The 1996 CIA World Factbook (part 6 of 6)

The 1996 CIA World Factbook (part 6 of 6)

Illicit drugs: a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; major illicit transit point for heroin en route to the international drug market from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication efforts; also a drug money laundering center; rapidly growing role in amphetamine production for regional consumption; increasing indigenous abuse of methamphetamine and heroin

Exports: $45.1 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: manufactures 73%, agricultural products and fisheries 21%, raw materials 5%, fuels 1% partners: US 21.0%, Japan 17.1%, Singapore 13.6%, Hong Kong 5.3%, Germany 3.5%, UK 3.0%, Netherlands 2.8%, Malaysia 2.4%

Imports: $53.9 billion (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: manufactures 80%, fuels 6.9%, raw materials 6.6%, foodstuffs 4.3% partners: Japan 30.4%, US 11.9%, Singapore 6.3%, Germany 5.8%, Taiwan 5.1%, Malaysia 4.9%, South Korea 3.7%, China 2.6%

External debt: $53.7 billion (1994)

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $624 million (1993)

Currency: 1 baht (B) = 100 satang

Exchange rates: baht (B) per US$1 - 25.300 (January 1996), 25.000 (1995 est.), 25.150 (1994), 25.319 (1993), 25.400 (1992), 25.517 (1991)

Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September

Transportation --------------

Railways: total: 4,623 km narrow gauge: 4,623 km 1.000-m gauge (99 km double track)

Highways: total: 54,388 km paved: 48,786 km (including 171 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,602 km (1992 est.)

Waterways: 3,999 km principal waterways; 3,701 km with navigable depths of 0.9 m or more throughout the year; numerous minor waterways navigable by shallow-draft native craft

Pipelines: petroleum products 67 km; natural gas 350 km

Ports: Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha, Songkhla

Merchant marine: total: 259 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,559,037 GRT/2,498,812 DWT ships by type: bulk 32, cargo 143, chemical tanker 3, container 11, liquefied gas tanker 12, oil tanker 45, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 7, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 2 (1995 est.)

Airports: total: 98 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 6 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 9 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 12 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 22 with paved runways under 914 m: 36 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 12 (1995 est.)

Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 1,553,200 (1994 est.)

Telephone system: service to general public inadequate; bulk of service to government activities provided by multichannel cable and microwave radio relay network domestic: microwave radio relay and multichannel cable; domestic satellite system being developed international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 200 (in government-controlled network), FM 100 (in government-controlled network), shortwave 0

Radios: 10.75 million (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 11 (in government-controlled network)

Televisions: 3.3 million (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force, Paramilitary Forces

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 16,835,334 males fit for military service: 10,182,904 males reach military age (18) annually: 592,268 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $4.0 billion, 2.5% of GDP (FY94/95)

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

@The Bahamas -----------

Map ---

Location: 24 15 N, 76 00 W -- Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida

Flag ----

Description: three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side

Geography ---------

Location: Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida

Geographic coordinates: 24 15 N, 76 00 W

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

Area: total area: 13,940 sq km land area: 10,070 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Connecticut

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 3,542 km

Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream

Terrain: long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Alvernia 63 m

Natural resources: salt, aragonite, timber

Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 32% other: 67%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment: current issues: coral reef decay natural hazards: hurricanes and other tropical storms that cause extensive flood and wind damage international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

Geographic note: strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain

People ------

Population: 259,367 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 28% (male 36,331; female 35,771) 15-64 years: 67% (male 84,107; female 89,193) 65 years and over: 5% (male 5,449; female 8,516) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.05% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 18.73 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 5.74 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -2.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 23.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.53 years male: 67.98 years female: 77.16 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.97 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Bahamian(s) adjective: Bahamian

Ethnic divisions: black 85%, white 15%

Religions: Baptist 32%, Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 19%, Methodist 6%, Church of God 6%, other Protestant 12%, none or unknown 3%, other 2%

Languages: English, Creole (among Haitian immigrants)

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write but definition of literacy not available (1995 est.) total population: 98.2% male: 98.5% female: 98%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas conventional short form: The Bahamas

Data code: BF

Type of government: commonwealth

Capital: Nassau

Administrative divisions: 21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh Harbour, Mayaguana, New Providence, Nicholls Town and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum Cay

Independence: 10 July 1973 (from UK)

National holiday: National Day, 10 July (1973)

Constitution: 10 July 1973

Legal system: based on English common law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) is a hereditary monarch, represented by Governor General Sir Orville TURNQUEST (since 2 January 1995) who was appointed by the queen head of government: Prime Minister Hubert Alexander INGRAHAM (since 19 August 1992) and Deputy Prime Minister Frank WATSON (since NA) were appointed by the governor general cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Senate: a 16-member body appointed by the governor general House of Assembly: elections last held 19 August 1992 (next to be held by August 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (49 total) FNM 32, PLP 17

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders: Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), Sir Lynden O. PINDLING; Free National Movement (FNM), Hubert Alexander INGRAHAM

International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Timothy Baswell DONALDSON chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668 consulate(s) general: Miami and New York

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Sidney WILLIAMS embassy: Mosmar Building, Queen Street, Nassau mailing address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; P.O. Box 9009, Miami, FL 33159; Nassau, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-3370 (pouch) telephone: [1] (809) 322-1181, 328-2206 FAX: [1] (809) 328-7838

Flag: three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side

Economy -------

Economic overview: The Bahamas is a stable, developing nation with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism alone accounts for more than 50% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs 40% of the archipelago's labor force. A slowdown in the expansion of the tourism sector - especially stopover travel from Europe - led to a reduction in the country's GDP growth rate in 1995, down to an estimated 2% from 3.5% in 1994. The construction sector benefited from hotel rehabilitation and the government's ongoing housing development program. Earnings from exports of vegetable and citrus production have been decreasing since 1993 but are expected to increase in 1996 due to storm damage to crops in Florida. The overall growth prospects through 1996 will depend heavily on the fortunes of the tourism sector and continued income growth in the US, which accounts for the majority of tourist visits.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.8 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 2% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $18,700 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 35% services: 62% (1994)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1994)

Labor force: 136,900 (1993) by occupation: government 30%, tourism 40%, business services 10%, agriculture 5% (1995 est.)

Unemployment rate: 15% (1995 est.)

Budget: revenues: $665 million expenditures: $725 million, including capital expenditures of $94 million (FY95/96 est.)

Industries: tourism, banking, cement, oil refining and transshipment, salt production, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity: capacity: 424,000 kW production: 929 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,200 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: citrus, vegetables; poultry

Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and Europe; also a money-laundering center

Exports: $224.257 million (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: pharmaceuticals, cement, rum, crawfish, refined petroleum products partners: US 51%, UK 7%, Norway 7%, France 6%, Italy 5%

Imports: $1.08 billion (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, crude oil, vehicles, electronics partners: US 55%, Japan 17%, Nigeria 12%, Denmark 7%, Norway 6%

External debt: $407.8 million (December 1994)

Economic aid: $NA

Currency: 1 Bahamian dollar (B$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: Bahamian dollar (B$) per US$1 - 1.00 (fixed rate)

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: 2,386 km paved: 1,342 km unpaved: 1,044 km (1986 est.)

Ports: Freeport, Matthew Town, Nassau

Merchant marine: total: 956 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,592,285 GRT/35,765,965 DWT ships by type: bulk 176, cargo 182, chemical tanker 43, combination bulk 9, combination ore/oil 19, container 53, liquefied gas tanker 20, oil tanker 180, passenger 53, refrigerated cargo 147, roll-on/roll-off cargo 47, short-sea passenger 13, vehicle carrier 14 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 48 countries among which are Norway 155, Greece 124, US 84, Denmark 63, Netherlands 44, Sweden 36, Finland 34, France 29, Japan 29, and Belgium 24 (1995 est.)

Airports: total: 55 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 16 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 11 with paved runways under 914 m: 17 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 119,000 (1987 est.)

Telephone system: domestic: totally automatic system; highly developed international: tropospheric scatter and submarine cable to Florida; 3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0

Radios: 200,000 (1993 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 1 (1986 est.)

Televisions: 60,000 (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Royal Bahamas Defense Force (Coast Guard only), Royal Bahamas Police Force

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: NA males fit for military service: NA

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $20 million, 3.8% of GDP (FY95/96)

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

@The Gambia ----------

Map ---

Location: 13 28 N, 16 34 W -- Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal

Flag ----

Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green

Geography ---------

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal

Geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 16 34 W

Map references: Africa

Area: total area: 11,300 sq km land area: 10,000 sq km comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Delaware

Land boundaries: total: 740 km border country: Senegal 740 km

Coastline: 80 km

Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: not specified exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: short section of boundary with Senegal is indefinite

Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)

Terrain: flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 53 m

Natural resources: fish

Land use: arable land: 16% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 9% forest and woodland: 20% other: 55%

Irrigated land: 120 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment: current issues: deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent natural hazards: rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Desertification

Geographic note: almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa

People ------

Population: 1,204,984 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 46% (male 276,782; female 275,683) 15-64 years: 51% (male 307,405; female 312,736) 65 years and over: 3% (male 17,278; female 15,100) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 3.55% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 44.44 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 13.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 4.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.14 male(s)/female all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 80.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.96 years male: 50.74 years female: 55.24 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.06 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Gambian(s) adjective: Gambian

Ethnic divisions: African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-Gambian 1%

Religions: Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1%

Languages: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 38.6% male: 52.8% female: 24.9%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia conventional short form: The Gambia

Data code: GA

Type of government: republic under multiparty democratic rule note:: nominally a republic, The Gambia has had a military government since 22 July 1994; the military authority has promised to return control to a democratically-elected government in July 1996

Capital: Banjul

Administrative divisions: 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Lower River, MacCarthy Island, North Bank, Upper River, Western

Independence: 18 February 1965 (from UK; The Gambia and Senegal signed an agreement on 12 December 1981 that called for the creation of a loose confederation to be known as Senegambia, but the agreement was dissolved on 30 September 1989)

National holiday: Independence Day, 18 February (1965)

Constitution: 24 April 1970; suspended July 1994

Legal system: based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: Chairman of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council Capt. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since the military coup of 22 July 1994); Vice Chairman of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council Capt. Edward SINGHATEH (since March 1995); last popular election held on 29 April 1992; results - Sir Dawda JAWARA (PPP) 58.5%, Sherif Mustapha DIBBA (NCP) 22.2%, Assan Musa CAMARA (GPP) 8.0% (prior to the 22 July 1994 coup, next election had been scheduled for April 1997) cabinet: Cabinet normally is appointed by the president from members of the House of Representatives (present cabinet appointed by Chairman of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council)

Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives: last popular election held on 29 April 1992 (next to be held NA April 1997); results - PPP won 58.1% of votes; seats - (43 total, 36 elected) PPP 30, NCP 6 note: following the military coup on 22 July 1994, all elective offices were dissolved; in April 1996, the military government announced that voter registrations would begin in May and democratic elections would be held in October 1996

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders: the following political parties were active on 22 July 1994, after which time political activity was banned by the military government: People's Progressive Party (PPP), Dawda K. JAWARA (in exile), secretary general; National Convention Party (NCP), Sheriff DIBBA (in exile); Gambian People's Party (GPP), Hassan Musa CAMARA; United Party (UP), leader NA; People's Democratic Organization of Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), leader NA; People's Democratic Party (PDP), Jabel SALLAH

International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Counselor, Charge d'Affaires ad interim Tombong SAIDY chancery: Suite 1000, 1155 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1399, 1379, 1425 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Gerald A. SCOTT embassy: Fajara, Kairaba Avenue, Banjul mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul telephone: [220] 392856, 392858, 391970, 391971 FAX: [220] 392475

Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green

Economy -------

Economic overview: The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population is engaged in crop production and livestock raising. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. A sustained structural adjustment program, including a liberalized trade policy, had fostered a respectable 4% annual rate of growth in 1990-93. Reexport trade normally constitutes one-third of economic activity; however, border closures associated with Senegal's monetary crisis in late 1993 led to a halving of reexport trade, reducing government revenues in turn. The 50% devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994 has made Senegalese goods more competitive and apparently prompted a relaxation of Senegalese controls, paving the way for a comeback in reexports. But, in response to the military's takeover in July 1994, cuts in foreign trade and a decline in tourism have undermined economic growth.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.1 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 2% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $1,100 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 27% industry: 15% services: 58% (1993)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.7% (1994)

Labor force: 400,000 (1986 est.) by occupation: agriculture 75.0%, industry, commerce, and services 18.9%, government 6.1%

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues: $91.4 million expenditures: $90 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY95/96 est.)

Industries: processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism; beverages; agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking; clothing

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity: capacity: 30,000 kW production: 70 million kWh consumption per capita: 64 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: peanuts, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, cassava (tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats; forest and fishing resources not fully exploited

Exports: $35 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: peanuts and peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels partners: Japan 60%, Europe 29%, Africa 5%, US 1%, other 5% (1989)

Imports: $209 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactures, raw materials, fuel, machinery and transport equipment partners: Europe 57%, Asia 25%, USSR and Eastern Europe 9%, US 6%, other 3% (1989)

External debt: $386 million (1993 est.)

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 dalasi (D) = 100 butut

Exchange rates: dalasi (D) per US$1 - 9.555 (August 1996), 9.576 (1994), 9.129 (1993), 8.888 (1992), 8.803 (1991)

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: 2,386 km paved: 764 km unpaved: 1,622 km (1990 est.)

Waterways: 400 km

Ports: Banjul

Merchant marine: none

Airports: total: 1 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 11,000 (1991 est.)

Telephone system: domestic: adequate network of microwave radio relay and open wire international: microwave radio relay links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0

Radios: 180,000 (1993 est.)

Television broadcast stations: NA

Televisions: NA

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy, National Police

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 267,188 males fit for military service: 134,611 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $14 million, 3.8% of GDP (FY93/94)

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

@Togo ----

Map ---

Location: 8 00 N, 1 10 E -- Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Benin and Ghana

Flag ----

Description: five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating with yellow; there is a white five-pointed star on a red square in the upper hoist-side corner; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Geography ---------

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Benin and Ghana

Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 1 10 E

Map references: Africa

Area: total area: 56,790 sq km land area: 54,390 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than West Virginia

Land boundaries: total: 1,647 km border countries: Benin 644 km, Burkina Faso 126 km, Ghana 877 km

Coastline: 56 km

Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 30 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Terrain: gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pic Baumann 986 m

Natural resources: phosphates, limestone, marble

Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 28% other: 42%

Irrigated land: 70 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment: current issues: deforestation attributable to slash-and-burn agriculture and the use of wood for fuel; recent droughts affecting agriculture natural hazards: hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; periodic droughts international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Tropical Timber 94

People ------

Population: 4,570,530 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 49% (male 1,116,030; female 1,105,957) 15-64 years: 49% (male 1,085,774; female 1,163,374) 65 years and over: 2% (male 46,089; female 53,306) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 3.56% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 46.23 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 10.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 84.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 57.87 years male: 55.7 years female: 60.1 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.75 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Togolese (singular and plural) adjective: Togolese

Ethnic divisions: native African (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1%

Religions: indigenous beliefs 70%, Christian 20%, Muslim 10%

Languages: French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Dagomba and Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye; the two major African languages in the north)

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 51.7% male: 67% female: 37%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Togo conventional short form: Togo local long form: Republique Togolaise local short form: none former: French Togo

Data code: TO

Type of government: republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule

Capital: Lome

Administrative divisions: 23 circumscriptions (circonscriptions, singular - circonscription); Amlame (Amou), Aneho (Lacs), Atakpame (Ogou), Badou (Wawa), Bafilo (Assoli), Bassar (Bassari), Dapango (Tone), Kande (Keran), Klouto (Kloto), Pagouda (Binah), Lama-Kara (Kozah), Lome (Golfe), Mango (Oti), Niamtougou (Doufelgou), Notse (Haho), Pagouda, Sotouboua, Tabligbo (Yoto), Tchamba, Nyala, Tchaoudjo, Tsevie (Zio), Vogan (Vo) note: the 23 units may now be called prefectures (singular - prefecture) and reported name changes for individual units are included in parentheses

Independence: 27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

National holiday: Independence Day, 27 April (1960)

Constitution: multiparty draft constitution approved by High Council of the Republic 1 July 1992; adopted by public referendum 27 September 1992

Legal system: French-based court system

Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult

Executive branch: chief of state: President Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA (since 14 April 1967) reelected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 25 August 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); all major opposition parties boycotted the election; Gen. EYADEMA won 96.5% of the vote head of government: Prime Minister Edem KODJO (since April 1994) appointed by the president cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the prime minister

Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly: elections last held 6 and 20 February 1994 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (81 total) CAR 36, RPT 35, UTD 7, UJD 2, CFN 1 note: the Supreme Court ordered new elections for three seats of the Action Committee for Renewal (CAR) and the Togolese Union for Democracy (UTD), lowering their total to 34 and six seats, respectively; the remaining three seats have not been filled

Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel); Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)

Political parties and leaders: Rally of the Togolese People (RPT), President Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA; Coordination des Forces Nouvelles (CFN), Joseph KOFFIGOH; Togolese Union for Democracy (UTD), Edem KODJO; Action Committee for Renewal (CAR), Yao AGBOYIBOR; Union for Democracy and Solidarity (UDS), Antoine FOLLY; Pan-African Sociodemocrats Group (GSP), an alliance of three radical parties: CDPA, PDR, and PSP; Democratic Convention of African Peoples (CDPA), Leopold GNININVI; Party for Democracy and Renewal (PDR), Zarifou AYEVA; Pan-African Social Party (PSP), Francis AGBAGLI; Union of Forces for Change (UFC), Gilchrist OLYMPIO (in exile); Union of Justice and Democracy (UJD), Lal TAXPANDJAN note: Rally of the Togolese People (RPT), led by President EYADEMA, was the only party until the formation of multiple parties was legalized 12 April 1991

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kossivi OSSEYI chancery: 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4212 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3190

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Johnny YOUNG embassy: Rue Pelletier Caventou and Rue Vauban, Lome mailing address: B. P. 852, Lome telephone: [228] 21 77 17, 21 29 91 through 21 29 94 FAX: [228] 21 79 52

Flag: five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating with yellow; there is a white five-pointed star on a red square in the upper hoist-side corner; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Economy -------

Economic overview: This small sub-Saharan economy is heavily dependent on subsistence agriculture, which provides employment for more than 60% of the labor force. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton together generate about 30% of export earnings. Togo is self-sufficient in basic foodstuffs when harvests are normal. In the industrial sector, phosphate mining is by far the most important activity, although it has suffered from the collapse of world phosphate prices and increased foreign competition. Togo serves as a regional commercial and trade center. The government's decade-long effort, supported by the World Bank and the IMF, to implement economic reform measures, encourage foreign investment, and bring revenues in line with expenditures has stalled. Political unrest, including private and public sector strikes throughout 1992 and 1993, has jeopardized the reform program, shrunk the tax base, and disrupted vital economic activity. Although strikes had ended in 1994, political unrest and lack of funds prevented the government from taking advantage of the 50% currency devaluation of 12 January 1994. Resumption of World Bank and IMF flows will depend on implementation of several controversial moves toward privatization and on downsizing the military, on which the regime depends to stay in power.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.1 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $900 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 49.2% industry: 17.7% services: 33.1% (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.8% (1995 est.)

Labor force: 1.538 million (1993 est.) by occupation: agriculture 64%, industry 9%, services 21%. unemployed 6% (1981 est.)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues: $165 million expenditures: $274 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.)

Industries: phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement; handicrafts, textiles, beverages

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity: capacity: 34,000 kW production: 41.004 million kWh consumption per capita: 9 kWh (1990)

Agriculture: coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava (tapioca), corn, beans, rice, millet, sorghum; meat; annual fish catch of 10,000-14,000 tons

Illicit drugs: increasingly used as transit hub by heroin traffickers

Exports: $162.2 (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: phosphates, cotton, cocoa, coffee partners: EC 40%, Africa 16%, US 1% (1990)

Imports: $212 million (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: machinery and equipment, consumer goods, food, chemical products partners: EC 57%, Africa 17%, US 5%, Japan 4% (1990)

External debt: $1.3 billion (1991)

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January 1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991) note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: total: 525 km (1995) narrow gauge: 525 km 1.000-m gauge

Highways: total: 7,545 km paved: 1,833 km unpaved: 5,712 km (1993 est.)

Waterways: 50 km Mono river

Ports: Kpeme, Lome

Merchant marine: none

Airports: total: 8 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2 with paved runways under 914 m: 2 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 12,000 (1987 est.)

Telephone system: fair system based on network of microwave radio relay routes supplemented by open-wire lines domestic: microwave radio relay and open-wire lines international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Symphonie

Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0

Radios: 795,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 3 (relays 2)

Televisions: 24,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 975,746 males fit for military service: 512,196 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $48 million, 2.9% of GDP (1993)

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

@Tokelau -------

(territory of New Zealand)

Map ---

Location: 9 00 S, 172 00 W -- Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Flag ----

Description: the flag of New Zealand is used

Geography ---------

Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates: 9 00 S, 172 00 W

Map references: Oceania

Area: total area: 10 sq km land area: 10 sq km comparative area: about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 101 km

Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November)

Terrain: coral atolls enclosing large lagoons lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m

Natural resources: NEGL

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment: current issues: very limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to New Zealand natural hazards: lies in Pacific typhoon belt international agreements: NA

People ------

Population: 1,482 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate: -1.35% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population

Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population

Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population

Sex ratio: at birth: NA male(s)/female under 15 years: NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female all ages: NA male(s)/female

Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years

Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman

Nationality: noun: Tokelauan(s) adjective: Tokelauan

Ethnic divisions: Polynesian

Religions: Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%, other 2% note: on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, with the Congregational Christian Church predominant

Languages: Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tokelau

Data code: TL

Type of government: territory of New Zealand

Capital: none; each atoll has its own administrative center

Administrative divisions: none (territory of New Zealand)

Independence: none (territory of New Zealand)

National holiday: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand)

Constitution: administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948, as amended in 1970

Legal system: British and local statutes

Suffrage: NA

Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952) is a hereditary monarch; the queen and New Zealand are represented by Administrator Lindsay WATT (since NA March 1993) who was appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand head of government: Official Secretary Casimilo J. PEREZ (since NA), Tokelau Apia Liaison Office

Legislative branch: unicameral General Fono: seats - (45 total, 15 chosen by each of the three atoll's Council of Elders or Taupulega)

Judicial branch: High Court in Niue; Supreme Court in New Zealand

Political parties and leaders: none

International organization participation: SPC, WHO (associate)

Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of New Zealand)

US diplomatic representation: none (territory of New Zealand)

Flag: the flag of New Zealand is used

Economy -------

Economic overview: Tokelau's small size, isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The people must rely on aid from New Zealand to maintain public services, annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.5 million (1993 est.)

GDP real growth rate: NA%

GDP per capita: $1,000 (1993 est.)

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%

Labor force: NA

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues: $430,830 expenditures: $2.8 million, including capital expenditures of $37,300 (1987 est.)

Industries: small-scale enterprises for copra production, wood work, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity: capacity: 200 kW production: 300,000 kWh consumption per capita: 180 kWh (1990)

Agriculture: coconuts, copra, breadfruit, papaya, bananas; pigs, poultry, goats

Exports: $98,000 (f.o.b., 1983) commodities: stamps, copra, handicrafts partners: NZ

Imports: $323,400 (c.i.f., 1983) commodities: foodstuffs, building materials, fuel partners: NZ

External debt: 0

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5138 (January 1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992), l.7265 (1991)

Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km

Ports: none; offshore anchorage only

Merchant marine: none

Airports: none; lagoon landings by amphibious aircraft from Western Samoa

Communications --------------

Telephones: NA

Telephone system: domestic: radiotelephone service between islands international: radiotelephone service to Western Samoa

Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA note: each atoll has a radio broadcast station of NA type that broadcasts shipping and weather reports

Radios: 1,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: NA

Televisions: NA

Defense -------

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand

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

@Tonga -----

Map ---

Location: 20 00 S, 175 00 W -- Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Flag ----

Description: red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner

Geography ---------

Location: Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 175 00 W

Map references: Oceania

Area: total area: 748 sq km land area: 718 sq km comparative area: four times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 419 km

Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)

Terrain: most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: on Kao Island 1,033 m

Natural resources: fish, fertile soil

Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 55% meadows and pastures: 6% forest and woodland: 12% other: 2%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment: current issues: deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations natural hazards: cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou international agreements: party to - Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea

Geographic note: archipelago of 170 islands (36 inhabited)

People ------

Population: 106,466 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate: 0.82% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 27.33 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 6.26 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -1.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: NA male(s)/female under 15 years: NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female all ages: NA male(s)/female

Infant mortality rate: 40.26 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.04 years male: 67.03 years female: 71.4 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.75 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Tongan(s) adjective: Tongan

Ethnic divisions: Polynesian, Europeans about 300

Religions: Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents)

Languages: Tongan, English

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write a simple message in Tongan or English (1976 est.) total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga conventional short form: Tonga former: Friendly Islands

Data code: TN

Type of government: hereditary constitutional monarchy

Capital: Nuku'alofa

Administrative divisions: three island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u

Independence: 4 June 1970 (emancipation from UK protectorate)

National holiday: Emancipation Day, 4 June (1970)

Constitution: 4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967

Legal system: based on English law

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965) is a constitutional monarch head of government: Prime Minister Baron VAEA (since 22 August 1991) and Deputy Prime Minister S. Langi KAVALIKU (since 22 August 1991) were appointed for life by the king cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the king Privy Council: consists of the king and the Cabinet

Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (Fale Alea): elections last held 3-4 February 1993 (next to be held NA February 1996); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (30 total, 12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and nine for elected people's representatives) 6 proreform, 3 traditionalist

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the king

Political parties and leaders: Tonga People's Party, Viliami FUKOFUKA

International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO

Diplomatic representation in US: Tonga does not have an embassy in the US; Ambassador Sione KITE, resides in London consulate(s) general: San Francisco

US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga

Flag: red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner

Economy -------

Economic overview: The economy's base is agriculture, which contributes 40% to GDP. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The manufacturing sector accounts for only 11% of GDP. Tourism is the primary source of hard currency earnings, but the country also remains dependent on sizable external aid and remittances to offset its trade deficit. The economy continued to grow in 1993-95 largely because of a rise in squash exports, increased aid flows, and several large construction projects. The government is now turning its attention to further development of the private sector and the reduction of the budget deficit.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $228 million (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $2,160 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 40% (1995 est.) industry: NA% services: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1993)

Labor force: 32,013 (1990 est.) by occupation: agriculture 70% (1995 est.)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues: $44 million expenditures: $86 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.)

Industries: tourism, fishing

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity: capacity: 6,000 kW production: 30 million kWh consumption per capita: 231 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper

Exports: $20.3 million (f.o.b., FY93/94) commodities: squash, vanilla, fish, root crops, coconut oil partners: Japan 59%, US 14%, Australia 6%, NZ 6% (FY93/94)

Imports: $57.8 million (c.i.f., FY93/94) commodities: food products, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, fuels, chemicals partners: NZ 44%, Australia 22%, US 8%, Japan 7% (FY93/94)

External debt: $48.4 million (FY93/94)

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 pa'anga (T$) = 100 seniti

Exchange rates: pa'anga (T$) per US$1 - 1.2753 (December 1995), 1.2709 (1995), 1.3202 (1994), 1.3841 (1993), 1.3471 (1992), 1.2961 (1991)

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: 432 km paved: 280 km unpaved: 152 km (1987 est.)

Ports: Neiafu, Nuku'alofa, Pangai

Merchant marine: total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,990 GRT/14,884 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, liquefied gas tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1995 est.)

Airports: total: 6 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 2 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 3,500 (1986 est.)

Telephone system: domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0

Radios: 66,000 (1993 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 0

Televisions: 1,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Tonga Defense Services, Maritime Division, Royal Tongan Marines, Tongan Royal Guards, Police

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: NA males fit for military service: NA

Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP

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

@Trinidad and Tobago -------------------

Map ---

Location: 11 00 N, 61 00 W -- Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela

Flag ----

Description: red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side

Geography ---------

Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela

Geographic coordinates: 11 00 N, 61 00 W

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

Area: total area: 5,130 sq km land area: 5,130 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Delaware

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 362 km

Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to December)

Terrain: mostly plains with some hills and low mountains lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m

Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, asphalt

Land use: arable land: 14% permanent crops: 17% meadows and pastures: 2% forest and woodland: 44% other: 23%

Irrigated land: 220 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment: current issues: water pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches; deforestation; soil erosion natural hazards: outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity

People ------

Population: 1,272,385 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 30% (male 193,134; female 186,649) 15-64 years: 64% (male 413,426; female 404,175) 65 years and over: 6% (male 33,791; female 41,210) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.08% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 16.25 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 6.9 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -8.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 18.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.3 years male: 67.91 years female: 72.77 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.99 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s) adjective: Trinidadian, Tobagonian

Ethnic divisions: black 43%, East Indian (a local term - primarily immigrants from northern India) 40%, mixed 14%, white 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1%

Religions: Roman Catholic 32.2%, Hindu 24.3%, Anglican 14.4%, other Protestant 14%, Muslim 6%, none or unknown 9.1%

Languages: English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 97.9% male: 98.8% female: 97%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago conventional short form: Trinidad and Tobago

Data code: TD

Type of government: parliamentary democracy

Capital: Port-of-Spain

Administrative divisions: 8 counties, 3 municipalities*, and 1 ward**; Arima*, Caroni, Mayaro, Nariva, Port-of-Spain*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick, San Fernando*, Tobago**, Victoria

Independence: 31 August 1962 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 31 August (1962)

Constitution: 1 August 1976

Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Noor Mohammed HASSANALI (since 18 March 1987) was elected by an electoral college of members of the Senate and House of Representatives head of government: Prime Minister Basdeo PANDAY (since 9 November 1995) was appointed from among the members of Parliament cabinet: Cabinet was appointed from among the members of Parliament

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Senate: consists of a 31-member body appointed by the president House of Representatives: elections last held 6 November 1995 (next to be held by December 2001); results - PNM 52%, UNC 42.2%, NAR 5.2%; seats - (36 total) PNM 17, UNC 17, NAR 2; the UNC formed a coalition with the NAR

Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister; Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

Political parties and leaders: People's National Movement (PNM), Patrick MANNING; United National Congress (UNC), Basdeo PANDAY; National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR), A. N. R. ROBINSON; Movement for Social Transformation (MOTION), David ABDULLAH; National Joint Action Committee (NJAC), Makandal DAAGA; Republican Party, Nello MITCHELL; National Development Party (NDP), Carson CHARLES; Movement for Unity and Progress (MUP), Hulsie BHAGGAN

International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Corinne Averille McKNIGHT chancery: 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 467-6490 FAX: [1] (202) 785-3130 consulate(s) general: New York

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Brian J. DONNELLY embassy: 15 Queen's Park West, Port-of-Spain mailing address: P. O. Box 752, Port-of-Spain telephone: [1] (809) 622-6372 through 6376, 6176 FAX: [1] (809) 628-5462

Flag: red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side

Economy -------

Economic overview: Trinidad and Tobago's oil- and petrochemical-dependent economy enjoys a high per capita income, although living standards have declined since the boom years of 1973-82. The country managed to record a second successive year of economic growth in 1995, the first period of substantial expansion since the early 1980s. A broad economic reform program, including the floating of the exchange rate, trade and capital market liberalization, and an extensive privatization program by the previous administration has left the incoming PANDAY government in a relatively sound economic position. Trinidad and Tobago's economic prospects continue to depend heavily on world petroleum prices, however, and further progress toward diversification will be an important challenge in the medium term.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $16.2 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 3.5% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $12,100 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 4.8% industry: 44.5% services: 50.7% (1995 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.4% (1995)

Labor force: 404,500 by occupation: construction and utilities 13%, manufacturing, mining, and quarrying 14%, agriculture 11%, services 62% (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate: 17.8% (December 1995)

Budget: revenues: $1.65 billion expenditures: $1.61 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.)

Industries: petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food processing, cement, beverage, cotton textiles

Industrial production growth rate: 1% (1994 est.)

Electricity: capacity: 1,150,000 kW production: 3.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,740 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: cocoa, sugarcane, rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables; poultry

Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe and producer of cannabis

Exports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, steel products, fertilizer, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus, flowers partners: US 48%, Caricom countries15%, Latin America 9%, EU 5% (1994)

Imports: $996 million (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, live animals partners: US 47.7%, Venezuela 10%, UK 8.3%, other EU 8% (1994)

External debt: $2 billion (1994)

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $10 million (1993)

Currency: 1 Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TT$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TT$) per US$1 - 5.9412 (January 1996), 5.9192 (1995), 5.9249 (1994), 5.3511 (1993), 4.2500 (fixed rate 1989-1992); note - effective 13 April 1993, the exchange rate of the TT$ is market-determined as opposed to the prior fixed relationship to the US dollar

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: note: minimal agricultural railroad system near San Fernando; railway service was discontinued in 1968

Highways: total: 8,352 km paved: 3,978 km unpaved: 4,374 km (1987 est.)

Pipelines: crude oil 1,032 km; petroleum products 19 km; natural gas 904 km

Ports: Pointe-a-Pierre, Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Port-of-Spain, Scarborough, Tembladora

Merchant marine: total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,928 GRT/5,571 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, oil tanker 1 (1995 est.)

Airports: total: 5 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 2 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 170,000 (1992 est.)

Telephone system: excellent international service; good local service domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Barbados and Guyana

Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 0

Radios: 700,000 (1993 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 5 (1987 est.)

Televisions: 400,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (includes Ground Forces, Coast Guard, and Air Wing), Trinidad and Tobago Police Service

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 351,835 males fit for military service: 252,532 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $83 million, NA% of GDP (1994)

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

@Tromelin Island ---------------

(possession of France)

Map ---

Location: 15 52 S, 54 25 E -- Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar

Flag ----

Description: the flag of France is used

Geography ---------

Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar

Geographic coordinates: 15 52 S, 54 25 E

Map references: Africa

Area: total area: 1 sq km land area: 1 sq km comparative area: about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 3.7 km

Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: claimed by Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles

Climate: tropical

Terrain: sandy lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 7 m

Natural resources: fish

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% (scattered bushes)

Irrigated land: 0 sq km

Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA

Geographic note: climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary

People ------

Population: uninhabited

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tromelin Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Tromelin

Data code: TE

Type of government: French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion

Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion

Independence: none (possession of France)

Flag: the flag of France is used

Economy -------

Economic overview: no economic activity

Transportation --------------

Ports: none; offshore anchorage only

Airports: total: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Communications note: important meteorological station

Defense -------

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France

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

@Tunisia -------

Map ---

Location: 34 00 N, 9 00 E -- Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya

Flag ----

Description: red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam

Geography ---------

Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya

Geographic coordinates: 34 00 N, 9 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area: total area: 163,610 sq km land area: 155,360 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Georgia

Land boundaries: total: 1,424 km border countries: Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km

Coastline: 1,148 km

Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Libya; land boundary dispute with Algeria settled in 1993; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration

Climate: temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south

Terrain: mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 m highest point: Jabal ash Shanabi 1,544 m

Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt

Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 10% meadows and pastures: 19% forest and woodland: 4% other: 47%

Irrigated land: 2,750 sq km (1989)

Environment: current issues: toxic and hazardous waste disposal is ineffective and presents human health risks; water pollution from raw sewage; limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation

Geographic note: strategic location in central Mediterranean

People ------

Population: 9,019,687 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 34% (male 1,583,636; female 1,489,784) 15-64 years: 61% (male 2,738,013; female 2,719,998) 65 years and over: 5% (male 254,403; female 233,853) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.81% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 24.03 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 5.18 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -0.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.09 male(s)/female all ages: 1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 35.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.6 years male: 71.27 years female: 74.03 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.92 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Tunisian(s) adjective: Tunisian

Ethnic divisions: Arab-Berber 98%, European 1%, Jewish less than 1%

Religions: Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish 1%

Languages: Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce)

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 66.7% male: 78.6% female: 54.6%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Tunisia conventional short form: Tunisia local long form: Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah local short form: Tunis

Data code: TS

Type of government: republic

Capital: Tunis

Administrative divisions: 23 governorates; Beja, Ben Arous, Bizerte, Gabes, Gafsa, Jendouba, Kairouan, Kasserine, Kebili, L'Ariana, Le Kef, Mahdia, Medenine, Monastir, Nabeul, Sfax, Sidi Bou Zid, Siliana, Sousse, Tataouine, Tozeur, Tunis, Zaghouan

Independence: 20 March 1956 (from France)

National holiday: National Day, 20 March (1956)

Constitution: 1 June 1959; amended 12 July 1988

Legal system: based on French civil law system and Islamic law; some judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court in joint session

Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI (since 7 November 1987) was reelected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 20 March 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results - President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI was reelected without opposition head of government: Prime Minister Hamed KAROUI (since 26 September 1989) was appointed by the president cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies (Majlis al-Nuwaab): elections last held 20 March 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results - RCD 97.7%, MDS 1.0%, others 1.3%; seats - (163 total) RCD 144, MDS 10, others 9; note - the government changed the electoral code to guarantee that the opposition won seats

Judicial branch: Court of Cassation (Cour de Cassation)

Political parties and leaders: Constitutional Democratic Rally Party (RCD), President BEN ALI (official ruling party); Movement of Democratic Socialists (MDS), Mohammed MOUAADA; five other political parties are legal, including the Communist Party

Other political or pressure groups: the Islamic fundamentalist party, An Nahda (Rebirth), is outlawed

International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, BSEC (observer), CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNAMIR, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed Azzouz ENNAIFER chancery: 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 862-1850

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Ann CASEY embassy: 144 Avenue de la Liberte, 1002 Tunis-Belvedere mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [216] (1) 782-566 FAX: [216] (1) 789-719

Flag: red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam

Economy -------

Economic overview: Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural, mining, energy, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Detailed governmental control of economic affairs has gradually lessened over the past decade, including increasing privatization of trade and commerce, simplification of the tax structure, and a cautious approach to debt. Real growth has averaged 4.2% in 1991-95, and inflation has been moderate. Growth in tourism and IMF support have been key elements in this solid record. Drought, especially in the south, held back GDP growth in 1995. Further privatization and further improvements in government administrative efficiency are among the challenges for the future.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $37.1 billion (1994 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 4.4% (1994 est.)

GDP per capita: $4,250 (1994 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 30% services: 55% (1995 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.5% (1995 est.)

Labor force: 2.917 million (1993 est.) by occupation: services 55%, industry 23%, agriculture 22% (1995 est.) note: shortage of skilled labor

Unemployment rate: 16.2% (1993 est.)

Budget: revenues: $4.3 billion expenditures: $5.5 billion, including capital expenditures to $NA (1993 est.)

Industries: petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, food, beverages

Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1989)

Electricity: capacity: 1,410,000 kW production: 5.4 billion kWh consumption per capita: 595 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: olives, dates, oranges, almonds, grain, sugar beets, grapes; poultry, beef, dairy products

Exports: $4.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: hydrocarbons, agricultural products, phosphates and chemicals partners: EU countries 75%, Middle East 10%, Algeria 2%, India 2%, US 1%

Imports: $6.6 billion (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: industrial goods and equipment 57%, hydrocarbons 13%, food 12%, consumer goods partners: EU countries 70%, US 5%, Middle East 2%, Japan 2%, Switzerland 1%, Algeria 1%

External debt: $7.7 billion (1993 est.)

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $221 million (1993)

Currency: 1 Tunisian dinar (TD) = 1,000 millimes

Exchange rates: Tunisian dinars (TD) per US$1 - 0.9635 (January 1996), 0.9458 (1995), 1.0116 (1994), 1.0037 (1993), 0.8844 (1992), 0.9246 (1991)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: total: 2,260 km standard gauge: 492 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,758 km 1.000-m gauge dual gauge: 10 km 1.000-m and 1.435-m gauges (1993 est.)

Highways: total: 29,183 km paved: 17,510 km (including 52 km of expressways) unpaved: 11,673 km (1989 est.)

Pipelines: crude oil 797 km; petroleum products 86 km; natural gas 742 km

Ports: Bizerte, Gabes, La Goulette, Sfax, Sousse, Tunis, Zarzis

Merchant marine: total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 125,840 GRT/164,277 DWT ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 4, chemical tanker 3, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3, short-sea passenger 1 (1995 est.)

Airports: total: 29 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 6 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 with paved runways under 914 m: 6 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 233,000 (1987 est.)

Telephone system: the system is above the African average; key centers are Sfax, Sousse, Bizerte, and Tunis domestic: trunk facilities consist of open-wire lines, coaxial cable, and microwave radio relay international: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat with back-up control station; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria and Libya; participant in Medarabtel

Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 8, shortwave 0

Radios: 1,693,527 (1991 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 19

Televisions: 670,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary forces, National Guard

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 2,354,513 males fit for military service: 1,349,728 males reach military age (20) annually: 91,866 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $535 million, 2.8% of GDP (1995)

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

@Turkey ------

Map ---

Location: 39 00 N, 35 00 E -- Southwestern Asia (that part west of the Bosporus is sometimes included with Europe), bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria

Flag ----

Description: red with a vertical white crescent (the closed portion is toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just outside the crescent opening

Geography ---------

Location: Southwestern Asia (that part west of the Bosporus is sometimes included with Europe), bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria

Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 35 00 E

Map references: Middle East

Area: total area: 780,580 sq km land area: 770,760 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Texas

Land boundaries: total: 2,627 km border countries: Armenia 268 km, Azerbaijan 9 km, Bulgaria 240 km, Georgia 252 km, Greece 206 km, Iran 499 km, Iraq 331 km, Syria 822 km

Coastline: 7,200 km

Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: in Black Sea only - to the maritime boundary agreed upon with the former USSR territorial sea: 6 nm in the Aegean Sea,; 12 nm in the Black Sea and in the Mediterranean Sea

International disputes: complex maritime, air and territorial disputes with Greece in Aegean Sea; Cyprus question; Hatay question with Syria; dispute with downstream riparians (Syria and Iraq) over water development plans for the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

Climate: temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior

Terrain: mostly mountains; narrow coastal plain; high central plateau (Anatolia) lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Ararat 5,166 m

Natural resources: antimony, coal, chromium, mercury, copper, borate, sulfur, iron ore

Land use: arable land: 30% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 12% forest and woodland: 26% other: 28%

Irrigated land: 22,200 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment: current issues: water pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air pollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation natural hazards: very severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Desertification, Environmental Modification

Geographic note: strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and Aegean Seas

People ------

Population: 62,484,478 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 32% (male 10,192,195; female 9,836,045) 15-64 years: 62% (male 19,859,717; female 19,187,769) 65 years and over: 6% (male 1,571,451; female 1,837,301) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.67% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 22.26 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 5.52 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 43.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.92 years male: 69.53 years female: 74.43 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.58 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Turk(s) adjective: Turkish

Ethnic divisions: Turkish 80%, Kurdish 20%

Religions: Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (Christian and Jews)

Languages: Turkish (official), Kurdish, Arabic

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 82.3% male: 91.7% female: 72.4%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Turkey conventional short form: Turkey local long form: Turkiye Cumhuriyeti local short form: Turkiye

Data code: TU

Type of government: republican parliamentary democracy

Capital: Ankara

Administrative divisions: 79 provinces (iller, singular - il); Adana, Adiyaman, Afyon, Agri, Aksaray, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Ardahan, Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Bartin, Batman, Bayburt, Bilecik, Bingol, Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Cankiri, Corum, Denizli, Diyarbakir, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir, Gazi Antep, Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Icel, Iggdir, Isparta, Istanbul, Izmir, Kahraman Maras, Karabuk, Karaman, Kars, Kastamonu, Kayseri, Kilis, Kirikkale, Kirklareli, Kirsehir, Kocaeli, Konya, Kutahya, Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mugla, Mus, Nevsehir, Nigde, Ordu, Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Sanli Urfa, Siirt, Sinop, Sirnak, Sivas, Tekirdag, Tokat, Trabzon, Tunceli, Usak, Van, Yalova, Yozgat, Zonguldak note: Karabuk, Kilis, and Yalova are three new Turkish provinces mentioned in the 24 December 1995 election results

Independence: 29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire)

National holiday: Anniversary of the Declaration of the Republic, 29 October (1923)

Constitution: 7 November 1982

Legal system: derived from various continental legal systems; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Suleyman DEMIREL (since 16 May 1993) was elected for a seven-year term by the National Assembly head of government: Prime Minister Mesut YILMAZ (since 12 March 1996) and Deputy Prime Minister Nahit MENTESE (since 12 March 1996) were appointed by the president National Security Council: advisory body to the president and the cabinet cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on nomination of the prime minister

Legislative branch: unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey: (Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi) elections last held 24 December 1995 (next to be held by December 2000); results - RP 21.38%, DYP 19.18%, ANAP 19.65%, DSP 14.64%, CHP 10.71%, independent 0.48%; seats - 550 total) RP 158, DYP 135, ANAP 133, DSP 75, CHP 49 note: seats held by various parties are subject to change due to defections, creation of new parties, and ouster or death of sitting deputies; current seats by party are as follows: RP 158, DYP 135, ANAP 126, DSP 75, CHP 49, BBP 7

Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, judges appointed by the president; Court of Appeals, judges are elected by the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors

Political parties and leaders: True Path Party (DYP), Tansu CILLER; Motherland Party (ANAP), Mesut YILMAZ; Welfare Party (RP), Necmettin ERBAKAN; Democratic Left Party (DSP), Bulent ECEVIT; Nationalist Action Party (MHP), Alparslan TURKES; New Party (YP), Yusuf Bozkurt OZAL; Republican People's Party (CHP), Deniz BAYKAL; Workers' Party (IP), Dogu PERINCEK; Nation Party (MP), Aykut EDIBALI; Democrat Party (DP), Murat UZMAN; Grand Unity Party (BBP), Muhsin YAZICIOGLU; Rebirth Party (YDP), Hasan Celal GUZEL; People's Democracy Party (HADEP), Murat BOZLAK; Main Path Party (ANAYOL), Gurcan BASER; Democratic Target Party (DHP), Abdulkadir Yasar TURK; Liberal Party (LP), Besim TIBUK; New Democracy Movement (YDH), Cem BOYNER; Labor Party (EP), Abdullah Levent TUZER; Democracy and Peace Party (DBP), Refik KARAKOC; Freedom and Solidarity Praty (ODP), Ufuk URAS

Other political or pressure groups: Turkish Confederation of Labor (Turk-Is), Bayram MERAL; Confederation of Revolutionary Workers Unions (DISK), Ridvan BUDAK; Moral Rights Workers Union (Hak-Is), Salim USLU; Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), Halis KOMILI; Turkish Union of Chambers of Commerce and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), Ali Osman ULUSOY; Turkish Confederation of Employers' Unions (TISK), Refik BAYDUR; Independent Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD), Erol YARAR

International organization participation: AsDB, BIS, BSEC, CCC, CE, CERN (observer), EBRD, ECE, ECO, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NACC, NATO, NEA, OECD, OIC, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UPU, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nuzhet KANDEMIR chancery: 1714 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 659-8200 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Marc GROSSMAN embassy: 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Ankara mailing address: PSC 93, Box 5000, APO AE 09823 telephone: [90] (312) 468-6110 FAX: [90] (312) 467-0019 consulate(s) general: Istanbul consulate(s): Adana

Flag: red with a vertical white crescent (the closed portion is toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just outside the crescent opening

Economy -------

Economic overview: The Turkish economy consists of a mixture, on the one hand, of modern industry and commerce, and, on the other hand, of time-honored village agriculture and crafts. Since World War II, it has become increasingly integrated into the West European economic arena, for example, as a member of OECD. The economy has improved significantly since the 1994 crisis, when the economy experienced a sharp drop and inflation hit triple digits. The crisis - sparked by the downgrading in January 1994 of Turkey's international credit rating by two US rating agencies - stemmed from years of loose monetary and fiscal policies that had exacerbated inflation and allowed the public debt, money supply, and current account deficit to explode. In April 1994, then Prime Minister CILLER introduced a stabilization package that paved the way for a $950 million IMF standby loan. However, because the government missed key macroeconomic targets in 1995 and the December national election produced months of political wrangling, the IMF put the agreement - and release of remaining funds - on hold. The new center-right minority government that finally has emerged will find it difficult to balance the need for new austerity measures and tough structural reforms with the pressure for continued buoyant growth. Ankara is also likely to face internal opposition to policies it must implement as part of the Turkey-EU customs union agreement - which came into force on 1 January 1996 - because many industries are unfit for EU competition and much-needed revenues will decline with the elimination of import tariffs and surcharges. Meanwhile, Ankara's heavy debt repayment schedule in 1996 makes it necessary for Turkish leaders to bolster the confidence of both domestic and foreign investors.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $345.7 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 6.8% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $5,500 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 15.5% industry: 33.2% services: 51.3% (1994)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 94% (1995)

Labor force: 20.9 million by occupation: agriculture 46%, services 31%, industry 23% note: about 1.5 million Turks work abroad (1994)

Unemployment rate: 10.2% (1995 est.)

Budget: revenues: $30.2 billion expenditures: $35 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.8 billion (1995)

Industries: textiles, food processing, mining (coal, chromite, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper

Industrial production growth rate: 8.8% (1995)

Electricity: capacity: 18,710,000 kW production: 71 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,079 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: tobacco, cotton, grain, olives, sugar beets, pulses, citrus; livestock

Illicit drugs: major transit route for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish to Western Europe and the US via air, land, and sea routes; major Turkish, Iranian, and other international trafficking organizations operate out of Istanbul; laboratories to convert imported morphine base into heroin are in remote regions of Turkey as well as near Istanbul; government maintains strict controls over areas of legal opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate

Exports: $20.7 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: textiles and apparel 37%, steel products 12%, fruits and vegetables 11% (1994) partners: Germany 22%, Russia 8%, US 8%, Italy 6% (1994)

Imports: $32.6 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: machinery 25%, fuels 17%, raw materials 11%, foodstuffs 5% (1994) partners: Germany 16%, US 10%, Italy 9%, Russia 8% (1994)

External debt: $73.8 billion (1995 est.)

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $195 million (1993) note: aid for Gulf war efforts from coalition allies (1991), $4.1 billion; aid pledged for Turkish Defense Fund, $2.5 billion

Currency: Turkish lira (TL)

Exchange rates: Turkish liras (TL) per US$1 - 60,502.1 (January 1996), 45,845.1 (1995), 29,608.7 (1994), 10,984.6 (1993), 6,872.4 (1992), 4,171.8 (1991)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: total: 10,386 km standard gauge: 10,386 km 1.435-m gauge (1,088 km electrified)

Highways: total: 386,704 km paved: 45,683 km (including 862 km of expressways) unpaved: 341,021 km (1992 est.)

Waterways: about 1,200 km

Pipelines: crude oil 1,738 km; petroleum products 2,321 km; natural gas 708 km

Ports: Gemlik, Hopa, Iskenderun, Istanbul, Izmir, Izmit, Mersin, Samsun, Trabzon

Merchant marine: total: 465 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,509,741 GRT/9,494,434 DWT ships by type: bulk 139, cargo 212, chemical tanker 18, combination bulk 7, combination ore/oil 12, container 2, liquefied gas tanker 4, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 43, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 15, short-sea passenger 7, specialized tanker 2 note: Turkey owns an additional 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 247,369 DWT operating under the registries of Malta, Panama, Libya, and Greece (1995 est.)

Airports: total: 104 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 17 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 19 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 12 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 18 with paved runways under 914 m: 28 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8 (1995 est.)

Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 6.89 million (1990 est.)

Telephone system: fair domestic and international systems domestic: trunk microwave radio relay network; limited open-wire network international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 2 Inmarsat (Indian and Atlantic Ocean regions); 1 submarine cable

Radio broadcast stations: AM 15, FM 94, shortwave 0

Radios: 9.4 million (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 357

Televisions: 10.53 million (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Land Forces, Navy (includes Naval Air and Naval Infantry), Air Force, Coast Guard, Gendarmerie

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 16,937,828 males fit for military service: 10,312,010 males reach military age (20) annually: 637,456 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $6.0 billion, 4% of GDP (1995); note - figures do not include about $7 billion for the government's counterinsurgency effort against the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)

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

@Turkmenistan ------------

Map ---

Location: 40 00 N, 60 00 E -- Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Kazakstan

Flag ----

Description: green field, including a vertical stripe on the hoist side, with a claret vertical stripe in between containing five white, black, and orange carpet guls (an asymmetrical design used in producing rugs) associated with five different tribes; a white crescent and five white stars in the upper left corner to the right of the carpet guls

Geography ---------

Location: Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Kazakstan

Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 60 00 E

Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States

Area: total area: 488,100 sq km land area: 488,100 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than California

Land boundaries: total: 3,736 km border countries: Afghanistan 744 km, Iran 992 km, Kazakstan 379 km, Uzbekistan 1,621 km

Coastline: 0 km note: Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea (1,768 km)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

International disputes: Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined

Climate: subtropical desert

Terrain: flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes rising to mountains in the south; low mountains along border with Iran; borders Caspian Sea in west lowest point: Sarygamysh Koli -110 m highest point: Ayrybaba 3,139 m

Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, sulfur, salt

Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 69% forest and woodland: 0% other: 29%

Irrigated land: 12,450 sq km (1990)

Environment: current issues: contamination of soil and groundwater with agricultural chemicals, pesticides; salinization, water-logging of soil due to poor irrigation methods; Caspian Sea pollution; diversion of a large share of the flow of the Amu Darya into irrigation contributes to that river's inability to replenish the Aral Sea; desertification natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Climate Change, Desertification

Geographic note: landlocked

People ------

Population: 4,149,283 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 39% (male 826,637; female 804,385) 15-64 years: 56% (male 1,154,415; female 1,188,173) 65 years and over: 5% (male 65,447; female 110,226) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.82% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 29.12 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 8.89 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -2.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 81.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.48 years male: 56.68 years female: 66.52 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.62 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Turkmen(s) adjective: Turkmen

Ethnic divisions: Turkmen 73.3%, Russian 9.8%, Uzbek 9%, Kazak 2%, other 5.9%

Religions: Muslim 87%, Eastern Orthodox 11%, unknown 2%

Languages: Turkmen 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7%

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.) total population: 98% male: 99% female: 97%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Turkmenistan local long form: none local short form: Turkmenistan former: Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code: TX

Type of government: republic

Capital: Ashgabat

Administrative divisions: 5 welayatlar (singular - welayat): Ahal Welayaty (Ashgabat), Balkan Welayaty (Nebitdag), Dashhowuz Welayaty (formerly Tashauz), Lebap Welayaty (Charjew), Mary Welayaty note: names in parentheses are administrative centers when name differs from welayat name

Independence: 27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1991)

Constitution: adopted 18 May 1992

Legal system: based on civil law system

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the first direct presidential election occured) was elected to a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 21 June 1992 (next to be held NA 2002); results - Saparmurad NIYAZOV 99.5% (ran unopposed); note - a 15 January 1994 referendum extended NIYAZOV's term an additional five years until 2002 (99.99% approval) head of government: Prime Minister (vacant); Deputy Prime Ministers Mukhamed ABALAKOV (since NA), Babamurad BAZAROV (since NA), Hekim ISHANOV (since NA), Valeriy OTCHERTSOV (since NA), Yagmur OVEZOV (since NA), Matkarim RAJAPOV (since NA), Pirkuly ODEYEV (since NA), Rejep SAPAROV (since NA), Boris SHIKHMURADOV (since NA), Batyr SARJAYEV (since NA), Amannazar ILAMANOV (since NA), Ilaman SHYKHYYEV (since NA) were appointed by the president cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president note: NIYAZOV has been asked by various local groups, most recently on 26 October 1995 at the annual elders meeting, to be "president for life," but that would require an amendment to the constitution

Legislative branch: under the 1992 constitution, there are two parliamentary bodies, a unicameral People's Council (Halk Maslahaty - having more than 100 members and meeting infrequently) and a 50-member unicameral Assembly (Majlis) Assembly (Majlis): elections last held 11 December 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (50 total) Democratic Party 45, other 5; note - all 50 preapproved by President NIYAZOV

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat NIYAZOV; Party for Democratic Development, Durdymurat HOJA-MUHAMEDOV, chairman; Agzybirlik, Nurberdy NURMAMEDOV, cochairman, Hubayberdi HALLIYEV, cochairman note: formal opposition parties are outlawed; unofficial, small opposition movements exist underground or in foreign countries

International organization participation: CCC, CIS, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDB, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NACC, OIC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Halil UGUR chancery: 1511 K Street NW, Suite 412, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 737-4800 FAX: [1] (202) 737-1152

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael W. COTTER embassy: 9 Pushkin Street, Ashgabat mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [7] (3632) 35-00-45, 35-00-46, 35-00-42, Tie Line [8] 962-0000 FAX: [7] (3632) 51-13-05

Flag: green field, including a vertical stripe on the hoist side, with a claret vertical stripe in between containing five white, black, and orange carpet guls (an asymmetrical design used in producing rugs) associated with five different tribes; a white crescent and five white stars in the upper left corner to the right of the carpet guls

Economy -------

Economic overview: Turkmenistan is largely desert country with nomadic cattle raising, intensive agriculture in irrigated oases, and huge gas and oil resources. One-half of its irrigated land is planted in cotton making it the world's tenth largest producer. It also has the world's fifth largest reserves of natural gas and substantial oil resources. Until the end of 1993, Turkmenistan had experienced less economic disruption than other former Soviet states because its economy received a boost from higher prices for oil and gas and a sharp increase in hard currency earnings. In 1994, Russia's refusal to export Turkmen gas to hard currency markets and mounting debts of its major customers in the former USSR for gas deliveries contributed to a sharp fall in industrial production and caused the budget to shift from a surplus to a slight deficit. The economy remained depressed through 1995 while inflation soared. Furthermore, with an authoritarian ex-communist regime in power and a tribally based social structure, Turkmenistan has taken a cautious approach to economic reform, hoping to use gas and cotton sales to sustain its inefficient economy. For 1996, Turkmenistan will face continuing constraints on its earnings because of its customers' inability to pay for their gas and a below average cotton crop in 1995. Turkmenistan is working hard to open new gas export channels through Iran and Turkey, but these will take many years to realize.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $11.5 billion (1995 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)

GDP real growth rate: -10% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $2,820 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 32.5% industry: 33.4% services: 34.1% (1991 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% monthly average (1994 est.)

Labor force: 1.642 million (January 1994) by occupation: agriculture and forestry 44%, industry and construction 20%, other 36% (1992)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA

Industries: natural gas, oil, petroleum products, textiles, food processing

Industrial production growth rate: -7% (1995)

Electricity: capacity: 2,480,000 kW production: 9.8 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,400 kWh (1995)

Agriculture: cotton, grain; livestock

Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy; mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program; used as transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia to Western Europe

Exports: $1.9 billion to states outside the FSU (1995) commodities: natural gas, cotton, petroleum products, electricity, textiles, carpets partners: Ukraine, Russia, Kazakstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Eastern Europe, Turkey, Argentina

Imports: $777 million from states outside the FSU (1995) commodities: machinery and parts, grain and food, plastics and rubber, consumer durables, textiles partners: Russia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakstan, Turkey

External debt: $400 million (of which $275 million to Russia) (1995 est.)

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $10 million (1993) note: commitments, $1,830 million ($375 million drawn), 1992-95

Currency: Turkmenistan introduced its national currency, the manat, on 1 November 1993

Exchange rates: manats per US$1 - 2,400 (January 1996) note: government established a unified rate in mid-January 1996

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: total: 2,120 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge: 2,120 km 1.520-m gauge (1990)

Highways: total: 23,000 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1990 est.)

Waterways: the Amu Darya is an important inland waterway

Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; natural gas 4,400 km

Ports: Turkmenbashi (formerly Krasnowodsk)

Airports: total: 64 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 13 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 8 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 7 with unpaved runways under 914 m: 35 (1994 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: NA

Telephone system: poorly developed domestic: NA international: linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and to other countries by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; a new telephone link from Ashgabat to Iran has been established; a new exchange in Ashgabat switches international traffic through Turkey via Intelsat; satellite earth stations - 1 Orbita and 1 Intelsat

Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note - there is at least one state-owned radio broadcast station of NA type

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: NA

Televisions: NA

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Air and Air Defense, Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 1,024,398 males fit for military service: 834,803 males reach military age (18) annually: 41,697 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: 4.5 billion manats, 3.0% of GDP (1995); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results

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

@Turks and Caicos Islands ------------------------

(dependent territory of the UK)

Map ---

Location: 21 45 N, 71 35 W -- Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas

Flag ----

Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus

Geography ---------

Location: Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas

Geographic coordinates: 21 45 N, 71 35 W

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

Area: total area: 430 sq km land area: 430 sq km comparative area: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 389 km

Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry

Terrain: low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Blue Hills 49 m

Natural resources: spiny lobster, conch

Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 98%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment: current issues: limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater natural hazards: frequent hurricanes international agreements: NA

Geographic note: 30 islands (eight inhabited)

People ------

Population: 14,302 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate: 2.14% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 12.85 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 5.15 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 13.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: NA male(s)/female under 15 years: NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female all ages: NA male(s)/female

Infant mortality rate: 12.57 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.4 years male: 73.46 years female: 77.07 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.86 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: none adjective: none

Ethnic divisions: African

Religions: Baptist 41.2%, Methodist 18.9%, Anglican 18.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.7%, other 19.9% (1980)

Languages: English (official)

Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970 est.) total population: 98% male: 99% female: 98%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands

Data code: TK

Type of government: dependent territory of the UK

Capital: Grand Turk

Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)

Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)

National holiday: Constitution Day, 30 August (1976)

Constitution: introduced 30 August 1976, suspended in 1986, restored and revised 5 March 1988

Legal system: based on laws of England and Wales with a small number adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1953) is a hereditary monarch, represented by Governor Martin BOURKE (since NA February 1993) who was appointed by the queen head of government: Chief Minister Derek H. TAYLOR (since 31 January 1995) was appointed by the governor cabinet: Executive Council consists of three ex officio members and five appointed by the governor from the Legislative Council

Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council: elections last held 31 January 1995 (next to be held by NA 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (20 total, 13 elected) PDM 8, PNP 4, independent (Norman SAUNDERS) 1

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders: Progressive National Party (PNP), Washington MISSICK; People's Democratic Movement (PDM), Derek H. TAYLOR; United Democratic Party (UDP), Wendal SWANN

International organization participation: Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau)

Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK)

US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)

Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus

Economy -------

Economic overview: The Turks and Caicos economy is based on tourism, fishing, and offshore financial services. Most food for domestic consumption is imported; there is some subsistence farming - mainly corn, cassava, citrus, and beans - on the Caicos Islands. The tourism sector expanded in 1995, posting a 10% increase in the first quarter as compared to the same period in 1994. The US was the leading source of tourists in 1995, accounting for upward of 70% of arrivals or about 60,000 visitors. Major sources of government revenue include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts as the Islands rely on imports for nearly all consumption and capital goods.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $80.8 million (1992 est.)

GDP real growth rate: -1.5% (1992 est.)

GDP per capita: $6,000 (1992 est.)

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%

Labor force: 4,848 (1990 est.) by occupation: majority engaged in fishing and tourist industries; some subsistence agriculture

Unemployment rate: 12% (1992)

Budget: revenues: $31.9 million (1995) expenditures: $30.4 million (1995), including capital expenditures of $NA

Industries: fishing, tourism, offshore financial services

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity: capacity: 9,050 kW production: 11.1 million kWh consumption per capita: 860 kWh (1992)

Agriculture: corn, beans; fish

Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US

Exports: $6.8 million (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells partners: US, UK

Imports: $42.8 million (1993) commodities: food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials partners: US, UK

External debt: $NA

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: US currency is used

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: 121 km paved: 24 km unpaved: 97 km

Ports: Grand Turk, Providenciales

Merchant marine: none

Airports: total: 7 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 1,359 (1988 est.)

Telephone system: fair cable and radiotelephone services domestic: NA international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 0, shortwave 0

Radios: 7,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: television programs are available from a cable network, and broadcasts from the Bahamas can be received in the islands

Televisions: NA

Defense -------

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

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

@Tuvalu ------

Map ---

Location: 8 00 S, 178 00 E -- Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia

Flag ----

Description: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country with nine yellow five-pointed stars symbolizing the nine islands

Geography ---------

Location: Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia

Geographic coordinates: 8 00 S, 178 00 E

Map references: Oceania

Area: total area: 26 sq km land area: 26 sq km comparative area: 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 24 km

Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March)

Terrain: very low-lying and narrow coral atolls lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m

Natural resources: fish

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% note: Tuvalu's nine coral atolls have enough soil to grow coconuts and support subsistence agriculture

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment: current issues: since there are no streams or rivers and groundwater is not potable, all water needs must be met by catchment systems with storage facilities; beachhead erosion because of the use of sand for building materials; excessive clearance of forest undergrowth for use as fuel; damage to coral reefs from the spread of the crown of thorns starfish natural hazards: severe tropical storms are rare international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Law of the Sea

People ------

Population: 10,146 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 36% (male 1,865; female 1,798) 15-64 years: 59% (male 2,831; female 3,162) 65 years and over: 5% (male 227; female 263) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.51% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 23.95 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 8.87 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 27.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.34 years male: 62.15 years female: 64.59 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.11 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Tuvaluan(s) adjective: Tuvaluan

Ethnic divisions: Polynesian 96%

Religions: Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, Baha'i 1%, other 0.6%

Languages: Tuvaluan, English

Literacy: NA

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tuvalu former: Ellice Islands

Data code: TV

Type of government: democracy; began debating republic status in 1992

Capital: Funafuti

Administrative divisions: none

Independence: 1 October 1978 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1978)

Constitution: 1 October 1978

Legal system: NA

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) is a hereditary monarch, represented by Governor General Manuella TULAGA (since NA June 1994) who was appointed by the queen on recommendation of the prime minister head of government: Prime Minister Kamuta LATASI (since 10 December 1993) and Deputy Prime Minister Otinielu TAUSI (since 10 December 1993) were elected by and from the members of Parliament cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general on recommendation of the prime minister

Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Fale I Fono): members elected for four-year terms; elections last held 25 November 1993 (next to be held by NA 1997); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (12 total) independents 12

Judicial branch: High Court

Political parties and leaders: none

International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C (special), ESCAP, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, UPU, WHO

Diplomatic representation in US: Tuvalu does not have an embassy in the US

US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in ======================================================================

@Uganda ------

Map ---

Location: 1 00 N, 32 00 E -- Eastern Africa, west of Kenya

Flag ----

Description: six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black, yellow, and red; a white disk is superimposed at the center and depicts a red-crested crane (the national symbol) facing the hoist side

Geography ---------

Location: Eastern Africa, west of Kenya

Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 32 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area: total area: 236,040 sq km land area: 199,710 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Oregon

Land boundaries: total: 2,698 km border countries: Kenya 933 km, Rwanda 169 km, Sudan 435 km, Tanzania 396 km, Zaire 765 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast

Terrain: mostly plateau with rim of mountains lowest point: Lake Albert 621 m highest point: Margherita (Mount Stanley) 5,110 m

Natural resources: copper, cobalt, limestone, salt

Land use: arable land: 23% permanent crops: 9% meadows and pastures: 25% forest and woodland: 30% other: 13%

Irrigated land: 90 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment: current issues: draining of wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching is widespread natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Environmental Modification

Geographic note: landlocked

People ------

Population: 20,158,176 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 50% (male 5,006,615; female 4,972,831) 15-64 years: 48% (male 4,842,908; female 4,874,471) 65 years and over: 2% (male 231,156; female 230,195) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.24% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 45.92 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 20.72 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -2.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.) note: Uganda is host to refugees from a number of neighboring countries, including Zaire, Sudan, and Rwanda; probably in excess of 100,000 southern Sudanese fled to Uganda during the past year; many of the 8,000 Rwandans who took refuge in Uganda have returned home

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 99.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 40.29 years male: 39.98 years female: 40.6 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.61 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Ugandan(s) adjective: Ugandan

Ethnic divisions: Baganda 17%, Karamojong 12%, Basogo 8%, Iteso 8%, Langi 6%, Rwanda 6%, Bagisu 5%, Acholi 4%, Lugbara 4%, Bunyoro 3%, Batobo 3%, European, Asian, Arab 1%, other 23%

Religions: Roman Catholic 33%, Protestant 33%, Muslim 16%, indigenous beliefs 18%

Languages: English (official), Luganda, Swahili, Bantu languages, Nilotic languages

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 61.8% male: 73.7% female: 50.2%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Uganda conventional short form: Uganda

Data code: UG

Type of government: republic

Capital: Kampala

Administrative divisions: 39 districts; Apac, Arua, Bundibugyo, Bushenyi, Gulu, Hoima, Iganga, Jinja, Kabale, Kabarole, Kalangala, Kampala, Kamuli, Kapchorwa, Kasese, Kibale, Kiboga, Kisoro, Kitgum, Kotido, Kumi, Lira, Luwero, Masaka, Masindi, Mbale, Mbarara, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nebbi, Ntungamo, Pallisa, Rakai, Rukungiri, Soroti, Tororo

Independence: 9 October 1962 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 9 October (1962)

Constitution: 8 October 1995; adopted by the interim, 284-member Constituent Assembly, charged with debating the draft constitution that had been proposed in May 1993; the Constituent Assembly was dissolved on promulgation of the constitution in October 1995

Legal system: in 1995, the government restored the legal system to one based on English common law and customary law and reinstituted a normal judicial system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power 29 January 1986); election last held 9 May 1996 (next to be held NA); results - Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI 74%, Paul K. SSEMOGERERE 24%, Muhammad MAYANJA 2%; note - this was the first popular direct presidential election since independence in 1962 head of government: Prime Minister Kintu MUSOKE (since 18 November 1994); cabinet: Cabinet, appointed by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly: elections last held in 1980; note - the National Assembly was dissolved in July 1985 following a military coup and was succeeded on 1 February 1986 by the interim National Resistance Council, initially consisting of 23 appointed members, but by early-1989 enlarged to 278 members, of whom 210 were indirectly elected; the National Resistance Council, which had served as Uganda's acting legislature for more than 10 years, was dissolved on 15 June 1996 to prepare for the popular election of a new legislature on 27 June 1996 in keeping with the provisions of the new constitution

Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; High Court

Political parties and leaders: only officially recognized party - National Resistance Movement (NRM), Yoweri MUSEVENI note: Ugandan People's Congress (UPC), Milton OBOTE; Democratic Party (DP), Paul SSEMOGEERE; and Conservative Party (CP), Joshua S. MAYANJA-NKANGI continue to exist but the new constitution confirms the suspension of political party activity until 2001

Other political or pressure groups: Lord's Resistance Army (LRA); West Nile Bank Front (WNBF)

International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, EADB, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGADD, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen Kapimpina KATENTA-APULI chancery: 5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-7100 through 7102, 0416 FAX: [1] (202) 726-1727

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador E. Michael SOUTHWICK embassy: Parliament Avenue, Kampala mailing address: P. O. Box 7007, Kampala telephone: [256] (41) 259792, 259793, 259795 FAX: [256] (41) 259794

Flag: six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black, yellow, and red; a white disk is superimposed at the center and depicts a red-crested crane (the national symbol) facing the hoist side

Economy -------

Economic overview: Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of copper and cobalt. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing over 80% of the work force. Coffee is the major export crop and accounts for the bulk of export revenues. Since 1986 the government - with the support of foreign countries and international agencies - has acted to rehabilitate and stabilize the economy by undertaking currency reform, raising producer prices on export crops, increasing prices of petroleum products, and improving civil service wages. The policy changes are especially aimed at dampening inflation and boosting production and export earnings. In 1990-94, the economy turned in a solid performance based on continued investment in the rehabilitation of infrastructure, improved incentives for production and exports, and gradually improving domestic security. The economy again prospered in 1995 with rapid growth, low inflation, growing foreign investment, a trimmed bureaucracy, and the continued return of exiled Indian-Ugandan entrepreneurs.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $16.8 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 7.1% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $900 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 55% industry: 12% services: 33% (1995)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.1% (1995)

Labor force: 8.361 million (1993 est.) by occupation: agriculture 86%, industry 4%, services 10% (1980 est.)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues: $574 million expenditures: $1.07 billion, including capital expenditures of $328 million (1994/95 est.)

Industries: sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles, cement

Industrial production growth rate: 15% (1994)

Electricity: capacity: 162,000 kW production: 603 million kWh consumption per capita: 30 kWh (1990)

Agriculture: coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), potatoes, corn, millet, pulses; beef, goat meat, milk, poultry

Exports: $424 million (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: coffee 97%, cotton, tea partners: US 25%, UK 18%, France 11%, Spain 10%

Imports: $870 million (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: petroleum products, machinery, cotton piece goods, metals, transportation equipment, food partners: Kenya 25%, UK 14%, Italy 13%

External debt: $3.2 billion (1994)

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 Ugandan shilling (USh) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: Ugandan shillings (USh) per US$1 - 1,032.6 (November 1995), 979.4 (1994), 1,195.0 (1993), 1,133.8 (1992), 734.0 (1991)

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

Transportation --------------

Railways: total: 1,241 km single track narrow gauge: 1,241 km 1.000-m gauge note:: a program to rehabilitate the railroad is underway (1995)

Highways: total: 30,320 km paved: 3,480 km unpaved: 26,840 km (1987 est.)

Waterways: Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga, Lake George, Lake Edward; Victoria Nile, Albert Nile

Ports: Entebbe, Jinja, Port Bell

Merchant marine: total: 3 roll-on/roll-off cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,091 GRT/2,743 DWT (1995 est.)

Airports: total: 21 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 7 with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 5 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 54,900 (1989 est.)

Telephone system: fair system domestic: microwave radio relay and radiotelephone communications stations international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 0, shortwave 0

Radios: 2.04 million (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 9 (1987 est.)

Televisions: 193,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Wing

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 4,359,286 males fit for military service: 2,365,157 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $56 million, 1.7% of budget (FY93/94)

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

@Ukraine -------

Map ---

Location: 49 00 N, 32 00 E -- Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Poland and Russia

Flag ----

Description: two equal horizontal bands of azure (top) and golden yellow represent grainfields under a blue sky

Geography ---------

Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Poland and Russia

Geographic coordinates: 49 00 N, 32 00 E

Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States

Area: total area: 603,700 sq km land area: 603,700 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Texas

Land boundaries: total: 4,558 km border countries: Belarus 891 km, Hungary 103 km, Moldova 939 km, Poland 428 km, Romania (southwest) 169 km, Romania (west) 362 km, Russia 1,576 km, Slovakia 90 km

Coastline: 2,782 km

Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: undefined territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: certain territory of Moldova and Ukraine - including Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina - are considered by Bucharest as historically a part of Romania; this territory was incorporated into the former Soviet Union following the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in 1940; dispute with Romania over continental shelf of the Black Sea under which signifcant gas and oil deposits may exist; potential dispute with Russia over Crimea; 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

Climate: temperate continental; Mediterranean only on the southern Crimean coast; precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest in west and north, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland; summers are warm across the greater part of the country, hot in the south

Terrain: most of Ukraine consists of fertile plains (steppes) and plateaux, mountains being found only in the west (the Carpathians), and in the Crimean Peninsula in the extreme south lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Hora Hoverla 2,061 m

Natural resources: iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulfur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber

Land use: arable land: 56% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 12% forest and woodland: 0% other: 30%

Irrigated land: 26,000 sq km (1990)

Environment: current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; air and water pollution; deforestation; radiation contamination in the northeast from 1986 accident at Chornobyl' Nuclear Power Plant natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Climate Change, Law of the Sea

Geographic note: strategic position at the crossroads between Europe and Asia; second-largest country in Europe

People ------

Population: 50,864,009 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 20% (male 5,139,034; female 4,936,901) 15-64 years: 66% (male 16,135,671; female 17,433,600) 65 years and over: 14% (male 2,318,629; female 4,900,174) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: -0.4% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 11.17 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 15.16 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.47 male(s)/female all ages: 0.86 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 22.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.8 years male: 61.54 years female: 72.32 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.6 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Ukrainian(s) adjective: Ukrainian

Ethnic divisions: Ukrainian 73%, Russian 22%, Jewish 1%, other 4%

Religions: Ukrainian Orthodox - Moscow Patriarchate, Ukrainian Orthodox - Kiev Patriarchate, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox, Ukrainian Catholic (Uniate), Protestant, Jewish

Languages: Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Polish, Hungarian

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.) total population: 98% male: 100% female: 97%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Ukraine local long form: none local short form: Ukrayina former: Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code: UP

Type of government: republic

Capital: Kiev (Kyyiv)

Administrative divisions: 24 oblasti (singular - oblast'), 1 autonomous republic* (avtomnaya respublika), and 2 municipalites (mista, singular - misto) with oblast status**; Cherkas'ka (Cherkasy), Chernihivs'ka (Chernihiv), Chernivets'ka (Chernivtsi), Dnipropetrovs'ka (Dnipropetrovs'k), Donets'ka (Donets'k), Ivano-Frankivs'ka (Ivano-Frankivs'k), Kharkivs'ka (Kharkiv), Khersons'ka (Kherson), Khmel'nyts'ka (Khmel'nyts'kyy), Kirovohrads'ka (Kirovohrad), Kyyiv**, Kyyivs'ka (Kiev), Luhans'ka (Luhans'k), L'vivs'ka (L'viv), Mykolayivs'ka (Mykolayiv), Odes'ka (Odesa), Poltavs'ka (Poltava), Respublika Krym* (Simferopol'), Rivnens'ka (Rivne), Sevastopol'**, Sums'ka (Sevastopol'), Ternopil's'ka (Ternopil'), Vinnyts'ka (Vinnytsya), Volyns'ka (Luts'k), Zakarpats'ka (Uzhhorod), Zaporiz'ka (Zaporizhzhya), Zhytomyrs'ka (Zhytomyr) note: names in parentheses are administrative centers when name differs from oblast' name

Independence: 1 December 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday: Independence Day, 24 August (1991)

Constitution: adopted 28 June 1996

Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Leonid D. KUCHMA (since 19 July 1994) was elected for a five-year term by direct popular vote; election last held 26 June and 10 July 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results - Leonid KUCHMA 52.15%, Leonid KRAVCHUK 45.06% head of government: Prime Minister Yevhen MARCHUK (since NA June 1995), First Deputy Prime Minister Pavlo LAZARENKO (since NA), and eight deputy prime ministers were appointed by the president and approved by the Supreme Council cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president and approved by the Supreme Council National Security Council: originally created in 1992, but significantly revamped and strengthened under President KUCHMA; members include the president, prime minister, ministers of finance, environment, justice, internal affairs, foreign economic relations, economic and foreign affairs; the NSC staff is tasked with developing national security policy on domestic and international matters and advising the president Presidential Administration: helps draft presidential edicts and provides policy support to the president Council of Regions: advisory body created by President KUCHMA in September 1994; includes the chairmen of Oblast and Kiev and Sevastopol City Supreme Councils

Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Council: elections last held 27 March 1994 with repeat elections continuing through December 1998 to fill empty seats (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (450 total) Communists 91, Rukh 22, Agrarians 18, Socialists 15, Republicans 11, Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists 5, Labor 5, Party of Democratic Revival 4, Democrats 2, Social Democrats 2, Civil Congress 2, Conservative Republicans 1, Party of Economic Revival of Crimea 1, Christian Democrats 1, independents 225; note - most recent repeat election held in April 1996 filling 422 of 450 seats as follows: independents 238, Communist 95, Rukh 22, Agrarians 18, Socialist 15, Republicans 11, Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists 5, Labor 5, Party of Democratic Revival 4, Democratic Party of Ukraine 2, Social Democrats 2, Civil Congress 2, Conservative Republicans 1, Party of Economic Rivival of Crimea 1, Christian Democrats 1, vacant 28

Judicial branch: Supreme Court is the highest judicial body; Constitutional Court has exclusive jurisdiction over interpretation of the constitution and laws

Political parties and leaders: Green Party of Ukraine, Vitaliy KONONOV, leader; Liberal Party of Ukraine, Volodymyr SHCHERBAN; Liberal Democratic Party of Ukraine, Volodymyr KLYMCHUK, chairman; Democratic Party of Ukraine, Volodymyr Oleksandrovych YAVORIVSKIY, chairman; People's Party of Ukraine; Peasants' Party of Ukraine; Party of Democratic Rebirth (Revival) of Ukraine, Volodymyr FILENKO, chairman; Social Democratic Party of Ukraine, Vasyl ONOPENKO, chairman; Socialist Party of Ukraine, Oleksandr MOROZ, chairman; Ukrainian Christian Democratic Party, Vitaliy ZHURAVSKYY, chairman; Ukrainian Conservative Republican Party, Stepan KHMARA, chairman; Ukrainian Labor Party, Valentyn LANDYK, chairman; Ukrainian Party of Justice, Yuriy ZUBKO, chairman; Ukrainian Peasants' Democratic Party, Serhiy PLACHINDA, chairman; Ukrainian Republican Party, Bondan YAROSHPSKYY, chairman; Ukrainian National Conservative Party; Ukrainian People's Movement for Restructuring (Rukh), Vyacheslav CHORNOVIL, chairman; Ukrainian Communist Party, Petr SYMONENKO; Agrarian Party; Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists, Slava STESTKO; Civil Congress, O. BAZYLUK; Party of Economic Revival of Crimea; Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine, Nataliya VITRENKO and Volodymyr MARCHENKO, leaders; People's Democratic Party, Anatoliy MATVIYENKO, chairman

Other political or pressure groups: New Ukraine (Nova Ukrayina); Congress of National Democratic Forces

International organization participation: BSEC, CCC, CE, CIS, EBRD, ECE, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NACC, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMOT, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Yuriy Mikolayevych SHCHERBAK chancery: 3350 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 333-0606 FAX: [1] (202) 333-0817 consulate(s) general: Chicago and New York

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador William Green MILLER embassy: 10 Yuria Kotsyubinskovo, 252053 Kiev 53 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [380] (44) 244-7345 FAX: [380] (44) 244-7350

Flag: two equal horizontal bands of azure (top) and golden yellow represent grainfields under a blue sky

Economy -------

Economic overview: After Russia, the Ukrainian republic was far and away the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union, producing about four times the output of the next-ranking republic. Its fertile black soil generated more than one-fourth of Soviet agricultural output, and its farms provided substantial quantities of meat, milk, grain, and vegetables to other republics. Likewise, its diversified heavy industry supplied equipment and raw materials to industrial and mining sites in other regions of the former USSR. In early 1992, the Ukrainian Government liberalized most prices and erected a legal framework for privatization, but widespread resistance to reform within the government and the legislature soon stalled reform efforts and led to some backtracking. Loose monetary policies pushed inflation to hyperinflationary levels in late 1993. Since his election in July 1994, President KUCHMA has developed a comprehensive economic reform program, maintained financial discipline, and removed almost all controls over prices and foreign trade. Implementation of KUCHMA's economic agenda is encountering considerable resistance from parliament, entrenched bureaucrats, and industrial interests. However, should KUCHMA succeed in implementing aggressive market reforms during 1996, the economy may stabilize and possibly achieve real growth in the range of 0.5%-1%.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $174.6 billion (1995 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)

GDP real growth rate: -4% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $3,370 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 31% industry: 43% services: 26% (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% monthly average (1995)

Labor force: 23.55 million (January 1994) by occupation: industry and construction 33%, agriculture and forestry 21%, health, education, and culture 16%, trade and distribution 7%, transport and communication 7%, other 16% (1992)

Unemployment rate: 0.7% officially registered; large number of unregistered or underemployed workers (December 1995)

Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA

Industries: coal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food-processing (especially sugar)

Industrial production growth rate: -11% (1995 est.)

Electricity: capacity: 54,380,000 kW production: 192.1 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,200 kWh (1995 est.)

Agriculture: grain, sugar beets, vegetables; meat, milk

Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy; mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program; used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe

Exports: $11.3 billion (1995) commodities: coal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals, chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, grain, meat partners: other FSU countries, China, Italy, Switzerland

Imports: $10.7 billion (1995) commodities: energy, machinery and parts, transportation equipment, chemicals, textiles partners: other FSU countries, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic

External debt: $8.8 billion (including $4.5 billion to Russia) (late 1995 est.)

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $220 million (1993) note: commitments, 1992-95, $4.5 billion ($4.1 billion drawn)

Currency: on 2 September 1996, Ukraine introduced the long-awaited hryvnia (plural hryvni) as its national currency, replacing the karbovanets (in circulation since 12 November 1992) at a rate of 100,000 karbovantsi to 1 hryvnia

Exchange rates: hryvnia per US$1 - 1.76 (2 September 1996)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: total: 23,350 km broad gauge: 23,350 km 1.524-m gauge (8,600 km electrified)

Highways: total: 169,964 km paved: 168,094 km (including 1,767 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,870 km (1992 est.)

Waterways: 4,400 km navigable waterways, of which 1,672 km were on the Pryp''yat' and Dnipro (1990)

Pipelines: crude oil 2,010 km; petroleum products 1,920 km; natural gas 7,800 km (1992)

Ports: Berdyans'k, Illichivs'k, Izmayil, Kerch, Kherson, Kiev (Kyyiv), Mariupol', Mykolayiv, Odesa, Pivdenne, Reni

Merchant marine: total: 353 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,262,341 GRT/4,356,374 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 5, bulk 39, cargo 217, chemical tanker 2, combination bulk 1, container 11, multifunction large-load carrier 3, oil tanker 21, passenger 7, passenger-cargo 5, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 5, roll-on/roll-off cargo 32, short-sea passenger 3 (1995 est.)

Airports: total: 706 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 14 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 55 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 34 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 with paved runways under 914 m: 57 with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 7 with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 16 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 37 with unpaved runways under 914 m: 476 (1994 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: NA

Telephone system: system is unsatisfactory both for business and for personal use; 3.56 million applications for telephones had not been satisfied as of January 1991; electronic mail services have been established in Kiev, Odessa, and Luhans'k by Sprint domestic: an NMT-450 analog cellular telephone network operates in Kiev (Kyyiv) and allows direct dialing of international calls through Kiev's digital exchange international: calls to other CIS countries are carried by landline or microwave radio relay; calls to 167 other countries are carried by satellite or by the 150 leased lines through the Moscow international gateway switch; satellite earth stations - NA Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean Regions), and NA Intersputnik

Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note - there are at least two radio broadcast stations of NA type

Radios: 15 million (1990)

Television broadcast stations: at least 2

Televisions: 17.3 million (1992)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Internal Troops, National Guard, Border Troops

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 12,388,788 males fit for military service: 9,716,127 males reach military age (18) annually: 362,000 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: 1.35 billion hryvni, less than 2% of GDP (Ukrainian Government's forecast for 1996); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results

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

@United Arab Emirates --------------------

Map ---

Location: 24 00 N, 54 00 E -- Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia

Flag ----

Description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a thicker vertical red band on the hoist side

Geography ---------

Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia

Geographic coordinates: 24 00 N, 54 00 E

Map references: Middle East

Area: total area: 75,581 sq km land area: 75,581 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Maine

Land boundaries: total: 867 km border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km

Coastline: 1,318 km

Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: location and status of boundary with Saudi Arabia is not final, defacto boundary reflects 1974 agreement; no defined boundary with most of Oman, but Administrative Line in far north; claims two islands in the Persian Gulf occupied by Iran: Lesser Tunb (called Tunb as Sughra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Kuchek in Persian by Iran) and Greater Tunb (called Tunb al Kubra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg in Persian by Iran); claims island in the Persian Gulf jointly administered with Iran (called Abu Musa in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Abu Musa in Persian by Iran); in 1992, the dispute over Abu Musa and the Tunb islands became more acute when Iran unilaterally tried to control the entry of third country nationals into the UAE portion of Abu Musa island, Tehran subsequently backed off in the face of significant diplomatic support for the UAE in the region

Climate: desert; cooler in eastern mountains

Terrain: flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m

Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 2% forest and woodland: 0% other: 98%

Irrigated land: 50 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment: current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources being overcome by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Law of the Sea

Geographic note: strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil

People ------

Population: 3,057,337 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 35% (male 542,848; female 519,952) 15-64 years: 64% (male 1,277,829; female 683,282) 65 years and over: 1% (male 22,246; female 11,180) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 4.33% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 26.43 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 3.03 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 19.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.87 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.99 male(s)/female all ages: 1.52 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 20.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.74 years male: 70.64 years female: 74.94 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 4.46 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Emiri(s) adjective: Emiri

Ethnic divisions: Emiri 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982) note: less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982)

Religions: Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4%

Languages: Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write but definition of literacy not available (1995 est.) total population: 79.2% male: 78.9% female: 79.8%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: United Arab Emirates conventional short form: none local long form: Al Imarata al Arabiyah al Muttahidah local short form: none former: Trucial States abbreviation: UAE

Data code: TC

Type of government: federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE central government and other powers reserved to member emirates

Capital: Abu Dhabi

Administrative divisions: 7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn

Independence: 2 December 1971 (from UK)

National holiday: National Day, 2 December (1971)

Constitution: 2 December 1971 (provisional)

Legal system: federal court system introduced in 1971; all emirates except Dubayy (Dubai) and Ra's al Khaymah have joined the federal system; all emirates have secular and Islamic law for civil, criminal, and high courts

Suffrage: none

Executive branch: chief of state: President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (since 2 December 1971), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since NA 1966) and Vice President MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai) were elected by the Supreme Council of Rulers head of government: Prime Minister MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai) and Deputy Prime Minister SULTAN bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990) were appointed by the president Supreme Council of Rulers: composed of the seven emirate rulers, the council is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation, Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power; council meets four times a year cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral Federal National Council (Majlis Watani Itihad); no elections; reviews legislation, but cannot change or veto

Judicial branch: Union Supreme Court, judges appointed by the president

Political parties and leaders: none

Other political or pressure groups: NA

International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Muhammad bin Husayn al-SHAALI chancery: Suite 600, 3000 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 338-6500

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador David C. LITT embassy: Al-Sudan Street, Abu Dhabi mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi; American Embassy Abu Dhabi, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-6010 (pouch) telephone: [971] (2) 436691, 436692 FAX: [971] (2) 434771 consulate(s) general: Dubai

Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a thicker vertical red band on the hoist side

Economy -------

Economic overview: The UAE has an open economy with one of the world's highest incomes per capita and with a sizable annual trade surplus. Its wealth is based on oil and gas output (about 33% of GDP), and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. Since 1973, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. At present levels of production, crude oil reserves should last for over 100 years. Although much stronger economically than most Gulf states, the UAE faces similar problems with weak international oil prices and the pressures for cuts in OPEC oil production quotas. The UAE Government is encouraging increased privatization within the economy.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $70.1 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 3.3% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $24,000 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 55% services: 43% (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.6% (1994 est.)

Labor force: 794,400 (1993 est.) by occupation: industry and commerce 56%, services 38%, agriculture 6% (1990 est.) note: 80% of labor force is foreign (est.)

Unemployment rate: NEGL% (1988)

Budget: revenues: $4.6 billion expenditures: $4.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.)

Industries: petroleum, fishing, petrochemicals, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, pearling

Industrial production growth rate: -1.1% (1994 est.)

Electricity: capacity: 4,760,000 kW production: 16.5 billion kWh consumption per capita: 5,796 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy products; fish

Illicit drugs: growing role as heroin transshipment and money-laundering center

Exports: $25.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: crude oil 66%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates partners: Japan 45%, India 6%, Oman 6%, South Korea 5%, Iran 5% (1994)

Imports: $21.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, food partners: Japan 11%, UK 8%, Germany 8%, US 8%, Italy 7% (1994)

External debt: $11.6 billion (1994 est.)

Economic aid: $NA

Currency: 1 Emirian dirham (Dh) = 100 fils

Exchange rates: Emirian dirhams (Dh) per US$1 - 3.6710 (fixed rate)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: 3,000 km paved: 3,000 km unpaved: 0 km (1993 est.)

Pipelines: crude oil 830 km; natural gas, including natural gas liquids, 870 km

Ports: 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Das Island, Khawr Fakkan, Mina' Jabal 'Ali, Mina' Khalid, Mina' Rashid, Mina' Saqr, Mina' Zayid, Umm al Qaywayn

Merchant marine: total: 57 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,068,980 GRT/1,876,504 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 17, chemical tanker 2, container 7, liquefied gas tanker 1, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 22, refrigerated cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3 (1995 est.)

Airports: total: 36 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 9 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 with paved runways under 914 m: 10 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 7 (1995 est.)

Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 677,793 (1993 est.)

Telephone system: modern system consisting of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai domestic: microwave radio relay and coaxial cable international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; submarine cables to Qatar, Bahrain, India, and Pakistan; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia

Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 3, shortwave 0

Radios: 545,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 12

Televisions: 170,000 (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary (includes Federal Police Force)

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 1,102,080 males fit for military service: 599,439 males reach military age (18) annually: 21,250 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.59 billion, 4.3% of GDP (1994)

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

@United Kingdom --------------

Map ---

Location: 54 00 N, 2 00 W -- Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France

Flag ----

Description: 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

Geography ---------

Location: Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France

Geographic coordinates: 54 00 N, 2 00 W

Map references: Europe

Area: total area: 244,820 sq km land area: 241,590 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Oregon note: includes Rockall and Shetland Islands

Land boundaries: total: 360 km border country: Ireland 360 km

Coastline: 12,429 km

Maritime claims: continental shelf: as defined in continental shelf orders or in accordance with agreed upon boundaries exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: Northern Ireland question with Ireland; Gibraltar question with Spain; Argentina claims Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas); Argentina claims South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; Mauritius claims island of Diego Garcia in British Indian Ocean Territory; Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Iceland, and Ireland (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area); territorial claim in Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory)

Climate: temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast

Terrain: mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling plains in east and southeast lowest point: Fenland -4 m highest point: Ben Nevis 1,343 m

Natural resources: coal, petroleum, natural gas, tin, limestone, iron ore, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, lead, silica

Land use: arable land: 29% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 48% forest and woodland: 9% other: 14%

Irrigated land: 1,570 sq km (1989)

Environment: current issues: sulfur dioxide emissions from power plants contribute to air pollution; some rivers polluted by agricultural wastes and coastal waters polluted because of large-scale disposal of sewage at sea natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Desertification

Geographic note: lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km from France and now linked by tunnel under the English Channel; because of heavily indented coastline, no location is more than 125 km from tidal waters

People ------

Population: 58,489,975 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 20% (male 5,853,545; female 5,565,153) 15-64 years: 65% (male 19,050,420; female 18,797,406) 65 years and over: 15% (male 3,753,361; female 5,470,090) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.22% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 13.12 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 11.24 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.41 years male: 73.78 years female: 79.17 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.82 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Briton(s), British (collective plural) adjective: British

Ethnic divisions: English 81.5%, Scottish 9.6%, Irish 2.4%, Welsh 1.9%, Ulster 1.8%, West Indian, Indian, Pakistani, and other 2.8%

Religions: Anglican 27 million, Roman Catholic 9 million, Muslim 1 million, Presbyterian 800,000, Methodist 760,000, Sikh 400,000, Hindu 350,000, Jewish 300,000 (1991 est.) note: the UK does not include a question on religion in its census

Languages: English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales), Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland)

Literacy: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling (1978 est.) total population: 99% male: NA% female: NA%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland conventional short form: United Kingdom abbreviation: UK

Data code: UK

Type of government: 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) is a hereditary monarch; Heir Apparent Prince CHARLES (son of the queen, born 14 November 1948) head of government: Prime Minister John MAJOR (since 28 November 1990) is the leader of the party which holds the majority in the House of Commons and must have the consent of the monarch cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament House of Lords: consists of a 1,200-member body, four-fifths are hereditary peers, two 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, several Lords of Appeal in Ordinary are appointed by the monarch for life

Political parties and leaders: Conservative and Unionist Party, John MAJOR; Labor Party, Anthony (Tony) Blair; Liberal Democrats (LD), Jeremy (Paddy) ASHDOWN; Scottish National Party, Alex SALMOND; Welsh National Party (Plaid Cymru), Dafydd Iwan WIGLEY; Ulster Unionist Party (Northern Ireland), David TRIMBLE; Democratic Unionist Party (Northern Ireland), Rev. Ian PAISLEY; Social Democratic and Labor Party (SDLP, Northern Ireland), John HUME; Sinn Fein (Northern Ireland), Gerry ADAMS; Alliance Party (Northern Ireland), John ALDERDICE

Other political or pressure groups: Trades Union Congress; Confederation of British Industry; National Farmers' Union; Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CDB (non-regional), CE, CERN, EBRD, ECA (associate), ECE, ECLAC, EIB, ESA, ESCAP, EU, FAO, G- 5, G- 7, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OECD, OSCE, PCA, SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNRWA, UNU, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sir John Olav KERR chancery: 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-1340 FAX: [1] (202) 898-4255 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco consulate(s): Dallas, Miami, and Seattle

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador William J. CROWE, Jr. embassy: 24/31 Grosvenor Square, London, W. 1A1AE mailing address: PSC 801, Box 40, London; FPO AE 09498-4040 telephone: [44] (71) 499-9000 FAX: [44] (71) 409-1637 consulate(s) general: Belfast, 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

Economy -------

Economic 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 13 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 about 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. The economy registered 3.9% GDP growth in 1994, the best rate for six years, but slipped back to 2.7% in 1995. Exports and manufacturing output have been the primary engines of growth. Unemployment is gradually falling. Inflation is at a tolerable 3%. A major economic policy question for the UK in the 1990s is the terms on which it participates in the financial and economic integration of Europe.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.1384 trillion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 2.7% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $19,500 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 1.7% industry: 27.7% services: 70.6% (1993)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.1% (November 1995)

Labor force: 28.048 million by occupation: services 62.8%, manufacturing and construction 25.0%, government 9.1%, energy 1.9%, agriculture 1.2% (June 1992)

Unemployment rate: 8% (December 1995)

Budget: revenues: $388.9 billion expenditures: $447.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY94/95 est.)

Industries: production machinery including machine tools, electric power equipment, automation equipment, 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

Industrial production growth rate: 1.9% (1995 est.)

Electricity: capacity: 65,360,000 kW production: 303 billion kWh consumption per capita: 5,123 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: cereals, oilseed, potatoes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, poultry; fish

Illicit drugs: gateway country for Latin American cocaine entering the European market; producer of synthetic drugs; transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin; money-laundering center

Exports: $200.4 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, chemicals, semifinished goods, transport equipment partners: EU countries 56.4% (Germany 12.7%, France 9.9%, Netherlands 7.0%), US 13.1%

Imports: $221.9 billion (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: manufactured goods, machinery, semifinished goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods partners: EU countries 54.9% (Germany 14.6%, France 10.0%, Netherlands 6.7%), US 12.2%

External debt: $16.2 billion (June 1992)

Economic aid: donor: ODA, $2.908 billion (1993)

Currency: 1 British pound (L) = 100 pence

Exchange rates: British pounds (L) per US$1 - 0.6535 (January 1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991)

Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

Transportation --------------

Railways: total: 17,561 km broad gauge: 434 km 1.600-m gauge (190 km double track); note - all 1.600-m gauge track, of which 357 km is in common carrier use, is in Northern Ireland standard gauge: 16,892 km 1.435-m gauge (4,928 km electrified; 12,591 km double or multiple track); note - 16,532 km of 1.435-m routes are in common carrier service; the remaining 360 km are operated by a total of 40 tourist or other private companies narrow gauge: 235 km 0.260-m, 0.311-m, 0.381-m, 0.600-m, 0.610-m, 0.686-m, 0.760-m, 0.762-m, 0.800-m, 0.825-m, 0.914-m and 1.067-m gauges; note - these short, narrow-gage lines are operated by a total of 25 tourist and other private firms (1995)

Highways: total: 386,243 km (1993 est.) paved: NA km (including 3,237 km of expressways in Great Britain) unpaved: NA km

Waterways: 3,200 km under British Waterways Board

Pipelines: crude oil (almost all insignificant) 933 km; petroleum products 2,993 km; natural gas 12,800 km

Ports: Aberdeen, Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff, Grangemouth, Hull, Leith, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Medway, Sullom Voe, Tees, Tyne

Merchant marine: total: 151 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,191,969 GRT/3,861,239 DWT ships by type: bulk 10, cargo 21, chemical tanker 2, container 24, liquefied gas tanker 2, oil tanker 56, passenger 8, passenger-cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 12, short-sea passenger 14, specialized tanker 1 (1995 est.)

Airports: total: 388 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 9 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 29 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 103 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 59 with paved runways under 914 m: 166 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 22 (1995 est.)

Heliports: 10 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 29.5 million (1987 est.)

Telephone system: technologically advanced domestic and international system domestic: equal mix of buried cables, microwave radio relay, and fiber-optic systems international: 40 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (7 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Eutelsat; at least 8 large international switching centers

Radio broadcast stations: AM 225, FM 525 (mostly repeaters), shortwave 0

Radios: 70 million

Television broadcast stations: 207 (repeaters 3,210)

Televisions: 20 million

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Royal Navy (includes Royal Marines), Royal Air Force

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 14,515,077 males fit for military service: 12,102,431 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $35.1 billion, 3.1% of GDP (FY95/96)

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

@United States -------------

Map ---

Location: 38 00 N, 97 00 W -- North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico

Flag ----

Description: 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

Geography ---------

Location: North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico

Geographic coordinates: 38 00 N, 97 00 W

Map references: North America

Area: total area: 9,372,610 sq km land area: 9,166,600 sq km comparative area: about one-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 border countries: Canada 8,893 km (including 2,477 km with Alaska), Cuba 29 km (US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay), Mexico 3,326 km note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and thus remains part of Cuba

Coastline: 19,924 km

Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12 nm continental shelf: not specified 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, Machias Seal Island); 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 lowest point: Death Valley -86 m highest point: Mount McKinley 6,194 m

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; very limited natural fresh water resources in much of the western part of the country require careful management; desertification natural hazards: tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic coast; tornadoes in the midwest; mud slides 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 83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Tropical Timber 94

Geographic note: world's fourth-largest country (after Russia, Canada, and China)

People ------

Population: 266,476,278 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 22% (male 29,718,390; female 28,335,934) 15-64 years: 65% (male 86,225,056; female 87,411,573) 65 years and over: 13% (male 13,850,234; female 20,021,655) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.91% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 14.8 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 8.8 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 3.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 6.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.95 years male: 72.65 years female: 79.41 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.06 children born/woman (1996 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 can read and write (1979 est.) total population: 97% male: 97% female: 97%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: United States of America conventional short form: United States abbreviation: US or USA

Data code: US

Type of government: 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: from 18 July 1947 until 1 October 1994, the US administered the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, but recently entered into a new political relationship with all 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 (effective 1 October 1994); 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) and Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993) were elected for four-year terms by a college of representatives elected directly from each state; 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 was appointed by the president with Senate approval

Legislative branch: bicameral Congress Senate: elections last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held 5 November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (100 total) Republican Party 54, Democratic Party 46 House of Representatives: elections last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held 5 November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (435 total) Republican Party 231, Democratic Party 203, independent 1

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, justices are appointed for life by the president with confirmation by the Senate

Political parties and leaders: Republican Party, Haley BARBOUR, national committee chairman and Jeanie AUSTIN, co-chairman; Democratic Party, David C. WILHELM, national committee chairman; several other groups or parties of minor political significance

International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer), ANZUS, APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CP, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, ESCAP, FAO, G- 2, G- 5, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OSCE, PCA, SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIH, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, 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

Economy -------

Economic overview: The US has the most powerful, diverse, and technologically advanced economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $27,500, the largest among major industrial nations. In this market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and government purchases of goods and services are made predominantly in the marketplace. US business firms enjoy considerably greater flexibility than their counterparts in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, lay off surplus workers, and develop new products. At the same time, they face higher barriers to entry in their rivals' home markets than the barriers to entry of foreign firms in US markets. In all economic sectors, US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers, medical equipment, and aerospace, although their advantage has steadily narrowed since the end of World War II. The onrush of technology largely explains the gradual development of a "two-tier labor market" in which those at the bottom lack the education and professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get pay raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. The years 1994-95 witnessed moderate gains in real output, low inflation rates, and a drop in unemployment below 6%. The capture of both houses of Congress by the Republicans in the elections of 8 November 1994 has intensified the debate over how the US should address its major economic problems. These problems include inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical costs of an aging population, sizable budget and trade deficits, and stagnation of family income in the lower economic groups. The outlook for 1996 is for continued moderate growth, low inflation, and about the same level of unemployment.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.2477 trillion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 2.1% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $27,500 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 23% services: 75% (1995 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1995)

Labor force: 132.304 million (includes unemployed) (1995) by occupation: managerial and professional 28.3%, technical, sales and administrative support 30.0%, services 13.5%, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and crafts 25.3%, farming, forestry, and fishing 2.8%

Unemployment rate: 5.6% (December 1995)

Budget: revenues: $1.258 trillion expenditures: $1.461 trillion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1994)

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

Industrial production growth rate: 5.4% (1994 est.)

Electricity: capacity: 695,120,000 kW production: 3.1 trillion kWh consumption per capita: 11,236 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: wheat, other grains, corn, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; forest products; fish

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

Exports: $578 billion (f.o.b., 1995 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)

Imports: $751 billion (c.i.f., 1995 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)

External debt: $NA

Economic aid: donor: ODA, $9.721 billion (1993)

Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: British pounds: (L) per US$ - 0.6535 (January 1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991) Canadian dollars: (Can$) per US$ - 1.3666 (January 1996), 1.3724 (1995), 1.3656 (1994), 1.2901 (1993), 1.2087 (1992), 1.1457 (1991) French francs: (F) per US$ - 5.0056 (January 1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991) Italian lire: (Lit) per US$ - 1,583.8 (January 1996), 1,629.6 (1995), 1,612.4 (1994), 1,573.7 (1993), 1,232.4 (1992), 1,240.6 (1991) Japanese yen: (Y) per US$ - 105.84 (January 1996), 94.06 (1995), 102.21 (1994), 111.20 (1993), 126.65 (1992), 134.71 (1991) German deutsche marks: (DM) per US$ - 1.4617 (January 1996), 1.4331 (1995), 1.6228 (1994), 1.6533 (1993), 1.5617 (1992), 1.6595 (1991)

Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September

Transportation --------------

Railways: total: 240,000 km mainline routes (nongovernment owned) standard gauge: 240,000 km 1.435-m gauge (1989)

Highways: total: 6,284,488 km paved: 5,574,341 km (in 1991, included 85,267 km of expressways) unpaved: 710,147 km (1993 est.)

Waterways: 41,009 km of navigable inland channels, exclusive of the Great Lakes

Pipelines: petroleum 276,000 km; natural gas 331,000 km (1991)

Ports: Anchorage, Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Duluth, Hampton Roads, Honolulu, Houston, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Port Canaveral, Portland (Oregon), Prudhoe Bay, San Francisco, Savannah, Seattle, Tampa, Toledo

Merchant marine: total: 322 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 10,716,000 GRT/15,259,000 DWT ships by type: bulk 21, cargo 20, chemical tanker 17, intermodal 125, liquefied gas tanker 14, passenger-cargo 2, tanker 110, tanker tug-barge 13 note: in addition, there are 190 government-owned vessels (1995 est.)

Airports: total: 13,387 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 179 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 201 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1,204 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2,361 with paved runways under 914 m: 7,720 with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1 with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 151 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1,563 (1995 est.)

Heliports: 63 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 182.558 million (1987 est.)

Telephone system: domestic: large system of fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and domestic satellites international: 24 ocean cable systems in use; satellite earth stations - 61 Intelsat (45 Atlantic Ocean and 16 Pacific Ocean) (1990 est.), 5 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 4 Inmarsat (Pacific and Atlantic Ocean regions)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 4,987, FM 4,932, shortwave 0

Radios: 540.5 million (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 1,092 (in addition, there are about 9,000 cable TV systems)

Televisions: 215 million (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Department of the Army, Department of the Navy (includes Marine Corps), Department of the Air Force note: the Coast Guard falls under the Department of Transportation, but in wartime reports to the Department of the Navy

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 69,302,573 males fit for military service: NA males reach military age (18) annually: 1,864,580 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: $272.2 billion, 3.8% of GDP (1995 est.)

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

@Uruguay -------

Map ---

Location: 33 00 S, 56 00 W -- Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil

Flag ----

Description: 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

Geography ---------

Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil

Geographic coordinates: 33 00 S, 56 00 W

Map references: South America

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 border countries: Argentina 579 km, Brazil 985 km

Coastline: 660 km

Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 200 nm; overflight and navigation guaranteed 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 Cuareim (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 lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m

Natural resources: fertile 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: substantial pollution from Brazilian industry along border; one-fifth of country affected by acid rain generated by Brazil; water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal natural hazards: seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind which blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes in weather fronts international agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation

People ------

Population: 3,238,952 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 24% (male 405,041; female 386,155) 15-64 years: 63% (male 1,004,089; female 1,035,336) 65 years and over: 13% (male 170,109; female 238,222) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.7% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 17.02 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 9.05 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -0.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 15.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.94 years male: 71.8 years female: 78.25 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.32 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Uruguayan(s) adjective: Uruguayan

Ethnic divisions: white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%

Religions: Roman Catholic 66% (less than one-half of the 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 (1995 est.) total population: 97.3% male: 96.9% female: 97.7%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay conventional short form: Uruguay local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay local short form: Uruguay

Data code: UY

Type of government: 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 Julio Maria SANGUINETTI (since 1 March 1995) and Vice President Hugo BATALLA (since 1 March 1995) were elected for five-year terms by popular vote; election last held 27 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president

Legislative branch: bicameral General Assembly (Asamblea General) Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores): elections last held 27 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1999); results - Colorado 36%, Blanco 34 %, Encuentro Progresista 27%, New Sector 3%; seats - (30 total) Colorado 11, Blanco 10, Encuentro Progresista 8, New Sector 1 Chamber of Representatives (Camara de Representantes): elections last held 27 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1999); results - Colorado 32%, Blanco 31%, Encuentro Progresista 31%, New Sector 5%; seats - (99 total) Colorado 32, Blanco 31, Encuentro Progresista 31, New Sector 5

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are nominated by the president and elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly

Political parties and leaders: National (Blanco) Party, Alberto VOLONTE Berro; Colorado Party, Jorge BATLLE; Broad Front Coalition, 12 member Executive Secretariat (as of 11 March 1996); New Sector Coalition, Hugo BATALLA; Encuentro Progresista (EP), Tabare VAZQUEZ

International organization participation: AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MINURSO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Alvaro DIEZ DE MEDINA SUAREZ chancery: 1918 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, and New York

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas J. DODD embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo mailing address: APO AA 34035 telephone: [598] (2) 23 60 61, 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

Economy -------

Economic overview: Uruguay's small economy benefits from a favorable climate for agriculture and substantial hydropower potential. Economic development has been restrained in recent years by high - though declining - inflation and extensive government regulation. The SANGUINETTI government's conservative monetary and fiscal policies are aimed at continuing to reduce inflation, currently at 35.4%; other priorities include extensive reform of the social security system and increased investment in education. Uruguay went into recession during second quarter 1995 and ended the year with an estimated 2% fall in GDP and a two percentage point rise in unemployment to 11%. This was partly due to Argentina's recession and the slowdown in Brazilian growth in 1995, which contributed to declines in the Uruguayan manufacturing, construction, and service sectors. However, despite its Mercosur (Southern Cone Common Market) partners' troubles, Uruguayan trade expanded and potential new markets are being explored through Mercosur negotiations with neighboring countries and the European Union (EU). Uruguay also recently augmented its transport and agricultural sector ties with the US. The economy is expected to come out of recession as regional growth prospects improve.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $24.4 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: -2.4% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $7,600 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 10.5% industry: 27.5% services: 62% (1994)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35.4% (1995 est.)

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.)

Unemployment rate: 11% (1995)

Budget: revenues: $3.03 billion expenditures: $3.37 billion with capital expenditures of $NA (1994 est.)

Industries: meat processing, wool and hides, sugar, textiles, footwear, leather apparel, tires, cement, petroleum refining, wine

Industrial production growth rate: -19% (1995 est.)

Electricity: capacity: 2,070,000 kW production: 9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,575 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: wheat, rice, corn, sorghum; livestock; fishing

Exports: $2.3 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: wool and textile manufactures, beef and other animal products, leather, rice partners: Brazil, Argentina, US, China, Italy

Imports: $3.1 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles, chemicals, minerals, plastics partners: Brazil, Argentina, US, Nigeria

External debt: $4.95 billion (1995)

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $91 million (1993)

Currency: 1 Uruguayan peso ($Ur) = 100 centesimos

Exchange rates: Uruguayan pesos ($Ur) per US$1 - 7.12 (January 1996), 5.6 (January 1995), 5.0529 (1994), 3.9484 (1993), 3.0270 (1992), 2.0188 (1991) note: on 1 March 1993 the former new peso (N$Ur) was replaced as Uruguay's unit of currency by the peso which is equal to 1,000 of the new pesos

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: total: 2,070 km (461 km closed; additional 460 km only partially operational) standard gauge: 2,070 km 1.435-m gauge

Highways: total: 49,600 km paved: 6,656 km unpaved: 42,944 km (1988 est.)

Waterways: 1,600 km; used by coastal and shallow-draft river craft

Ports: Fray Bentos, Montevideo, Nueva Palmira, Paysandu, Punta del Este

Merchant marine: total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 71,405 GRT/110,939 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, container 1, oil tanker 1 (1995 est.)

Airports: total: 66 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 5 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8 with paved runways under 914 m: 36 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 14 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 451,000 (1991 est.)

Telephone system: some modern facilities domestic: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new nationwide microwave radio relay network international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 99, FM 0, shortwave 9

Radios: 1.89 million (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 26

Televisions: 725,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Air Arm, Coast Guard, Marines), Air Force, Grenadier Guards, Coracero Guard, Police

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 783,890 males fit for military service: 636,454 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $256 million, 1.5% of GDP (1994)

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

@Uzbekistan ----------

Map ---

Location: 41 00 N, 64 00 E -- Central Asia, north of Afghanistan

Flag ----

Description: 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

Geography ---------

Location: Central Asia, north of Afghanistan

Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 64 00 E

Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States

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 border countries: Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakstan 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: none

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; Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west lowest point: Saryqamish Kuli -12 m highest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m

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 and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides 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, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity

Geographic note: landlocked

People ------

Population: 23,418,381 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 40% (male 4,732,585; female 4,618,503) 15-64 years: 55% (male 6,441,052; female 6,540,479) 65 years and over: 5% (male 416,571; female 669,191) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.87% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 29.86 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 8.02 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -3.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 79.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.6 years male: 60.44 years female: 68.97 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Uzbek(s) adjective: Uzbek

Ethnic divisions: Uzbek 71.4%, Russian 8.3%, Tajik 4.7%, Kazak 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 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.) total population: 97% male: 98% female: 96%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Uzbekistan conventional short form: Uzbekistan local long form: Uzbekiston Respublikasi local short form: none former: Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code: UZ

Type of government: republic

Capital: Tashkent (Toshkent)

Administrative divisions: 12 wiloyatlar (singular - wiloyat), 1 autonomous republic* (respublikasi), and 1 city** (shahri); Andijon Wiloyati, Bukhoro Wiloyati, Jizzakh Wiloyati, Farghona Wiloyati, Qoraqalpoghiston* (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 Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet) was elected for a five-year term by popular vote; election last held 29 December 1991 (next to be held NA 2000); results - Islam KARIMOV 86%, Mukhammad SOLIKH 12%, other 2%; note - the 26 March 1995 referendum extended KARIMOV's term until 2000 (99.6% approval) head of government: Prime Minister Otkir SULTONOV (since December 1995), First Deputy Prime Minister Ismoil JURABEKOV (since NA), Deputy Prime Ministers Viktor CHIZHEN (since NA), Bakhtiyor HAMIDOV (since NA), Kayim HAQQULOV (since NA), Rim GINIYATULLIN (since NA), Saidmukhtor SAIDQOSIMOV (since NA), Mirabror USMONOV (since NA), Murat SHARIFKHOJAYEV (since NA), Uktam ISMAILOV (since NA), Rustam YUNUSOV (since NA) were appointed by the president cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers was appointed by the president with approval of the Supreme Assembly

Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Assembly (Oliy Majlis): elections last held 25 December 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (250 total) People's Democratic Party 207, Fatherland Progress Party 12, other 31; note - final runoffs were held 22 January 1995; seating was as follows: People's Democratic Party 69, Fatherland Progress Party 14, Social Democratic Party 47, local government 120

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Supreme Assembly

Political parties and leaders: People's Democratic Party (PDP; formerly Communist Party), Islom A. KARIMOV, chairman; Fatherland Progress Party (FPP), Anwar YULDASHEV, chairman; Social Democratic Party, Anvar JORABAYEV, chairman

Other political or pressure groups: Birlik (Unity) People's Movement (BPM), Ibrahim BURIYEV, chairman; Islamic Rebirth Party (IRP), Abdullah UTAYEV, chairman; Erk (Freedom) Democratic Party was banned 9 December 1992 note: UTAYEV (IRP) is either in prison or in exile

International organization participation: AsDB, CCC, CIS, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NACC, NAM, OIC (observer), OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Fatiq TESHABAYEV chancery: (temporary) Suites 619 and 623, 1511 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 638-4266, 4267 FAX: [1] (202) 638-4268

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Stanley T. ESCUDERO embassy: 82 Chilanzarskaya, Tashkent mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [7] (3712) 77-14-07, 77-10-81, 77-69-86 FAX: [7] (3712) 89-13-35

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

Economy -------

Economic overview: Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 10% consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. It was one of the poorest republics of the former Soviet Union with more than 60% of its population living in overpopulated rural communities. At the same time, 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. Following independence, the government sought to prop up its Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on production and prices. Faced with high rates of inflation, however, the government stepped up the pace of reform in mid-1994, by introducing tighter monetary policies, expanding privatization, reducing the role of the state in the economy, and improving the environment for foreign investors. Nevertheless, the state continues to be a dominating influence in the economy, and reforms have so far failed to induce far-reaching structural changes.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $54.7 billion (1995 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)

GDP real growth rate: -1% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $2,370 (1995 est.)

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.7% monthly average (January-October 1995 est.)

Labor force: 8.234 million by occupation: agriculture and forestry 43%, industry and construction 22%, other 35% (1992)

Unemployment rate: 0.4% includes only officially registered unemployed; large numbers of underemployed workers (December 1995)

Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA

Industries: textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, natural gas

Industrial production growth rate: 0% (1995 est.)

Electricity: capacity: 11,690,000 kW production: 47.5 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,130 kWh (1994)

Agriculture: cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock

Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy; mostly for CIS consumption; government eradication programs; used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe

Exports: $3.1 billion (1995) commodities: cotton, gold, natural gas, mineral fertilizers, ferrous metals, textiles, food products partners: Russia, Ukraine, Eastern Europe, US

Imports: $2.9 billion (1995) commodities: grain, machinery and parts, consumer durables, other foods partners: principally other FSU countries, Czech Republic

External debt: $1.285 billion (of which $510 million to Russia)

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $71 million (1993) note: commitments, $2,915 million ($135 million in disbursements) (1992-95)

Currency: introduced provisional som-coupons 10 November 1993 which circulated parallel to the Russian rubles; became the sole legal currency 31 January 1994; was replaced in July 1994 by the som currency

Exchange rates: soms per US$1 - 35.8 (end December 1995), 25 (yearend 1994)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: total: 3,460 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge: 3,460 km 1.520-m gauge (1990)

Highways: total: 78,400 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1990 est.)

Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 810 km (1992)

Ports: Termiz

Airports: total: 261 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 6 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 14 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8 with paved runways under 914 m: 5 with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 7 with unpaved runways under 914 m: 216 (1994 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 1.458 million (1995 est.)

Telephone system: poorly developed domestic: NMT-450 analog cellular network established in Tashkent international: linked by landline or microwave radio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch; new Intelsat links to Tokyo and Ankara give Uzbekistan international access independent of Russian facilities; satellite earth stations - NA Orbita and NA Intelsat

Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note - there is at least one state-owned broadcast station of NA type

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 2

Televisions: NA

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Air and Air Defense, Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 5,672,621 males fit for military service: 4,623,960 males reach military age (18) annually: 231,293 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: 164 million soms, 3.7% of GDP (1993); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results

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

@Vanuatu -------

Map ---

Location: 16 00 S, 167 00 E -- Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia

Flag ----

Description: 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

Geography ---------

Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia

Geographic coordinates: 16 00 S, 167 00 E

Map references: Oceania

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 to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: claims Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia

Climate: tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds

Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Tabwemasana 1,877 m

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: a majority of the population does not have access to a potable and reliable supply of water natural hazards: tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanism causes minor earthquakes international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea

People ------

Population: 177,504 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 40% (male 36,409; female 35,105) 15-64 years: 57% (male 51,969; female 48,901) 65 years and over: 3% (male 2,802; female 2,318) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.17% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 30.57 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 8.84 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.21 male(s)/female all ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 64.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.13 years male: 58.27 years female: 62.09 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 4.01 children born/woman (1996 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 est.) total population: 53% male: 57% female: 48%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu conventional short form: Vanuatu former: New Hebrides

Data code: NH

Type of government: republic

Capital: Port-Vila

Administrative divisions: 6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba

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) was elected for a five-year term by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and the presidents of the regional councils head of government: Prime Minister Maxime Carlot KORMAN (since 23 February 1996) was elected by Parliament from among its members; Deputy Prime Minister Donald KALPOKAS (since 23 February 1996) was appointed by the prime minister from among members of Parliament; note - Prime Minister VOHOR resigned 7 February 1996 when faced with a no-confidence vote in Parliament; Parliament then convened an extraordinary session and voted 30 to 20 to elect Maxime Carlot KORMAN as the new prime minister cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister, responsible to Parliament

Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament: elections last held 30 November 1995 (next to be held NA November 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (50 total) UMP 17, VP 14, NUP 9, MPP 5, TU 2, Na-Griamel Movement 1, Friend Melanesian Party 1, independent 1; note - after the election, a coalition was formed by the Union of Moderate Parties and the National United Party to form a new government on 14 December 1995, but political party associations are fluid note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of custom and land

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chief justice is appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, three other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission

Political parties and leaders: Union of Moderate Parties (UMP), Serge VOHOR; National United Party (NUP), Walter LINI; Unity Front (UF) includes the Vanuatu Party (VP), Donald KALPOKAS, Melanesian Progressive Party (MPP), Barak SOPE, Tan Union (TU), Vincent BOULEKONE, and the Na-Griamel Movement, Frankie STEVENS; Friend Melanesian Party, leader NA; People's Democratic Party (PDP), Sethy REGENVANU; Independence Front (IF), Patrick CROWBY

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, NAM, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in US: Vanuatu does not have an embassy in the US

US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in Vanuatu; 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

Economy -------

Economic overview: The economy is based primarily on subsistence farming which provides a living for the bulk of the population. Fishing and tourism are the other mainstays of the economy, with 43,000 visitors in 1992. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $210 million (1994 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 2% (1994 est.)

GDP per capita: $1,220 (1994 est.)

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1995 est.)

Labor force: 66,597 (1989 est.) by occupation: agriculture 65%, services 32%, industry 3% (1995 est.)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues: $74.8 million expenditures: $76.1 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1994 est.)

Industries: food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning

Industrial production growth rate: 3.4% (1993 est.)

Electricity: capacity: 17,000 kW production: 30 million kWh consumption per capita: 181 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, coconuts, fruits, vegetables; fish

Exports: $24.6 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: copra, beef, cocoa, timber, coffee partners: EU 32%, Japan 29%, Australia 11%, New Caledonia 7% (1993)

Imports: $78.6 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: machines and vehicles, food and beverages, basic manufactures, raw materials and fuels, chemicals partners: Australia 41%, France 15%, NZ 11%, Japan 9%, Fiji 6% (1992)

External debt: $38.2 million (yearend 1993)

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 vatu (VT) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: vatu (VT) per US$1 - 114.40 (January 1996), 112.11 (1995), 116.41 (1994), 121.58 (1993), 113.39 (1992), 111.68 (1991)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: 1,021 km paved: 238 km unpaved: 783 km (1987 est.)

Ports: Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo)

Merchant marine: total: 112 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,587,286 GRT/2,173,970 DWT ships by type: bulk 38, cargo 29, chemical tanker 3, combination bulk 1, container 3, liquefied gas tanker 5, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 6, refrigerated cargo 16, vehicle carrier 10 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 20 countries among which are Japan 37, US 19, Netherlands 10, Greece 6, Hong Kong 6, China 4, Canada 4, UAE 3, Russia 2, and Australia 2 (1995 est.)

Airports: total: 31 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 17 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 11 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 3,000 (1987 est.)

Telephone system: domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 0 (1987 est.)

Televisions: 2,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF; includes the paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force or VMF)

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: NA males fit for military service: NA

Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP

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

@Venezuela ---------

Map ---

Location: 8 00 N, 66 00 W -- Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana

Flag ----

Description: 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

Geography ---------

Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana

Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 66 00 W

Map references: South America

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 border countries: 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 the 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 ======================================================================

@Vietnam -------

Map ---

Location: 16 00 N, 106 00 E -- Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, between China and Cambodia

Flag ----

Description: red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center

Geography ---------

Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, between China and Cambodia

Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 106 00 E

Map references: Southeast Asia

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 border countries: 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 to the edge of the 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 in the South China Sea 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 in the South China Sea occupied by China but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; offshore islands and sections of boundary with Cambodia are in dispute

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 lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Ngoc Linh 3,143 m

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: logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices are contributing to deforestation; soil degradation; water pollution and overfishing threatening marine life populations; inadequate supplies of potable water because of groundwater contamination natural hazards: occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban

People ------

Population: 73,976,973 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 36% (male 13,739,304; female 12,988,929) 15-64 years: 59% (male 20,956,735; female 22,448,944) 65 years and over: 5% (male 1,548,513; female 2,294,548) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.57% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 23 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 6.95 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 38.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.02 years male: 64.69 years female: 69.48 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.69 children born/woman (1996 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, Islam, Protestant

Languages: Vietnamese (official), French, Chinese, English, Khmer, tribal languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 93.7% male: 96.5% female: 91.2%

Government ----------

Name of country: 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

Data code: VM

Type of government: Communist state

Capital: Hanoi

Administrative divisions: 50 provinces (tinh, singular and plural), 3 municipalities* (thu do, 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-Hue, 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) was elected for a five-year term by the National Assembly from among its members head of government: Prime Minister Vo Van KIET (since 9 August 1991) was appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly; First Deputy Prime Minister Phan Van KHAI (since 10 August 1991) and Deputy Prime Ministers Nguyen KHANH (since NA February 1987) and Tran Duc LUONG (since NA February 1987) were appointed by the prime minister cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president on proposal of the prime minister and ratification of the National Assembly

Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Quoc-Hoi): elections last held 19 July 1992 (next to be held NA July 1997); results - CPV is the only party; seats - (395 total) CPV or CPV-approved 395

Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court, chief justice is elected for a five-year term by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president

Political parties and leaders: only party - Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), DO MUOI, general secretary

International organization participation: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, Mekong Group, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad interim Le Van BANG chancery: 1233 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036, Suite 501 telephone: [1] (202) 861-0737 FAX: [1] (202) 861-0917 note: on 11 July 1995, President CLINTON announced the normalization of diplomatic relations with Vietnam; the liaison offices in both countries were upgraded to full embassies on 5 August 1995

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires L. Desaix ANDERSON embassy: 7 Lang Ha Road, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi mailing address: PSC 461, Box 400, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [84] (4) 431500 FAX: [84] (4) 350484 note: on 11 July 1995, President CLINTON announced the normalization of diplomatic relations with Vietnam; the liaison offices in both countries were upgraded to full embassies on 5 August 1995

Flag: red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center

Economy -------

Economic overview: Vietnam's economic performance has been impressive in 1990-95, with real growth averaging over 8% annually. Much of this growth comes from a surge in foreign investment outlays which are estimated at $750 million in 1995, up 50% from 1993 levels. Utilization rates for official development assistance are also increasing, rising to an estimated $535 million in 1995. Foreign capital is contributing to a boom in commercial construction and strong growth in services and industrial output. Crude oil remains the country's largest single export but now accounts for only one-quarter of total exports, slightly more than manufactures. Imports are dominated by capital and intermediate goods closely related to investment outlays. Vietnamese authorities may not be moving quickly enough to establish the financial and legal infrastructure needed to sustain growth through the remainder of the decade. Reform of the banking sector is proceeding slowly, raising concerns that the country will be unable to tap sufficient domestic savings to maintain rapid growth. Administrative and legal barriers are leading to costly delays for foreign investors, raising doubts about Vietnam's ability to maintain the inflow of foreign capital. While government officials are leading an effort to accelerate reform, their continuing ideological bias in favor of state intervention and control of the economy may slow progress toward a more liberalized investment environment. Even with the strong growth of the economy, unemployment at 25% remains a major problem.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $97 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 9.5% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $1,300 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 28% industry: 28% services: 44% (1995 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14% (1995)

Labor force: 32.7 million by occupation: agricultural 65%, industrial and service 35% (1990 est.)

Unemployment rate: 25% (1995 est.)

Budget: revenues: $4.67 billion expenditures: $5 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.36 billion (1995 est.)

Industries: food processing, textiles, machine building, mining, cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil

Industrial production growth rate: 14% (1995 est.)

Electricity: capacity: 4,470,000 kW production: 20 billion kWh consumption per capita: 200 kWh (1995 est.)

Agriculture: paddy rice, corn, potatoes, rubber, soybeans, coffee, tea, bananas; poultry, pigs; fish catch of 943,100 metric tons (1989 est.)

Illicit drugs: opium producer and increasingly important transit point for Southeast Asian heroin destined for the US and Europe; growing opium addiction; possible small-scale heroin production

Exports: $5.3 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: crude oil, rice, marine products, coffee, rubber, tea, and garments partners: Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, France, South Korea

Imports: $7.5 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: petroleum products, machinery and equipment, steel products, fertilizer, raw cotton, grain partners: Singapore, South Korea, Japan, France, Hong Kong, Taiwan

External debt: $7.3 billion Western countries; $4.5 billion CEMA debts primarily to Russia; $9 billion to $18 billion nonconvertible debt (former CEMA, Iraq, Iran)

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $57 million (1993) note: $2.31 billion in credits and grants pledged by international donors for 1996

Currency: 1 new dong (D) = 100 xu

Exchange rates: new dong (D) per US$1 - 11,193 (1995 average), 11,000 (October 1994), 10,800 (November 1993), 8,100 (July 1991), 7,280 (December 1990), 3,996 (March 1990)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: total: 2,835 km (in addition, there are 224 km not restored to service after war damage) standard gauge: 151 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 2,454 km 1.000-m gauge other gauge: 230 km NA-m dual gauge (three rails)

Highways: total: 105,000 km paved: 10,500 km unpaved: 94,500 km (1993 est.)

Waterways: 17,702 km navigable; more than 5,149 km navigable at all times by vessels up to 1.8 m draft

Pipelines: petroleum products 150 km

Ports: Da Nang, Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City, Hon Gai, Qui Nhon, Nha Trang

Merchant marine: total: 112 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 569,269 GRT/947,938 DWT ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 95, oil tanker 10, refrigerated cargo 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 note: Vietnam owns an additional 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 120,320 DWT operating under the registries of Honduras, Panama, The Bahamas, and Malta (1995 est.)

Airports: total: 48 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 8 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 5 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 13 with paved runways under 914 m: 7 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5 with unpaved runways under 914 m: 5 (1994 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 800,000 (1995 est.)

Telephone system: while Vietnam's telecommunication sector lags far behind other countries in Southeast Asia, Hanoi has made considerable progress since 1991 in upgrading the system; Vietnam has digitized fully 100% of provincial switch boards, while fiber-optic and microwave transmission systems have been extended from Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City to all provinces; the density of telephone receivers nationwide doubled from 1993 to 1995, but is still far behind other countries in the region; Vietnam's telecommunications strategy aims to increase telephone density to 30 per 1,000 inhabitants by the year 2000 and authorities estimate that approximately $2.7 billion will be spent on telecommunications upgrades through the end of the decade domestic: NA international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)

Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM 228, shortwave 0

Radios: 7.215 million (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 36 (repeaters 77)

Televisions: 2.9 million (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) (includes Ground Forces, Navy, and Air Force)

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 18,593,129 males fit for military service: 11,769,955 males reach military age (17) annually: 796,312 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $544 million, 2.7% of GDP (1995)

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

@Virgin Islands --------------

(territory of the US)

Map ---

Location: 18 20 N, 64 50 W -- Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico

Flag ----

Description: white with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow 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

Geography ---------

Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico

Geographic coordinates: 18 20 N, 64 50 W

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

Area: total area: 352 sq km land area: 349 sq km comparative area: twice the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 188 km

Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November

Terrain: mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m

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; frequent and severe droughts, floods, and earthquakes international agreements: NA

Geographic 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

People ------

Population: 97,120 (July 1996 est.) note: 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%

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate: -0.06% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 17.57 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -12.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: NA male(s)/female under 15 years: NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female all ages: NA male(s)/female

Infant mortality rate: 12.54 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.29 years male: 73.6 years female: 77.2 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.29 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Virgin Islander(s) adjective: Virgin Islander

Ethnic divisions: black 80%, white 15%, other 5%

Religions: Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%

Languages: English (official), Spanish, Creole

Literacy: NA

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: Virgin Islands of the United States conventional short form: Virgin Islands former: Danish West Indies

Data code: VQ

Type of government: 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 laws

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 (of the United States) William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993) head of government: Governor Dr. Roy L. SCHNEIDER (since 5 January 1995) and Lieutenant Governor Kenneth E. MAPP (since 5 January 1995) were elected for four-year terms by universal suffrage; election last held 22 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1998); results - Dr. Roy L. SCHNEIDER (ICM) 54.7%, former Lieutenant Governor Derek HODGE 42.6%

Legislative branch: unicameral Senate: elections last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held 5 November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total) Democrats 7, independents 7, Republican 1 US House of Representatives: elections last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held 5 November 1996); results - Victor O. FRAZER (ICM) 54.5%, Eileen R. PETERSON (Democrat) 45.5%; seats - (1 total) ICM 1; note - the Virgin Islands elects 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, judges are appointed by the president; Territorial Court, handles civil matters up to $50,000, small claims, juvenile, domestic, misdemeanors, and traffic cases, judges appointed by the governor

Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Marilyn STAPLETON; Independent Citizens' Movement (ICM), Virdin C. BROWN; Republican Party, Charlotte-Poole DAVIS

International organization participation: 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 a yellow 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

Economy -------

Economic 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.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.2 billion (1987 est.)

GDP real growth rate: NA%

GDP per capita: $12,500 (1987 est.)

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%

Labor force: 47,443 (1990 est.) by occupation: agriculture, industry, services, other (1990 est.)

Unemployment rate: 3.7% (1992)

Budget: revenues: $364.4 million expenditures: $364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.)

Industries: tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics

Industrial production growth rate: 12% (year NA)

Electricity: capacity: 320,000 kW production: 970 million kWh consumption per capita: 9,172 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: truck garden products, fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle

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

Economic aid: $NA

Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: US currency is used

Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: 856 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km

Ports: Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Port Alucroix

Merchant marine: none

Airports: total: 2 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2 note: international airports on Saint Thomas and Saint Croix (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 60,000 (1990 est.)

Telephone system: domestic: modern, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay international: submarine cable and satellite communications; satellite earth stations - NA

Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 8, shortwave 0 (1988)

Radios: 105,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 4 (1988 est.)

Televisions: 65,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US

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

@Wake Island -----------

(territory of the US)

Map ---

Location: 19 17 N, 166 36 E -- Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands

Flag ----

Description: the flag of the US is used

Geography ---------

Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands

Geographic coordinates: 19 17 N, 166 36 E

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: 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 lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 6 m

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: occasional typhoons international agreements: NA

Geographic note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights

People ------

Population: no indigenous inhabitants; there are 302 US military and contract personnel (July 1995 est.)

Population growth rate: 0% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population

Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population

Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population

Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years

Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Wake Island

Data code: WQ

Type of government: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Army and Strategic Defense Command since 1 October 1994

Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC

Independence: none (territory of the US)

Flag: the flag of the US is used

Economy -------

Economic 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

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Ports: none; two offshore anchorages for large ships

Merchant marine: none

Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 (1995 est.)

Transportation 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

Communications --------------

Telephones: NA

Telephone system: satellite communications; 1 DSN circuit off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS) domestic: NA international: NA

Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM NA, shortwave NA note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio service provided by satellite

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: NA note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) television service provided by satellite

Televisions: NA

Defense -------

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US

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

@Wallis and Futuna -----------------

(overseas territory of France)

Map ---

Location: 13 18 S, 176 12 W -- Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Flag ----

Description: a white modified Maltese cross centered on a red background; the flag of France outlined in white on two sides is in the upper hoist quadrant; the flag of France is used for official occasions

Geography ---------

Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates: 13 18 S, 176 12 W

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); rains 2,500-3,000 mm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees C

Terrain: volcanic origin; low hills lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Singavi 765 m

Natural resources: NEGL

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: deforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain) largely as a result of the continued use of wood as the main fuel source; as a consequence of cutting down the forests, the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion; there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack of natural fresh water resources natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA

Geographic note: both island groups have fringing reefs

People ------

Population: 14,659 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate: 1.11% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 24.38 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 5.02 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -8.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: NA male(s)/female under 15 years: NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female all ages: NA male(s)/female

Infant mortality rate: 23.59 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.76 years male: 72.16 years female: 73.4 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3 children born/woman (1996 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 100%

Languages: French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language)

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1969 est.) total population: 50% male: 50% female: 50%

Government ----------

Name of country: 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

Data code: WF

Type of government: overseas territory of France

Capital: Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea)

Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three kingdoms named Wallis, Sigave, Alo

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 (of France) Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995), represented by High Administrator Leon-Alexandre LEGRAND (since NA) was appointed by the French Ministry of the Interior head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Mikaele TAUHAVILI (since NA) cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of three kings and three 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 22 March 1992 (next to be held NA March 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (20 total) RPR 9, Taumu'a Lelei 11 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; note - Wallis and Futuna elect one deputy

Judicial branch: none; justice generally administered under French law by the high 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); Taumu'a Lelei

International organization participation: FZ, SPC

Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas territory of France)

US diplomatic representation: none (overseas territory of France)

Flag: a white modified Maltese cross centered on a red background; the flag of France outlined in white on two sides is in the upper hoist quadrant; the flag of France is used for official occasions

Economy -------

Economic 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 - particularly sugar, rice, and beef - fuel, clothing, machinery, and transport equipment, but its exports are negligible, consisting of copra and handicrafts.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $28.7 million (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: NA%

GDP per capita: $2,500 (1995 est.)

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%

Labor force: NA by occupation: agriculture, livestock, and fishing 80%, government 4% (est.)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues: $14.04 million expenditures: $14.04 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1994 est.)

Industries: copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity: capacity: 1,200 kW production: 1 million kWh consumption per capita: 70 kWh (1990)

Agriculture: yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats

Exports: $370,000 (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: copra, handicrafts partners: NA

Imports: $13.5 million (c.i.f., 1995 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, transportation equipment, fuel, clothing partners: France, Australia, New Zealand

External debt: $NA

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 91.00 (January 1996), 90.75 (1995), 100.94 (1994), 102.96 (1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: 120 km (Ile Uvea 100 km, Ile Futuna 20 km) paved: 16 km (all on Ile Uvea) unpaved: 104 km (Ile Uvea 84 km, Ile Futuna 20 km)

Waterways: none

Ports: Leava, Mata-Utu

Merchant marine: total: 1 oil tanker (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 26,000 GRT/40,000 DWT (1995 est.)

Airports: total: 2 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 340 (1985 est.)

Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA

Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 0

Televisions: NA

Defense -------

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France

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

@West Bank ---------

The Israel-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. Permanent status negotiations began on 5 May 1996.

Map ---

Location: 32 00 N, 35 15 E -- Middle East, west of Jordan

Geography ---------

Location: Middle East, west of Jordan

Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 35 15 E

Map references: Middle East

Area: total area: 5,860 sq km land area: 5,640 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Delaware note: includes West Bank, Latrun Salient, and the northwest quarter of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus; East Jerusalem and Jerusalem No Man's Land are also included only as a means of depicting the entire area occupied by Israel in 1967

Land boundaries: total: 404 km border countries: 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 current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation

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 lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Tall Asur 1,022 m

Natural resources: NEGL

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

Geographic note: landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastal aquifers; there are 202 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the West Bank and 26 in East Jerusalem (August 1995 est.)

People ------

Population: 1,427,741 (July 1996 est.) note: in addition, there are 127,600 Israeli settlers in the West Bank and 153,700 in East Jerusalem (August 1995 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 332,628; female 315,968) 15-64 years: 51% (male 368,180; female 362,880) 65 years and over: 4% (male 20,495; female 27,590) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 4.99% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 38.78 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 4.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 15.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 28.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.76 years male: 70.17 years female: 73.44 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.2 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: NA adjective: NA

Ethnic divisions: Palestinian Arab and other 83%, Jewish 17%

Religions: Muslim 75% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 17%, Christian and other 8%

Languages: Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers), English (widely understood)

Literacy: NA

Government ----------

Government note: Under the Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements ("the DOP"), Israel agreed to transfer certain powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, a Palestinian Legislative Council, elected in January 1996, 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. A transfer of powers and responsibilities in certain spheres for the rest of the West Bank has taken place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 29 August 1994 Agreement on Preparatory Transfer of Powers and Responsibilities. A transfer of powers and responsibilities in additional areas of the West Bank has taken place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28 September 1995 Interim Agreement. 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. Permanent status is to be determined through direct negotiations within five years.

Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: West Bank

Data code: WE

Economy -------

Economic 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. GDP has been substantially supplemented by 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. The area's economic situation has worsened since Israel imposed stringent border restrictions in 1995 and 1996.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.7 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 3%-4% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $2,500 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 33% industry: 7% services: 60% (1995 est., includes Gaza Strip)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14% (1995 est.)

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 Israeli settlers

Unemployment rate: 25%-30% (1995 est.)

Budget: $NA

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

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity: capacity: NA kW production: NA kWh consumption per capita: NA kWh note: most electricity imported from Israel; East Jerusalem Electric Company buys and distributes electricity to Palestinians in East Jerusalem and its concession in the West Bank; the Israel Electric Company directly supplies electricity to most Jewish residents and military facilities; at the same time, some Palestinian municipalities, such as Nabulus and Janin, generate their own electricity from small power plants

Agriculture: olives, citrus and other fruits, vegetables; beef, dairy products

Exports: $116 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: olives, fruit, vegetables partners: Jordan, Israel

Imports: $791 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.) commodities: food, consumer goods, construction materials partners: Jordan, Israel

External debt: $NA

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA note: $410 million (est.) disbursed from international aid pledged in 1995 (includes aid to Gaza Strip)

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 - 3.1295 (January 1996), 3.0113 (1995), 3.0111 (1994), 2.8301 (1993), 2.4591 (1992), 2.2791 (1991); Jordanian dinars (JD) per US$1 - 0.7090 (January 1996), 0.7005 (1995), 0.6987 (1994), 0.6928 (1993), 0.6797 (1992), 0.6808 (1991)

Fiscal year: calendar year (since 1 January 1992)

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km note: small road network; Israelis have developed many highways to service Jewish settlements

Ports: none

Airports: total: 2 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: NA note: 8% of Palestinian households have telephones (1992 est.)

Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA note: Israeli company BEZEK is responsible for communication services in the West Bank

Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0

Radios: NA; note - 82% of Palestinian households have radios (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 0 note: 1 broadcast station is planned for Jericho

Televisions: NA; note - 54% of Palestinian households have televisions (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: NA

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: NA males fit for military service: NA

Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP

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

@Western Sahara --------------

Map ---

Location: 24 30 N, 13 00 W -- Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco

Geography ---------

Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco

Geographic coordinates: 24 30 N, 13 00 W

Map references: Africa

Area: total area: 266,000 sq km land area: 266,000 sq km comparative area: about the size of Colorado

Land boundaries: total: 2,046 km border countries: 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 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 lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m highest point: unnamed location 463 m

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

People ------

Population: 222,631 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate: 2.46% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 46.51 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 18.02 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -3.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: NA male(s)/female under 15 years: NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female all ages: NA male(s)/female

Infant mortality rate: 145.82 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.01 years male: 46 years female: 48.34 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.85 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s) adjective: Sahrawian, Sahraouian

Ethnic divisions: Arab, Berber

Religions: Muslim

Languages: Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic

Literacy: NA

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Western Sahara

Data code: WI

Type of government: 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 defacto control of Morocco)

Executive branch: none

International organization participation: none

Diplomatic representation in US: none

US diplomatic representation: none

Economy -------

Economic overview: Western Sahara, a territory poor in natural resources and having little rainfall, depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining as 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. Incomes and standards of living are substantially below the Moroccan level.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA

GDP real growth rate: NA%

GDP per capita: $NA

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%

Labor force: 12,000 by occupation: animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50%

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA

Industries: phosphate mining, handicrafts

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity: capacity: 60,000 kW production: 79 million kWh consumption per capita: 339 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep, goats (kept by the nomads)

Exports: $NA commodities: phosphates 62% partners: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts

Imports: $NA 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

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1 - 8.607 (January 1996), 8.540 (1995), 9.203 (1994), 9.299 (1993), 8.538 (1992), 8.707 (1991)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: 6,200 km paved: 0 km unpaved: 6,200 km

Ports: Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, El Aaiun

Airports: total: 12 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3 with paved runways under 914 m: 3 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5 (1995 est.)

Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 2,000

Telephone system: sparse and limited system domestic: NA international: tied into Morocco's system by microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to Rabat, Morocco

Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 2

Televisions: NA

Defense -------

Branches: NA

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: NA males fit for military service: NA

Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP

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

@Western Samoa -------------

Map ---

Location: 13 35 S, 172 20 W -- Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Flag ----

Description: red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation

Geography ---------

Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates: 13 35 S, 172 20 W

Map references: Oceania

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 lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mauga Silisili 1,857 m

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: occasional typhoons; active volcanism international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection

People ------

Population: 214,384 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 40% (male 43,540; female 42,185) 15-64 years: 56% (male 62,742; female 57,323) 65 years and over: 4% (male 4,089; female 4,505) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.37% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 31.12 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 5.75 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -1.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female all ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 34.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.73 years male: 66.35 years female: 71.24 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.93 children born/woman (1996 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 one-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 est.) total population: 97% male: 97% female: 97%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: Independent State of Western Samoa conventional short form: Western Samoa

Data code: WS

Type of government: 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 New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship)

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

Executive branch: chief of state: Chief Susuga MALIETOA Tanumafili II (co-chief of state from 1 January 1962 until becoming sole chief of state 5 April 1963); upon his death, a new chief of state will be elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a five-year term head of government: Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana (since 7 April 1988) was appointed by the chief of state with approval of the Legislative Assembly cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the chief of state with the prime minister's advice

Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (Fono): elections last held 5 April 1991 (next to be held 26 April 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (47 total) HRPP 28, SNDP 18, independents 1 note: only matai (head of family) are able to run for the Legislative Assembly

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; Samoan Progressive Conservative Party, LEOTA Ituau Ale; Samoa All People's Party (SAPP), Matatumua MAIMOAGA

International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tuiloma Neroni SLADE chancery: 820 Second Avenue, Suite 800, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6196, 6197 FAX: [1] (212) 599-0797

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Josiah Horton BEEMAN (Ambassador to New Zealand and Western Samoa, resides in Wellington, New Zealand) embassy: 5th floor, Beach Road, Apia mailing address: P.O. Box 3430, Apia telephone: [685] 21631 FAX: [685] 22030

Flag: red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation

Economy -------

Economic overview: Agriculture employs more than one-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 supplement GDP and to support a level of imports much greater than export earnings. Tourism has become the most important growth industry. The economy continued to falter in 1994, as remittances and tourist earnings remained low. Production of taro, the primary food export crop, dropped 97% in 1993/94 when a fungal disease threatened the country's basic food crops. Nevertheless, the government is relying on recovery and further expansion in agricultural production to sustain economic growth of around 5% over the next several years.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $415 million (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $1,900 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 50% industry: NA% services: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 18% (1994)

Labor force: 45,635 (1986 est.) by occupation: agriculture 65%, services 30%, industry 5% (1995 est.)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues: $78.6 million expenditures: $81.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.)

Industries: timber, tourism, food processing, fishing

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity: capacity: 29,000 kW production: 50 million kWh consumption per capita: 200 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: coconuts, bananas, taro, yams

Exports: $6.4 million (f.o.b., 1993) 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: $141 million (June 1993)

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 tala (WS$) = 100 sene

Exchange rates: tala (WS$) per US$1 - 2.5195 (January 1996), 2.4722 (1995), 2.5349 (1994), 2.5681 (1993), 2.4655 (1992), 2.3975 (1991)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: 2,030 km paved: 373 km unpaved: 1,657 km (1988 est.)

Ports: Apia, Asau, Mulifanua, Salelologa

Merchant marine: total: 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,838 GRT/5,536 DWT (1995 est.)

Airports: total: 3 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 2 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 7,500 (1988 est.)

Telephone system: domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0

Radios: 76,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 0 (1987 est.)

Televisions: 6,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: no regular armed services; Western Samoa Police Force

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: NA males fit for military service: NA

Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP

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

@World -----

Map ---

Geography ---------

Map references: World, Time Zones

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 15 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; 43 nations and other areas that are landlocked include Afghanistan, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Holy See (Vatican City), Hungary, Kazakstan, 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: the greatest ocean depth is the Marianas Trench at 10,924 m in the Pacific Ocean lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Mount Everest 8,848 m

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: selected international environmental agreements are included under the Environment entry for each country and in the Selected International Environmental Agreements appendix

People ------

Population: 5,771,939,007 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 31% (male 919,402,570; female 874,330,478) 15-64 years: 62% (male 1,824,524,365; female 1,776,639,084) 65 years and over: 7% (male 162,216,128; female 213,712,993)

Population growth rate: 1.4% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 23 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 60 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62 years male: 61 years female: 64 years

Total fertility rate: 2.9 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Government ----------

Data code: none; there is no FIPS 10-4 country code for the World, so the Factbook uses the "W" data code from DIAM 65-18 "Geopolitical Data Elements and Related Features," Data Standard No. 3, March 1984, published by the Defense Intelligence Agency; see the Cross-Reference List of Country Data Codes appendix

Administrative divisions: 266 nations, dependent areas, other, and miscellaneous entries

Legal system: varies by individual country; 186 (not including Yugoslavia) are parties to the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ or World Court)

Economy -------

Economic overview: Real global output - gross world product (GWP) - again rose 3% in 1995, with the newly industrializing Third World countries setting the pace. And once more, results varied widely among regions and countries. Average growth of 2.5% in the GDP of industrialized countries (56% of GWP in 1995) and average growth of 5% in the GDP of less developed countries (38% of GWP) were partly offset by a small 1.5% drop in the GDP of the former USSR/Eastern Europe area (only 6% of GWP). With the notable exception of Japan at 3.1%, unemployment was typically 6%-12% in the industrial world. The US accounted for 22% of GWP in 1995; Western Europe accounted for 21%; and Japan accounted for 8%. These are the three "economic superpowers" 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 records of 5% growth or better; however, many other countries, especially in Africa, continued to suffer from drought, rapid population growth, inflation, and civil strife. Central Europe continued its progress in moving toward "market-friendly" economies. The 15 ex-Soviet countries typically experienced further declines in output, although considerably less than in 1992-94. 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 the former Yugoslavia, in India, and in Canada. 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 specific economic developments in each country, see the individual country entries in this volume.)

GDP: GWP (gross world product) - purchasing power parity - $33.7 trillion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 3% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $5,900 (1995 est.)

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices): all countries: 25% developed countries: 2% to 6% typically developing countries: 10% to 60% typically (1995 est.) note: national inflation rates vary widely in individual cases, from stable prices in Japan to hyperinflation in a number of Third World countries

Labor force: 2.24 billion (1992) by occupation: NA

Unemployment rate: 30% combined unemployment and underemployment in many non-industrialized countries; developed countries typically 6%-12% unemployment (1995 est.)

Industries: 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; the rapid development of new industrial (and agricultural) technology is complicating already grim environmental problems

Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)

Electricity: capacity: 2,773,000,000 kW production: 11.601 trillion kWh consumption per capita: 1,937 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: the whole gamut of crops, livestock, forest products, and fish

Exports: $4.3 trillion (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and services partners: in value, about 75% of exports from the developed countries

Imports: $4.4 trillion (c.i.f., 1995 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: $2 trillion for less developed countries (1995 est.)

Economic aid: worldwide traditional foreign aid $50 billion (1995 est.)

Transportation --------------

Railways: total: 1,201,337 km 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 4,160 km in North America; note - fastest speed in daily service is 300 km/hr attained by France's Societe Nationale des Chemins-de-Fer Francais (SNCF) Le Train a Grande Vitesse (TGV) - Atlantique line broad gauge: 251,153 km standard gauge: 710,754 km narrow gauge: 239,430 km

Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km

Ports: Chiba, Houston, Kawasaki, Kobe, Marseille, Mina' al Ahmadi (Kuwait), New Orleans, New York, Rotterdam, Yokohama

Merchant marine: total: 25,521 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 442,276,527 GRT/701,647,274 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 22, bulk 5,308, cargo 8,089, chemical tanker 920, combination bulk 307, combination ore/oil 279, container 1,938, liquefied gas tanker 709, livestock carrier 52, multifunction large-load carrier 62, oil tanker 4,320, passenger 298, passenger-cargo 117, railcar carrier 21, refrigerated cargo 1,022, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1,034, short-sea passenger 484, specialized tanker 81, vehicle carrier 458 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: NA

Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA

Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: NA

Televisions: NA

Defense -------

Branches: ground, maritime, and air forces at all levels of technology

Defense expenditures: probably a small decline in 1995 in aggregate real expenditure on arms worldwide and somewhat less than three-quarters of a trillion dollars in money terms, or roughly 2% of gross world product (1995 est.)

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

@Yemen -----

Map ---

Location: 15 00 N, 48 00 E -- Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea, between Oman and Saudi Arabia

Flag ----

Description: 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

Geography ---------

Location: Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea, between Oman and Saudi Arabia

Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 48 00 E

Map references: Middle East

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 border countries: 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 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: large section of boundary with Saudi Arabia not defined; a dispute with Eritrea over sovereignty of the Hanish Islands in the southern Red Sea has been submitted to arbitration under the auspices of the International Court of Justice

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 lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m highest point: Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb 3,760 m

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: very limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification natural hazards: sandstorms and dust storms in summer international agreements: party to - Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change

Geographic note: controls Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, one of world's most active shipping lanes

People ------

Population: 13,483,178 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (male 3,302,489; female 3,122,246) 15-64 years: 50% (male 3,327,682; female 3,364,787) 65 years and over: 2% (male 158,018; female 207,956) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 3.56% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 45.22 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 9.59 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 71.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59.58 years male: 58.23 years female: 60.99 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 7.29 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Yemeni(s) adjective: Yemeni

Ethnic divisions: predominantly Arab; Afro-Arab concentrations in western coastal locations; South Asians in southern regions; small European communities in major metropolitan areas

Religions: Muslim including Sha'fi (Sunni) and Zaydi (Shi'a), small numbers of Jewish, Christian, and Hindu

Languages: Arabic

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 38% male: 53% female: 26%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Yemen conventional short form: Yemen local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Yamaniyah local short form: Al Yaman

Data code: YM

Type of government: republic

Capital: Sanaa

Administrative divisions: 17 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Abyan, Aden, Al Bayda, Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Al Mahrah, Al Mahwit, Ataq, Dhamar, Hadhramaut, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahij, Ma'rib, Sa'dah, San'a', Ta'izz note: there may be a new governorate for the capital city of Sanaa

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; amended 29 September 1994

Legal system: based on Islamic law, Turkish law, English common law, and local tribal customary law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Ali Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May 1990, the former president of North Yemen, assumed office upon the merger of North and South Yemen) was elected for a five-year term by the House of Representatives; election last held 1 October 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); Vice President Maj. Gen. Abd al-Rab Mansur al-HADI (since NA October 1994) was appointed by the president head of government: Prime Minister Abd al-Aziz ABD AL-GHANI (since NA October 1994) was appointed by the president; Deputy Prime Ministers Abd al-Wahhab al-ANISI (since NA October 1994), Dr. Abd al-Karim Ali al-IRYANI (since NA October 1994), Dr. Muhammad Said al-ATTAR (since NA October 1994), and Abd al-Qadir al-BA JAMAL (since NA October 1994) cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on advice of the prime minister

Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives: elections last held 27 April 1993 (next to be held NA May 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (301 total) GPC 124, Islaah 61, YSP 55, others 13, independents 47, election nullified 1

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders: over 40 political parties are active in Yemen, but only three project significant influence; since the May-July 1994 civil war, President SALIH's General People's Congress (GPC) and Shaykh Abdallah bin Husayn al-AHMAR's Yemeni Grouping for Reform, or Islaah, have joined to form a coalition government; the Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP), headed by Ali Salih UBAYD, has regrouped as a loyal opposition

Other political or pressure groups: NA

International organization participation: ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Muhsin Ahmad al-AYNI chancery: Suite 705, 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 965-4760, 4761 FAX: [1] (202) 337-2017

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador David G. NEWTON embassy: Dhahr Himyar Zone, Sheraton Hotel District, Sanaa mailing address: P. O. Box 22347, Sanaa telephone: [967] (1) 238843 through 238852 FAX: [967] (1) 251563

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

Economy -------

Economic 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 the country's 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 has made northern Yemen dependent on imports for practically all of its essential needs. 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. Yemen's large trade deficits have been compensated for by remittances from Yemenis working abroad and by foreign aid. Since the Gulf crisis, remittances have dropped substantially. High inflation and political divisions hinder the development of a forward-looking economic policy.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $37.1 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 3.6% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $2,520 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 21% industry: 24% services: 55%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 71.3% (1994 est.)

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 one-half of the labor force

Unemployment rate: 30% (1995 est.)

Budget: revenues: $1.4 billion expenditures: $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.)

Industries: crude oil production and petroleum refining; small-scale production of cotton textiles and leather goods; food processing; handicrafts; small aluminum products factory; cement

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity: capacity: 810,000 kW production: 1.8 billion kWh consumption per capita: 149 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: grain, fruits, vegetables, qat (mildly narcotic shrub), coffee, cotton; dairy products, poultry, meat; fish

Exports: $1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: crude oil, cotton, coffee, hides, vegetables, dried and salted fish partners: US 17%, Japan 16%, Singapore 15%, China 13% (1994)

Imports: $1.8 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) commodities: textiles and other manufactured consumer goods, petroleum products, sugar, grain, flour, other foodstuffs, cement, machinery, chemicals partners: US 11%, UK 7%, France 7%, Germany 5%, Japan 5% (1994)

External debt: $8 billion (1996)

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $148 million (1993)

Currency: Yemeni rial (new currency)

Exchange rates: Yemeni rials per US$1 - 12.010 (official fixed rate); 90 (market rate, December 1994)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: 51,392 km paved: 4,831 km unpaved: 46,561 km (1992 est.)

Pipelines: crude oil 644 km; petroleum products 32 km

Ports: Aden, Al Hudaydah, Al Mukalla, Mocha, Nishtun

Merchant marine: total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 12,059 GRT/18,563 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, oil tanker 2 (1995 est.)

Airports: total: 41 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 6 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 3 with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 2 with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 8 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 9 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 10 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 131,655 (1992 est.)

Telephone system: since unification in 1990, efforts have been made to create a national telecommunications network domestic: the network consists of microwave radio relay, cable, and tropospheric scatter international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 2 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and Djibouti

Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 1, shortwave 0

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 10

Televisions: 350,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary (includes Police)

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 2,985,764 males fit for military service: 1,685,517 males reach military age (18) annually: 145,161 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP

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

@Zaire -----

Map ---

Location: 0 00 N, 25 00 E -- Central Africa, northeast of Angola

Flag ----

Description: 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

Geography ---------

Location: Central Africa, northeast of Angola

Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 25 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area: total area: 2,345,410 sq km land area: 2,267,600 sq km comparative area: slightly more than one-fourth the size of US

Land boundaries: total: 10,271 km border countries: 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 economic zone: boundaries with neighbors territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: Tanzania-Zaire-Zambia tripoint in Lake Tanganyika may no longer be indefinite since it has been informally 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 lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Margherita Peak (Mount Stanley) 5,110 m

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; 1.2 million Rwandan refugees are responsible for significant deforestation, soil erosion, and wildlife poaching in eastern Zaire natural hazards: periodic droughts in south; volcanic activity international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Environmental Modification

Geographic 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

People ------

Population: 46,498,539 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (male 11,161,347; female 11,124,583) 15-64 years: 49% (male 11,197,097; female 11,783,524) 65 years and over: 3% (male 539,775; female 692,213) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.67% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 48.1 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 16.9 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -14.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.) note: in 1994, more than one million refugees fled into Zaire to escape the fighting between the Hutus and the Tutsis in Rwanda and Burundi; a small number of these returned to their homes in 1995 despite fear of the ongoing violence; additionally, Zaire is host to about 100,000 Angolan, and about 100,000 Sudanese refugees

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 108 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.7 years male: 44.97 years female: 48.47 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.64 children born/woman (1996 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 (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write in French, Lingala, Kingwana, or Tshiluba (1995 est.) total population: 77.3% male: 86.6% female: 67.7%

Government ----------

Name of country: 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

Data code: CG

Type of government: 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) elected for a seven-year term by popular vote; election last held 29 July 1984 (next to be held by 9 July 1997); results - President MOBUTU was reelected without opposition head of government: Prime Minister Leon KENGO wa Dondo (since 14 June 1994) elected by the High Council of the Republic cabinet: National Executive Council, appointed by mutual agreement of the president and 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); Union of Federalists and Independent Republicans (UFERI); Unified Lumumbast Party (PALU), Antoine GIZENGA; Union of Independent Democrats (UDI), Leon KENGO wa Dondo

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador TATANENE Manata chancery: 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7690, 7691

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel H. SIMPSON embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa mailing address: Unit 31550, APO AE 09828 telephone: [243] (12) 21533 through 21535 FAX: [243] (88) 43805, ext. 2308 or 43467

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

Economy -------

Economic overview: Zaire's economy has continued to disintegrate, although Prime Minister KENGO has had some success in slowing the rate of economic decline. While meaningful economic figures are difficult to come by, Zaire's hyperinflation, chronic large government deficits, and plunging mineral production have made the country one of the world's poorest. Most formal transactions are conducted in hard currency as indigenous bank notes 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 IMF nor put in place the financial measures advocated by it. Although short-term prospects for improvement remain doubtful, improved political stability would boost Zaire's long-term potential to effectively exploit its vast mineral and agricultural resources.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $16.5 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: -7.4% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $400 (1995 est.)

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% monthly average (1995 est.)

Labor force: 14.51 million (1993 est.) by occupation: agriculture 65%, industry 16%, services 19% (1991 est.)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues: $479 million expenditures: $479 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.)

Industries: mining, mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and beverages), cement, diamonds

Industrial production growth rate: -20% (1993)

Electricity: capacity: 2,830,000 kW production: 6.2 billion kWh consumption per capita: 133 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products

Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for domestic consumption

Exports: $419 million (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: copper, coffee, diamonds, cobalt, crude oil partners: US, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, UK, Japan, South Africa

Imports: $382 million (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: consumer goods, foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment, fuels partners: South Africa, US, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK

External debt: $11.3 billion (December 1993 est.)

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 zaire (Z) = 100 makuta

Exchange rates: new zaires (Z) per US$1 - 10,618 (October 1995), 1,194 (1994), 3 (1993); zaire (Z) per US$1 - 645,549 (1992), 15,587 (1991) note: on 22 October 1993 the new zaire, equal to 3,000,000 old zaires, was introduced

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: total: 5,138 km (1995); note - severely reduced trackage in use because of civil strife narrow gauge: 3,987 km 1.067-m gauge (858 km electrified); 125 km 1.000-m gauge; 1,026 km 0.600-m gauge

Highways: total: 145,000 km paved: 290 km unpaved: 144,710 km (1991 est.)

Waterways: 15,000 km including the Congo, its tributaries, and unconnected lakes

Pipelines: petroleum products 390 km

Ports: Banana, Boma, Bukavu, Bumba, Goma, Kalemie, Kindu, Kinshasa, Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka

Merchant marine: none

Airports: total: 217 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 4 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 15 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 with paved runways under 914 m: 82 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 17 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 94 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 34,000 (1991 est.)

Telephone system: domestic: barely adequate wire and microwave radio relay service in and between urban areas; domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 4, shortwave 0

Radios: 3.87 million (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 18

Televisions: 55,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, paramilitary Civil Guard, Special Presidential Division

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 10,025,536 males fit for military service: 5,108,385 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $46 million, 1.5% of GDP (1990)

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

@Zambia ------

Map ---

Location: 15 00 S, 30 00 E -- Southern Africa, east of Angola

Flag ----

Description: 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

Geography ---------

Location: Southern Africa, east of Angola

Geographic coordinates: 15 00 S, 30 00 E

Map references: Africa

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 border countries: 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 has been informally 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 lowest point: Zambezi river 329 m highest point: in Mafinga Hills 2,301 m

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: air pollution and resulting acid rain in the mineral extraction and refining region; poaching seriously threatens rhinoceros and elephant populations; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; lack of adequate water treatment presents human health risks natural hazards: tropical storms (November to April) international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification

Geographic note: landlocked

People ------

Population: 9,159,072 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 49% (male 2,272,981; female 2,244,403) 15-64 years: 48% (male 2,157,106; female 2,256,935) 65 years and over: 3% (male 110,433; female 117,214) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.11% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 44.73 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 23.65 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 96.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 36.31 years male: 36.15 years female: 36.46 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.55 children born/woman (1996 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), major vernaculars - Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga, and about 70 other indigenous languages

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write in English (1995 est.) total population: 78.2% male: 85.6% female: 71.3%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Zambia conventional short form: Zambia former: Northern Rhodesia

Data code: ZA

Type of government: 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) elected for a five-year term by popular vote; Vice President General Godfrey MIYANDA (since NA August 1994) appointed by the president; election last held 31 October 1991 (next to be held October 1996); results - Frederick CHILUBA 84%, Kenneth KAUNDA 16% cabinet: Cabinet, appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly

Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly: elections last held 31 October 1991 (next to be held October 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 four of the resulting byelections

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, justices are appointed by the president

Political parties and leaders: Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), Frederick CHILUBA; United National Independence Party (UNIP), Kenneth KAUNDA; National Party (NP), Humphrey MULEMBIA; Labor Party (LP), Chibiza MFUNI; Zambia Democratic Congress (ZDC), Dean MUNG'OMBA; Liberal Progressive Front (LPF), Roger CHONGWE, president

International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, SADC, UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dunstan Weston KAMANA chancery: 2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-9717 through 9719 FAX: [1] (202) 332-0826

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Roland K. KUCHEL embassy: corner of Independence Avenue and United Nations Avenue, Lusaka mailing address: P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka telephone: [260] (1) 250-955, 252-230 FAX: [260] (1) 252-225

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

Economy -------

Economic overview: Despite continuing progress in privatization and budgetary reform, Zambia's economy is showing little improvement. Inflation, while slowing somewhat, continues to be a major concern to the CHILUBA government. Four of Zambia's 20 banks collapsed in 1995, and the nation's debt stood at about $7 billion. Zambia's copper mining sector, which accounts for over 80% of the nation's foreign currency intake, is struggling. Production rates are down as are world copper prices. Food production is insufficient to meet the country's needs due to previous droughts and an end to government subsidization of agriculture. While the government's economic program aims for 6% growth in each of the next three years, a growth rate of 3-5% is more likely.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $8.9 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: NA%

GDP per capita: $900 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 32% industry: 22% services: 46% (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 55% (1994 est.)

Labor force: 3.4 million by occupation: agriculture 85%, mining, manufacturing, and construction 6%, transport and services 9%

Unemployment rate: 22% (1991)

Budget: revenues: $665 million expenditures: $767 million, including capital expenditures of $300 million (1991 est.)

Industries: copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer

Industrial production growth rate: -1% (1992)

Electricity: capacity: 2,440,000 kW production: 7.8 billion kWh consumption per capita: 650 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower seed, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca); cattle, goats, beef, eggs

Illicit drugs: increasingly a regional transshipment center for methaqualone and heroin

Exports: $1.075 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: copper, zinc, cobalt, lead, tobacco partners: EU countries, Japan, South Africa, US, India, Thailand, Malaysia

Imports: $845 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, foodstuffs, fuels, manufactures partners: EU countries, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, US

External debt: $7 billion (1995 est.)

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $734 million (1993)

Currency: 1 Zambian kwacha (ZK) = 100 ngwee

Exchange rates: Zambian kwacha (ZK) per US$1 - 909.09 (December 1995), 833.33 (1995), 769.23 (1994), 434.78 (1993), 156.25 (1992), 61.7284 (1991)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: total: 2,164 km (1995) narrow gauge: 2,164 km 1.067-m gauge (13 km double track) note: the total includes 891 km of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), which operates 1,860 km of 1.067-m narrow gauge track between Dar es Salaam and New Kapiri M'poshi where it connects to the Zambia Railways system; TAZARA is not a part of Zambia Railways

Highways: total: 37,359 km paved: 6,575 km (including 56 km of expressways) unpaved: 30,784 km (1992 est.)

Waterways: 2,250 km, including Zambezi and Luapula rivers, Lake Tanganyika

Pipelines: crude oil 1,724 km

Ports: Mpulungu

Airports: total: 104 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 with paved runways under 914 m: 35 with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 54 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 80,900 (1987 est.)

Telephone system: facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa domestic: high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 11, FM 5, shortwave 0

Radios: 1,889,140

Television broadcast stations: 9

Televisions: 215,000 (1995 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Air Force, paramilitary forces, Police

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 1,934,845 males fit for military service: 1,020,851 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $96 million, 2.7% of GDP (1995)

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

@Zimbabwe --------

Map ---

Location: 20 00 S, 30 00 E -- Southern Africa, northeast of Botswana

Flag ----

Description: 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

Geography ---------

Location: Southern Africa, northeast of Botswana

Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 30 00 E

Map references: Africa

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 border countries: 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 lowest point: junction of the Lundi and Savi rivers 162 m highest point: Inyangani 2,592 m

Natural resources: coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals

Land use: arable land: 7% permanent crops: NEGL (coffee) meadows and pastures: 13% forest and woodland: 49% other: 31%

Irrigated land: 2,250 sq km (1993 est.)

Environment: current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air and water pollution; the black rhinoceros herd - once the largest concentration of the species in the world - has been significantly reduced by poaching natural hazards: recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Desertification

Geographic note: landlocked

People ------

Population: 11,271,314 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 44% (male 2,513,606; female 2,481,478) 15-64 years: 53% (male 2,935,188; female 3,030,270) 65 years and over: 3% (male 152,244; female 158,528) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.41% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 32.34 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 18.2 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.) note: there is a small but steady flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa in search of better paid employment

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female all ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 72.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 41.85 years male: 41.91 years female: 41.78 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 4.09 children born/woman (1996 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 (the language of the Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write in English (1995 est.) total population: 85% male: 90% female: 80%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Zimbabwe conventional short form: Zimbabwe former: Southern Rhodesia

Data code: ZI

Type of government: parliamentary democracy

Capital: Harare

Administrative divisions: 8 provinces and 2 cities* with provincial status; Bulawayo*, Harare*, 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) was nominated by the House of Assembly (if more than one nomination, electoral college of members of the House of Assembly elect the president); election last held 26-27 March 1996 (next to be held NA March 2002); results - Robert MUGABE 92.7%, Abel MUZOREWA 4.8%; Ndabaningi SITHOLE 2.4%; Co-Vice President Simon Vengai MUZENDA (since 31 December 1987); Co-Vice President Joshua M. NKOMO (since 6 August 1990) was appointed by the president cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president; responsible to Parliament

Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament: elections last held 8-9 April 1995 (next to be held NA March 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (150 total, 120 elected) ZANU-PF 118, ZANU-Ndonga 2

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders: Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), Robert MUGABE; Zimbabwe African National Union-NDONGA (ZANU-NDONGA), Ndabaningi SITHOLE; Zimbabwe Unity Movement (ZUM), Edgar TEKERE; Democratic Party (DP), Emmanuel MAGOCHE; Forum Party of Zimbabwe, Enock DUMBUTSHENA; United Parties, Abel MUZOREWA

International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, PCA, SADC, UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Amos Bernard Muvengwa MIDZI chancery: 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 332-7100 FAX: [1] (202) 483-9326

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Johnnie CARSON embassy: 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare mailing address: P. O. Box 3340, Harare telephone: [263] (4) 794521 FAX: [263] (4) 796488

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

Economy -------

Economic overview: Agriculture employs 70% of the labor force of this landlocked nation and supplies almost 40% of exports. Mining accounts for only 5% of both GDP and employment, but minerals and metals account for about 40% of exports. Severe drought caused GDP to drop 8% in 1992, with growth rebounding to 2% in 1993 and 4.5% in 1994, only to drop by 2.4% in 1995. The government is continuing to push its IMF/World Bank structural adjustment program aimed at encouraging exports and foreign investment. Officials face the difficult task of restraining expenditures in their effort to keep inflation within bounds.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $18.1 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: -2.4% (1995)

GDP per capita: $1,620 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 18.3% industry: 35.3% services: 46.4% (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25.8% (1995)

Labor force: 4.228 million (1993 est.) by occupation: agriculture 70%, transport and services 22%, industry 8%

Unemployment rate: at least 45% (1994 est.)

Budget: revenues: $1.7 billion expenditures: $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $253 million (FY92/93)

Industries: mining, steel, clothing and footwear, chemicals, foodstuffs, fertilizer, beverage, transportation equipment, wood products

Industrial production growth rate: 10% (1994)

Electricity: capacity: 2,040,000 kW production: 9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 913 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: corn, cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs

Exports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: agricultural 35% (tobacco 30%, other 5%), 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., 1995 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: $4.4 billion (1994)

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $362 million (1993)

Currency: 1 Zimbabwean dollar (Z$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: Zimbabwean dollars (Z$) per US$1 -9.3633 (January 1996), 8.6580 (1995), 8.1500 (1994), 6.4725 (1993), 5.0942 (1992), 3.4282 (1991)

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

Transportation --------------

Railways: total: 2,759 km (1995) narrow gauge: 2,759 km 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified; 42 km double track) (1995 est.)

Highways: total: 91,078 km paved: 14,572 km unpaved: 76,506 km (1992 est.)

Waterways: Lake Kariba is a potential line of communication

Pipelines: petroleum products 212 km

Ports: Binga, Kariba

Airports: total: 403 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 6 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8 with paved runways under 914 m: 185 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 198 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 301,000 (1990 est.)

Telephone system: system was once one of the best in Africa, but now suffers from poor maintenance domestic: consists of microwave radio relay links, open-wire lines, and radiotelephone communication stations international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 18, shortwave 0

Radios: 890,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 8 (1986 est.)

Televisions: 280,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Republic Police (includes Police Support Unit, Paramilitary Police)

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 2,629,880 males fit for military service: 1,632,391 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $236 million, 3.4% of GDP (FY95/96)

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