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The 2008 CIA World Factbook (part 15 of 20)

Part 15 of 20 · United States. Central Intelligence Agency · Public domain text

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Source: Project Gutenberg e-text #29233, public domain in the United States · text not rewritten or summarized · How RedLectern is built

 

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The 2008 CIA World Factbook (part 15 of 20)

Bangladesh green field with a large red disk shifted slightly to the hoist side of center; the red disk represents the rising sun and the sacrifice to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush vegetation of Bangladesh

Barbados three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)

Belarus red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side bears Belarusian national ornamentation in red

Belgium three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red note: the design was based on the flag of France

Belize blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland

Benin two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a vertical green band on the hoist side

Bermuda red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag

Bhutan divided diagonally from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side

Bolivia three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band note: similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band

Bosnia and Herzegovina a wide medium blue vertical band on the fly side with a yellow isosceles triangle abutting the band and the top of the flag; the remainder of the flag is medium blue with seven full five-pointed white stars and two half stars top and bottom along the hypotenuse of the triangle

Botswana light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center

Bouvet Island the flag of Norway is used

Brazil green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress)

British Indian Ocean Territory white with six blue wavy horizontal stripes; the flag of the UK is in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the striped section bears a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag

British Virgin Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)

Brunei yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands

Bulgaria three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red note: the national emblem, formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe, has been removed

Burkina Faso two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center note: uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Burma red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 14, white, five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel containing a stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the seven administrative divisions and seven states

Burundi divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and fly side) with a white disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above, two stars below)

Cambodia three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band note: only national flag to incorporate an actual building in its design

Cameroon three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band note: uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Canada two vertical bands of red (hoist and fly side, half width), with white square between them; an 11-pointed red maple leaf is centered in the white square; the official colors of Canada are red and white

Cape Verde five unequal horizontal bands; the top-most band of blue - equal to one half the width of the flag - is followed by three bands of white, red, and white, each equal to 1/12 of the width, and a bottom stripe of blue equal to one quarter of the flag width; a circle of 10, yellow, five-pointed stars, each representing one of the islands, is centered on the red stripe and positioned 3/8 of the length of the flag from the hoist side

Cayman Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS

Central African Republic four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; a yellow five-pointed star to the hoist side of the blue band

Chad three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red note: similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flags of Andorra and Moldova, both of which have a national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France

Chile two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red represents the blood spilled to achieve independence note: design was influenced by the US flag

China red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner

Christmas Island territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper hoist to lower fly; the upper triangle is green with a yellow image of the Golden Bosun Bird superimposed, while the lower triangle is blue with the Southern Cross constellation, representing Australia, superimposed; a centered yellow disk displays a green map of the island note: the flag of Australia is used for official purposes

Clipperton Island the flag of France is used

Cocos (Keeling) Islands the flag of Australia is used

Colombia three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red note: similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center

Comoros four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mahore (Mayotte - territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros) note: the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam

Congo, Democratic Republic of the sky blue field divided diagonally from the lower hoist corner to upper fly corner by a red stripe bordered by two narrow yellow stripes; a yellow, five-pointed star appears in the upper hoist corner

Congo, Republic of the divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red note: uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Cook Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag

Coral Sea Islands the flag of Australia is used

Costa Rica five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA

Cote d'Ivoire three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green note: similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white, and red; design was based on the flag of France

Croatia three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue superimposed by the Croatian coat of arms (red and white checkered)

Cuba five equal horizontal bands of blue (top, center, and bottom) alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center

Cyprus white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities note: the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" flag has a white field with narrow horizontal red stripes positioned a small distance from the top and bottom edges between which is centered a red crescent and a red five-pointed star

Czech Republic two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side note: identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia

Denmark red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side; the banner is referred to as the Dannebrog (Danish flag) note: the shifted design element was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden

Dhekelia the flag of the UK is used

Djibouti two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star in the center

Dominica green, with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white and the horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 green, five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes)

Dominican Republic a centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms featuring a shield supported by an olive branch (left) and a palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross; above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD (God, Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon

Ecuador three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms

Egypt three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the national emblem (a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist side with a shield superimposed on its chest above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; design is based on the Arab Liberation flag and similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars in the white band, Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band, and Yemen, which has a plain white band

El Salvador three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band

Equatorial Guinea three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice)

Eritrea red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is centered on the hoist side of the red triangle

Estonia pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white

Ethiopia three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from the angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on the three bands; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the three main colors of her flag were so often adopted by other African countries upon independence that they became known as the pan-African colors

European Union blue field with 12 five-pointed gold stars arranged in a circle in the center, representing the union of the peoples of Europe; the number of stars is fixed

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising was once the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT

Faroe Islands white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Fiji light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove

Finland white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

France three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the "Le drapeau tricolore" (French Tricolor), the origin of the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution; the design and/or colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, Luxembourg, and Netherlands; the official flag for all French dependent areas

French Polynesia two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white band; centered on the white band is a disk with a blue and white wave pattern on the lower half and a gold and white ray pattern on the upper half; a stylized red, blue, and white ship rides on the wave pattern; the French flag is used for official occasions

French Southern and Antarctic Lands the flag of France is used

Gabon three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue

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

Georgia white rectangle, in its central portion a red cross connecting all four sides of the flag; in each of the four corners is a small red bolnur-katskhuri cross; the five-cross flag appears to date back to the 14th century

Germany three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold

Ghana three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band

Gibraltar two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band

Greece nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country

Greenland two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white

Grenada a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a red border around the flag; there are seven yellow, five-pointed stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven administrative divisions

Guam territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the national flag

Guatemala three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath

Guernsey white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross

Guinea three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Guinea-Bissau two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Guyana green, with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow, black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border between the yellow and the green

Haiti two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength)

Heard Island and McDonald Islands the flag of Australia is used

Holy See (Vatican City) two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the arms of the Holy See, consisting of the crossed keys of Saint Peter surmounted by the three-tiered papal tiara, centered in the white band

Honduras three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with five blue, five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band

Hong Kong red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in the center

Hungary three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green

Iceland blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

India three equal horizontal bands of saffron (subdued orange) (top), white, and green with a blue chakra (24-spoked wheel) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Niger, which has a small orange disk centered in the white band

Indonesia two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Monaco, which is shorter; also similar to the flag of Poland, which is white (top) and red

Iran three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red; the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah in the shape of a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom) in red is centered in the white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in white Arabic script is repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11 times along the top edge of the red band

Iraq three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God is great") in green Arabic script is centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Syria, which has two stars but no script, Yemen, which has a plain white band, and that of Egypt, which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band; design is based upon the Arab Liberation colors; Council of Representatives approved this flag as a compromise temporary replacement for Ba'athist Saddam-era flag

Ireland three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange; similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colors of green (hoist side), white, and red

Isle of Man red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used

Israel white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag

Italy three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and is green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of the Cote d'Ivoire, which has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green; inspired by the French flag brought to Italy by Napoleon in 1797

Jamaica diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles - green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and outer side)

Jan Mayen the flag of Norway is used

Japan white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center

Jersey white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of the flag; in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a red shield with the three lions of England in yellow

Jordan three equal horizontal bands of black (top), representing the Abbassid Caliphate, white, representing the Ummayyad Caliphate, and green, representing the Fatimid Caliphate; a red isosceles triangle on the hoist side, representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916, and bearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the seven verses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran; the seven points on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, national spirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations; design is based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I

Kazakhstan sky blue background representing the endless sky and a gold sun with 32 rays above a soaring golden steppe eagle in the center; on the hoist side is a "national ornamentation" in gold

Kenya three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a large warrior's shield covering crossed spears is superimposed at the center

Kiribati the upper half is red with a yellow frigate bird flying over a yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three horizontal wavy white stripes to represent the ocean

Korea, North three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star

Korea, South white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field

Kosovo centered on a dark blue field is the geographical shape of Kosovo in a gold color surmounted by six white, five-pointed stars - each representing one of the major ethnic groups of Kosovo - arrayed in a slight arc

Kuwait three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side; design, which dates to 1961, based on the Arab revolt flag of World War I

Kyrgyzstan red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kyrgyz 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 Kyrgyz yurt

Laos three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band

Latvia three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon

Lebanon three horizontal bands consisting of red (top), white (middle, double width), and red (bottom) with a green cedar tree centered in the white band

Lesotho three horizontal stripes of blue (top), white, and green in the proportions of 3:4:3; the colors represent rain, peace, and prosperity respectively; centered in the white stripe is a black Basotho hat representing the indigenous people; the flag was unfurled in October 2006 to celebrate 40 years of independence

Liberia 11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the US flag

Libya plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the state religion)

Liechtenstein two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band

Lithuania three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red

Luxembourg three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter; design was based on the flag of France

Macau light green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars: one large in center of arc and four smaller

Macedonia a yellow sun with eight broadening rays extending to the edges of the red field

Madagascar two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side

Malawi three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band

Malaysia 14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star; the crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US

Maldives red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag

Mali three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Malta two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red

Marshall Islands blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes

Mauritania green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam

Mauritius four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green

Mayotte unofficial, local flag with the coat of arms of Mayotte centered on a white field, above which the name of the island appears in red capital letters; the main elements of the coat of arms, flanked on either side by a seahorse, appear above a scroll with the motto RA HACHIRI (We are Vigilant); the only official flag is the national flag of France

Mexico three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; the coat of arms (an eagle with a snake in its beak perched on a cactus) is centered in the white band

Micronesia, Federated States of light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern

Moldova three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow; same color scheme as Romania

Monaco two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which is white (top) and red

Mongolia three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red; centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang symbol)

Montenegro a red field bordered by a narrow golden-yellow stripe with the Montenegrin coat of arms centered

Montserrat blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross

Morocco red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Sulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag; red and green are traditional colors in Arab flags, although the use of red is more commonly associated with the Arab states of the Persian gulf; design dates to 1912

Mozambique three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book

Namibia a wide red stripe edged by narrow white stripes divides the flag diagonally from lower hoist corner to upper fly corner; the upper hoist-side triangle is blue and charged with a yellow, 12-rayed sunburst; the lower fly-side triangle is green

Nauru blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru

Navassa Island the flag of the US is used

Nepal red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun

Netherlands three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer; one of the oldest flags in constant use, originating with WILLIAM I, Prince of Orange, in the latter half of the 16th century

Netherlands Antilles white, with a horizontal blue stripe in the center superimposed on a vertical red band, also centered; five white, five-pointed stars are arranged in an oval pattern in the center of the blue band; the five stars represent the five main islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten

New Caledonia the flag of France is used

New Zealand blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation

Nicaragua three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band

Niger three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band

Nigeria three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green

Niue yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a large star on a blue disk in the center and a smaller star on each arm of the bold red cross

Norfolk Island three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider white band

Northern Mariana Islands blue, with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on the gray silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath

Norway red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Oman three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band

Pakistan green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam

Palau light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side

Panama divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center

Papua New Guinea divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered

Paraguay three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)

Peru three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a shield bearing a vicuna, cinchona tree (the source of quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all framed by a green wreath

Philippines two equal horizontal bands of blue (top; representing peace and justice) and red (representing courage); a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side represents equality; the center of the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays, each representing one of the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain; each corner of the triangle contains a small, yellow, five-pointed star representing the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; the design of the flag dates to 1897; in wartime the flag is flown upside down with the red band at the top

Pitcairn Islands blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with a shield featuring a yellow anchor

Poland two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white

Portugal two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red (three-fifths) with the Portuguese coat of arms centered on the dividing line

Puerto Rico five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; design initially influenced by the US flag, but similar to the Cuban flag, with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed

Qatar maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side

Romania three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flag of Chad, also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova

Russia three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red

Rwanda three horizontal bands of sky blue (top, double width), yellow, and green, with a golden sun with 24 rays near the fly end of the blue band

Saint Barthelemy the flag of France is used

Saint Helena blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield features a rocky coastline and three-masted sailing ship

Saint Kitts and Nevis divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white, five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red

Saint Lucia blue, with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border

Saint Martin the flag of France is used

Saint Pierre and Miquelon a yellow sailing ship facing the hoist side rides on a dark blue background with yellow wavy lines under the ship; on the hoist side, a vertical band is divided into three parts: the top part (called ikkurina) is red with a green diagonal cross extending to the corners overlaid by a white cross dividing the rectangle into four sections; the middle part has a white background with an ermine pattern; the third part has a red background with two stylized yellow lions outlined in black, one above the other; these three heraldic arms represent settlement by colonists from the Basque Country (top), Brittany, and Normandy; the flag of France is used for official occasions

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a V pattern

Samoa red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation

San Marino two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat of arms has a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked by a wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word LIBERTAS (Liberty)

Sao Tome and Principe three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Saudi Arabia green, a traditional color in Islamic flags, with the Shahada or Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (translated as "There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God") above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); design dates to the early twentieth century and is closely associated with the Al Saud family which established the kingdom in 1932

Senegal three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Serbia three equal horizontal stripes of red (top), blue, and white; charged with the coat of arms of Serbia shifted slightly to the hoist side

Seychelles five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side

Sierra Leone three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue

Singapore two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle

Slovakia three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red superimposed with the coat of arms of Slovakia (consisting of a red shield bordered in white and bearing a white Cross of Lorraine surmounting three blue hills); the coat of arms is centered vertically and offset slightly to the hoist side

Slovenia three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red, with the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav, Slovenia's highest peak, in white against a blue background at the center; beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and above it are three six-pointed stars arranged in an inverted triangle, which are taken from the coat of arms of the Counts of Celje, the great Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th and early 15th centuries); the seal is in the upper hoist side of the flag centered on the white and blue bands

Solomon Islands divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green

Somalia light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; blue field influenced by the flag of the UN

South Africa two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band that splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a shield with a golden lion centered; the shield is supported by a fur seal on the left and a penguin on the right; a reindeer appears above the shield, and below it on a scroll is the motto LEO TERRAM PROPRIAM PROTEGAT (Let the Lion Protect its Own Land)

Spain three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width), and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band; the coat of arms is quartered to display the emblems of the traditional kingdoms of Spain (clockwise from upper left, Castile, Leon, Navarre, and Aragon) while Granada is represented by the stylized pomegranate at the bottom of the shield; the arms are framed by two columns representing the Pillars of Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar; the red scroll across the two columns bears the imperial motto of "Plus Ultra" (further beyond) referring to Spanish lands beyond Europe

Sri Lanka yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other panel is a large dark red rectangle with a yellow lion holding a sword, and there is a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a border around the entire flag and extends between the two panels

Sudan three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist side

Suriname five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is a large, yellow, five-pointed star centered in the red band

Svalbard the flag of Norway is used

Swaziland three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally

Sweden blue with a golden yellow cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Switzerland red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag

Syria three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black, colors associated with the Arab Liberation flag; two small, green, five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; former flag of the United Arab Republic where the two stars represented the constituent states of Syria and Egypt; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band, Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band, and that of Egypt, which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band; the current design dates to 1980

Taiwan red field with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays

Tajikistan three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven gold, five-pointed stars is located in the center of the white stripe

Tanzania divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is blue

Thailand five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red

Timor-Leste red, with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that extends to the center of the flag; a white star is in the center of the black triangle

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

Tokelau the flag of New Zealand is used

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

Trinidad and Tobago red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side to the lower fly side

Tunisia 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

Turkey 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

Turkmenistan green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist side, containing five tribal guls (designs used in producing carpets) stacked above two crossed olive branches; a white crescent moon representing Islam with five white stars representing the regions or welayats of Turkmenistan appear in the upper corner of the field just to the fly side of the red stripe

Turks and Caicos Islands 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

Tuvalu 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

Uganda 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

Ukraine two equal horizontal bands of azure (top) and golden yellow represent grain fields under a blue sky

United Arab Emirates three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side

United Kingdom blue field 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); properly known as the Union Flag, but commonly called the Union Jack; the design and colors (especially the Blue Ensign) have been the basis for a number of other flags including other Commonwealth countries and their constituent states or provinces, and British overseas territories

United States 13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags, including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico

United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges the flag of the US is used

Uruguay nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May with 16 rays that alternate between triangular and wavy

Uzbekistan three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and green separated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon and 12 white stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant

Vanuatu 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

Venezuela 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 eight white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band

Vietnam red field with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center

Virgin Islands white field 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

Wake Island the flag of the US is used

Wallis and Futuna unofficial, local flag has a red field with four white isosceles triangles in the middle, representing the three native kings of the islands and the French administrator; the apexes of the triangles are oriented inward and at right angles to each other; the flag of France, outlined in white on two sides, is in the upper hoist quadrant; the flag of France is the only official flag

Yemen three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars in the white band, and of Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt, which has a heraldic eagle centered in the white band

Zambia green field 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

Zimbabwe seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red, black, red, yellow, and green with a white isosceles triangle edged in black with its base on the hoist side; a yellow Zimbabwe bird representing the long history of the country is superimposed on a red five-pointed star in the center of the triangle, which symbolizes peace; green symbolizes agriculture, yellow - mineral wealth, red - blood shed to achieve independence, and black stands for the native people

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008

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@2085 Roadways (km)

Afghanistan total: 42,150 km paved: 12,350 km unpaved: 29,800 km (2006)

Albania total: 18,000 km paved: 7,020 km unpaved: 10,980 km (2002)

Algeria total: 108,302 km paved: 76,028 km (includes 645 km of expressways) unpaved: 32,274 km (2004)

American Samoa total: 221 km (2007)

Andorra total: 270 km

Angola total: 51,429 km paved: 5,349 km unpaved: 46,080 km (2001)

Anguilla total: 175 km paved: 82 km unpaved: 93 km (2004)

Antigua and Barbuda total: 1,165 km paved: 384 km unpaved: 781 km (2002)

Argentina total: 231,374 km paved: 69,412 km (includes 734 km of expressways) unpaved: 161,962 km (2004)

Armenia total: 7,700 km paved: 7,700 km (includes 1,561 km of expressways) (2006)

Australia total: 812,972 km paved: 341,448 km unpaved: 471,524 km (2004)

Austria total: 107,262 km paved: 107,262 km (includes 1,677 km of expressways) (2006)

Azerbaijan total: 59,141 km paved: 29,210 km unpaved: 29,931 km (2004)

Bahamas, The total: 2,717 km paved: 1,560 km unpaved: 1,133 km (2002)

Bahrain total: 3,498 km paved: 2,768 km unpaved: 730 km (2003)

Bangladesh total: 239,226 km paved: 22,726 km unpaved: 216,500 km (2003)

Barbados total: 1,600 km paved: 1,600 km (2004)

Belarus total: 94,797 km paved: 84,028 km unpaved: 10,769 km (2005)

Belgium total: 152,256 km paved: 119,079 km (includes 1,763 km of expressways) unpaved: 33,177 km (2006)

Belize total: 3,007 km paved: 575 km unpaved: 2,432 km (2006)

Benin total: 16,000 km paved: 1,400 km unpaved: 14,600 km (2006)

Bermuda total: 447 km paved: 447 km note: public roads - 225 km; private roads - 222 km (2007)

Bhutan total: 8,050 km paved: 4,991 km unpaved: 3,059 km (2003)

Bolivia total: 62,479 km paved: 3,749 km unpaved: 58,730 km (2004)

Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 21,846 km paved: 11,425 km (4,714 km of interurban roads) unpaved: 10,421 km (2006)

Botswana total: 25,798 km paved: 8,410 km unpaved: 17,388 km (2005)

Brazil total: 1,751,868 km paved: 96,353 km unpaved: 1,655,515 km (2004)

British Indian Ocean Territory note: short section of paved road between port and airfield on Diego Garcia

British Virgin Islands total: 200 km paved: 200 km (2007)

Brunei total: 3,650 km paved: 2,819 km unpaved: 831 km (2005)

Bulgaria total: 40,231 km paved: 39,587 km (includes 331 km of expressways) unpaved: 644 km (2005)

Burkina Faso total: 92,495 km paved: 3,857 km unpaved: 88,638 km (2004)

Burma total: 27,000 km paved: 3,200 km unpaved: 23,800 km (2006)

Burundi total: 12,322 km paved: 1,286 km unpaved: 11,036 km (2004)

Cambodia total: 38,257 km paved: 2,406 km unpaved: 35,851 km (2004)

Cameroon total: 50,000 km paved: 5,000 km unpaved: 45,000 km (2004)

Canada total: 1,042,300 km paved: 415,600 km (includes 17,000 km of expressways) unpaved: 626,700 km (2006)

Cape Verde total: 1,350 km paved: 932 km unpaved: 418 km (2000)

Cayman Islands total: 785 km paved: 785 km (2007)

Central African Republic total: 24,307 km (2000)

Chad total: 33,400 km paved: 267 km unpaved: 33,133 km (2002)

Chile total: 80,505 km paved: 16,745 km (includes 2,414 km of expressways) unpaved: 63,760 km (2004)

China total: 1,930,544 km paved: 1,575,571 km (includes 41,005 km of expressways) unpaved: 354,973 km (2005)

Christmas Island total: 140 km paved: 30 km unpaved: 110 km (2007)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands total: 22 km paved: 10 km unpaved: 12 km (2006)

Colombia total: 164,257 km (2005)

Comoros total: 880 km paved: 673 km unpaved: 207 km (2002)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 153,497 km paved: 2,794 km unpaved: 150,703 km (2004)

Congo, Republic of the total: 17,289 km paved: 864 km unpaved: 16,425 km (2004)

Cook Islands total: 320 km paved: 33 km unpaved: 287 km (2003)

Costa Rica total: 35,330 km paved: 8,621 km unpaved: 26,709 km (2004)

Cote d'Ivoire total: 80,000 km paved: 6,500 km unpaved: 73,500 km note: includes intercity and urban roads; another 20,000 km of dirt roads are in poor condition and 150,000 km of dirt roads are impassable (2006)

Croatia total: 28,788 km (includes 877 km of expressways) (2006)

Cuba total: 60,858 km paved: 29,820 km (includes 638 km of expressway) unpaved: 31,038 km (2000)

Cyprus total: 14,630 km (area under government control: 12,280 km; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 2,350 km) paved: area under government control: 7,979 km (includes 257 km of expressways); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 1,370 km unpaved: area under government control: 4,301 km; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 980 km (2006)

Czech Republic total: 128,512 km paved: 128,512 km (includes 657 km of expressways) (2007)

Denmark total: 72,362 km paved: 72,362 km (includes 1,032 km of expressways) (2006)

Djibouti total: 3,065 km paved: 1,226 km unpaved: 1,839 km (2000)

Dominica total: 780 km paved: 393 km unpaved: 387 km (2000)

Dominican Republic total: 19,705 km paved: 9,872 km unpaved: 9,833 km (2002)

Ecuador total: 43,670 km paved: 6,472 km unpaved: 37,198 km (2006)

Egypt total: 92,370 km paved: 74,820 km unpaved: 17,550 km (2004)

El Salvador total: 10,886 km paved: 2,827 km (includes 327 km of expressways) unpaved: 8,059 km (2000)

Equatorial Guinea total: 2,880 km (2000)

Eritrea total: 4,010 km paved: 874 km unpaved: 3,136 km (2000)

Estonia total: 57,016 km paved: 12,926 km (includes 99 km of expressways) unpaved: 44,090 km (2005)

Ethiopia total: 36,469 km paved: 6,980 km unpaved: 29,489 km (2004)

European Union total: 5,454,446 km (2008)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) total: 440 km paved: 50 km unpaved: 390 km (2008)

Faroe Islands total: 463 km (2006)

Fiji total: 3,440 km paved: 1,692 km unpaved: 1,748 km (2000)

Finland total: 78,821 km paved: 50,854 km (includes 700 km of expressways) unpaved: 27,967 km (2008)

France total: 951,500 km paved: 951,500 km (metropolitan France; includes 10,950 km of expressways) note: there are another 5,100 km of roadways in overseas departments (2006)

French Polynesia total: 2,590 km paved: 1,735 km unpaved: 855 km (1999)

Gabon total: 9,170 km paved: 937 km unpaved: 8,233 km (2004)

Gambia, The total: 3,742 km paved: 723 km unpaved: 3,019 km (2004)

Gaza Strip note: see entry for West Bank

Georgia total: 20,329 km paved: 7,854 km (includes 13 km of expressways) unpaved: 12,475 km (2006)

Germany total: 644,480 km paved: 644,480 km (includes 12,400 km of expressways) note: includes local roads (2006)

Ghana total: 62,221 km paved: 9,955 km unpaved: 52,266 km (2006)

Gibraltar total: 29 km paved: 29 km (2007)

Greece total: 117,533 km paved: 107,895 km (includes 880 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,638 km (2005)

Greenland note: although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport takes place either by sea or air (2005)

Grenada total: 1,127 km paved: 687 km unpaved: 440 km (2000)

Guam total: 1,045 km (2007)

Guatemala total: 14,095 km paved: 4,863 km (includes 75 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,232 km (2000)

Guinea total: 44,348 km paved: 4,342 km unpaved: 40,006 km (2003)

Guinea-Bissau total: 3,455 km paved: 965 km unpaved: 2,490 km (2002)

Guyana total: 7,970 km paved: 590 km unpaved: 7,380 km (2000)

Haiti total: 4,160 km paved: 1,011 km unpaved: 3,149 km (2000)

Honduras total: 13,600 km paved: 2,775 km unpaved: 10,825 km (2000)

Hong Kong total: 2,009 km paved: 2,009 km (2007)

Hungary total: 159,568 km paved: 70,050 km (30,874 km of interurban roads including 626 km of expressways) unpaved: 89,518 km (2005)

Iceland total: 13,058 km paved/oiled gravel: 4,397 km (does not include urban roads) unpaved: 8,661 km (2007)

India total: 3,316,452 km (includes 200 km of expressways) (2006)

Indonesia total: 391,009 km paved: 216,714 km unpaved: 174,295 km (2005)

Iran total: 172,927 km paved: 125,908 km (includes 1,429 km of expressways) unpaved: 47,019 km (2006)

Iraq total: 44,900 km paved: 37,851 km unpaved: 7,049 km (2002)

Ireland total: 96,602 km paved: 96,602 km (includes 200 km of expressways) (2003)

Isle of Man total: 500 km (2008)

Israel total: 17,870 km paved: 17,870 km (includes 146 km of expressways) (2007)

Italy total: 487,700 km paved: 487,700 km (includes 6,700 km of expressways) (2005)

Jamaica total: 21,552 km paved: 15,937 km (includes 33 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,615 km (2005)

Japan total: 1,196,999 km paved: 949,101 km (includes 7,383 km of expressways) unpaved: 247,898 km (2006)

Jersey total: 358 km (2002)

Jordan total: 7,694 km paved: 7,694 km (2006)

Kazakhstan total: 91,563 km paved: 83,717 km unpaved: 7,846 km (2006)

Kenya total: 63,265 km (interurban roads) paved: 8,933 km unpaved: 54,332 km note: there also are 100,000 km of rural roads and 14,500 km of urban roads for a national total of 177,765 km (2004)

Kiribati total: 670 km (2000)

Korea, North total: 25,554 km paved: 724 km unpaved: 24,830 km (2006)

Korea, South total: 102,062 km paved: 90,417 km (includes 3,103 km of expressways) unpaved: 11,645 km (2006)

Kosovo total: 1,924 km paved: 1,666 km unpaved: 258 km (2006)

Kuwait total: 5,749 km paved: 4,887 km unpaved: 862 km (2004)

Kyrgyzstan total: 18,500 km paved: 16,909 km (includes 140 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,591 km (2003)

Laos total: 29,811 km paved: 4,010 km unpaved: 25,801 km (2006)

Latvia total: 69,675 km paved: 69,675 km (2006)

Lebanon total: 6,970 km (includes 170 km of expressways) (2005)

Lesotho total: 7,091 km paved: 1,404 km unpaved: 5,687 km (2003)

Liberia total: 10,600 km paved: 657 km unpaved: 9,943 km (2000)

Libya total: 100,024 km paved: 57,214 km unpaved: 42,810 km (2003)

Liechtenstein total: 380 km paved: 380 km (2007)

Lithuania total: 79,984 km paved: 70,997 km (includes 309 km of expressways) unpaved: 8,987 km (2006)

Luxembourg total: 5,227 km paved: 5,227 km (includes 147 km of expressways) (2004)

Macau total: 384 km paved: 384 km (2006)

Macedonia total: 13,182 km (includes 208 km of expressways) (2002)

Madagascar total: 65,663 km paved: 7,617 km unpaved: 58,046 km (2003)

Malawi total: 15,451 km paved: 6,956 km unpaved: 8,495 km (2003)

Malaysia total: 98,721 km paved: 80,280 km (includes 1,821 km of expressways) unpaved: 18,441 km (2004)

Maldives total: 88 km paved roads: 88 km - 60 km in Male; 14 km on Addu Atolis; 14 km on Laamu note: village roads are mainly compacted coral (2006)

Mali total: 18,709 km paved: 3,368 km unpaved: 15,341 km (2004)

Malta total: 2,227 km paved: 2,014 km unpaved: 213 km (2005)

Marshall Islands total: 2,028 km (includes 75 km of expressways) (2007)

Mauritania total: 11,066 km paved: 2,966 km unpaved: 8,100 km (2006)

Mauritius total: 2,028 km paved: 2,028 km (includes 75 km of expressways) (2007)

Mexico total: 356,945 km paved: 178,473 km (includes 6,279 km of expressways) unpaved: 178,472 km (2006)

Micronesia, Federated States of total: 240 km paved: 42 km unpaved: 198 km (2000)

Moldova total: 12,666 km paved: 12,117 km unpaved: 549 km (2007)

Monaco total: 50 km paved: 50 km (2007)

Mongolia total: 49,250 km paved: 1,724 km unpaved: 47,526 km (2002)

Montenegro total: 7,368 km paved: 4,742 km unpaved: 2,626 km (2006)

Montserrat note: volcanic eruptions that began in 1995 destroyed most of the 227 km road system; a new road infrastructure has been built in the north end of the island (2008)

Morocco total: 57,625 km paved: 35,664 km (includes 639 km of expressways) unpaved: 21,961 km (2006)

Mozambique total: 30,400 km paved: 5,685 km unpaved: 24,715 km (2000)

Namibia total: 42,237 km paved: 5,406 km unpaved: 36,831 km (2002)

Nauru total: 24 km paved: 24 km (2002)

Nepal total: 17,280 km paved: 9,829 km unpaved: 7,451 km (2004)

Netherlands total: 134,981 km (includes 2,604 km of expressways) (2006)

Netherlands Antilles total: 845

New Caledonia total: 5,622 km (2006)

New Zealand total: 93,576 km paved: 61,564 km (includes 172 km of expressways) unpaved: 32,012 km (2006)

Nicaragua total: 19,036 km paved: 2,299 km unpaved: 16,737 km (2005)

Niger total: 18,550 km paved: 3,803 km unpaved: 14,747 km (2006)

Nigeria total: 193,200 km paved: 28,980 km unpaved: 164,220 km (2004)

Niue total: 120 km paved: 120 km (2008)

Norfolk Island total: 80 km paved: 53 km unpaved: 27 km (2008)

Northern Mariana Islands total: 536 km (2007)

Norway total: 92,946 km paved: 72,033 km (includes 664 km of expressways) unpaved: 20,913 km (2007)

Oman total: 42,300 km paved: 16,500 km (includes 550 km of expressways) unpaved: 25,800 km (2005)

Pakistan total: 259,758 km paved: 162,879 km (includes 711 km of expressways) unpaved: 96,879 km (2005)

Palau note: estimated to have 60 km of roads as of 1996

Panama total: 11,978 km paved: 4,300 km unpaved: 7,343 km (2002)

Papua New Guinea total: 19,600 km paved: 686 km unpaved: 18,914 km (2000)

Paraguay total: 29,500 km paved: 14,986 km unpaved: 14,514 km (2000)

Peru total: 78,829 km paved: 11,351 km (includes 276 km of expressways) unpaved: 67,478 km (2004)

Philippines total: 200,037 km paved: 19,804 km unpaved: 180,233 km (2003)

Poland total: 423,997 km paved: 295,356 km (includes 662 km of expressways) unpaved: 128,641 km (2006)

Portugal total: 82,900 km paved: 71,294 km (includes 2,300 km of expressways) unpaved: 11,606 km (2005)

Puerto Rico total: 26,186 km paved: 24,877 km (includes 427 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,309 km (2007)

Qatar total: 7,790 km (2006)

Romania total: 198,817 km paved: 60,043 km (includes 228 km of expressways) unpaved: 138,774 km (2004)

Russia total: 933,000 km paved: 754,984 km (includes 30,000 km of expressways) unpaved: 178,016 km note: includes public, local, and departmental roads (2006)

Rwanda total: 14,008 km paved: 2,662 km unpaved: 11,346 km (2004)

Saint Helena total: 198 km (Saint Helena 138 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 20 km) paved: 168 km (Saint Helena 118 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 10 km) unpaved: 30 km (Saint Helena 20 km, Ascension 0 km, Tristan da Cunha 10 km) (2002)

Saint Kitts and Nevis total: 320 km paved: 163 km unpaved: 220 km (2002)

Saint Lucia total: 1,210 km (2002)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon total: 117 km paved: 80 km unpaved: 37 km (2000)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total: 829 km paved: 580 km unpaved: 249 km (2003)

Samoa total: 2,337 km paved: 332 km unpaved: 2,005 km (2001)

San Marino total: 292 km paved: 292 km (2006)

Sao Tome and Principe total: 320 km paved: 218 km unpaved: 102 km (2000)

Saudi Arabia total: 221,372 km paved: 47,529 km (includes 3,891 km of expressways) unpaved: 173,843 km (2006)

Senegal total: 13,576 km paved: 3,972 km (includes 7 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,604 km (2003)

Serbia total: 36,875 km paved: 31,392 km unpaved: 5,483 km note: roadways in Kosovo listed separately (2006)

Seychelles total: 458 km paved: 440 km unpaved: 18 km (2003)

Sierra Leone total: 11,300 km paved: 904 km unpaved: 10,396 km (2002)

Singapore total: 3,262 km paved: 3,262 km (includes 150 km of expressways) (2006)

Slovakia total: 43,761 km paved: 38,085 km (includes 316 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,676 km (2006)

Slovenia total: 38,562 km paved: 38,562 km (includes 579 km of expressways) (2006)

Solomon Islands total: 1,360 km paved: 33 km unpaved: 1,327 km note: includes 800 km of private plantation roads (2002)

Somalia total: 22,100 km paved: 2,608 km unpaved: 19,492 km (2000)

South Africa total: 362,099 km paved: 73,506 km (includes 239 km of expressways) unpaved: 288,593 km (2002)

Spain total: 681,224 km paved: 681,224 km (includes 13,872 km of expressways) (2006)

Sri Lanka total: 97,286 km paved: 78,802 km unpaved: 18,484 km (2003)

Sudan total: 11,900 km paved: 4,320 km unpaved: 7,580 km (2000)

Suriname total: 4,304 km paved: 1,130 km unpaved: 3,174 km (2003)

Swaziland total: 3,594 km paved: 1,078 km unpaved: 2,516 km (2002)

Sweden total: 425,300 km paved: 139,300 km (includes 1,740 km of expressways) unpaved: 286,000 km (2008)

Switzerland total: 71,298 km paved: 71,298 km (includes 1,758 of expressways) (2006)

Syria total: 97,401 km paved: 19,490 km (includes 1,103 km of expressways) unpaved: 77,911 km (2006)

Taiwan total: 40,262 km paved: 38,171 km (includes 976 km of expressways) unpaved: 2,091 km (2007)

Tajikistan total: 27,767 km (2000)

Tanzania total: 78,891 km paved: 6,808 km unpaved: 72,083 km (2003)

Thailand total: 180,053 km (includes 450 km of expressways) (2006)

Timor-Leste total: 6,040 km paved: 2,600 km unpaved: 3,440 km (2005)

Togo total: 7,520 km paved: 2,376 km unpaved: 5,144 km (2000)

Tonga total: 680 km paved: 184 km unpaved: 496 km (2000)

Trinidad and Tobago total: 8,320 km paved: 4,252 km unpaved: 4,068 km (2000)

Tunisia total: 19,232 km paved: 12,655 km (includes 262 km of expressways) unpaved: 6,577 km (2004)

Turkey total: 426,951 km (includes 1,987 km of expressways) (2006)

Turkmenistan total: 58,592 km paved: 47,577 km unpaved: 11,015 km (2002)

Turks and Caicos Islands total: 121 km paved: 24 km unpaved: 97 km (2003)

Tuvalu total: 8 km paved: 8 km (2002)

Uganda total: 70,746 km paved: 16,272 km unpaved: 54,474 km (2003)

Ukraine total: 169,422 km paved: 165,611 km (includes 15 km of expressways) unpaved: 3,811 km (2007)

United Arab Emirates total: 4,080 km paved: 4,080 km (includes 253 km of expressways) (2008)

United Kingdom total: 398,366 km paved: 398,366 km (includes 3,520 km of expressways) (2006)

United States total: 6,465,799 km paved: 4,209,835 km (includes 75,040 km of expressways) unpaved: 2,255,964 km (2007)

Uruguay total: 77,732 km paved: 7,743 km unpaved: 69,989 km (2004)

Uzbekistan total: 86,496 km paved: 75,511 km unpaved: 10,985 km (2000)

Vanuatu total: 1,070 km paved: 256 km unpaved: 814 km (1999)

Venezuela total: 96,155 km paved: 32,308 km unpaved: 63,847 km (2002)

Vietnam total: 222,179 km paved: 42,167 km unpaved: 180,012 km (2004)

Virgin Islands total: 1,257 km (2007)

West Bank total: 5,147 km paved: 5,147 km note: includes Gaza Strip (2006)

World total: 68,937,575 km (2008)

Yemen total: 71,300 km paved: 6,200 km unpaved: 65,100 km (2005)

Zambia total: 91,440 km paved: 20,117 km unpaved: 71,323 km (2001)

Zimbabwe total: 97,267 km paved: 18,481 km unpaved: 78,786 km (2002)

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008

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@2086 Illicit drugs

Afghanistan world's largest producer of opium; poppy cultivation increased 17% to a near-record 202,000 hectares in 2007; good growing conditions pushed potential opium production to a record 8,000 metric tons, up 42% from last year; if the entire opium crop were processed, 947 metric tons of heroin potentially could be produced; drug trade is a source of instability and the Taliban and other antigovernment groups participate in and profit from the drug trade; widespread corruption impedes counterdrug efforts; most of the heroin consumed in Europe and Eurasia is derived from Afghan opium; vulnerable to drug money laundering through informal financial networks; regional source of hashish

Albania increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to a lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and growing cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and expanding in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens

Angola used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western Europe and other African states, particularly South Africa

Anguilla transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe

Antigua and Barbuda considered a minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; more significant as an offshore financial center

Argentina a transshipment country for cocaine headed for Europe; some money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; law enforcement corruption; a source for precursor chemicals; increasing domestic consumption of drugs in urban centers, especially cocaine base and synthetic drugs

Armenia illicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domestic consumption; minor transit point for illicit drugs - mostly opium and hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe

Aruba transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity; relatively high percentage of population consumes cocaine

Australia Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate; major consumer of cocaine and amphetamines

Austria transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; increasing consumption of European-produced synthetic drugs

Azerbaijan limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; small government eradication program; transit point for Southwest Asian opiates bound for Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe

Bahamas, The transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and Europe; offshore financial center

Bangladesh transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries

Barbados one of many Caribbean transshipment points for narcotics bound for Europe and the US; offshore financial center

Belarus limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for the domestic market; transshipment point for illicit drugs to and via Russia, and to the Baltics and Western Europe; a small and lightly regulated financial center; new anti-money-laundering legislation does not meet international standards; few investigations or prosecutions of money-laundering activities

Belgium growing producer of synthetic drugs and cannabis; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; despite a strengthening of legislation, the country remains vulnerable to money laundering related to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco; significant domestic consumption of ecstasy

Belize transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis, primarily for local consumption; money-laundering activity related to narcotics trafficking and offshore sector

Benin transshipment point used by Nigerian traffickers for narcotics destined for Western Europe; vulnerable to money laundering due to poorly enforced financial regulations

Bolivia world's third-largest cultivator of coca (after Colombia and Peru) with an estimated 29,500 hectares under cultivation in 2007, a slight increase over 2006; third largest producer of cocaine, estimated at 120 metric tons of potential pure cocaine in 2007; transit country for Peruvian and Colombian cocaine destined for Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Europe; cultivation generally increasing since 2000, despite eradication and alternative crop programs; weak border controls; some money-laundering activity related to narcotics trade, especially along the borders with Brazil and Paraguay; major cocaine consumption (2007)

Bosnia and Herzegovina increasingly a transit point for heroin being trafficked to Western Europe; minor transit point for marijuana; remains highly vulnerable to money-laundering activity given a primarily cash-based and unregulated economy, weak law enforcement, and instances of corruption

Brazil second-largest consumer of cocaine in the world; illicit producer of cannabis; trace amounts of coca cultivation in the Amazon region, used for domestic consumption; government has a large-scale eradication program to control cannabis; important transshipment country for Bolivian, Colombian, and Peruvian cocaine headed for Europe; also used by traffickers as a way station for narcotics air transshipments between Peru and Colombia; upsurge in drug-related violence and weapons smuggling; important market for Colombian, Bolivian, and Peruvian cocaine; illicit narcotics proceeds earned in Brazil are often laundered through the financial system; significant illicit financial activity in the Tri-Border Area

British Virgin Islands transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering

Brunei drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty

Bulgaria major European transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and, to a lesser degree, South American cocaine for the European market; limited producer of precursor chemicals; some money laundering of drug-related proceeds through financial institutions

Burma remains world's second-largest producer of illicit opium with an estimated production in 2008 of 340 metric tons, an increase of 26%, and cultivation in 2008 was 22,500 hectares, a 4% increase from 2007; production in the United Wa State Army's areas of greatest control remains low; Shan state is the source of 94% of poppy cultivation; lack of government will to take on major narcotrafficking groups and lack of serious commitment against money laundering continues to hinder the overall antidrug effort; major source of methamphetamine and heroin for regional consumption; currently under Financial Action Task Force countermeasures due to continued failure to address its inadequate money-laundering controls (2008)

Cambodia narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in the government, military, and police; limited methamphetamine production; vulnerable to money laundering due to its cash-based economy and porous borders

Canada illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market and export to US; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; increasing ecstasy production, some of which is destined for the US; vulnerable to narcotics money laundering because of its mature financial services sector

Cape Verde used as a transshipment point for Latin American cocaine destined for Western Europe; the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center

Cayman Islands offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to the US and Europe

Chile transshipment country for cocaine destined for Europe and the region; economic prosperity and increasing trade have made Chile more attractive to traffickers seeking to launder drug profits, especially through the Iquique Free Trade Zone, but a recent anti-money-laundering law improves controls; imported precursors passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising, making Chile a significant consumer of cocaine

China major transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden Triangle region of Southeast Asia; growing domestic drug abuse problem; source country for chemical precursors, despite new regulations on its large chemical industry

Colombia illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis; world's leading coca cultivator with 167,000 hectares in coca cultivation in 2007, a 6% increase over 2006, producing a potential of 535 metric tons of pure cocaine; the world's largest producer of coca derivatives; supplies cocaine to most of the US market and the great majority of other international drug markets; in 2007, aerial eradication dispensed herbicide to treat over 153,000 hectares with another 67,000 hectares manually eradicated, but aggressive replanting on the part of coca growers means Colombia remains a key producer; a significant portion of non-US narcotics proceeds are either laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso exchange; important supplier of heroin to the US market; opium poppy cultivation is estimated to have fallen 25% between 2006 and 2007 with a corresponding estimated 27% decline in the yield of pure heroin to 1.9 metric tons; (2007)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the one of Africa's biggest producers of cannabis, but mostly for domestic consumption; while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leaves the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center

Costa Rica transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis in remote areas; domestic cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising; significant consumption of amphetamines

Cote d'Ivoire illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for local consumption; utility as a narcotic transshipment point to Europe reduced by ongoing political instability; while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leave the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center

Croatia transit point along the Balkan route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe; has been used as a transit point for maritime shipments of South American cocaine bound for Western Europe

Cuba territorial waters and air space serve as transshipment zone for US- and European-bound drugs; established the death penalty for certain drug-related crimes in 1999

Cyprus minor transit point for heroin and hashish via air routes and container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey; some cocaine transits as well; despite a strengthening of anti-money-laundering legislation, remains vulnerable to money laundering; reporting of suspicious transactions in offshore sector remains weak

Czech Republic transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and minor transit point for Latin American cocaine to Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for local and regional markets; susceptible to money laundering related to drug trafficking, organized crime; significant consumer of ecstasy

Dominica transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; minor cannabis producer; anti-money-laundering enforcement is weak, making the country particularly vulnerable to money laundering

Dominican Republic transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; has become a transshipment point for ecstasy from the Netherlands and Belgium destined for US and Canada; substantial money laundering activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor the Dominican Republic for illicit financial transactions; significant amphetamine consumption

Ecuador significant transit country for cocaine originating in Colombia and Peru, with over half of the US-bound cocaine passing through Ecuadorian Pacific waters; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics; attractive location for cash-placement by drug traffickers laundering money because of dollarization and weak anti-money-laundering regime; increased activity on the northern frontier by trafficking groups and Colombian insurgents

Egypt transit point for cannabis, heroin, and opium moving to Europe, Israel, and North Africa; transit stop for Nigerian drug couriers; concern as money laundering site due to lax enforcement of financial regulations

El Salvador transshipment point for cocaine; small amounts of marijuana produced for local consumption; significant use of cocaine

Estonia growing producer of synthetic drugs; increasingly important transshipment zone for cannabis, cocaine, opiates, and synthetic drugs since joining the European Union and the Schengen Accord; potential money laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking is a concern, as is possible use of the gambling sector to launder funds; major use of opiates and ecstasy

Ethiopia transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and Southeast Asia and destined for Europe, as well as cocaine destined for markets in southern Africa; cultivates qat (khat) for local use and regional export, principally to Djibouti and Somalia (legal in all three countries); the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money laundering center

France metropolitan France: transshipment point for South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics French Guiana: small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption; minor transshipment point to Europe Martinique: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe

Georgia limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates via Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia

Germany source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for and consumer of Southwest Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine, and European-produced synthetic drugs; major financial center

Ghana illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; major transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and, to a lesser extent, South American cocaine destined for Europe and the US; widespread crime and money laundering problem, but the lack of a well developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money laundering center; significant domestic cocaine and cannabis use

Greece a gateway to Europe for traffickers smuggling cannabis and heroin from the Middle East and Southwest Asia to the West and precursor chemicals to the East; some South American cocaine transits or is consumed in Greece; money laundering related to drug trafficking and organized crime

Grenada small-scale cannabis cultivation; lesser transshipment point for marijuana and cocaine to US

Guatemala major transit country for cocaine and heroin; in 2005, cultivated 100 hectares of opium poppy after reemerging as a potential source of opium in 2004; potential production of less than 1 metric ton of pure heroin; marijuana cultivation for mostly domestic consumption; proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a major staging area for drugs (particularly for cocaine); money laundering is a serious problem; corruption is a major problem

Guinea-Bissau increasingly important transit country for South American cocaine enroute to Europe; enabling environment for trafficker operations thanks to pervasive corruption; archipelago-like geography around the capital facilitates drug smuggling

Guyana transshipment point for narcotics from South America - primarily Venezuela - to Europe and the US; producer of cannabis; rising money laundering related to drug trafficking and human smuggling

Haiti Caribbean transshipment point for cocaine en route to the US and Europe; substantial bulk cash smuggling activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor Haiti for illicit financial transactions; pervasive corruption; significant consumer of cannabis

Honduras transshipment point for drugs and narcotics; illicit producer of cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally for local consumption; corruption is a major problem; some money-laundering activity

Hong Kong despite strenuous law enforcement efforts, faces difficult challenges in controlling transit of heroin and methamphetamine to regional and world markets; modern banking system provides conduit for money laundering; rising indigenous use of synthetic drugs, especially among young people

Hungary transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and for South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited producer of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine and methamphetamine; efforts to counter money laundering, related to organized crime and drug trafficking, are improving, but remain vulnerable; significant consumer of ecstasy

India world's largest producer of licit opium for the pharmaceutical trade, but an undetermined quantity of opium is diverted to illicit international drug markets; transit point for illicit narcotics produced in neighboring countries and throughout Southwest Asia; illicit producer of methaqualone; vulnerable to narcotics money laundering through the hawala system; licit ketamine and precursor production

Indonesia illicit producer of cannabis largely for domestic use; producer of methamphetamine and ecstasy

Iran despite substantial interdiction efforts and considerable control measures along the border with Afghanistan, Iran remains one of the primary transshipment routes for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe; suffers one of the highest opiate addiction rates in the world, and has an increasing problem with synthetic drugs; lacks anti-money laundering laws; has reached out to neighboring countries to share counter-drug intelligence

Ireland transshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North Africa to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic drugs; increasing consumption of South American cocaine; minor transshipment point for heroin and cocaine destined for Western Europe; despite recent legislation, narcotics-related money laundering - using bureaux de change, trusts, and shell companies involving the offshore financial community - remains a concern

Israel increasingly concerned about ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin abuse; drugs arrive in country from Lebanon and, increasingly, from Jordan; money-laundering center

Italy important gateway for and consumer of Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin entering the European market; money laundering by organized crime and from smuggling

Jamaica transshipment point for cocaine from South America to North America and Europe; illicit cultivation and consumption of cannabis; government has an active manual cannabis eradication program; corruption is a major concern; substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor Jamaica for illicit financial transactions

Kazakhstan significant illicit cultivation of cannabis for CIS markets, as well as limited cultivation of opium poppy and ephedra (for the drug ephedrine); limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe; significant consumer of opiates

Kenya widespread harvesting of small plots of marijuana; transit country for South Asian heroin destined for Europe and North America; Indian methaqualone also transits on way to South Africa; significant potential for money-laundering activity given the country's status as a regional financial center; massive corruption, and relatively high levels of narcotics-associated activities

Korea, North for years, from the 1970s into the 2000s, citizens of the Democratic People's Republic of (North) Korea (DPRK), many of them diplomatic employees of the government, were apprehended abroad while trafficking in narcotics, including two in Turkey in December 2004; police investigations in Taiwan and Japan in recent years have linked North Korea to large illicit shipments of heroin and methamphetamine, including an attempt by the North Korean merchant ship Pong Su to deliver 150 kg of heroin to Australia in April 2003

Kyrgyzstan limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy for CIS markets; limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe; major consumer of opiates

Laos estimated opium poppy cultivation in 2008 was 1,900 hectares, about a 73% increase from 2007; estimated potential opium production in 2008 more than tripled to 17 metric tons; unsubstantiated reports of domestic methamphetamine production; growing domestic methamphetamine problem (2007)

Latvia transshipment and destination point for cocaine, synthetic drugs, opiates, and cannabis from Southwest Asia, Western Europe, Latin America, and neighboring Balkan countries; despite improved legislation, vulnerable to money laundering due to nascent enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of offshore companies and the gaming industry; CIS organized crime (including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds

Lebanon cannabis cultivation dramatically reduced to 2,500 hectares in 2002 despite continued significant cannabis consumption; opium poppy cultivation minimal; small amounts of Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin transit country on way to European markets and for Middle Eastern consumption; money laundering of drug proceeds fuels concern that extremists are benefiting from drug trafficking

Liberia transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine for the European and US markets; corruption, criminal activity, arms-dealing, and diamond trade provide significant potential for money laundering, but the lack of well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center

Liechtenstein has strengthened money laundering controls, but money laundering remains a concern due to Liechtenstein's sophisticated offshore financial services sector

Lithuania transshipment and destination point for cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, and opiates from Southwest Asia, Latin America, Western Europe, and neighboring Baltic countries; growing production of high-quality amphetamines, but limited production of cannabis, methamphetamines; susceptible to money laundering despite changes to banking legislation

Macau transshipment point for drugs going into mainland China; consumer of opiates and amphetamines

Macedonia major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for Europe; although not a financial center and most criminal activity is thought to be domestic, money laundering is a problem due to a mostly cash-based economy and weak enforcement

Madagascar illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin

Malaysia drug trafficking prosecuted vigorously and carries severe penalties; heroin still primary drug of abuse, but synthetic drug demand remains strong; continued ecstasy and methamphetamine producer for domestic users and, to a lesser extent, the regional drug market

Malta minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe

Mauritius consumer and transshipment point for heroin from South Asia; small amounts of cannabis produced and consumed locally; significant offshore financial industry creates potential for money laundering, but corruption levels are relatively low and the government appears generally to be committed to regulating its banking industry

Mexico major drug-producing nation; cultivation of opium poppy in 2007 rose to 6,900 hectares yielding a potential production of 18 metric tons of pure heroin, or 50 metric tons of "black tar" heroin, the dominant form of Mexican heroin in the western United States; marijuana cultivation increased to 8,900 hectares in 2007 and yielded a potential production of 15,800 metric tons; government conducts the largest independent illicit-crop eradication program in the world; continues as the primary transshipment country for US-bound cocaine from South America, with an estimated 90% of annual cocaine movements toward the US stopping in Mexico; major drug syndicates control the majority of drug trafficking throughout the country; producer and distributor of ecstasy; significant money-laundering center; major supplier of heroin and largest foreign supplier of marijuana and methamphetamine to the US market (2007)

Micronesia, Federated States of major consumer of cannabis

Moldova limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly the US; widespread crime and underground economic activity

Montserrat transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe

Morocco one of the world's largest producers of illicit hashish; shipments of hashish mostly directed to Western Europe; transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; significant consumer of cannabis

Mozambique southern African transit point for South Asian hashish and heroin, and South American cocaine probably destined for the European and South African markets; producer of cannabis (for local consumption) and methaqualone (for export to South Africa); corruption and poor regulatory capability makes the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center

Nepal illicit producer of cannabis and hashish for the domestic and international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast Asia to the West

Netherlands major European producer of synthetic drugs, including ecstasy, and cannabis cultivator; important gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish entering Europe; major source of US-bound ecstasy; large financial sector vulnerable to money laundering; significant consumer of ecstasy

Netherlands Antilles transshipment point for South American drugs bound for the US and Europe; money-laundering center

New Zealand significant consumer of amphetamines

Nicaragua transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US and transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing

Nigeria a transit point for heroin and cocaine intended for European, East Asian, and North American markets; consumer of amphetamines; safe haven for Nigerian narcotraffickers operating worldwide; major money-laundering center; massive corruption and criminal activity; Nigeria has improved some anti-money-laundering controls, resulting in its removal from the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF's) Noncooperative Countries and Territories List in June 2006; Nigeria's anti-money-laundering regime continues to be monitored by FATF

Pakistan significant transit area for Afghan drugs, including heroin, opium, morphine, and hashish, bound for Iran, Western markets, the Gulf States, Africa, and Asia; financial crimes related to drug trafficking, terrorism, corruption, and smuggling remain problems; opium poppy cultivation estimated to be 2,300 hectares in 2007 with 600 of those hectares eradicated; federal and provincial authorities continue to conduct anti-poppy campaigns that utilizes forced eradication, fines, and arrests

Panama major cocaine transshipment point and primary money-laundering center for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity is especially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial center; negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving; official corruption remains a major problem

Papua New Guinea major consumer of cannabis

Paraguay major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is consumed in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile; transshipment country for Andean cocaine headed for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets, and Europe; weak border controls, extensive corruption and money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; weak anti-money-laundering laws and enforcement

Peru until 1996 the world's largest coca leaf producer, Peru is now the world's second largest producer of coca leaf, though it lags far behind Colombia; cultivation of coca in Peru declined to 36,000 hectares in 2007; second largest producer of cocaine, estimated at 210 metric tons of potential pure cocaine in 2007; finished cocaine is shipped out from Pacific ports to the international drug market; increasing amounts of base and finished cocaine, however, are being moved to Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia for use in the Southern Cone or transshipment to Europe and Africa; increasing domestic drug consumption

Philippines domestic methamphetamine production has been a growing problem in recent years despite government crackdowns; major consumer of amphetamines; longstanding marijuana producer mainly in rural areas where Manila's control is limited

Poland despite diligent counternarcotics measures and international information sharing on cross-border crimes, a major illicit producer of synthetic drugs for the international market; minor transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and Latin American cocaine to Western Europe

Portugal seizing record amounts of Latin American cocaine destined for Europe; a European gateway for Southwest Asian heroin; transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest Asian heroin

Romania major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan route and small amounts of Latin American cocaine bound for Western Europe; although not a significant financial center, role as a narcotics conduit leaves it vulnerable to laundering, which occurs via the banking system, currency exchange houses, and casinos

Russia limited cultivation of illicit cannabis and opium poppy and producer of methamphetamine, mostly for domestic consumption; government has active illicit crop eradication program; used as transshipment point for Asian opiates, cannabis, and Latin American cocaine bound for growing domestic markets, to a lesser extent Western and Central Europe, and occasionally to the US; major source of heroin precursor chemicals; corruption and organized crime are key concerns; major consumer of opiates

Saint Kitts and Nevis transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; some money-laundering activity

Saint Lucia transit point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; small-scale cannabis cultivation

Saudi Arabia death penalty for traffickers; improving anti-money-laundering legislation and enforcement

Senegal transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and South American cocaine moving to Europe and North America; illicit cultivator of cannabis

Serbia transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western Europe on the Balkan route; economy vulnerable to money laundering

Singapore drug abuse limited because of aggressive law enforcement efforts; as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, as a venue for money laundering

Slovakia transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for regional market; consumer of ecstasy

Slovenia minor transit point for cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe, and for precursor chemicals

South Africa transshipment center for heroin, hashish, and cocaine, as well as a major cultivator of marijuana in its own right; cocaine and heroin consumption on the rise; world's largest market for illicit methaqualone, usually imported illegally from India through various east African countries, but increasingly producing its own synthetic drugs for domestic consumption; attractive venue for money launderers given the increasing level of organized criminal and narcotics activity in the region and the size of the South African economy

Spain despite rigorous law enforcement efforts, North African, Latin American, Galician, and other European traffickers take advantage of Spain's long coastline to land large shipments of cocaine and hashish for distribution to the European market; consumer for Latin American cocaine and North African hashish; destination and minor transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin; money-laundering site for Colombian narcotics trafficking organizations and organized crime

Suriname growing transshipment point for South American drugs destined for Europe via the Netherlands and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing

Switzerland a major international financial center vulnerable to the layering and integration stages of money laundering; despite significant legislation and reporting requirements, secrecy rules persist and nonresidents are permitted to conduct business through offshore entities and various intermediaries; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and Western European synthetics; domestic cannabis cultivation and limited ecstasy production

Syria a transit point for opiates, hashish, and cocaine bound for regional and Western markets; weak anti-money-laundering controls and bank privatization may leave it vulnerable to money laundering

Taiwan regional transit point for heroin, methamphetamine, and precursor chemicals; transshipment point for drugs to Japan; major problem with domestic consumption of methamphetamine and heroin; rising problems with use of ketamine and club drugs

Tajikistan major transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of opium poppy for domestic consumption; Tajikistan seizes roughly 80% of all drugs captured in Central Asia and stands third worldwide in seizures of opiates (heroin and raw opium); significant consumer of opiates

Tanzania growing role in transshipment of Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for South African, European, and US markets and of South Asian methaqualone bound for southern Africa; money laundering remains a problem

Thailand a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; transit point for illicit 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; minor role in methamphetamine production for regional consumption; major consumer of methamphetamine since the 1990s despite a series of government crackdowns

Timor-Leste NA

Togo transit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers; money laundering not a significant problem

Trinidad and Tobago transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; producer of cannabis

Turkey key transit route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe and, to a lesser extent, the US - via air, land, and sea routes; major Turkish and other international trafficking organizations operate out of Istanbul; laboratories to convert imported morphine base into heroin exist in remote regions of Turkey and near Istanbul; government maintains strict controls over areas of legal opium poppy cultivation and over output of poppy straw concentrate; lax enforcement of money-laundering controls

Turkmenistan transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and Western European markets; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan

Turks and Caicos Islands transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe

Ukraine limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; some synthetic drug production for export to the West; limited government eradication program; used as transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Africa, Latin America, and Turkey to Europe and Russia; Ukraine has improved anti-money-laundering controls, resulting in its removal from the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF's) Noncooperative Countries and Territories List in February 2004; Ukraine's anti-money-laundering regime continues to be monitored by FATF

United Arab Emirates the UAE is a drug transshipment point for traffickers given its proximity to Southwest Asian drug-producing countries; the UAE's position as a major financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering; anti-money-laundering controls improving, but informal banking remains unregulated

United Kingdom producer of limited amounts of synthetic drugs and synthetic precursor chemicals; major consumer of Southwest Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine, and synthetic drugs; money-laundering center

United States world's largest consumer of cocaine (shipped from Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean), Colombian heroin, and Mexican heroin and marijuana; major consumer of ecstasy and Mexican methamphetamine; minor consumer of high-quality Southeast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-laundering center

Uruguay small-scale transit country for drugs mainly bound for Europe, often through sea-borne containers; law enforcement corruption; money laundering because of strict banking secrecy laws; weak border control along Brazilian frontier; increasing consumption of cocaine base and synthetic drugs

Uzbekistan transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and small amounts of opium poppy for domestic consumption; poppy cultivation almost wiped out by government crop eradication program; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan

Venezuela small-scale illicit producer of opium and coca for the processing of opiates and coca derivatives; however, large quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana transit the country from Colombia bound for US and Europe; significant narcotics-related money-laundering activity, especially along the border with Colombia and on Margarita Island; active eradication program primarily targeting opium; increasing signs of drug-related activities by Colombian insurgents on border

Vietnam minor producer of opium poppy; probable minor transit point for Southeast Asian heroin; government continues to face domestic opium/heroin/methamphetamine addiction problems despite longstanding crackdowns

World cocaine: worldwide coca leaf cultivation in 2007 amounted to 232,500 hectares; Colombia produced slightly more than two-thirds of the worldwide crop, followed by Peru and Bolivia; potential pure cocaine production decreased 7% to 865 metric tons in 2007; Colombia conducts aggressive coca eradication campaign, but both Peruvian and Bolivian Governments are hesitant to eradicate coca in key growing areas; 551 metric tons of export-quality cocaine (85% pure) is documented to have been seized or destroyed in 2005; US consumption of export quality cocaine is estimated to have been in excess of 380 metric tons opiates: worldwide illicit opium poppy cultivation continued to increase in 2007, with a potential opium production of 8,400 metric tons, reaching the highest levels recorded since estimates began in mid-1980s; Afghanistan is world's primary opium producer, accounting for 95% of the global supply; Southeast Asia - responsible for 9% of global opium - saw marginal increases in production; Latin America produced 1% of global opium, but most was refined into heroin destined for the US market; if all potential opium was processed into pure heroin, the potential global production would be 1,000 metric tons of heroin in 2007

Zambia transshipment point for moderate amounts of methaqualone, small amounts of heroin, and cocaine bound for southern Africa and possibly Europe; a poorly developed financial infrastructure coupled with a government commitment to combating money laundering make it an unattractive venue for money launderers; major consumer of cannabis

Zimbabwe transit point for cannabis and South Asian heroin, mandrax, and methamphetamines en route to South Africa

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008

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

@2087 Imports

Afghanistan $3.823 billion (2006)

Albania $3.999 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Algeria $26.25 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

American Samoa $308.8 million (FY04 est.)

Andorra $1.879 billion (2005)

Angola $12.29 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Anguilla $143 million (2006)

Antigua and Barbuda $522.8 million (2007 est.)

Argentina $42.53 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Armenia $2.807 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Aruba $1.054 billion f.o.b. (2006)

Australia $160 billion (2007 est.)

Austria $160.3 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Azerbaijan $6.045 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Bahamas, The $2.401 billion (2006)

Bahrain $10.93 billion (2007 est.)

Bangladesh $16.67 billion (2007 est.)

Barbados $1.586 billion (2006)

Belarus $28.32 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Belgium $323.2 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Belize $642 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Benin $1.085 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Bermuda $1.162 billion (2006)

Bhutan $320 million c.i.f. (2006)

Bolivia $3.249 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina $9.947 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Botswana $3.403 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Brazil $120.6 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

British Virgin Islands $187 million (2002 est.)

Brunei $2 billion c.i.f. (2006)

Bulgaria $28.67 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Burkina Faso $1.296 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Burma $2.942 billion f.o.b. note: import figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of consumer goods, diesel fuel, and other products smuggled in from Thailand, China, Malaysia, and India (2007 est.)

Burundi $272 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Cambodia $5.424 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Cameroon $3.714 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Canada $386.4 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Cape Verde $743.6 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Cayman Islands $866.9 million (2004)

Central African Republic $237.3 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Chad $1.158 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Chile $43.99 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

China $904.6 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Christmas Island $NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands $NA

Colombia $31.17 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Comoros $143 million f.o.b. (2006)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the $2.263 billion f.o.b. (2006)

Congo, Republic of the $2.634 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Cook Islands $81.04 million (2005)

Costa Rica $12.26 billion (2007 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire $5.932 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Croatia $25.99 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Cuba $10.08 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Cyprus $7.84 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Czech Republic $116.6 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Denmark $102 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Djibouti $1.555 billion f.o.b. (2006)

Dominica $296 million f.o.b. (2006)

Dominican Republic $13.82 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Ecuador $12.76 billion (2007 est.)

Egypt $44.95 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

El Salvador $8.108 billion (2007 est.)

Equatorial Guinea $3.083 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Eritrea $573 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Estonia $14.75 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Ethiopia $5.165 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

European Union $1.466 trillion; note - external imports, excluding intra-EU trade (2005)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $90 million (2004 est.)

Faroe Islands $751 million c.i.f. (2006)

Fiji $3.12 billion c.i.f. (2006)

Finland $78.05 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

France $600.9 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

French Polynesia $1.706 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Gabon $2.107 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Gambia, The $271 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Gaza Strip $2.44 billion c.i.f.; (includes West Bank) (2005)

Georgia $4.977 billion (2007 est.)

Germany $1.075 trillion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Ghana $8.053 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Gibraltar $2.967 billion c.i.f. (2004 est.)

Greece $80.79 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Greenland $712 million c.i.f. (2006)

Grenada $343 million (2006)

Guam $701 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Guatemala $12.62 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Guernsey $NA

Guinea $1.202 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Guinea-Bissau $200 million f.o.b. (2006)

Guyana $1.006 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Haiti $1.734 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Honduras $8.556 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Hong Kong $365.6 billion (2007 est.)

Hungary $86.88 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Iceland $6.181 billion (2007 est.)

India $230.5 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Indonesia $84.93 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Iran $53.88 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Iraq $25.67 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Ireland $84.76 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Isle of Man $NA

Israel $55.79 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Italy $498.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Jamaica $5.784 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Japan $573.3 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Jersey $NA

Jordan $12.02 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Kazakhstan $33.21 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Kenya $8.54 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Kiribati $62 million c.i.f. (2004 est.)

Korea, North $2.879 billion c.i.f. (2006)

Korea, South $349.6 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Kosovo $NA

Kuwait $20.64 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Kyrgyzstan $2.636 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Laos $1.378 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Latvia $14.82 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Lebanon $11.93 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Lesotho $1.536 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Liberia $7.143 billion f.o.b. (2006)

Libya $14.43 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Liechtenstein $917.3 million (1996)

Lithuania $22.8 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Luxembourg $23.13 billion c.i.f. (2007 est.)

Macau $4.559 billion c.i.f. (2006)

Macedonia $4.977 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Madagascar $1.918 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Malawi $866 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Malaysia $139.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Maldives $930 million f.o.b. (2006)

Mali $2.358 billion f.o.b. (2006)

Malta $4.541 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Marshall Islands $54.7 million f.o.b. (2000)

Mauritania $1.475 billion f.o.b. (2006)

Mauritius $3.656 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Mayotte $341 million f.o.b.; note - excludes petroleum imports (2005)

Mexico $281.9 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of $132.7 million f.o.b. (2004)

Moldova $3.677 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Monaco $916.1 million note: full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France (2005)

Mongolia $2.117 billion c.i.f. (2007)

Montenegro $601.7 million (2003)

Montserrat $17 million (2001)

Morocco $28.5 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Mozambique $2.811 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Namibia $3.091 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Nauru $20 million c.i.f. (2004 est.)

Nepal $2.398 billion f.o.b. (2006)

Netherlands $406.3 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Netherlands Antilles $15.74 billion f.o.b. (2006)

New Caledonia $1.998 billion f.o.b. (2006)

New Zealand $29.06 billion (2007 est.)

Nicaragua $4.078 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Niger $800 million f.o.b. (2006)

Nigeria $38.5 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Niue $9.038 million (2004)

Norfolk Island $17.9 million c.i.f. (FY91/92)

Northern Mariana Islands $214.4 million (2001)

Norway $77.24 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Oman $11 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Pakistan $28.76 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Palau $107.3 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Panama $12.62 billion f.o.b. note: includes the Colon Free Zone (2007 est.)

Papua New Guinea $2.629 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Paraguay $6.094 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Peru $19.6 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Philippines $57.56 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Pitcairn Islands $NA

Poland $160.2 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Portugal $75.3 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Puerto Rico $29.1 billion c.i.f. (2001)

Qatar $19.86 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Romania $64.54 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Russia $223.4 billion (2007 est.)

Rwanda $637 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Saint Helena $45 million c.i.f. (2004 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis $383 million (2006)

Saint Lucia $791 million (2006)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon $68.2 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $578 million (2006)

Samoa $324 million f.o.b. (2006)

San Marino $2.035 billion (2004)

Sao Tome and Principe $66 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Saudi Arabia $82.64 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Senegal $3.731 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Serbia $18.35 billion (2007 est.)

Seychelles $823 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Sierra Leone $560 million f.o.b. (2006)

Singapore $252 billion (2007 est.)

Slovakia $58.4 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Slovenia $29.39 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Solomon Islands $256 million f.o.b. (2006)

Somalia $798 million f.o.b. (2006)

South Africa $81.89 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Spain $380.2 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Sri Lanka $10.36 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Sudan $7.722 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Suriname $1.297 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Svalbard $NA

Swaziland $1.914 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Sweden $151.4 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Switzerland $187.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Syria $10.5 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Taiwan $215.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Tajikistan $2.762 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Tanzania $4.861 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Thailand $125.2 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Timor-Leste $202 million (2004 est.)

Togo $1.201 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Tokelau $969,200 c.i.f. (2002)

Tonga $139 million f.o.b. (2006)

Trinidad and Tobago $7.67 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Tunisia $18.02 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Turkey $162 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Turkmenistan $4.516 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands $175.6 million (2000)

Tuvalu $12.91 million c.i.f. (2005)

Uganda $2.983 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Ukraine $60.41 billion (2007 est.)

United Arab Emirates $116.6 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

United Kingdom $621.4 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

United States $1.968 trillion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Uruguay $5.554 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Uzbekistan $4.48 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Vanuatu $156 million c.i.f. (2006)

Venezuela $45.46 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Vietnam $58.92 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Virgin Islands $4.609 billion (2001)

Wallis and Futuna $61.17 million f.o.b. (2004)

West Bank $2.44 billion c.i.f.; (includes Gaza Strip) (2005)

Western Sahara $NA

World $13.74 trillion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Yemen $6.735 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Zambia $3.611 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Zimbabwe $2.183 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008

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

@2088 Independence

Afghanistan 19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)

Albania 28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire)

Algeria 5 July 1962 (from France)

American Samoa none (territory of the US)

Andorra 1278 (formed under the joint suzerainty of the French Count of Foix and the Spanish Bishop of Urgel)

Angola 11 November 1975 (from Portugal)

Anguilla none (overseas territory of the UK)

Antigua and Barbuda 1 November 1981 (from UK)

Argentina 9 July 1816 (from Spain)

Armenia 21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Aruba none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Australia 1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)

Austria 976 (Margravate of Austria established); 17 September 1156 (Duchy of Austria founded); 11 August 1804 (Austrian Empire proclaimed); 12 November 1918 (republic proclaimed)

Azerbaijan 30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Bahamas, The 10 July 1973 (from UK)

Bahrain 15 August 1971 (from UK)

Bangladesh 16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh

Barbados 30 November 1966 (from UK)

Belarus 25 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Belgium 4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the throne)

Belize 21 September 1981 (from UK)

Benin 1 August 1960 (from France)

Bermuda none (overseas territory of the UK)

Bhutan 1907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king)

Bolivia 6 August 1825 (from Spain)

Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia; referendum for independence completed 1 March 1992; independence declared 3 March 1992)

Botswana 30 September 1966 (from UK)

Brazil 7 September 1822 (from Portugal)

British Virgin Islands none (overseas territory of the UK)

Brunei 1 January 1984 (from UK)

Bulgaria 3 March 1878 (as an autonomous principality within the Ottoman Empire); 22 September 1908 (complete independence from the Ottoman Empire)

Burkina Faso 5 August 1960 (from France)

Burma 4 January 1948 (from UK)

Burundi 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)

Cambodia 9 November 1953 (from France)

Cameroon 1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

Canada 1 July 1867 (union of British North American colonies); 11 December 1931 (recognized by UK)

Cape Verde 5 July 1975 (from Portugal)

Cayman Islands none (overseas territory of the UK)

Central African Republic 13 August 1960 (from France)

Chad 11 August 1960 (from France)

Chile 18 September 1810 (from Spain)

China 221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty); 1 January 1912 (Manchu Dynasty replaced by a Republic); 1 October 1949 (People's Republic established)

Christmas Island none (territory of Australia)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands none (territory of Australia)

Colombia 20 July 1810 (from Spain)

Comoros 6 July 1975 (from France)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the 30 June 1960 (from Belgium)

Congo, Republic of the 15 August 1960 (from France)

Cook Islands none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)

Costa Rica 15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Cote d'Ivoire 7 August 1960 (from France)

Croatia 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)

Cuba 20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US from 1898 to 1902); not acknowledged by the Cuban Government as a day of independence

Cyprus 16 August 1960 (from UK); note - Turkish Cypriots proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 and independence in 1983, but these proclamations are only recognized by Turkey

Czech Republic 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia)

Denmark first organized as a unified state in 10th century; in 1849 became a constitutional monarchy

Djibouti 27 June 1977 (from France)

Dominica 3 November 1978 (from UK)

Dominican Republic 27 February 1844 (from Haiti)

Ecuador 24 May 1822 (from Spain)

Egypt 28 February 1922 (from UK)

El Salvador 15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Equatorial Guinea 12 October 1968 (from Spain)

Eritrea 24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia)

Estonia 20 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Ethiopia oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world - at least 2,000 years

European Union 7 February 1992 (Maastricht Treaty signed establishing the EU); 1 November 1993 (Maastricht Treaty entered into force)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)

Faroe Islands none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Fiji 10 October 1970 (from UK)

Finland 6 December 1917 (from Russia)

France 486 (Frankish tribes unified); 843 (Western Francia established from the division of the Carolingian Empire)

French Polynesia none (overseas lands of France)

Gabon 17 August 1960 (from France)

Gambia, The 18 February 1965 (from UK)

Georgia 9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Germany 18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; unification of West Germany and East Germany took place 3 October 1990; all four powers formally relinquished rights 15 March 1991

Ghana 6 March 1957 (from UK)

Gibraltar none (overseas territory of the UK)

Greece 1829 (from the Ottoman Empire)

Greenland none (extensive self-rule as part of the Kingdom of Denmark; foreign affairs is the responsibility of Denmark, but Greenland actively participates in international agreements relating to Greenland)

Grenada 7 February 1974 (from UK)

Guam none (territory of the US)

Guatemala 15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Guernsey none (British crown dependency)

Guinea 2 October 1958 (from France)

Guinea-Bissau 24 September 1973 (declared); 10 September 1974 (from Portugal)

Guyana 26 May 1966 (from UK)

Haiti 1 January 1804 (from France)

Holy See (Vatican City) 11 February 1929 (from Italy); note - the three treaties signed with Italy on 11 February 1929 acknowledged, among other things, the full sovereignty of the Vatican and established its territorial extent; however, the origin of the Papal States, which over the years have varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to the 8th century

Honduras 15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Hong Kong none (special administrative region of China)

Hungary 25 December 1000 (crowning of King STEPHEN I, traditional founding date)

Iceland 1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown); 17 June 1944 (from Denmark)

India 15 August 1947 (from UK)

Indonesia 17 August 1945 (declared) note: recognized by the Netherlands on 27 December 1949; in August 2005, the Netherlands announced it recognized de facto Indonesian independence on 17 August 1945

Iran 1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed)

Iraq 3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration); note - on 28 June 2004 the Coalition Provisional Authority transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi-controlled Government

Ireland 6 December 1921 (from UK by treaty)

Isle of Man none (British crown dependency)

Israel 14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)

Italy 17 March 1861 (Kingdom of Italy proclaimed; Italy was not finally unified until 1870)

Jamaica 6 August 1962 (from UK)

Japan 660 B.C. (traditional founding by Emperor JIMMU)

Jersey none (British crown dependency)

Jordan 25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)

Kazakhstan 16 December 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Kenya 12 December 1963 (from UK)

Kiribati 12 July 1979 (from UK)

Korea, North 15 August 1945 (from Japan)

Korea, South 15 August 1945 (from Japan)

Kosovo 17 February 2008 (from Serbia)

Kuwait 19 June 1961 (from UK)

Kyrgyzstan 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Laos 19 July 1949 (from France)

Latvia 18 November 1918 (from Soviet Russia)

Lebanon 22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)

Lesotho 4 October 1966 (from UK)

Liberia 26 July 1847

Libya 24 December 1951 (from UN trusteeship)

Liechtenstein 23 January 1719 (Principality of Liechtenstein established); 12 July 1806 (independence from the Holy Roman Empire)

Lithuania 11 March 1990 (declared); 6 September 1991 (recognized by Soviet Union)

Luxembourg 1839 (from the Netherlands)

Macau none (special administrative region of China)

Macedonia 8 September 1991 (referendum by registered voters endorsed independence from Yugoslavia)

Madagascar 26 June 1960 (from France)

Malawi 6 July 1964 (from UK)

Malaysia 31 August 1957 (from UK)

Maldives 26 July 1965 (from UK)

Mali 22 September 1960 (from France)

Malta 21 September 1964 (from UK)

Marshall Islands 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)

Mauritania 28 November 1960 (from France)

Mauritius 12 March 1968 (from UK)

Mayotte none (territorial overseas collectivity of France)

Mexico 16 September 1810 (declared); 27 September 1821 (recognized by Spain)

Micronesia, Federated States of 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)

Moldova 27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Monaco 1419 (beginning of rule by the House of Grimaldi)

Mongolia 11 July 1921 (from China)

Montenegro 3 June 2006 (from Serbia and Montenegro)

Montserrat none (overseas territory of the UK)

Morocco 2 March 1956 (from France)

Mozambique 25 June 1975 (from Portugal)

Namibia 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)

Nauru 31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered UN trusteeship)

Nepal 1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan SHAH)

Netherlands 23 January 1579 (the northern provinces of the Low Countries conclude the Union of Utrecht breaking with Spain; on 26 July 1581 they formally declared their independence with an Act of Abjuration; however, it was not until 30 January 1648 and the Peace of Westphalia that Spain recognized this independence)

Netherlands Antilles none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

New Caledonia none (overseas territory of France); note - a referendum on independence was held in 1998 but did not pass; a new referendum is scheduled for 2014

New Zealand 26 September 1907 (from UK)

Nicaragua 15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Niger 3 August 1960 (from France)

Nigeria 1 October 1960 (from UK)

Niue on 19 October 1974, Niue became a self-governing parliamentary government in free association with New Zealand

Norfolk Island none (territory of Australia)

Northern Mariana Islands none (commonwealth in political union with the US)

Norway 7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union)

Oman 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)

Pakistan 14 August 1947 (from British India)

Palau 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)

Panama 3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821)

Papua New Guinea 16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship)

Paraguay 14 May 1811 (from Spain)

Peru 28 July 1821 (from Spain)

Philippines 12 June 1898 (independence proclaimed from Spain); 4 July 1946 (from the US)

Pitcairn Islands none (overseas territory of the UK)

Poland 11 November 1918 (republic proclaimed)

Portugal 1143 (Kingdom of Portugal recognized); 5 October 1910 (republic proclaimed)

Puerto Rico none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)

Qatar 3 September 1971 (from UK)

Romania 9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from the Ottoman Empire; independence recognized 13 July 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin); 26 March 1881 (kingdom proclaimed); 30 December 1947 (republic proclaimed)

Russia 24 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Rwanda 1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship)

Saint Barthelemy none (overseas collectivity of France)

Saint Helena none (overseas territory of the UK)

Saint Kitts and Nevis 19 September 1983 (from UK)

Saint Lucia 22 February 1979 (from UK)

Saint Martin none (overseas collectivity of France)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon none (territorial collectivity of France; has been under French control since 1763)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 27 October 1979 (from UK)

Samoa 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship)

San Marino 3 September AD 301

Sao Tome and Principe 12 July 1975 (from Portugal)

Saudi Arabia 23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)

Senegal 4 April 1960 (from France); note - complete independence achieved upon dissolution of federation with Mali on 20 August 1960

Serbia 5 June 2006 (from Serbia and Montenegro)

Seychelles 29 June 1976 (from UK)

Sierra Leone 27 April 1961 (from UK)

Singapore 9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)

Slovakia 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia)

Slovenia 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)

Solomon Islands 7 July 1978 (from UK)

Somalia 1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland, which became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic)

South Africa 31 May 1910 (Union of South Africa formed from four British colonies: Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange Free State); 31 May 1961 (republic declared) 27 April 1994 (majority rule)

Spain the Iberian peninsula was characterized by a variety of independent kingdoms prior to the Muslim occupation that began in the early 8th century A.D. and lasted nearly seven centuries; the small Christian redoubts of the north began the reconquest almost immediately, culminating in the seizure of Granada in 1492; this event completed the unification of several kingdoms and is traditionally considered the forging of present-day Spain

Sri Lanka 4 February 1948 (from UK)

Sudan 1 January 1956 (from Egypt and UK)

Suriname 25 November 1975 (from the Netherlands)

Svalbard none (territory of Norway)

Swaziland 6 September 1968 (from UK)

Sweden 6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)

Switzerland 1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation)

Syria 17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)

Tajikistan 9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Tanzania 26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent 9 December 1961 (from UK-administered UN trusteeship); Zanzibar became independent 19 December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with Zanzibar 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; renamed United Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964

Thailand 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)

Timor-Leste 28 November 1975 (independence proclaimed from Portugal); note - 20 May 2002 is the official date of international recognition of Timor-Leste's independence from Indonesia

Togo 27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

Tokelau none (territory of New Zealand)

Tonga 4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate)

Trinidad and Tobago 31 August 1962 (from UK)

Tunisia 20 March 1956 (from France)

Turkey 29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire)

Turkmenistan 27 October 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Turks and Caicos Islands none (overseas territory of the UK)

Tuvalu 1 October 1978 (from UK)

Uganda 9 October 1962 (from UK)

Ukraine 24 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

United Arab Emirates 2 December 1971 (from UK)

United Kingdom England has existed as a unified entity since the 10th century; the union between England and Wales, begun in 1284 with the Statute of Rhuddlan, was not formalized until 1536 with an Act of Union; in another Act of Union in 1707, England and Scotland agreed to permanently join as Great Britain; the legislative union of Great Britain and Ireland was implemented in 1801, with the adoption of the name the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921 formalized a partition of Ireland; six northern Irish counties remained part of the United Kingdom as Northern Ireland and the current name of the country, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was adopted in 1927

United States 4 July 1776 (from Great Britain)

Uruguay 25 August 1825 (from Brazil)

Uzbekistan 1 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Vanuatu 30 July 1980 (from France and UK)

Venezuela 5 July 1811 (from Spain)

Vietnam 2 September 1945 (from France)

Virgin Islands none (territory of the US)

Wallis and Futuna none (overseas territory of France)

Yemen 22 May 1990 (Republic of Yemen was established 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]); note - previously North Yemen became independent in November 1918 (from the Ottoman Empire) and became a republic with the overthrow of the theocratic Imamate in 1962; South Yemen became independent on 30 November 1967 (from the UK)

Zambia 24 October 1964 (from UK)

Zimbabwe 18 April 1980 (from UK)

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008

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

@2089 Industrial production growth rate (%)

Afghanistan NA%

Albania 4% (2007 est.)

Algeria 5% (2007 est.)

American Samoa NA%

Andorra NA%

Angola 23.9% (2007 est.)

Anguilla 3.1% (1997 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda NA%

Argentina 7.5% (2007 est.)

Armenia 3.2% (2007 est.)

Aruba NA%

Australia 4.1% (2007 est.)

Austria 5.7% (2007 est.)

Azerbaijan 25% (2007 est.)

Bahamas, The NA%

Bahrain 5.2% (2007 est.)

Bangladesh 8.4% (2007 est.)

Barbados -3.2% (2000 est.)

Belarus 5% (2007 est.)

Belgium 2.8% (2007 est.)

Belize 0.5% (2007 est.)

Benin 4.5% (2007 est.)

Bermuda NA%

Bhutan 9.3% (1996 est.)

Bolivia 1.1% (2007 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina 6.7% (2007 est.)

Botswana 4.2% (2007 est.)

Brazil 4.9% (2007 est.)

British Virgin Islands NA%

Brunei 1.8% (2005 est.)

Bulgaria 14% (2007 est.)

Burkina Faso 5.2% (2007 est.)

Burma 9% (2007 est.)

Burundi 6.4% (2007 est.)

Cambodia 15% (2007 est.)

Cameroon 3.5% (2007 est.)

Canada 0.3% (2007 est.)

Cape Verde 7.5% (2007 est.)

Cayman Islands NA%

Central African Republic 3% (2002)

Chad 2% (2007 est.)

Chile 11.1% (2007 est.)

China 13.4% (2007 est.)

Colombia 9.8% (2007 est.)

Comoros -2% (1999 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the NA%

Congo, Republic of the -12% (2007 est.)

Cook Islands 1% (2002)

Costa Rica 7.3% (2007 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire -1.8% (2007 est.)

Croatia 5.3% (2007 est.)

Cuba 2.5% (2007 est.)

Cyprus 3.8% (2007 est.)

Czech Republic 9.8% (2007 est.)

Denmark 0.5% (2007 est.)

Djibouti 3% (1996 est.)

Dominica -10% (1997 est.)

Dominican Republic 2.4% (2007 est.)

Ecuador 1.4% (2007 est.)

Egypt 7.5% (2007 est.)

El Salvador 3.4% (2007 est.)

Equatorial Guinea 10.1% (2007 est.)

Eritrea 2% (2007 est.)

Estonia 7.7% (2007 est.)

Ethiopia 11% (2007 est.)

European Union 3.2% (2006 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA%

Faroe Islands 8% (1999 est.)

Fiji NA%

Finland 8.1% (2007 est.)

France 1.8% (2007 est.)

French Polynesia NA%

Gabon 5.2% (2007 est.)

Gambia, The -2.3% (2007 est.)

Gaza Strip 2.4% (includes West Bank) (2005)

Georgia 13.4% (2007 est.)

Germany 5.2% (2007 est.)

Ghana 7.8% (2007 est.)

Gibraltar NA%

Greece 2.2% (2007 est.)

Greenland NA%

Grenada 0.7% (1997 est.)

Guam NA%

Guatemala 4.8% (2007 est.)

Guernsey NA%

Guinea 7.6% (2007 est.)

Guinea-Bissau 4.7% (2003 est.)

Guyana -26.4% (2007 est.)

Haiti 2.5% (2007 est.)

Honduras 4.4% (2007 est.)

Hong Kong -0.8% (2007 est.)

Hungary 3.5% (2007 est.)

Iceland 9% (2007 est.)

India 8.5% (2007 est.)

Indonesia 4.7% (2007 est.)

Iran 4.8% excluding oil (2007 est.)

Iraq 7.9% (2007 est.)

Ireland 5% (2007 est.)

Isle of Man 3.2% (FY96/97)

Israel 4.1% (2007 est.)

Italy 0.6% (2007 est.)

Jamaica 1.2% (2007 est.)

Japan 1.3% (2007 est.)

Jersey NA%

Jordan 7.7% (2007 est.)

Kazakhstan 7.2% (2007 est.)

Kenya 6.8% (2007 est.)

Kiribati 0.7% (1991 est.)

Korea, North NA%

Korea, South 5.5% (2007 est.)

Kuwait 1.7% (2007 est.)

Kyrgyzstan 9.3% (2007 est.)

Laos 12% (2007 est.)

Latvia 5.4% (2007 est.)

Lebanon NA%

Lesotho 12% (2007 est.)

Liberia NA%

Libya 5.6% (2007 est.)

Liechtenstein NA%

Lithuania 7.4% (2007 est.)

Luxembourg 1.7% (2007 est.)

Macau 3.8% (3rd quarter, 2007)

Macedonia 1.7% (2007 est.)

Madagascar 6% (2007 est.)

Malawi 4.4% (2007 est.)

Malaysia 3.3% (2007 est.)

Maldives -0.9% (2004 est.)

Mali NA%

Malta NA%

Marshall Islands NA%

Mauritania 2% (2000 est.)

Mauritius 4.7% (2007 est.)

Mayotte NA%

Mexico 1.4% (2007 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of NA%

Moldova 1% (2007 est.)

Monaco NA%

Mongolia 3% (2006 est.)

Montserrat NA%

Morocco 5% (2007 est.)

Mozambique 10% (2007 est.)

Namibia 9% (2007 est.)

Nauru NA%

Nepal 2.2% (FY05/06)

Netherlands 3.1% (2007 est.)

Netherlands Antilles NA%

New Caledonia -0.6% (1996)

New Zealand 1.5% (2007 est.)

Nicaragua 5% (2007 est.)

Niger 5.1% (2003 est.)

Nigeria 3.2% (2007 est.)

Niue NA%

Northern Mariana Islands NA%

Norway 0.1% (2007 est.)

Oman 3.2% (2007 est.)

Pakistan 8% (2007 est.)

Palau NA%

Panama 10.5% (2007 est.)

Papua New Guinea 6.4% (2007 est.)

Paraguay -1% (2007 est.)

Peru 9.8% (2007 est.)

Philippines 7.1% (2007 est.)

Poland 8.9% (2007 est.)

Portugal 2.3% (2007 est.)

Puerto Rico NA%

Qatar 8% (2007 est.)

Romania 10.6% (2007 est.)

Russia 7.4% (2007 est.)

Rwanda 13.1% (2007 est.)

Saint Helena NA%

Saint Kitts and Nevis NA%

Saint Lucia -8.9% (1997 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA%

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines -0.9% (1997 est.)

Samoa 2.8% (2000)

San Marino 5.6% (2005 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe 7% (2007 est.)

Saudi Arabia 2.9% (2007 est.)

Senegal 5.2% (2007 est.)

Serbia 1.8% (2007 est.)

Seychelles 7% (2007 est.)

Sierra Leone NA%

Singapore 7.4% (2007 est.)

Slovakia 17.2% (2007 est.)

Slovenia 9.5% (2007 est.)

Solomon Islands NA%

Somalia NA%

South Africa 4.4% (2007 est.)

Spain 3.1% (2007 est.)

Sri Lanka 7.6% (2007 est.)

Sudan 22% (2007 est.)

Suriname 6.5% (1994 est.)

Swaziland 1.1% (2007 est.)

Sweden 3% (2007 est.)

Switzerland 6.5% (2006 est.)

Syria 2.5% (2007 est.)

Taiwan 9.2% (2007 est.)

Tajikistan 5% (2007 est.)

Tanzania 9.5% (2007 est.)

Thailand 5.4% (2007 est.)

Timor-Leste 8.5% (2004 est.)

Togo 1% (2007 est.)

Tonga 1% (2003 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago 6.5% (2007 est.)

Tunisia 7.2% (2007 est.)

Turkey 5.4% (2007 est.)

Turkmenistan 10.3% (2007 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands NA%

Tuvalu NA%

Uganda 5.8% (2007 est.)

Ukraine 6% (2007 est.)

United Arab Emirates 4.3% (2007 est.)

United Kingdom 0.5% (2007 est.)

United States -1.7% (2007 est.)

Uruguay 7.9% (2007 est.)

Uzbekistan 12.1% (2007 est.)

Vanuatu 1% (1997 est.)

Venezuela 3.9% (2007 est.)

Vietnam 10.6% (2007 est.)

Virgin Islands NA%

Wallis and Futuna NA%

West Bank 2.4% (includes Gaza Strip) (2005)

Western Sahara NA%

World 5% (2007 est.)

Yemen 3.2% (2007 est.)

Zambia 6.3% (2007 est.)

Zimbabwe -5% (2007 est.)

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008

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

@2090 Industries

Afghanistan small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper

Albania food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower

Algeria petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing

American Samoa tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts

Andorra tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking, tobacco, furniture

Angola petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; ship repair

Anguilla tourism, boat building, offshore financial services

Antigua and Barbuda tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances)

Argentina food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel

Armenia diamond-processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, jewelry manufacturing, software development, food processing, brandy

Aruba tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining

Australia mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel

Austria construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, metals, chemicals, lumber and wood processing, paper and paperboard, communications equipment, tourism

Azerbaijan petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore; cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles

Bahamas, The tourism, banking, cement, oil transshipment, salt, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe

Bahrain petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, Islamic and offshore banking, insurance, ship repairing, tourism

Bangladesh cotton textiles, jute, garments, tea processing, paper newsprint, cement, chemical fertilizer, light engineering, sugar

Barbados tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export

Belarus metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earthmovers, motorcycles, televisions, synthetic fibers, fertilizer, textiles, radios, refrigerators

Belgium engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum

Belize garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil

Benin textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement

Bermuda international business, tourism, light manufacturing

Bhutan cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide, tourism

Bolivia mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing

Bosnia and Herzegovina steel, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, bauxite, vehicle assembly, textiles, tobacco products, wooden furniture, tank and aircraft assembly, domestic appliances, oil refining

Botswana diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing; textiles

Brazil textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment

British Virgin Islands tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center

Brunei petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction

Bulgaria electricity, gas, water; food, beverages, tobacco; machinery and equipment, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined petroleum, nuclear fuel

Burkina Faso cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold

Burma agricultural processing; wood and wood products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; cement, construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer; natural gas; garments, jade and gems

Burundi light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing

Cambodia tourism, garments, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles

Cameroon petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair

Canada transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, fish products, petroleum and natural gas

Cape Verde food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair

Cayman Islands tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture

Central African Republic gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles

Chad oil, cotton textiles, meatpacking, brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials

Chile copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles

China mining and ore processing, iron, steel, aluminum, and other metals, coal; machine building; armaments; textiles and apparel; petroleum; cement; chemicals; fertilizers; consumer products, including footwear, toys, and electronics; food processing; transportation equipment, including automobiles, rail cars and locomotives, ships, and aircraft; telecommunications equipment, commercial space launch vehicles, satellites

Christmas Island tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands copra products and tourism

Colombia textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds

Comoros fishing, tourism, perfume distillation

Congo, Democratic Republic of the mining (diamonds, gold, copper, cobalt, coltan zinc), mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and beverages), cement, commercial ship repair

Congo, Republic of the petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes

Cook Islands fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts

Costa Rica microprocessors, food processing, medical equipment, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products

Cote d'Ivoire foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, truck and bus assembly, textiles, fertilizer, building materials, electricity, ship construction and repair

Croatia chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated metal, electronics, pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum, paper, wood products, construction materials, textiles, shipbuilding, petroleum and petroleum refining, food and beverages, tourism

Cuba sugar, petroleum, tobacco, construction, nickel, steel, cement, agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals

Cyprus tourism, food and beverage processing, cement and gypsum production, ship repair and refurbishment, textiles, light chemicals, metal products, wood, paper, stone, and clay products

Czech Republic metallurgy, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, glass, armaments

Denmark iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, food processing, machinery and transportation equipment, textiles and clothing, electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products, shipbuilding and refurbishment, windmills, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment

Dhekelia none

Djibouti construction, agricultural processing

Dominica soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes

Dominican Republic tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco

Ecuador petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals

Egypt textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals, light manufactures

El Salvador food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals

Equatorial Guinea petroleum, fishing, sawmilling, natural gas

Eritrea food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles, light manufacturing, salt, cement

Estonia engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textiles; information technology, telecommunications

Ethiopia food processing, beverages, textiles, leather, chemicals, metals processing, cement

European Union among the world's largest and most technologically advanced, the European Union industrial base includes: ferrous and non-ferrous metal production and processing, metal products, petroleum, coal, cement, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, rail transportation equipment, passenger and commercial vehicles, construction equipment, industrial equipment, shipbuilding, electrical power equipment, machine tools and automated manufacturing systems, electronics and telecommunications equipment, fishing, food and beverage processing, furniture, paper, textiles, tourism

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) fish and wool processing; tourism

Faroe Islands fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts

Fiji tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries

Finland metals and metal products, electronics, machinery and scientific instruments, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing

France machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics; textiles, food processing; tourism

French Polynesia tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates

Gabon petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, gold; chemicals, ship repair, food and beverages, textiles, lumbering and plywood, cement

Gambia, The processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing

Gaza Strip generally small family businesses that produce textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis had established some small-scale modern industries in an industrial center, but operations ceased prior to Israel's evacuation of Gaza Strip settlements

Georgia steel, aircraft, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining (manganese and copper), chemicals, wood products, wine

Germany among the world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages, shipbuilding, textiles

Ghana mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing, cement, small commercial ship building

Gibraltar tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco

Greece tourism, food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, metal products; mining, petroleum

Greenland fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut); gold, niobium, tantalite, uranium, iron and diamond mining; handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards

Grenada food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction

Guam US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles

Guatemala sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism

Guernsey tourism, banking

Guinea bauxite, gold, diamonds, iron; alumina refining; light manufacturing, and agricultural processing

Guinea-Bissau agricultural products processing, beer, soft drinks

Guyana bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining

Haiti sugar refining, flour milling, textiles, cement, light assembly based on imported parts

Holy See (Vatican City) printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps; a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities

Honduras sugar, coffee, textiles, clothing, wood products

Hong Kong textiles, clothing, tourism, banking, shipping, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks

Hungary mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles

Iceland fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production; geothermal power, tourism

India textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, software

Indonesia petroleum and natural gas, textiles, apparel, footwear, mining, cement, chemical fertilizers, plywood, rubber, food, tourism

Iran petroleum, petrochemicals, fertilizers, caustic soda, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), ferrous and non-ferrous metal fabrication, armaments

Iraq petroleum, chemicals, textiles, leather, construction materials, food processing, fertilizer, metal fabrication/processing

Ireland steel, lead, zinc, silver, aluminum, barite, and gypsum mining processing; food products, brewing, textiles, clothing; chemicals, pharmaceuticals; machinery, rail transportation equipment; glass and crystal; software, tourism

Isle of Man financial services, light manufacturing, tourism

Israel high-technology projects (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, construction, metals products, chemical products, plastics, diamond cutting, textiles, footwear

Italy tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics

Jamaica tourism, bauxite/alumina, agro processing, light manufactures, rum, cement, metal, paper, chemical products, telecommunications

Japan among world's largest and technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods

Jersey tourism, banking and finance, dairy, electronics

Jordan clothing, phosphate mining, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, cement, potash, inorganic chemicals, light manufacturing, tourism

Kazakhstan oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromite, lead, zinc, copper, titanium, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sulfur, iron and steel; tractors and other agricultural machinery, electric motors, construction materials

Kenya small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, clothing, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products, horticulture, oil refining; aluminum, steel, lead; cement, commercial ship repair, tourism

Kiribati fishing, handicrafts

Korea, North military products; machine building, electric power, chemicals; mining (coal, iron ore, limestone, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, food processing; tourism

Korea, South electronics, telecommunications, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel

Kosovo mineral mining, construction materials, base metals, leather, machinery, appliances

Kuwait petroleum, petrochemicals, cement, shipbuilding and repair, water desalination, food processing, construction materials

Kyrgyzstan small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals

Laos copper, tin, gold, and gypsum mining; timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism, cement

Latvia buses, vans, street and railroad cars; synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note - dependent on imports for energy and raw materials

Lebanon banking, tourism, food processing, wine, jewelry, cement, textiles, mineral and chemical products, wood and furniture products, oil refining, metal fabricating

Lesotho food, beverages, textiles, apparel assembly, handicrafts, construction, tourism

Liberia rubber processing, palm oil processing, timber, diamonds

Libya petroleum, iron and steel, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement

Liechtenstein electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments

Lithuania metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, amber jewelry

Luxembourg banking and financial services, iron and steel, information technology, telecommunications, cargo transportation, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum, tourism

Macau tourism, gambling, clothing, textiles, electronics, footwear, toys

Macedonia food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals

Madagascar meat processing, seafood, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism

Malawi tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods

Malaysia Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging, timber processing; Sabah - logging, petroleum production; Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging

Maldives tourism, fish processing, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining

Mali food processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining

Malta tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, clothing, tobacco

Marshall Islands copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items (from seashells, wood, and pearls)

Mauritania fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum

Mauritius food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, clothing, mining, chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery, tourism

Mayotte newly created lobster and shrimp industry, construction

Mexico food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, tourism

Micronesia, Federated States of tourism, construction; fish processing, specialized aquaculture; craft items (from shell, wood, and pearls)

Moldova sugar, vegetable oil, food processing, agricultural machinery; foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines; hosiery, shoes, textiles

Monaco tourism, construction, small-scale industrial and consumer products

Mongolia construction and construction materials; mining (coal, copper, molybdenum, fluorspar, tin, tungsten, and gold); oil; food and beverages; processing of animal products, cashmere and natural fiber manufacturing

Montenegro steelmaking, aluminum, agricultural processing, consumer goods, tourism

Montserrat tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances

Morocco phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism

Mozambique food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), aluminum, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco

Namibia meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamonds, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper)

Nauru phosphate mining, offshore banking, coconut products

Nepal tourism, carpets, textiles; small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarettes, cement and brick production

Netherlands agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, fishing

Netherlands Antilles tourism (Curacao, Sint Maarten, and Bonaire), petroleum refining (Curacao), petroleum transshipment facilities (Curacao and Bonaire), light manufacturing (Curacao)

New Caledonia nickel mining and smelting

New Zealand food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining

Nicaragua food processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear, wood

Niger uranium mining, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses

Nigeria crude oil, coal, tin, columbite; palm oil, peanuts, cotton, rubber, wood; hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel, small commercial ship construction and repair

Niue tourism, handicrafts, food processing

Norfolk Island tourism, light industry, ready mixed concrete

Northern Mariana Islands tourism, construction, garments, handicrafts

Norway petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing

Oman crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production; construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber

Pakistan textiles and apparel, food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp

Palau tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction, garment making

Panama construction, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling

Papua New Guinea copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip production; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oil production, petroleum refining; construction, tourism

Paraguay sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, metallurgic, electric power

Peru mining and refining of minerals; steel, metal fabrication; petroleum extraction and refining, natural gas; fishing and fish processing, textiles, clothing, food processing

Philippines electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining, fishing

Pitcairn Islands postage stamps, handicrafts, beekeeping, honey

Poland machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles

Portugal textiles, clothing, footwear, wood and cork, paper, chemicals, auto-parts manufacturing, base metals, diary products, wine and other foods, porcelain and ceramics, glassware, technology, telecommunications; ship construction and refurbishment; tourism

Puerto Rico pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism

Qatar crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair

Romania electric machinery and equipment, textiles and footwear, light machinery and auto assembly, mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining

Russia complete range of mining and extractive industries producing coal, oil, gas, chemicals, and metals; all forms of machine building from rolling mills to high-performance aircraft and space vehicles; defense industries including radar, missile production, and advanced electronic components, shipbuilding; road and rail transportation equipment; communications equipment; agricultural machinery, tractors, and construction equipment; electric power generating and transmitting equipment; medical and scientific instruments; consumer durables, textiles, foodstuffs, handicrafts

Rwanda cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes

Saint Helena construction, crafts (furniture, lacework, fancy woodwork), fishing, philatelic sales

Saint Kitts and Nevis tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages

Saint Lucia clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, tourism; lime processing, coconut processing

Saint Martin tourism, light industry and manufacturing, heavy industry

Saint Pierre and Miquelon fish processing and supply base for fishing fleets; tourism

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines food processing, cement, furniture, clothing, starch

Samoa food processing, building materials, auto parts

San Marino tourism, banking, textiles, electronics, ceramics, cement, wine

Sao Tome and Principe light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, timber

Saudi Arabia crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, ammonia, industrial gases, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), cement, fertilizer, plastics, metals, commercial ship repair, commercial aircraft repair, construction

Senegal agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining, fertilizer production, petroleum refining; iron ore, zircon, and gold mining, construction materials, ship construction and repair

Serbia sugar, agricultural machinery, electrical and communication equipment, paper and pulp, lead, transportation equipment

Seychelles fishing, tourism, processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages

Sierra Leone diamond mining; small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining, small commercial ship repair

Singapore electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, offshore platform construction, life sciences, entrepot trade

Slovakia metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas, coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products

Slovenia ferrous metallurgy and aluminum products, lead and zinc smelting; electronics (including military electronics), trucks, automobiles, electric power equipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools

Solomon Islands fish (tuna), mining, timber

Somalia a few light industries, including sugar refining, textiles, wireless communication

South Africa mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs, commercial ship repair

Spain textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and beverages, metals and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding, automobiles, machine tools, tourism, clay and refractory products, footwear, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment

Sri Lanka processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, tobacco and other agricultural commodities; telecommunications, insurance, banking; clothing, textiles; cement, petroleum refining

Sudan oil, cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap distilling, shoes, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, armaments, automobile/light truck assembly

Suriname bauxite and gold mining, alumina production; oil, lumbering, food processing, fishing

Swaziland coal, wood pulp, sugar, soft drink concentrates, textiles and apparel

Sweden iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles

Switzerland machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments, tourism, banking, and insurance

Syria petroleum, textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining, cement, oil seeds crushing, car assembly

Taiwan electronics, petroleum refining, armaments, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products, pharmaceuticals

Tajikistan aluminum, zinc, lead; chemicals and fertilizers, cement, vegetable oil, metal-cutting machine tools, refrigerators and freezers

Tanzania agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine); diamond, gold, and iron mining, salt, soda ash; cement, oil refining, shoes, apparel, wood products, fertilizer

Thailand tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry and electric appliances, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics, automobiles and automotive parts; world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer

Timor-Leste printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth

Togo phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement, handicrafts, textiles, beverages

Tokelau small-scale enterprises for copra production, woodworking, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing

Tonga tourism, construction, fishing

Trinidad and Tobago petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food processing, cement, beverage, cotton textiles

Tunisia petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages

Turkey textiles, food processing, autos, electronics, mining (coal, chromite, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper

Turkmenistan natural gas, oil, petroleum products, textiles, food processing

Turks and Caicos Islands tourism, offshore financial services

Tuvalu fishing, tourism, copra

Uganda sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles; cement, steel production

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

United Arab Emirates petroleum and petrochemicals; fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, commercial ship repair, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, textiles

United Kingdom 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, other consumer goods

United States 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

Uruguay food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages

Uzbekistan textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, gold, petroleum, natural gas, chemicals

Vanuatu food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning

Venezuela petroleum, construction materials, food processing, textiles; iron ore mining, steel, aluminum; motor vehicle assembly

Vietnam food processing, garments, shoes, machine-building; mining, coal, steel; cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil, paper

Virgin Islands tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics

Wallis and Futuna copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber

West Bank 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

Western Sahara phosphate mining, handicrafts

World 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 accelerated development of new industrial (and agricultural) technology is complicating already grim environmental problems

Yemen crude oil production and petroleum refining; small-scale production of cotton textiles and leather goods; food processing; handicrafts; small aluminum products factory; cement; commercial ship repair

Zambia copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, horticulture

Zimbabwe mining (coal, gold, platinum, copper, nickel, tin, clay, numerous metallic and nonmetallic ores), steel; wood products, cement, chemicals, fertilizer, clothing and footwear, foodstuffs, beverages

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008

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@2091 Infant mortality rate (deaths/1,000 live births)

Afghanistan total: 154.67 deaths/1,000 live births male: 158.88 deaths/1,000 live births female: 150.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Albania total: 19.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 19.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Algeria total: 28.75 deaths/1,000 live births male: 31.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

American Samoa total: 10.46 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.69 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Andorra total: 3.68 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Angola total: 182.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 194.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 169.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Anguilla total: 3.54 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda total: 17.49 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Argentina total: 11.78 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Armenia total: 20.94 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Aruba total: 14.26 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.92 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Australia total: 4.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Austria total: 4.48 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Azerbaijan total: 56.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 62.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 49.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Bahamas, The total: 23.67 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Bahrain total: 15.64 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Bangladesh total: 57.45 deaths/1,000 live births male: 58.44 deaths/1,000 live births female: 56.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Barbados total: 11.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Belarus total: 6.53 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Belgium total: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Belize total: 23.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 26.35 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Benin total: 66.2 deaths/1,000 live births male: 69.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 62.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Bermuda total: 7.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.31 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Bhutan total: 51.92 deaths/1,000 live births male: 53.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 50.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Bolivia total: 49.09 deaths/1,000 live births male: 52.54 deaths/1,000 live births female: 45.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 9.34 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Botswana total: 44.01 deaths/1,000 live births male: 44.94 deaths/1,000 live births female: 43.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Brazil total: 23.33 deaths/1,000 live births male: 26.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

British Virgin Islands total: 15.2 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.23 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Brunei total: 12.69 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Bulgaria total: 18.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 22 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Burkina Faso total: 86.02 deaths/1,000 live births male: 93.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 78.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Burma total: 49.12 deaths/1,000 live births male: 55.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 42.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Burundi total: 60.77 deaths/1,000 live births male: 67.6 deaths/1,000 live births female: 53.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Cambodia total: 56.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 63.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 49.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Cameroon total: 64.57 deaths/1,000 live births male: 69.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 59.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Canada total: 5.08 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Cape Verde total: 42.55 deaths/1,000 live births male: 48.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 36.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Cayman Islands total: 7.1 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Central African Republic total: 82.13 deaths/1,000 live births male: 88.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 75.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Chad total: 100.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 106.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 94 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Chile total: 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

China total: 21.16 deaths/1,000 live births male: 19.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Christmas Island total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.)

Colombia total: 19.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.18 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Comoros total: 68.58 deaths/1,000 live births male: 76.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 60.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 83.11 deaths/1,000 live births male: 91.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 74.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Congo, Republic of the total: 81.29 deaths/1,000 live births male: 86.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 75.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Cook Islands total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.)

Costa Rica total: 9.01 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.92 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire total: 69.76 deaths/1,000 live births male: 77.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 62.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Croatia total: 6.49 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Cuba total: 5.93 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Cyprus total: 6.75 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Czech Republic total: 3.83 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Denmark total: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.44 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Djibouti total: 99.13 deaths/1,000 live births male: 106.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 91.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Dominica total: 14.12 deaths/1,000 live births male: 19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Dominican Republic total: 26.93 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Ecuador total: 21.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Egypt total: 28.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 30.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

El Salvador total: 22.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Equatorial Guinea total: 83.75 deaths/1,000 live births male: 84.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 82.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Eritrea total: 44.34 deaths/1,000 live births male: 50.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 38.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Estonia total: 7.45 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.62 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Ethiopia total: 82.64 deaths/1,000 live births male: 94.08 deaths/1,000 live births female: 70.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

European Union total: 6.38 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.23 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.)

Faroe Islands total: 6.46 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.69 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Fiji total: 11.88 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Finland total: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.81 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

France total: 3.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.69 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

French Polynesia total: 7.7 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Gabon total: 52.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 61.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 43.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Gambia, The total: 68.72 deaths/1,000 live births male: 75.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 62.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Gaza Strip total: 19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.22 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Georgia total: 16.78 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.81 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Germany total: 4.03 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.46 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Ghana total: 52.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 56.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 47.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Gibraltar total: 4.91 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.46 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Greece total: 5.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.77 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Greenland total: 11.2 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Grenada total: 13.58 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.25 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Guam total: 6.55 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.22 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Guatemala total: 28.79 deaths/1,000 live births male: 31.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Guernsey total: 4.53 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Guinea total: 67.41 deaths/1,000 live births male: 71.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 63.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Guinea-Bissau total: 101.64 deaths/1,000 live births male: 111.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 91.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Guyana total: 30.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 33.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Haiti total: 62.33 deaths/1,000 live births male: 66.88 deaths/1,000 live births female: 57.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Honduras total: 24.61 deaths/1,000 live births male: 27.63 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Hong Kong total: 2.93 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.11 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Hungary total: 8.03 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Iceland total: 3.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

India total: 32.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 36.94 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Indonesia total: 31.04 deaths/1,000 live births male: 36.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Iran total: 36.93 deaths/1,000 live births male: 37.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 36.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Iraq total: 45.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 51.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 39.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Ireland total: 5.14 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.63 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Isle of Man total: 5.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.55 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Israel total: 4.28 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Italy total: 5.61 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Jamaica total: 15.57 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Japan total: 2.8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Jersey total: 5.01 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.36 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Jordan total: 15.57 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.62 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Kazakhstan total: 26.56 deaths/1,000 live births male: 31.03 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Kenya total: 56.01 deaths/1,000 live births male: 58.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 53.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Kiribati total: 44.69 deaths/1,000 live births male: 49.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 39.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Korea, North total: 21.86 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.46 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Korea, South total: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.52 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Kuwait total: 9.22 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Kyrgyzstan total: 32.3 deaths/1,000 live births male: 37.33 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Laos total: 79.61 deaths/1,000 live births male: 88.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 69.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Latvia total: 8.96 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Lebanon total: 22.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.08 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Lesotho total: 78.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 83.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 74.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Liberia total: 143.89 deaths/1,000 live births male: 159.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 127.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Libya total: 21.94 deaths/1,000 live births male: 24.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Liechtenstein total: 4.52 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.03 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Lithuania total: 6.57 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Luxembourg total: 4.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.62 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Macau total: 3.23 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Macedonia total: 9.27 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.45 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Madagascar total: 55.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 60.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 50.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Malawi total: 90.55 deaths/1,000 live births male: 94.69 deaths/1,000 live births female: 86.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Malaysia total: 16.39 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.92 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Maldives total: 30.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 33.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Mali total: 103.83 deaths/1,000 live births male: 113.41 deaths/1,000 live births female: 93.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Malta total: 3.79 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.25 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Marshall Islands total: 26.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Mauritania total: 66.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 69.69 deaths/1,000 live births female: 63.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Mauritius total: 12.56 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.94 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Mayotte total: 57.88 deaths/1,000 live births male: 63.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 52 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Mexico total: 19.01 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.91 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of total: 27.03 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Moldova total: 13.5 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Monaco total: 5.18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Mongolia total: 41.24 deaths/1,000 live births male: 44.41 deaths/1,000 live births female: 37.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Montserrat total: 16.46 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Morocco total: 38.22 deaths/1,000 live births male: 41.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 34.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Mozambique total: 107.84 deaths/1,000 live births male: 110.67 deaths/1,000 live births female: 104.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Namibia total: 45.64 deaths/1,000 live births male: 49.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 41.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Nauru total: 9.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Nepal total: 62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 60.18 deaths/1,000 live births female: 63.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Netherlands total: 4.81 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Netherlands Antilles total: 9.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.04 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

New Caledonia total: 7.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

New Zealand total: 4.99 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.62 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Nicaragua total: 25.91 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Niger total: 115.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 119.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 111.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Nigeria total: 95.74 deaths/1,000 live births male: 101.83 deaths/1,000 live births female: 89.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Niue total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.)

Norfolk Island total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.)

Northern Mariana Islands total: 6.72 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Norway total: 3.61 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.96 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Oman total: 17.45 deaths/1,000 live births male: 19.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Pakistan total: 66.94 deaths/1,000 live births male: 67.04 deaths/1,000 live births female: 66.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Palau total: 13.69 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Panama total: 13.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.35 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Papua New Guinea total: 46.67 deaths/1,000 live births male: 50.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 42.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Paraguay total: 25.55 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Peru total: 29.53 deaths/1,000 live births male: 32.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Philippines total: 21.2 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Pitcairn Islands total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.)

Poland total: 6.93 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Portugal total: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.31 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Puerto Rico total: 8.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Qatar total: 13.09 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Romania total: 23.73 deaths/1,000 live births male: 26.81 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Russia total: 10.81 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Rwanda total: 83.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 88.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 78.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Saint Helena total: 18.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis total: 14.34 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Saint Lucia total: 13.8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.75 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon total: 7.04 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total: 13.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.83 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Samoa total: 25.04 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

San Marino total: 5.44 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe total: 38.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 40.11 deaths/1,000 live births female: 36.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Saudi Arabia total: 11.94 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Senegal total: 58.93 deaths/1,000 live births male: 62.79 deaths/1,000 live births female: 54.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Seychelles total: 14.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.18 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Sierra Leone total: 156.48 deaths/1,000 live births male: 173.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 138.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Singapore total: 2.3 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Slovakia total: 6.98 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Slovenia total: 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Solomon Islands total: 19.67 deaths/1,000 live births male: 22.36 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Somalia total: 110.97 deaths/1,000 live births male: 120.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 101.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

South Africa total: 45.11 deaths/1,000 live births male: 49.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Spain total: 4.26 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Sri Lanka total: 19.01 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Sudan total: 86.98 deaths/1,000 live births male: 87.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 86.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Suriname total: 19.45 deaths/1,000 live births male: 22.96 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Svalbard total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.)

Swaziland total: 69.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 72.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 66.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Sweden total: 2.75 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.91 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Switzerland total: 4.23 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Syria total: 26.78 deaths/1,000 live births male: 27.04 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Taiwan total: 5.45 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.75 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Tajikistan total: 42.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 47.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 37.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Tanzania total: 70.46 deaths/1,000 live births male: 77.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 63.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Thailand total: 18.23 deaths/1,000 live births male: 19.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Timor-Leste total: 41.98 deaths/1,000 live births male: 48.16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Togo total: 57.66 deaths/1,000 live births male: 65.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 50.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Tokelau total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.)

Tonga total: 11.88 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago total: 23.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Tunisia total: 23.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Turkey total: 36.98 deaths/1,000 live births male: 40.44 deaths/1,000 live births female: 33.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Turkmenistan total: 51.81 deaths/1,000 live births male: 56.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 47.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands total: 14.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Tuvalu total: 18.97 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Uganda total: 65.99 deaths/1,000 live births male: 69.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 62.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Ukraine total: 9.23 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

United Arab Emirates total: 13.11 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

United Kingdom total: 4.93 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.49 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

United States total: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Uruguay total: 11.66 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Uzbekistan total: 24.23 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Vanuatu total: 50.77 deaths/1,000 live births male: 53.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Venezuela total: 22.02 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Vietnam total: 23.61 deaths/1,000 live births male: 24.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Virgin Islands total: 7.72 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Wallis and Futuna total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.)

West Bank total: 16.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Western Sahara total: 71.13 deaths/1,000 live births male: 71.22 deaths/1,000 live births female: 71.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

World total: 42.09 deaths/1,000 live births male: 44.91 deaths/1,000 live births female: 39.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Yemen total: 56.27 deaths/1,000 live births male: 60.78 deaths/1,000 live births female: 51.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Zambia total: 100.96 deaths/1,000 live births male: 105.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 96.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Zimbabwe total: 33.86 deaths/1,000 live births male: 36.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 31.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008

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@2092 Inflation rate (consumer prices) (%)

Afghanistan 13% (2007 est.)

Albania 2.9% (2007 est.)

Algeria 3.5% (2007 est.)

American Samoa NA%

Andorra 3.2% (2005)

Angola 12.2% (2007 est.)

Anguilla 5.3% (2006 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda 1.5% (2007 est.)

Argentina 8.8% official rate; actual rate may be double the official rate (2007 est.)

Armenia 4.4% (2007 est.)

Aruba 3.4% (2005)

Australia 2.3% (2007 est.)

Austria 2.2% (2007 est.)

Azerbaijan 16.7% (2007 est.)

Bahamas, The 2.4% (2007 est.)

Bahrain 3.3% (2007 est.)

Bangladesh 9.1% (2007 est.)

Barbados 5.5% (2007 est.)

Belarus 8.4% (2007 est.)

Belgium 1.8% (2007 est.)

Belize 2.3% (2007 est.)

Benin 1.3% (2007 est.)

Bermuda 2.8% (November 2005)

Bhutan 4.9% (2007 est.)

Bolivia 8.7% (2007 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.6% (2007 est.)

Botswana 7.1% (2007 est.)

Brazil 3.6% (2007 est.)

British Virgin Islands 2% (2005)

Brunei 0.4% (2007 est.)

Bulgaria 9.8% (2007 est.)

Burkina Faso -0.2% (2007 est.)

Burma 35% (2007 est.)

Burundi 8.3% (2007 est.)

Cambodia 5.9% (2007 est.)

Cameroon 1.1% (2007 est.)

Canada 2.1% (2007 est.)

Cape Verde 4.4% (2007 est.)

Cayman Islands 4.4% (2004)

Central African Republic 0.9% (2007 est.)

Chad 4% (2007 est.)

Chile 4.4% (2007 est.)

China 4.8% (2007 est.)

Colombia 5.5% (2007 est.)

Comoros 3% (2007 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the 16.7% (2007 est.)

Congo, Republic of the 2.7% (2007 est.)

Cook Islands 2.1% (2005 est.)

Costa Rica 9.4% (2007 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire 1.9% (2007 est.)

Croatia 4.5% (2007 est.)

Cuba 3.1% (2007 est.)

Cyprus 2.4% (2007 est.)

Czech Republic 2.9% (2007 est.)

Denmark 1.7% (2007 est.)

Djibouti 5% (2007 est.)

Dominica 2.7% (2007 est.)

Dominican Republic 6.1% (2007 est.)

Ecuador 2.3% (2007 est.)

Egypt 9.5% (2007 est.)

El Salvador 4.6% (2007 est.)

Equatorial Guinea 6% (2007 est.)

Eritrea 17% (2007 est.)

Estonia 6.6% (2007 est.)

Ethiopia 17.2% (2007 est.)

European Union 1.8% (2006 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 3.6% (1998)

Faroe Islands 1.8% (2005)

Fiji 4.8% (2007)

Finland 2.5% (2007 est.)

France 1.5% (2007 est.)

French Polynesia 1.1% (2006 est.)

Gabon 5% (2007 est.)

Gambia, The 5.1% (2007 est.)

Gaza Strip 3.6% (includes West Bank) (2006)

Georgia 9.3% (2007 est.)

Germany 2.3% (2007 est.)

Ghana 10.7% (2007 est.)

Gibraltar 2.9% (2005)

Greece 2.9% (2007 est.)

Greenland 1% (2005 est.)

Grenada 3.7% (2007 est.)

Guam 2.5% (2005 est.)

Guatemala 6.8% (2007 est.)

Guernsey 3.4% (June 2006)

Guinea 23.4% (2007 est.)

Guinea-Bissau 3.8% (2007 est.)

Guyana 12.3% (2007 est.)

Haiti 8.5% (2007 est.)

Honduras 6.9% (2007 est.)

Hong Kong 2% (2007 est.)

Hungary 8% (2007 est.)

Iceland 5.1% (2007 est.)

India 6.4% (2007 est.)

Indonesia 6.3% (2007 est.)

Iran 17.1% (2007 est.)

Iraq 4.7% (2007 est.)

Ireland 4.9% (2007 est.)

Isle of Man 3.1% (December 2006 est.)

Israel 0.5% (2007 est.)

Italy 1.8% (2007 est.)

Jamaica 9.5% (2007 est.)

Japan 0.1% (2007 est.)

Jersey 3.7% (December 2006)

Jordan 5.4% (2007 est.)

Kazakhstan 10.8% (2007 est.)

Kenya 9.7% (2007 est.)

Kiribati 0.2% (2007 est.)

Korea, North NA%

Korea, South 2.5% (2007 est.)

Kosovo 2% (2007 est.)

Kuwait 5.5% (2007 est.)

Kyrgyzstan 10.2% (2007 est.)

Laos 4.5% (2007 est.)

Latvia 10.1% (2007 est.)

Lebanon 4.2% (2007 est.)

Lesotho 8% (2007 est.)

Liberia 11.2% (2007 est.)

Libya 6.3% (2007 est.)

Liechtenstein 1% (2001)

Lithuania 5.7% (2007 est.)

Luxembourg 2.3% (2007 est.)

Macau 7.2% (2006)

Macedonia 2.3% (2007 est.)

Madagascar 10.3% (2007 est.)

Malawi 7.9% (2007 est.)

Malaysia 2% note: approximately 30% of goods are price-controlled (2007 est.)

Maldives 5% (2007 est.)

Mali 2.5% (2007 est.)

Malta 1.3% (2007 est.)

Marshall Islands 3% (2005 est.)

Mauritania 7.3% (2007 est.)

Mauritius 8.8% (2007 est.)

Mayotte 1.7% (2005)

Mexico 4% (2007 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of 2.2% (2005)

Moldova 12.3% (2007 est.)

Monaco 1.9% (2000)

Mongolia 9% (2007)

Montenegro 3.4% (2007)

Montserrat 2.6% (2002 est.)

Morocco 2% (2007 est.)

Mozambique 8.2% (2007 est.)

Namibia 6.7% (2007 est.)

Nauru -3.6% (1993)

Nepal 6.4% (2007 est.)

Netherlands 1.6% (2007 est.)

Netherlands Antilles 2.1% (2003 est.)

New Caledonia 1.4% (2000 est.)

New Zealand 2.4% (2007 est.)

Nicaragua 11.1% (2007 est.)

Niger 0.1% (2007 est.)

Nigeria 5.4% (2007 est.)

Niue 4% (2005)

Northern Mariana Islands -0.8% (2000)

Norway 0.8% (2007 est.)

Oman 5.9% (2007 est.)

Pakistan 7.6% (2007 est.)

Palau 2.7% (2005 est.)

Panama 4.2% (2007 est.)

Papua New Guinea 0.9% (2007 est.)

Paraguay 8.1% (2007 est.)

Peru 1.8% (2007 est.)

Philippines 2.8% (2007 est.)

Poland 2.5% (2007 est.)

Portugal 2.4% (2007 est.)

Puerto Rico 6.5% (2003 est.)

Qatar 13.7% (2007 est.)

Romania 4.8% (2007 est.)

Russia 9% annual average note: 12% at year-end (2007 est.)

Rwanda 9.1% (2007 est.)

Saint Helena 3.2% (1997 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis 4.5% (2007 est.)

Saint Lucia 1.9% (2007 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon 8.1% (2005)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6.1% (2007 est.)

Samoa 6% (2007 est.)

San Marino -1.5% (2006)

Sao Tome and Principe 18% (2007 est.)

Saudi Arabia 4.1% (2007 est.)

Senegal 5.9% (2007 est.)

Serbia 6.8% (2007)

Seychelles 5.3% (2007 est.)

Sierra Leone 11.7% (2007 est.)

Singapore 2.1% (2007 est.)

Slovakia 2.8% (2007 est.)

Slovenia 3.6% (2007 est.)

Solomon Islands 6.3% (2007 est.)

Somalia NA%; note - businesses print their own money, so inflation rates cannot be easily determined

South Africa 6.5% (2007 est.)

Spain 2.8% (2007 est.)

Sri Lanka 15.8% (2007 est.)

Sudan 8% (2007 est.)

Suriname 6.4% (2007 est.)

Swaziland 8.1% (2007 est.)

Sweden 2.2% (2007 est.)

Switzerland 0.7% (2007 est.)

Syria 12.2% (2007 est.)

Taiwan 1.8% (2007 est.)

Tajikistan 13.1% (2007 est.)

Tanzania 7% (2007 est.)

Thailand 2.2% (2007 est.)

Timor-Leste 7.8% (2007 est.)

Togo 1% (2007 est.)

Tokelau NA%

Tonga 5.9% (2007 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago 7.9% (2007 est.)

Tunisia 3.1% (2007 est.)

Turkey 8.7% (2007 est.)

Turkmenistan 11.3% (2007 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands 4% (1995)

Tuvalu 3.8% (2006 est.)

Uganda 6.1% (2007 est.)

Ukraine 12.8% (2007 est.)

United Arab Emirates 14% (2007 est.)

United Kingdom 2.3% (2007 est.)

United States 2.9% (2007 est.)

Uruguay 8.1% (2007 est.)

Uzbekistan 12% officially, but 38% based on analysis of consumer prices (2007 est.)

Vanuatu 3.9% (2007 est.)

Venezuela 18.7% (2007 est.)

Vietnam 8.3% (2007 est.)

Virgin Islands 2.2% (2003)

Wallis and Futuna 2.8% (2005)

West Bank 3.6% (includes Gaza Strip) (2006)

Western Sahara NA%

World developed countries 1% to 4% typically; developing countries 5% to 20% typically; national inflation rates vary widely in individual cases, from declining prices in Japan to hyperinflation in one Third World country (Zimbabwe); inflation rates have declined for most countries for the last several years, held in check by increasing international competition from several low wage countries (2005 est.)

Yemen 10% (2007 est.)

Zambia 10.6% (2007 est.)

Zimbabwe 12,563% official data; private sector estimates are much higher (2007 est.)

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008

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@2093 Waterways (km)

Afghanistan 1,200 km (chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to 500 DWT) (2007)

Albania 43 km (2007)

Angola 1,300 km (2007)

Argentina 11,000 km (2006)

Australia 2,000 km (mainly used for recreation on Murray and Murray-Darling river systems) (2006)

Austria 358 km (2007)

Bangladesh 8,370 km note: includes up to 3,060 km main cargo routes; network reduced to 5,200 km in dry season (2006)

Belarus 2,500 km (use limited by location on perimeter of country and by shallowness) (2003)

Belgium 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2006)

Belize 825 km (navigable only by small craft) (2007)

Benin 150 km (on River Niger along northern border) (2005)

Bolivia 10,000 km (commercially navigable) (2007)

Bosnia and Herzegovina Sava River (northern border) open to shipping but use limited (2006)

Brazil 50,000 km (most in areas remote from industry and population) (2007)

Brunei 209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m) (2007)

Bulgaria 470 km (2007)

Burma 12,800 km (2007)

Burundi mainly on Lake Tanganyika (2005)

Cambodia 2,400 km (mainly on Mekong River) (2005)

Cameroon navigation mainly on Benue River; limited during rainy season (2005)

Canada 636 km note: Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint Lawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with United States (2007)

Central African Republic 2,800 km (primarily on the Oubangui and Sangha rivers) (2006)

Chad Chari and Legone rivers are navigable only in wet season (2006)

China 124,000 km navigable (2006)

Colombia 18,000 km (2006)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the 15,000 km (2005)

Congo, Republic of the 1,125 km (commercially navigable on Congo and Oubanqui rivers) (2006)

Costa Rica 730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2007)

Cote d'Ivoire 980 km (navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoons) (2006)

Croatia 785 km (2007)

Cuba 240 km (2007)

Czech Republic 664 km (principally on Elbe, Vltava, Oder, and other navigable rivers, lakes, and canals) (2006)

Denmark 400 km (2007)

Ecuador 1,500 km (most inaccessible) (2006)

Egypt 3,500 km note: includes Nile River, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in delta; Suez Canal (193.5 km including approaches) navigable by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 17.68 m (2006)

El Salvador Rio Lempa partially navigable for small craft (2007)

Estonia 320 km (2006)

European Union 52,332 km (2006)

Fiji 203 km note: 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges (2006)

Finland 7,842 km note: includes Saimaa Canal system of 3,577 km; southern part leased from Russia (2006)

France metropolitan France: 8,500 km (1,686 km accessible to craft of 3,000 metric tons) French Guiana: 3,760 km (460 km navigable by small oceangoing vessels and coastal and river steamers, 3,300 km by native craft) (2006)

Gabon 1,600 km (310 km on Ogooue River) (2007)

Gambia, The 390 km (on River Gambia; small ocean-going vessels can reach 190 km) (2006)

Germany 7,467 km note: Rhine River carries most goods; Main-Danube Canal links North Sea and Black Sea (2006)

Ghana 1,293 km note: 168 km for launches and lighters on Volta, Ankobra, and Tano rivers; 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways on Lake Volta (2007)

Greece 6 km note: Corinth Canal (6 km) crosses the Isthmus of Corinth; shortens sea voyage by 325 km (2007)

Guatemala 990 km note: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during high-water season (2007)

Guinea 1,300 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft) (2005)

Guinea-Bissau rivers are navigable for some distance; many inlets and creeks give shallow-water access to much of interior (2007)

Guyana Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km respectively (2006)

Honduras 465 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2007)

Hungary 1,622 km (most on Danube River) (2007)

India 14,500 km note: 5,200 km on major rivers and 485 km on canals suitable for mechanized vessels (2006)

Indonesia 21,579 km (2007)

Iran 850 km (on Karun River; additional service on Lake Urmia) (2006)

Iraq 5,279 km note: Euphrates River (2,815 km), Tigris River (1,899 km), and Third River (565 km) are principal waterways (2006)

Ireland 956 km (pleasure craft only) (2007)

Italy 2,400 km note: used for commercial traffic; of limited overall value compared to road and rail (2006)

Japan 1,770 km (seagoing vessels use inland seas) (2007)

Kazakhstan 4,000 km (on the Ertis ((Irtysh)) River (80%) and Syr Darya ((Syrdariya)) River) (2006)

Kenya part of Lake Victoria system is within boundaries of Kenya (2006)

Kiribati 5 km (small network of canals in Line Islands) (2007)

Korea, North 2,250 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2007)

Korea, South 1,608 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2007)

Kyrgyzstan 600 km (2007)

Laos 4,600 km note: primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,900 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m (2007)

Latvia 300 km (2006)

Liechtenstein 28 km (2006)

Lithuania 441 km (2006)

Luxembourg 37 km (on Moselle River) (2007)

Madagascar 600 km (2006)

Malawi 700 km (on Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and Shire River) (2007)

Malaysia 7,200 km note: Peninsular Malaysia 3,200 km; Sabah 1,500 km; Sarawak 2,500 km (2005)

Mali 1,800 km (2007)

Mexico 2,900 km (navigable rivers and coastal canals) (2007)

Moldova 424 km (on Dniester and Prut rivers) (2007)

Mongolia 580 km note: only waterway in operation is Lake Hovsgol (135 km); Selenge River (270 km) and Orhon River (175 km) are navigable but carry little traffic; lakes and rivers freeze in winter, are open from May to September (2004)

Mozambique 460 km (Zambezi River navigable to Tete and along Cahora Bassa Lake) (2007)

Netherlands 6,211 km (navigable for ships of 50 tons) (2006)

Nicaragua 2,220 km (including lakes Managua and Nicaragua) (2007)

Niger 300 km (the Niger, the only major river, is navigable to Gaya between September and March) (2005)

Nigeria 8,600 km (Niger and Benue rivers and smaller rivers and creeks) (2007)

Norway 1,577 km (2007)

Panama 800 km (includes 82 km Panama Canal) (2007)

Papua New Guinea 11,000 km (2006)

Paraguay 3,100 km (2007)

Peru 8,808 km note: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 km of Lago Titicaca (2007)

Philippines 3,219 km (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m) (2007)

Poland 3,997 km (navigable rivers and canals) (2006)

Portugal 210 km (on Douro River from Porto) (2006)

Romania 1,731 km note: includes 1,075 km on Danube River, 524 km on secondary branches, and 132 km on canals (2006)

Russia 102,000 km (including 33,000 km with guaranteed depth) note: 72,000 km system in European Russia links Baltic Sea, White Sea, Caspian Sea, Sea of Azov, and Black Sea (2006)

Rwanda Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft (2006)

Senegal 1,000 km (primarily on Senegal, Saloum, and Casamance rivers) (2005)

Serbia 587 km (primarily on Danube and Sava rivers) (2005)

Sierra Leone 800 km (600 km year round) (2005)

Slovakia 172 km (on Danube River) (2005)

Spain 1,000 km (2003)

Sri Lanka 160 km (primarily on rivers in southwest) (2006)

Sudan 4,068 km (1,723 km open year round on White and Blue Nile rivers) (2006)

Suriname 1,200 km (most navigable by ships with drafts up to 7 m) (2005)

Sweden 2,052 km (2005)

Switzerland 65 km (Rhine River between Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee) (2003)

Syria 900 km (not economically significant) (2005)

Tajikistan 200 km (along Vakhsh River) (2006)

Tanzania Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, and Lake Nyasa principal avenues of commerce with neighboring countries; rivers not navigable (2005)

Thailand 4,000 km note: 3,701 km navigable by boats with drafts up to 0.9 m (2005)

Togo 50 km (seasonally on Mono River depending on rainfall) (2005)

Turkey 1,200 km (2005)

Turkmenistan 1,300 km (Amu Darya and Kara Kum canal important inland waterways) (2006)

Uganda on Lake Victoria, 200 km on Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga, and parts of Albert Nile (2005)

Ukraine 2,253 km (most on Dnieper River) (2006)

United Kingdom 3,200 km (620 km used for commerce) (2003)

United States 41,009 km (19,312 km used for commerce) note: Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint Lawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with Canada (2007)

Uruguay 1,600 km (2005)

Uzbekistan 1,100 km (2006)

Venezuela 7,100 km note: Orinoco River (400 km) and Lake de Maracaibo navigable by oceangoing vessels (2005)

Vietnam 17,702 km (5,000 km navigable by vessels up to 1.8 m draft) (2005)

World 671,886 km (2004)

Zambia 2,250 km (includes Lake Tanganyika and the Zambezi and Luapula rivers) (2005)

Zimbabwe on Lake Kariba (2005)

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008

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@2094 Judicial branch

Afghanistan the constitution establishes a nine-member Stera Mahkama or Supreme Court (its nine justices are appointed for 10-year terms by the president with approval of the Wolesi Jirga) and subordinate High Courts and Appeals Courts; there is also a minister of justice; a separate Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission established by the Bonn Agreement is charged with investigating human rights abuses and war crimes

Albania Constitutional Court, Supreme Court (chairman is elected by the People's Assembly for a four-year term), and multiple appeals and district courts

Algeria Supreme Court

American Samoa High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior)

Andorra Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justice or Consell Superior de la Justicia; Fiscal Ministry or Ministeri Fiscal; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional

Angola Supreme Court and separate provincial courts (judges are appointed by the president)

Anguilla High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court)

Antigua and Barbuda Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction); member Caribbean Court of Justice

Argentina Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (the nine Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president with approval of the Senate) note: the Supreme Court currently has two unfilled vacancies, and the Argentine Congress is considering a bill to reduce the number of Supreme Court judges to five

Armenia Constitutional Court; Court of Cassation (Appeals Court)

Aruba Common Court of Justice of Aruba (judges are appointed by the monarch)

Australia High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general)

Austria Supreme Judicial Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Administrative Court or Verwaltungsgerichtshof; Constitutional Court or Verfassungsgerichtshof

Azerbaijan Supreme Court

Bahamas, The Privy Council in London; Courts of Appeal; Supreme (lower) Court; Magistrates' Courts

Bahrain High Civil Appeals Court

Bangladesh Supreme Court (the chief justices and other judges are appointed by the president)

Barbados Supreme Court of Judicature (judges are appointed by the Service Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Services); Caribbean Court of Justice is the highest court of appeal

Belarus Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Constitutional Court (half of the judges appointed by the president and half appointed by the Chamber of Representatives)

Belgium Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the government; candidacies have to be submitted by the High Justice Council)

Belize Supreme Court of Judicature (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal

Benin Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice

Bermuda Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts

Bhutan Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch); note - the draft constitution establishes a Supreme Court, which will serve as chief court of appeal

Bolivia Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges appointed for 10-year terms by National Congress); District Courts (one in each department); provincial and local courts (to try minor cases); Constitutional Tribunal (five primary or titulares and five alternate or suplente magistrates appointed by Congress; to rule on constitutional issues); National Electoral Court (six members elected by Congress, Supreme Court, the President, and the political party with the highest vote in the last election for 4-year terms)

Bosnia and Herzegovina BH Constitutional Court (consists of nine members: four members are selected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's House of Representatives, two members by the Republika Srpska's National Assembly, and three non-Bosnian members by the president of the European Court of Human Rights); BH State Court (consists of nine judges and three divisions - Administrative, Appellate and Criminal - having jurisdiction over cases related to state-level law and appellate jurisdiction over cases initiated in the entities); a War Crimes Chamber opened in March 2005 note: the entities each have a Supreme Court; each entity also has a number of lower courts; there are 10 cantonal courts in the Federation, plus a number of municipal courts; the Republika Srpska has five municipal courts

Botswana High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates' Courts (one in each district)

Brazil Supreme Federal Tribunal or STF (11 ministers are appointed for life by the president and confirmed by the Senate); Higher Tribunal of Justice; Regional Federal Tribunals (judges are appointed for life); note - though appointed "for life," judges, like all federal employees, have a mandatory retirement age of 70

British Virgin Islands Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction

Brunei Supreme Court - chief justice and judges are sworn in by monarch for three-year terms; Judicial Committee of Privy Council in London is final court of appeal for civil cases; Sharia courts deal with Islamic laws (2006)

Bulgaria Supreme Administrative Court; Supreme Court of Cassation; Constitutional Court (12 justices appointed or elected for nine-year terms); Supreme Judicial Council (consists of the chairmen of the two Supreme Courts, the Chief Prosecutor, and 22 other members; responsible for appointing the justices, prosecutors, and investigating magistrates in the justice system; members of the Supreme Judicial Council elected for five-year terms, 11 elected by the National Assembly and 11 by bodies of the judiciary)

Burkina Faso Supreme Court; Appeals Court

Burma remnants of the British-era legal system are in place, but there is no guarantee of a fair public trial; the judiciary is not independent of the executive

Burundi Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court; High Court of Justice (composed of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court)

Cambodia Supreme Council of the Magistracy (provided for in the constitution and formed in December 1997); Supreme Court (and lower courts) exercises judicial authority

Cameroon Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); High Court of Justice (consists of nine judges and six substitute judges, elected by the National Assembly)

Canada Supreme Court of Canada (judges are appointed by the prime minister through the governor general); Federal Court of Canada; Federal Court of Appeal; Provincial Courts (these are named variously Court of Appeal, Court of Queens Bench, Superior Court, Supreme Court, and Court of Justice)

Cape Verde Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia

Cayman Islands Summary Court; Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal

Central African Republic Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (3 judges appointed by the president, 3 by the president of the National Assembly, and 3 by fellow judges); Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Inferior Courts

Chad Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Magistrate Courts

Chile Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is elected every three years by the 20-member court); Constitutional Tribunal

China Supreme People's Court (judges appointed by the National People's Congress); Local People's Courts (comprise higher, intermediate, and basic courts); Special People's Courts (primarily military, maritime, railway transportation, and forestry courts)

Christmas Island Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court

Cocos (Keeling) Islands Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court

Colombia four roughly coequal, supreme judicial organs; Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (highest court of criminal law; judges are selected by their peers from the nominees of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms); Council of State (highest court of administrative law; judges are selected from the nominees of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms); Constitutional Court (guards integrity and supremacy of the constitution; rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the constitution, and international treaties); Superior Judicial Council (administers and disciplines the civilian judiciary; resolves jurisdictional conflicts arising between other courts; members are elected by three sister courts and Congress for eight-year terms)

Comoros Supreme Court or Cour Supremes (two members appointed by the president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one elected by the Council of each island, and others are former presidents of the republic)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the Constitutional Court; Appeals Court or Cour de Cassation; Council of State; High Military Court; plus civil and military courts and tribunals

Congo, Republic of the Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Cook Islands High Court

Costa Rica Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for renewable eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly)

Cote d'Ivoire Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consists of four chambers: Judicial Chamber for criminal cases, Audit Chamber for financial cases, Constitutional Chamber for judicial review cases, and Administrative Chamber for civil cases; there is no legal limit to the number of members

Croatia Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; judges for both courts appointed for eight-year terms by the Judicial Council of the Republic, which is elected by the Assembly

Cuba People's Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo Popular (president, vice president, and other judges are elected by the National Assembly)

Cyprus Supreme Court (judges are appointed jointly by the president and vice president) note: there is also a Supreme Court in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots

Czech Republic Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; chairman and deputy chairmen are appointed by the president for a 10-year term

Denmark Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch for life)

Djibouti Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Dominica Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the Court of Appeal and the High Court (located in Saint Lucia; one of the six judges must reside in Dominica and preside over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction)

Dominican Republic Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the National Judicial Council comprised of the president, the leaders of both chambers of congress, the president of the Supreme Court, and an additional non-governing party congressional representative)

Ecuador Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (according to the Constitution, new justices are elected by the full Supreme Court; in December 2004, however, Congress successfully replaced the entire court via a simple-majority resolution)

Egypt Supreme Constitutional Court

El Salvador Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (15 judges are selected by the Legislative Assembly; the 15 judges are assigned to four Supreme Court chambers - constitutional, civil, penal, and administrative conflict)

Equatorial Guinea Supreme Tribunal

Eritrea High Court - regional, subregional, and village courts; also have military and special courts

Estonia National Court (chairman appointed by Parliament for life)

Ethiopia Federal Supreme Court (the president and vice president of the Federal Supreme Court are recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the House of People's Representatives; for other federal judges, the prime minister submits to the House of People's Representatives for appointment candidates selected by the Federal Judicial Administrative Council)

European Union Court of Justice of the European Communities (ensures that the treaties are interpreted and applied uniformly throughout the EU; resolve constitutional issues among the EU institutions) - 27 justices (one from each member state) appointed for a six-year term; note - for the sake of efficiency, the court can sit with 13 justices known as the "Grand Chamber"; Court of First Instance - 27 justices appointed for a six-year term

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction

Faroe Islands none

Fiji Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court of Appeal; High Court; Magistrates' Courts

Finland Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president)

France Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de Cassation (judges are appointed by the president from nominations of the High Council of the Judiciary); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel (three members appointed by the president, three appointed by the president of the National Assembly, and three appointed by the president of the Senate); Council of State or Conseil d'Etat

French Polynesia Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif

Gabon Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consisting of three chambers - Judicial, Administrative, and Accounts; Constitutional Court; Courts of Appeal; Court of State Security; County Courts

Gambia, The Supreme Court

Georgia Supreme Court (judges elected by the Supreme Council on the president's or chairman of the Supreme Court's recommendation); Constitutional Court; first and second instance courts

Germany Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (half the judges are elected by the Bundestag and half by the Bundesrat)

Ghana Supreme Court

Gibraltar Supreme Court; Court of Appeal

Greece Supreme Judicial Court; Special Supreme Tribunal; all judges appointed for life by the president after consultation with a judicial council

Greenland High Court or Landsret (appeals can be made to the Ostre Landsret or Eastern Division of the High Court or Supreme Court in Copenhagen)

Grenada Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of a court of Appeal and a High Court of Justice (a High Court judge is assigned to and resides in Grenada)

Guam Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president); Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms by the governor)

Guatemala Constitutional Court or Corte de Constitucionalidad is Guatemala's highest court (five judges are elected for concurrent five-year terms); Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (13 members serve concurrent five-year terms and elect a president of the Court each year from among their number; the president of the Supreme Court of Justice also supervises trial judges around the country, who are named to five-year terms)

Guernsey Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the bailiff)

Guinea Court of First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Guinea-Bissau Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal da Justica (consists of nine justices appointed by the president and serve at his pleasure; final court of appeals in criminal and civil cases); Regional Courts (one in each of nine regions; first court of appeals for Sectoral Court decisions; hear all felony cases and civil cases valued at more than $1,000); 24 Sectoral Courts (judges are not necessarily trained lawyers; they hear civil cases valued at less than $1,000 and misdemeanor criminal cases)

Guyana Supreme Court of Judicature, consisting of the High Court and the Judicial Court of Appeal, with right of final appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice

Haiti Supreme Court or Cour de Cassation

Holy See (Vatican City) there are three tribunals responsible for civil and criminal matters within Vatican City; three other tribunals rule on issues pertaining to the Holy See note: judicial duties were established by the Motu Proprio of Pope PIUS XII on 1 May 1946

Honduras Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (15 judges are elected for seven-year terms by the National Congress)

Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Hungary Constitutional Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly for nine-year terms)

Iceland Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice); eight district courts (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice)

India Supreme Court (one chief justice and 25 associate justices are appointed by the president and remain in office until they reach the age of 65 or are removed for "proved misbehavior")

Indonesia Supreme Court or Mahkamah Agung (justices appointed by the president from a list of candidates selected by the legislature); a separate Constitutional Court or Mahkamah Konstitusi was invested by the president on 16 August 2003; in March 2004 the Supreme Court assumed administrative and financial responsibility for the lower court system from the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights; Labor Court under supervision of Supreme Court began functioning in January 2006

Iran The Supreme Court (Qeveh Qazaieh) and the four-member High Council of the Judiciary have a single head and overlapping responsibilities; together they supervise the enforcement of all laws and establish judicial and legal policies; lower courts include a special clerical court, a revolutionary court, and a special administrative court

Iraq the Iraq Constitution calls for the federal judicial power to be comprised of the Higher Juridical Council, Federal Supreme Court, Federal Court of Cassation, Public Prosecution Department, Judiciary Oversight Commission and other federal courts that are regulated in accordance with the law

Ireland Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister and cabinet)

Isle of Man High Court of Justice (justices are appointed by the Lord Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor)

Israel Supreme Court (justices appointed by Judicial Selection Committee - made up of all three branches of the government; mandatory retirement age is 70)

Italy Constitutional Court or Corte Costituzionale (composed of 15 judges: one-third appointed by the president, one-third elected by parliament, one-third elected by the ordinary and administrative Supreme Courts)

Jamaica Supreme Court (judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal

Japan Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the monarch after designation by the cabinet; all other justices are appointed by the cabinet)

Jersey Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the bailiff)

Jordan Court of Cassation; Supreme Court (court of final appeal)

Kazakhstan Supreme Court (44 members); Constitutional Council (7 members)

Kenya Court of Appeal (chief justice is appointed by the president); High Court

Kiribati Court of Appeal; High Court; 26 Magistrates' courts; judges at all levels are appointed by the president

Korea, North Central Court (judges are elected by the Supreme People's Assembly)

Korea, South Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president with consent of National Assembly); Constitutional Court (justices appointed by the president based partly on nominations by National Assembly and Chief Justice of the court)

Kosovo Supreme Court judges are appointed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG); district courts judges are appointed by the SRSG; municipal courts judges are appointed by the SRSG note: after the termination of UNMIK's mandate, the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) will propose to the president candidates for appointment or reappointment as judges and prosecutors; the KJC is also responsible for decisions on the promotion and transfer of judges and disciplinary proceedings against judges; at least 15% of Supreme Court and district court judges shall be from nonmajority communities

Kuwait High Court of Appeal

Kyrgyzstan Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (judges of both the Supreme and Constitutional Courts are appointed for 10-year terms by the Jorgorku Kengesh on the recommendation of the president; their mandatory retirement age is 70 years); Higher Court of Arbitration; Local Courts (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council on Legal Affairs for a probationary period of five years, then 10 years)

Laos 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)

Latvia Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament); Constitutional Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament)

Lebanon 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)

Lesotho High Court (chief justice appointed by the monarch acting on the advice of the Prime Minister); Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts; customary or traditional court

Liberia Supreme Court

Libya Supreme Court

Liechtenstein Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Court of Appeal or Obergericht

Lithuania Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; judges for all courts appointed by the president

Luxembourg judicial courts and tribunals (3 Justices of the Peace, 2 district courts, and 1 Supreme Court of Appeals); administrative courts and tribunals (State Prosecutor's Office, administrative courts and tribunals, and the Constitutional Court); judges for all courts are appointed for life by the monarch

Macau Court of Final Appeal in Macau Special Administrative Region

Macedonia Supreme Court - the Assembly appoints the judges; Constitutional Court - the Assembly appoints the judges; Republican Judicial Council - the Assembly appoints the judges

Madagascar Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle

Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal; High Court (chief justice appointed by the president, puisne judges appointed on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission); magistrate's courts

Malaysia Civil Courts include Federal Court, Court of Appeal, High Court of Malaya on peninsula Malaysia, and High Court of Sabah and Sarawak in states of Borneo (judges appointed by the paramount ruler on the advice of the prime minister); Sharia Courts include Sharia Appeal Court, Sharia High Court, and Sharia Subordinate Courts at state-level and deal with religious and family matters such as custody, divorce, and inheritance, only for Muslims; decisions of Sharia courts cannot be appealed to civil courts

Maldives Supreme Court; Supreme Court judges are appointed by the President with approval of voting members of the People's Council; High Court; Trial Courts; all lower court judges are appointed by the Judicial Service Commission

Mali Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Malta Constitutional Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

Marshall Islands Supreme Court; High Court; Traditional Rights Court

Mauritania Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Court of Appeals; lower courts

Mauritius Supreme Court

Mayotte Supreme Court or Tribunal Superieur d'Appel

Mexico Supreme Court of Justice or Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nacion (justices or ministros are appointed by the president with consent of the Senate)

Micronesia, Federated States of Supreme Court

Moldova Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for constitutional judicature)

Monaco Supreme Court or Tribunal Supreme (judges appointed by the monarch on the basis of nominations by the National Council)

Mongolia Supreme Court (serves as appeals court for people's and provincial courts but rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts; judges are nominated by the General Council of Courts and approved by the president)

Montenegro Constitutional Court (five judges with nine-year terms); Supreme Court (judges have life tenure)

Montserrat Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia, one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court)

Morocco Supreme Court (judges are appointed on the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the monarch)

Mozambique Supreme Court (the court of final appeal; some of its professional judges are appointed by the president and some are elected by the Assembly); other courts include an Administrative Court, customs courts, maritime courts, courts marshal, labor courts note: although the constitution provides for a separate Constitutional Court, one has never been established; in its absence the Supreme Court reviews constitutional cases

Namibia Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission)

Nauru Supreme Court

Nepal Supreme Court or Sarbochha Adalat (chief justice is appointed by the monarch on recommendation of the Constitutional Council; the other judges are appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Judicial Council)

Netherlands Supreme Court or Hoge Raad (justices are nominated for life by the monarch)

Netherlands Antilles Joint High Court of Justice (judges appointed by the monarch)

New Caledonia Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; County Courts; Joint Commerce Tribunal Court; Children's Court

New Zealand Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; High Court; note - judges appointed by the Governor-General

Nicaragua Supreme Court or Corte Suprema de Justicia (16 judges elected for five-year terms by the National Assembly)

Niger State Court or Cour d'Etat; Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel

Nigeria Supreme Court (judges appointed by the President); Federal Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the federal government on the advice of the Advisory Judicial Committee)

Niue Supreme Court of New Zealand; High Court of Niue

Norfolk Island Supreme Court; Court of Petty Sessions

Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court

Norway Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the monarch)

Oman Supreme Court note: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has judges who practice secular and Sharia law

Pakistan Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president); Federal Islamic or Sharia Court

Palau Supreme Court; Court of Common Pleas; Land Court

Panama Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges appointed for 10-year terms); five superior courts; three courts of appeal

Papua New Guinea Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the proposal of the National Executive Council after consultation with the minister responsible for justice; other judges are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission)

Paraguay Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges appointed on the proposal of the Council of Magistrates or Consejo de la Magistratura)

Peru Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary)

Philippines Supreme Court (15 justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70 years of age); Court of Appeals; Sandigan-bayan (special court for hearing corruption cases of government officials)

Pitcairn Islands Magistrate's Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Judicial Officers are appointed by the Governor

Poland Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council of the Judiciary for an indefinite period); Constitutional Tribunal (judges are chosen by the Sejm for nine-year terms)

Portugal Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal de Justica (judges appointed for life by the Conselho Superior da Magistratura)

Puerto Rico Supreme Court; Appellate Court; Court of First Instance composed of two sections: a Superior Court and a Municipal Court (justices for all these courts appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate)

Qatar Courts of First Instance, Appeal, and Cassation; an Administrative Court and a Constitutional Court were established in 2007; note - all judges are appointed by Amiri Decree based on the recommendation of the Supreme Judiciary Council for renewable three-year terms

Romania Supreme Court of Justice (comprised of 11 judges appointed for three-year terms by the president in consultation with the Superior Council of Magistrates, which is comprised of the minister of justice, the prosecutor general, two civil society representatives appointed by the Senate, and 14 judges and prosecutors elected by their peers); a separate body, the Constitutional Court, validates elections and makes decisions regarding the constitutionality of laws, treaties, ordinances, and internal rules of the Parliament; it is comprised of nine members serving nine-year terms, with three members each appointed by the president, the Senate, and the Chamber of Deputies

Russia Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Supreme Arbitration Court; judges for all courts are appointed for life by the Federation Council on the recommendation of the president

Rwanda Supreme Court; High Courts of the Republic; Provincial Courts; District Courts; mediation committees

Saint Helena Magistrate's Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal

Saint Kitts and Nevis Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court resides in Saint Kitts and Nevis)

Saint Lucia Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (jurisdiction extends to Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon Superior Tribunal of Appeals or Tribunal Superieur d'Appel

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court resides in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)

Samoa Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; District Court; Land and Titles Court

San Marino Council of Twelve or Consiglio dei XII

Sao Tome and Principe Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly)

Saudi Arabia Supreme Council of Justice

Senegal Constitutional Court; Council of State; Court of Final Appeals or Cour de Cassation; Court of Appeals

Serbia Constitutional Court, Supreme Court (to become court of cassation under new constitution), appellate courts, district courts, municipal courts

Seychelles Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the president

Sierra Leone Supreme Court; Appeals Court; High Court

Singapore Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president with the advice of the prime minister, other judges are appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice); Court of Appeals

Slovakia Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Council); Constitutional Court (judges appointed by president from group of nominees approved by the National Council); Special Court (judges elected by a council of judges and appointed by president)

Slovenia Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the Judicial Council); Constitutional Court (judges elected for nine-year terms by the National Assembly and nominated by the president)

Solomon Islands Court of Appeal

Somalia following the breakdown of the central government, most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or Sharia (Islamic) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences

South Africa Constitutional Court; Supreme Court of Appeals; High Courts; Magistrate Courts

Spain Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo

Sri Lanka Supreme Court; Court of Appeals; judges for both courts are appointed by the president

Sudan Constitutional Court of nine justices; National Supreme Court; National Courts of Appeal; other national courts; National Judicial Service Commission will undertake overall management of the National Judiciary

Suriname Cantonal Courts and a Court of Justice as an appellate court (justices are nominated for life)

Swaziland High Court; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the monarch

Sweden Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen (judges are appointed by the prime minister and the cabinet)

Switzerland Federal Supreme Court (judges elected for six-year terms by the Federal Assembly)

Syria Supreme Judicial Council (appoints and dismisses judges; headed by the president); national level - Supreme Constitutional Court (adjudicates electoral disputes and rules on constitutionality of laws and decrees; justices appointed for four-year terms by the President); Court of Cassation; Appeals Courts (Appeals Courts represent an intermediate level between the Court of Cassation and local level courts); local level - Magistrate Courts; Courts of First Instance; Juvenile Courts; Customs Courts; specialized courts - Economic Security Courts (hear cases related to economic crimes); Supreme State Security Court (hear cases related to national security); Personal Status Courts (religious; hear cases related to marriage and divorce)

Taiwan Judicial Yuan (justices appointed by the president with consent of the Legislative Yuan)

Tajikistan Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)

Tanzania Permanent Commission of Enquiry (official ombudsman); Court of Appeal (consists of a chief justice and four judges); High Court (consists of a Jaji Kiongozi and 29 judges appointed by the president; holds regular sessions in all regions); District Courts; Primary Courts (limited jurisdiction and appeals can be made to the higher courts)

Thailand Supreme Court or Sandika (judges appointed by the monarch)

Timor-Leste Supreme Court of Justice - constitution calls for one judge to be appointed by National Parliament and rest appointed by Superior Council for Judiciary; note - until Supreme Court is established, Court of Appeals is highest court

Togo Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Tokelau Supreme Court in New Zealand exercises civil and criminal jurisdiction in Tokelau

Tonga Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch); Court of Appeal (Chief Justice and high court justices from overseas chosen and approved by Privy Council)

Trinidad and Tobago Supreme Court of Judicature (comprised of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeals; the chief justice is appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission); High Court of Justice; Caribbean Court of Appeals member; Court of Appeals; the highest court of appeal is the Privy Council in London

Tunisia Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation

Turkey Constitutional Court; High Court of Appeals (Yargitay); Council of State (Danistay); Court of Accounts (Sayistay); Military High Court of Appeals; Military High Administrative Court

Turkmenistan Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)

Turks and Caicos Islands Supreme Court; Court of Appeal

Tuvalu High Court (a chief justice visits twice a year to preside over its sessions; its rulings can be appealed to the Court of Appeal in Fiji); eight Island Courts (with limited jurisdiction)

Uganda Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the president and approved by the legislature); High Court (judges are appointed by the president)

Ukraine Supreme Court; Constitutional Court

United Arab Emirates Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)

United Kingdom House of Lords (highest court of appeal; several Lords of Appeal in Ordinary are appointed by the monarch for life); Supreme Courts of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (comprising the Courts of Appeal, the High Courts of Justice, and the Crown Courts); Scotland's Court of Session and Court of the Justiciary

United States Supreme Court (nine justices; nominated by the president and confirmed with the advice and consent of the Senate; appointed to serve for life); United States Courts of Appeal; United States District Courts; State and County Courts

Uruguay Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly)

Uzbekistan Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Supreme Assembly)

Vanuatu 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)

Venezuela Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Tribuna Suprema de Justicia (magistrates are elected by the National Assembly for a single 12-year term)

Vietnam Supreme People's Court (chief justice is elected for a five-year term by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president)

Virgin Islands US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Superior Court of the Virgin Islands (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms)

Wallis and Futuna 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; a court of appeal is located in Noumea, New Caledonia

Yemen Supreme Court

Zambia Supreme Court (the final court of appeal; justices are appointed by the president); High Court (has unlimited jurisdiction to hear civil and criminal cases)

Zimbabwe Supreme Court; High Court

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008

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@2095 Labor force

Afghanistan 15 million (2004 est.)

Albania 1.09 million (not including 352,000 emigrant workers) (September 2006 est.)

Algeria 9.38 million (2007 est.)

American Samoa 17,630 (2005)

Andorra 42,420 (2005)

Angola 7.148 million (2007 est.)

Anguilla 6,049 (2001)

Antigua and Barbuda 30,000 (1991)

Argentina 16.03 million note: urban areas only (2007 est.)

Armenia 1.2 million (2007 est.)

Aruba 41,500 (2004 est.)

Australia 10.95 million (2007 est.)

Austria 3.566 million (2007 est.)

Azerbaijan 5.243 million (2007 est.)

Bahamas, The 181,900 (2006)

Bahrain 437,000 note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2007 est.)

Bangladesh 69.4 million note: extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Malaysia; workers' remittances estimated at $4.8 billion in 2005-06. (2007 est.)

Barbados 128,500 (2001 est.)

Belarus 4.3 million (31 December 2005)

Belgium 4.94 million (2007 est.)

Belize 113,000 note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (2006 est.)

Benin 5.38 million (2007 est.)

Bermuda 38,360 (2004)

Bhutan NA note: major shortage of skilled labor

Bolivia 4.377 million (2007 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.026 million (2001)

Botswana 288,400 formal sector employees (2004)

Brazil 99.23 million (2007 est.)

British Virgin Islands 12,770 (2004)

Brunei 180,400 (2006 est.)

Bulgaria 2.593 million (2007 est.)

Burkina Faso 5 million note: a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment (2003)

Burma 29.26 million (2007 est.)

Burundi 2.99 million (2002)

Cambodia 7 million (2003 est.)

Cameroon 6.674 million (2007 est.)

Canada 17.95 million (2007 est.)

Cape Verde 120,600 (1990)

Cayman Islands 23,450 (2004)

Central African Republic 1.857 million (2006)

Chad 3.747 million (2006)

Chile 7.167 million (2007 est.)

China 800.7 million (2007 est.)

Christmas Island NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA

Colombia 20.5 million (2007 est.)

Comoros 144,500 (1996 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the 15 million (2006 est.)

Congo, Republic of the NA

Cook Islands 6,820 (2001)

Costa Rica 1.92 million note: this official estimate excludes Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica (2007 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire 6.907 million (68% agricultural) (2007 est.)

Croatia 1.749 million (2007 est.)

Cuba 4.956 million note: state sector 78%, non-state sector 22% (2007 est.)

Cyprus 393,000 (2007 est.)

Czech Republic 5.36 million (2007 est.)

Denmark 2.86 million (2007 est.)

Djibouti 282,000 (2000)

Dominica 25,000 (2000 est.)

Dominican Republic 4.027 million (2007 est.)

Ecuador 4.51 million (urban) (2007 est.)

Egypt 22.1 million (2007 est.)

El Salvador 2.913 million (2007 est.)

Equatorial Guinea NA

Eritrea NA

Estonia 687,000 (2007 est.)

Ethiopia 27.27 million (1999)

European Union 222.7 million (2006 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1,724 (est.) (1996)

Faroe Islands 24,250 (October 2000)

Fiji 117,500 (2006 est.)

Finland 2.675 million (2007 est.)

France 27.91 million (2007 est.)

French Polynesia 65,930 (December 2005)

Gabon 582,000 (2007 est.)

Gambia, The 400,000 (1996)

Gaza Strip 267,000 (2006)

Georgia 2.02 million (2007 est.)

Germany 43.54 million (2007 est.)

Ghana 11.29 million (2007 est.)

Gibraltar 12,690 (including non-Gibraltar laborers) (2001)

Greece 4.92 million (2007 est.)

Greenland 32,120 (2004)

Grenada 42,300 (1996)

Guam 62,050 (2002 est.)

Guatemala 3.958 million (2007 est.)

Guernsey 31,470 (March 2006)

Guinea 3.7 million (2006 est.)

Guinea-Bissau 480,000 (1999)

Guyana 418,000 (2001 est.)

Haiti 3.6 million note: shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (1995)

Holy See (Vatican City) NA

Honduras 2.779 million (2007 est.)

Hong Kong 3.64 million (2007 est.)

Hungary 4.19 million (2007 est.)

Iceland 181,000 (2007 est.)

India 516.4 million (2007 est.)

Indonesia 109.9 million (2007 est.)

Iran 28.7 million note: shortage of skilled labor (2006 est.)

Iraq 7.4 million (2004 est.)

Ireland 2.217 million (2007 est.)

Isle of Man 39,690 (2001)

Israel 2.894 million (2007 est.)

Italy 24.74 million (2007 est.)

Jamaica 1.255 million (2007 est.)

Japan 66.69 million (2007 est.)

Jersey 53,560 (June 2006)

Jordan 1.563 million (2007 est.)

Kazakhstan 8.229 million (2007 est.)

Kenya 11.85 million (2005 est.)

Kiribati 7,870 economically active, not including subsistence farmers (2001 est.)

Korea, North 20 million note: estimates vary widely (2004 est.)

Korea, South 24.22 million (2007 est.)

Kosovo 832,000 (June 2007 est.)

Kuwait 2.093 million note: non-Kuwaitis represent about 80% of the labor force (2007 est.)

Kyrgyzstan 2.7 million (2000)

Laos 2.1 million (2006 est.)

Latvia 1.167 million (2007 est.)

Lebanon 1.5 million note: in addition, there are as many as 1 million foreign workers (2005 est.)

Lesotho 838,000 (2000 est.)

Libya 1.83 million (2007 est.)

Liechtenstein 29,500 of whom 13,900 commute from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (31 December 2001)

Lithuania 1.603 million (2007 est.)

Luxembourg 205,000 of whom 121,600 are foreign cross-border workers commuting primarily from France, Belgium, and Germany (2007 est.)

Macau 275,000 (2006)

Macedonia 890,000 (2007 est.)

Madagascar 7.3 million (2000)

Malawi 4.5 million (2001 est.)

Malaysia 10.94 million (2007 est.)

Maldives 101,300 (2004)

Mali 5.4 million (2007 est.)

Malta 166,000 (2007 est.)

Marshall Islands 14,680 (2000)

Mauritania 786,000 (2001)

Mauritius 574,000 (2007 est.)

Mayotte 44,560 (2002)

Mexico 44.71 million (2007 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of 37,410 (2000)

Moldova 1.333 million (2007 est.)

Monaco 44,000 note: includes workers from all foreign countries (2005 est.)

Mongolia 1.042 million (2006)

Montenegro 259,100 (2004)

Montserrat 4,521 note: lowered by flight of people from volcanic activity (2000 est.)

Morocco 11.39 million (2007 est.)

Mozambique 9.6 million (2007 est.)

Namibia 660,000 (2007 est.)

Nepal 11.11 million note: severe lack of skilled labor (2006 est.)

Netherlands 7.604 million (2007 est.)

Netherlands Antilles 83,600 (2005)

New Caledonia 78,990 (2004)

New Zealand 2.236 million (2007 est.)

Nicaragua 2.262 million (2007 est.)

Niger 70,000 salaried workers, 60% of whom are employed in the public sector (1995)

Nigeria 50.13 million (2007 est.)

Niue 663 (2001)

Norfolk Island NA

Northern Mariana Islands 44,470 total indigenous labor force; 2,699 unemployed; 28,717 foreign workers (2000)

Norway 2.507 million (2007 est.)

Oman 920,000 (2002 est.)

Pakistan 48.23 million note: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use of child labor (2007 est.)

Palau 9,777 (2005)

Panama 1.362 million note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor (2007 est.)

Papua New Guinea 3.557 million (2007 est.)

Paraguay 2.787 million (2007 est.)

Peru 9.839 million (2007 est.)

Philippines 36.22 million (2007 est.)

Pitcairn Islands 15 able-bodied men (2004)

Poland 16.86 million (2007 est.)

Portugal 5.618 million (2007 est.)

Puerto Rico 1.3 million (2000)

Qatar 881,000 (2007 est.)

Romania 9.3 million (2007 est.)

Russia 75.1 million (2007 est.)

Rwanda 4.6 million (2000)

Saint Helena 2,486 note: 1,200 work offshore (1998 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis 18,170 (June 1995)

Saint Lucia 43,800 (2001 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon 3,450 (2005)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 41,680 (1991 est.)

Samoa 90,000 (2000 est.)

San Marino 20,470 (2004)

Sao Tome and Principe 35,050 (1991)

Saudi Arabia 6.563 million note: about one-third of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2007 est.)

Senegal 4.85 million (2007 est.)

Serbia 2.961 million (2002 est.)

Seychelles 39,560 (2006)

Sierra Leone 1.369 million (1981 est.)

Singapore 2.751 million (2007 est.)

Slovakia 2.654 million (2007 est.)

Slovenia 925,000 (2007 est.)

Solomon Islands 249,200 (1999)

Somalia 3.7 million (few skilled laborers) (1975)

South Africa 20.49 million economically active (2007 est.)

Spain 22.19 million (2007 est.)

Sri Lanka 7.489 million (2007 est.)

Sudan 7.415 million (1996 est.)

Suriname 156,700 (2004)

Svalbard NA

Swaziland 300,000 (2006)

Sweden 4.839 million (2007 est.)

Switzerland 3.954 million (2007 est.)

Syria 5.462 million (2007 est.)

Taiwan 10.71 million (2007 est.)

Tajikistan 2.1 million (2007)

Tanzania 20.04 million (2007 est.)

Thailand 36.9 million (2007 est.)

Timor-Leste NA

Togo 1.302 million (1998)

Tokelau 440 (2001)

Tonga 33,910 (2003)

Trinidad and Tobago 622,000 (2007 est.)

Tunisia 3.593 million (2007 est.)

Turkey 23.53 million note: about 1.2 million Turks work abroad (2007 est.)

Turkmenistan 2.089 million (2004 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands 4,848 (1990 est.)

Tuvalu 3,615 (2004 est.)

Uganda 14.02 million (2007 est.)

Ukraine 21.58 million (2007 est.)

United Arab Emirates 3.065 million (2007 est.)

United Kingdom 30.89 million (2007 est.)

United States 153.1 million (includes unemployed) (2007 est.)

Uruguay 1.631 million (2007 est.)

Uzbekistan 14.6 million (2007 est.)

Vanuatu 76,410 (1999)

Venezuela 12.37 million (2007 est.)

Vietnam 46.42 million (2007 est.)

Virgin Islands 43,980 (2004 est.)

Wallis and Futuna 3,104 (2003)

West Bank 605,000 (2006)

Western Sahara 12,000 (2005 est.)

World 3.131 billion (2007 est.)

Yemen 6.305 million (2007 est.)

Zambia 4.989 million (2007 est.)

Zimbabwe 4.032 million (2007 est.)

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008

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

@2096 Land boundaries (km)

Afghanistan total: 5,529 km border countries: China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km, Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km

Akrotiri total: 47.4 km border countries: Cyprus 47.4 km

Albania total: 717 km border countries: Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Montenegro 172 km, Kosovo 112 km

Algeria total: 6,343 km border countries: Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km, Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km

American Samoa 0 km

Andorra total: 120.3 km border countries: France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km

Angola total: 5,198 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km

Anguilla 0 km

Antarctica 0 km note: see entry on Disputes - international

Antigua and Barbuda 0 km

Argentina total: 9,861 km border countries: Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,261 km, Chile 5,308 km, Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 580 km

Armenia total: 1,254 km border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km

Aruba 0 km

Ashmore and Cartier Islands 0 km

Australia 0 km

Austria total: 2,562 km border countries: Czech Republic 362 km, Germany 784 km, Hungary 366 km, Italy 430 km, Liechtenstein 35 km, Slovakia 91 km, Slovenia 330 km, Switzerland 164 km

Azerbaijan total: 2,013 km border countries: Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-proper) 432 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9 km

Bahamas, The 0 km

Bahrain 0 km

Bangladesh total: 4,246 km border countries: Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km

Barbados 0 km

Belarus total: 3,306 km border countries: Latvia 171 km, Lithuania 680 km, Poland 605 km, Russia 959 km, Ukraine 891 km

Belgium total: 1,385 km border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km

Belize total: 516 km border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km

Benin total: 1,989 km border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km

Bermuda 0 km

Bhutan total: 1,075 km border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km

Bolivia total: 6,940 km border countries: Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,423 km, Chile 860 km, Paraguay 750 km, Peru 1,075 km

Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 1,538 km border countries: Croatia 932 km, Montenegro 249 km, Serbia 357 km

Botswana total: 4,013 km border countries: Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km

Bouvet Island 0 km

Brazil total: 16,885 km border countries: Argentina 1,261 km, Bolivia 3,423 km, Colombia 1,644 km, French Guiana 730 km, Guyana 1,606 km, Paraguay 1,365 km, Peru 2,995 km, Suriname 593 km, Uruguay 1,068 km, Venezuela 2,200 km

British Indian Ocean Territory 0 km

British Virgin Islands 0 km

Brunei total: 381 km border countries: Malaysia 381 km

Bulgaria total: 1,808 km border countries: Greece 494 km, Macedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km, Serbia 318 km, Turkey 240 km

Burkina Faso total: 3,193 km border countries: Benin 306 km, Cote d'Ivoire 584 km, Ghana 549 km, Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km

Burma total: 5,876 km border countries: Bangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km, India 1,463 km, Laos 235 km, Thailand 1,800 km

Burundi total: 974 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km

Cambodia total: 2,572 km border countries: Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km

Cameroon total: 4,591 km border countries: Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km, Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, Nigeria 1,690 km

Canada total: 8,893 km border countries: US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska)

Cape Verde 0 km

Cayman Islands 0 km

Central African Republic total: 5,203 km border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km

Chad total: 5,968 km border countries: Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197 km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km

Chile total: 6,339 km border countries: Argentina 5,308 km, Bolivia 860 km, Peru 171 km

China total: 22,117 km border countries: Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km, India 3,380 km, Kazakhstan 1,533 km, North Korea 1,416 km, Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Mongolia 4,677 km, Nepal 1,236 km, Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605 km, Russia (northwest) 40 km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 km regional borders: Hong Kong 30 km, Macau 0.34 km

Christmas Island 0 km

Clipperton Island 0 km

Cocos (Keeling) Islands 0 km

Colombia total: 6,309 km border countries: Brazil 1,644 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 1,800 km, Venezuela 2,050 km

Comoros 0 km

Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 10,730 km border countries: Angola 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of Angola's discontiguous Cabinda Province), Burundi 233 km, Central African Republic 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Rwanda 217 km, Sudan 628 km, Tanzania 459 km, Uganda 765 km, Zambia 1,930 km

Congo, Republic of the total: 5,504 km border countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon 1,903 km

Cook Islands 0 km

Coral Sea Islands 0 km

Costa Rica total: 639 km border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km

Cote d'Ivoire total: 3,110 km border countries: Burkina Faso 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km, Liberia 716 km, Mali 532 km

Croatia total: 1,982 km border countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina 932 km, Hungary 329 km, Serbia 241 km, Montenegro 25 km, Slovenia 455 km

Cuba total: 29 km border countries: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and remains part of Cuba

Cyprus total: 150.4 km (approximately) border sovereign base areas: Akrotiri 47.4 km, Dhekelia 103 km (approximately)

Czech Republic total: 1,989 km border countries: Austria 362 km, Germany 815 km, Poland 615 km, Slovakia 197 km

Denmark total: 68 km border countries: Germany 68 km

Dhekelia total: 103 km (approximately) border countries: Cyprus 103 km (approximately)

Djibouti total: 516 km border countries: Eritrea 109 km, Ethiopia 349 km, Somalia 58 km

Dominica 0 km

Dominican Republic total: 360 km border countries: Haiti 360 km

Ecuador total: 2,010 km border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km

Egypt total: 2,665 km border countries: Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 266 km, Libya 1,115 km, Sudan 1,273 km

El Salvador total: 545 km border countries: Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km

Equatorial Guinea total: 539 km border countries: Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km

Eritrea total: 1,626 km border countries: Djibouti 109 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Sudan 605 km

Estonia total: 633 km border countries: Latvia 343 km, Russia 290 km

Ethiopia total: 5,328 km border countries: Djibouti 349 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 861 km, Somalia 1,600 km, Sudan 1,606 km

European Union total: 12,440.8 km border countries: Albania 282 km, Andorra 120.3 km, Belarus 1,050 km, Croatia 999 km, Holy See 3.2 km, Liechtenstein 34.9 km, Macedonia 394 km, Moldova 450 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Norway 2,348 km, Russia 2,257 km, San Marino 39 km, Serbia 945 km, Switzerland 1,811 km, Turkey 446 km, Ukraine 1,257 km note: data for European Continent only

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 km

Faroe Islands 0 km

Fiji 0 km

Finland total: 2,654 km border countries: Norway 727 km, Sweden 614 km, Russia 1,313 km

France metropolitan France - total: 2,889 km border countries: Andorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573 km French Guiana - total: 1,183 km border countries: Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km

French Polynesia 0 km

French Southern and Antarctic Lands 0 km

Gabon total: 2,551 km border countries: Cameroon 298 km, Republic of the Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350 km

Gambia, The total: 740 km border countries: Senegal 740 km

Gaza Strip total: 62 km border countries: Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km

Georgia total: 1,461 km border countries: Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 km

Germany total: 3,621 km border countries: Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 646 km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577 km, Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km

Ghana total: 2,094 km border countries: Burkina Faso 549 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo 877 km

Gibraltar total: 1.2 km border countries: Spain 1.2 km

Greece total: 1,228 km border countries: Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km, Macedonia 246 km

Greenland 0 km

Grenada 0 km

Guam 0 km

Guatemala total: 1,687 km border countries: Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km

Guernsey 0 km

Guinea total: 3,399 km border countries: Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km

Guinea-Bissau total: 724 km border countries: Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km

Guyana total: 2,949 km border countries: Brazil 1,606 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km

Haiti total: 360 km border countries: Dominican Republic 360 km

Heard Island and McDonald Islands 0 km

Holy See (Vatican City) total: 3.2 km border countries: Italy 3.2 km

Honduras total: 1,520 km border countries: Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua 922 km

Hong Kong total: 30 km regional border: China 30 km

Hungary total: 2,185 km border countries: Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km, Serbia 166 km, Slovakia 676 km, Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km

Iceland 0 km

India total: 14,103 km border countries: Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463 km, China 3,380 km, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km

Indonesia total: 2,830 km border countries: Timor-Leste 228 km, Malaysia 1,782 km, Papua New Guinea 820 km

Iran total: 5,440 km border countries: Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km, Azerbaijan-proper 432 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 179 km, Iraq 1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km

Iraq total: 3,650 km border countries: Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 240 km, Saudi Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 352 km

Ireland total: 360 km border countries: UK 360 km

Isle of Man 0 km

Israel total: 1,017 km border countries: Egypt 266 km, Gaza Strip 51 km, Jordan 238 km, Lebanon 79 km, Syria 76 km, West Bank 307 km

Italy total: 1,899.2 km border countries: Austria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy See (Vatican City) 3.2 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 199 km, Switzerland 740 km

Jamaica 0 km

Jan Mayen 0 km

Japan 0 km

Jersey 0 km

Jordan total: 1,635 km border countries: Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 744 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km

Kazakhstan total: 12,185 km border countries: China 1,533 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,224 km, Russia 6,846 km, Turkmenistan 379 km, Uzbekistan 2,203 km

Kenya total: 3,477 km border countries: Ethiopia 861 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km

Kiribati 0 km

Korea, North total: 1,673 km border countries: China 1,416 km, South Korea 238 km, Russia 19 km

Korea, South total: 238 km border countries: North Korea 238 km

Kosovo total: 702 km border countries: Albania 112 km, Macedonia 159 km, Montenegro 79 km, Serbia 352 km

Kuwait total: 462 km border countries: Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km

Kyrgyzstan total: 3,051 km border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,224 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km

Laos total: 5,083 km border countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km

Latvia total: 1,382 km border countries: Belarus 171 km, Estonia 343 km, Lithuania 576 km, Russia 292 km

Lebanon total: 454 km border countries: Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km

Lesotho total: 909 km border countries: South Africa 909 km

Liberia total: 1,585 km border countries: Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 km

Libya total: 4,348 km border countries: Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,115 km, Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km

Liechtenstein total: 76 km border countries: Austria 34.9 km, Switzerland 41.1 km

Lithuania total: 1,574 km border countries: Belarus 680 km, Latvia 576 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km

Luxembourg total: 359 km border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km

Macau total: 0.34 km regional border: China 0.34 km

Macedonia total: 766 km border countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Kosovo 159 km, Serbia 62 km

Madagascar 0 km

Malawi total: 2,881 km border countries: Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km

Malaysia total: 2,669 km border countries: Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km

Maldives 0 km

Mali total: 7,243 km border countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km

Malta 0 km

Marshall Islands 0 km

Mauritania total: 5,074 km border countries: Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km

Mauritius 0 km

Mayotte 0 km

Mexico total: 4,353 km border countries: Belize 250 km, Guatemala 962 km, US 3,141 km

Micronesia, Federated States of 0 km

Moldova total: 1,390 km border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 940 km

Monaco total: 4.4 km border countries: France 4.4 km

Mongolia total: 8,220 km border countries: China 4,677 km, Russia 3,543 km

Montenegro total: 625 km border countries: Albania 172 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 225 km, Croatia 25 km, Kosovo 79 km, Serbia 124 km

Montserrat 0 km

Morocco total: 2,017.9 km border countries: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km

Mozambique total: 4,571 km border countries: Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km

Namibia total: 3,936 km border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 967 km, Zambia 233 km

Nauru 0 km

Navassa Island 0 km

Nepal total: 2,926 km border countries: China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km

Netherlands total: 1,027 km border countries: Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km

Netherlands Antilles total: 15 km border countries: Saint Martin 15 km

New Caledonia 0 km

New Zealand 0 km

Nicaragua total: 1,231 km border countries: Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km

Niger total: 5,697 km border countries: Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Faso 628 km, Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km

Nigeria total: 4,047 km border countries: Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger 1,497 km

Niue 0 km

Norfolk Island 0 km

Northern Mariana Islands 0 km

Norway total: 2,542 km border countries: Finland 727 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km

Oman total: 1,374 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km

Pakistan total: 6,774 km border countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909 km

Palau 0 km

Panama total: 555 km border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km

Papua New Guinea total: 820 km border countries: Indonesia 820 km

Paracel Islands 0 km

Paraguay total: 3,995 km border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,365 km

Peru total: 7,461 km border countries: Bolivia 1,075 km, Brazil 2,995 km, Chile 171 km, Colombia 1,800 km, Ecuador 1,420 km

Philippines 0 km

Pitcairn Islands 0 km

Poland total: 3,047 km border countries: Belarus 605 km, Czech Republic 615 km, Germany 456 km, Lithuania 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 432 km, Slovakia 420 km, Ukraine 428 km

Portugal total: 1,214 km border countries: Spain 1,214 km

Puerto Rico 0 km

Qatar total: 60 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km

Romania total: 2,508 km border countries: Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km, Serbia 476 km, Ukraine (north) 362 km, Ukraine (east) 169 km

Russia total: 20,241.5 km border countries: Azerbaijan 284 km, Belarus 959 km, China (southeast) 3,605 km, China (south) 40 km, Estonia 290 km, Finland 1,313 km, Georgia 723 km, Kazakhstan 6,846 km, North Korea 17.5 km, Latvia 292 km, Lithuania (Kaliningrad Oblast) 227 km, Mongolia 3,441 km, Norway 196 km, Poland (Kaliningrad Oblast) 432 km, Ukraine 1,576 km

Rwanda total: 893 km border countries: Burundi 290 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 217 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km

Saint Barthelemy 0 km

Saint Helena 0 km

Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 km

Saint Lucia 0 km

Saint Martin total: 15 km border countries: Netherlands Antilles (Sint Maarten) 15 km

Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 km

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 km

Samoa 0 km

San Marino total: 39 km border countries: Italy 39 km

Sao Tome and Principe 0 km

Saudi Arabia total: 4,431 km border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km

Senegal total: 2,640 km border countries: The Gambia 740 km, Guinea 330 km, Guinea-Bissau 338 km, Mali 419 km, Mauritania 813 km

Serbia total: 2,026 km border countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina 302 km, Bulgaria 318 km, Croatia 241 km, Hungary 151 km, Kosovo 352 km, Macedonia 62 km, Montenegro 124 km, Romania 476 km

Seychelles 0 km

Sierra Leone total: 958 km border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km

Singapore 0 km

Slovakia total: 1,474 km border countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 197 km, Hungary 676 km, Poland 420 km, Ukraine 90 km

Slovenia total: 1,086 km border countries: Austria 330 km, Croatia 455 km, Hungary 102 km, Italy 199 km

Solomon Islands 0 km

Somalia total: 2,340 km border countries: Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,600 km, Kenya 682 km

South Africa total: 4,862 km border countries: Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique 491 km, Namibia 967 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands 0 km

Spain total: 1,917.8 km border countries: Andorra 63.7 km, France 623 km, Gibraltar 1.2 km, Portugal 1,214 km, Morocco (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Morocco (Melilla) 9.6 km

Spratly Islands 0 km

Sri Lanka 0 km

Sudan total: 7,687 km border countries: Central African Republic 1,165 km, Chad 1,360 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 628 km, Egypt 1,273 km, Eritrea 605 km, Ethiopia 1,606 km, Kenya 232 km, Libya 383 km, Uganda 435 km

Suriname total: 1,703 km border countries: Brazil 593 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km

Svalbard 0 km

Swaziland total: 535 km border countries: Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km

Sweden total: 2,233 km border countries: Finland 614 km, Norway 1,619 km

Switzerland total: 1,852 km border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km

Syria total: 2,253 km border countries: Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375 km, Turkey 822 km

Taiwan 0 km

Tajikistan total: 3,651 km border countries: Afghanistan 1,206 km, China 414 km, Kyrgyzstan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,161 km

Tanzania total: 3,861 km border countries: Burundi 451 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 459 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km, Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217 km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km

Thailand total: 4,863 km border countries: Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km

Timor-Leste total: 228 km border countries: Indonesia 228 km

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

Tokelau 0 km

Tonga 0 km

Trinidad and Tobago 0 km

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

Turkey total: 2,648 km border countries: Armenia 268 km, Azerbaijan 9 km, Bulgaria 240 km, Georgia 252 km, Greece 206 km, Iran 499 km, Iraq 352 km, Syria 822 km

Turkmenistan total: 3,736 km border countries: Afghanistan 744 km, Iran 992 km, Kazakhstan 379 km, Uzbekistan 1,621 km

Turks and Caicos Islands 0 km

Tuvalu 0 km

Uganda total: 2,698 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 765 km, Kenya 933 km, Rwanda 169 km, Sudan 435 km, Tanzania 396 km

Ukraine total: 4,566 km border countries: Belarus 891 km, Hungary 103 km, Moldova 940 km, Poland 428 km, Romania (south) 176 km, Romania (southwest) 362 km, Russia 1,576 km, Slovakia 90 km

United Arab Emirates total: 867 km border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km

United Kingdom total: 360 km border countries: Ireland 360 km

United States total: 12,034 km border countries: Canada 8,893 km (including 2,477 km with Alaska), Mexico 3,141 km note: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is leased by the US and is part of Cuba; the base boundary is 28 km

United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges none

Uruguay total: 1,648 km border countries: Argentina 580 km, Brazil 1,068 km

Uzbekistan total: 6,221 km border countries: Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km

Vanuatu 0 km

Venezuela total: 4,993 km border countries: Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km

Vietnam total: 4,639 km border countries: Cambodia 1,228 km, China 1,281 km, Laos 2,130 km

Virgin Islands 0 km

Wake Island 0 km

Wallis and Futuna 0 km

West Bank total: 404 km border countries: Israel 307 km, Jordan 97 km

Western Sahara total: 2,046 km border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km

World the land boundaries in the world total 251,060 km (not counting shared boundaries twice); two nations, China and Russia, each border 14 other countries note: 45 nations and other areas are landlocked, these 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, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Paraguay, Rwanda, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, West Bank, Zambia, Zimbabwe; two of these, Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan, are doubly landlocked

Yemen total: 1,746 km border countries: Oman 288 km, Saudi Arabia 1,458 km

Zambia total: 5,664 km border countries: Angola 1,110 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,930 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia 233 km, Tanzania 338 km, Zimbabwe 797 km

Zimbabwe total: 3,066 km border countries: Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km, Zambia 797 km

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008

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

@2097 Land use (%)

Afghanistan arable land: 12.13% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 87.66% (2005)

Albania arable land: 20.1% permanent crops: 4.21% other: 75.69% (2005)

Algeria arable land: 3.17% permanent crops: 0.28% other: 96.55% (2005)

American Samoa arable land: 10% permanent crops: 15% other: 75% (2005)

Andorra arable land: 2.13% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.87% (2005)

Angola arable land: 2.65% permanent crops: 0.23% other: 97.12% (2005)

Anguilla arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds) (2005)

Antarctica arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%) (2005)

Antigua and Barbuda arable land: 18.18% permanent crops: 4.55% other: 77.27% (2005)

Argentina arable land: 10.03% permanent crops: 0.36% other: 89.61% (2005)

Armenia arable land: 16.78% permanent crops: 2.01% other: 81.21% (2005)

Aruba arable land: 10.53% permanent crops: 0% other: 89.47% (2005)

Ashmore and Cartier Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005)

Australia arable land: 6.15% (includes about 27 million hectares of cultivated grassland) permanent crops: 0.04% other: 93.81% (2005)

Austria arable land: 16.59% permanent crops: 0.85% other: 82.56% (2005)

Azerbaijan arable land: 20.62% permanent crops: 2.61% other: 76.77% (2005)

Bahamas, The arable land: 0.58% permanent crops: 0.29% other: 99.13% (2005)

Bahrain arable land: 2.82% permanent crops: 5.63% other: 91.55% (2005)

Bangladesh arable land: 55.39% permanent crops: 3.08% other: 41.53% (2005)

Barbados arable land: 37.21% permanent crops: 2.33% other: 60.46% (2005)

Belarus arable land: 26.77% permanent crops: 0.6% other: 72.63% (2005)

Belgium arable land: 27.42% permanent crops: 0.69% other: 71.89% note: includes Luxembourg (2005)

Belize arable land: 3.05% permanent crops: 1.39% other: 95.56% (2005)

Benin arable land: 23.53% permanent crops: 2.37% other: 74.1% (2005)

Bermuda arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% other: 80% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (2005)

Bhutan arable land: 2.3% permanent crops: 0.43% other: 97.27% (2005)

Bolivia arable land: 2.78% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 97.03% (2005)

Bosnia and Herzegovina arable land: 19.61% permanent crops: 1.89% other: 78.5% (2005)

Botswana arable land: 0.65% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99.34% (2005)

Bouvet Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (93% ice) (2005)

Brazil arable land: 6.93% permanent crops: 0.89% other: 92.18% (2005)

British Indian Ocean Territory arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)

British Virgin Islands arable land: 20% permanent crops: 6.67% other: 73.33% (2005)

Brunei arable land: 2.08% permanent crops: 0.87% other: 97.05% (2005)

Bulgaria arable land: 29.94% permanent crops: 1.9% other: 68.16% (2005)

Burkina Faso arable land: 17.66% permanent crops: 0.22% other: 82.12% (2005)

Burma arable land: 14.92% permanent crops: 1.31% other: 83.77% (2005)

Burundi arable land: 35.57% permanent crops: 13.12% other: 51.31% (2005)

Cambodia arable land: 20.44% permanent crops: 0.59% other: 78.97% (2005)

Cameroon arable land: 12.54% permanent crops: 2.52% other: 84.94% (2005)

Canada arable land: 4.57% permanent crops: 0.65% other: 94.78% (2005)

Cape Verde arable land: 11.41% permanent crops: 0.74% other: 87.85% (2005)

Cayman Islands arable land: 3.85% permanent crops: 0% other: 96.15% (2005)

Central African Republic arable land: 3.1% permanent crops: 0.15% other: 96.75% (2005)

Chad arable land: 2.8% permanent crops: 0.02% other: 97.18% (2005)

Chile arable land: 2.62% permanent crops: 0.43% other: 96.95% (2005)

China arable land: 14.86% permanent crops: 1.27% other: 83.87% (2005)

Christmas Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a national park) (2005)

Clipperton Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all coral) (2005)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)

Colombia arable land: 2.01% permanent crops: 1.37% other: 96.62% (2005)

Comoros arable land: 35.87% permanent crops: 23.32% other: 40.81% (2005)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the arable land: 2.86% permanent crops: 0.47% other: 96.67% (2005)

Congo, Republic of the arable land: 1.45% permanent crops: 0.15% other: 98.4% (2005)

Cook Islands arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 8.33% other: 75% (2005)

Coral Sea Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2005)

Costa Rica arable land: 4.4% permanent crops: 5.87% other: 89.73% (2005)

Cote d'Ivoire arable land: 10.23% permanent crops: 11.16% other: 78.61% (2005)

Croatia arable land: 25.82% permanent crops: 2.19% other: 71.99% (2005)

Cuba arable land: 27.63% permanent crops: 6.54% other: 65.83% (2005)

Cyprus arable land: 10.81% permanent crops: 4.32% other: 84.87% (2005)

Czech Republic arable land: 38.82% permanent crops: 3% other: 58.18% (2005)

Denmark arable land: 52.59% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 47.22% (2005)

Djibouti arable land: 0.04% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.96% (2005)

Dominica arable land: 6.67% permanent crops: 21.33% other: 72% (2005)

Dominican Republic arable land: 22.49% permanent crops: 10.26% other: 67.25% (2005)

Ecuador arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 4.81% other: 89.48% (2005)

Egypt arable land: 2.92% permanent crops: 0.5% other: 96.58% (2005)

El Salvador arable land: 31.37% permanent crops: 11.88% other: 56.75% (2005)

Equatorial Guinea arable land: 4.63% permanent crops: 3.57% other: 91.8% (2005)

Eritrea arable land: 4.78% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 95.19% (2005)

Estonia arable land: 12.05% permanent crops: 0.35% other: 87.6% (2005)

Ethiopia arable land: 10.01% permanent crops: 0.65% other: 89.34% (2005)

European Union arable land: NA permanent crops: NA other: NA

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (2005)

Faroe Islands arable land: 2.14% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.86% (2005)

Fiji arable land: 10.95% permanent crops: 4.65% other: 84.4% (2005)

Finland arable land: 6.54% permanent crops: 0.02% other: 93.44% (2005)

France arable land: 33.46% permanent crops: 2.03% other: 64.51% note: French Guiana - arable land 0.13%, permanent crops 0.04%, other 99.83% (90% forest, 10% other); Guadeloupe - arable land 11.70%, permanent crops 2.92%, other 85.38%; Martinique - arable land 9.09%, permanent crops 10.0%, other 80.91%; Reunion - arable land 13.94%, permanent crops 1.59%, other 84.47% (2005)

French Polynesia arable land: 0.75% permanent crops: 5.5% other: 93.75% (2005)

French Southern and Antarctic Lands Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) - 100% trees, grasses, ferns, and moss; Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) - 100% grass, ferns, and moss; Iles Crozet - 100% tossock grass, heath, and fern; Iles Kerguelen - 100% tossock grass and Kerguelen cabbage; Bassas da India (Iles Eparses) - 100% rock, coral reef, and sand; Europa Island (Iles Eparses) - 100% mangrove swamp and dry woodlands; Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses) - 100% lush vegetation and coconut palms; Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses) - 90% forest, 10% other; Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) - 100% grasses and scattered brush (2005)

Gabon arable land: 1.21% permanent crops: 0.64% other: 98.15% (2005)

Gambia, The arable land: 27.88% permanent crops: 0.44% other: 71.68% (2005)

Gaza Strip arable land: 29% permanent crops: 21% other: 50% (2002)

Georgia arable land: 11.51% permanent crops: 3.79% other: 84.7% (2005)

Germany arable land: 33.13% permanent crops: 0.6% other: 66.27% (2005)

Ghana arable land: 17.54% permanent crops: 9.22% other: 73.24% (2005)

Gibraltar arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)

Greece arable land: 20.45% permanent crops: 8.59% other: 70.96% (2005)

Greenland arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)

Grenada arable land: 5.88% permanent crops: 29.41% other: 64.71% (2005)

Guam arable land: 3.64% permanent crops: 18.18% other: 78.18% (2005)

Guatemala arable land: 13.22% permanent crops: 5.6% other: 81.18% (2005)

Guernsey arable land: NA permanent crops: NA other: NA

Guinea arable land: 4.47% permanent crops: 2.64% other: 92.89% (2005)

Guinea-Bissau arable land: 8.31% permanent crops: 6.92% other: 84.77% (2005)

Guyana arable land: 2.23% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 97.63% (2005)

Haiti arable land: 28.11% permanent crops: 11.53% other: 60.36% (2005)

Heard Island and McDonald Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)

Holy See (Vatican City) arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (urban area) (2005)

Honduras arable land: 9.53% permanent crops: 3.21% other: 87.26% (2005)

Hong Kong arable land: 5.05% permanent crops: 1.01% other: 93.94% (2001)

Hungary arable land: 49.58% permanent crops: 2.06% other: 48.36% (2005)

Iceland arable land: 0.07% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.93% (2005)

India arable land: 48.83% permanent crops: 2.8% other: 48.37% (2005)

Indonesia arable land: 11.03% permanent crops: 7.04% other: 81.93% (2005)

Iran arable land: 9.78% permanent crops: 1.29% other: 88.93% (2005)

Iraq arable land: 13.12% permanent crops: 0.61% other: 86.27% (2005)

Ireland arable land: 16.82% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 83.15% (2005)

Isle of Man arable land: 9% permanent crops: 0% other: 91% (permanent pastures, forests, mountain, and heathland) (2002)

Israel arable land: 15.45% permanent crops: 3.88% other: 80.67% (2005)

Italy arable land: 26.41% permanent crops: 9.09% other: 64.5% (2005)

Jamaica arable land: 15.83% permanent crops: 10.01% other: 74.16% (2005)

Jan Mayen arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)

Japan arable land: 11.64% permanent crops: 0.9% other: 87.46% (2005)

Jersey arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)

Jordan arable land: 3.32% permanent crops: 1.18% other: 95.5% (2005)

Kazakhstan arable land: 8.28% permanent crops: 0.05% other: 91.67% (2005)

Kenya arable land: 8.01% permanent crops: 0.97% other: 91.02% (2005)

Kiribati arable land: 2.74% permanent crops: 47.95% other: 49.31% (2005)

Korea, North arable land: 22.4% permanent crops: 1.66% other: 75.94% (2005)

Korea, South arable land: 16.58% permanent crops: 2.01% other: 81.41% (2005)

Kuwait arable land: 0.84% permanent crops: 0.17% other: 98.99% (2005)

Kyrgyzstan arable land: 6.55% permanent crops: 0.28% other: 93.17% note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural-growth walnut forest (2005)

Laos arable land: 4.01% permanent crops: 0.34% other: 95.65% (2005)

Latvia arable land: 28.19% permanent crops: 0.45% other: 71.36% (2005)

Lebanon arable land: 16.35% permanent crops: 13.75% other: 69.9% (2005)

Lesotho arable land: 10.87% permanent crops: 0.13% other: 89% (2005)

Liberia arable land: 3.43% permanent crops: 1.98% other: 94.59% (2005)

Libya arable land: 1.03% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 98.78% (2005)

Liechtenstein arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% other: 75% (2005)

Lithuania arable land: 44.81% permanent crops: 0.9% other: 54.29% (2005)

Luxembourg arable land: 27.42% permanent crops: 0.69% other: 71.89% (includes Belgium) (2005)

Macau arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)

Macedonia arable land: 22.01% permanent crops: 1.79% other: 76.2% (2005)

Madagascar arable land: 5.03% permanent crops: 1.02% other: 93.95% (2005)

Malawi arable land: 20.68% permanent crops: 1.18% other: 78.14% (2005)

Malaysia arable land: 5.46% permanent crops: 17.54% other: 77% (2005)

Maldives arable land: 13.33% permanent crops: 30% other: 56.67% (2005)

Mali arable land: 3.76% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 96.21% (2005)

Malta arable land: 31.25% permanent crops: 3.13% other: 65.62% (2005)

Marshall Islands arable land: 11.11% permanent crops: 44.44% other: 44.45% (2005)

Mauritania arable land: 0.2% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99.79% (2005)

Mauritius arable land: 49.02% permanent crops: 2.94% other: 48.04% (2005)

Mayotte arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% other: NA%

Mexico arable land: 12.66% permanent crops: 1.28% other: 86.06% (2005)

Micronesia, Federated States of arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 45.71% other: 48.58% (2005)

Moldova arable land: 54.52% permanent crops: 8.81% other: 36.67% (2005)

Monaco arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (urban area) (2005)

Mongolia arable land: 0.76% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.24% (2005)

Montenegro arable land: 13.7% permanent crops: 1% other: 85.3%

Montserrat arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% other: 80% (2005)

Morocco arable land: 19% permanent crops: 2% other: 79% (2005)

Mozambique arable land: 5.43% permanent crops: 0.29% other: 94.28% (2005)

Namibia arable land: 0.99% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99% (2005)

Nauru arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)

Navassa Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)

Nepal arable land: 16.07% permanent crops: 0.85% other: 83.08% (2005)

Netherlands arable land: 21.96% permanent crops: 0.77% other: 77.27% (2005)

Netherlands Antilles arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% other: 90% (2005)

New Caledonia arable land: 0.32% permanent crops: 0.22% other: 99.46% (2005)

New Zealand arable land: 5.54% permanent crops: 6.92% other: 87.54% (2005)

Nicaragua arable land: 14.81% permanent crops: 1.82% other: 83.37% (2005)

Niger arable land: 11.43% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 88.56% (2005)

Nigeria arable land: 33.02% permanent crops: 3.14% other: 63.84% (2005)

Niue arable land: 11.54% permanent crops: 15.38% other: 73.08% (2005)

Norfolk Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)

Northern Mariana Islands arable land: 13.04% permanent crops: 4.35% other: 82.61% (2005)

Norway arable land: 2.7% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.3% (2005)

Oman arable land: 0.12% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 99.74% (2005)

Pakistan arable land: 24.44% permanent crops: 0.84% other: 74.72% (2005)

Palau arable land: 8.7% permanent crops: 4.35% other: 86.95% (2005)

Panama arable land: 7.26% permanent crops: 1.95% other: 90.79% (2005)

Papua New Guinea arable land: 0.49% permanent crops: 1.4% other: 98.11% (2005)

Paracel Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)

Paraguay arable land: 7.47% permanent crops: 0.24% other: 92.29% (2005)

Peru arable land: 2.88% permanent crops: 0.47% other: 96.65% (2005)

Philippines arable land: 19% permanent crops: 16.67% other: 64.33% (2005)

Pitcairn Islands arable land: NA permanent crops: NA other: NA

Poland arable land: 40.25% permanent crops: 1% other: 58.75% (2005)

Portugal arable land: 17.29% permanent crops: 7.84% other: 74.87% (2005)

Puerto Rico arable land: 3.69% permanent crops: 5.59% other: 90.72% (2005)

Qatar arable land: 1.64% permanent crops: 0.27% other: 98.09% (2005)

Romania arable land: 39.49% permanent crops: 1.92% other: 58.59% (2005)

Russia arable land: 7.17% permanent crops: 0.11% other: 92.72% (2005)

Rwanda arable land: 45.56% permanent crops: 10.25% other: 44.19% (2005)

Saint Helena arable land: 12.9% permanent crops: 0% other: 87.1% (2005)

Saint Kitts and Nevis arable land: 19.44% permanent crops: 2.78% other: 77.78% (2005)

Saint Lucia arable land: 6.45% permanent crops: 22.58% other: 70.97% (2005)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon arable land: 12.5% permanent crops: 0% other: 87.5% (2005)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines arable land: 17.95% permanent crops: 17.95% other: 64.1% (2005)

Samoa arable land: 21.13% permanent crops: 24.3% other: 54.57% (2005)

San Marino arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 0% other: 83.33% (2005)

Sao Tome and Principe arable land: 8.33% permanent crops: 48.96% other: 42.71% (2005)

Saudi Arabia arable land: 1.67% permanent crops: 0.09% other: 98.24% (2005)

Senegal arable land: 12.51% permanent crops: 0.24% other: 87.25% (2005)

Serbia arable land: NA permanent crops: NA other: NA

Seychelles arable land: 2.17% permanent crops: 13.04% other: 84.79% (2005)

Sierra Leone arable land: 7.95% permanent crops: 1.05% other: 91% (2005)

Singapore arable land: 1.47% permanent crops: 1.47% other: 97.06% (2005)

Slovakia arable land: 29.23% permanent crops: 2.67% other: 68.1% (2005)

Slovenia arable land: 8.53% permanent crops: 1.43% other: 90.04% (2005)

Solomon Islands arable land: 0.62% permanent crops: 2.04% other: 97.34% (2005)

Somalia arable land: 1.64% permanent crops: 0.04% other: 98.32% (2005)

South Africa arable land: 12.1% permanent crops: 0.79% other: 87.11% (2005)

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (largely covered by permanent ice and snow with some sparse vegetation consisting of grass, moss, and lichen) (2005)

Spain arable land: 27.18% permanent crops: 9.85% other: 62.97% (2005)

Spratly Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)

Sri Lanka arable land: 13.96% permanent crops: 15.24% other: 70.8% (2005)

Sudan arable land: 6.78% permanent crops: 0.17% other: 93.05% (2005)

Suriname arable land: 0.36% permanent crops: 0.06% other: 99.58% (2005)

Svalbard arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (no trees; the only bushes are crowberry and cloudberry) (2005)

Swaziland arable land: 10.25% permanent crops: 0.81% other: 88.94% (2005)

Sweden arable land: 5.93% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 94.06% (2005)

Switzerland arable land: 9.91% permanent crops: 0.58% other: 89.51% (2005)

Syria arable land: 24.8% permanent crops: 4.47% other: 70.73% (2005)

Taiwan arable land: 24% permanent crops: 1% other: 75% (2001)

Tajikistan arable land: 6.52% permanent crops: 0.89% other: 92.59% (2005)

Tanzania arable land: 4.23% permanent crops: 1.16% other: 94.61% (2005)

Thailand arable land: 27.54% permanent crops: 6.93% other: 65.53% (2005)

Timor-Leste arable land: 8.2% permanent crops: 4.57% other: 87.23% (2005)

Togo arable land: 44.2% permanent crops: 2.11% other: 53.69% (2005)

Tokelau arable land: 0% (soil is thin and infertile) permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)

Tonga arable land: 20% permanent crops: 14.67% other: 65.33% (2005)

Trinidad and Tobago arable land: 14.62% permanent crops: 9.16% other: 76.22% (2005)

Tunisia arable land: 17.05% permanent crops: 13.08% other: 69.87% (2005)

Turkey arable land: 29.81% permanent crops: 3.39% other: 66.8% (2005)

Turkmenistan arable land: 4.51% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 95.35% (2005)

Turks and Caicos Islands arable land: 2.33% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.67% (2005)

Tuvalu arable land: 0% permanent crops: 66.67% other: 33.33% (2005)

Uganda arable land: 21.57% permanent crops: 8.92% other: 69.51% (2005)

Ukraine arable land: 53.8% permanent crops: 1.5% other: 44.7% (2005)

United Arab Emirates arable land: 0.77% permanent crops: 2.27% other: 96.96% (2005)

United Kingdom arable land: 23.23% permanent crops: 0.2% other: 76.57% (2005)

United States arable land: 18.01% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 81.78% (2005)

United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2008)

Uruguay arable land: 7.77% permanent crops: 0.24% other: 91.99% (2005)

Uzbekistan arable land: 10.51% permanent crops: 0.76% other: 88.73% (2005)

Vanuatu arable land: 1.64% permanent crops: 6.97% other: 91.39% (2005)

Venezuela arable land: 2.85% permanent crops: 0.88% other: 96.27% (2005)

Vietnam arable land: 20.14% permanent crops: 6.93% other: 72.93% (2005)

Virgin Islands arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 2.86% other: 91.43% (2005)

Wake Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)

Wallis and Futuna arable land: 7.14% permanent crops: 35.71% other: 57.15% (2005)

West Bank arable land: 16.9% permanent crops: 18.97% other: 64.13% (2001)

Western Sahara arable land: 0.02% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.98% (2005)

World arable land: 10.57% permanent crops: 1.04% other: 88.38% (2005)

Yemen arable land: 2.91% permanent crops: 0.25% other: 96.84% (2005)

Zambia arable land: 6.99% permanent crops: 0.04% other: 92.97% (2005)

Zimbabwe arable land: 8.24% permanent crops: 0.33% other: 91.43% (2005)

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008

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@2098 Languages (%)

Afghanistan Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%, Pashto (official) 35%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism

Akrotiri English, Greek

Albania Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects

Algeria Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects

American Samoa Samoan 90.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 2.9%, Tongan 2.4%, other Pacific islander 2.1%, other 2% note: most people are bilingual (2000 census)

Andorra Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese

Angola Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages

Anguilla English (official)

Antigua and Barbuda English (official), local dialects

Argentina Spanish (official), Italian, English, German, French

Armenia Armenian 97.7%, Yezidi 1%, Russian 0.9%, other 0.4% (2001 census)

Aruba Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) 66.3%, Spanish 12.6%, English (widely spoken) 7.7%, Dutch (official) 5.8%, other 2.2%, unspecified or unknown 5.3% (2000 census)

Australia English 79.1%, Chinese 2.1%, Italian 1.9%, other 11.1%, unspecified 5.8% (2001 Census)

Austria German (official nationwide) 88.6%, Turkish 2.3%, Serbian 2.2%, Croatian (official in Burgenland) 1.6%, other (includes Slovene, official in Carinthia, and Hungarian, official in Burgenland) 5.3% (2001 census)

Azerbaijan Azerbaijani (Azeri) 90.3%, Lezgi 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.3%, unspecified 1% (1999 census)

Bahamas, The English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)

Bahrain Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu

Bangladesh Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English

Barbados English

Belarus Belarusian, Russian, other

Belgium Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)

Belize Spanish 46%, Creole 32.9%, Mayan dialects 8.9%, English 3.9% (official), Garifuna 3.4% (Carib), German 3.3%, other 1.4%, unknown 0.2% (2000 census)

Benin French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)

Bermuda English (official), Portuguese

Bhutan Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects

Bolivia Spanish 60.7% (official), Quechua 21.2% (official), Aymara 14.6% (official), foreign languages 2.4%, other 1.2% (2001 census)

Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian

Botswana Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English 2.1% (official), other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001 census)

Brazil Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language); note - less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor Amerindian languages

British Virgin Islands English (official)

Brunei Malay (official), English, Chinese

Bulgaria Bulgarian 84.5%, Turkish 9.6%, Roma 4.1%, other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census)

Burkina Faso French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population

Burma Burmese, minority ethnic groups have their own languages

Burundi Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area)

Cambodia Khmer (official) 95%, French, English

Cameroon 24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official)

Canada English (official) 59.3%, French (official) 23.2%, other 17.5%

Cape Verde Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words)

Cayman Islands English 95%, Spanish 3.2%, other 1.8% (1999 census)

Central African Republic French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages

Chad French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects

Chile Spanish (official), Mapudungun, German, English

China Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages (see Ethnic groups entry)

Christmas Island English (official), Chinese, Malay

Cocos (Keeling) Islands Malay (Cocos dialect), English

Colombia Spanish

Comoros Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba

Congo, Republic of the French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)

Cook Islands English (official), Maori

Costa Rica Spanish (official), English

Cote d'Ivoire French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken

Croatia Croatian 96.1%, Serbian 1%, other and undesignated 2.9% (including Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and German) (2001 census)

Cuba Spanish

Cyprus Greek, Turkish, English

Czech Republic Czech 94.9%, Slovak 2%, other 2.3%, unidentified 0.8% (2001 census)

Denmark Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority) note: English is the predominant second language

Dhekelia English, Greek

Djibouti French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar

Dominica English (official), French patois

Dominican Republic Spanish

Ecuador Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua)

Egypt Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes

El Salvador Spanish, Nahua (among some Amerindians)

Equatorial Guinea Spanish 67.6% (official), other 32.4% (includes French (official), Fang, Bubi) (1994 census)

Eritrea Afar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages

Estonia Estonian (official) 67.3%, Russian 29.7%, other 2.3%, unknown 0.7% (2000 census)

Ethiopia Amarigna 32.7%, Oromigna 31.6%, Tigrigna 6.1%, Somaligna 6%, Guaragigna 3.5%, Sidamigna 3.5%, Hadiyigna 1.7%, other 14.8%, English (major foreign language taught in schools) (1994 census)

European Union Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, Gaelic, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish note: only official languages are listed; German, the major language of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, is the most widely spoken mother tongue - over 19% of the EU population; English is the most widely spoken language - about 49% of the EU population is conversant with it (2007)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) English

Faroe Islands Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish

Fiji English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani

Finland Finnish 91.5% (official), Swedish 5.5% (official), other 3% (small Sami- and Russian-speaking minorities) (2006)

France French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish) overseas departments: French, Creole patois

French Polynesia French 61.1% (official), Polynesian 31.4% (official), Asian languages 1.2%, other 0.3%, unspecified 6% (2002 census)

Gabon French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi

Gambia, The English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars

Gaza Strip Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by many Palestinians), English (widely understood)

Georgia Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7% note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia

Germany German

Ghana Asante 14.8%, Ewe 12.7%, Fante 9.9%, Boron (Brong) 4.6%, Dagomba 4.3%, Dangme 4.3%, Dagarte (Dagaba) 3.7%, Akyem 3.4%, Ga 3.4%, Akuapem 2.9%, other 36.1% (includes English (official)) (2000 census)

Gibraltar English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese

Greece Greek 99% (official), other 1% (includes English and French)

Greenland Greenlandic (East Inuit), Danish, English

Grenada English (official), French patois

Guam English 38.3%, Chamorro 22.2%, Philippine languages 22.2%, other Pacific island languages 6.8%, Asian languages 7%, other languages 3.5% (2000 census)

Guatemala Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)

Guernsey English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts

Guinea French (official); note - each ethnic group has its own language

Guinea-Bissau Portuguese (official), Crioulo, African languages

Guyana English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Urdu

Haiti French (official), Creole (official)

Holy See (Vatican City) Italian, Latin, French, various other languages

Honduras Spanish, Amerindian dialects

Hong Kong Chinese (Cantonese) 89.2% (official), other Chinese dialects 6.4%, English 3.2% (official), other 1.2% (2001 census)

Hungary Hungarian 93.6%, other or unspecified 6.4% (2001 census)

Iceland Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken

India Hindi 41%, Bengali 8.1%, Telugu 7.2%, Marathi 7%, Tamil 5.9%, Urdu 5%, Gujarati 4.5%, Kannada 3.7%, Malayalam 3.2%, Oriya 3.2%, Punjabi 2.8%, Assamese 1.3%, Maithili 1.2%, other 5.9% note: English enjoys associate status but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication; Hindi is the national language and primary tongue of 41% of the people; there are 14 other official languages: Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, and Sanskrit; Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is not an official language (2001 census)

Indonesia Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects (the most widely spoken of which is Javanese)

Iran Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2%

Iraq Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Turkoman (a Turkish dialect), Assyrian (Neo-Aramaic), Armenian

Ireland English (official) is the language generally used, Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official) spoken mainly in areas located along the western seaboard

Isle of Man English, Manx Gaelic

Israel Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English most commonly used foreign language

Italy Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area)

Jamaica English, English patois

Japan Japanese

Jersey English 94.5% (official), Portuguese 4.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census)

Jordan Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle classes

Kazakhstan Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 95% (2001 est.)

Kenya English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages

Kiribati I-Kiribati, English (official)

Korea, North Korean

Korea, South Korean, English widely taught in junior high and high school

Kosovo Albanian (official), Serbian (official), Bosnian, Turkish, Roma

Kuwait Arabic (official), English widely spoken

Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyz 64.7% (official), Uzbek 13.6%, Russian 12.5% (official), Dungun 1%, other 8.2% (1999 census)

Laos Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages

Latvia Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3% (2000 census)

Lebanon Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian

Lesotho Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa

Liberia English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages, of which a few can be written and are used in correspondence

Libya Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the major cities

Liechtenstein German (official), Alemannic dialect

Lithuania Lithuanian (official) 82%, Russian 8%, Polish 5.6%, other and unspecified 4.4% (2001 census)

Luxembourg Luxembourgish (national language), German (administrative language), French (administrative language)

Macau Cantonese 85.7%, Hokkien 4%, Mandarin 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 2.7%, English 1.5%, Tagalog 1.3%, other 1.6% (2001 census)

Macedonia Macedonian 66.5%, Albanian 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 census)

Madagascar English (official), French (official), Malagasy (official)

Malawi Chichewa 57.2% (official), Chinyanja 12.8%, Chiyao 10.1%, Chitumbuka 9.5%, Chisena 2.7%, Chilomwe 2.4%, Chitonga 1.7%, other 3.6% (1998 census)

Malaysia Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai note: in East Malaysia there are several indigenous languages; most widely spoken are Iban and Kadazan

Maldives Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials

Mali French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages

Malta Maltese (official) 90.2%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.8% (2005 census)

Marshall Islands Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999 census) note: English (official), widely spoken as a second language

Mauritania Arabic (official and national), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French, Hassaniya

Mauritius Creole 80.5%, Bhojpuri 12.1%, French 3.4%, English (official; spoken by less than 1% of the population), other 3.7%, unspecified 0.3% (2000 census)

Mayotte Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French (official language) spoken by 35% of the population

Mexico Spanish only 92.7%, Spanish and indigenous languages 5.7%, indigenous only 0.8%, unspecified 0.8%; note - indigenous languages include various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional languages (2005)

Micronesia, Federated States of English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi

Moldova Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)

Monaco French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque

Mongolia Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian (1999)

Montenegro Serbian 63.6%, Montenegrin (official) 22%, Bosnian 5.5%, Albanian 5.3%, unspecified 3.7% (2003 census)

Montserrat English

Morocco Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy

Mozambique Emakhuwa 26.1%, Xichangana 11.3%, Portuguese 8.8% (official; spoken by 27% of population as a second language), Elomwe 7.6%, Cisena 6.8%, Echuwabo 5.8%, other Mozambican languages 32%, other foreign languages 0.3%, unspecified 1.3% (1997 census)

Namibia English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages 1% (includes Oshivambo, Herero, Nama)

Nauru Nauruan (official; a distinct Pacific Island language), English widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes

Nepal Nepali 47.8%, Maithali 12.1%, Bhojpuri 7.4%, Tharu (Dagaura/Rana) 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.6%, Magar 3.3%, Awadhi 2.4%, other 10%, unspecified 2.5% (2001 census) note: many in government and business also speak English (2001 est.)

Netherlands Dutch (official), Frisian (official)

Netherlands Antilles Papiamento 65.4% (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect), English 15.9% (widely spoken), Dutch 7.3% (official), Spanish 6.1%, Creole 1.6%, other 1.9%, unspecified 1.8% (2001 census)

New Caledonia French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects

New Zealand English (official), Maori (official), Sign Language (official)

Nicaragua Spanish 97.5% (official), Miskito 1.7%, other 0.8% (1995 census) note: English and indigenous languages on Atlantic coast

Niger French (official), Hausa, Djerma

Nigeria English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani

Niue Niuean, a Polynesian language closely related to Tongan and Samoan; English

Norfolk Island English (official), Norfolk - a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian

Northern Mariana Islands Philippine languages 24.4%, Chinese 23.4%, Chamorro 22.4%, English 10.8%, other Pacific island languages 9.5%, other 9.6% (2000 census)

Norway Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities; note - Sami is official in six municipalities

Oman Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects

Pakistan Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official; lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski and other 8%

Palau Palauan 64.7% official in all islands except Sonsoral (Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official), Filipino 13.5%, English 9.4%, Chinese 5.7%, Carolinian 1.5%, Japanese 1.5%, other Asian 2.3%, other languages 1.5% (2000 census)

Panama Spanish (official), English 14%; note - many Panamanians bilingual

Papua New Guinea Melanesian Pidgin serves as the lingua franca, English spoken by 1%-2%, Motu spoken in Papua region note: 820 indigenous languages spoken (over one-tenth of the world's total)

Paraguay Spanish (official), Guarani (official)

Peru Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara, and a large number of minor Amazonian languages

Philippines Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan

Pitcairn Islands English (official), Pitkern (mixture of an 18th century English dialect and a Tahitian dialect)

Poland Polish 97.8%, other and unspecified 2.2% (2002 census)

Portugal Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official - but locally used)

Puerto Rico Spanish, English

Qatar Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language

Romania Romanian 91% (official), Hungarian 6.7%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 1.2%

Russia Russian, many minority languages

Rwanda Kinyarwanda (official) universal Bantu vernacular, French (official), English (official), Kiswahili (Swahili) used in commercial centers

Saint Barthelemy French (primary), English

Saint Helena English

Saint Kitts and Nevis English

Saint Lucia English (official), French patois

Saint Martin French (official language), English, Dutch, French Patois, Spanish, Papiamento (dialect of Netherlands Antilles)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon French (official)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines English, French patois

Samoa Samoan (Polynesian), English

San Marino Italian

Sao Tome and Principe Portuguese (official)

Saudi Arabia Arabic

Senegal French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka

Serbia Serbian 88.3% (official), Hungarian 3.8%, Bosniak 1.8%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 4.1%, unknown 0.9% (2002 census) note: Romanian, Hungarian, Slovak, Ukrainian, and Croatian all official in Vojvodina

Seychelles Creole 91.8%, English 4.9% (official), other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2002 census)

Sierra Leone English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%)

Singapore Mandarin 35%, English 23%, Malay 14.1%, Hokkien 11.4%, Cantonese 5.7%, Teochew 4.9%, Tamil 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.8%, other 0.9% (2000 census)

Slovakia Slovak (official) 83.9%, Hungarian 10.7%, Roma 1.8%, Ukrainian 1%, other or unspecified 2.6% (2001 census)

Slovenia Slovenian 91.1%, Serbo-Croatian 4.5%, other or unspecified 4.4% (2002 census)

Solomon Islands Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca; English (official; but spoken by only 1%-2% of the population); 120 indigenous languages

Somalia Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English

South Africa IsiZulu 23.8%, IsiXhosa 17.6%, Afrikaans 13.3%, Sepedi 9.4%, English 8.2%, Setswana 8.2%, Sesotho 7.9%, Xitsonga 4.4%, other 7.2% (2001 census)

Spain Castilian Spanish (official) 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2%, are official regionally

Sri Lanka Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8% note: English is commonly used in government and is spoken competently by about 10% of the population

Sudan Arabic (official), English (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages note: program of "Arabization" in process

Suriname Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese

Svalbard Norwegian, Russian

Swaziland English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official)

Sweden Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities

Switzerland German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 20.4%, Italian (official) 6.5%, Serbo-Croatian 1.5%, Albanian 1.3%, Portuguese 1.2%, Spanish 1.1%, English 1%, Romansch (official) 0.5%, other 2.8% (2000 census) note: German, French, Italian, and Romansch are all national and official languages

Syria Arabic (official); Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian widely understood; French, English somewhat understood

Taiwan Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects

Tajikistan Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business

Tanzania Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguja (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages note: Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources including Arabic and English; it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages

Thailand Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects

Timor-Leste Tetum (official), Portuguese (official), Indonesian, English note: there are about 16 indigenous languages; Tetum, Galole, Mambae, and Kemak are spoken by significant numbers of people

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

Tokelau Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English

Tonga Tongan, English

Trinidad and Tobago English (official), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), French, Spanish, Chinese

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

Turkey Turkish (official), Kurdish, Dimli (or Zaza), Azeri, Kabardian note: there is also a substantial Gagauz population in the European part of Turkey

Turkmenistan Turkmen 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7%

Turks and Caicos Islands English (official)

Tuvalu Tuvaluan, English, Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui)

Uganda English (official national language, taught in grade schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts), Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages, preferred for native language publications in the capital and may be taught in school), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic

Ukraine Ukrainian (official) 67%, Russian 24%, other 9% (includes small Romanian-, Polish-, and Hungarian-speaking minorities)

United Arab Emirates Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu

United Kingdom English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales), Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland)

United States English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and Pacific island 2.7%, other 0.7% (2000 census) note: Hawaiian is an official language in the state of Hawaii

Uruguay Spanish, Portunol, or Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier)

Uzbekistan Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%

Vanuatu local languages (more than 100) 72.6%, pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama) 23.1%, English 1.9%, French 1.4%, other 0.3%, unspecified 0.7% (1999 Census)

Venezuela Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects

Vietnam Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer; mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)

Virgin Islands English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census)

Wallis and Futuna Wallisian 58.9% (indigenous Polynesian language), Futunian 30.1%, French 10.8%, other 0.2% (2003 census)

West Bank Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians), English (widely understood)

Western Sahara Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic

World Mandarin Chinese 13.22%, Spanish 4.88%, English 4.68%, Arabic 3.12%, Hindi 2.74%, Portuguese 2.69%, Bengali 2.59%, Russian 2.2%, Japanese 1.85%, Standard German 1.44%, French 1.2% (2005 est.) note: percents are for "first language" speakers only

Yemen Arabic

Zambia English (official), major vernaculars - Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga, and about 70 other indigenous languages

Zimbabwe English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of the Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008

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@2100 Legal system

Afghanistan based on mixed civil and Sharia law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Akrotiri the Sovereign Base Area Administration has its own court system to deal with civil and criminal matters; laws applicable to the Cypriot population are, as far as possible, the same as the laws of the Republic of Cyprus

Albania has a civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; has accepted jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court for its citizens

Algeria socialist, based on French and Islamic law; judicial review of legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed of various public officials, including several Supreme Court justices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

American Samoa NA

Andorra based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Angola based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Anguilla based on English common law

Antarctica Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations; decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; US law, including certain criminal offenses by or against US nationals, such as murder, may apply extraterritorially; some US laws directly apply to Antarctica; for example, the Antarctic Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. section 2401 et seq., provides civil and criminal penalties for the following activities, unless authorized by regulation of statute: the taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction of nonindigenous plants and animals; entry into specially protected areas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importation into the US of certain items from Antarctica; violation of the Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 in fines and one year in prison; the National Science Foundation and Department of Justice share enforcement responsibilities; Public Law 95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, as amended in 1996, requires expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify, in advance, the Office of Oceans, Room 5805, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plans to other nations as required by the Antarctic Treaty; for more information, contact Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone: (703) 292-8030, or visit their website at www.nsf.gov; more generally, access to the Antarctic Treaty area, that is to all areas between 60 and 90 degrees south latitude, is subject to a number of relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states party to the Antarctic Treaty

Antigua and Barbuda based on English common law

Argentina mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Armenia based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Aruba based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence

Ashmore and Cartier Islands the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply

Australia based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Austria civil law system with Roman law origin; judicial review of legislative acts by the Constitutional Court; separate administrative and civil/penal supreme courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Azerbaijan based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Bahamas, The based on English common law

Bahrain based on Islamic law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Bangladesh based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Barbados English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Belarus based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Belgium based on civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Belize English law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Benin based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Bermuda English law

Bhutan based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Bolivia based on Spanish law and Napoleonic Code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Bosnia and Herzegovina based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Botswana based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Bouvet Island the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply

Brazil based on Roman codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

British Indian Ocean Territory the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply

British Virgin Islands English law

Brunei based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Sharia law supersedes civil law in a number of areas; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Bulgaria civil and criminal law based on Roman law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Burkina Faso based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Burma based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Burundi based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Cambodia primarily a civil law mixture of French-influenced codes from the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) period, royal decrees, and acts of the legislature, with influences of customary law and remnants of communist legal theory; increasing influence of common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Cameroon based on French civil law system, with common law influence; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Canada based on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil law system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Cape Verde based on the legal system of Portugal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Cayman Islands British common law and local statutes

Central African Republic based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Chad based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Chile based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codes influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; note - in June 2005, Chile completed overhaul of its criminal justice system to a new, US-style adversarial system

China based on civil law system; derived from Soviet and continental civil code legal principles; legislature retains power to interpret statutes; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Christmas Island under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law

Clipperton Island the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Cocos (Keeling) Islands based upon the laws of Australia and local laws

Colombia based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US procedures was enacted into law in 2004 and reached full implemention in January 2008; judicial review of executive and legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Comoros French and Islamic law in a new consolidated code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Congo, Democratic Republic of the a new constitution was adopted by referendum 18 December 2005; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Congo, Republic of the based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Cook Islands based on New Zealand law and English common law

Coral Sea Islands the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply

Costa Rica based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Cote d'Ivoire based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Croatia based on Austro-Hungarian law system with Communist law influences; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Cuba based on Spanish civil law and influenced by American legal concepts, with large elements of Communist legal theory; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Cyprus based on English common law, with civil law modifications; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Czech Republic civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to bring it in line with Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory

Denmark civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Dhekelia the Sovereign Base Area Administration has its own court system to deal with civil and criminal matters; laws applicable to the Cypriot population are, as far as possible, the same as the laws of the Republic of Cyprus

Djibouti based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and Islamic law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Dominica based on English common law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction

Dominican Republic based on French civil codes; Criminal Procedures Code modified in 2004 to include important elements of an accusatory system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Ecuador based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Egypt based on Islamic and civil law (particularly Napoleonic codes); judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

El Salvador based on civil and Roman law with traces of common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Equatorial Guinea partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Eritrea primary basis is the Ethiopian legal code of 1957, with revisions; new civil, commercial, and penal codes have not yet been promulgated; government also issues unilateral proclamations setting laws and policies; also relies on customary and post-independence-enacted laws and, for civil cases involving Muslims, Islamic law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Estonia based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Ethiopia based on civil law; currently transitional mix of national and regional courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

European Union comparable to the legal systems of member states; first supranational law system

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) English common law

Faroe Islands the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply

Fiji based on British system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Finland civil law system based on Swedish law; the president may request the Supreme Court to review laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

France civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

French Polynesia the laws of France, where applicable, apply

French Southern and Antarctic Lands the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Gabon based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Gambia, The based on a composite of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Georgia based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Germany civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Ghana based on English common law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Gibraltar the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply

Greece based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil, criminal, and administrative courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Greenland the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply

Grenada based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Guam modeled on US; US federal laws apply

Guatemala civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Guernsey the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply; justice is administered by the Royal Court

Guinea based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Guinea-Bissau based on French civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Guyana based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Haiti based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Heard Island and McDonald Islands the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply

Holy See (Vatican City) based on Code of Canon Law and revisions to it

Honduras rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law with increasing influence of English common law; recent judicial reforms include abandoning Napoleonic legal codes in favor of the oral adversarial system; accepts ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Hong Kong based on English common law

Hungary based on the German-Austrian legal system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Iceland civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

India based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; separate personal law codes apply to Muslims, Christians, and Hindus

Indonesia based on Roman-Dutch law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts and by new criminal procedures and election codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Iran based on Sharia law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Iraq based on European civil and Islamic law under the framework outlined in the Iraqi Constitution; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Ireland based on English common law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Isle of Man the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply and Manx statutes

Israel mixture of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and, in personal matters, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim legal systems; in December 1985, Israel informed the UN Secretariat that it would no longer accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Italy based on civil law system; appeals treated as new trials; judicial review under certain conditions in Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Jamaica based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Jan Mayen the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply

Japan modeled after German civil law system with English-American influence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Jersey the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply and local statutes; justice is administered by the Royal Court

Jordan based on Islamic law and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Kazakhstan based on Islamic law and Roman law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Kenya based on Kenyan statutory law, Kenyan and English common law, tribal law, and Islamic law; judicial review in High Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; constitutional amendment of 1982 making Kenya a de jure one-party state repealed in 1991

Kiribati NA

Korea, North based on Prussian civil law system with Japanese influences and Communist legal theory; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Korea, South combines elements of continental European civil law systems, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Kosovo evolving legal system based on terms of UN Special Envoy Martti AHTISAARI's Plan for Kosovo's supervised independence

Kuwait civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Kyrgyzstan based on French and Russian laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Laos based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Latvia based on civil law system with traces of Socialist legal traditions and practices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Lebanon mixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code, and civil law; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Lesotho based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law; judicial review of legislative acts in High Court and Court of Appeal; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Liberia dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for the modern sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices for indigenous sector; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Libya based on Italian and French civil law systems and Islamic law; separate religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Liechtenstein local civil and penal codes based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Lithuania based on civil law system; legislative acts can be appealed to the constitutional court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Luxembourg based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Macau based on Portuguese civil law system

Macedonia based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Madagascar based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Malawi based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Malaysia based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of the federation; Islamic law is applied to Muslims in matters of family law and religion; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Maldives based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Mali based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Malta based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Marshall Islands based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Mauritania a combination of Islamic law and French civil law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Mauritius based on French civil law system with elements of English common law in certain areas; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Mayotte the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Mexico mixture of US constitutional theory and civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Micronesia, Federated States of based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Moldova based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; accepts many UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) documents; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Monaco based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Mongolia blend of Soviet, German, and US systems that combine "continental" or "civil" code and case-precedent; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Montenegro based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Montserrat English common law and statutory law

Morocco based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law systems; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Mozambique based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Namibia based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Nauru acts of the Nauru Parliament and British common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Navassa Island the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Nepal based on Hindu legal concepts and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Netherlands based on civil law system incorporating French penal theory; constitution does not permit judicial review of acts of the States General; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Netherlands Antilles based on Dutch civil law system with some English common law influence

New Caledonia based on French civil law; the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the islands

New Zealand based on English law, with special land legislation and land courts for the Maori; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Nicaragua civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Niger based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Nigeria based on English common law, Islamic law (in 12 northern states), and traditional law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Niue English common law; note - Niue is self-governing, with the power to make its own laws

Norfolk Island based on the laws of Australia, local ordinances and acts; English common law applies in matters not covered by either Australian or Norfolk Island law

Northern Mariana Islands based on US system, except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxation

Norway mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common law traditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature when asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Oman based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Pakistan based on English common law with provisions to accommodate Pakistan's status as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Palau based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Panama based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Papua New Guinea based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Paraguay based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Peru based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Philippines based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Pitcairn Islands local island by-laws

Poland based on a mixture of Continental (Napoleonic) civil law and holdover Communist legal theory; changes being gradually introduced as part of broader democratization process; limited judicial review of legislative acts, but rulings of the Constitutional Tribunal are final; court decisions can be appealed to the European Court of Justice in Strasbourg; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Portugal based on civil law system; the Constitutional Tribunal reviews the constitutionality of legislation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Puerto Rico based on Spanish civil code and within the US Federal system of justice

Qatar based on Islamic and civil law codes; discretionary system of law controlled by the Amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Romania based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Russia based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Rwanda based on German and Belgian civil law systems and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Saint Barthelemy the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Saint Helena English common law and statutes, supplemented by local statutes

Saint Kitts and Nevis based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Saint Lucia based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Saint Martin the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Saint Pierre and Miquelon the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Samoa 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

San Marino based on civil law system with Italian law influences; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Sao Tome and Principe based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Saudi Arabia based on Sharia law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Senegal based on French civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court; the Council of State audits the government's accounting office; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Serbia based on civil law system

Seychelles based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Sierra Leone based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Singapore based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Slovakia civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; legal code modified to comply with the obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory

Slovenia based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Solomon Islands English common law, which is widely disregarded; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Somalia no national system; a mixture of English common law, Italian law, Islamic Sharia, and Somali customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

South Africa based on Roman-Dutch law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply; the senior magistrate from the Falkland Islands presides over the Magistrates Court

Spain civil law system, with regional applications; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Sri Lanka a highly complex mixture of English common law, Roman-Dutch, Kandyan, and Jaffna Tamil law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Sudan based on English common law and Islamic law; as of 20 January 1991, the now defunct Revolutionary Command Council imposed Islamic law in the northern states; Islamic law applies to all residents of the northern states regardless of their religion; however, the CPA establishes some protections for non-Muslims in Khartoum; some separate religious courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; the southern legal system is still developing under the CPA following the civil war; Islamic law will not apply to the southern states

Suriname based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Svalbard the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply

Swaziland based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts and Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Sweden civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Switzerland civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of general obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Syria based on a combination of French and Ottoman civil law; Islamic law is used in the family court system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Taiwan based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Tajikistan based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Tanzania based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Thailand based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Timor-Leste UN-drafted legal system based on Indonesian law remains in place but is to be replaced by civil and penal codes based on Portuguese law; these have passed but have not been promulgated; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Togo French-based court system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Tokelau New Zealand and local statutes

Tonga based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Trinidad and Tobago based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Tunisia based on French civil law system and Islamic law; some judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court in joint session; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Turkey civil law system derived from various European continental legal systems; note - member of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), although Turkey claims limited derogations on the ratified European Convention on Human Rights; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Turkmenistan based on civil law system and Islamic law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Turks and Caicos Islands based on laws of England and Wales, with a few adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas

Tuvalu NA

Uganda in 1995, the government restored the legal system to one based on English common law and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Ukraine based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

United Arab Emirates based on a dual system of Sharia and civil courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

United Kingdom based on common law tradition with early Roman and modern continental influences; has nonbinding judicial review of Acts of Parliament under the Human Rights Act of 1998; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

United States federal court system based on English common law; each state has its own unique legal system, of which all but one (Louisiana, which is still influenced by the Napoleonic Code) is based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Uruguay based on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Uzbekistan based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Vanuatu unified system being created from former dual French and British systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Venezuela open, adversarial court system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Vietnam based on communist legal theory and French civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Virgin Islands based on US laws

Wake Island the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Wallis and Futuna the laws of France, where applicable, apply

World all members of the UN are parties to the statute that established the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or World Court

Yemen based on Islamic law, Turkish law, English common law, and local tribal customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Zambia 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

Zimbabwe mixture of Roman-Dutch and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008

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@2101 Legislative branch

Afghanistan the bicameral National Assembly consists of the Wolesi Jirga or House of People (no more than 249 seats), directly elected for five-year terms, and the Meshrano Jirga or House of Elders (102 seats, one-third elected from provincial councils for four-year terms, one-third elected from local district councils for three-year terms, and one-third nominated by the president for five-year terms) note: on rare occasions the government may convene a Loya Jirga (Grand Council) on issues of independence, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity; it can amend the provisions of the constitution and prosecute the president; it is made up of members of the National Assembly and chairpersons of the provincial and district councils elections: last held 18 September 2005 (next to be held for the Wolesi Jirga by September 2009; next to be held for the provincial councils to the Meshrano Jirga by September 2008) election results: the single non-transferable vote (SNTV) system used in the election did not make use of political party slates; most candidates ran as independents

Albania unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi (140 seats; 100 members are elected by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 3 July 2005 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PD 56, PS 42, PR 11, PSD 7, LSI 5, other 19

Algeria bicameral Parliament consists of the National People's Assembly or Al-Majlis Al-Shabi Al-Watani (389 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Council of Nations (Senate) (144 seats; one-third of the members appointed by the president, two-thirds elected by indirect vote; to serve six-year terms; the constitution requires half the council to be renewed every three years) elections: National People's Assembly - last held 17 May 2007 (next to be held in 2012); Council of Nations (Senate) - last held 28 December 2006 (next to be held in 2009) election results: National People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 136, RND 61, MSP 52, PT 26, RCD 19, FNA 13, other 49, independents 33; Council of Nations - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 29, RND 12, MSP 3, RCD 1, independents 3, presidential appointees (unknown affiliation) 24; note - Council seating reflects the number of replaced council members rather than the whole Council

American Samoa bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the House of Representatives (21 seats; 20 members are elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms) and the Senate (18 seats; members are elected from local chiefs to serve four-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010); Senate - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 18 note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA reelected as delegate

Andorra unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de las Valls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 from a single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the seven parishes; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 24 April 2005 (next to be held in March-April 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - PLA 41.2%, PS 38.1%, CDA-S21 11%, other 9.7%; seats by party - PLA 14, PS 12, CDA-S21 2

Angola unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5-6 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 81.6%, UNITA 10.4%, PRS 3.2%, ND 1.2%, FNLA 1.1%, other 2.5%; seats by party - MPLA 191, UNITA 16, PRS 8, ND 2, FNLA 3

Anguilla unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats; 7 members elected by direct popular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 21 February 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - AUF 38.9%, AUM 19.4%, ANSA 19.2%, APP 9.5%, independents 13%; seats by party - AUF 4, ANSA 2, AUM 1

Antigua and Barbuda bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17 seats; members appointed by the governor general) and the House of Representatives (17 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 23 March 2004 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ALP 4, UPP 13

Argentina bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate (72 seats; members are elected by direct vote; presently one-third of the members elected every two years to serve six-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; members are elected by direct vote; one-half of the members elected every two years to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 28 October 2007 (next to be held in 2009); Chamber of Deputies - last held last held 28 October 2007 (next to be held in 2009) election results: Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or party - FV 12, UCR 4, CC 4, other 4; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or party - FV 5, UCR 10, PJ 10, PRO 6, CC 16, FJ 2, other 31; note - Senate and Chamber of Deputies seating reflect the number of replaced senators and deputies, rather than the whole Senate and Chamber of Deputies

Armenia unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131 seats; members elected by popular vote, 90 members elected by party list and 41 by direct vote; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 12 May 2007 (next to be held in the spring of 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - HHK 33.9%, Prosperous Armenia 15.1%, ARF (Dashnak) 13.2%, Rule of Law 7.1%, Heritage Party 6%, other 24.7%; seats by party - HHK 64, Prosperous Armenia 18, ARF (Dashnak) 16, Rule of Law 9, Heritage Party 7, independent 17

Aruba unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 23 September 2005 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - MEP 43%, AVP 32%, MPA 7%, RED 7%, PDR 6%, OLA 4%, PPA 2%; seats by party - MEP 11, AVP 8, MPA 1, RED 1

Australia bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats; 12 members from each of the six states and 2 from each of the two mainland territories; one-half of state members are elected every three years by popular vote to serve six-year terms while all territory members are elected every three years) and the House of Representatives (150 seats; members elected by popular preferential vote to serve terms of up to three-years; no state can have fewer than 5 representatives) elections: Senate - last held 24 November 2007 (next to be held no later than 2010); House of Representatives - last held 24 November 2007 (next to be called no later than 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 37, Australian Labor Party 32, Australian Greens 5, Family First Party 1, other 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Australian Labor Party 83, Liberal Party 55, National Party 10, independents 2

Austria bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists of Federal Council or Bundesrat (62 seats; members chosen by state parliaments with each state receiving 3 to 12 members according to its population; members serve a five- or six-year term) and the National Council or Nationalrat (183 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Council - last held 28 September 2008 (next to be held by September 2013) election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - SPOe 29.3%, OeVP 26%, FPOe 17.5%, BZOe 10.7%, Greens 10.4%, other 6.1%; seats by party - SPOe 57, OeVP 51, FPOe 34, BZOe 21, Greens 20

Azerbaijan unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 6 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Yeni 58, Azadliq coalition 8, CSP 2, Motherland 2, other parties with single seats 9, independents 42, undetermined 4

Bahamas, The bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16 seats; members appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader to serve five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (41 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms); the government may dissolve the Parliament and call elections at any time elections: last held 2 May 2007 (next to be held by May 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - FNM 49.86%, PLP 47.02%; seats by party - FNM 23, PLP 18

Bahrain bicameral legislature consists of the Consultative Council (40 members appointed by the King) and the Council of Representatives or Chamber of Deputies (40 seats; members directly elected to serve four-year terms) elections: Council of Representatives - last held November-December 2006 (next election to be held in 2010) election results: Council of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - al Wifaq (Shia) 17, al Asala (Sunni Salafi) 5, al Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 7, independents 11; note - seats by party as of February 2007 - al Wifaq 17, al Asala 8, al Minbar 7, al Mustaqbal (Moderate Sunni pro-government) 4, unassociated independents (all Sunni) 3, independent affiliated with al Wifaq (Sunni oppositionist) 1

Bangladesh unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad; 300 seats elected by popular vote from single territorial constituencies; members serve five-year terms; note - parliament not in session during the extended caretaker regime elections: last held 1 October 2001 (the scheduled January 2007 election has been postponed until 29 December 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - BNP and alliance partners 41%, AL 40%, other 19%; seats by party - BNP 193, AL 58, JI 17, JP (Ershad faction) 14, IOJ 2, JP (Manzur) 4, other 12; note - the election of October 2001 brought to power a majority BNP government aligned with three other smaller parties - JI, IOJ, and Jatiya Party (Manzur)

Barbados bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (21 seats; members appointed by the governor general - 12 on the advice of the Prime Minister, 2 on the advice of the opposition leader, and 7 at his discretion) and the House of Assembly (30 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly - last held 15 January 2008 (next to be called in 2013) election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - DLP 52.5%, BLP 47.3%; seats by party - DLP 20, BLP 10

Belarus bicameral National Assembly or Natsionalnoye Sobranie consists of the Council of the Republic or Soviet Respubliki (64 seats; 56 members elected by regional councils and eight members appointed by the president, to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Palata Predstaviteley (110 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Palata Predstaviteley - last held 28 September 2008 (next to be held fall of 2012); international observers widely denounced the elections as flawed and undemocratic based on massive government falsification; pro-LUKASHENKO candidates won all 110 seats election results: Soviet Respubliki - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Palata Predstaviteley - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA

Belgium bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected by popular vote, 31 are indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 10 June 2007 (next to be held no later than June 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - CDV/N-VA 19.4%, Open VLD 12.4%, MR 12.3%, VB 11.9%, PS 10.2%, SP.A-Spirit 10%, CDH 5.9%, Ecolo 5.8%, Groen! 3.6%, Dedecker List 3.4%, FN 2.3%, other 2.8%; seats by party - CDV/N-VA 9, Open VLD 5, MR 6, VB 5, PS 4, SP.A-Spririt 4, CDH 2, Ecolo 2, Groen! 1, Dedecker List 1, FN 1 (note - there are also 31 indirectly elected senators); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - CDV/N-VA 18.5%, MR 12.5%, VB 12%, Open VLD 11.8%, PS 10.9%, SP.A-Spirit 10.3%, CDH 6.1%, Ecolo 5.1%, Dedecker List 4%, Groen! 4%, FN 2%, other 2.8%; seats by party - CDV/N-VA 30, MR 23, VB 17, Open VLD 18, PS 20, SP.A-Spirit 14, CDH 10, Ecolo 8, Dedecker List 5, Groen! 4, FN 1 note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments each with its own legislative assembly

Belize bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 seats; members appointed by the governor general - 6 on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1 each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; to serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (31 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 6 February 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UDP 25, PUP 6

Benin unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 31 March 2007 (next to be held by March 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FCBE 35, ADD 20, PRD 10, other and independents 18

Bermuda bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; members appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve up to five-year terms) elections: last general election held 18 December 2007 (next to be held not later than 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 52.5%, UBP 47.3%; seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14

Bhutan new bicameral Parliament consists of the non-partisan National Council (25 seats; 20 members elected by each of the 20 electoral districts (dzongkhags) for four-year terms and 5 members nominated by the King); and the National Assembly (47 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote for five-year terms) elections: National Council elections last held on 31 December 2007 and 29 January 2008 (next to be held by December 2012); National Assembly elections last held on 24 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2013) election results: National Council - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - DPT 67%, PDP 33%; seats by party - DPT 45, PDP 2

Bolivia bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (27 seats; members are elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130 seats; 70 members are directly elected from their districts and 60 are elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies - last held 18 December 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PODEMOS 13, MAS 12, UN 1, MNR 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MAS 73, PODEMOS 43, UN 8, MNR 6

Bosnia and Herzegovina bicameral Parliamentary Assembly or Skupstina consists of the national House of Representatives or Predstavnicki Dom (42 seats, 28 seats allocated for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 14 seats for the Republika Srpska; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation, to serve four-year terms); and the House of Peoples or Dom Naroda (15 seats, 5 Bosniak, 5 Croat, 5 Serb; members elected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's House of Representatives and the Republika Srpska's National Assembly to serve four-year terms); note - Bosnia's election law specifies four-year terms for the state and first-order administrative division entity legislatures elections: national House of Representatives - elections last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in 2010); House of Peoples - last constituted in January 2003 (next to be constituted in 2007) election results: national House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - SDA 9, SBH 8, SNSD 7, SDP 5, SDS 3, HDZ-BH 3, HDZ1990 2, other 5; House of Peoples - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - NA note: the Bosniak/Croat Federation has a bicameral legislature that consists of a House of Representatives (98 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); elections last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party/coalition - SDA 28, SBH 24, SDP 17, HDZ-BH 8, HDZ100 7, other 14; and a House of Peoples (58 seats - 17 Bosniak, 17 Croat, 17 Serb, 7 other); last constituted December 2002; the Republika Srpska has a National Assembly (83 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); elections last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in the fall of 2010); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party/coalition - SNSD 41, SDS 17, PDP 8, DNS 4, SBH 4, SPRS 3, SDA 3, other 3; as a result of the 2002 constitutional reform process, a 28-member Republika Srpska Council of Peoples (COP) was established in the Republika Srpska National Assembly including eight Croats, eight Bosniaks, eight Serbs, and four members of the smaller communities

Botswana bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely advisory 15-member body with 8 permanent members consisting of the chiefs of the principal tribes, and 7 non-permanent members serving 5-year terms, consisting of 4 elected subchiefs and 3 members selected by the other 12 members) and the National Assembly (63 seats, 57 members are directly elected by popular vote, 4 are appointed by the majority party, and 2, the President and Attorney-General, serve as ex-officio members; members serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly elections last held 30 October 2004 (next to be held in October 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 51.7%, BNF 26.1%, BCP 16.6%, other 5%; seats by party - BDP 44, BNF 12, BCP 1

Brazil bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; 3 members from each state and federal district elected according to the principle of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third and two-thirds elected every four years, alternately) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Federal Senate - last held 1 October 2006 for one-third of the Senate (next to be held in October 2010 for two-thirds of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010) election results: Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PFL 6, PSDB 5, PMDB 4, PTB 3, PT 2, PDT 1, PSB 1, PL 1, PPS 1, PRTB 1, PP 1, PCdoB 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PMDB 89, PT 83, PFL 65, PSDB 65, PP 42, PSB 27, PDT 24, PL 23, PTB 22, PPS 21, PCdoB 13, PV 13, PSC 9, other 17; note - as of 1 January 2008: Federal Senate - seats by party - PMDB 20, DEM (formerly PFL) 14, PSDB 13, PT 12, PTB 6, PDT 5, PR 4, PRB 2, PSB 2, PCdoB 1, PP 1, PSOL 1; Chamber of Deputies - seats by party - PMDB 90, PT 83, PSDB 64, DEM (formerly PFL) 62, PP 41, PR 34, PSB 28, PDT 23, PTB 21, PPS 17, PV 13, PCdoB 13, PSC 7, PAN 4, PSOL 3, PMN 3, PTC 3, PHS 2, PTdoB 1, PRB 1

British Virgin Islands unicameral House of Assembly (13 elected seats and 1 non-voting ex officio member in the attorney general; members are elected by direct popular vote, 1 member from each of nine electoral districts, 4 at-large members; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 August 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - VIP 45.2%, NDP 39.6%, independent 15.2%; seats by party - VIP 10, NDP 2, independent 1

Brunei Legislative Council met on 25 September 2004 for first time in 20 years with 21 members appointed by the Sultan; passed constitutional amendments calling for a 45-seat council with 15 elected members; Sultan dissolved council on 1 September 2005 and appointed a new council with 29 members as of 2 September 2005; council met in March 2006 and in March 2007 elections: last held in March 1962 (date of next election NA)

Bulgaria unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sobranie (240 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 June 2005 (next to be held in June 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - CfB 31.1%, NMS2 19.9%, MRF 12.7%, ATAKA 8.2%, UDF 7.7%, DSB 6.5%, BPU 5.2%, other 8.7%; seats by party - CfB 83, NMS2 53, MRF 33, UDF 20, ATAKA 17, DSB 17, BPU 13, independents 4; note - seats by party as of January 2008 - CfB 82, NMS2 36, MRF 34, Bulgarian New Democracy 16, DSB 16, UDF 16, BPU 13, ATAKA 11, independents 16

Burkina Faso unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (111 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly election last held 6 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CDP 73, ADF-RDA 14, UPR 5, UNIR-MS 4, CFD-B 3, UPS 2, PDP-PS 2, RDB 2, PDS 2, PAREN 1, PAI 1, RPC 1, UDPS 1

Burma unicameral People's Assembly or Pyithu Hluttaw (485 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 May 1990, but Assembly never allowed by junta to convene (junta has announced plans to hold elections in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NLD 392 (opposition), SNLD 23 (opposition), NUP 10 (pro-government), other 60

Burundi bicameral Parliament or Parlement, consists of a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (minimum 100 seats, 60% Hutu and 40% Tutsi with at least 30% being women; additional seats appointed by a National Independent Electoral Commission to ensure ethnic representation; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and a Senate (54 seats; 34 members elected by indirect vote to serve five-year terms, with remaining seats assigned to ethnic groups and former chiefs of state) elections: National Assembly - last held 4 July 2005 (next to be held in 2010); Senate - last held 29 July 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CNDD-FDD 58.6%, FRODEBU 21.7%, UPRONA 7.2%, CNDD 4.1%, MRC-Rurenzangemero 2.1%, others 6.2%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 59, FRODEBU 25, UPRONA 10, CNDD 4, MRC-Rurenzangemero 2; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 30, FRODEBU 3, CNDD 1

Cambodia bicameral, consists of the National Assembly (123 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Senate (61 seats; 2 members appointed by the monarch, 2 elected by the National Assembly, and 57 elected by parliamentarians and commune councils; members serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 27 July 2008 (next to be held in July 2013); Senate - last held 22 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2011) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP 58%, SRP 22%, others 20%; seats by party - CPP 90, SRP 26, others 7; Senate - percent of vote by party - CPP 69%, FUNCINPEC 21%, SRP 10%; seats by party - CPP 45, FUNCINPEC 10, SRP 2

Cameroon unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (180 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - the president can either lengthen or shorten the term of the legislature elections: last held 22 July 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RDCP 140, SDF 14, UDC 4, UNDP 4, MP 1, vacant 17; note - vacant seats will be determined in a yet to be scheduled by-election after the Supreme Court nullified results in five districts note: the constitution calls for an upper chamber for the legislature, to be called a Senate, but it has yet to be established

Canada bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (105 seats; members appointed by the governor general with the advice of the prime minister and serve until reaching 75 years of age) and the House of Commons or Chambre des Communes (308 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve a maximum of five-year terms starting in 2009 elections) elections: House of Commons - last held 14 October 2008 (next to be held 19 October 2009) election results: House of Commons - percent of vote by party - Conservative Party 37.6%, Liberal Party 26.2%, New Democratic Party 18.2%, Bloc Quebecois 10%, Greens 6.8%, other 1%; seats by party - Conservative Party 143, Liberal Party 76, New Democratic Party 37, Bloc Quebecois 50, other 1

Cape Verde unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 22 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - PAICV 52.3%, MPD 44%, UCID 2.7%; seats by party - PAICV 41, MPD 29, UCID 2

Cayman Islands unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats; 3 appointed members from the Executive Council and 15 elected by popular vote; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 11 May 2005 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPM 9, UDP 5, independent 1

Central African Republic unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (105 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 13 March 2005 and 8 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - KNK 42, MLPC 11, RDC 8, PSD 4, FPP 2, ADP 2, LONDO 1, independents 34, other 1

Chad unicameral National Assembly (155 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); note - the 1996 constitution called for a Senate that has never been formed elections: National Assembly - last held 21 April 2002 (next to be held by 2009); note - legislative elections, originally scheduled for 2006, were first delayed by National Assembly action and subsequently by an accord, signed in August 2007, between government and opposition parties election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MPS 110, RDP 12, FAR 9, RNDP 5, UNDR 5, URD 3, other 11

Chile bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (38 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve eight-year terms; one-half elected every four years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 11 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2009); Chamber of Deputies - last held 11 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2009) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPD 20 (PDC 6, PS 8, PPD 3, PRSD 3), APC 17 (UDI 9, RN 8), independent 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPD 65 (PDC 21, PPD 22, PS 15, PRSD 7), APC 54 (UDI 34, RN 20), independent 1; note - as of 8 January 2008: Senate - seats by party - CPD 18, (PDC 5, PS 8, PPD 2, PRSD 3), APC 16 (UDI 9, RN 7), independent 4; Chamber of Deputies - seats by party - CPD 57 (PDC 16, PPD 19, PS 15, PRSD 7), APC 53 (UDI 33, RN 20), independent 10.

China unicameral National People's Congress or Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (2,987 seats; members elected by municipal, regional, and provincial people's congresses, and People's Liberation Army to serve five-year terms) elections: last held December 2007-February 2008; date of next election - NA election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - 2,987

Christmas Island unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held 20 October 2007 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9

Cocos (Keeling) Islands unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats) elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held in May 2007 (next to be held in May 2009)

Colombia bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (166 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 12 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2010); House of Representatives - last held 12 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PSUN 20, PC 18, PL 18, CR 15, PDI 10, other parties 21; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PL 35, PSUN 33, PC 29, CR 20, PDA 8, other parties 41

Comoros unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats; 15 deputies are selected by the individual islands' local assemblies and 18 by universal suffrage; to serve for five years); elections: last held 18 and 25 April 2004 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CdIA 12, CRC 6; note - 15 additional seats are filled by deputies from local island assemblies

Congo, Democratic Republic of the bicameral legislature consists of a National Assembly (500 seats; 61 members elected by majority vote in single-member constituencies, 439 members elected by open list proportional-representation in multi-member constituencies; to serve five-year terms) and a Senate (108 seats; members elected by provincial assemblies to serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 30 July 2006 (next to be held in 2011); Senate - last held 19 January 2007 (next to be held by 2012) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPRD 111, MLC 64, PALU 34, MSR 27, FR 26, RCD 15, independents 63, others 160 (includes 63 political parties that won 10 or fewer seats); Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPRD 22, MLC 14, FR 7, RCD 7, PDC 6, CDC 3, MSR 3, PALU 2, independents 26, others 18 (political parties that won a single seat)

Congo, Republic of the bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (66 seats; members are elected by indirect vote to serve five-year terms) and the National Assembly (137 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 11 July 2002 (next to be held in July 2008); National Assembly - last held 24 June and 5 August 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FDU 56, other 10; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PCT 46, MCDDI 11, UPADS 11, MAR 5, MSD 5, independents 37, other 22

Cook Islands bicameral Parliament consisting of a Legislative Assembly (or lower house) (24 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and a House of Ariki (or upper house) made up of traditional leaders note: the House of Ariki advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence but has no legislative powers elections: last held 26 September 2006 (next to be held by 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - Demo 51.9%, CIP 45.5%, independent 2.7%; seats by party - Demo 15, CIP 8, independent 1

Costa Rica unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLN 25, PAC 17, PML 6, PUSC 5, PASE 1, PFA 1, PRN 1, PUN 1

Cote d'Ivoire unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (225 seats; members are elected in single- and multi-district elections by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: elections last held 10 December 2000 with by-elections on 14 January 2001 (next to be held in November 2008 after the government postponed the elections in 2005 and 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FPI 96, PDCI-RDA 94, RDR 5, PIT 4, other 2, independents 22, vacant 2 note: a Senate that was scheduled to be created in the October 2006 elections never took place

Croatia unicameral Assembly or Sabor (153 seats; members elected from party lists by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 November 2007 (next to be held in November 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; number of seats by party - HDZ 66, SDP 56, HNS 7, HSS 6, HDSSB 3, IDS 3, SDSS 3, other 9

Cuba unicameral National Assembly of People's Power or Asemblea Nacional del Poder Popular (number of seats in the National Assembly is based on population; 614 seats; members elected directly from slates approved by special candidacy commissions to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 January 2008 (next to be held in January 2013) election results: Cuba's Communist Party is the only legal party, and officially sanctioned candidates run unopposed

Cyprus unicameral - area under government control: House of Representatives or Vouli Antiprosopon (80 seats, 56 assigned to the Greek Cypriots, 24 to Turkish Cypriots; note - only those assigned to Greek Cypriots are filled; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Assembly of the Republic or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: area under government control: last held 21 May 2006 (next to be held 2011); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: last held 14 December 2003 (next to be held in 2008) election results: area under government control: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - AKEL 31.1%, DISY 30.3%, DIKO 17.9%, EDEK 8.9%, EURO.KO 5.8%, Greens 2.0%; seats by party - AKEL (Communist) 18, DISY 18, DIKO 11, EDEK 5, EURO.KO 3, Greens 1; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Assembly of the Republic - percent of vote by party - CTP 35.8%, UBP 32.3%, Peace and Democratic Movement 13.4%, DP 12.3%; seats by party - CTP 19, UBP 18, Peace and Democratic Movement 6, DP 7; note - "TRNC" seats by party as of September 2006 - CTP 25, OP 3, UBP 13, DP 6, BDH 1, independents 2

Czech Republic bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Poslanecka Snemovna (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held in two rounds 17-18 and 24-25 October 2008 (next to be held in October 2010); Chamber of Deputies - last held 2-3 June 2006 (next to be held by June 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ODS 35, CSSD 29, KDU-CSL 7, others 8, independents 2; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - ODS 35.4%, CSSD 32.3%, KSCM 12.8%, KDU-CSL 7.2%, Greens 6.3%, other 6%; seats by party - ODS 81, CSSD 74, KSCM 26, KDU-CSL 13, Greens 6; note - seats by party as of December 2007 - ODS 81, CSSD 72, KSCM 26, KDU-CSL 13, Greens 6, unaffiliated 2 (former CSSD members)

Denmark unicameral People's Assembly or Folketinget (179 seats, including 2 from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms unless the Folketinget is dissolved earlier) elections: last held 13 November 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 26.2%, Social Democrats 25.5%, Danish People's Party 13.9%, Socialist People's Party 13.0%, Conservative People's Party 10.4%, Social Liberal Party 5.1%, New Alliance 2.8%, Red-Green Alliance 2.2%, other 0.9%; seats by party - Liberal Party 46, Social Democrats 45, Danish People's Party 25, Socialist People's Party 23, Conservative People's Party 18, Social Liberal Party 9, New Alliance 5, Red-Green Alliance 4; note - does not include the two seats from Greenland and the two seats from the Faroe Islands

Djibouti unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (65 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: last held 8 February 2008 (next to be held 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats - UMP (coalition of parties associated with President Ismail Omar GUELLAH) 65

Dominica unicameral House of Assembly (30 seats; 9 members appointed, 21 elected by popular vote; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 5 May 2005 (next to be held by 5 August 2010); note - tradition dictates that the election will be held within five years of the last election, but technically it is five years from the first seating of parliament (12 May 2005) plus a 90-day grace period election results: percent of vote by party - DLP 52.1%, UWP 43.6%, DFP 3.2%, other 1.1%; seats by party - DLP 12, UWP 8, independent 1

Dominican Republic bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (32 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Diputados (178 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 16 May 2006 (next to be held in May 2010); House of Representatives - last held 16 May 2006 (next to be held in May 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLD 22, PRD 6, PRSC 4; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLD 96, PRD 60, PRSC 22

Ecuador unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (100 seats; members are elected through a party-list proportional representation system to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 15 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRIAN 28; PSP 24; PSC 13; ID 7; PRE 6; MUPP-NP 6; RED 5; UDC 5; other 6; note - defections by members of National Congress are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties; as of 29 November 2007, Congress is on indefinite recess while a Constituent Assembly is convened

Egypt bicameral system consists of the People's Assembly or Majlis al-Sha'b (454 seats; 444 elected by popular vote, 10 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) and the Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura that traditionally functions only in a consultative role but 2007 constitutional amendments could grant the Council new powers (264 seats; 176 elected by popular vote, 88 appointed by the president; members serve six-year terms; mid-term elections for half of the elected members) elections: People's Assembly - three-phase voting - last held 7 and 20 November, 1 December 2005;(next to be held November-December 2010); Advisory Council - last held June 2007 (next to be held May-June 2010) election results: People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDP 311, NWP 6, Tagammu 2, Tomorrow Party 1, independents 112 (12 seats to be determined by rerun elections, 10 seats appointed by President); Advisory Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDP 84, Tagammu 1, independents 3

El Salvador unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (84 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 12 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ARENA 34, FMLN 32, PCN 10, PDC 6, CD 2

Equatorial Guinea unicameral House of People's Representatives or Camara de Representantes del Pueblo (100 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 25 April 2004 (next to be held 4 May 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDGE 98, CPDS 2 note: Parliament has little power since the constitution vests all executive authority in the president

Eritrea unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: in May 1997, following the adoption of the new constitution, 75 members of the PFDJ Central Committee (the old Central Committee of the EPLF), 60 members of the 527-member Constituent Assembly, which had been established in 1997 to discuss and ratify the new constitution, and 15 representatives of Eritreans living abroad were formed into a Transitional National Assembly to serve as the country's legislative body until countrywide elections to a National Assembly were held; although only 75 of 150 members of the Transitional National Assembly were elected, the constitution stipulates that once past the transition stage, all members of the National Assembly will be elected by secret ballot of all eligible voters; National Assembly elections scheduled for December 2001 were postponed indefinitely

Estonia unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 4 March 2007 (next to be held in March 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - Estonian Reform Party 27.8%, Center Party of Estonia 26.1%, Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica 17.9%, Social Democratic Party 10.6%, Estonian Greens 7.1%, Estonian People's Union 7.1%, other 5%; seats by party - Estonian Reform Party 31, Center Party 29, Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica 19, Social Democratic Party 10, Estonian Greens 6, Estonian People's Union 6

Ethiopia bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Federation (or upper chamber responsible for interpreting the constitution and federal-regional issues) (108 seats; members are chosen by state assemblies to serve five-year terms) and the House of People's Representatives (or lower chamber responsible for passing legislation) (547 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote from single-member districts to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 15 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - EPRDF 327, CUD 109, UEDF 52, SPDP 23, OFDM 11, BGPDUF 8, ANDP 8, independent 1, others 6, undeclared 2 note: some seats still remain vacant as detained opposition MPs did not take their seats

European Union two legislative bodies consisting of the Council of the European Union (27 member-state ministers having 345 votes; the number of votes is roughly proportional to member-states' population; note - the Council is the main decision-making body of the EU) and the European Parliament (785 seats, as of 1 January 2007; seats allocated among member states by proportion to population; members elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year term) elections: last held 10-13 June 2004 (next to be held June 2009) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - EPP-ED 268, PES 202, ALDE 88, Greens/EFA 42, EUL/NGL 41, IND/DEM 36, UEN 27, independents 28; note - seats by party as of 1 December 2007 - EPP-ED 275, PES 217, ALDE 104, UEN 44, Greens/EFA 42, EUL/NGL 41, IND/DEM 24, independents 34, 4 unaccounted for

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats; 2 members are ex officio and 8 are elected by popular vote; to serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor elections: last held 17 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8

Faroe Islands unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 21%, Social Democratic Party 19.4%, Republican Party 23.3%, People's Party 20.1%, Center Party 8.4%, Self-Government Party 7.2%, other 0.6%; seats by party - Republican Party 8, Union Party 7, Social Democratic Party 6, People's Party 7, Center Party 3, Independence Party 2 note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 13 November 2007 (next to be held no later than November 2011); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, Union Party 1

Fiji bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (32 seats; 14 appointed by the president on the advice of the Great Council of Chiefs, 9 appointed by the president on the advice of the Prime Minister, 8 on the advice of the Opposition Leader, and 1 appointed on the advice of the council of Rotuma) and the House of Representatives (71 seats; 23 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnic Indians, 3 reserved for other ethnic groups, 1 reserved for the council of Rotuma constituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and 25 open seats; members serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 6-13 May 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - SDL 44.6%, FLP 39.2%, UPP 0.8%, independents 4.9%, other 10.5%; seats by party - SDL 36, FLP 31, UPP 2, independents 2

Finland unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 18 March 2007 (next to be held March 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - Kesk 23.1%, Kok 22.3%, SDP 21.4%, VAS 8.8%, VIHR 8.5%, KD 4.9%, SFP 4.5%, True Finns 4.1%, other 3.4%; seats by party - Kesk 51, Kok 50, SDP 45, VAS 17, VIHR 15, SFP 9, KD 7, True Finns 5, other 1

France bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (331 seats, 305 for metropolitan France, 9 for overseas departments, 5 for dependencies, and 12 for French nationals abroad; members are indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve six-year terms; one third elected every three years); note - between 2006 and 2011, 15 new seats will be added to the Senate for a total of 348 seats - 326 for metropolitan France and overseas departments, 2 for New Caledonia, 2 for Mayotte, 1 for Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, 1 for Saint-Barthelemy, 1 for Saint-Martin, 3 for overseas territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad; starting in 2008, members will be indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve six-year terms, with one-half elected every three years; and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (577 seats, 555 for metropolitan France, 15 for overseas departments, 7 for dependencies; members are elected by popular vote under a single-member majority system to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 26 September 2004 (next to be held in September 2008); National Assembly - last held 10 and 17 June 2007 (next to be held in June 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 156, PS 97, UDF (now MoDem) 33, PCF 23, RDSE 15, other 7; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - UMP 46.37%, PS 42.25%, miscellaneous left wing parties 2.47%, PCF 2.28%, NC 2.12%, PRG 1.65%, miscellaneous right wing parties 1.17%, the Greens 0.45, other 1.24%; seats by party - UMP 313, PS 186, NC 22, miscellaneous left wing parties 15, PCF 15, miscellaneous right wing parties 9, PRG 7, the Greens 4, other 6

French Polynesia unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (57 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 27 January 2008 (first round) and 10 February 2008 (second round) (next to be held NA 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - Our Home alliance 45.2%, Union for Democracy alliance 37.2%, Popular Rally (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) 17.2% other 0.5%; seats by party - Our Home alliance 27, Union for Democracy alliance 20, Popular Rally 10 note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 27 September 1998 (next to be held in September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; two seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held in 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP/RPR 1, UMP 1

Gabon bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (91 seats; members elected by members of municipal councils and departmental assemblies to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (120 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 26 January and 9 February 2003 (next to be held by January 2009); National Assembly - last held 17 and 24 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 53, RNB 20, PGP 4, ADERE 3, RDP 1, CLR 1, independents 9; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 82, RPG 8, UPG 8, UGDD 4, ADERE 3, CLR 2, PGP-Ndaot 2, PSD 2, independents 4, others 5

Gambia, The unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 members elected by popular vote, 5 appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 25 January 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APRC 47, UDP 4, NADD 1, independent 1

Georgia unicameral Parliament or Parlamenti (also known as Supreme Council or Umaghlesi Sabcho) (235 seats; 150 members elected by proportional representation, 75 from single-seat constituencies, and 10 represent displaced persons from Abkhazia; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 21 May 2008 (next to be held in spring 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - National Movement-Democratic Front 59.2%, National Council-New Rights 17.7%, other parties 23.1%; seats by party - National Movement-Democratic Front 120, National Council-New Rights 16

Germany bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Federal Assembly or Bundestag (614 seats; elected by popular vote under a system combining direct and proportional representation; a party must win 5% of the national vote or three direct mandates to gain proportional representation and caucus recognition; to serve four-year terms) and the Federal Council or Bundesrat (69 votes; state governments are directly represented by votes; each has three to six votes depending on population and are required to vote as a block) elections: Bundestag - last held on 18 September 2005 (next to be held no later than autumn 2009); note - there are no elections for the Bundesrat; composition is determined by the composition of the state-level governments; the composition of the Bundesrat has the potential to change any time one of the 16 states holds an election election results: Bundestag - percent of vote by party - CDU/CSU 35.2%, SPD 34.3%, FDP 9.8%, Left 8.7%, Greens 8.1%, other 3.9%; seats by party - CDU/CSU 225, SPD 222, FDP 61, Left 53, Greens 51, independents 2

Ghana unicameral Parliament (230 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 7 December 2004 (next to be held 7 December 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NPP 128, NDC 94, PNC 4, CPP 3, independent 1

Gibraltar unicameral Parliament (18 seats: 17 members elected by popular vote, 1 for the Speaker appointed by Parliament; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 11 October 2007 (next to be held not later than October 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - GSD 49.3%, GSLP 31.8%, Gibraltar Liberal Party 13.6%; seats by party - GSD 10, GSLP 4, Gibraltar Liberal Party 3

Greece unicameral Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon (300 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: elections last held 16 September 2007 (next to be held by 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - ND 41.8%, PASOK 38.1%, KKE 8.2%, Synaspismos 5%, LAOS 3.8%, other 3.1%; seats by party - ND 152, PASOK 102, KKE 22, Synaspismos 14, LAOS 10

Greenland unicameral Parliament or Landstinget (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 15 November 2005 (next to be held by December 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - Siumut 30.7%, Demokratiit 22.8%, IA 22.6%, Atassut Party 19.1%; Katusseqatigiit 4.1%, other 0.7%; seats by party - Siumut 10, Demokratiit 7, IA 7, Atassut 6, Katusseqatigiit 1 note: two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 13 November 2007 (next to be held in November 2011); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Siumut 1, Inuit Ataqatigiit 1

Grenada bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (13 seats, 10 appointed by the government and 3 by the leader of the opposition) and the House of Representatives (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 8 July 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDC 11, NNP 4

Guam unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held in November 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 8, Democratic Party 7 note: Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held in November 2008); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 1

Guatemala unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica (158 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 9 September 2007 (next to be held in September 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - UNE 30.4%, GANA 23.4%, PP 18.9%, FRG 9.5%, PU 5.1%, other 12.7%; seats by party - UNE 48, GANA 37, PP 30, FRG 15, PU 8, CASA 5, EG 4, PAN 4, UCN 4, URNG 2, UD 1

Guernsey unicameral States of Deliberation (45 seats; members are elected by popular vote for four years); note - Alderney and Sark have parliaments elections: last held 23 April 2008 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - all independents

Guinea unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; members are elected by a mixed system of direct popular vote and proportional party lists) elections: last held 30 June 2002 (next to be held in 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - PUP 61.6%, UPR 26.6%, other 11.8%; seats by party - PUP 85, UPR 20, other 9 note: legislative elections were due in 2007 but have been postponed

Guinea-Bissau unicameral National People's Assembly or Assembleia Nacional Popular (100 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 28 March 2004 (next to be held 16 November 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - PAIGC 31.5%, PRS 24.8%, PUSD 16.1%, UE 4.1%, APU 1.3%, 13 other parties 22.2%; seats by party - PAIGC 45, PRS 35, PUSD 17, UE 2, APU 1

Guyana unicameral National Assembly (65 seats; members elected by popular vote, also not more than 4 non-elected non-voting ministers and 2 non-elected non-voting parliamentary secretaries appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 28 August 2006 (next to be held by August 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - PPP/C 54.6%, PNC/R 34%, AFC 8.1%, other 3.3%; seats by party - PPP/C 36, PNC/R 22, AFC 5, other 2

Haiti bicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale consists of the Senate (30 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies (99 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); note - in reestablishing the Senate, the candidate in each department receiving the most votes in the last election serves six years, the candidate with the second most votes serves four years, and the candidate with the third most votes serves two years elections: Senate - last held 21 April 2006 with run-off elections on 3 December 2006 (next regular election, for one third of seats, to be held in 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held 21 April 2006 with run-off elections on 3 December 2006 and 29 April 2007 (next regular election to be held in 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - L'ESPWA 11, FUSION 5, OPL 4, FL 3, LAAA 2, UNCRH 2, PONT 2, ALYANS 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - L'ESPWA 23, FUSION 17, FRN 12, OPL 10, ALYANS 10, LAAA 5, MPH 3, MOCHRENA 3, other 10; results for six other seats contested on 3 December 2006 remain unknown

Holy See (Vatican City) unicameral Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City

Honduras unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (128 seats; members are elected proportionally to the number of votes their party's presidential candidate receives to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PL 62, PN 55, PUD 5, PDC 4, PINU 2

Hong Kong unicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO (60 seats; 30 seats indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 30 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 7 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by parties - pro-Beijing 37; pro-democracy 23

Hungary unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (386 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a system of proportional and direct representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 9 and 23 April 2006 (next to be held in April 2010) election results: percent of vote by party (5% or more of the vote required for parliamentary representation in the first round) - MSzP 43.2%, Fidesz-KDNP 42%, SzDSz 6.5%, MDF 5%, other 3.3%; seats by party - MSzP 190, Fidesz-KDNP 164, SzDSz 20, MDF 11, independent 1; seats by party as of September 2008 - MSzP 189, Fidesz-KDNP 162, SzDSz 20, MDF 11, independent 3, vacant 1

Iceland unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 12 May 2007 (next to be held by May 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - Independence Party 36.6%, Social Democratic Alliance 26.8%, Progressive Party 11.7%, Left-Green Movement 14.3%, Liberal Party 7.3%, other 3.3%; seats by party - Independence Party 25, Social Democratic Alliance 18, Progressive Party 7, Left-Green Alliance 9, Liberal Party 4

India bicameral Parliament or Sansad consists of the Council of States or Rajya Sabha (a body consisting of not more than 250 members up to 12 of whom are appointed by the president, the remainder are chosen by the elected members of the state and territorial assemblies; members serve six-year terms) and the People's Assembly or Lok Sabha (545 seats; 543 elected by popular vote, 2 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: People's Assembly - last held 20 April through 10 May 2004 (next must be held by May 2009) election results: People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - INC 147, BJP 129, CPI (M) 43, SP 38, RJD 23, DMK 16, BSP 15, SS 12, BJD 11, CPI 10, NCP 10, JD (U) 8, SAD 8, PMK 6, JMM 5, LJSP 4, MDMK 4, TDP 4, TRS 4, independent 6, other 29, vacant 13; note - seats by party as of December 2006

Indonesia House of Representatives or Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR) (550 seats; members elected to serve five-year terms); House of Regional Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Daerah or DPD), constitutionally mandated role includes providing legislative input to DPR on issues affecting regions; People's Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat or MPR) has role in inaugurating and impeaching president and in amending constitution; consists of popularly elected members in DPR and DPD; MPR does not formulate national policy elections: last held 5 April 2004 (next to be held 8 or 9 April 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - Golkar 21.6%, PDI-P 18.5%, PKB 10.6%, PPP 8.2%, PD 7.5%, PKS 7.3%, PAN 6.4%, others 19.9%; seats by party - Golkar 128, PDI-P 109, PPP 58, PD 55, PAN 53, PKB 52, PKS 45, others 50 note: because of election rules, the number of seats won does not always follow the percentage of votes received by parties

Iran unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majles-e-Shura-ye-Eslami or Majles (290 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 14 March 2008 with a runoff held 25 April 2008 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - conservatives/Islamists 170, reformers 46, independents 71, religious minorities 3

Iraq Council of Representatives (consisting of 275 members elected by a closed-list, proportional representation system) elections: last held 15 December 2005 to elect a 275-member Council of Representatives (next to be held January 2009); the Council of Representatives elected the Presidency Council and approved the prime minister and two deputy prime ministers election results: Council of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Unified Iraqi Alliance 41%, Kurdistan Alliance 22%, Tawafuq Coalition 15%, Iraqi National List 8%, Iraqi Front for National Dialogue 4%, other 10%; number of seats by party (as of November 2007) - Unified Iraqi Alliance (including the Sadrist bloc with 30 and Fadilah with 15) 130, Kurdistan Alliance 53, Tawafuq Front 44, Iraqi National List 25, Fadilah 15, Iraqi Front for National Dialogue 11, other 12

Ireland bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of the Senate or Seanad Eireann (60 seats; 49 members elected by the universities and from candidates put forward by five vocational panels, 11 are nominated by the prime minister; to serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Dail Eireann (166 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held in July 2007 (next to be held by July 2012); House of Representatives - last held 24 May 2007 (next to be held by May 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Fianna Fail 28, Fine Gael 14, Labor Party 6, Progressive Democrats 2, Green Party 2, Sein Fein 1, independents 7; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Fianna Fail 41.6%, Fine Gael 27.3%, Labor Party 10.1%, Sinn Fein 6.9%, Green Party 4.7%, Progressive Democrats 2.7%, other 6.7%; seats by party - Fianna Fail 78, Fine Gael 51, Labor Party 20, Sinn Fein 4, Green Party 6, Progressive Democrats 2, other 5

Isle of Man bicameral Tynwald consists of the Legislative Council (11 seats; members composed of the President of Tynwald, the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, a nonvoting attorney general, and 8 others named by the House of Keys) and the House of Keys (24 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Keys - last held 23 November 2006 (next to be held in November 2011) election results: House of Keys - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Liberal Vannin Party 2, Man Labor Party 1, independents 21

Israel unicameral Knesset (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 28 March 2006 (next scheduled to be held in February 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - Kadima 22%, Labor 15.1%, SHAS 9.5%, Likud 9%, Yisrael Beiteinu 9%, NU/NRP 7.1%, GIL 5.9%, Torah and Shabbat Judaism 4.7%, Meretz-YAHAD 3.8%, United Arab List 3%, Balad 2.3%, HADASH 2.7%, other 5.9%; seats by party - Kadima 29, Labor 19, Likud 12, SHAS 12, Yisrael Beiteinu 11, NU/NRP 9, GIL 7, Torah and Shabbat Judaism 6, Meretz-YAHAD 5, United Arab List 4, Balad 3, HADASH 3

Italy bicameral Parliament or Parlamento consists of the Senate or Senato della Repubblica (315 seats; members elected by proportional vote with the winning coalition in each region receiving 55% of seats from that region; to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera dei Deputati (630 seats; members elected by popular vote with the winning national coalition receiving 54% of chamber seats; to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 13-14 April 2008 (next to be held April 2010); Chamber of Deputies - last held 13-14 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - S. BERLUSCONI coalition 174 (PdL 147, LN 25, MpA 2), W. VELTRONI coalition 132 (PD 118, IdV 3), UdC 3, other 6; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - S. BERLUSCONI coalition 344 (PdL 276, LN 60, MpA 8), W. VELTRONI coalition 246 (PD 217, IdV 29), UdC 36, other 4

Jamaica bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (a 21-member body appointed by the governor general on the recommendations of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; ruling party is allocated 13 seats, and the opposition is allocated 8 seats) and the House of Representatives (60 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3 September 2007 (next to be held no later than October 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - JLP 50.1%, PNP 49.8%; seats by party - JLP 33, PNP 27

Japan bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of the House of Councillors or Sangi-in (242 seats - members elected for six-year terms; half reelected every three years; 146 members in multi-seat constituencies and 96 by proportional representation) and the House of Representatives or Shugi-in (480 seats - members elected for four-year terms; 300 in single-seat constituencies; 180 members by proportional representation in 11 regional blocs) elections: House of Councillors - last held 29 July 2007 (next to be held in July 2010); House of Representatives - last held 11 September 2005 (next election by September 2009) election results: House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DPJ 109, LDP 83, Komeito 20, JCP 7, SDP 5, others 18 House of Representatives - percent of vote by party (in single-seat constituencies) - LDP 47.8%, DPJ 36.4%, others 15.8%; seats by party - LDP 296, DPJ 113, Komeito 31, JCP 9, SDP 7, others 24 (2007)

Jersey unicameral Assembly of the States of Jersey (58 seats; 55 are voting members, of which 12 are senators elected for six-year terms, 12 are constables or heads of parishes elected for three-year terms, 29 are deputies elected for three-year terms, the bailiff and the deputy bailiff, and 3 non-voting members includes the Dean of Jersey, the Attorney General, and the Solicitor General appointed by the monarch) elections: last held 19 October 2005 for senators and 23 November 2005 for deputies (next to be held on 15 October 2008) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 55

Jordan bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of the Senate, also called the House of Notables or Majlis al-Ayan (55 seats; members appointed by the monarch from designated categories of public figures to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies, also called the House of Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwaab (110 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms; note - six seats are reserved for women and are allocated by a special electoral panel if no women are elected) elections: Chamber of Deputies - last held 20 November 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - IAF 5.5 %, independents and other 94.5%; seats by party - IAF 6, independents and other 104; note - seven women will serve in the next Assembly - six of whom filled women's quota seats and one was directly elected

Kazakhstan bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (47 seats; 7 members are appointed by the president; other members are elected by local assemblies; to serve six-year terms) and the Mazhilis (107 seats; 9 out of the 107 Mazhilis members are elected from the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, which represents the country's ethnic minorities; members are popularly elected to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - (indirect) last held December 2005; next to be held in 2011; Mazhilis - last held 18 August 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Mazhilis - percent of vote by party - Nur-Otan 88.1%, NSDP 4.6%, Ak Zhol 3.3%, Auyl 1.6%, Communist People's Party 1.3%, Patriots Party .8% Ruhaniyat .4%; seats by party - Nur-Otan 98; note - parties must achieve a threshold of 7% of the electorate to qualify for seats in the Mazhilis

Kenya unicameral National Assembly or Bunge (224 seats; 210 members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms, 12 so-called "nominated" members who are appointed by the president but selected by the parties in proportion to their parliamentary vote totals, 2 ex-officio members) elections: last held 27 December 2007 (next to be held in December 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ODM 99, PNU 43, ODM-K 16, KANU 14 other 38; ex-officio 2; seats appointed by the president - TBD

Kiribati unicameral House of Parliament or Maneaba Ni Maungatabu (46 seats; 44 members elected by popular vote, 1 ex officio member - the attorney general, 1 nominated by the Rabi Council of Leaders (representing Banaba Island); to serve four-year terms) elections: legislative elections were held in two rounds - the first round on 22 August 2007 and the second round on 30 August 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA, other 2 (includes attorney general)

Korea, North unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui (687 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3 August 2003 (next to be held in August 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; ruling party approves a list of candidates who are elected without opposition; some seats are held by minor parties

Korea, South unicameral National Assembly or Kukhoe (299 seats; 243 members elected in single-seat constituencies, 56 elected by proportional representation; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 9 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - GNP 153, UDP 81, LFP 18, Pro-Park Alliance 14, DLP 5, CKP 3, independents 25

Kosovo unicameral Kosovo Assembly of the Provisional Government (120 seats; 100 seats directly elected, 10 seats for Serbs, 10 seats for other minorities; to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 17 November 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - PDK 34.3%, LDK 22.6%, AKR 12.3%, LDD 10.0%, AAK 9.6%, other 11.2%; seats by party - PDK 37, LDK 25, AKR 13, LDD 11, AAK 10, other 4

Kuwait unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; all cabinet ministers are also ex officio voting members of the National Assembly) elections: last held 17 May 2008 (next election to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by bloc - NA; seats by bloc - Sunni 21, Islamic Salafi Alliance 10, Liberals 7, Shiites 5, Popular Action Bloc 4, Islamic Constitutional Movement 3

Kyrgyzstan unicameral Supreme Council or Jorgorku Kengesh (90 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 16 December 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Supreme Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Ak Jol 71, Social Democratic Party 11, KCP 8

Laos unicameral National Assembly (115 seats; members elected by popular vote from a list of candidates selected by the Lao People's Revolutionary Party to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 30 April 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP 113, independents 2

Latvia unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by proportional representation from party lists by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 7 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - TP 19.5%, ZZS 16.7%, JL 16.4%, SC 14.4%; LPP/LC 8.6%; TB/LNNK 7%; PCTVL 6%; seats by party - TP 23, ZZS 18, JL 18, SC 17, LPP/LC 10, TB/LNNK 8, PCTVL 6; note - seats by party as of February 2008 - TP 21, ZZS 17, SC 17, JL 14, LPP/LC 10, TB/LNNK 5, PCTVL 6, independents 10

Lebanon 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 four rounds on 29 May, 5, 12, 19 June 2005 (next to be held in spring 2009) election results: percent of vote by group - NA; seats by group - Future Movement Bloc 36; Democratic Gathering 15; Development and Resistance Bloc 15; Free Patriotic Movement 15; Loyalty to the Resistance 14; Qornet Shehwan 6; Lebanese Forces 5; Popular Bloc 4; Tripoli Independent Bloc 3; Kataeb Reform Movement 2; Syrian National Socialist Party 2; Tashnaq 2; Syrian Ba'th Party 1; Democratic Left 1; Democratic Renewal Movement 1; Kataeb Party 1; Nasserite Popular Movement 1; independent 4

Lesotho bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - 22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party) and the Assembly (120 seats, 80 by popular vote and 40 by proportional vote; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: last held 17 February 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LCD 61, NIP 21, ABC 17, LWP 10, ACP 4, BNP 3, other 4

Liberia bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (30 seats; note - number of seats changed in 11 October 2005 elections; members elected by popular vote to serve nine-year terms) and the House of Representatives (64 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 11 October 2005 (next to be held in 2011); House of Representatives - last held 11 October 2005 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - COTOL 7, NPP 4, CDC 3, LP 3, UP 3, APD 3, other 7; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CDC 15, LP 9, COTOL 8, UP 8, APD 5, NPP 4, other 15 note: junior senators - those who received the second most votes in each county in the 11 October 2005 election - will only serve a six-year first term because the Liberian constitution mandates staggered Senate elections to ensure continuity of government; all senators will be eligible for nine-year terms thereafter

Libya unicameral General People's Congress (approximately 2,700 seats; members elected indirectly through a hierarchy of people's committees)

Liechtenstein unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members are elected by popular vote under proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 11 and 13 March 2005 (next to be held by 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - FBP 48.7%, VU 38.2%, FL 13%; seats by party - FBP 12, VU 10, FL 3

Lithuania unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats; 71 members are elected by popular vote, 70 are elected by proportional representation; serve four-year terms) elections: last held 12 and 26 October 2008 (next to be held October 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - TS 19.7%, TPP 15.1%, TT 12.7%, LSDP 11.7%, KDP+J 9%, LRLS 5.7%, LCS 5.3%, LLRA 4.8%, LVLS 3.7%, NS 3.6%, other 8.7%; seats by faction - TS 44, LSDP 26, TPP 16, TT 15, LRLS 11, KDP+J 10, LCS 8, LLRA 3, LVLS 3, NS 1, independent 4

Luxembourg unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (60 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 13 June 2004 (next to be held by June 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - CSV 36.1%, LSAP 23.4%, DP 16.1%, Green Party 11.6%, ADR 10%, other 2.8%; seats by party - CSV 24, LSAP 14, DP 10, Green Party 7, ADR 5 note: there is also a Council of State that serves as an advisory body to the Chamber of Deputies; the Council of State has 21 members appointed by the Grand Duke on the advice of the prime minister

Macau unicameral Legislative Assembly (29 seats; 12 members elected by popular vote, 10 by indirect vote, and 7 appointed by the chief executive; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 September 2005 (next in September 2009) election results: percent of vote - New Democratic Macau Association 18.8%, Macau United Citizens' Association 16.6%, Union for Development 13.3%, Union for Promoting Progress 9.6%, Macau Development Alliance 9.3%, others 32.4%; seats by political group - New Democratic Macau Association 2, Macau United Citizens' Association 2, Union for Development 2, Union for Promoting Progress 2, Macau Development Alliance 1, others 3; 10 seats filled by professional and business groups; seven members appointed by chief executive

Macedonia unicameral Assembly or Sobranie (120 seats; members elected by popular vote from party lists based on the percentage of the overall vote the parties gain in each of six electoral districts; serve four-year terms) elections: last held 1 June 2008 (next to be held by July 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - For a Better Macedonia 48.80%, Sun-Coalition for Europe 23.65%, Democratic Union for Integration 12.77%, Democratic Party of Albanians 8.48%, Party for European Future 1.47%, other 4.83%; seats by party - For a Better Macedonia 63, Sun-Coalition for Europe 27, Democratic Union for Integration 18, Democratic Party of Albanians 11, Party for European Future 1

Madagascar bicameral legislature consists of a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (127 seats - reduced from 160 seats by an April 2007 national referendum; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and a Senate or Senat (100 seats; two-thirds of the seats filled by regional assemblies; the remaining one-third of seats appointed by the president; to serve four-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 23 September 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TIM 106, LEADER/Fanilo 1, independents 20

Malawi unicameral National Assembly (193 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MCP 56, UDF 49, independents 39, RP 15, others 25, vacancies 8

Malaysia bicameral Parliament or Parlimen consists of Senate or Dewan Negara (70 seats; 44 appointed by paramount ruler, 26 elected by 13 state legislatures; to serve three-year terms with limit of two terms) and House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (222 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held on 8 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2013) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote - BN coalition 50.3%, opposition parties 46.8%, others 2.9%; seats - BN coalition 140, opposition parties 82

Maldives unicameral People's Council or Majlis (50 seats; 42 members elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 22 January 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 50

Mali unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (147 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 1 and 22 July 2007 (next to be held in July 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ADP coalition 113 (including ADEMA 51, URD 34, MPR 8, CNID 7, UDD 3, and other 10), FDR coalition 15 (including RPM 11, PARENA 4), SADI 4, independent 15

Malta unicameral House of Representatives (usually 65 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms; note - additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority) elections: last held on 8 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - PN 49.3%, MLP 48.8%, other 1.9%; seats by party - PN 35, MLP 34

Marshall Islands unicameral legislature or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 19 November 2007 (next to be held by November 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 4 note: the Council of Chiefs or Ironij is a 12-member body comprised of tribal chiefs that advises on matters affecting customary law and practice

Mauritania bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats; 53 members elected by municipal leaders and 3 members elected by Mauritanians abroad to serve six-year terms; a portion of seats up for election every two years) and the National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (95 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 21 January and 4 February 2007 (next to be held 2009); National Assembly - last held 19 November and 3 December 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Mithaq (coalition of independents and parties associated with the former regime) 37, CFCD (coalition of political parties) 15, representatives of the diaspora 3, undecided 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Mithaq 51 (independents 37, PRDR 7, UDP 3, RDU 3, Alternative (El-Badil) 1), CFCD 41 (RFD 16, UFP 9, APP 6, Centrist Reformists 4, HATEM-PMUC 3, RD 2, PUDS 1), RNDLE 1, UCD 1, FP 1

Mauritius unicameral National Assembly (70 seats; 62 members elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the election commission to give representation to various ethnic minorities; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 3 July 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - AS 38, MSM/MMM 22, OPR 2; appointed seats - AS 4, MSM/MMM 2, OPR 2

Mayotte unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 21 and 28 March 2004 (next to be held in 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - MDM 23.3%, UMP 22.8%, PS 10.2%, MRC 8.9%, FRAP 6.5%, MPM 1.2%, other 27.1%; seats by party - MDM 6, UMP 9, MRC 2, MPM 1, diverse left 1 note: Mayotte elects one member of the French Senate; elections last held 24 September 2001 (next to be held in September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Mayotte also elects one member to the French National Assembly; elections last held 16 June 2002 (next to be held in 2007); results - percent of vote by party - UMP-RPR 55.1%, UDF 44.9%; seats by party - UMP-RPR 1

Mexico bicameral National Congress or Congreso de la Union consists of the Senate or Camara de Senadores (128 seats; 96 members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms, and 32 seats are allocated on the basis of each party's popular vote) and the Federal Chamber of Deputies or Camara Federal de Diputados (500 seats; 300 members are elected by popular vote; remaining 200 members are allocated on the basis of each party's popular vote; to serve three-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 2 July 2006 for all of the seats (next to be held 1 July 2012); Chamber of Deputies - last held 2 July 2006 (next to be held 5 July 2009) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAN 52, PRI 33, PRD 26, PVEM 6, CD 5, PT 5, independent 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAN 207, PRD 127, PRI 106, PVEM 17, CD 17, PT 11, other 15

Micronesia, Federated States of unicameral Congress (14 seats; 4 - one elected from each state to serve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population to serve two-year terms; members elected by popular vote) elections: last held 6 March 2007 (next to be held in March 2009) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14

Moldova unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; parties and electoral blocs elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 6 March 2005 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - PCRM 46.1%, Democratic Moldova Bloc (AMN, PD, PSL) 28.4%, PPCD 9.1%, other parties 16.4%; seats by party - PCRM 56, Democratic Moldova Bloc (AMN, PD, PSL) 34, PPCD 11

Monaco unicameral National Council or Conseil National (24 seats; 16 members elected by list majority system, 8 by proportional representation; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3 February 2008 (next to be held February 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - UPM 52.2%, REM 40.5%, Monaco Together 7.3%; seats by party - UPM 21, REM 3

Mongolia unicameral State Great Hural 76 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms elections: last held 29 June 2008 (next to be held in June 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MPRP 47, DP 26, others 3; note - results are disputed

Montenegro unicameral Assembly (81 seats; members elected by direct vote for four-year terms; changed from 74 seats in 2006) elections: last held 10 September 2006 (next to be held 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - Coalition for European Montenegro 47.7%, Serbian List 14.4%, Coalition SNP-NS-DSS 13.8%, PZP 12.9%, Liberals and Bosniaks 3.7%, other (including Albanian minority parties) 7.5%; seats by party - Coalition for European Montenegro 41, Serbian List 12, Coalition SNP/NS/DSS 11, PZP 11, Liberals and Bosniaks 3, Albanian minority parties 3

Montserrat unicameral Legislative Council (11 seats, 9 popularly elected; members serve five-year terms) note: expanded in 2001 from 7 to 9 elected members with attorney general and financial secretary sitting as ex-officio members elections: last held 31 May 2006 (next to be held by 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - MCAP 36.1%, NPLM 29.4%, MDP 24.4%, independents 10.1%; seats by party - MCAP 4, NPLM 3, MDP 1, independents 1 note: in 2001, the Elections Commission instituted a single constituency/voter-at-large system whereby all eligible voters cast ballots for all nine seats of the Legislative Council

Morocco bicameral Parliament consists of a Chamber of Counselors (or upper house) (270 seats; members elected indirectly by local councils, professional organizations, and labor syndicates for nine-year terms; one-third of the members are elected every three years) and Chamber of Representatives (or lower house) (325 seats; 295 members elected by multi-seat constituencies and 30 from national lists of women; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Counselors - last held 8 September 2006 (next to be held in 2009); Chamber of Representatives - last held 7 September 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Chamber of Counselors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PI 17, MP 14, RNI 13, USFP 11, UC 6, PND 4, PPS 4, Al Ahd 4, other 17; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PI 52, PJD 46, MP 41, RNI 39, USFP 38, UC 27, PPS 17, FFD 9, MDS 9, Al Ahd 8, other 39

Mozambique unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 1-2 December 2004 (next to be held in December 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - FRELIMO 62%, RENAMO 29.7%, other 8.3%; seats by party - FRELIMO 160, RENAMO 90

Namibia bicameral legislature consists of the National Council (26 seats; two members are chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Council - elections for regional councils to determine members of the National Council held 29-30 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2010); National Assembly - last held 15-16 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 89.7%, UDF 4.7%, NUDO 2.8%, DTA 1.9%, other 0.9%; seats by party - SWAPO 24, UDF 1, DTA 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 76.1%, COD 7.3%, DTA 5.1%, NUDO 4.2%, UDF 3.6%, RP 1.9%, MAG 0.8%, other 1.0%; seats by party - SWAPO 55, COD 5, DTA 4, NUDO 3, UDF 3, RP 1, MAG 1 note: the National Council is primarily an advisory body

Nauru unicameral Parliament (18 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 26 April 2008 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 18; note - President Marcus STEPHEN called a snap election to break a parliamentary stalemate blocking legislative action

Nepal unicameral Constituent Assembly (601 seats; 240 seats decided by direct popular vote; 335 seats by proportional representation; 26 appointed by the Cabinet (Council of Ministers)) note: KOIRALA called the first sitting of the Constituent Assembly on 28 May 2008 elections: last held 10 April 2008 (next to be held NA) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPN-M 220, NC 110, CPN-UML 103, Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum 52, Terai Madhesi Democratic Party/Nepal Sadbhawana Party 29, other smaller parties 61; note - 26 seats to be filled by the new Cabinet

Netherlands bicameral States General or Staten Generaal consists of the First Chamber or Eerste Kamer (75 seats; members indirectly elected by the country's 12 provincial councils to serve four-year terms) and the Second Chamber or Tweede Kamer (150 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: First Chamber - last held 29 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2011); Second Chamber - last held 22 November 2006 (next to be held by early 2011) election results: First Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CDA 21, PvdA 14, VVD 14, Socialist Party 11, Christian Union 4, Green Left Party 4, D66 2, other 5; Second Chamber - percent of vote by party - CDA 26.5%, PvdA 21.2%, Socialist Party 16.6%, VVD 14.6%, Party for Freedom 5.9%, Green Party 4.6%, Christian Union 4.0%, other 6.6%; seats by party - CDA 41, PvdA 33, Socialist Party 25, VVD 22, Party for Freedom 9, Green Party 7, Christian Union 6, other 7

Netherlands Antilles unicameral States or Staten (22 seats, Curacao 14, Bonaire 3, St. Maarten 3, St. Eustatius 1, Saba 1; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 January 2006 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAR 5, MAN 3, FOL 2, Forsa Korsou 2, National Alliance 2, PNP 2, UPB 2, DP-St. E 1, DP-St. M 1, PDB 1, WIPM 1 note: the government is a coalition of several parties

New Caledonia unicameral Territorial Congress or Congres du territoire (54 seats; members belong to the three Provincial Assemblies or Assemblees Provinciales elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 9 May 2004 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPCR-UMP 16, AE 16, UNI-FLNKS 8, UC 7, FN 4, others 3 note: New Caledonia currently holds one seat in the French Senate; by 2010, New Caledonia will gain a second seat in the French Senate; elections last held 24 September 2001 (next to be held not later than September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 1; New Caledonia also elects two seats to the French National Assembly; elections last held 10 and 17 June 2007 (next to be held on June 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2

New Zealand unicameral House of Representatives - commonly called Parliament (usually 120 seats; 69 members elected by popular vote in single-member constituencies including 7 Maori constituencies, and 51 proportional seats chosen from party lists; to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 8 November 2008 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NP 45.5%, NZLP 33.8%, Green Party 6.4%, ACT New Zealand 3.7%, Maori 2.2%, Progressive 0.9%, UF 0.9%, other 6.6%; seats by party - NP 59, NZLP 43, Green Party 8, ACT New Zealand 5, Maori 5, Progressive 1, UF 1 note: results of 2008 election saw the total number of seats increase to 122

Nicaragua unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (92 seats; 90 members are elected by proportional representation and party lists to serve five-year terms; 1 seat for the previous president, 1 seat for the runner-up in previous presidential election) elections: last held 5 November 2006 (next to be held by November 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FSLN 38, PLC 25, ALN 23 (22 plus one for presidential candidate Eduardo MONTEALEGRE, runner-up in the 2006 presidential election), MRS 5, APRE 1 (outgoing President Enrique BOLANOS)

Niger unicameral National Assembly (113 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 4 December 2004 (next to be held in December 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MNSD 47, PNDS 25, CDS 22, RSD 7, RDP 6, ANDP 5, PSDN 1

Nigeria bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (109 seats, 3 from each state plus 1 from Abuja; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and House of Representatives (360 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 21 April 2007 (next to be held in April 2011); House of Representatives - last held 21 April 2007 (next to be held in April 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PDP 53.7%, ANPP 27.9%, AD 9.7%, other 8.7%; seats by party - PDP 76, ANPP 27, AD 6; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDP 54.5%, ANPP 27.4%, AD 8.8%, UNPP 2.8%, NPD 1.9%, APGA 1.6%, PRP 0.8%; seats by party - PDP 76, ANPP 27, AD 6, UNPP 2, APGA 2, NPD 1, PRP 1, vacant 1

Niue unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; six elected from a common roll and 14 are village representatives) elections: last held 7 June 2008 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 20 independents

Norfolk Island unicameral Legislative Assembly (9 seats; members elected by electors who have nine equal votes each but only four votes can be given to any one candidate; to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 21 March 2007 (next to be held by 28 March 2010) election results: seats - independents 9 (note - no political parties)

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