimbabwe
Rhodesia, Northern Zambia
Rhodesia, Southern Zimbabwe
Riga [US Embassy] Latvia
Rio de Janeiro [US Consulate Brazil General]
Rio de Oro Western Sahara
Rio Muni Equatorial Guinea
Riyadh [US Embassy] Saudi Arabia
Road Town British Virgin Islands
Robinson Crusoe Island (Mas Chile a Tierra)
Rocas, Atol das Brazil
Rockall [disputed] United Kingdom
Rodrigues Mauritius
Rome [US Embassy, US Mission to the Italy UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture (FODAG)]
Roncador Cay Colombia
Roosevelt Island Antarctica
Roseau Dominica
Ross Dependency [claimed by Antarctica New Zealand]
Ross Island Antarctica
Ross Sea Antarctica
Rota Northern Mariana Islands
Rotuma Fiji
Ryukyu Islands Japan
S Saba Netherlands Antilles
Sabah Malaysia
Sable Island Canada
Sahel Burkina, Cape Verde, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) Vietnam
Saint Brandon Mauritius
Saint Christopher and Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint-Denis Reunion
Saint George's [US Embassy] Grenada
Saint George's Channel Atlantic Ocean
Saint Helier Jersey
Saint John's [US Embassy] Antigua and Barbuda
Saint Lawrence, Gulf of Atlantic Ocean
Saint Lawrence Island United States
Saint Lawrence Seaway Atlantic Ocean
Saint Martin Guadeloupe
Saint Martin (Sint Maarten) Netherlands Antilles
Saint Paul Island Canada
Saint Paul Island United States
Saint Paul Island (Ile Saint-Paul) French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Saint Peter and Saint Paul Rocks Brazil (Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo)
Saint Peter Port Guernsey
Saint Petersburg [US Consulate] Russia
Saint-Pierre Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent Passage Atlantic Ocean
Saipan Northern Mariana Islands
Sakhalin Island (Ostrov Sakhalin) Russia
Sala y Gomez, Isla Chile
Salisbury (Harare) Zimbabwe
Salvador de Bahia [US Consular Brazil Agency]
Salzburg [US Consulate General] Austria
Sanaa [US Embassy] Yemen
San Ambrosio Chile
San Andres y Providencia, Colombia Archipielago
San Bernardino Strait Pacific Ocean
San Felix, Isla Chile
San Jose [US Embassy] Costa Rica
San Juan Puerto Rico
San Luis Potosi [US Consular Agency] Mexico
San Marino San Marino
San Salvador [US Embassy] El Salvador
Santa Cruz [US Consular Agency] Bolivia
Santa Cruz Islands Solomon Islands
Santiago [US Embassy] Chile
Santo Domingo [US Embassy] Dominican Republic
Sao Paulo [US Consulate General] Brazil
Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo, Penedos de Brazil
Sao Tome Sao Tome and Principe
Sapporo [US Consulate General] Japan
Sapudi Strait Pacific Ocean
Sarajevo [US Embassy] Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarawak Malaysia
Sardinia Italy
Sargasso Sea Atlantic Ocean
Sark Guernsey
Scotia Sea Atlantic Ocean
Scotland United Kingdom
Scott Island Antarctica
Senyavin Islands Micronesia, Federated States of
Seoul [US Embassy] Korea, South
Serbia Serbia and Montenegro
Serrana Bank Colombia
Serranilla Bank Colombia
Settlement, The Christmas Island
Severnaya Zemlya (Northland) Russia
Shag Island Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Shag Rocks Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Shanghai [US Consulate General] China
Shenyang [US Consulate General] China
Shetland Islands United Kingdom
Shikoku Japan
Shikotan (Shikotan-to) Japan
Siam Thailand
Sibutu Passage Pacific Ocean
Sicily Italy
Sicily, Strait of Atlantic Ocean
Sikkim India
Sinai Egypt
Singapore [US Embassy] Singapore
Singapore Strait Pacific Ocean
Sinkiang (Xinjiang) China
Sint Eustatius Netherlands Antilles
Sint Maarten (Saint Martin) Netherlands Antilles
Skagerrak Atlantic Ocean
Skopje The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Society Islands (Iles de la Societe) French Polynesia
Socotra Yemen
Sofia [US Embassy] Bulgaria
Solomon Islands, northern Papua New Guinea
Solomon Islands, southern Solomon Islands
Solomon Sea Pacific Ocean
Songkhla [US Consulate] Thailand
Sound, The (Oresund) Atlantic Ocean
South Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean
South China Sea Pacific Ocean
Southern Grenadines Grenada
Southern Rhodesia Zimbabwe
South Georgia South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
South Island New Zealand
South Korea Korea, South
South Orkney Islands Antarctica
South Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean
South Sandwich Islands South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
South Shetland Islands Antarctica
South Tyrol Italy
South Vietnam Vietnam
South-West Africa Namibia
South Yemen (People's Democratic Yemen Republic of Yemen)
Soviet Union Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Spanish Guinea Equatorial Guinea
Spanish Sahara Western Sahara
Spitsbergen Svalbard
Stanley Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Stockholm [US Embassy] Sweden
Strasbourg [US Consulate General] France
Stuttgart [US Consulate General] Germany
Suez, Gulf of Indian Ocean
Sulu Archipelago Philippines
Sulu Sea Pacific Ocean
Sumatra Indonesia
Sumba Indonesia
Sunda Islands (Soenda Isles) Indonesia; Malaysia
Sunda Strait Indian Ocean
Surabaya [US Consulate] Indonesia
Surigao Strait Pacific Ocean
Surinam Suriname
Suva [US Embassy] Fiji
Swains Island American Samoa
Swan Islands Honduras
Sydney [US Consulate General] Australia
T Tahiti French Polynesia
Taipei Taiwan
Taiwan Strait Pacific Ocean
Tallinn [US Embassy] Estonia
Tanganyika Tanzania
Tangier Morocco
Tarawa Kiribati
Tartar Strait Pacific Ocean
Tashkent [US Embassy] Uzbekistan
Tasmania Australia
Tasman Sea Pacific Ocean
Taymyr Peninsula (Poluostrov Taymyra) Russia
T'bilisi [US Embassy] Georgia
Tegucigalpa [US Embassy] Honduras
Tehran [US post not maintained; Iran representation by Swiss Embassy]
Tel Aviv [US Embassy] Israel
Terre Adelie (Adelie Land) Antarctica [claimed by France]
Thailand, Gulf of Pacific Ocean
Thessaloniki [US Consulate General] Greece
Thimphu Bhutan
Thurston Island Antarctica
Tibet (Xizang) China
Tibilisi (see T'bilisi) Georgia
Tierra del Fuego Argentina; Chile
Tijuana [US Consulate General] Mexico
Timor Indonesia
Timor Sea Pacific Ocean
Tinian Northern Mariana Islands
Tiran, Strait of Indian Ocean
Tirane [US Embassy] Albania
Tobago Trinidad and Tobago
Tokyo [US Embassy] Japan
Tonkin, Gulf of Pacific Ocean
Toronto [US Consulate General] Canada
Torres Strait Pacific Ocean
Torshavn Faroe Islands
Toshkent (Tashkent) Uzbekistan
Transjordan Jordan
Transkei South Africa
Transylvania Romania
Trindade, Ilha de Brazil
Tripoli [US post not maintained; Libya representation by Belgian Embassy]
Tristan da Cunha Group Saint Helena
Trobriand Islands Papua New Guinea
Trucial States United Arab Emirates
Truk Islands Micronesia
Tsugaru Strait Pacific Ocean
Tuamotu Islands (Iles Tuamotu) French Polynesia
Tubuai Islands (Iles Tubuai) French Polynesia
Tunis [US Embassy] Tunisia
Turin Italy
Turkish Straits Atlantic Ocean
Turkmeniya Turkmenistan
Turks Island Passage Atlantic Ocean
Tyrol, South Italy
Tyrrhenian Sea Atlantic Ocean
U Udorn (Udon Thani) [US Consulate] Thailand
Ulaanbaatar [US Embassy] Mongolia
Ullung-do Korea, South
Unimak Pass [strait] Pacific Ocean
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
United Arab Republic Egypt; Syria
Upper Volta Burkina
USSR Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
V Vaduz [US post not maintained; Liechtenstein representation from Zurich, Switzerland]
Vakhan (Wakhan Corridor) Afghanistan
Valletta [US Embassy] Malta
Valley, The Anguilla
Vancouver [US Consulate General] Canada
Vancouver Island Canada
Van Diemen Strait Pacific Ocean
Vatican City [US Embassy] Holy See
Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Spain
Venda South Africa
Verde Island Passage Pacific Ocean
Victoria Hong Kong
Victoria [US Embassy] Seychelles
Vienna [US Embassy, US Mission to Austria International Organizations in Vienna (UNVIE)]
Vientiane [US Embassy] Laos
Vilnius [US Embassy] Lithuania
Vladivostok [US Consulate] Russia
Volcano Islands Japan
Vostok Island Kiribati
Vrangelya, Ostrov (Wrangel Island) Russia
W Wakhan Corridor (now Vakhan) Afghanistan
Wales United Kingdom
Walvis Bay Namibia
Warsaw [US Embassy] Poland
Washington, DC [The Permanent Mission United States of the US to the Organization of American States (OAS)]
Weddell Sea Atlantic Ocean
Wellington [US Embassy] New Zealand
Western Channel (West Korea Strait) Pacific Ocean
West Germany (Federal Republic of Germany Germany)
West Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands
West Korea Strait (Western Channel) Pacific Ocean
West Pakistan Pakistan
Wetar Strait Pacific Ocean
White Sea Arctic Ocean
Willemstad Netherlands Antilles
Windhoek [US Embassy] Namibia
Windward Passage Atlantic Ocean
Wrangel Island (Ostrov Vrangelya) Russia [de facto]
Y Yamoussoukro Cote d'Ivoire
Yaounde [US Embassy] Cameroon
Yap Islands Micronesia
Yaren Nauru
Yellow Sea Pacific Ocean
Yemen (Aden) [People's Democratic Yemen Republic of Yemen]
Yemen Arab Republic Yemen
Yemen, North [Yemen Arab Republic] Yemen
Yemen (Sanaa) [Yemen Arab Republic] Yemen
Yemen, People's Democratic Yemen Republic of
Yemen, South [People's Democratic Yemen Republic of Yemen]
Yerevan [US Embassy] Armenia
Youth, Isle of (Isla de la Juventud) Cuba
Yucatan Channel Atlantic Ocean
Yugoslavia Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Z Zagreb [US Embassy] Croatia
Zanzibar Tanzania
Zurich [US Consulate General] Switzerland