Introduction
Background: A country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan became part of the Russian empire in 1864. In the Czarist and Soviet periods, Russian managers and technicians were sent to Kyrgyzstan and have recently made up more than one-fifth of the population. Many Russians have been returning home since Kyrgyzstan gained its independence in 1991 when the USSR collapsed. Privatization of state-owned enterprises, expansion of democracy and political freedoms, and inter-ethnic relations are current issues.
Geography
Location: Central Asia, west of China
Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 75 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area: total: 198,500 sq km land: 191,300 sq km water: 7,200 sq km
Area--comparative: slightly smaller than South Dakota
Land boundaries: total: 3,878 km border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
Terrain: peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Kara-Darya 132 m highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m
Natural resources: abundant hydroelectric potential; significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc
Land use: arable land: 7% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 44% forests and woodland: 4% other: 45% (1993 est.) note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth walnut forest
Irrigated land: 9,000 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment--current issues: water pollution; many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices
Environment--international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography--note: landlocked
People
Population: 4,546,055 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 35% (male 804,502; female 788,076) 15-64 years: 59% (male 1,308,145; female 1,362,140) 65 years and over: 6% (male 105,442; female 177,750) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.68% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 21.83 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 8.74 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -6.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 75.92 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.57 years male: 59.25 years female: 68.1 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.63 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Kyrgyzstani(s) adjective: Kyrgyzstani
Ethnic groups: Kirghiz 52.4%, Russian 18%, Uzbek 12.9%, Ukrainian 2.5%, German 2.4%, other 11.8%
Religions: Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%
Languages: Kirghiz (Kyrgyz)--official language, Russian?official language note: in March 1996, the Kyrgyzstani legislature amended the constitution to make Russian an official language, along with Kirghiz, in territories and work places where Russian-speaking citizens predominate
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 99% female: 96% (1989 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy local short form: none former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: KG
Government type: republic
Capital: Bishkek
Administrative divisions: 6 oblasttar (singular--oblast) and 1 city* (singular--shaar); Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)
Independence: 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: National Day, 2 December; Independence Day, 31 August (1991)
Constitution: adopted 5 May 1993 note: amendment proposed by President AKAYEV and passed in a national referendum on 10 February 1996 significantly expands the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990) head of government: Prime Minister Jumabek IBRAIMOV (since NA December 1998) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; elections last held 24 December 1995 (next to be held NA 2000); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Askar AKAYEV reelected president; percent of vote--Askar AKAYEV 75%; note--elections were held early which gave the two opposition candidates little time to campaign; AKAYEV may have orchestrated the "deregistration" of two other candidates, one of whom was a major rival
Legislative branch: bicameral Supreme Council or Zhogorku Kenesh consists of the Assembly of People's Representatives (70 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Legislative Assembly (35 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Assembly of People's Representatives--last held 5 February 1995 (next to be held NA 2000); Legislative Assembly--last held 5 February 1995 (next to be held NA 2000) election results: Assembly of People's Representatives--percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--NA; note--not all of the 70 seats were filled at the 5 February 1995 elections; as a result, run-off elections were held at later dates; the assembly meets twice yearly; Legislative Assembly--percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--NA; note--not all of the 35 seats were filled at the 5 February 1995 elections; as a result, run-off elections were held at later dates note: the legislature became bicameral for the 5 February 1995 elections
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed for 10-year terms by the Supreme Council on recommendation of the president; Constitutional Court; Higher Court of Arbitration
Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party or PSD JEKSHEYEV, chairman]; National Unity Democratic Movement or DDNE MASALIYEV, chairman]; Kyrgyzstan Erkin Party (Democratic Movement of
Political pressure groups and leaders: National Unity Democratic Movement; Council of Free Trade Unions; Union of Entrepreneurs;
International organization participation: AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMSIL, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bakyt ABDRISAYEV chancery: 1732 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Anne M. SIGMUND embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, 720016 Bishkek mailing address: use embassy street address
Flag description: red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kirghiz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized representation of the roof of the traditional Kirghiz yurt
Economy
Economy--overview: Kyrgyzstan is a small, poor, mountainous country with a predominantly agricultural economy. Cotton, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products and exports. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, and hydropower. Kyrgyzstan has been one of the most progressive countries of the former Soviet Union in carrying out market reforms. Following a successful stabilization program, which lowered inflation from 88% in 1994 to 15% for 1997, attention is turning toward stimulating growth. Much of the government's stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production have been severe since the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995 production began to recover and exports began to increase. Pensioners, unemployed workers, and government workers with salary arrears continue to suffer. Foreign assistance played a substantial role in the country's economic turnaround in 1996-97. The government has adopted a series of measures to combat some of the severe economic problems such as excessive debt and inadequate revenue collection, encountered in 1998.
GDP: purchasing power parity--$9.8 billion (1998 est.)
GDP--real growth rate: 1.8% (1998 est.)
GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,200 (1998 est.)
GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 47% industry: 12% services: 41% (1996 est.)
Population below poverty line: 40% (1993 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 26.2% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 18.4% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 1.7 million
Labor force--by occupation: agriculture and forestry 40%, industry and construction 19%, other 41% (1995 est.)
Unemployment rate: 6% 1998 est.)
Budget: revenues: $225 million expenditures: $308 million, including capital expenditures of $11 million (1996 est.)
Industries: small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals
Industrial production growth rate: 14% (1998 est.) note: the gold industry spurted in 1998 giving industry as a whole a boost on a small base while the rest of the economy, including agriculture, lagged
Electricity--production: 13.49 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 9.56% hydro: 90.44% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity--consumption: 10.92 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity--exports: 6.32 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity--imports: 3.75 billion kWh (1996)
Agriculture--products: tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool
Exports: $630 million (1998 est.)
Exports--commodities: cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, hydropower; machinery; shoes
Exports--partners: China, UK, FSU
Imports: $670 million (1998 est.)
Imports--commodities: grain, lumber, industrial products, ferrous metals, fuel, machinery, textiles, footwear
Imports--partners: Turkey, Cuba, US, Germany
Debt--external: $935 million (1997 est.)
Economic aid--recipient: $329.4 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Kyrgyzstani som (KGS) = 100 tyiyn
Exchange rates: soms (KGS) per US$1--30.25 (February 1999), 20.838 (1998), 17.362 (1997), 12.810 (1996), 10.822 (1995), 10.842 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 356,000 (1996 est.)
Telephone system: poorly developed; about 100,000 unsatisfied applications for household telephones domestic: principally microwave radio relay; one cellular provider, probably only limited to Bishkek region international: connections with other CIS countries by landline or microwave radio relay and with other countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite; satellite earth stations--1 Intersputnik and 1 Intelsat; connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe Fiber-Optic Line
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note--one state-run radio broadcast station
Radios: 825,000 (radio receiver systems with multiple speakers for program diffusion 748,000)
Television broadcast stations: NA (repeater stations throughout the country relay programs from Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey) (1997)
Televisions: 875,000
Transportation
Railways: total: 370 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge: 370 km 1.520-m gauge (1990)
Highways: total: 18,500 km paved: 16,854 km (including 140 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,646 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 600 km (1990)
Pipelines: natural gas 200 km
Ports and harbors: Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)
Airports: 54 (1994 est.)
Airports--with paved runways: total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 under 914 m: 1 (1994 est.)
Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 40 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 32 (1994 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, National Guard, Security Forces (internal and border troops), Civil Defense note: border troops controlled by Russia
Military manpower--military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 1,146,595 (1999 est.)
Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 930,017 (1999 est.)
Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 46,561 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures--dollar figure: $10.8 million (1996)
Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 1% (1996)
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international: territorial dispute with Tajikistan on southwestern boundary in Isfara Valley area
Illicit drugs: limited illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program; increasingly used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Russia and Western Europe from Southwest Asia
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@Laos ----
Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates: 18 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total: 236,800 sq km land: 230,800 sq km water: 6,000 sq km
Area--comparative: slightly larger than Utah
Land boundaries: total: 5,083 km border countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mekong River 70 m highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m
Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 3% forests and woodland: 54% other: 40% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 1,250 sq km (1993 est.) note: rainy season irrigation--2,169 sq km; dry season irrigation--750 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: floods, droughts, and blight
Environment--current issues: unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water
Environment--international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography--note: landlocked
People
Population: 5,407,453 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 1,235,797; female 1,203,520) 15-64 years: 52% (male 1,360,991; female 1,434,378) 65 years and over: 3% (male 78,195; female 94,572) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.74% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 39.93 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 12.56 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 89.32 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.21 years male: 52.63 years female: 55.87 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.55 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s) adjective: Lao or Laotian
Ethnic groups: Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong ("Meo") and the Yao (Mien) 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1%
Religions: Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40%
Languages: Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 60% male: 70% female: 48% (1998 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic conventional short form: Laos local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao local short form: none
Data code: LA
Government type: Communist state
Capital: Vientiane
Administrative divisions: 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural), 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural), and 1 special zone** (khetphiset, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang
Independence: 19 July 1949 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 2 December (1975) (proclamation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic)
Constitution: promulgated 14 August 1991
Legal system: based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and Socialist practice
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President KHAMTAI Siphandon (since 26 February 1998); Vice President OUDOM Khattiya (since 26 February 1998) head of government: Prime Minister SISAVAT Keobounphan (since 26 February 1998); Senior Deputy Prime Minister BOUNGNANG Volachit (since 20 April 1996); Deputy Prime Ministers KHAMPHOUI Keoboualapha (since 15 August 1991), CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 26 February 1998), SOMSAVAT Lengsavad (since 26 February 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 21 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); prime minister appointed by the president with the approval of the National Assembly for a five-year term election results: KHAMTAI Siphandon elected president; percent of National Assembly vote--NA
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (99 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note--by presidential decree, on 27 October 1997, the number of seats increased from 85 to 99) elections: last held 21 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--LPRP or LPRP-approved (independent, non-party members) 99
Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court, the president of the People's Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee, the vice president of the People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National Assembly Standing Committee
Political parties and leaders: Lao People's Revolutionary Party proscribed
Political pressure groups and leaders: noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975
International organization participation: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador VANG Rattanavong chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Wendy Jean CHAMBERLIN embassy: Rue Bartholonie, B.P. 114, Vientiane mailing address: American Embassy, Box V, APO AP 96546
Flag description: three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band
Economy
Economy--overview: The government of Laos?one of the few remaining official communist states--has been decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise since 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, have been striking--growth averaged 7% in 1988-96. Because Laos depends heavily on its trade with Thailand, it fell victim to the financial crisis in the region beginning in 1997. Laos is a landlocked country with a primitive infrastructure. It has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications. Electricity is available in only a few urban areas. Subsistence agriculture accounts for half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The predominant crop is glutinous rice. In non-drought years, Laos is self-sufficient overall in food, but each year flood, pests, and localized drought cause shortages in various parts of the country. For the foreseeable future the economy will continue to depend on aid from the IMF and other international sources; Japan is currently the largest bilateral aid donor; aid from the former USSR/Eastern Europe has been cut sharply. As in many developing countries, deforestation and soil erosion will hamper efforts to regain a high rate of GDP growth.
GDP: purchasing power parity--$6.6 billion (1998 est.)
GDP--real growth rate: 4% (1998 est.)
GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,260 (1998 est.)
GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 51% industry: 21% services: 28% (1998 est.)
Population below poverty line: 46.1% (1993 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.2% highest 10%: 26.4% (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 112% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 1 million-1.5 million
Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 80% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate: 5.7% (1997 est.)
Budget: revenues: $230.2 million expenditures: $365.9 million, including capital expenditures of $317 million (1996)
Industries: tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments
Industrial production growth rate: 8.9% (1998 est.)
Electricity--production: 900 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 0.04% hydro: 99.96% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity--consumption: 287 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--exports: 640 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--imports: 27 million kWh (1996)
Agriculture--products: sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry
Exports: $330 million (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports--commodities: wood products, garments, electricity, coffee, tin
Exports--partners: Vietnam, Thailand, Germany, France
Imports: $630 million (c.i.f., 1998)
Imports--commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel
Imports--partners: Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, China, Singapore
Debt--external: $1.2 billion (1996)
Economic aid--recipient: $290 million (1998)
Currency: 1 new kip (NK) = 100 at
Exchange rates: new kips (NK) per US$1--4,217 (January 1999), 3,299.21 (1998), 1,256.73 (1997), 921.14 (1996), 804.69 (1995), 717.67 (1994) note: as of September 1995, a floating exchange rate policy was adopted
Fiscal year: 1 October--30 September
Communications
Telephones: 28,000 (1998 est.)
Telephone system: service to general public is poor but improving, with over 28,000 telephones currently in service and an additional 48,000 expected by 2001; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas domestic: radiotelephone communications international: satellite earth station--1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 5, shortwave 4 (1998)
Radios: 580,000 (1995)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (1997)
Televisions: 32,000 (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 21,716 km paved: 9,673.5 km unpaved: 12,042.5 km (1998 est.)
Waterways: about 4,587 km, primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additional kilometers are sectionally navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m
Pipelines: petroleum products 136 km
Ports and harbors: none
Merchant marine: total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,370 GRT/3,000 DWT (1998 est.)
Airports: 52 (1998 est.)
Airports--with paved runways: total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1998 est.)
Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 43 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 25 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Lao People's Army (LPA; includes militia element), Lao People's Navy (LPN; includes riverine element), Air Force, National Police Department
Military manpower--military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 1,200,664 (1999 est.)
Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 648,087 (1999 est.)
Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 57,047 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures--dollar figure: $77.4 million (FY96/97)
Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 4.2% (FY96/97)
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international: parts of the border with Thailand are indefinite
Illicit drugs: world's third-largest illicit opium producer (estimated cultivation in 1998--26,100 hectares, a 7% decrease over 1997; estimated potential production in 1998--140 metric tons, a 33% decrease over 1997); potential heroin producer; transshipment point for heroin and methamphetamines produced in Burma; illicit producer of cannabis
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@Latvia ------
Introduction
Background: Along with most of the other small nations of Europe, Latvia shares a history of invasion by a succession of expansionist nations, e.g., Sweden, Poland, Germany, and Russia. After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940 under the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. The USSR recaptured Latvia from its German occupiers in 1944. Latvia reestablished its independence in August 1991, a few months prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union; the last Russian troops left in 1994. The status of ethnic Russians, who make up 30% of the population, is an issue of concern to Moscow. Unemployment has become a growing problem and Latvia hopes to receive an invitation to begin EU accession talks by the end of 1999.
Geography
Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
Geographic coordinates: 57 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 64,589 sq km land: 64,589 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area--comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries: total: 1,150 km border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km
Coastline: 531 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters
Terrain: low plain
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m
Natural resources: minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite
Land use: arable land: 27% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 13% forests and woodland: 46% other: 14% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 160 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment--current issues: air and water pollution because of a lack of waste conversion equipment; Gulf of Riga and Daugava River heavily polluted; contamination of soil and groundwater with chemicals and petroleum products at military bases
Environment--international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
People
Population: 2,353,874 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 18% (male 216,369; female 207,242) 15-64 years: 67% (male 749,396; female 825,988) 65 years and over: 15% (male 114,038; female 240,841) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: -1.25% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 8.1 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 15.82 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.47 male(s)/female total population: 0.85 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 17.19 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.3 years male: 61.24 years female: 73.66 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.18 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Latvian(s) adjective: Latvian
Ethnic groups: Latvian 56.5%, Russian 30.4%, Byelorussian 4.3%, Ukrainian 2.8%, Polish 2.6%, other 3.4%
Religions: Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Languages: Lettish (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 99% (1989 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Latvia conventional short form: Latvia local long form: Latvijas Republika local short form: Latvija former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: LG
Government type: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Riga
Administrative divisions: 26 counties (singular--rajons) and 7 municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Leipaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons
Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 18 November (1918)
Constitution: the 1991 Constitutional Law which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens
Executive branch: chief of state: President Guntis ULMANIS (since 7 July 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Vilis KRISTOPANS (since 21 November 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (amended from a three-year term on 4 December 1997); election last held 18 June 1996 (next to be held by NA June/July 1999); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Guntis ULMANIS elected president in the first round of balloting; percent of parliamentary vote--Guntis ULMANIS 53%, Ilga KREITUSE 25%
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms--amended from three-year term on 4 December 1997) elections: last held 3 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2002) election results: percent of vote by party--People's Party 21%, LC 18%, TSP 14%, TVB/LNNK 14%, Social Democrats 13%, New Party 8%; seats by party--People's Party 24, LC 21, TSP 16, TVB/LNNK 17, Social Democrats 14, New Party 8
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament
Political parties and leaders: New Party [Raimonds PAULS]; V. IVANOV]; Christian People's Party or KTP (formerly People's Front ADAMSONS]
International organization participation: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ojars Eriks KALNINS chancery: 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James H. HOLMES embassy: Raina Boulevard 7, LV-1510, Riga mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723
Flag description: three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon
Economy
Economy--overview: Developments in 1998 include an invitation to join the World Trade Organization (the first Baltic country invited), GDP growth of 3.6% (down from 6% in 1997), and reduced inflation at 4.7% (from 8.4% in 1997). The drop in GDP growth is largely attributable to the impact of Russia's financial crisis and reduced investment in emerging markets following the Asian financial troubles. Unofficial sanctions that Russia imposed in the spring initially hit Latvia's exporters--Russia is among Latvia's top three trade partners--but also prompted them to seek alternative markets. Latvia continued its strict fiscal and monetary policy, including its second balanced budget and had a 1.8% budget surplus. Its draft 1999 budget is based on conservative projections of 2% to 4% GDP growth and 4.5% inflation. Unemployment climbed to 9.2% in 1998, a considerable increase over the 6.7% rate in 1997. Latvia continued to have a high current account deficit, estimated at about 9%. Privatization of large state utilities--especially the energy sector--was postponed and is unlikely to resume before late 1999. EU accession remains Latvia's top priority, and Latvia expects to be invited to start EU accession talks by the end of 1999. Continued troubles in the Russian and East Asian economies probably will hold growth to around 2.5% in 1999.
GDP: purchasing power parity--$9.7 billion (1998 est.)
GDP--real growth rate: 3.6% (1998 est.)
GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$4,100 (1998 est.)
GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 7% industry: 28% services: 65% (1997)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.3% highest 10%: 22.1% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.7% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 1.4 million (1997)
Labor force--by occupation: industry 41%, agriculture and forestry 16%, services 43% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 9.2% (1998)
Budget: revenues: $1.33 billion expenditures: $1.27 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
Industries: buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; dependent on imports for energy, raw materials, and intermediate products
Industrial production growth rate: 3% (1998 est.)
Electricity--production: 3.2 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 28.12% hydro: 71.88% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity--consumption: 6.18 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity--exports: 300 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--imports: 3.28 billion kWh (1996)
Agriculture--products: grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish
Exports: $1.9 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports--commodities: wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, textiles, foodstuffs
Exports--partners: Russia 21%, Germany 14%, UK 14%, Sweden 8% (1997)
Imports: $3.1 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Imports--commodities: fuels, machinery and equipment, chemicals
Imports--partners: Russia 16%, Germany 16%, Finland 10%, Sweden 8% (1997)
Debt--external: $212 million (1998)
Economic aid--recipient: $96.2 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Latvian lat (LVL) = 100 santims
Exchange rates: lats (LVL) per US$1--0.570 (January 1999), 0.590 (1998), 0.581 (1997), 0.551 (1996), 0.528 (1995), 0.560 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 710,848 (1997)
Telephone system: Lattelekom is 51% state owned, plans to privatize in 2000 to satisfy EU concerns; 50,000 people are on the waiting list to receive telephone service; Internet service is available throughout Latvia domestic: local--two cellular service providers; NMT-450 and GSM standards provide service nationwide; over 75% of population covered; intercity--two synchronous digital hierarchy fiber-optic rings form the national backbone; 11 digital switching centers, 3 service centers international: Latvia has international fiber-optic connectivity to Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, and an undersea fiber-optic cable to Sweden
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note--there are 25 stations of unknown type; 75% of commercial broadcasts must be in the Latvian language; remainder mostly in Russian and European languages
Radios: 1.4 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 30 (origin of TV broadcasts must be 40% Latvian and 40% other European languages)
Televisions: NA; note--almost 100% of the population have TV access, 16% have VCRs, and 20% have cable or satellite dishes (1995)
Transportation
Railways: total: 2,412 km broad gauge: 2,379 km 1.520-m gauge (271 km electrified) (1992) narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (1994)
Highways: total: 55,942 km paved: 21,426 km unpaved: 34,516 km (1997 est.)
Waterways: 300 km perennially navigable
Pipelines: crude oil 750 km; refined products 780 km; natural gas 560 km (1992)
Ports and harbors: Daugavpils, Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils
Merchant marine: total: 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 42,429 GRT/44,583 DWT ships by type: cargo 3, oil tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1998 est.)
Airports: 50 (1994 est.)
Airports--with paved runways: total: 36 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 27 (1994 est.)
Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 10 (1994 est.)
Military
Military branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Security Forces, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze)
Military manpower--military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 565,811 (1999 est.)
Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 443,879 (1999 est.)
Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 16,883 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures--dollar figure: $60 million (1999)
Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 0.9% (1999)
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international: draft treaty delimiting the boundary with Russia has not been signed; ongoing talks over maritime boundary dispute with Lithuania (primary concern is oil exploration rights)
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; limited production of illicit amphetamines, ephedrine, and ecstasy for export
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@Lebanon -------
Introduction
Background: Lebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions and regaining its national sovereignty since the end of the devastating 16-year civil war, which ended in 1991. Under the Ta'if Accord--the blueprint for national reconciliation--the Lebanese have established a more equitable political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater say in the political process while institutionalizing sectarian divisions in the government. Since the end of the civil war, the Lebanese have formed six cabinets, conducted two legislative elections, and held their first municipal elections in 35 years. Most of the militias have been weakened or disbanded. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) has seized vast quantities of weapons used by the militias during the war and extended central government authority over about one-half of the country. Hizballah, the radical Shi'a party, retains its weapons. Foreign forces still occupy areas of Lebanon. Israel maintains troops in southern Lebanon and continues to support a proxy militia, the Army of South Lebanon (ASL), along a narrow stretch of territory contiguous to its border. The ASL's enclave encompasses this self-declared security zone and about 20 kilometers north to the strategic town of Jazzin. Syria maintains about 25,000 troops in Lebanon based mainly in Beirut, North Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley. Syria's deployment was legitimized by the Arab League during Lebanon's civil war and in the Ta'if Accord. Citing the continued weakness of the LAF, Beirut's requests, and failure of the Lebanese Government to implement all of the constitutional reforms in the Ta'if Accord, Damascus has so far refused to withdraw its troops from Lebanon.
Geography
Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria
Geographic coordinates: 33 50 N, 35 50 E
Map references: Middle East
Area: total: 10,400 sq km land: 10,230 sq km water: 170 sq km
Area--comparative: about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries: total: 454 km border countries: Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km
Coastline: 225 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snows
Terrain: narrow coastal plain; Al Biqa' (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Jabal al Makmal 3,087 m
Natural resources: limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region
Land use: arable land: 21% permanent crops: 9% permanent pastures: 1% forests and woodland: 8% other: 61% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 860 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: dust storms, sandstorms
Environment--current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Beirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of industrial wastes; pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and oil spills
Environment--international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation
Geography--note: Nahr al Litani only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary; rugged terrain historically helped isolate, protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion, clan, and ethnicity
People
Population: 3,562,699 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 30% (male 535,596; female 515,776) 15-64 years: 64% (male 1,084,121; female 1,196,678) 65 years and over: 6% (male 105,133; female 125,395) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.61% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 22.5 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 6.45 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 30.53 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.93 years male: 68.34 years female: 73.66 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.25 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Lebanese (singular and plural) adjective: Lebanese
Ethnic groups: Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%
Religions: Islam 70% (5 legally recognized Islamic groups--Alawite or Nusayri, Druze, Isma'ilite, Shi'a, Sunni), Christian 30% (11 legally recognized Christian groups--4 Orthodox Christian, 6 Catholic, 1 Protestant), Judaism NEGL%
Languages: Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian widely understood
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.4% male: 90.8% female: 82.2% (1997 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Lebanese Republic conventional short form: Lebanon local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah local short form: Lubnan
Data code: LE
Government type: republic
Capital: Beirut
Administrative divisions: 5 governorates (muhafazat, singular--muhafazah); Al Biqa', Al Janub, Ash Shamal, Bayrut, Jabal Lubnan
Independence: 22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)
National holiday: Independence Day, 22 November (1943)
Constitution: 23 May 1926, amended a number of times
Legal system: mixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code, and civil law; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; compulsory for all males; authorized for women at age 21 with elementary education
Executive branch: chief of state: President Emile LAHUD (since 24 November 1998) head of government: Prime Minister Salim al-HUSS (since 4 December 1998) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president and members of the National Assembly; the current Cabinet was formed in 1998 elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a six-year term; election last held 15 October 1998 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly; by custom, the president is a Maronite Christian, the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of the legislature is a Shi'a Muslim election results: Emile LAHUD elected president; National Assembly vote--118 votes in favor, 0 against, 10 abstentions
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Majlis Alnuwab (Arabic) or Assemblee Nationale (French) (128 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of sectarian proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held in the summer of 1996 (next to be held NA 2000) election results: percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--NA (one-half Christian and one-half Muslim)
Judicial branch: four Courts of Cassation (three courts for civil and commercial cases and one court for criminal cases); Constitutional Council (called for in Ta'if Accord) rules on constitutionality of laws; Supreme Council (hears charges against the president and prime minister as needed)
Political parties and leaders: political party activity is organized along largely sectarian lines; numerous political groupings exist, consisting of individual political figures and followers motivated by religious, clan, and economic considerations
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Farid ABBOUD chancery: 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Detroit, New York, and Los Angeles
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David SATTERFIELD embassy: Antelias, Beirut mailing address: P. O. Box 70-840, Beirut; PSC 815, Box 2, FPO AE 09836-0002
Flag description: three horizontal bands of red (top), white (double width), and red with a green and brown cedar tree centered in the white band
Economy
Economy--overview: The 1975-91 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and all but ended Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. Peace has enabled the central government to restore control in Beirut, begin collecting taxes, and regain access to key port and government facilities. Economic recovery has been helped by a financially sound banking system and resilient small- and medium-scale manufacturers, with family remittances, banking services, manufactured and farm exports, and international aid as the main sources of foreign exchange. Lebanon's economy has made impressive gains since the launch of "Horizon 2000," the government's $20 billion reconstruction program in 1993. Real GDP grew 8% in 1994 and 7% in 1995 before Israel's Operation Grapes of Wrath in April 1996 stunted economic activity. During 1992-98, annual inflation fell from more than 100% to 5%, and foreign exchange reserves jumped to more than $6 billion from $1.4 billion. Burgeoning capital inflows have generated foreign payments surpluses, and the Lebanese pound has remained relatively stable. Progress also has been made in rebuilding Lebanon's war-torn physical and financial infrastructure. Solidere, a $2-billion firm, is managing the reconstruction of Beirut's central business district; the stock market reopened in January 1996; and international banks and insurance companies are returning. The government nonetheless faces serious challenges in the economic arena. It has had to fund reconstruction by tapping foreign exchange reserves and boosting borrowing. Reducing the government budget deficit is a major goal of the LAHUD government. The stalled peace process and ongoing violence in southern Lebanon could lead to wider hostilities that would disrupt vital capital inflows. Furthermore, the gap between rich and poor has widened in the 1990's, resulting in grassroots dissatisfaction over the skewed distribution of the reconstruction's benefits and leading the government to shift its focus from rebuilding infrastructure to improving living conditions.
GDP: purchasing power parity--$15.8 billion (1998 est.)
GDP--real growth rate: 3% (1998 est.)
GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$4,500 (1998 est.)
GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 23% services: 73% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 1 million note: in addition, there are as many as 1 million foreign workers (1996 est.)
Labor force--by occupation: services 62%, industry 31%, agriculture 7% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate: 18% (1997 est.)
Budget: revenues: $4.9 billion expenditures: $7.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
Industries: banking; food processing; jewelry; cement; textiles; mineral and chemical products; wood and furniture products; oil refining; metal fabricating
Industrial production growth rate: 25% (1993 est.)
Electricity--production: 8.4 billion kWh (1997 est.)
Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 87.72% hydro: 12.28% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity--consumption: 6.01 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity--imports: 310 million kWh (1996)
Agriculture--products: citrus, grapes, tomatoes, apples, vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco, hemp (hashish); sheep, goats
Exports: $711 million (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports--commodities: foodstuffs and tobacco 20%, textiles 12%, chemicals 11%, metal and metal products 11%, electrical equipment and products 10%, jewelry 10%, paper and paper products 8% (1997)
Exports--partners: Saudi Arabia 14%, UAE 9%, France 7%, Syria 6%, US 6%, Kuwait 4%, Jordan 4%, Turkey 4%
Imports: $7.5 billion (c.i.f., 1997)
Imports--commodities: foodstuffs 29%, machinery and transport equipment 28%, consumer goods 18%, chemicals 9%, textiles 5%, metals 5%, fuels 3%, agricultural foods 3% (1997)
Imports--partners: Italy 13%, US 9%, France 9%, Germany 8%, Switzerland 7%, Japan 4%, UK 4%, Syria 4% (1997)
Debt--external: $3 billion (1998 est.)
Economic aid--recipient: $3.5 billion (pledges 1997-2001)
Currency: 1 Lebanese pound (LL) = 100 piasters
Exchange rates: Lebanese pounds (LL) per US$1--1,508.0 (January 1999), 1,516.1 (1998), 1,539.5 (1997), 1,571.4 (1996), 1,621.4 (1995), 1,680.1 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 150,000 (1990 est.)
Telephone system: telecommunications system severely damaged by civil war; rebuilding well underway domestic: primarily microwave radio relay and cable international: satellite earth stations--2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean) (erratic operations); coaxial cable to Syria; microwave radio relay to Syria but inoperable beyond Syria to Jordan; 3 submarine coaxial cables
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 1 note: government is licensing a limited number of the more than 100 AM and FM stations operated sporadically by various factions that sprang up during the civil war
Radios: 2.37 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 28 (1997)
Televisions: 1.1 million (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: 222 km standard gauge: 222 km 1.435-m (from Beirut to the Syrian border)
Highways: total: 6,270 km paved: 6,270 km unpaved: 0 km (1998 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 72 km (none in operation)
Ports and harbors: Al Batrun, Al Mina', An Naqurah, Antilyas, Az Zahrani, Beirut, Jubayl, Juniyah, Shikka, Sidon, Tripoli, Tyre
Merchant marine: total: 64 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 267,562 GRT/403,252 DWT ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 41, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk 1, combination ore/oil 1, container 3, livestock carrier 6, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, vehicle carrier 3 (1998 est.)
Airports: 9 (1998 est.)
Airports--with paved runways: total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF; includes Army, Navy, and Air Force)
Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 925,834 (1999 est.)
Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 573,093 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures--dollar figure: $445 million (1997)
Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 5% (1997)
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international: Israeli troops in southern Lebanon since June 1982; Syrian troops in northern, central, and eastern Lebanon since October 1976
Illicit drugs: inconsequential producer of hashish and heroin; some heroine and cocaine processing mostly in the Bekaa valley; a Lebanese/Syrian eradication campaign started in the early 1990s has practically eliminated the opium and cannabis crops
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@Lesotho -------
Geography
Location: Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa
Geographic coordinates: 29 30 S, 28 30 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 30,350 sq km land: 30,350 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area--comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries: total: 909 km border countries: South Africa 909 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers
Terrain: mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 m highest point: Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m
Natural resources: water, agricultural and grazing land, some diamonds and other minerals
Land use: arable land: 11% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures: 66% forests and woodland: NA% other: 23% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: periodic droughts
Environment--current issues: population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, and soil exhaustion; desertification; Highlands Water Project controls, stores, and redirects water to South Africa
Environment--international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
Geography--note: landlocked; surrounded by South Africa
People
Population: 2,128,950 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 40% (male 424,355; female 422,892) 15-64 years: 56% (male 573,285; female 610,636) 65 years and over: 4% (male 40,604; female 57,178) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.8% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 31.26 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 13.23 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 77.58 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.99 years male: 51.37 years female: 54.65 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.03 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural) adjective: Basotho
Ethnic groups: Sotho 99.7%, Europeans 1,600, Asians 800
Religions: Christian 80%, rest indigenous beliefs
Languages: Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 71.3% male: 81.1% female: 62.3% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Lesotho conventional short form: Lesotho former: Basutoland
Data code: LT
Government type: parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Capital: Maseru
Administrative divisions: 10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohales Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka
Independence: 4 October 1966 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 4 October (1966)
Constitution: 2 April 1993
Legal system: based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law; judicial review of legislative acts in High Court and Court of Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: King LETSIE III (since 7 February 1996, succeeded to the throne following the death of his father, King MOSHOESHOE II, on 16 January 1996); note--King LETSIE III formerly occupied the throne (November 1990 to February 1995) while his father was in exile head of government: Prime Minister Pakalitha MOSISILI (since NA May 1998) cabinet: Cabinet elections: none; the monarch is hereditary, but, under the terms of the constitution which came into effect after the March 1993 election, the monarch is a "living symbol of national unity" with no executive or legislative powers; under traditional law the college of chiefs has the power to determine who is next in the line of succession, who shall serve as regent in the event that the successor is not of mature age, and may even depose the monarch
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members--22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party) and the Assembly (80 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms); note--number of seats in the Assembly rose from 65 to 80 in the May 1998 election elections: last held 23 May 1998 (next to be held in late 1999 or early 2000) election results: percent of vote by party--LCD 61%; seats by party--LCD 79, BCP 1 note: results contested; LCD, with only 61% of the vote, won 79 out of 80 parliamentary seats based on a historical political consensus for a "winner take all" formula
Judicial branch: High Court, chief justice appointed by the monarch; Court of Appeal; Magistrate's Court; customary or traditional court
Political parties and leaders: MOSISILI, leader; Shakhane MOKHEHLE, secretary general]
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Eunice M. BULANE chancery: 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Katherine H. PETERSON embassy: 254 Kingsway, Maseru West (Consular Section) mailing address: P. O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho
Flag description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper half is white, bearing the brown silhouette of a large shield with crossed spear and club; the lower half is a diagonal blue band with a green triangle in the corner
Economy
Economy--overview: Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho's only important natural resource is water. Its economy is based on subsistence agriculture, livestock, and remittances from miners employed in South Africa. The number of such mine workers has declined steadily over the past several years. In 1996 their remittances added about 33% to GDP compared with the addition of roughly 67% in 1990. A small manufacturing base depends largely on farm products which support the milling, canning, leather, and jute industries. Agricultural products are exported primarily to South Africa. Proceeds from membership in a common customs union with South Africa form the majority of government revenue. Although drought has decreased agricultural activity over the past few years, completion of a major hydropower facility in January 1998 now permits the sale of water to South Africa, generating royalties that will be an important source of income for Lesotho. The pace of parastatal privatization has increased in recent years. Civil disorder in September 1998 destroyed 80% of the commercial infrastructure in Maseru and two other major towns. Most firms were not covered by insurance, and the rebuilding of small and medium business will be a significant challenge in terms of both economic growth and employment levels.
GDP: purchasing power parity--$5.1 billion (1997 est.)
GDP--real growth rate: 10% (1997 est.)
GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,400 (1997 est.)
GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 14% industry: 42% services: 44% (1996 est.)
Population below poverty line: 49.2% (1993 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.9% highest 10%: 43.4% (1986-87)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8% (1997 est.)
Labor force: 689,000 economically active
Labor force--by occupation: 86% of resident population engaged in subsistence agriculture; roughly 35% of the active male wage earners work in South Africa
Unemployment rate: substantial unemployment and underemployment effecting more than half of the labor force (1996 est.)
Budget: revenues: $507 million expenditures: $487 million, including capital expenditures of $170 million (FY96/97 est.)
Industries: food, beverages, textiles, handicrafts; construction; tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 19.7% (1995)
Electricity--production: 0 kWh (1995) note: electricity supplied by South Africa
Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA%
Electricity--consumption: 335 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity--imports: 335 million kWh (1996)
Agriculture--products: corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley; livestock
Exports: $200 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
Exports--commodities: manufactures 65% (clothing, footwear, road vehicles), wool and mohair 7%, food and live animals 7% (1996)
Exports--partners: South African Customs Union 66%, North America 26%, EU 4% (1996)
Imports: $880 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
Imports--commodities: food; building materials, vehicles, machinery, medicines, petroleum products (1995)
Imports--partners: South African Customs Union 90%, Asia 6%, EU 2% (1995)
Debt--external: $660 million (1997 est.)
Economic aid--recipient: $123.7 million (1995)
Currency: 1 loti (L) = 100 lisente note: maloti (M) is the plural form of loti
Exchange rates: maloti (M) per US$1--5.98380 (January 1999), 5.52828 (1998), 4.60796 (1997), 4.29935 (1996), 3.62709 (1995), 3.55080 (1994); note--the Basotho loti is at par with the South African rand
Fiscal year: 1 April--31 March
Communications
Telephones: 12,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: rudimentary system domestic: consists of a few landlines, a small microwave radio relay system, and a minor radiotelephone communication system international: satellite earth station--1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 66,000
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: 11,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: 2.6 km; note--owned by, operated by, and included in the statistics of South Africa narrow gauge: 2.6 km 1.067-m gauge (1995)
Highways: total: 4,955 km paved: 887 km unpaved: 4,068 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 29 (1998 est.)
Airports--with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 21 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Lesotho Defense Force (LDF; includes Army and Air Wing), Royal Lesotho Mounted Police (RLMP)
Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 504,442 (1999 est.)
Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 271,925 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures--dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures--percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international: none
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