***the World Factbook 1994 (part 8)

Population:
8,730,508 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.11% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
43.15 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
12.01 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
75.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
56.58 years
male:
55.12 years
female:
58.09 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.09 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Senegalese (singular and plural)
adjective:
Senegalese
Ethnic divisions:
Wolof 36%, Fulani 17%, Serer 17%, Toucouleur 9%, Diola 9%, Mandingo
9%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 2%
Religions:
Muslim 92%, indigenous beliefs 6%, Christian 2% (mostly Roman
Catholic)
Languages:
French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Diola, Mandingo
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
38%
male:
52%
female:
25%
Labor force:
2.509 million (77% are engaged in subsistence farming; 175,000 wage
earners)
by occupation:
private sector 40%, government and parapublic 60%
note:
52% of population of working age (1985)

@Senegal, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Senegal
conventional short form:
Senegal
local long form:
Republique du Senegal
local short form:
Senegal
Digraph:
SG
Type:
republic under multiparty democratic rule
Capital:
Dakar
Administrative divisions:
10 regions (regions, singular - region); Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick,
Kaolack, Kolda, Louga, Saint-Louis, Tambacounda, Thies, Ziguinchor
Independence:
20 August 1960 (from France; The Gambia and Senegal signed an
agreement on 12 December 1981 that called for the creation of a loose
confederation to be known as Senegambia, but the agreement was
dissolved on 30 September 1989)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 4 April (1960)
Constitution:
3 March 1963, last revised in 1991
Legal system:
based on French civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts
in Supreme Court, which also audits the government's accounting
office; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Abdou DIOUF (since 1 January 1981); election last held 21
February 1993 (next to be held February 2000); results - Abdou DIOUF
(PS) 58.4%, Abdoulaye WADE (PDS) 32.03%, other 9.57%
head of government:
Prime Minister Habib THIAM (since 7 April 1991)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister in consultation
with the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale):
elections last held 9 May 1993 (next to be held NA May 1998); results
- PS 70%, PDS 23%, other 7%; seats - (120 total) PS 84, PDS 27, LD-MPT
3, Let Us Unite Senegal 3, PIT 2, UDS-R 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
Socialist Party (PS), President Abdou DIOUF; Senegalese Democratic
Party (PDS), Abdoulaye WADE; Democratic League-Labor Party Movement
(LD-MPT), Dr. Abdoulaye BATHILY; Independent Labor Party (PIT), Amath
DANSOKHO; Senegalese Democratic Union-Renewal (UDS-R), Mamadou
Puritain FALL; other small uninfluential parties
Other political or pressure groups:
students; teachers; labor; Muslim Brotherhoods
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-15, G-77, GATT,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,
INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC,
PCA, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOMUR, UNTAC, UPU,
WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Mamadou Mansour SECK
chancery:
2112 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 234-0540 or 0541
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Mark JOHNSON
embassy:
Avenue Jean XXIII at the corner of Avenue Kleber, Dakar
mailing address:
B. P. 49, Dakar
telephone:
23-42-96 or 23-34-24
FAX:
22-29-91
Flag:
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red with
a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the
popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

@Senegal, Economy

Overview:
After 14 years of mixed compliance with IMF and World Bank economic
reform programs, Senegal finds its economy remains hostage to negative
economic forces. Declining terms of trade, weather-related setbacks,
and relentless growth in population have held back overall growth and
left per capita incomes stagnant, if not diminished. The economy
continues to rely on exports of fish, peanuts, and phosphates for hard
currency earnings. A 50% devaluation of the African franc in January
1994 is likely to lead to substantial increases in local currency
prices for producers that may spur improved production. A sheltered
import-substitution sector, comprising textiles, shoes, and other
light manufacturing, will remain plagued, however, by high labor,
transportation, and energy costs. Public finances face a decade-long
trend in declining tax revenues, making the government increasingly
dependent on official development assistance from bilateral donors.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $11.8 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
1.2% (1991 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,400 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-1.8% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$1.2 billion
expenditures:
$1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $269 million (1992
est.)
Exports:
$904 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
fish, ground nuts, petroleum products, phosphates, cotton
partners:
France, other EC members, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali
Imports:
$1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.)
commodities:
foods and beverages, consumer goods, capital goods, petroleum
partners:
France, other EC, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Algeria, China, Japan
External debt:
$2.9 billion (1990)
Industrial production:
growth rate 1.9% (1991); accounts for 15% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
215,000 kW
production:
760 million kWh
consumption per capita:
100 kWh (1991)
Industries:
agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining, petroleum
refining, building materials
Agriculture:
accounts for 20% of GDP; major products - peanuts (cash crop), millet,
corn, sorghum, rice, cotton, tomatoes, green vegetables; estimated
two-thirds self-sufficient in food; fish catch of 354,000 metric tons
in 1990
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Europe and
North America
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $551 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $5.23
billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $589 million; Communist
countries (1970-89), $295 million
Currency:
1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 592.05
(January 1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26
(1990), 319.01 (1989)
note:
the official rate is pegged to the French franc, and beginning 12
January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc
from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Senegal, Communications

Railroads:
1,034 km 1.000-meter gauge; all single track except 70 km double track
Dakar to Thies
Highways:
total:
14,007 km
paved:
3,777 km
unpaved:
crushed stone, improved earth 10,230 km
Inland waterways:
897 km total; 785 km on the Senegal, 112 km on the Saloum
Ports:
Dakar, Kaolack, Foundiougne, Ziguinchor
Merchant marine:
1 bulk ship (1,000 GRT and over) totaling 1,995 GRT/3,775 DWT
Airports:
total:
26
usable:
20
with permanent-surface runways:
10
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
16
Telecommunications:
above-average urban system, using microwave and cable; broadcast
stations - 8 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 3 submarine cables; 1 Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT earth station

@Senegal, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie, National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,951,370; fit for military service 1,018,802; reach
military age (18) annually 94,973 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $100 million, 2% of GDP (1989 est.)

@Serbia and Montenegro

Header
Note:
Serbia and Montenegro have asserted the formation of a joint
independent state, but this entity has not been formally recognized as
a state by the US; the US view is that the Socialist Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia (SFRY) has dissolved and that none of the successor
republics represents its continuation

@Serbia and Montenegro, Geography

Location:
Balkan State, Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bulgaria
Map references:
Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the
World
Area:
total area:
102,350 sq km
land area:
102,136 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than Kentucky
note:
Serbia has a total area and a land area of 88,412 sq km making it
slightly larger than Maine; Montenegro has a total area of 13,938 sq
km and a land area of 13,724 sq km making it slightly larger than
Connecticut
Land boundaries:
total 2,246 km, Albania 287 km (114 km with Serbia; 173 km with
Motenegro), Bosnia and Herzegovina 527 km (312 km with Serbia; 215 km
with Montenegro), Bulgaria 318 km, Croatia (north) 241 km, Croatia
(south) 25 km, Hungary 151 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia 221 km, Romania 476 km
note:
the internal boundary between Montenegro and Serbia is 211 km
Coastline:
199 km (Montenegro 199 km, Serbia 0 km)
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
Sandzak region bordering northern Montenegro and southeastern Serbia -
Muslims seeking autonomy; disputes with Bosnia and Herzegovina and
Croatia over Serbian populated areas; Albanian majority in Kosovo
seeks independence from Serbian Republic
Climate:
in the north, continental climate (cold winter and hot, humid summers
with well distributed rainfall); central portion, continental and
Mediterranean climate; to the south, Adriatic climate along the coast,
hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy
snowfall inland
Terrain:
extremely varied; to the north, rich fertile plains; to the east,
limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast, ancient mountain and
hills; to the southwest, extremely high shoreline with no islands off
the coast; home of largest lake in former Yugoslavia, Lake Scutari
Natural resources:
oil, gas, coal, antimony, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, gold, pyrite,
chrome
Land use:
arable land:
30%
permanent crops:
5%
meadows and pastures:
20%
forest and woodland:
25%
other:
20%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
coastal water pollution from sewage outlets, especially in
tourist-related areas such as Kotor; air pollution around Belgrade and
other industrial cities; water pollution from industrial wastes dumped
into the Sava which flows into the Danube
natural hazards:
subject to destructive earthquakes
international agreements:
NA
Note:
controls one of the major land routes from Western Europe to Turkey
and the Near East; strategic location along the Adriatic coast

@Serbia and Montenegro, People

Population: total: 10,759,897 (July 1994 est.) Montenegro: 666,583 (July 1994 est.) Serbia: 10,093,314 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: Montenegro: 0.79% (1994 est.) Serbia: 0.54% (1994 est.) Birth rate: Montenegro: 13.72 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Serbia: 14.35 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: Montenegro: 5.84 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Serbia: 8.94 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: Montenegro: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Serbia: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: Montenegro: 10.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Serbia: 21.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: Montenegro: *** No data for this item *** total population: 79.44 years male: 76.57 years female: 82.5 years (1994 est.) Serbia: *** No data for this item *** total population: 73.39 years male: 70.9 years female: 76.07 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: Montenegro: 1.74 children born/woman (1994 est.) Serbia: 2.06 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Serb(s) and Montenegrin(s) adjective: Serbian and Montenegrin Ethnic divisions: Serbs 63%, Albanians 14%, Montenegrins 6%, Hungarians 4%, other 13% Religions: Orthodox 65%, Muslim 19%, Roman Catholic 4%, Protestant 1%, other 11% Languages: Serbo-Croatian 95%, Albanian 5% Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 2,640,909 by occupation: industry, mining 40%, agriculture 5% (1990)

@Serbia and Montenegro, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Serbia and Montenegro
local long form:
none
local short form:
Srbija-Crna Gora
Digraph:
Serbia:
SR
Montenegro:
MW
Type:
republic
Capital:
Belgrade
Administrative divisions:
2 republics (pokajine, singular - pokajina); and 2 autonomous
provinces*; Kosovo*, Montenegro, Serbia, Vojvodina*
Independence:
11 April 1992 (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia formed as
self-proclaimed successor to the Socialist Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia - SFRY)
National holiday:
NA
Constitution:
27 April 1992
Legal system:
based on civil law system
Suffrage:
16 years of age, if employed; 18 years of age, universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Zoran LILIC (since 25 June 1993); note - Slobodan MILOSEVIC is
president of Serbia (since 9 December 1990); Momir BULATOVIC is
president of Montenegro (since 23 December 1990); Federal Assembly
elected Zoran LILIC on 25 June 1993
head of government:
Prime Minister Radoje KONTIC (since 29 December 1992); Deputy Prime
Ministers Jovan ZEBIC (since NA March 1993), Asim TELACEVIC (since NA
March 1993), Zeljko SIMIC (since NA 1993)
cabinet:
Federal Executive Council
Legislative branch:
bicameral Federal Assembly
Chamber of Republics:
elections last held 31 May 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (40 total; 20 Serbian, 20
Montenegrin)
Chamber of Citizens:
elections last held 31 May 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results -
percent of votes by party NA; seats (138 total; 108 Serbian, 30
Montenegrin) - SPS 73, SRS 33, DPSCG 23, SK-PJ 2, DZVM 2, independents
2, vacant 3
Judicial branch:
Savezni Sud (Federal Court), Constitutional Court
Political parties and leaders:
Serbian Socialist Party (SPS; former Communist Party), Slobodan
MILOSEVIC; Serbian Radical Party (SRS), Vojislav SESELJ; Serbian
Renewal Movement (SPO), Vuk DRASKOVIC, president; Democratic Party
(DS), Zoran DJINDJIC; Democratic Party of Serbia, Vojlslav KOSTUNICA;
Democratic Party of Socialists (DPSCG), Momir BULATOVIC, president;
People's Party of Montenegro (NS), Novak KILIBARDA; Liberal Alliance
of Montenegro, Slavko PEROVIC; Democratic Community of Vojvodina
Hungarians (DZVM), Agoston ANDRAS; League of Communists-Movement for
Yugoslavia (SK-PJ), Dragan ATANASOVSKI; Democratic Alliance of Kosovo
(LDK), Dr. Ibrahim RUGOVA, president
Other political or pressure groups:
Serbian Democratic Movement (DEPOS; coalition of opposition parties)
Diplomatic representation in US:
US and Serbia and Montenegro do not maintain full diplomatic
relations; the Embassy of the former Socialist Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia continues to function in the US
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
(vacant); Charge d'Affaires Rudolf V. PERINA
embassy:
address NA, Belgrade
mailing address:
American Embassy Box 5070, Unit 25402, APO AE 09213-5070
telephone:
(11) 645-655
FAX:
(1) 645-221
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and red

@Serbia and Montenegro, Economy

Overview: The swift collapse of the Yugoslav federation has been followed by bloody ethnic warfare, the destabilization of republic boundaries, and the breakup of important interrepublic trade flows. Serbia and Montenegro faces major economic problems; output has dropped sharply, particularly in 1993. First, like the other former Yugoslav republics, it depended on its sister republics for large amounts of foodstuffs, energy supplies, and manufactures. Wide varieties in climate, mineral resources, and levels of technology among the republics accentuate this interdependence, as did the communist practice of concentrating much industrial output in a small number of giant plants. The breakup of many of the trade links, the sharp drop in output as industrial plants lost suppliers and markets, and the destruction of physical assets in the fighting all have contributed to the economic difficulties of the republics. One singular factor in the economic situation of Serbia and Montenegro is the continuation in office of a communist government that is primarily interested in political and military mastery, not economic reform. A further complication is the imposition of economic sanctions by the UN. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $10 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $1,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): hyperinflation (1993) Unemployment rate: more than 60% (1993 est.) Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $4.4 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 29%, manufactured goods 28.5%, miscellaneous manufactured articles 13.5%, chemicals 11%, food and live animals 9%, raw materials 6%, fuels and lubricants 2%, beverages and tobacco 1% partners: prior to the imposition of sanctions by the UN Security Council trade partners were principally the other former Yugoslav republics; Italy, Germany, other EC, the FSU countries, East European countries, US Imports: $6.4 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 26%, fuels and lubricants 18%, manufactured goods 16%, chemicals 12.5%, food and live animals 11%, miscellaneous manufactured items 8%, raw materials, including coking coal for the steel industry 7%, beverages, tobacco, and edible oils 1.5% partners: prior to the imposition of sanctions by the UN Security Council the trade partners were principally the other former Yugoslav republics; the FSU countries, EC countries (mainly Italy and Germany), East European countries, US External debt: $4.2 billion (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -42% (1993 est.) Electricity: capacity: 8,850,000 kW production: 42 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,950 kWh (1992) Industries: machine building (aircraft, trucks, and automobiles; armored vehicles and weapons; electrical equipment; agricultural machinery), metallurgy (steel, aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, chromium, antimony, bismuth, cadmium), mining (coal, bauxite, nonferrous ore, iron ore, limestone), consumer goods (textiles, footwear, foodstuffs, appliances), electronics, petroleum products, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals Agriculture: the fertile plains of Vojvodina produce 80% of the cereal production of the former Yugoslavia and most of the cotton, oilseeds, and chicory; Vojvodina also produces fodder crops to support intensive beef and dairy production; Serbia proper, although hilly, has a well-distributed rainfall and a long growing season; produces fruit, grapes, and cereals; in this area, livestock production (sheep and cattle) and dairy farming prosper; Kosovo produces fruits, vegetables, tobacco, and a small amount of cereals; the mountainous pastures of Kosovo and Montenegro support sheep and goat husbandry; Montenegro has only a small agriculture sector, mostly near the coast where a Mediterranean climate permits the culture of olives, citrus, grapes, and rice Illicit drugs: NA Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 Yugoslav New Dinar (YD) = 100 paras Exchange rates: Yugoslav New Dinars (YD) per US $1 - 1,100,000 (15 June 1993), 28.230 (December 1991), 15.162 (1990), 15.528 (1989), 0.701 (1988), 0.176 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year

@Serbia and Montenegro, Communications

Railroads:
NA
Highways:
total:
46,019 km
paved:
26,949 km
unpaved:
gravel 10,373 km; earth 8,697 km (1990)
Inland waterways:
NA km
Pipelines:
crude oil 415 km; petroleum products 130 km; natural gas 2,110 km
Ports:
coastal - Bar; inland - Belgrade
Merchant marine:
bulk 19, bulk 2, cargo 16, combination ore/oil 1, conbination
tanker/ore carrier 1, container 5, passenger ship 1
Montenegro:
total 42 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 804,156 GRT/1,368,813 DWT
(controlled by Montenegrin beneficial owners)
Serbia:
total 3 (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 246,631 GRT/451,843 DWT
(controlled by Serbian beneficial owners)
note:
most under Maltese flag, all under the flag of Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines; no ships remain under Yugoslav flag
Airports:
total:
55
usable:
51
with permanent-surface runways:
18
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
7
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
11
Telecommunications:
700,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 26 AM, 9 FM, 18 TV; 2,015,000
radios; 1,000,000 TVs; satellite ground stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT

@Serbia and Montenegro, Defense Forces

Branches:
People's Army - Ground Forces (internal and border troops), Naval
Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Frontier Guard, Territorial
Defense Force, Civil Defense
Manpower availability:
Montenegro:
males age 15-49 179,868; fit for military service 146,158; reach
military age (19) annually 5,399 (1994 est.)
Serbia:
males age 15-49 2,546,717; fit for military service 2,048,921; reach
military age (19) annually 80,937 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
245 billion dinars, 4%-6% of GDP (1992 est.); note - conversion of
defense expenditures into US dollars using the prevailing exchange
rate could produce misleading results

@Seychelles, Geography

Location:
Eastern Africa in the western Indian Ocean northeast of Madagascar
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
455 sq km
land area:
455 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
491 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
200 nm or the edge of continental margin
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
claims Tromelin Island
Climate:
tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late
May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to
May)
Terrain:
Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are
coral, flat, elevated reefs
Natural resources:
fish, copra, cinnamon trees
Land use:
arable land:
4%
permanent crops:
18%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
18%
other:
60%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
no fresh water, catchments collect rain water
natural hazards:
lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short
droughts possible
international agreements:
party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the
Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
Note:
40 granitic and about 50 coralline islands

@Seychelles, People

Population: 72,113 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.84% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 21.88 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 6.93 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -6.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 11.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.67 years male: 66.05 years female: 73.39 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.23 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Seychellois (singular and plural) adjective: Seychelles Ethnic divisions: Seychellois (mixture of Asians, Africans, Europeans) Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Anglican 8%, other 2% Languages: English (official), French (official), Creole Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1971) total population: 58% male: 56% female: 60% Labor force: 27,700 (1985) by occupation: industry and commerce 31%, services 21%, government 20%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 12%, other 16% (1985) note: 57% of population of working age (1983)

@Seychelles, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Seychelles
conventional short form:
Seychelles
Digraph:
SE
Type:
republic
Capital:
Victoria
Administrative divisions:
23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile,
Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon,
Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe Island),
Grand' Anse (on Praslin Island), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont
Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis,
Takamaka
Independence:
29 June 1976 (from UK)
National holiday:
National Day, 18 June (1993) ( adoption of new constitution)
Constitution:
18 June 1993
Legal system:
based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law
Suffrage:
17 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President France Albert RENE (since 5 June 1977); election last held
20- 23 July 1993; results - President France Albert RENE reelected by
59.5% of votes, MANCHAM (PS party) 36.72%
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral
People's Assembly (Assemblee du Peuple):
elections last held 20-23 July 1993; results - SPPF 82%, DP 15%, UO
3%; seats - (33 total, 22 elected) SPPF 22
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal, Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
ruling party - Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF), France
Albert RENE; Democratic Party (DP), Sir James MANCHAM; United
Opposition (UO) is a coalition of the following parties: Seychelles
Party (PS), Wavel RAMKALAWAN; Seychelles Democratic Movement (MSPD),
Jacques HONDOUL; Seychelles Liberal Party (SLP), Ogilvie BERLOUIS;;
Other political or pressure groups:
trade unions; Roman Catholic Church
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFC, ILO,
IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ISO
(correspondent), NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO,
WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Marc Michael Rogers MARENGO
chancery:
(temporary) 820 Second Avenue, Suite 900F, New York, NY 10017
telephone:
(212) 687-9766 or 9767
FAX:
(212) 922-9177
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Matthew F. MATTINGLY
embassy:
4th Floor, Victoria House, Box 251, Victoria, Mahe
mailing address:
Box 148, Unit 62501, Victoria, Seychelles; APO AE 09815-2501
telephone:
(248) 25256
FAX:
(248) 25189
Flag:
three horizontal bands of red (top), white (wavy), and green; the
white band is the thinnest, the red band is the thickest

@Seychelles, Economy

Overview:
In this small, open, tropical island economy, the tourist industry
employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of
hard currency earnings. In recent years the government has encouraged
foreign investment in order to upgrade hotels and other services. At
the same time, the government has moved to reduce the high dependence
on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and
small-scale manufacturing.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $407 million (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
4% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$5,900 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.3% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
9% (1987)
Budget:
revenues:
$172 million
expenditures:
$181 million, including capital expenditures of $48 million (1991
est.)
Exports:
$47 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
fish, copra, cinnamon bark, petroleum products (re-exports)
partners:
UK 54% France 23%, Reunion 14%, (1991)
Imports:
$192 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
manufactured goods, food, petroleum products, tobacco, beverages,
machinery and transportation equipment
partners:
South Africa 13%, Singapore 12%, UK 12% (1991)
External debt:
$201 million (1992 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 1.3% (1991); accounts for 12% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
30,000 kW
production:
80 million kWh
consumption per capita:
1,160 kWh (1991)
Industries:
tourism, processing of coconut and vanilla, fishing, coir rope
factory, boat building, printing, furniture, beverage
Agriculture:
accounts for 5% of GDP, mostly subsistence farming; cash crops -
coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla; other products - sweet potatoes, cassava,
bananas; broiler chickens; large share of food needs imported;
expansion of tuna fishing under way
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY78-89), $26 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1978-89), $315
million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $5 million; Communist countries
(1970-89), $60 million
Currency:
1 Seychelles rupee (SRe) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Seychelles rupees (SRe) per US$1 - 5.2681 (January 1994), 5.1815
(1993), 5.1220 (1992), 5.2893 (1991), 5.3369 (1990), 5.6457 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Seychelles, Communications

Highways:
total:
260 km
paved:
160 km
unpaved:
crushed stone, earth 100 km
Ports:
Victoria
Merchant marine:
1 refrigerated cargo (over 1,000 GRT) totaling 1,827 GRT/2,170 DWT
Airports:
total:
14
usable:
14
with permanent-surface runways:
8
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
0
Telecommunications:
direct radio communications with adjacent islands and African coastal
countries; 13,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 2 TV;
1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station; USAF tracking station

@Seychelles, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, National Guard, Marines, Coast Guard, Presidential Protection
Unit, Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 19,399; fit for military service 9,900
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $12 million, 4% of GDP (1990 est.)

@Sierra Leone, Geography

Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Guinea and
Liberia
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
71,740 sq km
land area:
71,620 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries:
total 958 km, Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km
Coastline:
402 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
200 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter
dry season (December to April)
Terrain:
coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau,
mountains in east
Natural resources:
diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite
Land use:
arable land:
25%
permanent crops:
2%
meadows and pastures:
31%
forest and woodland:
29%
other:
13%
Irrigated land:
340 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting of
timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculture
have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion; civil war
depleting natural resources
natural hazards:
dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (November to May)
international agreements:
party to - Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not
ratified - Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea

@Sierra Leone, People

Population:
4,630,037 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.62% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
45.06 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
18.87 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
141.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
46.4 years
male:
43.58 years
female:
49.3 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.96 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Sierra Leonean(s)
adjective:
Sierra Leonean
Ethnic divisions:
13 native African tribes 99% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 39%),
Creole, European, Lebanese, and Asian 1%
Religions:
Muslim 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10%
Languages:
English (official; regular use limited to literate minority), Mende
principal vernacular in the south, Temne principal vernacular in the
north, Krio the language of the re-settled ex-slave population of the
Freetown area and is lingua franca
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write English, Merde, Temne, or Arabic
(1990 est.)
total population:
21%
male:
31%
female:
11%
Labor force:
1.369 million (1981 est.)
by occupation:
agriculture 65%, industry 19%, services 16% (1981 est.)
note:
only about 65,000 wage earners (1985); 55% of population of working
age

@Sierra Leone, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Sierra Leone
conventional short form:
Sierra Leone
Digraph:
SL
Type:
military government
Capital:
Freetown
Administrative divisions:
3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western*
Independence:
27 April 1961 (from UK)
National holiday:
Republic Day, 27 April (1961)
Constitution:
1 October 1991; suspended following 19 April 1992 coup
Legal system:
based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
Chairman of the Supreme Council of State Capt. Valentine E. M.
STRASSER (since 29 April 1992)
cabinet:
Council of Secretaries; responsible to the NPRC
Legislative branch:
unicameral House of Representatives (suspended after coup of 29 April
1992); Chairman STRASSER promises multi-party elections sometime in
1995
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (suspended after coup of 29 April 1992)
Political parties and leaders:
status of existing political parties is unknown following 29 April
1992 coup
Member of:
ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory
user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Thomas Kahota KARGBO
chancery:
1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
(202) 939-9261
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Lauralee M. PETERS
embassy:
Walpole and Siaka Stevens Street, Freetown
mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
(22) 226-481
FAX:
(22) 225-471
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light
blue

@Sierra Leone, Economy

Overview:
The economic and social infrastructure is not well developed.
Subsistence agriculture dominates the economy, generating about
one-third of GDP and employing about two-thirds of the working
population. Manufacturing, which accounts for roughly 10% of GDP,
consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of light
manufacturing for the domestic market. Diamond mining provides an
important source of hard currency. In 1990-93, the government, with
the support of the IMF and the World Bank, has made substantial
progress toward structural reform and better fiscal management. The
government readily met all IMF/WB targets in December 1993. The budget
deficit had been dramatically reduced; the government workforce had
been cut by 25%; large amounts of domestic debt had been retired;
arrears to the IMF, World Bank, and other creditors had been reduced.
On the negative side, continued incursions by the Liberian rebels,
bandits, and army deserters in southern and eastern Sierra Leone have
severely strained the economy and threaten economically critical
regions of the country.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $4.5 billion (FY93 est.)
National product real growth rate:
NA
National product per capita:
$1,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
35% (1992)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$68 million
expenditures:
$118 million, including capital expenditures of $28 million (1992
est.)
Exports:
$149 million (f.o.b., FY92)
commodities:
rutile 51%, bauxite 19%, diamonds 15%, coffee 5%
partners:
US, UK, Belgium, Germany, other Western Europe
Imports:
$131 million (c.i.f., FY92)
commodities:
foodstuffs 33%, machinery and equipment 19%, fuels 16%
partners:
US, EC countries, Japan, China, Nigeria
External debt:
$633 million (FY92 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -1.2% (FY91); accounts for 11% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
85,000 kW
production:
185 million kWh
consumption per capita:
45 kWh (1991)
Industries:
mining (diamonds, bauxite, rutile), small-scale manufacturing
(beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear), petroleum refinery
Agriculture:
accounts for over 30% of GDP and two-thirds of the labor force;
largely subsistence farming; cash crops - coffee, cocoa, palm kernels;
harvests of food staple rice meets 80% of domestic needs; annual fish
catch averages 53,000 metric tons
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $161 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $848
million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $18 million; Communist
countries (1970-89), $101 million
Currency:
1 leone (Le) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
leones (Le) per US$1 - 578.17 (January 1994), 567.46 (1993), 499.44
(1992), 295.34 (1991), 144.9275 (1990), 58.1395 (1989)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June

@Sierra Leone, Communications

Railroads:
84 km 1.067-meter narrow-gauge mineral line is used on a limited basis
because the mine at Marampa is closed
Highways:
total:
7,400 km
paved:
1,150 km
unpaved:
crushed stone, gravel 490 km; improved earth 5,760 km
Inland waterways:
800 km; 600 km navigable year round
Ports:
Freetown, Pepel, Bonthe
Merchant marine:
1 cargo ship (over 1,000 GRT) totaling 5,592 GRT/9,107 DWT
Airports:
total:
11
usable:
7
with permanent-surface runways:
3
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
3
Telecommunications:
marginal telephone and telegraph service; national microwave radio
relay system unserviceable at present; 23,650 telephones; broadcast
stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Sierra Leone, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Police, Security Forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,006,280; fit for military service 487,158
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $6 million, 0.7% of GDP (1988 est.)

@Singapore, Geography

Location:
Southeastern Asia, between Malaysia and Indonesia
Map references:
Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
632.6 sq km
land area:
622.6 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
193 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
12 nm
territorial sea:
3 nm
International disputes:
two islands in dispute with Malaysia
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid, rainy; no pronounced rainy or dry seasons;
thunderstorms occur on 40% of all days (67% of days in April)
Terrain:
lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment
area and nature preserve
Natural resources:
fish, deepwater ports
Land use:
arable land:
4%
permanent crops:
7%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
5%
other:
84%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
industrial pollution; limited water supply; limited land availability
presents waste disposal problems
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Note:
focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes

@Singapore, People

Population:
2,859,142 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.12% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
16.52 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
5.3 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
5.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
75.95 years
male:
73.17 years
female:
78.94 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.88 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Singaporean(s)
adjective:
Singapore
Ethnic divisions:
Chinese 76.4%, Malay 14.9%, Indian 6.4%, other 2.3%
Religions:
Buddhist (Chinese), Muslim (Malays), Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Taoist,
Confucianist
Languages:
Chinese (official), Malay (official and national), Tamil (official),
English (official)
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
88%
male:
93%
female:
84%
Labor force:
1,485,800
by occupation:
financial, business, and other services 30.2%, manufacturing 28.4%,
commerce 22.0%, construction 9.0%, other 10.4% (1990)

@Singapore, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Singapore
conventional short form:
Singapore
Digraph:
SN
Type:
republic within Commonwealth
Capital:
Singapore
Administrative divisions:
none
Independence:
9 August 1965 (from Malaysia)
National holiday:
National Day, 9 August (1965)
Constitution:
3 June 1959, amended 1965; based on preindependence State of Singapore
Constitution
Legal system:
based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President ONG Teng Cheong (since 1 September 1993) election last held
28 August 1993 (next to be held NA August 1997); results - President
ONG was elected with 59% of the vote in the country's first popular
election for president
head of government:
Prime Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 28 November 1990); Deputy Prime
Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 28 November 1990)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president, responsible to parliament
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Parliament:
elections last held 31 August 1991 (next to be held 31 August 1996);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (81 total) PAP 77, SDP
3, WP 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
government:
People's Action Party (PAP), GOH Chok Tong, secretary general
opposition:
Workers' Party (WP), J. B. JEYARETNAM; Singapore Democratic Party
(SDP), CHIAM See Tong; National Solidarity Party (NSP), leader NA;
Barisan Sosialis (BS, Socialist Front), leader NA
Member of:
APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C, CCC, COCOM (cooperating), CP, ESCAP, G-77, GATT,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT,
INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNIKOM,
UNTAC, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Sellapan Rama NATHAN
chancery:
1824 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
(202) 667-7555
FAX:
(202) 265-7915
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
(vacant)
embassy:
30 Hill Street, Singapore 0617
mailing address:
FPO AP 96534
telephone:
338-0251
FAX:
338-5010
Flag:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side
of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion
is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed
stars arranged in a circle

@Singapore, Economy

Overview:
Singapore has an open entrepreneurial economy with strong service and
manufacturing sectors and excellent international trading links
derived from its entrepot history. The economy registered nearly 10%
growth in 1993 while stemming inflation. The construction and
financial services industries and manufacturers of computer-related
components have led economic growth. Rising labor costs continue to be
a threat to Singapore's competitiveness, but there are indications
that productivity is keeping up. In applied technology, per capita
output, investment, and labor discipline, Singapore has key attributes
of a developed country.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $42.4 billion (1993)
National product real growth rate:
9.9% (1993)
National product per capita:
$15,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.4% (1993)
Unemployment rate:
2.7% (1993)
Budget:
revenues:
$11.9 billion
expenditures:
$10.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.9 billion (1994
est.)
Exports:
$61.5 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
computer equipment, rubber and rubber products, petroleum products,
telecommunications equipment
partners:
US 21%, Malaysia 12%, Hong Kong 8%, Japan 8%, Thailand 6% (1992)
Imports:
$66.4 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
aircraft, petroleum, chemicals, foodstuffs
partners:
Japan 21%, US 16%, Malaysia 15%, Saudi Arabia 5%, Taiwan 4%
External debt:
$0; Singapore is a net creditor
Industrial production:
growth rate 2.3% (1992); accounts for 28% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
4,860,000 kW
production:
18 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
6,420 kWh (1992)
Industries:
petroleum refining, electronics, oil drilling equipment, rubber
processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship
repair, entrepot trade, financial services, biotechnology
Agriculture:
occupies a position of minor importance in the economy;
self-sufficient in poultry and eggs; must import much of other food;
major crops - rubber, copra, fruit, vegetables
Illicit drugs:
transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to the US, Western
Europe, and the Third World; also a major money-laundering center
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-83), $590 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1
billion
Currency:
1 Singapore dollar (S$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Singapore dollars (S$) per US$1 - 1.6032 (January 1994), 1.6158
(1993), 1.6290 (1992), 1.7276 (1991), 1.8125 (1990), 1.9503 (1989)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March

@Singapore, Communications

Railroads:
38 km of 1.000-meter gauge
Highways:
total:
2,644 km (1985)
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Ports:
Singapore
Merchant marine:
533 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 10,656,067 GRT/17,009,400 DWT,
bulk 87, cargo 125, chemical tanker 14, combination bulk 3,
combination ore/oil 8, container 80, liquefied gas 4, livestock
carrier 1, oil tanker 179, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 3,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 20
note:
many Singapore flag ships are foreign owned
Airports:
total:
10
usable:
10
with permanent-surface runways:
10
with runways over 3,659 m:
2
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
4
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
3
Telecommunications:
good domestic facilities; good international service; good radio and
television broadcast coverage; 1,110,000 telephones; broadcast
stations - 13 AM, 4 FM, 2 TV; submarine cables extend to Malaysia
(Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia), Indonesia, and the Philippines;
satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Pacific Ocean
INTELSAT

@Singapore, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, People's Defense Force, Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 857,824; fit for military service 630,055
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $2.7 billion, 6% of GDP (1993 est.)

@Slovakia, Geography

Location:
Central Europe, between Hungary and Poland
Map references:
Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the
World
Area:
total area:
48,845 sq km
land area:
48,800 sq km
comparative area:
about twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries:
total 1,355 km, Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km, Hungary 515 km,
Poland 444 km, Ukraine 90 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Hungary; unresolved property issues with
Czech Republic over redistribution of former Czechoslovak federal
property
Climate:
temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain:
rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the
south
Natural resources:
brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and
manganese ore; salt
Land use:
arable land:
NA%
permanent crops:
NA%
meadows and pastures:
NA%
forest and woodland:
NA%
other:
NA%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
acid rain damaging forests
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur, Antarctic Treaty, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection; signed, but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Biodiversity, Climate Change
Note:
landlocked

@Slovakia, People

Population:
5,403,505 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.53% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
14.55 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
9.28 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
10.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
72.81 years
male:
68.66 years
female:
77.2 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.96 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Slovak(s)
adjective:
Slovak
Ethnic divisions:
Slovak 85.6%, Hungarian 10.8%, Gypsy 1.5% (the 1992 census figures
underreport the Gypsy/Romany community, which could reach 500,000 or
more), Czech 1.1%, Ruthenian 15,000, Ukrainian 13,000, Moravian 6,000,
German 5,000, Polish 3,000
Religions:
Roman Catholic 60.3%, atheist 9.7%, Protestant 8.4%, Orthodox 4.1%,
other 17.5%
Languages:
Slovak (official), Hungarian
Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
2.484 million
by occupation:
industry 33.2%, agriculture 12.2%, construction 10.3%, communication
and other 44.3% (1990)

@Slovakia, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Slovak Republic
conventional short form:
Slovakia
local long form:
Slovenska Republika
local short form:
Slovensko
Digraph:
LO
Type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Bratislava
Administrative divisions:
4 departments (kraje, singular - Kraj) Bratislava, Zapadoslovensky,
Stredoslovensky, Vychodoslovensky
Independence:
1 January 1993 (from Czechoslovakia)
National holiday:
Anniversary of Slovak National Uprising, August 29 (1944)
Constitution:
ratified 1 September 1992; fully effective 1 January 1993
Legal system:
civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to comply with the
obligations of Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE)
and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Michal KOVAC (since 8 February 1993); election last held 8
February 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - Michal KOVAC
elected by the National Council
head of government:
Prime Minister Jozef MORAVCIK (since 16 March 1994)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president on recommendation of the prime
minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Council (Narodni Rada):
elections last held 5-6 June 1992 (next to be held 31
September-1October 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats
- (150 total) Movement for a Democratic Slovakia 55, Party of the
Democratic Left 28, Christian Democratic Movement 18, Slovak National
Party 9, National Democratic Party 5, Hungarian Christian Democratic
Movement/Coexistence 14, Democratic Union of Slovakia 16, independents
5
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Movement for a Democratic Slovakia, Vladimir MECIAR, chairman; Party
of the Democratic Left, Peter WEISS, chairman; Christian Democratic
Movement, Jan CARNOGURSKY; Slovak National Party, Jan SLOTA, chairman;
Hungarian Christian Democratic Movement, Vojtech BUGAR; National
Democratic Party - New Alternative, Ludovit CERNAK, chairman;
Democratic Union of Slovakia, Jozef MORAVCIK, chairman; Coexistence
Movement, Miklos DURAY, chairman
Other political or pressure groups:
Green Party; Social Democratic Party in Slovakia; Freedom Party;
Slovak Christian Union; Hungarian Civic Party
Member of:
BIS, CCC, CE (guest), CEI, CERN, COCOM (cooperating), CSCE, EBRD, ECE,
FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,
INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU,
LORCS, NACC, NSG, PCA, UN (as of 8 January 1993), UNAVEM II, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMUR, UNPROFOR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador-designate Bravislav LICHARDUS
chancery:
(temporary) Suite 330, 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone:
(202) 965-5161
FAX:
(202) 965-5166
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassdor Theodore RUSSELL
embassy:
Hviezdoslavovo Namesite 4, 81102 Bratislava
mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
(7) 330-861
FAX:
(7) 335-439
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red
superimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on the hoist
side; the cross is white centered on a background of red and blue

@Slovakia, Economy

Overview:
The dissolution of Czechoslovakia into two independent states - the
Czech Republic and Slovakia - on 1 January 1993 has complicated the
task of moving toward a more open and decentralized economy. The old
Czechoslovakia, even though highly industrialized by East European
standards, suffered from an aging capital plant, lagging technology,
and a deficiency in energy and many raw materials. In January 1991,
approximately one year after the end of communist control of Eastern
Europe, the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic launched a sweeping
program to convert its almost entirely state-owned and controlled
economy to a market system. In 1991-92 these measures resulted in
privatization of some medium- and small-scale economic activity and
the setting of more than 90% of prices by the market - but at a cost
in inflation, unemployment, and lower output. For Czechoslovakia as a
whole inflation in 1991 was roughly 50% and output fell 15%. In 1992
in Slovakia, inflation slowed to an estimated 8.7% and the estimated
fall in GDP was a more moderate 7%. In 1993 GDP fell roughly 5%, with
the disruptions from the separation from the Czech lands probably
accounting for half the decline; exports to the Czech Republic fell
about 35%. Bratislava adopted an austerity program in June and
devalued its currency 10% in July. In 1993, inflation rose an
estimated 23%, unemployment topped 14%, and the budget deficit
exceeded the IMF target of $485 million by over $200 million. By
yearend 1993 Bratislava estimated that 29% of GDP was being produced
in the private sector. The forecast for 1994 is gloomy; Bratislava
optimistically projects no growth in GDP, 17% unemployment, a $425
million budget deficit, and 12% inflation. At best, if Slovakia stays
on track with the IMF, GDP could fall by only 2-3% in 1994 and
unemployment could be held under 18%, but a currency devaluation will
likely drive inflation above 15%.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $31 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
-5% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$5,800 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
23% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
14.4% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$4.5 billion
expenditures:
$5.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)
Exports:
$5.13 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment; chemicals; fuels, minerals, and
metals; agricultural products
partners:
Czech Republic, CIS republics, Germany, Poland, Austria, Hungary,
Italy, France, US, UK
Imports:
$5.95 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment; fuels and lubricants; manufactured
goods; raw materials; chemicals; agricultural products
partners:
Czech Republic, CIS republics, Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland,
Hungary, UK, Italy
External debt:
$3.2 billion hard currency indebtedness (31 December 1993)
Industrial production:
growth rate -13.5% (December 1993 over December 1992)
Electricity:
capacity:
6,800,000 kW
production:
24 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
4,550 kWh (1992)
Industries:
brown coal mining, chemicals, metal-working, consumer appliances,
fertilizer, plastics, armaments
Agriculture:
largely self-sufficient in food production; diversified crop and
livestock production, including grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops,
fruit, hogs, cattle, and poultry; exporter of forest products
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western
Europe
Economic aid:
donor:
the former Czechoslovakia was a donor - $4.2 billion in bilateral aid
to non-Communist less developed countries (1954-89)
Currency:
1 koruna (Sk) = 100 halierov
Exchange rates:
koruny (Sk) per US$1 - 32.9 (December 1993), 28.59 (December 1992),
28.26 (1992), 29.53 (1991), 17.95 (1990), 15.05 (1989); note - values
before 1993 reflect Czechoslovak exchange rate
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Slovakia, Communications

Railroads:
3,669 km total (1990)
Highways:
total:
17,650 km (1990)
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Inland waterways:
NA km
Pipelines:
petroleum products NA km; natural gas 2,700 km
Ports:
maritime outlets are in Poland (Gdynia, Gdansk, Szczecin), Croatia
(Rijeka), Slovenia (Koper), Germany (Hamburg, Rostock); principal
river ports are Komarno on the Danube and Bratislava on the Danube
Merchant marine:
total 19 (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 309,502 GRT/521,997 DWT, bulk
13, cargo 6
note:
most under the flag of Saint Vincent
Airports:
total:
46
usable:
32
with permanent-surface runways:
7
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
6
with runways 1,060-2,439 m:
18
note:
a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstrip
Telecommunications:
NA

@Slovakia, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Civil Defense, Railroad Units
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,426,290; fit for military service 1,095,604; reach
military age (18) annually 48,695 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
8.2 billion koruny, NA% of GDP (1993 est.); note - conversion of
defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate
could produce misleading results

@Slovenia, Geography

Location:
Balkan State, Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between
Austria and Croatia
Map references:
Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the
World
Area:
total area:
20,296 sq km
land area:
20,296 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total 1,045 km, Austria 262 km, Croatia 501 km, Italy 199 km, Hungary
83 km
Coastline:
32 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
dispute with Croatia over fishing rights in the Adriatic and over some
border areas; the border issue is currently under negotiation
Climate:
Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to
hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east
Terrain:
a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain region
adjacent to Italy, mixed mountain and valleys with numerous rivers to
the east
Natural resources:
lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silver
Land use:
arable land:
10%
permanent crops:
2%
meadows and pastures:
20%
forest and woodland:
45%
other:
23%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; heavy metals
and toxic chemicals along coastal waters; forest damage near Koper
from air pollution originating at metallurgical and chemical plants
natural hazards:
subject to flooding and earthquakes
international agreements:
party to - Air Pollution, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear
Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not
ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change

@Slovenia, People

Population: 1,972,227 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.23% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 11.81 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 9.5 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.36 years male: 70.49 years female: 78.44 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.67 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Slovene(s) adjective: Slovenian Ethnic divisions: Slovene 91%, Croat 3%, Serb 2%, Muslim 1%, other 3% Religions: Roman Catholic 96% (including 2% Uniate), Muslim 1%, other 3% Languages: Slovenian 91%, Serbo-Croatian 7%, other 2% Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 786,036 by occupation: agriculture 2%, manufacturing and mining 46%

@Slovenia, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Slovenia
conventional short form:
Slovenia
local long form:
Republika Slovenije
local short form:
Slovenija
Digraph:
SI
Type:
emerging democracy
Capital:
Ljubljana
Administrative divisions:
60 provinces (pokajine, singular - pokajina) Ajdovscina, Brezice,
Celje, Cerknica, Crnomelj, Dravograd, Gornja Radgona, Grosuplje,
Hrastnik Lasko, Idrija, Ilirska Bistrica, Izola, Jesenice, Kamnik,
Kocevje, Koper, Kranj, Krsko, Lenart, Lendava, Litija,
Ljubljana-Bezigrad, Ljubljana-Center, Ljubljana-Moste-Polje,
Ljubljana-Siska, Ljubljana-Vic-Rudnik, Ljutomer, Logatec, Maribor,
Metlika, Mozirje, Murska Sobota, Nova Gorica, Novo Mesto, Ormoz,
Pesnica, Piran, Postojna, Ptuj, Radlje Ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne Na
Koroskem, Ribnica, Ruse, Sentjur Pri Celju, Sevnica, Sezana, Skofja
Loka, Slovenj Gradec, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje
Pri Jelsah, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trzic, Velenje, Vrhnika,
Zagorje Ob Savi, Zalec
Independence:
25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday:
Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)
Constitution:
adopted 23 December 1991, effective 23 December 1991
Legal system:
based on civil law system
Suffrage:
16 years of age, if employed; 18 years of age, universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Milan KUCAN (since 22 April 1990); election last held 6
December 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results - Milan KUCAN
reelected by direct popular vote
head of government:
Prime Minister Janez DRNOVSEK (since 14 May 1992); Deputy Prime
Minister Lojze PETERLE (since NA)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Assembly
State Assembly:
elections last held 6 December 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results
- percent of vote by party NA; seats - (total 90) LDS 22, SKD 15,
United List (former Communists and allies) 14, Slovene National Party
12, SLS 10, Democratic Party 6, ZS 5, SDSS 4, Hungarian minority 1,
Italian minority 1
State Council:
will become operational after next election in 1996; in the election
of 6 December 1992 40 members were elected to represent local and
socioeconomic interests
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court, Constitutional Court
Political parties and leaders:
Slovene Christian Democrats (SKD), Lozje PETERLE, chairman; Liberal
Democratic (LDS), Janez DRNOVSEK, chairman; Social-Democratic Party of
Slovenia (SDSS), Joze PUCNIK, chairman; Socialist Party of Slovenia
(SSS), Viktor ZAKELJ, chairman; Greens of Slovenia (ZS), Dusan PLUT,
chairman; National Democratic, Rajko PIRNAT, chairman; Democratic
Peoples Party, Marjan PODOBNIK, chairman; Reformed Socialists (former
Communist Party), Ciril RIBICIC, chairman; United List (former
Communists and allies); Slovene National Party, leader NA; Democratic
Party, Igor BAVCAR; Slovene People's Party (SLS), Ivan OMAN
note:
parties have changed as of the December 1992 elections
Other political or pressure groups:
none
Member of:
CCC, CE, CEI, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF,
IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU,
NAM (guest), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ernest PETRIC
chancery:
1525 New Hampshir Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20036
telephone:
(202) 667-5363
consulate(s) general:
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador E. Allan WENDT
embassy:
P.O. Box 254, Prazakova 4, 61000 Ljubljana
mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
(61) 301-427/472/485
FAX:
(61) 301-401
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red with the
Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav in white against a
blue background at the center, beneath it are two wavy blue lines
depicting seas and rivers, and around it, there are three six-sided
stars arranged in an inverted triangle); the seal is located in the
upper hoist side of the flag centered in the white and blue bands

@Slovenia, Economy

Overview:
Slovenia was by far the most prosperous of the former Yugoslav
republics, with a per capita income more than twice the Yugoslav
average, indeed not far below the levels in neighboring Austria and
Italy. Because of its strong ties to Western Europe and the small
scale of damage during its brief fight for independence from
Yugoslavia, Slovenia has the brightest prospects among the former
Yugoslav republics for economic recovery over the next few years. The
dissolution of Yugoslavia, however, has led to severe short-term
dislocations in production, employment, and trade ties. For example,
overall industrial production has fallen 26% since 1990; particularly
hard hit have been the iron and steel, machine-building, chemical, and
textile industries. Meanwhile, the continued fighting in other former
Yugoslav republics has led to further destruction of long-established
trade channels and to an influx of tens of thousands of Croatian and
Bosnian refugees. The key program for breaking up and privatizing
major industrial firms was established in late 1992. Despite slow
progress in privatization Slovenia has reasonable prospects for an
upturn in 1994. Bright spots for encouraging Western investors are
Slovenia's comparatively well-educated work force, its developed
infrastructure, and its Western business attitudes, but instability in
Croatia is a deterrent. Slovenia in absolute terms is a small economy,
and a little Western investment would go a long way.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $15 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
0% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$7,600 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
22.9% (1993)
Unemployment rate:
15.5% (1993)
Budget:
revenues:
$NA
expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Exports:
$5.1 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment 38%, other manufactured goods 44%,
chemicals 9%, food and live animals 4.6%, raw materials 3%, beverages
and tobacco less than 1% (1992)
partners:
Germany 27%, Croatia 14%, Italy 13%, France 9% (1992)
Imports:
$5.3 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment 35%, other manufactured goods 26.7%,
chemicals 14.5%, raw materials 9.4%, fuels and lubricants 7%, food and
live animals 6% (1992)
partners:
Germany 23%, Croatia 14%, Italy 14%, France 8%, Austria 8% (1992)
External debt:
$1.9 billion
Industrial production:
growth rate -2.8% (1993); accounts for 30% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
2,900,000 kW
production:
10 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
5,090 kWh (1992)
Industries:
ferrous metallurgy and rolling mill products, aluminum reduction and
rolled products, lead and zinc smelting, electronics (including
military electronics), trucks, electric power equipment, wood
products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools
Agriculture:
accounts for 5% of GDP; dominated by stock breeding (sheep and cattle)
and dairy farming; main crops - potatoes, hops, hemp, flax; an export
surplus in these commodities; Slovenia must import many other
agricultural products and has a negative overall trade balance in this
sector
Illicit drugs:
NA
Economic aid:
$NA
Currency:
1 tolar (SlT) = 100 stotins
Exchange rates:
tolars (SIT) per US$1 - 112 (June 1993), 28 (January 1992)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Slovenia, Communications

Railroads:
1,200 km, 1.435 m gauge (1991)
Highways:
total:
14,553 km
paved:
10,525 km
unpaved:
gravel 4,028 km
Inland waterways:
NA
Pipelines:
crude oil 290 km; natural gas 305 km
Ports:
coastal - Koper
Merchant marine:
19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 309,502 GRT/521,997 DWT
controlled by Slovenian owners, bulk 13, cargo 6
note:
most under the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; no ships
remain under the Slovenian flag
Airports:
total:
14
usable:
13
with permanent-surface runways:
6
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
2
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
2
Telecommunications:
130,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 5 FM, 7 TV; 370,000
radios; 330,000 TVs

@Slovenia, Defense Forces

Branches:
Slovene Defense Forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 513,885; fit for military service 411,619; reach
military age (19) annually 15,157 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
13.5 billion tolars, 4.5% of GDP (1993); note - conversion of the
military budget into US dollars using the current exchange rate could
produce misleading results

@Solomon Islands, Geography

Location:
Oceania, Melanesia, just east of Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific
Ocean
Map references:
Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
28,450 sq km
land area:
27,540 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
5,313 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather
Terrain:
mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls
Natural resources:
fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel
Land use:
arable land:
1%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
1%
forest and woodland:
93%
other:
4%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; limited arable land
natural hazards:
subject to typhoons, but they are rarely destructive; geologically
active region with frequent earth tremors
international agreements:
party to - Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling; signed, but not
ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Note:
located just east of Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific Ocean

@Solomon Islands, People

Population:
385,811 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.43% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
38.93 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
4.63 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
27.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
70.48 years
male:
68.05 years
female:
73.03 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.73 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Solomon Islander(s)
adjective:
Solomon Islander
Ethnic divisions:
Melanesian 93%, Polynesian 4%, Micronesian 1.5%, European 0.8%,
Chinese 0.3%, other 0.4%
Religions:
Anglican 34%, Roman Catholic 19%, Baptist 17%, United
(Methodist/Presbyterian) 11%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10%, other
Protestant 5%
Languages:
Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca, English
spoken by 1%-2% of population
note:
120 indigenous languages
Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
23,448 economically active
by occupation:
agriculture, forestry, and fishing 32.4%, services 25%, construction,
manufacturing, and mining 7.0%, commerce, transport, and finance 4.7%
(1984)

@Solomon Islands, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Solomon Islands
former:
British Solomon Islands
Digraph:
BP
Type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Honiara
Administrative divisions:
7 provinces and 1 town*; Central, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel,
Makira, Malaita, Temotu, Western
Independence:
7 July 1978 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 7 July (1978)
Constitution:
7 July 1978
Legal system:
common law
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor
General Sir George LEPPING (since 27 June 1989, previously acted as
governor general since 7 July 1988)
head of government:
Prime Minister Francis Billy HILLY (since June 1993); Deputy Prime
Minister Francis SAEMALA (since June 1993)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on advice of the prime
minister from members of parliament
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Parliament:
elections last held NA May 1993 (next to be held NA 1997); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (47 total) National Unity Group
21, PAP 8, National Action Party 6, LP 4, UP 3, Christian Fellowship
2, NFP 1, independents 2
Judicial branch:
High Court
Political parties and leaders:
People's Alliance Party (PAP); United Party (UP), leader NA; Solomon
Islands Liberal Party (SILP), Bartholemew ULUFA'ALU; Nationalist Front
for Progress (NFP), Andrew NORI; Labor Party (LP), Joses TUHANUKU;
National Action Party, leader NA; Christian Fellowship, leader NA;
National Unity Group, Solomon MAMALONI
Member of:
ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,
IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, LORCS, SPARTECA, SPC,
SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
(vacant); ambassador traditionally resides in Honiara (Solomon
Islands)
US diplomatic representation:
embassy closed July 1993; the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is
accredited to the Solomon Islands
Flag:
divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side
corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white
five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is
green

@Solomon Islands, Economy

Overview:
The bulk of the population depend on subsistence agriculture, fishing,
and forestry for at least part of their livelihood. Most manufactured
goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in
undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold.
The economy suffered from a severe cyclone in mid-1986 that caused
widespread damage to the infrastructure. In 1993, the government was
working with the IMF to develop a structural adjustment program to
address the country's fiscal deficit.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $900 million (1991 est.)
National product real growth rate:
1.8% (1991 est.)
National product per capita:
$2,500 (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
13% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$48 million
expenditures:
$107 million, including capital expenditures of $45 million (1991
est.)
Exports:
$84 million (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
fish 46%, timber 31%, palm oil 5%, cocoa, copra
partners:
Japan 39%, UK 23%, Thailand 9%, Australia 5%, US 2% (1991)
Imports:
$110 million (c.i.f., 1991)
commodities:
plant and machinery manufactured goods, food and live animals, fuel
partners:
Australia 34%, Japan 16%, Singapore 14%, NZ 9%
External debt:
$128 million (1988 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -3.8% (1991 est.); accounts for 5% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
21,000 kW
production:
39 million kWh
consumption per capita:
115 kWh (1990)
Industries:
copra, fish (tuna)
Agriculture:
including fishing and forestry, accounts for 31% of GDP; mostly
subsistence farming; cash crops - cocoa, beans, coconuts, palm
kernels, timber; other products - rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit,
cattle, pigs; not self-sufficient in food grains; 90% of the total
fish catch of 44,500 metric tons was exported (1988)
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1980-89), $250 million
Currency:
1 Solomon Islands dollar (SI$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Solomon Islands dollars (SI$) per US$1 - 3.2383 (November 1993),
2.9281 (1992), 2.7148 (1991), 2.5288 (1990), 2.2932 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Solomon Islands, Communications

Highways:
total:
1,300 km
paved:
30 km
unpaved:
gravel 290 km; earth 980 km
note:
in addition, there are 800 km of private logging and plantation roads
of varied construction (1982)
Ports:
Honiara, Ringi Cove
Airports:
total:
31
usable:
30
with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
4
Telecommunications:
3,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 4 AM, no FM, no TV; 1 Pacific
Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Solomon Islands, Defense Forces

Branches:
Police Force
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP

@Somalia, Geography

Location:
Eastern Africa, bordering the northwestern Indian Ocean, south of the
Arabian Peninsula
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
637,660 sq km
land area:
627,340 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total 2,366 km, Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,626 km, Kenya 682 km
Coastline:
3,025 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
200 nm
International disputes:
southern half of boundary with Ethiopia is a Provisional
Administrative Line; territorial dispute with Ethiopia over the Ogaden
Climate:
desert; northeast monsoon (December to February), cooler southwest
monsoon (May to October); irregular rainfall; hot, humid periods
(tangambili) between monsoons
Terrain:
mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north
Natural resources:
uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum,
bauxite, copper, salt
Land use:
arable land:
2%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
46%
forest and woodland:
14%
other:
38%
Irrigated land:
1,600 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
use of contaminated water contributes to health problems;
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
natural hazards:
recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Law of the Sea; signed, but not
ratified - Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban
Note:
strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab
el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal

@Somalia, People

Population: 6,666,873 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 3.24% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 45.97 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 13.53 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 125.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.75 years male: 54.49 years female: 55.01 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 7.25 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Somali(s) adjective: Somali Ethnic divisions: Somali 85%, Bantu, Arabs 30,000, Europeans 3,000, Asians 800 Religions: Sunni Muslim Languages: Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 24% male: 36% female: 14% Labor force: 2.2 million (very few are skilled laborers) by occupation: pastoral nomad 70%, agriculture, government, trading, fishing, handicrafts, and other 30% note: 53% of population of working age (1985)

@Somalia, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Somalia
former:
Somali Republic
Digraph:
SO
Type:
none
Capital:
Mogadishu
Administrative divisions:
18 regions (plural - NA, singular - gobolka); Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir,
Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe, Jubbada Hoose,
Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe, Shabeellaha Hoose, Sool,
Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed
Independence:
1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which became
independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland, which
became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1
July 1960, to form the Somali Republic)
National holiday:
NA
Constitution:
25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979
Legal system:
NA
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Somalia has no functioning government; presidential elections last
held 23 December 1986 (next to be held NA); results - President SIAD
was reelected without opposition
Legislative branch:
unicameral People's Assembly
People's Assembly (Golaha Shacbiga):
elections last held 31 December 1984 (next to be held NA); results -
SRSP was the only party; seats - (177 total, 171 elected) SRSP 171;
note - the United Somali Congress (USC) ousted the regime of Maj. Gen.
Mohamed SIAD Barre on 27 January 1991; the provisional government has
promised that a democratically elected government will be established
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (non-functioning)
Political parties and leaders:
the United Somali Congress (USC) ousted the former regime on 27
January 1991; formerly the only party was the Somali Revolutionary
Socialist Party (SRSP), headed by former President and Commander in
Chief of the Army Maj. Gen. Mohamed SIAD Barre
Other political or pressure groups:
numerous clan and subclan factions are currently vying for power
Member of:
ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB,
IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM
(observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
Somalian Embassy ceased operations on 8 May 1991
US diplomatic representation:
the US Embassy in Mogadishu was evacuated and closed indefinitely in
January 1991; United States Liaison Office (USLO) opened in December
1992
Flag:
light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; design
based on the flag of the UN (Italian Somaliland was a UN trust
territory)

@Somalia, Economy

Overview:
One of the world's poorest and least developed countries, Somalia has
few resources. Moreover, much of the economy has been devastated by
the civil war. Agriculture is the most important sector, with
livestock accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export
earnings. Nomads and seminomads who are dependent upon livestock for
their livelihoods make up more than half of the population. Crop
production generates only 10% of GDP and employs about 20% of the work
force. The main export crop is bananas; sugar, sorghum, and corn are
grown for the domestic market. The small industrial sector is based on
the processing of agricultural products and accounts for less than 10%
of GDP. Greatly increased political turmoil in 1991-93 has resulted in
a substantial drop in output, with widespread famine.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $3.4 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$500 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
210% (1989)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$NA
expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Exports:
$58 million (1990 est.)
commodities:
bananas, live animals, fish, hides
partners:
Saudi Arabia, Italy, FRG (1986)
Imports:
$249 million (1990 est.)
commodities:
petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials
partners:
US 13%, Italy, FRG, Kenya, UK, Saudi Arabia (1986)
External debt:
$1.9 billion (1989)
Industrial production:
growth rate 0% (1990); accounts for 4% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
former 75,000 kW is almost completely shut down by the destruction of
the civil war; UN, relief organizations, and foreign military units in
Somalia use their own portable power systems
production:
NA
consumption per capita:
NA
Industries:
a few small industries, including sugar refining, textiles, petroleum
refining; probably shut down by the widespread destruction during the
civil war
Agriculture:
dominant sector, led by livestock raising (cattle, sheep, goats);
crops - bananas, sorghum, corn, mangoes, sugarcane; not
self-sufficient in food; distribution of food disrupted by civil
strife; fishing potential largely unexploited
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $639 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.8
billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $1.1 billion; Communist
countries (1970-89), $336 million
Currency:
1 Somali shilling (So. Sh.) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Somali shillings (So. Sh.) per US$1 - 2,616 (1 July 1993), 4,200
(December 1992), 3,800.00 (December 1990), 490.7 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Somalia, Communications

Highways:
total:
22,500 km
paved:
2,700 km
unpaved:
gravel 3,000 km; improved, stabilized earth 16,800 km (1992)
Pipelines:
crude oil 15 km
Ports:
Mogadishu, Berbera, Chisimayu (Kismaayo), Bender Cassim (Boosaaso)
Merchant marine:
2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,554 GRT/6,892 DWT, cargo 1,
refrigerated cargo 1
Airports:
total:
76
usable:
59
with permanent-surface runways:
8
with runways over 3,659 m:
2
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
6
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
24
Telecommunications:
the public telecommunications system was completely destroyed or
dismantled by the civil war factions; all relief organizations depend
on their own private systems (1993)

@Somalia, Defense Forces

Branches:
NA
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,630,864; fit for military service 915,368
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP

@South Africa, Geography

Location:
Southern Africa, at the extreme southern tip of the continent
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
1,219,912 sq km
land area:
1,219,912 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than twice the size of Texas
note:
includes Prince Edward Islands (Marion Island and Prince Edward
Island)
Land boundaries:
total 4,750 km, Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique 491 km,
Namibia 855 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km
Coastline:
2,798 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
the dispute with Namibia over Walvis Bay and 12 offshore islands has
been resolved and these territories were transferred to Namibian
sovereignty on 1 March 1994; Swaziland has asked South Africa to open
negotiations on reincorporating some nearby South African territories
that are populated by ethnic Swazis or that were long ago part of the
Swazi Kingdom
Climate:
mostly semiarid; subtropical along coast; sunny days, cool nights
Terrain:
vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain
Natural resources:
gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel,
phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium,
salt, natural gas
Land use:
arable land:
10%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
65%
forest and woodland:
3%
other:
21%
Irrigated land:
11,280 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water
conservation and control measures; growth in water usage threatens to
outpace supply; pollution of rivers from agricultural runoff and urban
discharge; air pollution resulting in acid rain; soil erosion;
desertification
natural hazards:
subject to prolonged droughts
international agreements:
party to - Antarctic Treaty, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping,
Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified -
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of
the Sea
Note:
South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost completely
surrounds Swaziland

@South Africa, People

Population:
43,930,631 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.62% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
33.58 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
7.53 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
47.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
65.11 years
male:
62.37 years
female:
67.94 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.37 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
South African(s)
adjective:
South African
Ethnic divisions:
black 75.2%, white 13.6%, Colored 8.6%, Indian 2.6%
Religions:
Christian (most whites and Coloreds and about 60% of blacks), Hindu
(60% of Indians), Muslim 2%
Languages:
eleven official languages, including Afrikaans, English, Ndebele,
Pedi, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1980)
total population:
76%
male:
78%
female:
75%
Labor force:
13.4 million economically active (1990)
by occupation:
services 35%, agriculture 30%, industry 20%, mining 9%, other 6%

@South Africa, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of South Africa
conventional short form:
South Africa
Abbreviation:
RSA
Digraph:
SF
Type:
republic
Capital:
Pretoria (administrative); Cape Town (legislative); Bloemfontein
(judicial)
Administrative divisions:
9 provinces; Eastern Cape, Eastern Transvaal, Kwa Zulu/Natal, Northern
Cape, Northern Transvaal, Northwest, Orange Free State,
Pretoria-Witwatersrand-Vereeniging, Western Cape
note:
previously the administrative divisions consisted of 4 provinces;
Cape, Natal, Orange Free State, Transvaal; there were 10 homelands not
recognized by the US - 4 independent (Bophuthatswana, Ciskei,
Transkei, Venda) and 6 other (Gazankulu, Kangwane, KwaNdebele,
KwaZulu, Lebowa, QwaQwa)
Independence:
31 May 1910 (from UK)
National holiday:
Republic Day, 31 May (1910)
Constitution:
27 April 1994 (interim constitution, replacing the constitution of 3
September 1984)
Legal system:
based on Roman-Dutch law and English common law; accepts compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
Executive President Nelson MANDELA (since 10 May 1994); Deputy
Executive President Frederik W. DE KLERK (since 10 May 1994); Deputy
Executive President Thabo MBEKI (since 10 May 1994)
note:
any political party that wins 20% or more of the National Assembly
votes in a general election is entitled to name a Deputy Executive
President
cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the Executive President
Legislative branch:
bicameral
National Assembly:
elections held 26-29 April 1994 (next to be held NA); results - ANC
62.6%, NP 20.4%, IFP 10.5%, FF 2.2%, DP 1.7%, PAC 1.2%, ACDP 0.5%,
other 0.9%; seats - (400 total) ANC 252, NP 82, IFP 43, FF 9, DP 7,
PAC 5, ACDP 2
Senate:
the Senate is composed of members who are nominated by the nine
provincial parliaments (which are elected in parallel with the
National Assembly) and has special powers to protect regional
interests, including the right to limited self-determination for
ethnic minorities; seats - (90 total) ANC 61, NP 17, FF 4, IFP 5, DP 3
note:
when the National Assembly meets in joint session with the Senate to
consider the provisions of the Constitution, the combined group is
referred to as the Constitutional Assembly
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
African National Congress (ANC), Cyril RAMAPHOSA; National Party (NP),
Frederik W. DE KLERK, president; Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP),
Mangosuthu BUTHELEZI, president; Freedom Front (FF), Constand VILJOEN,
president; Democratic Party (DP); Pan Africanist Congress (PAC),
Clarence MAKWETU, president; African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP)
note:
in addition to these seven parties which won seats in the National
Assembly, twelve other parties won votes in the national elections in
April 1994
Other political or pressure groups:
NA;;
Member of:
BIS, CCC, ECA, GATT, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO (suspended), ICC, IDA,
IFC, IMF, INTELSAT, IOC, ISO, ITU (suspended), LORCS, OAU, SACU, UN,
UNCTAD, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO (suspended), ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Harry Heinz SCHWARZ
chancery:
3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 232-4400
consulate(s) general:
Beverly Hills (California), Chicago, and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Princeton N. LYMAN
embassy:
877 Pretorius St., Arcadia 0083
mailing address:
P.O. Box 9536, Pretoria 0001
telephone:
(12) 342-1048
FAX:
(12) 342-2244 or 2299
consulate(s) general:
Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg
Flag:
two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a
central green band which splits into a horozontal Y, the arms of which
end at the corners of the hoist side, embracing a black isoceles
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
note:
prior to 26 April 1994 the flag was actually four flags in one - three
miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band of the
former flag of the Netherlands, which has three equal horizontal bands
of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature flags are a vertically
hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontal flag of
the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal flag of the old
Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other side

@South Africa, Economy

Overview:
Many of the white one-seventh of the South African population enjoy
incomes, material comforts, and health and educational standards equal
to those of Western Europe. In contrast, most of the remaining
population suffers from the poverty patterns of the Third World,
including unemployment and lack of job skills. The main strength of
the economy lies in its rich mineral resources, which provide
two-thirds of exports. Economic developments for the remainder of the
1990s will be driven largely by the new government's attempts to
improve black living conditions and to set the country on an
aggressive export-led growth path. The shrinking economy in recent
years has absorbed less than 5% of the more than 300,000 workers
entering the labor force annually. Local economists estimate that the
economy must grow between 5% and 6% in real terms annually to absorb
all of the new entrants.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $171 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
1.1% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$4,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
9.7% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
50% (1994 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$26.3 billion
expenditures:
$34 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.5 billion (FY94
est.)
Exports:
$24.3 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
gold 27%, other minerals and metals 20-25%, food 5%, chemicals 3%
partners:
Italy, Japan, US, Germany, UK, other EC countries, Hong Kong
Imports:
$18.1 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
machinery 32%, transport equipment 15%, chemicals 11%, oil, textiles,
scientific instruments
partners:
Germany, US, Japan, UK, Italy
External debt:
$17 billion (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%; accounts for about 40% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
46,000,000 kW
production:
180 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
4,100 kWh (1991)
Industries:
mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium),
automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textile, iron and steel,
chemical, fertilizer, foodstuffs
Agriculture:
accounts for about 5% of GDP and 30% of labor force; diversified
agriculture, with emphasis on livestock; products - cattle, poultry,
sheep, wool, milk, beef, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables;
self-sufficient in food
Illicit drugs:
transshipment center of heroin and cocaine; cocaine consumption on the
rise
Economic aid:
many aid packages for the new government are still being prepared;
current aid pledges include US $600 million over 3 years; UK $150
million over 3 years; Australia $21 million over 3 years
Currency:
1 rand (R) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
rand (R) per US$1 - 3.4551 (March 1994), 3.2636 (1993), 2.8497 (1992),
2.7563 (1991), 2.5863 (1990), 2.6166 (1989)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March

@South Africa, Communications

Railroads:
20,638 km route distance total; 20,324 km of 1.067-meter gauge
trackage (counts double and multiple tracking as single track); 314 km
of 610 mm gauge; substantial electrification of 1.067 meter gauge
Highways:
total:
188,309 km
paved:
54,013 km
unpaved:
crushed stone, gravel, improved earth 134,296 km
Pipelines:
crude oil 931 km; petroleum products 1,748 km; natural gas 322 km
Ports:
Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, Saldanha, Mosselbaai
Merchant marine:
5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 213,273 GRT/201,043 DWT,
container 4, vehicle carrier 1
Airports:
total:
886
usable:
718
with permanent-surface runways:
140
with runways over 3,659 m:
5
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
10
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
213
Telecommunications:
the system is the best developed, most modern, and has the highest
capacity in Africa; it consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines,
coaxial cables, radio relay links, fiber optic cable, and
radiocommunication stations; key centers are Bloemfontein, Cape Town,
Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria; over 4,500,000
telephones; broadcast stations - 14 AM, 286 FM, 67 TV; 1 submarine
cable; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 2
Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT

@South Africa, Defense Forces

Branches:
the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) includes Army, Navy,
Air Force, and Medical Services of the former South Africa, the armed
forces of the former homelands, and the ANC and PAC military
components; the initial strength of the SANDF has been set at about
100,000 active duty members with plans to reduce it to about 40,000 by
1997; it is manned mostly by nonwhites, but the higher officer grades
are held by whites; the South African Police (SAP) have incorporated
the police forces of the former homelands since the elections of 1994;
a National Peacekeeping Force (NPKF) to ensure peaceful proceedures
during the 1994 elections was established briefly from the military
components of the principal political factions, but was dissolved on 2
June 1994, following the elections.
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 10,557,346; fit for military service 6,437,240; reach
military age (18) annually 431,832 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $2.9 billion, about 2.5% of GDP (FY93
budget)

@South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Header Affiliation: (dependent territory of the UK)

@South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Geography

Location:
Southern South America, in the South Atlantic Ocean, off the south
Argentine coast, southeast of the Falkland Islands
Map references:
Antarctic Region
Area:
total area:
4,066 sq km
land area:
4,066 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than Rhode Island
note:
includes Shag Rocks, Clerke Rocks, Bird Island
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
NA km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina
Climate:
variable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year, interspersed
with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls as snow
Terrain:
most of the islands, rising steeply from the sea, are rugged and
mountainous; South Georgia is largely barren and has steep,
glacier-covered mountains; the South Sandwich Islands are of volcanic
origin with some active volcanoes
Natural resources:
fish
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
100% (largely covered by permanent ice and snow with some sparse
vegetation consisting of grass, moss, and lichen)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
the South Sandwich Islands are subject to active volcanism
international agreements:
NA
Note:
the north coast of South Georgia has several large bays, which provide
good anchorage; reindeer, introduced early in this century, live on
South Georgia; weather conditions generally make it difficult to
approach the South Sandwich Islands

@South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, People

Population:
no indigenous population; there is a small military garrison on South
Georgia, and the British Antarctic Survey has a biological station on
Bird Island; the South Sandwich Islands are uninhabited

@South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
conventional short form:
none
Digraph:
SX
Type:
dependent territory of the UK
Capital:
none; Grytviken on South Georgia is the garrison town
Administrative divisions:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
Constitution:
3 October 1985
Legal system:
English common law
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by
Commissioner David Everard TATHAM (since August 1992; resident at
Stanley, Falkland Islands)
Legislative branch:
no elections
Judicial branch:
none

@South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Economy

Overview:
Some fishing takes place in adjacent waters. There is a potential
source of income from harvesting fin fish and krill. The islands
receive income from postage stamps produced in the UK.
Budget:
revenues:
$291,777
expenditures:
$451,000, including capital expenditures of $NA (1988 est.)
Electricity:
capacity:
900 kW
production:
2 million kWh
consumption per capita:
NA (1992)

@South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Communications

Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Grytviken on South Georgia Airports: total: 5 usable: 5 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: coastal radio station at Grytviken; no broadcast stations

@South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Defense Forces

Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

@Spain, Geography

Location:
Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the
Mediterranean Sea, between Portugal and France
Map references:
Africa, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
504,750 sq km
land area:
499,400 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than twice the size of Oregon
note:
includes Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, and five places of
sovereignty (plazas de soberania) on and off the coast of Morocco -
Ceuta, Mellila, Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de
Velez de la Gomera
Land boundaries:
total 1,903.2 km, Andorra 65 km, France 623 km, Gibraltar 1.2 km,
Portugal 1,214 km
Coastline:
4,964 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
Gibraltar question with UK; Spain controls five places of sovereignty
(plazas de soberania) on and off the coast of Morocco - the coastal
enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, which Morocco contests, as well as the
islands of Penon de Alhucemas, Penon de Velez de la Gomera, and Islas
Chafarinas
Climate:
temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy
along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool
along coast
Terrain:
large, flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rugged hills; Pyrenees
in north
Natural resources:
coal, lignite, iron ore, uranium, mercury, pyrites, fluorspar, gypsum,
zinc, lead, tungsten, copper, kaolin, potash, hydropower
Land use:
arable land:
31%
permanent crops:
10%
meadows and pastures:
21%
forest and woodland:
31%
other:
7%
Irrigated land:
33,600 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
pollution of the Mediterranean Sea from untreated sewage and effluents
from the offshore production of oil and gas; air pollution;
deforestation; desertification
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear
Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber,
Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Nitrogen
Oxides, Law of the Sea
Note:
strategic location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar

@Spain, People

Population: 39,302,665 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.25% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 11.05 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 8.82 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.71 years male: 74.45 years female: 81.21 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.4 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Spaniard(s) adjective: Spanish Ethnic divisions: composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types Religions: Roman Catholic 99%, other sects 1% Languages: Castilian Spanish, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2% Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 95% male: 97% female: 93% Labor force: 14.621 million by occupation: services 53%, industry 24%, agriculture 14%, construction 9% (1988)

@Spain, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Kingdom of Spain
conventional short form:
Spain
local short form:
Espana
Digraph:
SP
Type:
parliamentary monarchy
Capital:
Madrid
Administrative divisions:
17 autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas, singular - comunidad
autonoma); Andalucia, Aragon, Asturias, Canarias, Cantabria,
Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Cataluna, Communidad Valencia,
Extremadura, Galicia, Islas Baleares, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia,
Navarra, Pais Vasco
note:
there are five places of sovereignty on and off the coast of Morocco
(Ceuta, Mellila, Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de
Velez de la Gomera) with administrative status unknown
Independence:
1492 (expulsion of the Moors and unification)
National holiday:
National Day, 12 October
Constitution:
6 December 1978, effective 29 December 1978
Legal system:
civil law system, with regional applications; does not accept
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
King JUAN CARLOS I (since 22 November 1975)
head of government:
Prime Minister Felipe GONZALEZ Marquez (since 2 December 1982); Deputy
Prime Minister Narcis SERRA y Serra (since 13 March 1991)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; designated by the prime minister
Council of State:
is the supreme consultative organ of the government
Legislative branch:
bicameral The General Courts or National Assembly (Las Cortes
Generales)
Senate (Senado):
elections last held 6 June 1993 (next to be held by NA June 1997);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (255 total) PSOE 117,
PP 107, CiU 15, PNV 5, IU 2, other 9
Congress of Deputies (Congreso de los Diputados):
elections last held 6 June 1993 (next to be held by NA June 1997);
results by percent of party NA; seats - (350 total) PSOE 159, PP 141,
IU 18, CiU 17, PNV 5, CN 4, HB 2, other 4
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo)
Political parties and leaders:
principal national parties, from right to left:
Popular Party (PP), Jose Maria AZNAR; Social Democratic Center (CDS),
Rafael Calvo ORTEGA; Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE), Felipe
GONZALEZ Marquez, secretary general; Socialist Democracy Party (DS),
Ricardo Garcia DAMBORENEA; Spanish Communist Party (PCE), Julio
ANGUITA; United Left (IU) a coalition of parties including the PCE, a
branch of the PSOE, and other small parties, Julio ANGUITA
chief regional parties:
Convergence and Unity (CiU), Jordi PUJOL Saley and Miguel ROCA in
Catalonia; Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), Xabier ARZALLUS and Jose
Antonio ARDANZA; Basque Solidarity (EA), Carlos GARAICOETXEA Urizza;
Basque Popular Unity (HB), Jon IDIGORAS and Inaki ESNAOLA; Basque
Socialist Party (PSE), coalition of the PSE, EE and PSOE, Jose Maria
BANEGAS and Jon LARRINAGA; Andalusian Progress Party (PA), Pedro
PACHECO; Canarian Coalition (CN), Dimas MARTIN; Catalan Republican
Left, Angel COLOM; Galician Coalition, Senen BERNARDEZ; Aragonese
Regionalist Party (PAR), Jose Maria MUR Bernad; Valencian Union (UV),
Vicente GONZALEZ Lizondo, Manuel CAMPILLOS Martinez
Other political or pressure groups:
on the extreme left, the Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) and the
First of October Antifascist Resistance Group (GRAPO) use terrorism to
oppose the government; free labor unions (authorized in April 1977)
include the Communist-dominated Workers Commissions (CCOO); the
Socialist General Union of Workers (UGT), and the smaller independent
Workers Syndical Union (USO); business and landowning interests; the
Catholic Church; Opus Dei; university students
Member of:
AG (observer), AsDB, Australian Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM,
CSCE, EBRD, AfDB, EC, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, ESA, FAO, G-8, GATT, IADB,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,
INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA
(observer), LORCS, MTRC, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS
(observer), OECD, ONUSAL, PCA, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNOMOZ, UNPROFOR, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jaime De OJEDA y Eiseley
chancery:
2700 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
(202) 265-0190 or 0191
consulate(s) general:
Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York,
San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Richard N. GARDNER
embassy:
Serrano 75, 28006 Madrid
mailing address:
APO AE 09642
telephone:
(1) 577-4000
FAX:
(1) 577-5735
consulate(s) general:
Barcelona
consulate(s):
Bilbao
Flag:
three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width), and red
with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band;
the coat of arms includes the royal seal framed by the Pillars of
Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on
either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar

@Spain, Economy

Overview:
After the economic boom of 1986-90, the Spanish economy fell into
recession along with the economies of other EU member states. Real GDP
barely grew in 1992 and declined by approximately 1% in 1993.
Unemployment, now nearly one-fourth of the workforce, and the sharp
downturn in business investment have contributed to sagging domestic
demand. Devaluation of the peseta since September 1992 has made
Spanish exports more competitive, but an export-led recovery in 1994
will depend largely on economic recovery in Spain's major market - the
other EU nations. A solid recovery will also require appropriate
domestic policy actions, including controlling the budget deficit and
wage increases, reforming labor market regulations, and possibly
loosening monetary policy another notch. Foreign investors,
principally from other EU countries, have invested over $60 billion in
Spain since 1986. Despite the recession, inflation remained at about
5% in 1993. The main source of inflationary pressure is the fiscal
deficit.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $498 billion (1993)
National product real growth rate:
-1% (1993)
National product per capita:
$12,700 (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.5% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
22% (yearend 1993)
Budget:
revenues:
$97.7 billion
expenditures:
$128 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)
Exports:
$72.8 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
cars and trucks, semifinished manufactured goods, foodstuffs,
machinery
partners:
EC 71.2%, US 4.8%, other developed countries 7.9% (1992)
Imports:
$92.5 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities:
machinery, transport equipment, fuels, semifinished goods, foodstuffs,
consumer goods, chemicals
partners:
EC 60.7%, US 7.4%, other developed countries 11.5%, Middle East 5.9%
(1992)
External debt:
$90 billion (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -1.7% (1992)
Electricity:
capacity:
46,600,000 kW
production:
157 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
4,000 kWh (1992)
Industries:
textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and beverages, metals
and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding, automobiles, machine
tools, tourism
Agriculture:
accounts for about 5% of GDP and 14% of labor force; major products -
grain, vegetables, olives, wine grapes, sugar beets, citrus fruit,
beef, pork, poultry, dairy; largely self-sufficient in food; fish
catch of 1.4 million metric tons is among top 20 nations
Illicit drugs:
key European gateway country for Latin American cocaine and North
African hashish entering the European market
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $1.9 billion; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-79), $545
million
note:
not currently a recipient
Currency:
1 peseta (Pta) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates:
pesetas (Ptas) per US$1 - 136.6 (May 1994), 127.26 (1993), 102.38
(1992), 103.91 (1991), 101.93 (1990), 118.38 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Spain, Communications

Railroads:
15,430 km total; Spanish National Railways (RENFE) operates 12,691 km
(all 1,668-mm gauge, 6,184 km electrified, and 2,295 km double track);
FEVE (government-owned narrow-gauge railways) operates 1,821 km
(predominantly 1,000-mm gauge, 441 km electrified); privately owned
railways operate 918 km (predominantly 1,000-mm gauge, 512 km
electrified, and 56 km double track)
Highways:
total:
318,022 km (1988)
paved:
178,092 km (including 2,142 km of expressways)
unpaved:
139,930 km
Inland waterways:
1,045 km, but of minor economic importance
Pipelines:
crude oil 265 km; petroleum products 1,794 km; natural gas 1,666 km
Ports:
Algeciras, Alicante, Almeria, Barcelona, Bilbao, Cadiz, Cartagena,
Castellon de la Plana, Ceuta, El Ferrol del Caudillo, Puerto de Gijon,
Huelva, La Coruna, Las Palmas (Canary Islands), Mahon, Malaga,
Melilla, Rota, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Sagunto, Tarragona, Valencia,
Vigo, and 175 minor ports
Merchant marine:
192 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,328,730 GRT/2,213,671 DWT,
bulk 21, cargo 55, chemical tanker 14, container 11, liquefied gas 5,
oil tanker 29, passenger 2, refrigerated cargo 12, roll-on/roll-off
cargo 33, short-sea passenger 6, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier
1
Airports:
total:
105
usable:
99
with permanent-surface runways:
60
with runways over 3,659 m:
4
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
22
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
26
Telecommunications:
generally adequate, modern facilities; 15,350,464 telephones;
broadcast stations - 190 AM, 406 (134 repeaters) FM, 100 (1,297
repeaters) TV; 22 coaxial submarine cables; 2 communications satellite
earth stations operating in INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean and Indian
Ocean); MARECS, INMARSAT, and EUTELSAT systems; tropospheric links

@Spain, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Civil Guard, National Police, Coastal
Civil Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 10,377,990; fit for military service 8,396,405; reach
military age (20) annually 337,764 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $5.8 billion, 1.3% of GDP (1994 est.)

@Spratly Islands, Geography

Location:
Southeastern Asia, in the South China Sea, between Vietnam and the
Philippines
Map references:
Asia, Southeast Asia
Area:
total area:
NA sq km but less than 5 km2
land area:
less than 5 sq km
comparative area:
NA
note:
includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over
the South China Sea
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
926 km
Maritime claims:
NA
International disputes:
all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam;
parts of them are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines; in 1984,
Brunei established an exclusive economic zone, which encompasses
Louisa Reef, but has not publicly claimed the island
Climate:
tropical
Terrain:
flat
Natural resources:
fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
100%
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
subject to typhoons
international agreements:
NA
Note:
strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the
central South China Sea; serious navigational hazard; includes
numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs

@Spratly Islands, People

Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are scattered garrisons

@Spratly Islands, Government

Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Spratly Islands Digraph: PG

@Spratly Islands, Economy

Overview:
Economic activity is limited to commercial fishing. The proximity to
nearby oil- and gas-producing sedimentary basins suggests the
potential for oil and gas deposits, but the region is largely
unexplored, and there are no reliable estimates of potential reserves;
commercial exploitation has yet to be developed.
Industries:
none

@Spratly Islands, Communications

Ports: no natural harbors Airports: total: 4 usable: 4 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0

@Spratly Islands, Defense Forces

Note:
about 50 small islands or reefs are occupied by China, Malaysia, the
Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam

@Sri Lanka, Geography

Location:
Southern Asia, 29 km southeast of India across the Palk Strait in the
Indian Ocean
Map references:
Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
65,610 sq km
land area:
64,740 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,340 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200 nm or the edge of continental margin
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest
monsoon (June to October)
Terrain:
mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior
Natural resources:
limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay
Land use:
arable land:
16%
permanent crops:
17%
meadows and pastures:
7%
forest and woodland:
37%
other:
23%
Irrigated land:
5,600 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by
poaching; coastal degradation from mining activities and increased
pollution; freshwater resources being polluted by industrial wastes
and sewage runoff
natural hazards:
occasional cyclones and tornadoes
international agreements:
party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea,
Marine Life Conservation
Note:
strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes

@Sri Lanka, People

Population:
18,129,850 (July 1994 est.)
note:
since the outbreak of hostilities between the government and armed
Tamil separatists in the mid-1980s, several hundred thousand Tamil
civilians have fled the island; as of late 1992, nearly 115,000 were
housed in refugee camps in south India, another 95,000 lived outside
the Indian camps, and more than 200,000 Tamils have sought political
asylum in the West
Population growth rate:
1.18% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
18.51 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
5.77 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
21.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
71.9 years
male:
69.37 years
female:
74.55 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.12 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Sri Lankan(s)
adjective:
Sri Lankan
Ethnic divisions:
Sinhalese 74%, Tamil 18%, Moor 7%, Burgher, Malay, and Vedda 1%
Religions:
Buddhist 69%, Hindu 15%, Christian 8%, Muslim 8%
Languages:
Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national
language) 18%
note:
English is commonly used in government and is spoken by about 10% of
the population
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
88%
male:
93%
female:
84%
Labor force:
6.6 million
by occupation:
agriculture 45.9%, mining and manufacturing 13.3%, trade and transport
12.4%, services and other 28.4% (1985 est.)

@Sri Lanka, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
conventional short form:
Sri Lanka
former:
Ceylon
Digraph:
CE
Type:
republic
Capital:
Colombo
Administrative divisions:
8 provinces; Central, North Central, North Eastern, North Western,
Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western
Independence:
4 February 1948 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence and National Day, 4 February (1948)
Constitution:
adopted 16 August 1978
Legal system:
a highly complex mixture of English common law, Roman-Dutch, Muslim,
Sinhalese, and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Dingiri Banda WIJETUNGA (since 7 May 1993); election last
held 19 December 1988 (next to be held NA December 1994); results -
Ranasinghe PREMADASA (UNP) 50%, Sirimavo BANDARANAIKE (SLFP) 45%,
other 5%; note - following the assassination of President PREMADASA on
1 May 1993, Prime Minister WIJETUNGA became acting president; on 7 May
1993, he was confirmed by a vote of Parliament to finish out the term
of the assassinated president
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president in consultation with the prime
minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Parliament:
elections last held 15 February 1989 (next to be held by NA February
1995); results - UNP 51%, SLFP 32%, SLMC 4%, TULF 3%, USA 3%, EROS 3%,
MEP 1%, other 3%; seats - (225 total) UNP 125, SLFP 67, other 33
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
United National Party (UNP), Dingiri Banda WIJETUNGA; Sri Lanka
Freedom Party (SLFP), Sirimavo BANDARANAIKE; Sri Lanka Muslim Congress
(SLMC), M. H. M. ASHRAFF; All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC), C. G.
Kumar PONNAMBALAM; People's United Front (MEP, or Mahajana Eksath
Peramuna), Dinesh GUNAWARDENE; Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF),
M. SIVASITHAMBARAM; New Socialist Party (NSSP, or Nava Sama Samaja
Party), Vasudeva NANAYAKKARA; Lanka Socialist Party/Trotskyite (LSSP,
or Lanka Sama Samaja Party), Colin R. DE SILVA; Sri Lanka People's
Party (SLMP, or Sri Lanka Mahajana Party), Ossie ABEYGUNASEKERA;
Communist Party, K. P. SILVA; Communist Party/Beijing (CP/B), N.
SHANMUGATHASAN; Democratic United National Front (DUNF), G. M.
PREMACHANDRA; Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), Douglas
DEVANANDA; Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO), leader NA;
Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRL), Suresh
PREMACHANDRAN; Eelam Revolutionary Organization of Students (EROS),
Shankar RAJI; People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE),
Dharmalingam SIDARTHAN; Liberal Party (LP), Chanaka AMARATUNGA; Ceylon
Workers Congress (CLDC), S. THONDAMAN; several ethnic Tamil and Muslim
parties, represented in either parliament or provincial councils
note:
the United Socialist Alliance (USA), which was formed in 1987 and
included the NSSP, LSSP, SLMP, CP/M, and CP/B, was defunct as of 1993,
following the formation of the People's Alliance Party (PEP)
Other political or pressure groups:
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and other smaller Tamil
separatist groups; other radical chauvinist Sinhalese groups; Buddhist
clergy; Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups; labor unions
Member of:
AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,
IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ananda W.P. GURUGE
chancery:
2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 483-4025 through 4028
FAX:
(202) 232-7181
consulate(s):
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Teresita C. SCHAFFER
embassy:
210 Galle Road, Colombo 3
mailing address:
P. O. Box 106, Colombo
telephone:
(1) 44-80-07
FAX:
(1) 57-42-64
Flag:
yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal
vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other panel is a
large dark red rectangle with a yellow lion holding a sword, and there
is a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a
border that goes around the entire flag and extends between the two
panels

@Sri Lanka, Economy

Overview:
Industry - dominated by the fast-growing apparel industry - has
surpassed agriculture as the main source of export earnings and
accounts for over 16% of GDP. The economy has been plagued by high
rates of unemployment since the late 1970s. Economic growth, which has
been depressed by ethnic unrest, accelerated in 1991-93 as domestic
conditions began to improve and conditions for foreign investment
brightened.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $53.5 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
5% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$3,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
11.6% (1992)
Unemployment rate:
15% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$2.3 billion
expenditures:
$3.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.5 billion (1993)
Exports:
$2.3 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
garments and textiles, teas, gems, petroleum products, coconuts,
rubber, other agricultural products, marine products, graphite
partners:
US 33.4%, Germany, UK, Netherlands, Japan, France, Singapore (1992)
Imports:
$3 billion (c.i.f., 1992)
commodities:
food and beverages, textiles and textile materials, petroleum and
petroleum products, machinery and equipment
partners:
Japan, India, US 4.3%, UK, Singapore, Germany, Hong King, Taiwan,
South Korea (1991)
External debt:
$5.2 billion (1991)
Industrial production:
growth rate 7% (1991 est.); accounts for 16.5% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
1,300,000 kW
production:
3.6 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
200 kWh (1992)
Industries:
processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, and other agricultural
commodities; clothing, cement, petroleum refining, textiles, tobacco
Agriculture:
accounts for one-fourth of GDP and nearly half of labor force; most
important staple crop is paddy rice; other field crops - sugarcane,
grains, pulses, oilseeds, roots, spices; cash crops - tea, rubber,
coconuts; animal products - milk, eggs, hides, meat; not
self-sufficient in rice production
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1 billion; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $5.1
billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $169 million; Communist
countries (1970-89), $369 million
Currency:
1 Sri Lankan rupee (SLRe) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Sri Lankan rupees (SLRes) per US$1 - 49.672 (January 1994), 48.322
(1993), 43.687 (1992), 41.372 (1991), 40.063 (1990), 36.047 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Sri Lanka, Communications

Railroads:
1,948 km total (1990); all 1.868-meter broad gauge; 102 km double
track; no electrification; government owned
Highways:
total:
75,263 km
paved:
mostly bituminous treated 27,637 km
unpaved:
crushed stone, gravel 32,887 km; improved, unimproved earth 14,739 km
Inland waterways:
430 km; navigable by shallow-draft craft
Pipelines:
crude oil and petroleum products 62 km (1987)
Ports:
Colombo, Trincomalee
Merchant marine:
26 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 289,115 GRT/453,609 DWT, bulk 2,
cargo 12, container 1, oil tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 8
Airports:
total:
14
usable:
13
with permanent-surface runways:
12
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
8
Telecommunications:
very inadequate domestic service, good international service; 114,000
telephones (1982); broadcast stations - 12 AM, 5 FM, 5 TV; submarine
cables extend to Indonesia and Djibouti; 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth
stations

@Sri Lanka, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 4,906,666; fit for military service 3,825,774; reach
military age (18) annually 178,213 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $417 million, 3.5% of GDP (1994 est.)

@Sudan, Geography

Location:
Northern Africa, along the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
2,505,810 sq km
land area:
2.376 million sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than one-quarter the size of the US
Land boundaries:
total 7,687 km, Central African Republic 1,165 km, Chad 1,360 km,
Egypt 1,273 km, Eritrea 605 km, Ethiopia 1,606 km, Kenya 232 km, Libya
383 km, Uganda 435 km, Zaire 628 km
Coastline:
853 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
18 nm
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
administrative boundary with Kenya does not coincide with
international boundary; administrative boundary with Egypt does not
coincide with international boundary creating the "Hala'ib Triangle,"
a barren area of 20,580 sq km, the dispute over this area escalated in
1993, this area continues to be in dispute
Climate:
tropical in south; arid desert in north; rainy season (April to
October)
Terrain:
generally flat, featureless plain; mountains in east and west
Natural resources:
small reserves of petroleum, iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc,
tungsten, mica, silver
Land use:
arable land:
5%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
24%
forest and woodland:
20%
other:
51%
Irrigated land:
18,900 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
contaminated water supplies present human health risks; wildlife
populations threatened by excessive hunting; soil erosion;
desertification
natural hazards:
dust storms
international agreements:
party to - Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear
Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified -
Biodiversity
Note:
largest country in Africa; dominated by the Nile and its tributaries

@Sudan, People

Population:
29,419,798 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.36% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
41.95 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
12.09 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-6.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
79.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
54.27 years
male:
53.4 years
female:
55.19 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.09 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Sudanese (singular and plural)
adjective:
Sudanese
Ethnic divisions:
black 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, foreigners 2%, other 1%
Religions:
Sunni Muslim 70% (in north), indigenous beliefs 25%, Christian 5%
(mostly in south and Khartoum)
Languages:
Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic,
Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English
note:
program of Arabization in process
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
27%
male:
43%
female:
12%
Labor force:
6.5 million
by occupation:
agriculture 80%, industry and commerce 10%, government 6%
note:
labor shortages for almost all categories of skilled employment (1983
est.); 52% of population of working age (1985)

@Sudan, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of the Sudan
conventional short form:
Sudan
local long form:
Jumhuriyat as-Sudan
local short form:
As-Sudan
former:
Anglo-Egyptian Sudan
Digraph:
SU
Type:
ruling military junta - Revolutionary Command Council - dissolved on
16 October 1993 and government civilianized
Capital:
Khartoum
Administrative divisions:
9 states (wilayat, singular - wilayat or wilayah*); A'ali an Nil, Al
Wusta*, Al Istiwa'iyah*, Al Khartum, Ash Shamaliyah*, Ash Sharqiyah*,
Bahr al Ghazal, Darfur, Kurdufan
Independence:
1 January 1956 (from Egypt and UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 1 January (1956)
Constitution:
12 April 1973, suspended following coup of 6 April 1985; interim
constitution of 10 October 1985 suspended following coup of 30 June
1989
Legal system:
based on English common law and Islamic law; as of 20 January 1991,
the now defunct Revolutionary Command Council imposed Islamic law in
the northern states; the council is still studying criminal provisions
under Islamic law; Islamic law applies to all residents of the six
northern states regardless of their religion; some separate religious
courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
none
Executive branch:
Chief of State and Head of Government:
President Lt. General Umar Hasan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October
1993); prior to 16 October 1993, BASHIR served concurrently as Chief
of State, Chairman of the RCC, Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence
(since 30 June 1989); Vice President Major General al-Zubayr Muhammad
SALIH (since 19 October 1993); note - upon its dissolution on 16
October 1993, the RCC's executive and legislative powers were devolved
to the President and the Transitional National Assembly (TNA), Sudan's
appointed legislative body
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president; note - on 30 October 1993
President BASHIR announced a new, predominantly civilian cabinet,
consisting of 20 federal ministers, most of whom retained their
previous cabinet positions
note:
Lt. Gen. BASHIR's government is dominated by members of Sudan's
National Islamic Front, a fundamentalist political organization formed
from the Muslim Brotherhood in 1986; front leader Hasan al-TURABI
controls Khartoum's overall domestic and foreign policies
Legislative branch:
appointed 300-member Transitional National Assembly; officially
assumes all legislative authority for Sudan until the eventual,
unspecified resumption of national elections
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court, Special Revolutionary Courts
Political parties and leaders:
none; banned following 30 June 1989 coup
Other political or pressure groups:
National Islamic Front, Hasan al-TURABI
Member of:
ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,
IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ahmad SULAYMAN
chancery:
2210 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 338-8565 through 8570
FAX:
(202) 667-2406
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Donald K. PETTERSON
embassy:
Shar'ia Ali Abdul Latif, Khartoum
mailing address:
P. O. Box 699, Khartoum, or APO AE 09829
telephone:
74700 or 74611
FAX:
Telex 22619 AMEM SD
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with a
green isosceles triangle based on the hoist side

@Sudan, Economy

Overview:
Sudan is buffeted by civil war, chronic political instability, adverse
weather, high inflation, a drop in remittances from abroad, and
counterproductive economic policies. The economy is dominated by
governmental entities that account for more than 70% of new
investment. The private sector's main areas of activity are
agriculture and trading, with most private industrial investment
predating 1980. The economy's base is agriculture, which employs 80%
of the work force. Industry mainly processes agricultural items.
Sluggish economic performance over the past decade, attributable
largely to declining annual rainfall, has reduced levels of per capita
income and consumption. A large foreign debt and huge arrearages
continue to cause difficulties. In 1990 the International Monetary
Fund took the unusual step of declaring Sudan noncooperative because
of its nonpayment of arrearages to the Fund. The government
implemented a comprehensive economic reform program in 1992 that
included slashing the fiscal deficit, liberalizing foreign exchange
regulations, and lifting most price controls, but it had backtracked
on most reforms by mid-1993 because of its fear of generating a
domestic backlash. The government's failure to pursue economic reform,
its continued prosecution of the civil war, and its growing
international isolation have led to a further deterioration of the
non-agricultural sectors of the economy during 1993. Agriculture, on
the other hand, after several disappointing years, enjoyed favorable
growing conditions in 1993, and its strong performance produced an
overall growth rate in GNP of about 7%.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $21.5 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
7% (FY93 est.)
National product per capita:
$750 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
105% (FY93 est.)
Unemployment rate:
30% (FY93 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$374.4 million
expenditures:
$1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $214 million (1993
est.)
Exports:
$350 million (f.o.b., FY93 est.)
commodities:
cotton 52%, sesame, gum arabic, peanuts
partners:
Western Europe 46%, Saudi Arabia 14%, Eastern Europe 9%, Japan 9%, US
3% (FY88)
Imports:
$1.1 billion (c.i.f., FY93 est.)
commodities:
foodstuffs, petroleum products, manufactured goods, machinery and
equipment, medicines and chemicals, textiles
partners:
Western Europe 32%, Africa and Asia 15%, US 13%, Eastern Europe 3%
(FY88)
External debt:
$17 billion (June 1993 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 6.8% (FY93 est.); accounts for 11% of GDP (FY92)
Electricity:
capacity:
610,000 kW
production:
905 million kWh
consumption per capita:
40 kWh (1991)
Industries:
cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap distilling,
shoes, petroleum refining
Agriculture:
accounts for 35% of GDP and 80% of labor force; water shortages;
two-thirds of land area suitable for raising crops and livestock;
major products - cotton, oilseeds, sorghum, millet, wheat, gum arabic,
sheep; marginally self-sufficient in most foods
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.5 billion; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $5.1
billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $3.1 billion; Communist
countries (1970-89), $588 million
Currency:
1 Sudanese pound (#Sd) = 100 piastres
Exchange rates:
official rate - Sudanese pounds (#Sd) per US$1 - 215 (January 1994),
333.3 (December 1993), 90.1 (March 1992), 5.4288 (1991), 4.5004 (fixed
rate since 1987); note - the commercial rate is 300 (January 1994)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June

@Sudan, Communications

Railroads:
5,516 km total; 4,800 km 1.067-meter gauge, 716 km 1.6096-meter-gauge
plantation line
Highways:
total:
20,703 km
paved:
bituminous treated 2,000 km
unpaved:
gravel 4,000 km; improved earth 2,304 km; unimproved earth 12,399 km
Inland waterways:
5,310 km navigable
Pipelines:
refined products 815 km
Ports:
Port Sudan, Sawakin
Merchant marine:
10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 89,842 GRT/122,379 DWT, cargo 8,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 2
Airports:
total:
70
usable:
58
with permanent-surface runways:
9
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
7
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
29
Telecommunications:
large, well-equipped system by African standards, but barely adequate
and poorly maintained by modern standards; consists of microwave radio
relay, cable, radio communications, troposcatter, and a domestic
satellite system with 14 stations; broadcast stations - 11 AM, 3 TV;
satellite earth stations for international traffic - 1 Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT and 1 ARABSAT

@Sudan, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 6,640,123; fit for military service 4,080,715; reach
military age (18) annually 305,885 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $339 million, 2.2% of GDP (1989 est.)

@Suriname, Geography

Location:
Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between
French Guiana and Guyana
Map references:
South America, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
163,270 sq km
land area:
161,470 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than Georgia
Land boundaries:
total 1,707 km, Brazil 597 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km
Coastline:
386 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
claims area in French Guiana between Litani Rivier and Riviere
Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa Rivier); claims area in Guyana
between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Koetari Rivers (all
headwaters of the Courantyne)
Climate:
tropical; moderated by trade winds
Terrain:
mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps
Natural resources:
timber, hydropower potential, fish, shrimp, bauxite, iron ore, and
small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, gold
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
97%
other:
3%
Irrigated land:
590 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ship
Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Law of the Sea
Note:
mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna which
for the most part is not threatened because of the lack of
development; relatively small population most of which lives along the
coast

@Suriname, People

Population:
422,840 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.57% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
25.31 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
6 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-3.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
31.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
69.45 years
male:
66.94 years
female:
72.08 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.79 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Surinamer(s)
adjective:
Surinamese
Ethnic divisions:
Hindustani (East Indian) 37%, Creole (black and mixed) 31%, Javanese
15.3%, Bush black 10.3%, Amerindian 2.6%, Chinese 1.7%, Europeans 1%,
other 1.1%
Religions:
Hindu 27.4%, Muslim 19.6%, Roman Catholic 22.8%, Protestant 25.2%
(predominantly Moravian), indigenous beliefs 5%
Languages:
Dutch (official), English widely spoken, Sranan Tongo (Surinamese,
sometimes called Taki-Taki) is native language of Creoles and much of
the younger population and is lingua franca among others, Hindi
Suriname Hindustani (a variant of Bhoqpuri), Javanese
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
95%
male:
95%
female:
95%
Labor force:
104,000 (1984)
by occupation:
NA

@Suriname, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Suriname
conventional short form:
Suriname
local long form:
Republiek Suriname
local short form:
Suriname
former:
Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana
Digraph:
NS
Type:
republic
Capital:
Paramaribo
Administrative divisions:
10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo,
Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca,
Sipaliwini, Wanica
Independence:
25 November 1975 (from Netherlands)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 25 November (1975)
Constitution:
ratified 30 September 1987
Legal system:
NA
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Ronald R. VENETIAAN (since 16 September 1991); Vice
President and Prime Minister Jules R. AJODHIA (since 16 September
1991); election last held 6 September 1991 (next to be held NA May
1996); results - elected by the National Assembly - Ronald VENETIAAN
(NF) 80% (645 votes), Jules WIJDENBOSCH (NDP) 14% (115 votes), Hans
PRADE (DA '91) 6% (49 votes)
cabinet:
Cabinet of Ministers; appointed by the president from members of the
National Assembly
note:
Commander in Chief of the National Army maintains significant power
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale):
elections last held 25 May 1991 (next to be held NA May 1996); results
- percent of vote NA; seats - (51 total) NF 30, NDP 10, DA '91 9,
Independent 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
The New Front (NF), a coalition of four parties (NPS, VHP, KTPI, SPA),
leader Ronald R. VENETIAAN; Progressive Reform Party (VHP), Jaggernath
LACHMON; National Party of Suriname (NPS), Ronald VENETIAAN; Party of
National Unity and Solidarity (KTPI), Willy SOEMITA; Suriname Labor
Party (SPA) Fred DERBY; Democratic Alternative '91 (DA '91), Winston
JESSURUN, a coalition of four parties (AF, HPP, Pendawa Lima, BEP)
formed in January 1991; Alternative Forum (AF), Gerard BRUNINGS,
Winston JESSURUN; Reformed Progressive Party (HPP), Panalal PARMESSAR;
Party for Brotherhood and Unity in Politics (BEP), Caprino ALLENDY;
Pendawa Lima, Marsha JAMIN; National Democratic Party (NDP), Desire
BOUTERSE; Progressive Workers' and Farm Laborers' Union (PALU), Ir
Iwan KROLIS, chairman;
Other political or pressure groups:
Surinamese Liberation Army (SLA), Ronnie BRUNSWIJK, Johan "Castro"
WALLY; Union for Liberation and Democracy, Kofi AFONGPONG; Mandela
Bushnegro Liberation Movement, Leendert ADAMS; Tucayana Amazonica,
Alex JUBITANA, Thomas SABAJO
Member of:
ACP, CARICOM (observer), ECLAC, FAO, GATT, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO,
ICFTU, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, INTELSAT (nonsignatory
user), ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Willem A. UDENHOUT
chancery:
Suite 108, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 244-7488 or 7490 through 7492
FAX:
(202) 244-5878
consulate(s) general:
Miami
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Roger R. GAMBLE
embassy:
Dr. Sophie Redmonstraat 129, Paramaribo
mailing address:
P. O. Box 1821, Paramaribo
telephone:
472900, 477881, or 476459
FAX:
410025
Flag:
five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red
(quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is a large
yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band

@Suriname, Economy

Overview:
The economy is dominated by the bauxite industry, which accounts for
15% of GDP and about 70% of export earnings. The economy has been in
trouble since the Dutch ended development aid in 1982. A drop in world
bauxite prices which started in the late 1970s and continued until
late 1986 was followed by the outbreak of a guerrilla insurgency in
the interior that crippled the important bauxite sector. Although the
insurgency has since ebbed and the bauxite sector recovered,
Paramaribo has failed to initiate the economic reforms necessary to
stabilize the economy or win renewed Dutch aid disbursements. High
inflation, high unemployment, widespread black market activity, and
hard currency shortfalls continue to mark the economy.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $1.17 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
-0.3% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$2,800 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
109% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
16.5% (1990)
Budget:
revenues:
$466 million
expenditures:
$716 million, including capital expenditures of $123 million (1989
est.)
Exports:
$290 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
alumina, aluminum, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas
partners:
Norway 33%, Netherlands 26%, US 13%, Japan 6%, Brazil 6%, UK 3% (1992)
Imports:
$250 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods
partners:
US 42%, Netherlands 22%, Trinidad and Tobago 10%, Brazil 5% (1992)
External debt:
$180 million (March 1993 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -5% (1991 est.); accounts for 27% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
458,000 kW
production:
2.018 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
4,920 kWh (1992)
Industries:
bauxite mining, alumina and aluminum production, lumbering, food
processing, fishing
Agriculture:
accounts for 10.4% of GDP and 25% of export earnings; paddy rice
planted on 85% of arable land and represents 60% of total farm output;
other products - bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts,
beef, chicken; shrimp and forestry products of increasing importance;
self-sufficient in most foods
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-83), $2.5 billion; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.5
billion
Currency:
1 Surinamese guilder, gulden, or florin (Sf.) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Surinamese guilders, gulden, or florins (Sf.) per US$1 - 1.7850 (fixed
rate); parallel rate 109 (January 1994)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Suriname, Communications

Railroads:
166 km total; 86 km 1.000-meter gauge, government owned, and 80 km
1.435-meter standard gauge; all single track
Highways:
total:
8,300 km
paved:
500 km
unpaved:
bauxite, gravel, crushed stone, improved earth 5,400 km; sand, clay
2,400 km
Inland waterways:
1,200 km; most important means of transport; oceangoing vessels with
drafts ranging up to 7 m can navigate many of the principal waterways
Ports:
Paramaribo, Moengo, Nieuw Nickerie
Merchant marine:
3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,472 GRT/8,914 DWT, cargo 2,
container 1
Airports:
total:
46
usable:
38
with permanent-surface runways:
5
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
3
Telecommunications:
international facilities good; domestic microwave system; 27,500
telephones; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 14 FM, 6 TV, 1 shortwave; 2
Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations

@Suriname, Defense Forces

Branches:
National Army (including Navy which is company-size, small Air Force
element), Civil Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 113,963; fit for military service 67,648
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP

@Svalbard

Header Affiliation: (territory of Norway)

@Svalbard, Geography

Location:
Nordic State, Northern Europe in the Arctic Ocean where the Arctic
Ocean, Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea meet, 445 km
north of Norway
Map references:
Arctic Region, Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
62,049 sq km
land area:
62,049 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than West Virginia
note:
includes Spitsbergen and Bjornoya (Bear Island)
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
3,587 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm unilaterally claimed by Norway but not recognized by Russia
territorial sea:
4 nm
International disputes:
focus of maritime boundary dispute in the Barents Sea between Norway
and Russia
Climate:
arctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool summers, cold
winters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and north coasts of
Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the year
Terrain:
wild, rugged mountains; much of high land ice covered; west coast
clear of ice about half the year; fjords along west and north coasts
Natural resources:
coal, copper, iron ore, phosphate, zinc, wildlife, fish
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
100% (no trees and the only bushes are crowberry and cloudberry)
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
ice floes often block up the entrance to Bellsund (a transit point for
coal export) on the west coast and occasionally make parts of the
northeastern coast inaccessible
international agreements:
NA
Note:
northernmost part of the Kingdom of Norway; consists of nine main
islands; glaciers and snowfields cover 60% of the total area

@Svalbard, People

Population:
3,018 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
-3.5% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
NA
Death rate:
NA
Net migration rate:
NA
Infant mortality rate:
NA
Life expectancy at birth:
NA
Total fertility rate:
NA
Ethnic divisions:
Russian 64%, Norwegian 35%, other 1% (1981)
Languages:
Russian, Norwegian
Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
NA

@Svalbard, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Svalbard
Digraph:
SV
Type:
territory of Norway administered by the Ministry of Industry, Oslo,
through a governor (sysselmann) residing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen;
by treaty (9 February 1920) sovereignty was given to Norway
Capital:
Longyearbyen
Independence:
none (territory of Norway)
National holiday:
NA
Legal system:
NA
Executive branch:
Chief of State:
King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991)
Head of Government:
Governor Odd BLOMDAL (since NA); Assistant Governor Jan-Atle HANSEN
(since NA September 1993)
Member of:
none
Flag:
the flag of Norway is used

@Svalbard, Economy

Overview:
Coal mining is the major economic activity on Svalbard. By treaty (9
February 1920), the nationals of the treaty powers have equal rights
to exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although
US, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the
only companies still mining are Norwegian and Russian. The settlements
on Svalbard are essentially company towns. The Norwegian state-owned
coal company employs nearly 60% of the Norwegian population on the
island, runs many of the local services, and provides most of the
local infrastructure. There is also some trapping of seal, polar bear,
fox, and walrus.
Budget:
revenues:
$13.3 million
expenditures:
$13.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.)
Electricity:
capacity:
21,000 kW
production:
45 million kWh
consumption per capita:
13,860 kWh (1992)
Currency:
1 Norwegian krone (NKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates:
Norwegian kroner (NKr) per US$1 - 7.4840 (January 1994), 7.0941
(1993), 6.2145 (1992), 6.4829 (1991), 6.2597 (1990), 6.9045 (1989)

@Svalbard, Communications

Highways:
total:
NA
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Ports:
limited facilities - Ny-Alesund, Advent Bay
Airports:
total:
4
usable:
4
with permanent-surface runways:
1
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
1
Telecommunications:
5 meteorological/radio stations; local telephone service; broadcast
stations - 1 AM, 1 (2 repeaters) FM, 1 TV; satellite communication
with Norwegian mainland

@Svalbard, Defense Forces

Note: demilitarized by treaty (9 February 1920)

@Swaziland, Geography

Location:
Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
17,360 sq km
land area:
17,200 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total 535 km, Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
Swaziland wants to reincorporate territory along the South African
border; Mbabane has asked South Africa to open negotiations on border
adjustments
Climate:
varies from tropical to near temperate
Terrain:
mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
Natural resources:
asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and
diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
Land use:
arable land:
8%
permanent crops:
NA%
meadows and pastures:
67%
forest and woodland:
6%
other:
NA%
Irrigated land:
620 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
limited access to safe drinking water presents human health risks;
wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting;
overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to - Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Note:
landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa

@Swaziland, People

Population: 936,369 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 3.21% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 43.14 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 11.07 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 93.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 56.39 years male: 52.4 years female: 60.5 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.13 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Swazi(s) adjective: Swazi Ethnic divisions: African 97%, European 3% Religions: Christian 60%, indigenous beliefs 40% Languages: English (official; government business conducted in English), siSwati (official) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1986) total population: 67% male: 70% female: 65% Labor force: probably less than 100,000 by occupation: private sector about 65%, public sector 35%

@Swaziland, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Kingdom of Swaziland
conventional short form:
Swaziland
Digraph:
WZ
Type:
monarchy; independent member of Commonwealth
Capital:
Mbabane (administrative); Lobamba (legislative)
Administrative divisions:
4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni
Independence:
6 September 1968 (from UK)
National holiday:
Somhlolo (Independence) Day, 6 September (1968)
Constitution:
none; constitution of 6 September 1968 was suspended on 12 April 1973;
a new constitution was promulgated 13 October 1978, but has not been
formally presented to the people
Legal system:
based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts, Swazi
traditional law and custom in traditional courts; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
none
Executive branch:
chief of state:
King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)
head of government:
Prime Minister Prince Jameson Mbilini DLAMINI (since 12 November 1993)
cabinet:
Cabinet; designated by the monarch
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament is advisory and consists of an upper house or
Senate and a lower house or House of Assembly; the 30 members of the
Senate are appointed - 10 by the House of Assembly and 20 by the king;
the members of the House are elected by popular vote; last election
held in October 1993
Judicial branch:
High Court, Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:
none; banned by the Constitution promulgated on 13 October 1978
Member of:
ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, PCA,
SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Absalom Vusani MAMBA
chancery:
3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 362-6683 or 6685
FAX:
(202) 244-8059
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador John SPROTT
embassy:
Central Bank Building, Warner Street, Mbabane
mailing address:
P. O. Box 199, Mbabane
telephone:
46441 through 46445
FAX:
45959
Flag:
three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue;
the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large
black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with
feather tassels, all placed horizontally

@Swaziland, Economy

Overview:
The economy is based on subsistence agriculture, which occupies more
than 60% of the population and contributes nearly 25% to GDP.
Manufacturing, which includes a number of agroprocessing factories,
accounts for another quarter of GDP. Mining has declined in importance
in recent years; high-grade iron ore deposits were depleted in 1978,
and health concerns cut world demand for asbestos. Exports of sugar
and forestry products are the main earners of hard currency.
Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique,
Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa, from which it receives
90% of its imports and to which it sends about half of its exports.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $2.3 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
1% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$2,500 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
11% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
15% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$342 million
expenditures:
$410 million, including capital expenditures of $130 million (1994
est.)
Exports:
$632 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
sugar, edible concentrates, wood pulp, canned fruit, citrus
partners:
South Africa 50% (est.), EC countries, Canada
Imports:
$734 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, petroleum products,
foodstuffs, chemicals
partners:
South Africa 90% (est.), Switzerland, UK
External debt:
$240 million (1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate 2.6% (1991); accounts for 40% of GDP (1989)
Electricity:
capacity:
60,000 kW
production:
198 million kWh (1991)
consumption per capita:
180 kWh (1991)
Industries:
mining (coal and asbestos), wood pulp, sugar
Agriculture:
accounts for 23% of GDP and over 60% of labor force; mostly
subsistence agriculture; cash crops - sugarcane, cotton, maize,
tobacco, rice, citrus fruit, pineapples; other crops and livestock -
corn, sorghum, peanuts, cattle, goats, sheep; not self-sufficient in
grain
Economic aid:
recipient:
bilateral aid (1991) $35 million of which US disbursements $12
million, UK disbursements $6 million, and Denmark $2 million;
multilateral aid (1991) $24 million of which EC disbursements $8
million
Currency:
1 lilangeni (E) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
emalangeni (E) per US$1 -3.4551 (March 1994), 3.2636 (1993), 2.8497
(1992), 2.7563 (1991), 2.5863 (1990), 2.6166 (1989); note - the Swazi
emalangeni is at par with the South African rand
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March

@Swaziland, Communications

Railroads:
297 km (plus 71 km disused), 1.067-meter gauge, single track
Highways:
total:
2,853 km
paved:
510 km
unpaved:
crushed stone, gravel, stabilized earth 1,230 km; improved earth 1,113
km
Airports:
total:
23
usable:
21
with permanent-surface runways:
1
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
1
Telecommunications:
system consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines and low-capacity
microwave links; 17,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 7 AM, 6 FM,
10 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Swaziland, Defense Forces

Branches:
Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force, Royal Swaziland Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 204,608; fit for military service 118,380
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $22 million, NA% of GDP (FY93/94)

@Sweden, Geography

Location:
Nordic State, Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between
Norway and Finland
Map references:
Arctic Region, Asia, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
449,964 sq km
land area:
410,928 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than California
Land boundaries:
total 2,205 km, Finland 586 km, Norway 1,619 km
Coastline:
3,218 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy
summers; subarctic in north
Terrain:
mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west
Natural resources:
zinc, iron ore, lead, copper, silver, timber, uranium, hydropower
potential
Land use:
arable land:
7%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
2%
forest and woodland:
64%
other:
27%
Irrigated land:
1,120 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
acid rain damaging soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the
Baltic Sea
natural hazards:
ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of
Bothnia, can interfere with navigation
international agreements:
party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands, Whaling;
signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea
Note:
strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas

@Sweden, People

Population:
8,778,461 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.52% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
13.5 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
10.9 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
2.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
5.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
78.25 years
male:
75.47 years
female:
81.2 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Swede(s)
adjective:
Swedish
Ethnic divisions:
white, Lapp (Sami), foreign born or first-generation immigrants 12%
(Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks)
Religions:
Evangelical Lutheran 94%, Roman Catholic 1.5%, Pentecostal 1%, other
3.5% (1987)
Languages:
Swedish
note:
small Lapp- and Finnish-speaking minorities; immigrants speak native
languages
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1979 est.)
total population:
99%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
4.552 million (84% unionized,1992)
by occupation:
community, social and personal services 38.3%, mining and
manufacturing 21.2%, commerce, hotels, and restaurants 14.1%, banking,
insurance 9.0%, communications 7.2%, construction 7.0%, agriculture,
fishing, and forestry 3.2% (1991)

@Sweden, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Kingdom of Sweden
conventional short form:
Sweden
local long form:
Konungariket Sverige
local short form:
Sverige
Digraph:
SW
Type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
Stockholm
Administrative divisions:
24 provinces (lan, singular and plural); Alvsborgs Lan, Blekinge Lan,
Gavleborgs Lan, Goteborgs och Bohus Lan, Gotlands Lan, Hallands Lan,
Jamtlands Lan, Jonkopings Lan, Kalmar Lan, Kopparbergs Lan,
Kristianstads Lan, Kronobergs Lan, Malmohus Lan, Norrbottens Lan,
Orebro Lan, Ostergotlands Lan, Skaraborgs Lan, Sodermanlands Lan,
Stockholms Lan, Uppsala Lan, Varmlands Lan, Vasterbottens Lan,
Vasternorrlands Lan, Vastmanlands Lan
Independence:
6 June 1809 (constitutional monarchy established)
National holiday:
Day of the Swedish Flag, 6 June
Constitution:
1 January 1975
Legal system:
civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess
VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the King (born 14 July
1977)
head of government:
Prime Minister Carl BILDT (since 3 October 1991); Deputy Prime
Minister Bengt WESTERBERG (since NA)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral
parliament (Riksdag):
elections last held 15 September 1991 (next to be held NA September
1994); results - Social Democratic Party 37.6%, Moderate Party
(conservative) 21.9%, Liberal People's Party 9.1%, Center Party 8.5%,
Christian Democrats 7.1%, New Democracy 6.7%, Left Party (Communist)
4.5%, Green Party 3.4%, other 1.2%; seats - (349 total) Social
Democratic 138, Moderate Party (conservative) 80, Liberal People's
Party 33, Center Party 31, Christian Democrats 26, New Democracy 25,
Left Party (Communist) 16; note - the Green Party has no seats in the
Riksdag because it received less than the required 4% of the vote
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Hogsta Domstolen)
Political parties and leaders:
ruling four-party coalition consists of Moderate Party (conservative),
Carl BILDT; Liberal People's Party, Bengt WESTERBERG; Center Party,
Olof JOHANSSON; and the Christian Democratic Party, Alf SVENSSON;
Social Democratic Party, Ingvar CARLSSON; New Democracy Party, Harriet
COLLIANDER; Left Party (VP; Communist), Gudrun SCHYMAN; Communist
Workers' Party, Rolf HAGEL; Green Party, no formal leader
Member of:
AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australian Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN,
COCOM (cooperating), CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-6, G-8, G-9,
G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC,
ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTERPOL, INTELSAT, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,
LORCS, MTRC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OECD, ONUSAL, PCA, UN,
UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM,
UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNOMOZ, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UNTAC, UNTSO, UPU, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Carl Henrik LILJEGREN
chancery:
Suites 1200 and 715, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone:
(202) 944-5600
FAX:
(202) 342-1319
consulate(s) general:
Los Angeles and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Thomas SIEBERT
embassy:
Strandvagen 101, S-115 89 Stockholm
mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
(8) 783-5300
FAX:
(8) 661-1964
Flag:
blue with a yellow cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the
vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style
of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

@Sweden, Economy

Overview: Aided by a long period of peace and neutrality during World War I through World War II, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy that is heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. In the last few years, however, this extraordinarily favorable picture has been clouded by inflation, growing unemployment, and a gradual loss of competitiveness in international markets. Although Prime Minister BILDT's center-right minority coalition had hoped to charge ahead with free-market-oriented reforms, a skyrocketing budget deficit - almost 14% of GDP in FY94 projections - and record unemployment have forestalled many of the plans. Unemployment in 1993 is estimated at around 8% with another 5% in job training. Continued heavy foreign exchange speculation forced the government to cooperate in late 1992 with the opposition Social Democrats on two crisis packages - one a severe austerity pact and the other a program to spur industrial competitiveness - which basically set economic policy through 1997. In November 1992, Sweden broke its tie to the EC's ECU, and the krona has since depreciated about 25% against the dollar. The government hopes the boost in export competitiveness from the depreciation will help lift Sweden out of its 3-year recession. To curb the budget deficit and bolster confidence in the economy, BILDT continues to propose cuts in welfare benefits, subsidies, defense, and foreign aid. Sweden continues to harmonize its economic policies with those of the EU in preparation for scheduled membership by early 1995, which will help to broaden European economic unity. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $153.7 billion (1993) National product real growth rate: -2.7% (1993) National product per capita: $17,600 (1993) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.4% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.2% (1993 est.) Budget: revenues: $45.1 billion expenditures: $73.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY94) Exports: $49.7 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: machinery, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products partners: EC 55.8% (Germany 15%, UK 9.7%, Denmark 7.2%, France 5.8%), EFTA 17.4% (Norway 8.4%, Finland 5.1%), US 8.2%, Central and Eastern Europe 2.5% (1992) Imports: $42.3 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.) commodities: machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, foodstuffs, iron and steel, clothing partners: EC 53.6% (Germany 17.9%, UK 6.3%, Denmark 7.5%, France 4.9%), EFTA (Norway 6.6%, Finland 6%), US 8.4%, Central and Eastern Europe 3% (1992) External debt: $19.5 billion (1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 0.8% (1993 est.) Electricity: capacity: 39,716,000 kW production: 142.5 billion kWh consumption per capita: 16,560 kWh (1992) Industries: iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles Agriculture: animal husbandry predominates, with milk and dairy products accounting for 37% of farm income; main crops - grains, sugar beets, potatoes; 100% self-sufficient in grains and potatoes; Sweden is about 50% self-sufficient in most products; farming accounted for 1.2% of GDP and 1.9% of jobs in 1990 Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics shipped via the CIS and Baltic states for the European market Economic aid: donor: ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $10.3 billion Currency: 1 Swedish krona (SKr) = 100 oere Exchange rates: Swedish kronor (SKr) per US$1 - 8.1255 (January 1994), 7.834 (1993), 5.8238 (1992), 6.0475 (1991) 5.9188 (1990), 6.4469 (1989) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

@Sweden, Communications

Railroads:
12,084 km total; Swedish State Railways (SJ) 11,202 km - 10,819 km
1.435-meter standard gauge, 6,955 km electrified and 1,152 km double
track; 182 km 0.891-meter gauge; 117 km rail ferry service;
privately-owned railways 882 km - 511 km 1.435-meter standard gauge
(332 km electrified) and 371 km 0.891-meter gauge (all electrified)
Highways:
total:
205,000 km
paved:
69,754 km (including 936 km of expressways)
unpaved:
gravel 45,900 km; unimproved earth 38,060 km; NA 51,286 km (1990)
Inland waterways:
2,052 km navigable for small steamers and barges
Pipelines:
natural gas 84 km
Ports:
Gavle, Goteborg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Kalmar, Malmo, Stockholm;
numerous secondary and minor ports
Merchant marine:
161 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,049,554 GRT/2,516,350 DWT,
bulk 10, cargo 24, chemical tanker 25, combination ore/oil 1,
container 2, oil tanker 30, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 1,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 39, short-sea passenger 10, specialized tanker
4, vehicle carrier 13
Airports:
total:
252
usable:
248
with permanent-surface runways:
138
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
11
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
94
Telecommunications:
excellent domestic and international facilities; 8,200,000 telephones;
mainly coaxial and multiconductor cables carry long-distance network;
parallel microwave network carries primarily radio, TV and some
telephone channels; automatic system; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 360
(mostly repeaters) FM, 880 (mostly repeaters) TV; 5 submarine coaxial
cables; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1
EUTELSAT

@Sweden, Defense Forces

Branches:
Swedish Army, Royal Swedish Navy, Swedish Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 2,146,145; fit for military service 1,874,787; reach
military age (19) annually 55,262 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $5.2 billion, 2.6% of GDP (FY93/94)

@Switzerland, Geography

Location:
Central Europe, between France and Austria
Map references:
Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
41,290 sq km
land area:
39,770 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than twice the size of New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total 1,852 km, Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km,
Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
none
Climate:
temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy
winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers
Terrain:
mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central
plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes
Natural resources:
hydropower potential, timber, salt
Land use:
arable land:
10%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
40%
forest and woodland:
26%
other:
23%
Irrigated land:
250 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
air pollution from vehicle emissions and open air burning; acid rain;
water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss
of biodiversity
natural hazards:
subject to avalanches, landslides, flash floods
international agreements:
party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic
Treaty, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not
ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Law of the
Sea
Note:
landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with
southeastern France and northern Italy, contains the highest
elevations in Europe

@Switzerland, People

Population: 7,040,119 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.7% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 12.23 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 9.2 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 3.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.17 years male: 74.8 years female: 81.71 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.6 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Swiss (singular and plural) adjective: Swiss Ethnic divisions: total population: German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6% Swiss nationals: German 74%, French 20%, Italian 4%, Romansch 1%, other 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 47.6%, Protestant 44.3%, other 8.1% (1980) Languages: German 65%, French 18%, Italian 12%, Romansch 1%, other 4% note: figures for Swiss nationals only - German 74%, French 20%, Italian 4%, Romansch 1%, other 1% Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) total population: 99% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 3.31 million (904,095 foreign workers, mostly Italian) by occupation: services 50%, industry and crafts 33%, government 10%, agriculture and forestry 6%, other 1% (1989)

@Switzerland, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Swiss Confederation
conventional short form:
Switzerland
local long form:
Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German) Confederation Suisse
(French) Confederazione Svizzera (Italian)
local short form:
Schweiz (German) Suisse (French) Svizzera (Italian)
Digraph:
SZ
Type:
federal republic
Capital:
Bern
Administrative divisions:
26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular -
cantone in Italian; kantone, singular - kanton in German); Aargau,
Ausser-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve,
Glarus, Graubunden, Inner-Rhoden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden,
Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau,
Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich
Independence:
1 August 1291
National holiday:
Anniversary of the Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August
(1291)
Constitution:
29 May 1874
Legal system:
civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review of
legislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of general
obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Otto STICH (1994 calendar year; presidency rotates
annually); Vice President Kaspar VILLIGER (term runs concurrently with
that of president)
cabinet:
Federal Council (German - Bundesrat, French - Censeil Federal, Italian
- Consiglio Federale); elected by the Federal Assembly from own
members
Legislative branch:
bicameral Federal Assembly (German - Bundesversammlung, French -
Assemblee Federale, Italian - Assemblea Federale)
Council of States:
(German - Standerat, French - Conseil des Etats, Italian - Consiglio
degli Stati) elections last held throughout 1991 (next to be held NA
1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (46 total) FDP
18, CVP 16, SVP 4, SPS 3, LPS 3, LdU 1, Ticino League 1
National Council:
(German - Nationalrat, French - Conseil National, Italian - Consiglio
Nazionale) elections last held 20 October 1991 (next to be held NA
October 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (200
total) FDP 44, SPS 42, CVP 37, SVP 25, GPS 14, LPS 10, AP 8, LdU 6, SD
5, EVP 3, PdA 2, Ticino League 2, other 2
Judicial branch:
Federal Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Free Democratic Party (FDP), Bruno HUNZIKER, president; Social
Democratic Party (SPS), Helmut HUBACHER, chairman; Christian
Democratic People's Party (CVP), Eva SEGMULLER-WEBER, chairman; Swiss
People's Party (SVP), Hans UHLMANN, president; Green Party (GPS),
Peter SCHMID, president; Automobile Party (AP), DREYER; Alliance of
Independents' Party (LdU), Dr. Franz JAEGER, president; Swiss
Democratic Party (SD), NA; Evangelical People's Party (EVP), Max
DUNKI, president; Workers' Party (PdA; Communist), Jean SPIELMANN,
general secretary; Ticino League, leader NA; Liberal Party (LPS),
Gilbert COUTAU, president
Member of:
AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australian Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM
(cooperating), CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-8, G-10, GATT, IADB,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,
INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO,
MTRC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN (observer),
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Carlo JAGMETTI
chancery:
2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 745-7900
FAX:
(202) 387-2564
consulate(s) general:
Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
(vacant); Charge d'Affaires Michael C. POLT
embassy:
Jubilaeumstrasse 93, 3005 Bern
mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
(31) 357-7011
FAX:
(31) 357-7344
branch office:
Geneva
consulate(s) general:
Zurich
Flag:
red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that
does not extend to the edges of the flag

@Switzerland, Economy

Overview:
Switzerland's economy - one of the most prosperous and stable in the
world - is nonetheless undergoing a painful adjustment after both the
inflationary boom of the late-1980s and the electorate's rejection of
membership in the European Economic Area in 1992. The Swiss finally
emerged from a three-year recession in mid-1993 and posted a -0.6% GDP
growth for the year. After a three-year struggle with inflation, the
Swiss central bank's tight monetary policies have begun to pay off.
Inflation slowed to 3.3% in 1993 from about 4% in 1992 and is expected
to slow down further to 1.5% in 1994. Unemployment, however, will
continue to be a problem over the near term. Swiss unemployment
reached 5.1% in 1993 and will likely remain at that level through 1994
before declining in 1995. The voters' rejection of a referendum on
membership in the EEA, which was supported by most political,
business, and financial leaders has raised doubts that the country can
maintain its preeminent prosperity and leadership in commercial
banking in the twenty-first century. Despite these problems, Swiss per
capita output, general living standards, education and science, health
care, and diet remain unsurpassed in Europe. The country has few
natural resources except for the scenic natural beauty that has made
it a world leader in tourism. Management-labor relations remain
generally harmonious.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $149.1 billion (1993)
National product real growth rate:
-0.6% (1993)
National product per capita:
$21,300 (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.3% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
5.1% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$23.7 billion
expenditures:
$26.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)
Exports:
$63 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
machinery and equipment, precision instruments, metal products,
foodstuffs, textiles and clothing
partners:
Western Europe 63.1% (EC countries 56%, other 7.1%), US 8.8%, Japan
3.4%
Imports:
$60.7 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities:
agricultural products, machinery and transportation equipment,
chemicals, textiles, construction materials
partners:
Western Europe 79.2% (EC countries 72.3%, other 6.9%), US 6.4%
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate 0% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity:
17,710,000 kW
production:
56 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
8,200 kWh (1992)
Industries:
machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments
Agriculture:
dairy farming predominates; less than 50% self-sufficient in food;
must import fish, refined sugar, fats and oils (other than butter),
grains, eggs, fruits, vegetables, meat
Illicit drugs:
money-laundering center
Economic aid:
donor:
ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $3.5 billion
Currency:
1 Swiss franc, franken, or franco (SwF) = 100 centimes, rappen, or
centesimi
Exchange rates:
Swiss francs, franken, or franchi (SwF) per US$1 - 1.715 (January
1994), 1.4776 (1993), 1.4062 (1992), 1.4340 (1991), 1.3892 (1990),
1.6359 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Switzerland, Communications

Railroads:
4,418 km total; 3,073 km are government owned and 1,345 km are
nongovernment owned; the government network consists of 2,999 km
1.435-meter standard gauge and 74 km 1.000-meter narrow gauge track;
1,432 km double track, 99% electrified; the nongovernment network
consists of 510 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, and 835 km 1.000-meter
gauge, 100% electrified
Highways:
total:
71,106 km
paved:
71,106 km (including 1,502 km of expressways)
Inland waterways:
65 km; Rhine (Basel to Rheinfelden, Schaffhausen to Bodensee); 12
navigable lakes
Pipelines:
crude oil 314 km; natural gas 1,506 km
Ports:
Basel (river port)
Merchant marine:
23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 337,455 GRT/592,213 DWT, bulk
10, cargo 4, chemical tanker 5, oil tanker 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo
2, specialized tanker 1
Airports:
total:
70
usable:
69
with permanent-surface runways:
42
with runways over 3,659 m:
3
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
4
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
18
Telecommunications:
excellent domestic, international, and broadcast services; 5,890,000
telephones; extensive cable and microwave networks; broadcast stations
- 7 AM, 265 FM, 18 (1,322 repeaters) TV; communications satellite
earth station operating in the INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean and Indian
Ocean) system

@Switzerland, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army (Air Force is part of the Army), Frontier Guards, Fortification
Guards
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,853,075; fit for military service 1,589,288; reach
military age (20) annually 43,005 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $3.4 billion, 1.7% of GDP (1993)

@Syria, Geography

Location:
Middle East, along the Mediterranean Sea, between Turkey and Lebanon
Map references:
Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
185,180 sq km
land area:
184,050 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than North Dakota
note:
includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory
Land boundaries:
total 2,253 km, Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375
km, Turkey 822 km
Coastline:
193 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
41 nm
territorial sea:
35 nm
International disputes:
separated from Israel by the 1949 Armistice Line; Golan Heights is
Israeli occupied; Hatay question with Turkey; periodic disputes with
Iraq over Euphrates water rights; ongoing dispute over water
development plans by Turkey for the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers;
Syrian troops in northern Lebanon since October 1976
Climate:
mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild,
rainy winters (December to February) along coast
Terrain:
primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains
in west
Natural resources:
petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore,
rock salt, marble, gypsum
Land use:
arable land:
28%
permanent crops:
3%
meadows and pastures:
46%
forest and woodland:
3%
other:
20%
Irrigated land:
6,700 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water
pollution from dumping of untreated sewage and wastes from petroleum
refining; lack of safe drinking water
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to - Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Environmental
Modification
Note:
there are 40 Jewish settlements and civilian land use sites in the
Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (April 1994)

@Syria, People

Population:
14,886,672 (July 1994 est.)
note:
in addition, there are 30,500 people living in the Israeli-occupied
Golan Heights—16,500 Arabs (15,000 Druze and 1,500 Alawites) and
14,000 Jewish settlers (1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.74% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
43.65 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
6.25 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
42.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
66.46 years
male:
65.37 years
female:
67.61 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.65 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Syrian(s)
adjective:
Syrian
Ethnic divisions:
Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7%
Religions:
Sunni Muslim 74%, Alawite, Druze, and other Muslim sects 16%,
Christian (various sects) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus,
Al Qamishli, and Aleppo)
Languages:
Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian, French
widely understood
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
total population:
64%
male:
78%
female:
51%
Labor force:
2.951 million (1989)
by occupation:
miscellaneous and government services 36%, agriculture 32%, industry
and construction 32%; note - shortage of skilled labor (1984)

@Syria, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Syrian Arab Republic
conventional short form:
Syria
local long form:
Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah
local short form:
Suriyah
former:
United Arab Republic (with Egypt)
Digraph:
SY
Type:
republic under leftwing military regime since March 1963
Capital:
Damascus
Administrative divisions:
14 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Hasakah, Al
Ladhiqiyah, Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As Suwayda', Dar'a, Dayr az
Zawr, Dimashq, Halab, Hamah, Hims, Idlib, Rif Dimashq, Tartus
Independence:
17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French
administration)
National holiday:
National Day, 17 April (1946)
Constitution:
13 March 1973
Legal system:
based on Islamic law and civil law system; special religious courts;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Hafiz al-ASAD (since 22 February 1971 see note); Vice
Presidents 'Abd al-Halim ibn Said KHADDAM, Rif'at al-ASAD, and
Muhammad Zuhayr MASHARIQA (since 11 March 1984); election last held 2
December 1991 (next to be held December 1998); results - President
Hafiz al-ASAD was reelected for a fourth seven-year term with 99.98%
of the vote; note - President ASAD seized power in the November 1970
coup, assumed presidential powers 22 February 1971, and was confirmed
as president in the 12 March 1971 national elections
head of government:
Prime Minister Mahmud ZU'BI (since 1 November 1987); Deputy Prime
Minister Lt. Gen. Mustafa TALAS (since 11 March 1984); Deputy Prime
Minister Salim YASIN (since NA December 1981); Deputy Prime Minister
Rashid AKHTARINI (since 4 July 1992)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral
People's Council (Majlis al-Chaab):
elections last held 22-23 May 1990 (next to be held NA May 1994);
results - Ba'th 53.6%, ASU 3.2%, SCP 3.2%, Arab Socialist Unionist
Movement 2.8%, ASP 2%, Democratic Socialist Union Party 1.6%,
independents 33.6%; seats - (250 total) Ba'th 134, ASU 8, SCP 8, Arab
Socialist Unionist Movement 7, ASP 5, Democratic Socialist Union Party
4, independents 84; note - the People's Council was expanded to 250
seats total prior to the May 1990 election
Judicial branch:
Supreme Constitutional Court, High Judicial Council, Court of
Cassation, State Security Courts
Political parties and leaders:
ruling party is the Arab Socialist Resurrectionist (Ba'th) Party; the
Progressive National is dominated by Ba'thists but includes
independents and members of the Syrian Arab Socialist Party (ASP);
Arab Socialist Union (ASU); Syrian Communist Party (SCP); Arab
Socialist Unionist Movement; and Democratic Socialist Union Party
Other political or pressure groups:
non-Ba'th parties have little effective political influence; Communist
party ineffective; conservative religious leaders; Muslim Brotherhood
Member of:
ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,
IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Walid MUALEM
chancery:
2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 232-6313
FAX:
(202) 234-9548
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Christopher W. S. ROSS
embassy:
Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansur Street No. 2, Damascus
mailing address:
P. O. Box 29, Damascus
telephone:
(11) 332-814, 332-315, 714-108, 330-788
FAX:
(11) 247-938
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with two
small green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the
white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band
and of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription)
in a horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to the
flag of Egypt, which has a symbolic eagle centered in the white band

@Syria, Economy

Overview:
Syria's state-dominated Ba'thist economy has benefited from the Gulf
war of early 1991, increased oil production, good weather, and
economic deregulation. Economic growth averaged roughly 10% in
1990-93. The Gulf war provided Syria an aid windfall of nearly $5
billion dollars from Arab, European, and Japanese donors. These
inflows more than offset Damascus's war-related costs and will help
Syria cover some of its debt arrears, restore suspended credit lines,
and initiate selected military and civilian purchases. In 1992 the
government spurred economic development by loosening controls on
domestic and foreign investment while maintaining strict political
controls. For the long run, Syria's economy is still saddled with a
large number of poorly performing public sector firms, and industrial
productivity remains to be improved. Another major long-term concern
is the additional drain of upstream Euphrates water by Turkey when its
vast dam and irrigation projects are completed by mid-decade.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $81.7 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
7.6% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$5,700 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
16.3% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.5% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$7.13 billion
expenditures:
$9.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $4 billion (1993 est.)
Exports:
$3.4 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
petroleum 53%, textiles 22%, cotton, fruits and vegetables
partners:
EC 48%, former CEMA countries 24%, Arab countries 18% (1991)
Imports:
$4.1 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
commodities:
foodstuffs 21%, metal products 17%, machinery 15%
partners:
EC 37%, former CEMA countries 15%, US and Canada 10% (1991)
External debt:
$19.4 billion (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 21% (1991); accounts for 19% of GDP, including petroleum
Electricity:
capacity:
3,205,000 kW
production:
11.9 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
830 kWh (1992)
Industries:
textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining,
petroleum
Agriculture:
accounts for 30% of GDP and one-third of labor force; all major crops
(wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas) grown mainly on
rain-watered land causing wide swings in production; animal products -
beef, lamb, eggs, poultry, milk; not self-sufficient in grain or
livestock products
Illicit drugs:
a transit country for Lebanese and Turkish refined cocaine going to
Europe and heroin and hashish bound for regional and Western markets
Economic aid:
recipient:
no US aid; aid from other countries (Western and Arab) totals $1.358
billion (1993 est.); no Ex-Im, OPEC programs in place; almost $5
billion in loans and grants from Arab and Western donors from 1990-92
as a result of Gulf war stance
Currency:
1 Syrian pound (#S) = 100 piastres
Exchange rates:
Syrian pounds (#S) per US$1 - 11.2 (official fixed rate), 26.6
(blended rate used by the UN and diplomatic missions), 42.0
(neighboring country rate - applies to most state enterprise imports),
46.0 - 53.0 (offshore rate) (yearend 1993)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Syria, Communications

Railroads:
1,998 km total; 1,766 km standard gauge, 232 km 1.050-meter (narrow)
gauge
Highways:
total:
29,000 km
paved:
22,680 km (including 670 km of expressways) (1988)
unpaved:
6,320 km
Inland waterways:
870 km; minimal economic importance
Pipelines:
crude oil 1,304 km; petroleum products 515 km
Ports:
Tartus, Latakia, Baniyas, Jablah
Merchant marine:
57 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 151,519 GRT/243,910 DWT, bulk 7,
cargo 48, vehicle carrier 2
Airports:
total:
104
usable:
100
with permanent-surface runways:
24
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
21
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
3
Telecommunications:
fair system currently undergoing significant improvement and digital
upgrades, including fiber optic technology; 512,600 telephones (37
telephones per 1,000 persons); broadcast stations - 9 AM, 1 FM, 17 TV;
satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Intersputnik;
1 submarine cable; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq,
Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey

@Syria, Defense Forces

Branches:
Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air Force, Syrian Arab
Air Defense Forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 3,300,397; fit for military service 1,850,545; reach
military age (19) annually 155,569 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $2.2 billion, 6% of GDP (1992)

@Taiwan, Geography

Location:
Eastern Asia, off the southeastern coast of China, between Japan and
the Philippines
Map references:
Asia, Oceania, Southeast Asia
Area:
total area:
35,980 sq km
land area:
32,260 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than Maryland and Delaware combined
note:
includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,448 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
involved in complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China,
Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; Paracel Islands
occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan;
Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu Tai)
claimed by China and Taiwan
Climate:
tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to
August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year
Terrain:
eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling
plains in west
Natural resources:
small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos
Land use:
arable land:
24%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
5%
forest and woodland:
55%
other:
15%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
water pollution from industrial emissions, untreated sewage; air
pollution; contamination of drinking water supplies
natural hazards:
subject to earthquakes and typhoons
international agreements:
signed, but not ratified - Marine Life Conservation

@Taiwan, People

Population:
21,298,930 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.96% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
15.6 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
5.63 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
5.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
75.25 years
male:
72.01 years
female:
78.66 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.81 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Chinese (singular and plural)
adjective:
Chinese
Ethnic divisions:
Taiwanese 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, aborigine 2%
Religions:
mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other
2.5%
Languages:
Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1980)
total population:
86%
male:
93%
female:
79%
Labor force:
7.9 million
by occupation:
industry and commerce 53%, services 22%, agriculture 15.6%, civil
administration 7% (1989)

@Taiwan, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Taiwan
local long form:
none
local short form:
T'ai-wan
Digraph:
TW
Type:
multiparty democratic regime; opposition political parties legalized
in March, 1989
Capital:
Taipei
Administrative divisions:
some of the ruling party in Taipei claim to be the government of all
China; in keeping with that claim, the central administrative
divisions include 2 provinces (sheng, singular and plural) and 2
municipalities* (shih, singular and plural) - Fu-chien (some 20
offshore islands of Fujian Province including Quemoy and Matsu),
Kao-hsiung*, T'ai-pei*, and Taiwan (the island of Taiwan and the
Pescadores islands); the more commonly referenced administrative
divisions are those of Taiwan Province - 16 counties (hsien, singular
and plural), 5 municipalities* (shih, singular and plural), and 2
special municipalities** (chuan-shih, singular and plural); Chang-hua,
Chia-i, Chia-i*, Chi-lung*, Hsin-chu, Hsin-chu*, Hua-lien, I-lan,
Kao-hsiung, Kao-hsiung**, Miao-li, Nan-t'ou, P'eng-hu, P'ing-tung,
T'ai-chung, T'ai-chung*, T'ai-nan, T'ai-nan*, T'ai-pei, T'ai-pei**,
T'ai-tung, T'ao-yuan, and Yun-lin; the provincial capital is at
Chung-hsing-hsin-ts'un
note:
Taiwan uses the Wade-Giles system for romanization
National holiday:
National Day, 10 October (1911) (Anniversary of the Revolution)
Constitution:
1 January 1947, amended in 1992, presently undergoing revision
Legal system:
based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations
Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President LI Teng-hui (since 13 January 1988); Vice President LI
Yuan-zu (since 20 May 1990)
head of government:
Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) LIEN Chan (since 23 February
1993); Vice Premier (Vice President of the Executive Yuan) HSU Li-teh
(since 23 February 1993) presidential election last held 21 March 1990
(next to be held NA March 1996); results - President LI Teng-hui was
reelected by the National Assembly; vice presidential election last
held 21 March 1990 (next election will probably be a direct popular
election and will be held NA March 1996); results - LI Yuan-zu was
elected by the National Assembly
cabinet:
Executive Yuan; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Yuan and unicameral National Assembly
Legislative Yuan:
elections last held 19 December 1992 (next to be held near the end of
1995); results - KMT 60%, DPP 31%, independents 9%; seats - (304
total, 161 elected) KMT 96, DPP 50, independents 15
National Assembly:
elections - first National Assembly elected in November 1946 with a
supplementary election in December 1986; second and present National
Assembly elected in December 1991; seats - (403 total) KMT 318, DPP
75, other 10; (next election to be held in 1997)
Judicial branch:
Judicial Yuan
Political parties and leaders:
Kuomintang (KMT, Nationalist Party), LI Teng-hui, chairman; Democratic
Progressive Party (DPP); Chinese New Party (CNP); Labor Party (LP)
Other political or pressure groups:
Taiwan independence movement, various environmental groups
note:
debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within the
mainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; political liberalization
and the increased representation of the opposition Democratic
Progressive Party in Taiwan's legislature have opened public debate on
the island's national identity; advocates of Taiwan independence, both
within the DPP and the ruling Kuomintang, oppose the ruling party's
traditional stand that the island will eventually unify with mainland
China; the aims of the Taiwan independence movement include
establishing a sovereign nation on Taiwan and entering the UN; other
organizations supporting Taiwan independence include the World United
Formosans for Independence and the Organization for Taiwan Nation
Building
Member of:
expelled from UN General Assembly and Security Council on 25 October
1971 and withdrew on same date from other charter-designated
subsidiary organs; expelled from IMF/World Bank group April/May 1980;
seeking to join GATT; attempting to retain membership in INTELSAT;
suspended from IAEA in 1972, but still allows IAEA controls over
extensive atomic development, APEC, AsDB, BCIE, ICC, IOC, COCOM
(cooperating), WCL
Diplomatic representation in US:
none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people of
the US are maintained through a private instrumentality, the
Coordination Council for North American Affairs (CCNAA) with
headquarters in Taipei and field offices in Washington and 10 other US
cities
US diplomatic representation:
unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people of Taiwan
are maintained through a private institution, the American Institute
in Taiwan (AIT), which has offices in Taipei at #7, Lane 134, Hsin Yi
Road, Section 3, telephone (2) 709-2000, and in Kao-hsiung at #2
Chung Cheng 3d Road, telephone (7) 224-0154 through 0157, and
the American Trade Center at Room 3207 International Trade Building,
Taipei World Trade Center, 333 Keelung Road Section 1, Taipei 10548,
telephone (2) 720-1550
Flag:
red with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing
a white sun with 12 triangular rays

@Taiwan, Economy

Overview:
Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with considerable government
guidance of investment and foreign trade and partial government
ownership of some large banks and industrial firms. Real growth in GNP
has averaged about 9% a year during the past three decades. Export
growth has been even faster and has provided the impetus for
industrialization. Agriculture contributes about 4% to GDP, down from
35% in 1952. Taiwan currently ranks as number 13 among major trading
countries. Traditional labor-intensive industries are steadily being
replaced with more capital- and technology-intensive industries.
Taiwan has become a major investor in China, Thailand, Indonesia, the
Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The tightening of labor markets
has led to an influx of foreign workers, both legal and illegal.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $224 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
6% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$10,600 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.2% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
1.5% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$30.3 billion
expenditures:
$30.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991 est.)
Exports:
$85 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
electrical machinery 19.7%, electronic products 19.6%, textiles 10.9%,
footwear 3.3%, foodstuffs 1.0%, plywood and wood products 0.9% (1993
est.)
partners:
US 27.6%, Hong Kong 21.7%, EC countries 15.2%, Japan 10.5% (1993 est.)
Imports:
$77.1 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
commodities:
machinery and equipment 15.7%, electronic products 15.6%, chemicals
9.8%, iron and steel 8.5%, crude oil 3.9%, foodstuffs 2.1% (1993 est.)
partners:
Japan 30.1%, US 21.7%, EC countries 17.6% (1993 est.)
External debt:
$620 million (1992 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 3.6% (1993 est.); accounts for more than 40% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
18,382,000 kW
production:
98.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
4,718 kWh (1992)
Industries:
electronics, textiles, chemicals, clothing, food processing, plywood,
sugar milling, cement, shipbuilding, petroleum refining
Agriculture:
accounts for 4% of GNP and 16% of labor force (includes part-time
farmers); heavily subsidized sector; major crops - vegetables, rice,
fruit, tea; livestock - hogs, poultry, beef, milk; not self-sufficient
in wheat, soybeans, corn; fish catch increasing, reached 1.4 million
metric tons in 1988
Illicit drugs:
an important heroin transit point; also a major drug money laundering
center
Economic aid:
recipient:
US, including Ex-Im (FY46-82), $4.6 billion; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $500 million
Currency:
1 New Taiwan dollar (NT$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
New Taiwan dollars per US$1 - 26.6 (1993), 25.4 (1992), 25.748 (1991),
27.108 (1990), 26.407 (1989)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June

@Taiwan, Communications

Railroads:
about 4,600 km total track with 1,075 km common carrier lines and
3,525 km industrial lines; common carrier lines consist of the
1.067-meter gauge 708 km West Line and the 367 km East Line; a 98.25
km South Link Line connection was completed in late 1991; common
carrier lines owned by the government and operated by the Railway
Administration under Ministry of Communications; industrial lines
owned and operated by government enterprises
Highways:
total:
20,041 km
paved:
bituminous, concrete pavement 17,095 km
unpaved:
crushed stone, gravel 2,371 km; graded earth 575 km
Pipelines:
petroleum products 615 km; natural gas 97 km
Ports:
Kao-hsiung, Chi-lung (Keelung), Hua-lien, Su-ao, T'ai-tung
Merchant marine:
212 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,910,453 GRT/9,098,315 DWT,
bulk 54, cargo 38, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk 2, combination
ore/oil 2, container 85, oil tanker 17, passenger-cargo 1,
refrigerated cargo 11, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1
Airports:
total:
40
usable:
38
with permanent-surface runways:
36
with runways over 3,659 m:
3
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
16
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
7
Telecommunications:
best developed system in Asia outside of Japan; 7,800,000 telephones;
extensive microwave radio relay links on east and west coasts;
broadcast stations - 91 AM, 23 FM, 15 TV (13 repeaters); 8,620,000
radios; 6,386,000 TVs (5,680,000 color, 706,000 monochrome); satellite
earth stations - 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT;
submarine cable links to Japan (Okinawa), Philippines, Guam,
Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia, Middle East, and Western
Europe

@Taiwan, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy (including Marines), Air Force, Coastal Patrol and Defense
Command, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Military Police Command
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 6,205,707; fit for military service 4,806,456; reach
military age (19) annually 192,083 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $12.1 billion, 5% of GNP (FY93/94 est.)

@Tajikistan, Geography

Location:
Central Asia, between Uzbekistan and China
Map references:
Asia, Commonwealth of Independent States - Central Asian States,
Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
143,100 sq km
land area:
142,700 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Wisconsin
Land boundaries:
total 3,651 km, Afghanistan 1,206 km, China 414 km, Kyrgyzstan 870 km,
Uzbekistan 1,161 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
boundary with China in dispute; territorial dispute with Kyrgyzstan on
northern boundary in Isfara Valley area; Afghanistan's and other
foreign support to Tajik rebels based in northern Afghanistan
Climate:
midlatitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar
in Pamir Mountains
Terrain:
Pamir and Alay Mountains dominate landscape; western Fergana Valley in
north, Kofarnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest
Natural resources:
significant hydropower potential, some petroleum, uranium, mercury,
brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten
Land use:
arable land:
6%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
23%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
71%
Irrigated land:
6,940 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues:
inadequate sanitation facilities; increasing levels of soil salinity;
industrial pollution; excessive pesticides; Tajikistan is part of the
basin of the shrinking Aral Sea which suffers from severe
overutilization of available water for irrigation and associated
pollution
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
NA
Note:
landlocked

@Tajikistan, People

Population:
5,995,469 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.67% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
34.79 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
6.71 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-1.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
62 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
68.76 years
male:
65.88 years
female:
71.79 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.62 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Tajik(s)
adjective:
Tajik
Ethnic divisions:
Tajik 64.9%, Uzbek 25%, Russian 3.5% (declining because of
emigration), other 6.6%
Religions:
Sunni Muslim 80%, Shi'a Muslim 5%
Languages:
Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business
Literacy:
age 9-49 can read and write (1970)
total population:
100%
male:
100%
female:
99%
Labor force:
1.95 million (1992)
by occupation:
agriculture and forestry 43%, government and services 24%, industry
14%, trade and communications 11%, construction 8% (1990)

@Tajikistan, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Tajikistan
conventional short form:
Tajikistan
local long form:
Respublika i Tojikiston
local short form:
none
former:
Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic
Digraph:
TI
Type:
republic
Capital:
Dushanbe
Administrative divisions:
2 oblasts (viloyotho, singular - viloyat) and one autonomous oblast*
(viloyati avtonomii); Viloyati Avtonomii Badakhshoni Kuni* (Khorugh -
formerly Khorog), Viloyati Khatlon (Qurghonteppa - formerly
Kurgan-Tyube), Viloyati Leninobad (Khujand - formerly Leninabad)
note:
the administrative center names are in parentheses
Independence:
9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday:
National Day, 9 September (1991)
Constitution:
a referendum on new constitution planned for June 1994
Legal system:
based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Head of State and Assembly Chairman Emomili RAKHMONOV (since NA
November 1992); election last held 27 October 1991 (next to be held NA
September 1994); results - Rakhman NABIYEV, Communist Party 60%;
Davlat KHUDONAZAROV, Democratic Party, Islamic Rebirth Party and
Rastokhoz Party 30%
head of government:
Prime Minister Abdujalil SAMADOV (since 27 December 993)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
note:
the presidency was abolished in November 1992, when RAKHMANOV became
head of state; a referendum on presidential or parliamentary system is
planned for June 1994
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Supreme Soviet:
elections last held 25 February 1990 (next to be held NA September
1994); results - Communist Party 99%, other 1%; seats - (230 total)
Communist Party 227, other 3
Judicial branch:
Prosecutor General
Political parties and leaders:
Communist Party (Tajik Socialist Party - TSP), Shodi SHABDOLOV,
chairman; Tajik Democratic Party (TDP), Shodmon YUSUF; Islamic Revival
Party (IRP), Mohammed Sharif HIMOTZODA, Davat OUSMAN; Rastokhez
Movement, Tohir ABDUJABBAR; Lali Badakhshan Society, Atobek AMIRBEK
note:
all the above-listed parties but the Communist Party were banned in
June 1993
Other political or pressure groups:
Tajikistan Opposition Movement based in northern Afghanistan
Member of:
CIS, CSCE, EBRD, ECO, ESCAP, IBRD, IDA, IDB, IMF, INTELSAT
(nonsignatory user), IOC, NACC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, WHO,
WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
NA
chancery:
NA
telephone:
NA
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Stanley T. ESCUDERO
embassy:
Hotel October, 105A Rudaki Prospect, Dushanbe
mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
(3772) 21-03-56 and 21-03-60
Flag:
three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of white, and
green; a crown surmounted by seven five-pointed stars is located in
the center of the white stripe

@Tajikistan, Economy

Overview:
Tajikistan had the lowest per capita GDP in the former USSR, the
highest rate of population growth, and the lowest standard of living.
Its economy at the start of 1994 is producing at roughly the 1989
level and faces urgent reconstruction tasks from the 1992 civil war.
Tajikistan's economy was severely disrupted by the breakup of the
Soviet economy, which provided guaranteed trade relations and heavy
subsidies and in which specialized tasks were assigned to each
republic. Its economy is highly agricultural (43% of the work force);
it has specialized in growing cotton for export and must import a
large share of its food. Its industry (14% of the work force) produces
aluminum, hydropower, machinery, and household appliances. Nearly all
petroleum products must be imported. Constant political turmoil and
continued dominance of former Communist officials have slowed the
process of economic reform and brought near economic collapse while
limiting foreign assistance. Tajikistan is in the midst of a prolonged
monetary crisis in which it is attempting to continue to use the
Russian ruble as its currency while its neighbors have switched to new
independent currencies; Russia is unwilling to advance sufficient
rubles without attaching stringent reform conditions.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $6.9 billion (1993 estimate from
the UN International Comparison Program, as extended to 1991 and
published in the World Bank's World Development Report 1993; and as
extrapolated to 1993 using official Tajik statistics, which are very
uncertain because of major economic changes since 1990)
National product real growth rate:
-21% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,180 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
38% per month (1993 average)
Unemployment rate:
1.1% includes only officially registered unemployed; also large
numbers of underemployed workers and unregistered unemployed people
Budget:
revenues:
$NA
expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Exports:
$263 million to outside the FSU countries (1993)
commodities:
cotton, aluminum, fruits, vegetable oil, textiles
partners:
Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan
Imports:
$371 million from outside the FSU countries (1993)
commodities:
fuel, chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, textiles,
foodstuffs
partners:
Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate -20% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity:
4,585,000 kW
production:
16.8 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
2,879 kWh (1992)
Industries:
aluminum, zinc, lead, chemicals and fertilizers, cement, vegetable
oil, metal-cutting machine tools, refrigerators and freezers
Agriculture:
cotton, grain, fruits, grapes, vegetables; cattle, sheep and goats
Illicit drugs:
illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy; mostly for CIS
consumption; limited government eradication programs; used as
transshipment points for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia to Western
Europe and North America
Economic aid:
recipient:
Russia reportedly provided substantial general assistance throughout
1993 and continues to provide assistance in 1994; Western aid and
credits promised through the end of 1993 were $700 million but
disbursements were only $104 million; large scale development loans
await IMF approval of a reform and stabilization plan
Currency:
1 ruble (R) = 100 kopeks; acquiring new Russian rubles as currency
under December 1993 agreement
Exchange rates:
NA
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Tajikistan, Communications

Railroads:
480 km; does not include industrial lines (1990)
Highways:
total:
29,900 km
paved:
21,400 km
unpaved:
earth 8,500 km (1990)
Pipelines:
natural gas 400 km (1992)
Ports:
none; landlocked
Airports:
total:
58
usable:
30
with permanent-surface runways:
12
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
4
with runways 1,060-2,439 m:
13
note:
a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstrip
Telecommunications:
poorly developed and not well maintained; many towns are not reached
by the national network; 303,000 telephone circuits (December 1991);
telephone density about 55 per 1000 persons(1951); linked by cable and
microwave to other CIS republics, and by leased connections to the
Moscow international gateway switch; Dushanbe linked by INTELSAT to
international gateway switch in Ankara; satellite earth stations - 1
Orbita and 2 INTELSAT (one INTELSAT earth station provides TV
receive-only service from Turkey)

@Tajikistan, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army (being formed), National Guard, Security Forces (internal and
border troops)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,361,143; fit for military service 1,116,246; reach
military age (18) annually 57,681 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP

@Tanzania, Geography

Location:
Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean between Kenya and
Mozambique
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
945,090 sq km
land area:
886,040 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than twice the size of California
note:
includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar
Land boundaries:
total 3,402 km, Burundi 451 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km,
Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217 km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km
Coastline:
1,424 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
boundary dispute with Malawi in Lake Nyasa; Tanzania-Zaire-Zambia
tripoint in Lake Tanganyika may no longer be indefinite since it is
reported that the indefinite section of the Zaire-Zambia boundary has
been settled
Climate:
varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands
Terrain:
plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south
Natural resources:
hydropower potential, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds,
gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel
Land use:
arable land:
5%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
40%
forest and woodland:
47%
other:
7%
Irrigated land:
1,530 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
soil degradation; deforestation; desertification; destruction of coral
reefs threatens marine habitats; recent droughts affected marginal
agriculture
natural hazards:
the tsetse fly and lack of water limit agriculture; flooding on the
central plateau during the rainy season
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified -
Biodiversity, Climate Change
Note:
Mount Kilimanjaro is highest point in Africa

@Tanzania, People

Population:
27,985,660 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.5% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
45.48 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
19.42 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
109.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
43.25 years
male:
41.52 years
female:
45.03 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.2 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Tanzanian(s)
adjective:
Tanzanian
Ethnic divisions:
mainland:
native African 99% (consisting of well over 100 tribes)
Asian, European, and Arab 1%
Zanzibar:
NA
Religions:
mainland:
Christian 45%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 20%
Zanzibar:
Muslim 99% plus
Languages:
Swahili (official; widely understood and generally used for
communication between ethnic groups and is used in primary education),
English (official; primary language of commerce, administration, and
higher education)
note:
first language of most people is one of the local languages
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1978)
total population:
46%
male:
62%
female:
31%
Labor force:
732,200 wage earners
by occupation:
agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 10% (1986 est.)

@Tanzania, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
United Republic of Tanzania
conventional short form:
Tanzania
former:
United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar
Digraph:
TZ
Type:
republic
Capital:
Dar es Salaam
note:
some government offices have been transferred to Dodoma, which is
planned as the new national capital by the end of the 1990s
Administrative divisions:
25 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Kigoma,
Kilimanjaro, Lindi, Mara, Mbeya, Morogoro, Mtwara, Mwanza, Pemba
North, Pemba South, Pwani, Rukwa, Ruvuma, Shinyanga, Singida, Tabora,
Tanga, Zanzibar Central/South, Zanzibar North, Zanzibar Urban/West,
Ziwa Magharibi
Independence:
26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent 9 December 1961 (from UN
trusteeship under British administration); Zanzibar became independent
19 December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with Zanzibar 26 April
1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; renamed
United Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964
National holiday:
Union Day, 26 April (1964)
Constitution:
25 April 1977; major revisions October 1984
Legal system:
based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts
limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Ali Hassan MWINYI (since 5 November 1985); First Vice
President John MALECELA (since 9 November 1990); Second Vice President
and President of Zanzibar Salmin AMOUR (since 9 November 1990)
election last held 28 October 1990 (next to be held NA October 1995);
results - Ali Hassan MWINYI was elected without opposition
head of government:
Prime Minister John MALECELA (since 9 November 1990)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president from the National Assembly
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Assembly (Bunge):
elections last held 28 October 1990 (next to be held NA October 1995);
results - CCM was the only party; seats - (241 total, 168 elected) CCM
168
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal, High Court
Political parties and leaders:
Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM or Revolutionary Party), Ali Hassan MWINYI;
Civic United Front (CUF), James MAPALALA; National Committee for
Constitutional Reform (NCCK), Mabere MARANDO; Union for Multiparty
Democracy (UMD), Abdullah FUNDIKIRA; Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo
(CHADEMA), Edwin I. M. MTEI, chairman
Member of:
ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, EADB, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-6, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO,
ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU,
WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Charles Musama NYIRABU
chancery:
2139 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 939-6125
FAX:
(202) 797-7408
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Peter Jon DE VOS
embassy:
36 Laibon Road (off Bagamoyo Road), Dar es Salaam
mailing address:
P. O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam
telephone:
(51) 66010 through 13
FAX:
(51) 66701
Flag:
divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the lower
hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the
lower triangle is blue

@Tanzania, Economy

Overview:
Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy is
heavily dependent on agriculture, which accounts for about 58% of GDP,
provides 85% of exports, and employs 90% of the work force. Industry
accounts for 8% of GDP and is mainly limited to processing
agricultural products and light consumer goods. The economic recovery
program announced in mid-1986 has generated notable increases in
agricultural production and financial support for the program by
bilateral donors. The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and
bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's
deteriorated economic infrastructure. Growth in 1991-93 featured a
pickup in industrial production and a substantial increase in output
of minerals led by gold.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $16.7 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
3.2% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$600 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
21% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$495 million
expenditures:
$631 million, including capital expenditures of $118 million (1990
est.)
Exports:
$418 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
coffee, cotton, tobacco, tea, cashew nuts, sisal
partners:
FRG, UK, Japan, Netherlands, Kenya, Hong Kong, US
Imports:
$1.51 billion (c.i.f., 1992 est.)
commodities:
manufactured goods, machinery and transportation equipment, cotton
piece goods, crude oil, foodstuffs
partners:
FRG, UK, US, Japan, Italy, Denmark
External debt:
$6.44 billion (1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate 9.3% (1990); accounts for 8% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
405,000 kW
production:
600 million kWh
consumption per capita:
20 kWh (1991)
Industries:
primarily agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal
twine), diamond and gold mining, oil refinery, shoes, cement,
textiles, wood products, fertilizer
Agriculture:
accounts for over 58% of GDP; topography and climatic conditions limit
cultivated crops to only 5% of land area; cash crops - coffee, sisal,
tea, cotton, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums),
cashews, tobacco, cloves (Zanzibar); food crops - corn, wheat,
cassava, bananas, fruits, vegetables; small numbers of cattle, sheep,
and goats; not self-sufficient in food grain production
Illicit drugs:
growing role in transshipment of Southwest Asian heroin destined for
US and European markets
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $400 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $9.8
billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $44 million; Communist
countries (1970-89), $614 million
Currency:
1 Tanzanian shilling (TSh) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Tanzanian shillings (TSh) per US$1 - 486.75 (January 1994), 405.27
(1993), 297.71 (1992), 219.16 (1991), 195.06 (1990), 143.38 (1989)
Fiscal year:
1 July-30 June

@Tanzania, Communications

Railroads:
969 km total; all of 1.067-meter gauge; connects with Zambia railroad
at Tazara
Highways:
total:
81,900 km
paved:
3,600 km
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone 5,600 km; improved, unimproved earth 72,700 km
Inland waterways:
Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, Lake Nyasa
Pipelines:
crude oil 982 km
Ports:
Dar es Salaam, Mtwara, Tanga, and Zanzibar are ocean ports; Mwanza on
Lake Victoria and Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika are inland ports
Merchant marine:
7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 29,145 GRT/39,186 DWT, cargo 3,
oil tanker 1, passenger-cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1
Airports:
total:
109
usable:
100
with permanent-surface runways:
12
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
4
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
40
Telecommunications:
fair system operating below capacity; open wire, radio relay, and
troposcatter; 103,800 telephones; broadcast stations - 12 AM, 4 FM, 2
TV; 1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Tanzania, Defense Forces

Branches:
Tanzanian People's Defense Force (TPDF; including Army, Navy, and Air
Force), paramilitary Police Field Force Unit, Militia
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 6,011,564; fit for military service 3,480,179
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP

@Thailand, Geography

Location:
Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Burma and
Cambodia
Map references:
Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
514,000 sq km
land area:
511,770 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming
Land boundaries:
total 4,863 km, Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km,
Malaysia 506 km
Coastline:
3,219 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
boundary dispute with Laos; unresolved maritime boundary with Vietnam;
parts of border with Thailand in dispute; maritime boundary with
Thailand not clearly defined
Climate:
tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to
September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March);
southern isthmus always hot and humid
Terrain:
central plain; Khorat plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere
Natural resources:
tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish,
gypsum, lignite, fluorite
Land use:
arable land:
34%
permanent crops:
4%
meadows and pastures:
1%
forest and woodland:
30%
other:
31%
Irrigated land:
42,300 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
air pollution increasing from vehicle emissions; water pollution from
organic and factory wastes; deforestation; wildlife populations
threatened by illegal hunting
natural hazards:
land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the
water table
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservaiton, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber; signed, but not ratified
- Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea
Note:
controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore

@Thailand, People

Population:
59,510,471 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.3% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
19.43 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
6.41 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
37.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
68.35 years
male:
64.99 years
female:
71.87 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.1 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Thai (singular and plural)
adjective:
Thai
Ethnic divisions:
Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%
Religions:
Buddhism 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christianity 0.5%, Hinduism 0.1%, other
0.6% (1991)
Languages:
Thai, English the secondary language of the elite, ethnic and regional
dialects
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
93%
male:
96%
female:
90%
Labor force:
30.87 million
by occupation:
agriculture 62%, industry 13%, commerce 11%, services (including
government) 14% (1989 est.)

@Thailand, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Kingdom of Thailand
conventional short form:
Thailand
Digraph:
TH
Type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
Bangkok
Administrative divisions:
73 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Ang Thong, Buriram,
Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang
Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon
Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep Mahanakhon, Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri,
Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom,
Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat,
Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani,
Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit,
Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri,
Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon,
Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing
Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin,
Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani,
Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon
Independence:
1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)
National holiday:
Birthday of His Majesty the King, 5 December (1927)
Constitution:
new constitution approved 7 December 1991; amended 10 June 1992
Legal system:
based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; martial law in effect since 23
February 1991 military coup
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946); Heir Apparent Crown
Prince WACHIRALONGKON (born 28 July 1952)
head of government:
Prime Minister CHUAN Likphai (since 23 September 1992)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Privy Council:
NA
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Assembly (Rathasatha)
Senate (Vuthisatha):
consists of a 270-member appointed body
House of Representatives(Saphaphoothan-Rajsadhorn):
elections last held 13 September 1992 (next to be held by NA); results
- percent of vote by party NA; seats - (360 total) DP 79, TNP 77, NDP
60, NAP 51, Phalang Tham 47, SAP 22, LDP 8, SP 8, Mass Party 4, Thai
Citizen's Party 3, People's Party 1, People's Force Party 0
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Sarndika)
Political parties and leaders:
Democrat Party (DP), Chuan LIKPHAI; Thai Nation Pary (TNP or Chat Thai
Party), Banhan SINLAPA-ACHA; National Development Party (NDP or Chat
Phattana), Chatchai CHUNHAWAN; New Aspiration Party (NAP), Gen.
Chawalit YONGCHAIYUT; Phalang Tham (Palang Dharma), Bunchu
ROTCHANASATIEN; Social Action Party (SAP), Montri PHONGPHANIT; Liberal
Democratic Party (LDP or Seri Tham), Athit URAIRAT; Solidarity Party
(SP), Uthai PHIMCHAICHON; Mass Party (Muanchon), Pol. Cpt. Choem
YUBAMRUNG; Thai Citizen's Party (Prachakon Thai), Samak SUNTHONWET;
People's Party (Ratsadon), Chaiphak SIRIWAT; People's Force Party
(Phalang Prachachon), Col. Sophon HANCHAREON
Member of:
APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM,
ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM (observer), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNTAC, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador PHIRAPHONG Kasemsi
chancery:
2300 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 483-7200
FAX:
(202) 234-4498
consulate(s) general:
Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador David F. LAMBERTSON
embassy:
95 Wireless Road, Bangkok
mailing address:
APO AP 96546
telephone:
(2) 252-5040
FAX:
(2) 254-2990
consulate(s) general:
Chiang Mai
consulate(s):
Udorn (Udon Thani)
Flag:
five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white,
and red

@Thailand, Economy

Overview: Thailand's economy recovered rapidly from the political unrest in May 1992 to post an impressive 7.5% growth rate for the year and 7.8% in 1993. One of the more advanced developing countries in Asia, Thailand depends on exports of manufactures and the development of the service sector to fuel the country's rapid growth. The trade and current account deficits fell in 1992; much of Thailand's recent imports have been for capital equipment suggesting that the export sector is poised for further growth. With foreign investment slowing, Bangkok is working to increase the generation of domestic capital. Prime Minister CHUAN's government - Thailand's fifth government in less than two years - is pledged to continue Bangkok's probusiness policies, and the return of a democratically elected government has improved business confidence. Nevertheless, CHUAN must overcome divisions within his ruling coalition to complete much needed infrastructure development programs if Thailand is to remain an attractive place for business investment. Over the longer-term, Bangkok must produce more college graduates with technical training and upgrade workers' skills to continue its rapid economic development. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $323 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 7.8% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $5,500 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.1% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.1% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues: $21.36 billion expenditures: $22.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $6.24 billion (1993 est.) Exports: $28.4 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: machinery and manufactures 76.9%, agricultural products 14.9%, fisheries products 5.9% (1992) partners: US 22%, Japan 18%, Singapore 8%, Hong Kong 5%, Germany 4%, Netherlands 4%, UK 4%, Malaysia, France, China (1992) Imports: $37.6 billion (c.i.f., 1992) commodities: capital goods 41.4%, intermediate goods and raw materials 32.8%, consumer goods 10.4%, oil 8.2% partners: Japan 29.3%, US 11.4%, Singapore 7.6%, Taiwan 5.5%, Germany 5.4%, South Korea 4.6%, Malaysia 4.2%, China 3.3%, Hong Kong 3.3%, UK (1992) External debt: $33.4 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 9% (1992); accounts for about 26% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 10,000,000 kW production: 43.75 billion kWh consumption per capita: 760 kWh (1992) Industries: tourism is the largest source of foreign exchange; textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing, such as jewelry; electric appliances and components, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics; world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer Agriculture: accounts for 12% of GDP and 60% of labor force; leading producer and exporter of rice and cassava (tapioca); other crops - rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans; except for wheat, self-sufficient in food Illicit drugs: a minor producer of opium and marijuana; major illicit trafficker of heroin, particularly from Burma and Laos, for the international drug market; eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been affected by eradication efforts; also a major drug money laundering center Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $870 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $8.6 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $19 million Currency: 1 baht (B) = 100 satang Exchange rates: baht (B) per US$1 - 25.446 (December 1993), 25.400 (1992), 25.517 (1991), 25.585 (1990), 25.702 (1989) Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September

@Thailand, Communications

Railroads:
3,940 km 1.000-meter gauge, 99 km double track
Highways:
total:
77,697 km
paved:
35,855 km (including 88 km of expressways)
unpaved:
gravel, other stabilization 14,092 km; earth 27,750 km (1988)
Inland waterways:
3,999 km principal waterways; 3,701 km with navigable depths of 0.9 m
or more throughout the year; numerous minor waterways navigable by
shallow-draft native craft
Pipelines:
petroleum products 67 km; natural gas 350 km
Ports:
Bangkok, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha
Merchant marine:
198 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 998,372 GRT/1,561,824 DWT, bulk
14, cargo 105, chemical tanker 2, combination bulk 2, container 13,
liquefied gas 9, oil tanker 43, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 6,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1
Airports:
total:
105
usable:
96
with permanent-surface runways:
51
with runways over 3,659 m:
1
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
14
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
28
Telecommunications:
service to general public inadequate; bulk of service to government
activities provided by multichannel cable and microwave radio relay
network; 739,500 telephones (1987); broadcast stations - over 200 AM,
100 FM, and 11 TV in government-controlled networks; satellite earth
stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT;
domestic satellite system being developed

@Thailand, Defense Forces

Branches:
Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (including Royal Thai Marine Corps),
Royal Thai Air Force, Paramilitary Forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 16,982,226; fit for military service 10,312,744; reach
military age (18) annually 599,240 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $3.8 billion, 2.9% of GNP (FY93/94 est.)

@The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Geography

Location:
Balkan State, Southeastern Europe, between Serbia and Montenegro and
Greece
Map references:
Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the
World
Area:
total area:
25,333 sq km
land area:
24,856 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than Vermont
Land boundaries:
total 748 km, Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 228 km, Serbia
and Montenegro 221 km (all with Serbia)
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
Greece claims republic's name implies territorial claims against
Aegean Macedonia
Climate:
hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy
snowfall
Terrain:
mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; there are
three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line
Natural resources:
chromium, lead, zinc, manganese, tungsten, nickel, low-grade iron ore,
asbestos, sulphur, timber
Land use:
arable land:
5%
permanent crops:
5%
meadows and pastures:
20%
forest and woodland:
30%
other:
40%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
air pollution from metallurgical plants
natural hazards:
high seismic risks
international agreements:
party to - Ozone Layer Protection
Note:
landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central
Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe

@The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, People

Population: 2,213,785 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.89% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 15.59 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 6.72 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 27.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.59 years male: 71.51 years female: 75.85 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.98 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Macedonian(s) adjective: Macedonian Ethnic divisions: Macedonian 65%, Albanian 22%, Turkish 4%, Serb 2%, Gypsies 3%, other 4% Religions: Eastern Orthodox 67%, Muslim 30%, other 3% Languages: Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 3%, other 3% Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 507,324 by occupation: agriculture 8%, manufacturing and mining 40% (1990)

@The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
conventional short form:
none
local long form:
Republika Makedonija
local short form:
Makedonija
Abbreviation:
F.Y.R.O.M.
Digraph:
MK
Type:
emerging democracy
Capital:
Skopje
Administrative divisions:
34 counties (opstinas, singular - opstina) Berovo, Bitola, Brod,
Debar, Delcevo, Gevgelija, Gostivar, Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kocani,
Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Murgasevo, Negotino, Ohrid,
Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Resen, Skopje-Centar, Skopje-Cair,
Skopje-Karpos, Skopje-Kisela Voda, Skopje-Gazi Baba, Stip, Struga,
Strumica, Sveti Nikole, Tetovo, Titov Veles, Valandovo, Vinica
Independence:
17 September 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday:
NA
Constitution:
adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991
Legal system:
based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Kiro GLIGOROV (since 27 January 1991); election last held 27
January 1991 (next to be held NA); results - Kiro GLIGOROV was elected
by the Assembly
head of government:
Prime Minister Branko CRVENKOVSKI (since 4 September 1992), Deputy
Prime Ministers Jovan ANDONOV (since NA March 1991), Risto IVANOV
(since NA), and Becir ZUTA (since NA March 1991)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; elected by the majority vote of all the deputies
in the Sobranje
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Assembly (Sobranje):
elections last held 11 and 25 November and 9 December 1990 (next to be
held November 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(120 total) VMRO-DPMNE 32, SDSM 29, PDPM 23, SRSM 19, SPM 4, DP 4, SJM
2, others 7
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court, Judicial Court of the Republic
Political parties and leaders:
Social-Democratic Alliance of Macedonia (SDSM; former Communist
Party), Branko CRVENKOVSKI, president; Party for Democratic Prosperity
(PDPM); National Democratic Party (PDP), Ilijas HALINI, president;
Alliance of Reform Forces of Macedonia - Liberal Party (SRSM-LP),
Stojan ANDOV, president; Socialist Party of Macedonia (SPM), Kiro
POPOVSKI, president; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization -
Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE), Ljupco
GEORGIEVSKI, president; Party of Yugoslavs in Macedonia (SJM), Milan
DURCINOV, president; Democratic Party (DP), Petal GOSEV, president
Other political or pressure groups:
Movement for All Macedonian Action (MAAK); Democratic Party of Serbs;
Democratic Party of Turks; Party for Democratic Action (Slavic Muslim)
Member of:
CE (guest), CSCE (observer), EBRD, ECE, ICAO, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT
(nonsignatory user), ITU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
the US recognized The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on 9
February 1994
US diplomatic representation:
the US recognized The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on 9
February 1994
Flag:
16-point gold sun (Vergina, Sun) centered on a red field

@The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Economy

Overview:
The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, although the poorest
republic in the former Yugoslav federation, can meet basic food and
energy needs through its own agricultural and coal resources. Its
economic decline will continue unless ties are reforged or enlarged
with its neighbors Serbia and Montenegro, Albania, Greece, and
Bulgaria. The economy depends on outside sources for all of its oil
and gas and its modern machinery and parts. Continued political
turmoil, both internally and in the region as a whole, prevents any
swift readjustments of trade patterns and economic programs. The
country's industrial output and GDP are expected to decline further in
1994. The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's geographical
isolation, technological backwardness, and potential political
instability place it far down the list of countries of interest to
Western investors. Resolution of the dispute with Greece and an
internal commitment to economic reform would help to encourage foreign
investment over the long run. In the immediate future, the worst
scenario for the economy would be the spread of fighting across its
borders.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $2.2 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
-14.7% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
13% monthly average (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
27% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$NA
expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Exports:
$889 million (1993)
commodities:
manufactured goods 40%, machinery and transport equipment 14%,
miscellaneous manufactured articles 23%, raw materials 7.6%, food
(rice) and live animals 5.7%, beverages and tobacco 4.5%, chemicals
4.7% (1990)
partners:
principally Serbia and Montenegro and the other former Yugoslav
republics, Germany, Greece, Albania
Imports:
$963 million (1993)
commodities:
fuels and lubricants 19%, manufactured goods 18%, machinery and
transport equipment 15%, food and live animals 14%, chemicals 11.4%,
raw materials 10%, miscellaneous manufactured articles 8.0%, beverages
and tobacco 3.5% (1990)
partners:
other former Yugoslav republics, Greece, Albania, Germany, Bulgaria
External debt:
$840 million (1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate -14% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity:
1,600,000 kW
production:
6.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
2,900 kWh (1992)
Industries:
low levels of technology predominate, such as, oil refining by
distillation only; produces basic liquid fuels, coal, metallic
chromium, lead, zinc, and ferronickel; light industry produces basic
textiles, wood products, and tobacco
Agriculture:
provides 12% of GDP and meets the basic needs for food; principal
crops are rice, tobacco, wheat, corn, and millet; also grown are
cotton, sesame, mulberry leaves, citrus fruit, and vegetables; The
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is one of the seven legal
cultivators of the opium poppy for the world pharmaceutical industry,
including some exports to the US; agricultural production is highly
labor intensive
Illicit drugs:
limited illicit opium cultivation; transshipment point for Asian
heroin
Economic aid:
recipient:
US $10 million (for humanitarian and technical assistance)
EC promised a 100 ECU million economic aid package (1993)
Currency:
the denar, which was adopted by the Macedonian legislature 26 April
1992, was initially issued in the form of a coupon pegged to the
German mark; subsequently repegged to a basket of seven currencies
Exchange rates:
denar per US$1 - 865 (October 1992)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Communications

Railroads:
NA
Highways:
total:
10,591 km
paved:
5,091 km
unpaved:
gravel 1,404 km; earth 4,096 km (1991)
Inland waterways:
NA km
Pipelines:
none
Ports:
none; landlocked
Airports:
total:
16
usable:
16
with permanent-surface runways:
10
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
2
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
2
Telecommunications:
125,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 2 FM, 5 (2 relays) TV;
370,000 radios, 325,000 TV; satellite communications ground stations -
none

@The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force, Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 604,257; fit for military service 489,746; reach
military age (19) annually 19,539 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
7 billion denars, NA% of GNP (1993 est.); note - conversion of the
military budget into US dollars using the prevailing exchange rate
could produce misleading results

@Togo, Geography

Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean beween Benin and
Ghana
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
56,790 sq km
land area:
54,390 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total 1,647 km, Benin 644 km, Burkina 126 km, Ghana 877 km
Coastline:
56 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
30 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Terrain:
gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low
coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes
Natural resources:
phosphates, limestone, marble
Land use:
arable land:
25%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
4%
forest and woodland:
28%
other:
42%
Irrigated land:
70 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation attributable to slash-and-burn agriculture and the use
of wood for fuel; recent droughts affecting agriculture
natural hazards:
hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber; signed, but not
ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change

@Togo, People

Population:
4,255,090 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.59% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
47.3 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
11.39 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
88.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
56.93 years
male:
54.87 years
female:
59.06 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.9 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Togolese (singular and plural)
adjective:
Togolese
Ethnic divisions:
37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabye,
European and Syrian-Lebanese under 1%
Religions:
indigenous beliefs 70%, Christian 20%, Muslim 10%
Languages:
French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe (one of the two
major African languages in the south), Mina (one of the two major
African languages in the south), Dagomba (one of the two major African
languages in the north), Kabye (one of the two major African languages
in the north)
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
43%
male:
56%
female:
31%
Labor force:
NA
by occupation:
agriculture 78%, industry 22%
note:
about 88,600 wage earners, evenly divided between public and private
sectors; 50% of population of working age (1985)

@Togo, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Togo
conventional short form:
Togo
local long form:
Republique Togolaise
local short form:
none
former:
French Togo
Digraph:
TO
Type:
republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule
Capital:
Lome
Administrative divisions:
23 circumscriptions (circonscriptions, singular - circonscription);
Amlame (Amou), Aneho (Lacs), Atakpame (Ogou), Badou (Wawa), Bafilo
(Assoli), Bassar (Bassari), Dapango (Tone), Kande (Keran), Klouto
(Kloto), Pagouda (Binah), Lama-Kara (Kozah), Lome (Golfe), Mango
(Oti), Niamtougou (Doufelgou), Notse (Haho), Pagouda, Sotouboua,
Tabligbo (Yoto), Tchamba, Nyala, Tchaoudjo, Tsevie (Zio), Vogan (Vo)
note:
the 23 units may now be called prefectures (prefectures, singular -
prefecture) and reported name changes for individual units are
included in parentheses
Independence:
27 April 1960 (from UN trusteeship under French administration)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 April (1960)
Constitution:
multiparty draft constitution approved by High Council of the Republic
1 July 1992; adopted by public referendum 27 September 1992
Legal system:
French-based court system
Suffrage:
universal adult at age NA
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA (since 14 April 1967); election last
held 25 August 1993 (next election to be held NA 1998); all major
opposition parties boycotted the election; Gen. EYADEMA won 96.5% of
the vote
head of government:
Prime Minister Edem KODJO (since April 1994)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the president and the prime
minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Assembly:
elections last held on 6 and 20 February 1994 (next to be held NA);
results - percent of vote by party NA; SEATS - (81 total) RPT and
allies (pro government) 38, CAR, UTD (the opposition) 40, still
contested as of 3 May 1994
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel), Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
pro-government:
Rally of the Togolese People (RPT), President Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA;
Coordination des Forces Nouvelles (CFN), Joseph KOFFIGOH
moderate:
The Togolese Union for Democracy (UTD), Edem KODJO; The Action
Committee for Renewal (CAR), Yao AGBOYIBOR
radical:
The Union for Democracy and Solidarity (UDS), Antoine FOLLY; The
Pan-African Sociodemocrats Group (GSP), an alliance of three radical
parties: The Democratic Convention of African Peoples (CDPA), Leopold
GNININVI; The Party for Democracy and Renewal (PDR), Zarifou AYEVA;
The Pan-African Social Party (PSP), Francis AGBAGLI; The Union of
Forces for Change (UFC), Gilchrist OLYMPIO (in exile)
note:
Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) led by President EYADEMA was the
only party until the formation of multiple parties was legalized 12
April 1991
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO (observer), ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ,
G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,
INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Charge d'Affaires Edem Frederic HEGBE
chancery:
2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 234-4212
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Harmon E. KIRBY (Ambassador Johnny YOUNG to replace
Ambassador KIRBY during the summer of 1994)
embassy:
Rue Pelletier Caventou and Rue Vauban, Lome
mailing address:
B. P. 852, Lome
telephone:
21-29-91
FAX:
21-79-52
Flag:
five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating with
yellow; there is a white five-pointed star on a red square in the
upper hoist-side corner; uses the popular pan-African colors of
Ethiopia

@Togo, Economy