***the World Factbook 1994 (part 3)

Overview:
Before the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the republic of Croatia, after
Slovenia, was the most prosperous and industrialized area, with a per
capita output roughly comparable to that of Portugal and perhaps
one-third above the Yugoslav average. At present, Croatian Serb
Nationalists control approximately one-third of the Croatian
territory, and one of the overriding determinants of Croatia's
long-term political and economic prospects will be the resolution of
this territorial dispute. Croatia faces monumental economic problems
stemming from: the legacy of longtime Communist mismanagement of the
economy; large foreign debt; damage during the fighting to bridges,
factories, power lines, buildings, and houses; the large refugee
population, both Croatian and Bosnian; and the disruption of economic
ties to Serbia and the other former Yugoslav republics, as well as
within its own territory. At the minimum, extensive Western aid and
investment, especially in the tourist and oil industries, would seem
necessary to salvage a desperate economic situation. However, peace
and political stability must come first; only then will recent
government moves toward a "market-friendly" economy reverse the sharp
drop in output. As of May 1994, fighting continues among Croats,
Serbs, and Muslims, and national boundaries and final political
arrangements are still in doubt.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $21.8 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
-19% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$4,500 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
26% monthly average (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
21% (December 1993)
Budget:
revenues:
$NA
expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Exports:
$3.9 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment 30%, other manufacturers 37%,
chemicals 11%, food and live animals 9%, raw materials 6.5%, fuels and
lubricants 5% (1990)
partners:
EC countries, Slovenia
Imports:
$4.7 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment 21%, fuels and lubricants 19%, food
and live animals 16%, chemicals 14%, manufactured goods 13%,
miscellaneous manufactured articles 9%, raw materials 6.5%, beverages
and tobacco 1% (1990)
partners:
EC countries, Slovenia, FSU countries
External debt:
$2.6 billion (December 1993)
Industrial production:
growth rate -5.9% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity:
3,570,000 kW
production:
11.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
2,400 kWh (1992)
Industries:
chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated metal, electronics,
pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum reduction, paper, wood
products (including furniture), building materials (including cement),
textiles, shipbuilding, petroleum and petroleum refining, food
processing and beverages
Agriculture:
Croatia normally produces a food surplus; most agricultural land in
private hands and concentrated in Croat-majority districts in Slavonia
and Istria; much of Slavonia's land has been put out of production by
fighting; wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflowers, alfalfa, and clover
are main crops in Slavonia; central Croatian highlands are less
fertile but support cereal production, orchards, vineyards, livestock
breeding, and dairy farming; coastal areas and offshore islands grow
olives, citrus fruits, and vegetables
Economic aid:
$NA
Currency:
1 Croatian dinar (CD) = 100 paras; a new currency, the kuna, replaced
the dinar on 30 May 1994
Exchange rates:
Croatian dinar per US $1 - 6,544 (January 1994), 3,637 (15 July 1993),
60.00 (April 1992)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Croatia, Communications

Railroads:
2,592 km of standard guage (1.435 m) of which 864 km are electrified
(1992); note - disrupted by territorial dispute
Highways:
total:
32,071 km
paved:
23,305 km
unpaved:
gravel 8,439 km; earth 327 km (1990)
Inland waterways:
785 km perennially navigable
Pipelines:
crude oil 670 km; petroleum products 20 km; natural gas 310 km (1992);
note - now disrupted because of territorial dispute
Ports:
coastal - Omisalj (oil), Ploce, Rijeka, Split; inland - Osijek,
Slavonski Samac, Vukovar, Zupanja
Merchant marine:
28 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 108,194 GRT/131,880 DWT, cargo
18, container 1, oil tanker 1, passenger 2, refrigerated cargo 1,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 3
note:
also controlled by Croatian shipowners are 151 ships (1,000 GRT or
over) under flags of convenience - primarily Malta and St. Vincent -
totaling 2,221,931 GRT/3,488,263 DWT; includes cargo 60, roll-on/
roll-off 8, refrigerated cargo 4, container 12, multifunction large
load carriers 3, bulk 45, oil tanker 9, liquified gas 1, chemical
tanker 4, service vessel 5
Airports:
total:
75
usable:
70
with permanent-surface runways:
16
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
7
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
5
Telecommunications:
350,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 14 AM, 8 FM, 12 (2 repeaters)
TV; 1,100,000 radios; 1,027,000 TVs; satellite ground stations - none

@Croatia, Defense Forces

Branches:
Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,182,767; fit for military service 946,010; reach
military age (19) annually 33,166 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
337 billion-393 billion Croatian dinars, NA% of GDP (1993 est.); note
- conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current
exchange rate could produce misleading results

@Cuba, Geography

Location:
Caribbean, in the northern Caribbean Sea, 145 km south of Key West
(Florida)
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zones
of the World
Area:
total area:
110,860 sq km
land area:
110,860 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:
total 29 km, US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km
note:
Guantanamo is leased and as such remains part of Cuba
Coastline:
3,735 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to US and only mutual
agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease
Climate:
tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April);
rainy season (May to October)
Terrain:
mostly flat to rolling plains with rugged hills and mountains in the
southeast
Natural resources:
cobalt, nickel, iron ore, copper, manganese, salt, timber, silica,
petroleum
Land use:
arable land:
23%
permanent crops:
6%
meadows and pastures:
23%
forest and woodland:
17%
other:
31%
Irrigated land:
8,960 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
overhunting threatens wildlife populations; deforestation
natural hazards:
averages one hurricane every other year
international agreements:
party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified -
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Marine Life Conservation
Note:
largest country in Caribbean

@Cuba, People

Population:
11,064,344 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.95% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
16.59 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
6.52 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
10.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
76.89 years
male:
74.72 years
female:
79.18 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.83 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Cuban(s)
adjective:
Cuban
Ethnic divisions:
mulatto 51%, white 37%, black 11%, Chinese 1%
Religions:
nominally Roman Catholic 85% prior to Castro assuming power
Languages:
Spanish
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
94%
male:
95%
female:
93%
Labor force:
4,620,800 economically active population (1988); 3,578,800 in state
sector
by occupation:
services and government 30%, industry 22%, agriculture 20%, commerce
11%, construction 10%, transportation and communications 7% (June
1990)

@Cuba, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Cuba
conventional short form:
Cuba
local long form:
Republica de Cuba
local short form:
Cuba
Digraph:
CU
Type:
Communist state
Capital:
Havana
Administrative divisions:
14 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 special
municipality* (municipio especial); Camaguey, Ciego de Avila,
Cienfuegos, Ciudad de La Habana, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla de
la Juventud*, La Habana, Las Tunas, Matanzas, Pinar del Rio, Sancti
Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa Clara
Independence:
20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US from
1898 to 1902)
National holiday:
Rebellion Day, 26 July (1953)
Constitution:
24 February 1976
Legal system:
based on Spanish and American law, with large elements of Communist
legal theory; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
16 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President of the Council of State and President of the Council of
Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (Prime Minister from February 1959 until 24
February 1976 when office was abolished; President since 2 December
1976); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice
President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2
December 1976)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; proposed by the president of the Council of
State, appointed by the National Assembly
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Assembly of People's Power:
(Asamblea Nacional del Poder Popular) elections last held February
1993; seats - 589 total, indirectly elected from slates approved by
special candidacy commissions
Judicial branch:
People's Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo Popular)
Political parties and leaders:
only party - Cuban Communist Party (PCC), Fidel CASTRO Ruz, first
secretary
Member of:
CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, ICAO, IFAD, ILO, IMO, INMARSAT,
INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA
(observer), LORCS, NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since
1962), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Principal Officer Alfonso FRAGA Perez (since August 1992) represented
by the Cuban Interests Section of the Swiss Embassy in Washington, DC
chancery:
2630 and 2639 16th Street NW, US Interests Section, Swiss Embassy,
Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
(202) 797-8518 or 8519, 8520, 8609, 8610
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Principal Officer Joseph SULLIVAN
US Interests Section:
USINT, Swiss Embassy, Calzada Entre L y M, Vedado Seccion, Havana
mailing address:
use street address
telephone:
33-3351 or 33-3543
FAX:
no service available at this time
note:
protecting power in Cuba is Switzerland - US Interests Section, Swiss
Embassy
Flag:
five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom) alternating with
white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a
white five-pointed star in the center

@Cuba, Economy

Overview:
Cuba's heavily statist economy remains in a severe depression as a
result of the loss of massive amounts of economic aid from the former
Soviet Bloc. In 1989-93, GDP declined by about 40% and import
capability fell by about 80%. Reduced imports of fuel, spare parts,
and chemicals combined with rainy weather to cut the production of
sugar - the country's top export - from 7 million tons in 1992 to 4.3
million tons in 1993, causing a loss of more than $400 million in
export revenue. The government implemented several measures designed
to stem the economic decline, e.g., legalizing the use of foreign
currency by Cuban citizens in August 1993 in an attempt to increase
remittances of foreign exchange from abroad. Authorities in September
1993 began permitting self-employment in over 100 mostly service
occupations. Also in September the government broke up many state
farms into smaller, more autonomous cooperative units in an attempt to
increase worker incentives and boost depressed food production levels.
Fuel shortages persisted throughout 1993; draft animals and bicycles
continued to replace motor-driven vehicles, and the use of electricity
by households and factories was cut from already low levels. With the
help of foreign investment, tourism has been one bright spot in the
economy, with arrivals and earnings reaching record highs in 1993.
Government officials have expressed guarded optimism for 1994, as the
country struggles to achieve sustainable economic growth at a
much-reduced standard of living.
National product:
GNP - purchasing power equivalent - $13.7 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
-10% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,250 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$12.46 billion
expenditures:
$14.45 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.)
Exports:
$1.5 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
sugar, nickel, shellfish, tobacco, medical products, citrus, coffee
partners:
Russia 28%, Canada 9%, China 5%, Ukraine 5%, Japan 4%, Spain 4% (1993
est.)
Imports:
$1.7 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
commodities:
petroleum, food, machinery, chemicals
partners:
Venezuela 20%, China 9%, Spain 9%, Mexico 7%, Italy 4%, Canada 7%,
France 8% (1993 est.)
External debt:
$6.8 billion (convertible currency, July 1989)
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
3,889,000 kW
production:
16.248 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
1,500 kWh (1992)
Industries:
sugar milling and refining, petroleum refining, food and tobacco
processing, textiles, chemicals, paper and wood products, metals
(particularly nickel), cement, fertilizers, consumer goods,
agricultural machinery
Agriculture:
accounts for 11% of GNP (including fishing and forestry); key
commercial crops - sugarcane, tobacco, and citrus fruits; other
products - coffee, rice, potatoes, meat, beans; world's largest sugar
exporter; not self-sufficient in food (excluding sugar); sector hurt
by growing shortages of fuels and parts
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine bound for the US
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-89), $710 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $18.5 billion
Currency:
1 Cuban peso (Cu$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
Cuban pesos (Cu$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (non-convertible, official rate,
linked to the US dollar)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Cuba, Communications

Railroads:
12,795 km total; Cuban National Railways operates 5,053 km of
1.435-meter gauge track, including 151.7 km electrified; in addition,
sugar plantation lines consist of 7,742 km of 0.914-meter and
1.435-meter gauge track
Highways:
total:
26,477 km
paved:
14,477 km
unpaved:
gravel or earth 12,000 km (1989)
Inland waterways:
240 km
Ports:
Cienfuegos, La Habana, Mariel, Matanzas, Santiago de Cuba; 7
secondary, 35 minor
Merchant marine:
64 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 444,038 GRT/627,741 DWT, bulk 2,
cargo 36, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 4, oil tanker 10, passenger
cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 10
note:
Cuba beneficially owns an additional 34 ships (1,000 GRT and over)
totaling 529,090 DWT under the registry of Panama, Cyprus, and Malta
Airports:
total:
187
usable:
167
with permanent-surface runways:
73
with runways over 3,659 m:
3
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
12
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
19
Telecommunications:
among the world's least developed telephone systems; 229,000
telephones; telephone density - 20.7 per 1,000 persons; broadcast
stations - 150 AM, 5 FM, 58 TV; 1,530,000 TVs; 2,140,000 radios; 1
Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Cuba, Defense Forces

Branches:
Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) - including ground forces,
Revolutionary Navy (MGR), Air and Air Defense Force (DAAFAR),
Territorial Militia Troops (MTT), Youth Labor Army (EJT), and Interior
Ministry Border Guard Troops
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 3,064,898; females age 15-49 3,088,810; males fit for
military service 1,907,396; females fit for military service
1,927,306; males reach military age (17) annually 81,536 (1994 est.);
females reach military age (17) annually 78,612 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - approx. $600 million, 4% of GSP (gross
social product) in 1993 was for defense
Note:
Moscow, for decades the key military supporter and supplier of Cuba,
cut off military aid by 1993

@Cyprus, Geography

Location:
Middle East, in the eastern Mediterreanean Sea, 97 km west of Syria
and 64 km west of Turkey
Map references:
Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
9,250 sq km
land area:
9,240 sq km
comparative area:
about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
648 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
1974 hostilities divided the island into two de facto autonomous
areas, a Greek area controlled by the Cypriot Government (60% of the
island's land area) and a Turkish-Cypriot area (35% of the island),
that are separated by a narrow UN buffer zone; in addition, there are
two UK sovereign base areas (about 5% of the island's land area)
Climate:
temperate, Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters
Terrain:
central plain with mountains to north and south
Natural resources:
copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth
pigment
Land use:
arable land:
40%
permanent crops:
7%
meadows and pastures:
10%
forest and woodland:
18%
other:
25%
Irrigated land:
350 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal
disparity in rainfall, and most potable resources concentrated in the
Turkish Cypriot area); water pollution from sewage and industrial
wastes; coastal degradation; loss of wildlife habitats from
urbanization
natural hazards:
moderate earthquake activity
international agreements:
party to - Air Pollution, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but
not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change

@Cyprus, People

Population: 730,084 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.91% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 16.69 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 7.61 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.22 years male: 73.97 years female: 78.58 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.32 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Cypriot(s) adjective: Cypriot Ethnic divisions: Greek 78%, Turkish 18%, other 4% Religions: Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian, Apostolic, and other 4% Languages: Greek, Turkish, English Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1987 est.) total population: 94% male: 98% female: 91% Labor force: Greek area: 285,500 by occupation: services 57%, industry 29%, agriculture 14% (1992) Turkish area: 75,000 by occupation: services 52%, industry 22%, agriculture 26% (1992)

@Cyprus, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Cyprus
conventional short form:
Cyprus
Digraph:
CY
Type:
republic
note:
a disaggregation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the island
began after the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation
was further solidified following the Turkish invasion of the island in
July 1974, which gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the
north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized
government; on 15 November 1983 Turkish Cypriot President Rauf
DENKTASH declared independence and the formation of a "Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC), which has been recognized only by
Turkey; both sides publicly call for the resolution of intercommunal
differences and creation of a new federal system of government
Capital:
Nicosia
Administrative divisions:
6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos
Independence:
16 August 1960 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 1 October (15 November (1983) is celebrated as
Independence Day in the Turkish area)
Constitution:
16 August 1960; negotiations to create the basis for a new or revised
constitution to govern the island and to better relations between
Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held intermittently; in 1975
Turkish Cypriots created their own Constitution and governing bodies
within the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus," which was renamed the
"Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in 1983; a new Constitution for
the Turkish area passed by referendum in 5 May 1985
Legal system:
based on common law, with civil law modifications
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Glafkos CLERIDES (since 28 February 1993); election last
held 14 February 1993 (next to be held February 1998); results -
Glafkos CLERIDES 50.3%, George VASSILIOU 49.7%
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed jointly by the president and
vice-president
note:
Rauf R. DENKTASH has been president of the Turkish area since 13
February 1975; Hakki ATUN has been prime minister of the Turkish area
since 1 January 1994; there is a Council of Ministers (cabinet) in the
Turkish area
Legislative branch:
unicameral
House of Representatives (Vouli Antiprosopon):
elections last held 19 May 1991 (next to be held NA); results - DISY
35.8%, AKEL (Communist) 30.6%, DIKO 19.5%, EDEK 10.9%; others 3.2%;
seats - (56 total) DISY 20, AKEL (Communist) 18, DIKO 11, EDEK 7
Turkish Area: Assembly of the Republic (Cumhuriyet Meclisi):
elections last held 12 December 1993 (next to be held NA); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (50 total) UBP (conservative) 17,
DP 15, CTP 13, TKP 5
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; note - there is also a Supreme Court in the Turkish
area
Political parties and leaders:
Greek Cypriot:
Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL, Communist Party),
Dimitrios CHRISTOFIAS; Democratic Rally (DISY), John MATSIS;
Democratic Party (DIKO), Spyros KYPRIANOU; United Democratic Union of
the Center (EDEK), Vassos LYSSARIDIS; Socialist Democratic Renewal
Movement (ADISOK), Mikhalis PAPAPETROU; Liberal Party, Nikos ROLANDIS;
Free Democrats, George VASSILIOU
Turkish area:
National Unity Party (UBP), Dervis EROGLU; Communal Liberation Party
(TKP), Mustafa AKINCI; Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Ozker OZGUR;
New Cyprus Party (YKP), Alpay DURDURAN; Social Democratic Party (SDP),
Ergun VEHBI; New Birth Party (YDP), Ali Ozkan ALTINISHIK; Free
Democratic Party (HDP), Ismet KOTAK; National Struggle Party (MSP),
Zorlu TORE; Unity and Sovereignty Party (USP), Arif Salih KIRDAG;
Democratic Party (DP), Hakki ATUN; Fatherland Party (VP), Orhan UCOK
note:
CTP, TKP, and YDP joined in the coalition Democratic Struggle Party
(DMP) for the 22 April 1990 legislative election; the CTP and TKP
boycotted the by-election of 13 October 1991, in which 12 seats were
at stake; the DMP was dissolved after the 1990 election
Other political or pressure groups:
United Democratic Youth Organization (EDON, Communist controlled);
Union of Cyprus Farmers (EKA, Communist controlled); Cyprus Farmers
Union (PEK, pro-West); Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation (PEO, Communist
controlled); Confederation of Cypriot Workers (SEK, pro-West);
Federation of Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions (Turk-Sen); Confederation
of Revolutionary Labor Unions (Dev-Is)
Member of:
C, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,
IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Andreas JACOVIDES
chancery:
2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 462-5772
consulate(s) general:
New York
note:
Representative of the Turkish area in the US is Namik KORMAN, office
at 1667 K Street NW, Washington DC, telephone (202) 887-6198
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Richard BOUCHER
embassy:
corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, Nicosia
mailing address:
APO AE 09836
telephone:
(2) 476100
FAX:
(2) 465944
Flag:
white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus
is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green crossed
olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches symbolize the
hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish
communities
note:
the Turkish Cypriot flag has a horizontal red stripe at the top and
bottom with a red crescent and red star on a white field

@Cyprus, Economy

Overview:
The Greek Cypriot economy is small, diversified, and prosperous.
Industry contributes 16% to GDP and employs 29% of the labor force,
while the service sector contributes 60% to GDP and employs 57% of the
labor force. An average 6.8% rise in real GDP between 1986 and 1990
was temporarily checked in 1991, because of the adverse effects of the
Gulf War on tourism. Economic growth surged again in 1992, bolstered
by strong foreign and domestic demand. As the economy gained momentum,
however, it began to overheat; inflation reached 6.5%. The economy has
likely recorded a sharp drop in growth in 1993, due to the recession
in Western Europe, Cyprus' main trading partner, but probably will
pick up again in 1994. The Turkish Cypriot economy has less than
one-third the per capita GDP in the south. Because it is recognized
only by Turkey, it has had much difficulty arranging foreign
financing, and foreign firms have hesitated to invest there. The
economy remains heavily dependent on agriculture, which employs more
than one-quarter of the workforce. Moreover, because the Turkish lira
is legal tender, the Turkish Cypriot economy has suffered the same
high inflation as mainland Turkey. To compensate for the economy's
weakness, Turkey provides direct and indirect aid to nearly every
sector; financial support has reached about one-third of Turkish
Cypriot GDP.
National product:
Greek area:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $6.7 billion (1992)
Turkish area:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $550 million (1992)
National product real growth rate:
Greek area:
8.2% (1992)
Turkish area:
7.3% (1992)
National product per capita:
Greek area:
$11,390 (1992)
Turkish area:
$3,130 (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Greek area:
6.5% (1992)
Turkish area:
63.4% (1992)
Unemployment rate:
Greek area:
1.8% (1992)
Turkish area:
1.2% (1992)
Budget:
revenues:
Greek area - $1.7 billion
Turkish area - $273 million
expenditures:
Greek area - $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $350
million
Turkish area - $360 million, including capital expenditures of $78
million (1994)
Exports:
$1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
citrus, potatoes, grapes, wine, cement, clothing and shoes
partners:
UK 19%, Greece 8%, Lebanon 2%, Egypt 7%
Imports:
$3.3 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, food and feed grains,
machinery
partners:
UK 11%, Japan 11%, Italy 10%, Germany 9%, US 8%
External debt:
$1.6 billion (1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate 4% (1993 est.); accounts for 16.0% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
620,000 kW
production:
1.77 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
2,530 kWh (1991)
Industries:
food, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metal products, tourism, wood
products
Agriculture:
contributes 7% to GDP and employs 26% of labor force in the south;
major crops - potatoes, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, citrus
fruits; vegetables and fruit provide 25% of export revenues
Illicit drugs:
transit point for heroin via air routes and container traffic to
Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $292 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $250
million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $62 million; Communist
countries (1970-89), $24 million
Currency:
1 Cypriot pound (#C) = 100 cents; 1 Turkish lira (TL) = 100 kurus
Exchange rates:
Cypriot pounds per $US1 - 0.5148 (December 1993), 0.4970 (1993),
0.4502 (1992), 0.4615 (1991), 0.4572 (1990), 0.4933 (1989); Turkish
liras (TL) per US$1 - 15,196.1 (January 1994), 10,983.3 (1993),
6,872.4 (1992), 4,171.8 (1991), 2,608.6 (1990), 2,121.7 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Cyprus, Communications

Highways:
total:
10,780 km
paved:
5,170 km
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone, earth 5,610 km
Ports:
Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos
Merchant marine:
1,399 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,743,484 GRT/39,874,985
DWT, bulk 469, cargo 496, chemical tanker 27, combination bulk 48,
combination ore/oil 32, container 82, liquefied gas 3, multifunction
large load carrier 4, oil tanker 122, passenger 4, passenger-cargo 2,
railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 67, roll-on/roll-off cargo 24,
short-sea passenger 12, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 3
note:
a flag of convenience registry; Cuba owns 26 of these ships, Russia
owns 61, Latvia owns 7, Croatia owns 2, and Romania owns 4
Airports:
total:
14
usable:
14
with permanent-surface runways:
11
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
7
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
2
Telecommunications:
excellent in both the area controlled by the Cypriot Government (Greek
area), and in the Turkish-Cypriot administered area; 210,000
telephones; largely open-wire and microwave radio relay; broadcast
stations - 11 AM, 8 FM, 1 (34 repeaters) TV in Greek sector and 2 AM,
6 FM and 1 TV in Turkish sector; international service by tropospheric
scatter, 3 submarine cables, and satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic
Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and EUTELSAT earth stations

@Cyprus, Defense Forces

Branches:
Greek area:
Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG; including air and naval elements),
Greek Cypriot Police
Turkish area:
Turkish Cypriot Security Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 186,807; fit for military service 128,444; reach
military age (18) annually 5,233 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $407 million, 6.5% of GDP (1993)

@Czech Republic, Geography

Location:
Central Europe, between Germany and Slovakia
Map references:
Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the
World
Area:
total area:
78,703 sq km
land area:
78,645 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries:
total 1,880 km, Austria 362 km, Germany 646 km, Poland 658 km,
Slovakia 214 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
Liechtenstein claims l,606 square miles of Czech territory confiscated
from its royal family in 1918; Sudeten German claims for restitution
of property confiscated in connection with their expulsion after World
War II versus the Czech Republic claims that restitution does not
proceed before February 1948 when the Communists seized power;
unresolved property issues with Slovakia over redistribution of
property of the former Czechoslovak federal government
Climate:
temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain:
two main regions: Bohemia in the west, consisting of rolling plains,
hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; and Moravia in the
east, consisting of very hilly country
Natural resources:
hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite
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:
air and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia centered around
Zeplica and in northern Moravia around Ostrava presents health
hazards; acid rain damaging forests
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol
Note:
landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest and most
significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a traditional
military corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube in
central Europe

@Czech Republic, People

Population:
10,408,280 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.21% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
13.23 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
11.14 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
9.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
73.08 years
male:
69.38 years
female:
76.99 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.84 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Czech(s)
adjective:
Czech
Ethnic divisions:
Czech 94.4%, Slovak 3%, Polish 0.6%, German 0.5%, Gypsy 0.3%,
Hungarian 0.2%, other 1%
Religions:
atheist 39.8%, Roman Catholic 39.2%, Protestant 4.6%, Orthodox 3%,
other 13.4%
Languages:
Czech, Slovak
Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
5.389 million
by occupation:
industry 37.9%, agriculture 8.1%, construction 8.8%, communications
and other 45.2% (1990)

@Czech Republic, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Czech Republic
conventional short form:
Czech Republic
local long form:
Ceska Republika
local short form:
Cechy
Digraph:
EZ
Type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Prague
Administrative divisions:
8 regions (kraje, kraj - singular); Jihocesky, Jihomoravsky, Praha,
Severocesky, Severomoravsky, Stredocesky, Vychodocesky, Zapadocesky
Independence:
1 January 1993 (from Czechoslovakia)
National holiday:
National Liberation Day, 9 May; Founding of the Republic, 28 October
Constitution:
ratified 16 December 1992; effective 1 January 1993
Legal system:
civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to bring it in line
with Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE)
obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Vaclav HAVEL (since 26 January 1993); election last held 26
January 1993 (next to be held NA January 1998); results - Vaclav HAVEL
elected by the National Council
head of government:
Prime Minister Vaclav KLAUS (since NA June 1992); Deputy Prime
Ministers Ivan KOCARNIK, Josef LUX, Jan KALVODA (since NA June 1992)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president on recommendation of the prime
minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Council (Narodni rada)
Senate:
elections not yet held; seats (81 total)
Chamber of Deputies:
elections last held 5-6 June 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (200 total) Civic Democratic
Party/Christian Democratic Party 76, Left Bloc 35, Czech Social
Democratic Party 16, Liberal Social Union 16, Christian Democratic
Union/Czech People's Party 15, Assembly for the Republic/Republican
Party 14, Civic Democratic Alliance 14, Movement for Self-Governing
Democracy for Moravia and Silesia 14
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court, Constitutional Court
Political parties and leaders:
Civic Democratic Party (ODS), Vaclav KLAUS, chairman; Christian
Democratic Union-Czech People's Party (KDU-CSL), Josef LUX, chairman;
Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA), Jan KALVODA, chairman; Christian
Democratic Party (KDS), Ivan PILIP, chairman; Czech Social Democratic
Party, Milos ZEMAN, chairman; Czech-Moravian Center Party, Jan KYCER,
chairman; Liberal Social Union (LSU), Frantisek TRNKA; Communist Party
of Bohemia/Moravia (KSCM), Miroslav GREBENICEK, chairman; Association
for the Republic - Republican Party, Miroslav SLADEK, chairman; Left
Bloc, Marie STIBOROVA, chairman
Other political or pressure groups:
Left Bloc; Liberal Party; Czech-Moravian Chamber of Trade Unions
Member of:
BIS, CCC, CE (guest), CEI, CERN, COCOM (cooperating), CSCE, EBRD, ECE,
FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IFCTU, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,
INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NACC, NSG,
PCA, UN (as of 8 January 1993), UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNOMIG, UNOMOZ, UNPROFOR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Michael ZANTOVSKY
chancery:
3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 363-6315 or 6316
FAX:
(202) 966-8540
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Adrian A. BASORA
embassy:
Trziste 15, 11801, Prague 1
mailing address:
Unit 25402; APO AE 09213
telephone:
(2) 251-0847
FAX:
(2) 531-193
Flag:
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue
isosceles triangle based on the hoist side (almost identical to the
flag of the former Czechoslovakia)

@Czech Republic, Economy

Overview:
The dissolution of Czechoslovakia into two independent nation 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 the Czech lands, inflation dropped to an estimated 12.5% and GDP
was down a more moderate 5%. In 1993, Czech aggregate output remained
unchanged, prices rose about 19%, and unemployment hovered above 3%;
exports to Slovakia fell roughly 30%. An estimated 40% of the economy
was privately owned. In 1994, Prague expects 2% to 3% growth in GDP,
roughly 9% inflation, and 5% unemployment. Economic growth in 1994 is
less important than continued economic restructuring; a mere 1% growth
would be noteworthy if restructuring is accompanied by rising
unemployment and enterprise bankruptcies.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $75 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
0% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$7,200 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
19% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
3.3% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$11.9 billion
expenditures:
$11.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)
Exports:
$12.6 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals,
fuels, minerals, and metals
partners:
Germany, Slovakia, Poland, Austria, Hungary, Italy, France, US, UK,
CIS republics
Imports:
$12.4 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, fuels and lubricants, manfactured
goods, raw materials, chemicals, agricultural products
partners:
Slovakia, CIS republics, Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland,
Hungary, UK, Italy
External debt:
$8.6 billion (October 1993)
Industrial production:
growth rate -5.5% (December 1993 over December 1992)
Electricity:
capacity:
16,500,000 kW
production:
62.2 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
6,030 kWh (1992)
Industries:
fuels, ferrous metallurgy, machinery and equipment, coal, motor
vehicles, glass, 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 and Latin American
cocaine to 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 (Kc) = 100 haleru
Exchange rates:
koruny (Kcs) per US$1 - 30.122 (January 1994), 29.153 (1993), 28.26
(1992), 29.53 (1991), 17.95 (1990), 15.05 (1989)
note:
values before 1993 reflect Czechoslovak exchange rates
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Czech Republic, Communications

Railroads:
9,434 km total (1988)
Highways:
total:
55,890 km (1988)
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Inland waterways:
NA km; the Elbe (Labe) is the principal river
Pipelines:
natural gas 5,400 km
Ports:
coastal outlets are in Poland (Gdynia, Gdansk, Szczecin), Croatia
(Rijeka), Slovenia (Koper), Germany (Hamburg, Rostock); principal
river ports are Prague on the Vltava, Decin on the Elbe (Labe)
Merchant marine:
18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 225,934 GRT/350,330 DWT, bulk 7,
cargo 11
Airports:
total:
155
usable:
123
with permanent-surface runways:
27
with runways over 3,659 m:
1
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
17
with runways 1,060-2,439 m:
52
note:
a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstrip
Telecommunications:
NA

@Czech Republic, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Civil Defense, Railroad Units
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 2,747,126; fit for military service 2,091,532; reach
military age (18) annually 93,342 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
23 billion koruny, NA% of GNP (1993 est.); note - conversion of
defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate
could produce misleading results

@Denmark, Geography

Location:
Nordic State, Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea on a peninsula
north of Germany
Map references:
Arctic Region, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
43,070 sq km
land area:
42,370 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than twice the size of Massachusetts
note:
includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of
metropolitan Denmark, but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland
Land boundaries:
total 68 km, Germany 68 km
Coastline:
3,379 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
4 nm
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
3 nm
International disputes:
Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Iceland, Ireland, and the
UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall
area); dispute between Denmark and Norway over maritime boundary in
Arctic Ocean between Greenland and Jan Mayen has been settled by the
International Court of Justice
Climate:
temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers
Terrain:
low and flat to gently rolling plains
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone
Land use:
arable land:
61%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
6%
forest and woodland:
12%
other:
21%
Irrigated land:
4,300 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
air pollution; nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea;
drinking and surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur, 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-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea
Note:
controls Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas; about
one-quarter of the population lives in Copenhagen

@Denmark, People

Population:
5,187,821 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.23% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
12.45 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
11.28 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
1.1 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:
75.81 years
male:
72.93 years
female:
78.86 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.68 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Dane(s)
adjective:
Danish
Ethnic divisions:
Scandinavian, Eskimo, Faroese, German
Religions:
Evangelical Lutheran 91%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 2%,
other 7% (1988)
Languages:
Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Eskimo dialect), German (small
minority)
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population:
99%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
2,553,900
by occupation:
private services 37.1%, government services 30.4%, manufacturing and
mining 20%, construction 6.3%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing
5.6%, electricity/gas/water 0.6% (1991)

@Denmark, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Kingdom of Denmark
conventional short form:
Denmark
local long form:
Kongeriget Danmark
local short form:
Danmark
Digraph:
DA
Type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
Copenhagen
Administrative divisions:
metropolitan Denmark - 14 counties (amter, singular - amt) and 1 city*
(stad); Arhus, Bornholm, Frederiksborg, Fyn, Kbenhavn, Nordjylland,
Ribe, Ringkbing, Roskilde, Snderjylland, Staden Kbenhavn*, Storstrm,
Vejle, Vestsjaelland, Viborg
note:
see separate entries for the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which are
part of the Danish realm and self-governing administrative divisions
Independence:
1849 (became a constitutional monarchy)
National holiday:
Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)
Constitution:
5 June 1953
Legal system:
civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen MARGRETHE II (since NA January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince
FREDERIK, elder son of the Queen (born 26 May 1968)
head of government:
Prime Minister Poul Nyrup RASMUSSEN (since NA January 1993)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the monarch
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Parliament (Folketing):
elections last held 12 December 1990 (next to be held by December
1994); results - Social Democratic Party 37.4%, Conservative Party
16.0%, Liberal 15.8%, Socialist People's Party 8.3%, Progress Party
6.4%, Center Democratic Party 5.1%, Radical Liberal Party 3.5%,
Christian People's Party 2.3%, other 5.2%; seats - (179 total;
includes 2 from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands) Social
Democratic 69, Conservative 30, Liberal 29, Socialist People's 15,
Progress Party 12, Center Democratic 9, Radical Liberal 7, Christian
People's 4
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Social Democratic Party, Poul Nyrup RASMUSSEN; Conservative Party,
Torben RECHENDORFF; Liberal Party, Uffe ELLEMANN-JENSEN; Socialist
People's Party, Holger K. NIELSEN; Progress Party, Johannes SORENSEN;
Center Democratic Party, Mimi Stilling JAKOBSEN; Radical Liberal
Party, Marianne JELVED; Christian People's Party, Jann SJURSEN; Common
Course, Preben Moller HANSEN; Danish Workers' Party
Member of:
AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN,
COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB, ESA, FAO, G-9, GATT, IADB, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,
INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NC,
NEA, NIB, NSG, OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO,
UNIKOM, UNOMIG, UNMOGIP, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UPU, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Peter Pedersen DYVIG
chancery:
3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 234-4300
FAX:
(202) 328-1470
consulate(s) general:
Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Edward E. ELSON
embassy:
Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen O
mailing address:
APO AE 09716
telephone:
(31) 42-31-44
FAX:
(35) 43-0223
Flag:
red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the
vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side, and that
design element of the DANNEBROG (Danish flag) was subsequently adopted
by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden

@Denmark, Economy

Overview:
This modern economy features high-tech agriculture, up-to-date
small-scale and corporate industry, extensive government welfare
measures, comfortable living standards, and high dependence on foreign
trade. Denmark's new center-left coalition government will concentrate
on reducing the persistent high unemployment rate and the budget
deficit as well as following the previous government's policies of
maintaining low inflation and a current account surplus. In the face
of recent international market pressure on the Danish krone, the
coalition has also vowed to maintain a stable currency. The coalition
hopes to lower marginal income taxes while maintaining overall tax
revenues; boost industrial competitiveness through labor market and
tax reforms and increased research and development funds; and improve
welfare services for the neediest while cutting paperwork and delays.
Prime Minister RASMUSSEN's reforms will focus on adapting Denmark to
the criteria for European integration by 1999; although Copenhagen has
won from the European Union (EU) the right to opt out of the European
Monetary Union (EMU) if a national referendum rejects it. Denmark is,
in fact, one of the few EU countries likely to fit into the EMU on
time. Denmark is weathering the current worldwide slump better than
many West European countries. As the EU's single market (formally
established on 1 January 1993) gets underway, Danish economic growth
is expected to pickup to around 2% in 1994. Danish approval of the
Maastricht treaty on EU political and economic union in May 1993 has
reversed the drop in investment, further boosting growth. The current
account surplus remains strong as limitations on wage increases and
low inflation - expected to be around 2% in 1994 - improve export
competitiveness. Although unemployment is high, it remains stable
compared to most European countries.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $95.6 billion (1993)
National product real growth rate:
0.5% (1993)
National product per capita:
$18,500 (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.8% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
11.8% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$48 billion
expenditures:
$55.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993)
Exports:
$36.7 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
meat and meat products, dairy products, transport equipment
(shipbuilding), fish, chemicals, industrial machinery
partners:
EC 54.3% (Germany 23.6%, UK 10.1%, France 5.7%), Sweden 10.5%, Norway
5.8%, US 4.9%, Japan 3.6% (1992)
Imports:
$29.7 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
commodities:
petroleum, machinery and equipment, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs,
textiles, paper
partners:
EC 53.4% (Germany 23.1%, UK 8.2%, France 5.6%), Sweden 10.8%, Norway
5.4%, US 5.7%, Japan 4.1% (1992)
External debt:
$40 billion (1992 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -2.5% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity:
11,215,000 kW
production:
34.17 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
6,610 kWh (1992)
Industries:
food processing, machinery and equipment, textiles and clothing,
chemical products, electronics, construction, furniture, and other
wood products, shipbuilding
Agriculture:
accounts for 4% of GDP and employs 5.6% of labor force (includes
fishing and forestry); farm products account for nearly 15% of export
revenues; principal products - meat, dairy, grain, potatoes, rape,
sugar beets, fish; self-sufficient in food production
Economic aid:
donor:
ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $5.9 billion
Currency:
1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates:
Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 6.771 (January 1994), 6.484 (1993),
6.036 (1992), 6.396 (1991), 6.189 (1990), 7.310 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Denmark, Communications

Railroads:
2,770 km; Danish State Railways (DSB) operate 2,120 km (1,999 km rail
line and 121 km rail ferry services); 188 km electrified, 730 km
double tracked; 650 km of standard-gauge lines are privately owned and
operated
Highways:
total:
66,482 km
paved:
concrete, asphalt, stone block 64,551 km
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone, improved earth 1,931 km
Inland waterways:
417 km
Pipelines:
crude oil 110 km; petroleum products 578 km; natural gas 700 km
Ports:
Alborg, Arhus, Copenhagen, Esbjerg, Fredericia; numerous secondary and
minor ports
Merchant marine:
347 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,974,494 GRT/6,820,067 DWT,
bulk 15, cargo 110, chemical tanker 24, combination bulk 1, container
51, liquefied gas 36, livestock carrier 4, oil tanker 33, railcar
carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 21, roll-on/roll-off cargo 39, short-sea
passenger 12
note:
Denmark has created its own internal register, called the Danish
International Ship register (DIS); DIS ships do not have to meet
Danish manning regulations, and they amount to a flag of convenience
within the Danish register; by the end of 1990, 308 of the Danish-flag
ships belonged to the DIS
Airports:
total:
118
usable:
109
with permanent-surface runways:
28
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
9
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
7
Telecommunications:
excellent telephone, telegraph, and broadcast services; 4,509,000
telephones; buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay
support trunk network; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 2 FM, 50 TV; 19
submarine coaxial cables; 7 earth stations operating in INTELSAT,
EUTELSAT, and INMARSAT

@Denmark, Defense Forces

Branches:
Royal Danish Army, Royal Danish Navy, Royal Danish Air Force, Home
Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,360,050; fit for military service 1,168,940; reach
military age (20) annually 36,800 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $2.6 billion, 2% of GDP (1993)

@Djibouti, Geography

Location:
Eastern Africa, at the entrance to the Red Sea between Eritrea and
Somalia
Map references:
Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
22,000 sq km
land area:
21,980 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
total 508 km, Eritrea 113 km, Ethiopia 337 km, Somalia 58 km
Coastline:
314 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
desert; torrid, dry
Terrain:
coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains
Natural resources:
geothermal areas
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
9%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
91%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
desertification
natural hazards:
prone to earthquakes, droughts
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ship Pollution; signed,
but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change
Note:
strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to
Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; a vast
wasteland

@Djibouti, People

Population: 412,599 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.71% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 42.94 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 15.8 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 111 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 49.23 years male: 47.42 years female: 51.1 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.21 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Djiboutian(s) adjective: Djiboutian Ethnic divisions: Somali 60%, Afar 35%, French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian 5% Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 6% Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 48% male: 63% female: 34% Labor force: NA by occupation: a small number of semiskilled laborers at the port and 3,000 railway workers note: 52% of population of working age (1983)

@Djibouti, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Djibouti
conventional short form:
Djibouti
former:
French Territory of the Afars and Issas French Somaliland
Digraph:
DJ
Type:
republic
Capital:
Djibouti
Administrative divisions:
5 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); 'Ali Sabih, Dikhil,
Djibouti, Obock, Tadjoura
Independence:
27 June 1977 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 June (1977)
Constitution:
multiparty constitution approved in referendum 4 September 1992
Legal system:
based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and Islamic
law
Suffrage:
universal adult at age NA
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President HASSAN GOULED Aptidon (since 24 June 1977); election last
held 7 May 1993 (next to be held NA 1999); results - President Hassan
GOULED Aptidon was reelected
head of government:
Prime Minister BARKAT Gourad Hamadou (since 30 September 1978)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; responsible to the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des Deputes):
elections last held 18 December 1992; results - RPP is the only party;
seats - (65 total) RPP 65
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
ruling party:
People's Progress Assembly (RPP), Hassan GOULED Aptidon
other parties:
Democratic Renewal Party (PRD), Mohamed Jama ELABE; Democratic
National Party (PND), ADEN Robleh Awaleh
Other political or pressure groups:
Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FRUD) and
affiliates; Movement for Unity and Democracy (MUD)
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB,
IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user),
INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNESCO, UNCTAD, UNIDO,
UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Roble OLHAYE
chancery:
Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone:
(202) 331-0270
FAX:
(202) 331-0302
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Martin CHESES
embassy:
Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti
mailing address:
B. P. 185, Djibouti
telephone:
35-39-95
FAX:
35-39-40
Flag:
two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a
white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red
five-pointed star in the center

@Djibouti, Economy

Overview:
The economy is based on service activities connected with the
country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in
northeast Africa. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port
for the region and an international transshipment and refueling
center. It has few natural resources and little industry. The nation
is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance (an important
supplement to GDP) to help support its balance of payments and to
finance development projects. An unemployment rate of over 30%
continues to be a major problem. Per capita consumption dropped an
estimated 35% over the last five years because of recession, civil
war, and a high population growth rate (including immigrants and
refugees).
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $500 million (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
-1% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,200 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6% (1992)
Unemployment rate:
over 30% (1989)
Budget:
revenues:
$170 million
expenditures:
$203 million, including capital expenditures of $70 million (1991
est.)
Exports:
$158 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
hides and skins, coffee (in transit)
partners:
Africa 47%, Middle East 40%, Western Europe 12%
Imports:
$334 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products
partners:
Western Europe 48%, Asia 25%, Africa 8%
External debt:
$355 million (December 1990)
Industrial production:
growth rate 3% (1991 est.); manufacturing accounts for 12% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
115,000 kW
production:
200 million kWh
consumption per capita:
580 kWh (1991)
Industries:
limited to a few small-scale enterprises, such as dairy products and
mineral-water bottling
Agriculture:
accounts for only 2% of GDP; scanty rainfall limits crop production to
mostly fruit and vegetables; half of population pastoral nomads
herding goats, sheep, and camels; imports bulk of food needs
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY78-89), $39 million; Western
(non-US) countries, including ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-89), $1.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $149 million;
Communist countries (1970-89), $35 million
Currency:
1 Djiboutian franc (DF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Djiboutian francs (DF) per US$1 - 177.721 (fixed rate since 1973)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Djibouti, Communications

Railroads:
the Ethiopian-Djibouti railroad extends for 97 km through Djibouti
Highways:
total:
2,900 km
paved:
280 km
unpaved:
improved, unimproved earth 2,620 km (1982)
Ports:
Djibouti
Merchant marine:
1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,369 GRT/3,030 DWT
Airports:
total:
13
usable:
11
with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
2
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
4
Telecommunications:
telephone facilities in the city of Djibouti are adequate as are the
microwave radio relay connections to outlying areas of the country;
international connections via submarine cable to Saudi Arabia and by
satellite to other countries; one ground station each for Indian Ocean
INTELSAT and ARABSAT; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV

@Djibouti, Defense Forces

Branches:
Djibouti National Army (including Navy and Air Force), National
Security Force (Force Nationale de Securite), National Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 99,811; fit for military service 58,346
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $26 million, NA% of GDP (1989)

@Dominica, Geography

Location: Caribbean, in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about halfway between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago Map references: Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 750 sq km land area: 750 sq km comparative area: slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 148 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall Terrain: rugged mountains of volcanic origin Natural resources: timber Land use: arable land: 9% permanent crops: 13% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 41% other: 34% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: flash floods are a constant threat; occasional hurricanes international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

@Dominica, People

Population:
87,696 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.32% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
20.46 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-2.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
10.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
76.96 years
male:
74.12 years
female:
79.95 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.99 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Dominican(s)
adjective:
Dominican
Ethnic divisions:
black, Carib Indians
Religions:
Roman Catholic 77%, Protestant 15% (Methodist 5%, Pentecostal 3%,
Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Baptist 2%, other 2%), none 2%, unknown 1%,
other 5%
Languages:
English (official), French patois
Literacy:
age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970)
total population:
94%
male:
94%
female:
94%
Labor force:
25,000
by occupation:
agriculture 40%, industry and commerce 32%, services 28% (1984)

@Dominica, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Commonwealth of Dominica
conventional short form:
Dominica
Digraph:
DO
Type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Roseau
Administrative divisions:
10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John,
Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint
Peter
Independence:
3 November 1978 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 3 November (1978)
Constitution:
3 November 1978
Legal system:
based on English common law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Crispin Anselm SORHAINDO (since 25 October 1993) election
last held 4 October 1993 (next to be held NA October 1998); results -
President Crispin Anselm SORHAINDO was elected by the House of
Assembly to a five year term
head of government:
Prime Minister (Mary) Eugenia CHARLES (since 21 July 1980, elected for
a third term 28 May 1990)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president on the advice of the prime
minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral
House of Assembly:
elections last held 28 May 1990 (next to be held May 1995); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (30 total; 9 appointed senators
and 21 elected representatives) DFP 11, UWP 6, DLP 4
Judicial branch:
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), Brian ALLEYNE; Dominica Labor Party
(DLP), Rosie DOUGLAS; United Workers Party (UWP), Edison JAMES
Other political or pressure groups:
Dominica Liberation Movement (DLM), a small leftist group
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICFTU, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
Dominica has no chancery in the US
consulate(s) general:
New York
US diplomatic representation:
no official presence since the Ambassador resides in Bridgetown
(Barbados), but travels frequently to Dominica
Flag:
green with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part
is yellow (hoist side), black, and white - the horizontal part is
yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the
cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 green
five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10
administrative divisions (parishes)

@Dominica, Economy

Overview:
The economy is dependent on agriculture and thus is highly vulnerable
to climatic conditions. Agriculture accounts for about 30% of GDP and
employs 40% of the labor force. Principal products include bananas,
citrus, mangoes, root crops, and coconuts. Development of the tourist
industry remains difficult because of the rugged coastline and the
lack of an international airport.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $185 million (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
2.6% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$2,100 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.2% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
15% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$70 million
expenditures:
$84 million, including capital expenditures of $26 million (FY91 est.)
Exports:
$54.6 million (1992)
commodities:
bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges
partners:
UK 50%, CARICOM countries, Italy, US
Imports:
$97.5 million (1992)
commodities:
manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food, chemicals
partners:
US 25%, CARICOM, UK, Canada
External debt:
$92.8 million (1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate 4.2% (1992); accounts for 7% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
7,000 kW
production:
16 million kWh
consumption per capita:
185 kWh (1992)
Industries:
soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes
Agriculture:
accounts for 30% of GDP; principal crops - bananas, citrus, mangoes,
root crops, coconuts; bananas provide the bulk of export earnings;
forestry and fisheries potential not exploited
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and
Europe
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-89), $120 million
Currency:
1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June

@Dominica, Communications

Highways:
total:
750 km
paved:
370 km
unpaved:
gravel or earth 380 km
Ports:
Roseau, Portsmouth
Airports:
total:
2
usable:
2
with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
1
Telecommunications:
4,600 telephones in fully automatic network; VHF and UHF link to Saint
Lucia; new SHF links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; broadcast stations
- 3 AM, 2 FM, 1 cable TV

@Dominica, Defense Forces

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

@Dominican Republic, Geography

Location:
Caribbean, in the northern Caribbean Sea, about halfway between Cuba
and Puerto Rico
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
48,730 sq km
land area:
48,380 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries:
total 275 km, Haiti 275 km
Coastline:
1,288 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200 nm or the outer edge of continental margin
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
6 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal
variation in rainfall
Terrain:
rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed
Natural resources:
nickel, bauxite, gold, silver
Land use:
arable land:
23%
permanent crops:
7%
meadows and pastures:
43%
forest and woodland:
13%
other:
14%
Irrigated land:
2,250 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs;
deforestation
natural hazards:
subject to occasional hurricanes (July to October)
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but
not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Note:
shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds is the
Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti)

@Dominican Republic, People

Population: 7,826,075 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 1.8% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 24.87 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 6.2 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -0.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 51.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.35 years male: 66.22 years female: 70.6 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.8 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican Ethnic divisions: white 16%, black 11%, mixed 73% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 83% male: 85% female: 82% Labor force: 2.3 million to 2.6 million by occupation: agriculture 49%, services 33%, industry 18% (1986)

@Dominican Republic, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Dominican Republic
conventional short form:
none
local long form:
Republica Dominicana
local short form:
none
Digraph:
DR
Type:
republic
Capital:
Santo Domingo
Administrative divisions:
29 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 district*
(distrito); Azua, Baoruco, Barahona, Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*,
Duarte, Elias Pina, El Seibo, Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La
Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor
Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata,
Salcedo, Samana, Sanchez Ramirez, San Cristobal, San Juan, San Pedro
De Macoris, Santiago, Santiago Rodriguez, Valverde
Independence:
27 February 1844 (from Haiti)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 February (1844)
Constitution:
28 November 1966
Legal system:
based on French civil codes
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory or married persons
regardless of age
note:
members of the armed forces and police cannot vote
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Joaquin BALAGUER Ricardo (since 16 August 1986, fifth
elected term began 16 August 1990); Vice President Carlos A. MORALES
Troncoso (since 16 August 1986); election last held 16 May 1990 (next
to be held May 1994); results - Joaquin BALAGUER (PRSC) 35.7%, Juan
BOSCH Gavino (PLD) 34.4%, Jose Francisco PENA Gomez (PRD) 22.9%
cabinet:
Cabinet; nominated by the president
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)
Senate (Senado):
elections last held 16 May 1990 (next to be held May 1994); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (30 total) PRSC 16, PLD 12, PRD 2
Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados):
elections last held 16 May 1990 (next to be held May 1994); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (120 total) PLD 44, PRSC 41, PRD
33, PRI 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
Political parties and leaders:
Major parties:
Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC), Joaquin BALAGUER Ricardo;
Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), Juan BOSCH Gavino; Dominican
Revolutionary Party (PRD), Jose Franciso PENA Gomez; Independent
Revolutionary Party (PRI), Jacobo MAJLUTA
Minor parties:
National Veterans and Civilian Party (PNVC), Juan Rene BEAUCHAMPS
Javier; Liberal Party of the Dominican Republic (PLRD), Andres Van Der
HORST; Democratic Quisqueyan Party (PQD), Elias WESSIN Chavez;
National Progressive Force (FNP), Marino VINICIO Castillo; Popular
Christian Party (PPC), Rogelio DELGADO Bogaert; Dominican Communist
Party (PCD), Narciso ISA Conde; Dominican Workers' Party (PTD), Ivan
RODRIGUEZ; Anti-Imperialist Patriotic Union (UPA), Ignacio RODRIGUEZ
Chiappini; Alliance for Democracy Party (APD), Maximilano Rabelais
PUIG Miller, Nelsida MARMOLEJOS, Vicente BENGOA
note:
in 1983 several leftist parties, including the PCD, joined to form the
Dominican Leftist Front (FID); however, they still retain individual
party structures
Other political or pressure groups:
Collective of Popular Organzations (COP), leader NA
Member of:
ACP, CARICOM (observer), ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,
IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM (guest), OAS, OPANAL,
PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jose del Carmen ARIZA Gomez
chancery:
1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 332-6280
FAX:
(202) 265-8057
consulate(s) general:
Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New
Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto
Rico)
consulate(s):
Charlotte Amalie (Virgin Islands), Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville,
Minneapolis, Mobile, Ponce (Puerto Rico), and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Robert S. PASTORINO
embassy:
corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo
Domingo
mailing address:
Unit 5500, Santo Domingo; APO AA 34041-0008
telephone:
(809) 541-2171 and 541-8100
FAX:
(809) 686-7437
Flag:
a centered white cross that extends to the edges, divides the flag
into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, the
bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms is at
the center of the cross

@Dominican Republic, Economy

Overview:
Rapid growth of free trade zones has led to a substantial expansion of
manufacturing for export, especially of wearing apparel. Over the past
decade, tourism has also increased in importance and is a major earner
of foreign exchange and a source of new jobs. Agriculture remains a
key sector of the economy. The principal commercial crop is sugarcane,
followed by coffee, cotton, cocoa, and tobacco. Domestic industry is
based on the processing of agricultural products, oil refining,
minerals, and chemicals. Unemployment is officially reported at about
30%, but there is considerable underemployment. Growth fell to a
moderate 3% in 1993 because of power shortages in industry and
political uncertainty which slowed down foreign investment.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $23 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
3% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$3,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
30% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$1.4 billion
expenditures:
$1.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)
Exports:
$769 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
ferronickel, sugar, gold, coffee, cocoa
partners:
US 56%, EC 22%, Puerto Rico 8% (1991)
Imports:
$2.2 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
commodities:
foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and
pharmaceuticals
partners:
US 50%
External debt:
$4.7 billion (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -0.1% (1991); accounts for 14% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
2,283,000 kW
production:
5 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
660 kWh (1992)
Industries:
tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles,
cement, tobacco
Agriculture:
accounts for 18% of GDP and employs 49% of labor force; sugarcane is
the most important commercial crop, followed by coffee, cotton, cocoa,
and tobacco; food crops - rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; animal
output - cattle, hogs, dairy products, meat, eggs; not self-sufficient
in food
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and
Europe
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY85-89), $575 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $655
million
Currency:
1 Dominican peso (RD$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
Dominican pesos (RD$) per US$1 - 12.841 (January 1994), 12.679 (1993),
12.774 (1992), 12.692 (1991), 8.525 (1990), 6.340 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Dominican Republic, Communications

Railroads:
1,655 km total in numerous segments; 4 different gauges from 0.558 m
to 1.435 m
Highways:
total:
12,000 km
paved:
5,800 km
unpaved:
gravel or improved earth 5,600 km; unimproved earth 600 km
Pipelines:
crude oil 96 km; petroleum products 8 km
Ports:
Santo Domingo, Haina, San Pedro de Macoris, Puerto Plata
Merchant marine:
1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,587 GRT/1,165 DWT
Airports:
total:
36
usable:
31
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:
8
Telecommunications:
relatively efficient domestic system based on islandwide microwave
relay network; 190,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 120 AM, no FM,
18 TV, 6 shortwave; 1 coaxial submarine cable; 1 Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT earth station

@Dominican Republic, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 2,114,606; fit for military service 1,333,049; reach
military age (18) annually 81,919 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $110 million, 0.7% of GDP (1993 est.)

@Ecuador, Geography

Location:
Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator
between Colombia and Peru
Map references:
South America, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
283,560 sq km
land area:
276,840 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Nevada
note:
includes Galapagos Islands
Land boundaries:
total 2,010 km, Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km
Coastline:
2,237 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
claims continental shelf between mainland and Galapagos Islands
territorial sea:
200 nm
International disputes:
three sections of the boundary with Peru are in dispute
Climate:
tropical along coast becoming cooler inland
Terrain:
coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and
flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)
Natural resources:
petroleum, fish, timber
Land use:
arable land:
6%
permanent crops:
3%
meadows and pastures:
17%
forest and woodland:
51%
other:
23%
Irrigated land:
5,500 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution
natural hazards:
subject to frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity;
periodic droughts
international agreements:
party to - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical
Timber, Wetlands
Note:
Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world

@Ecuador, People

Population:
10,677,067 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.01% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
25.82 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
5.67 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
39.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
69.98 years
male:
67.46 years
female:
72.62 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.08 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Ecuadorian(s)
adjective:
Ecuadorian
Ethnic divisions:
mestizo (mixed Indian and Spanish) 55%, Indian 25%, Spanish 10%, black
10%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 95%
Languages:
Spanish (official), Indian languages (especially Quechua)
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
total population:
88%
male:
90%
female:
86%
Labor force:
2.8 million
by occupation:
agriculture 35%, manufacturing 21%, commerce 16%, services and other
activities 28% (1982)

@Ecuador, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Ecuador
conventional short form:
Ecuador
local long form:
Republica del Ecuador
local short form:
Ecuador
Digraph:
EC
Type:
republic
Capital:
Quito
Administrative divisions:
21 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar,
Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos,
Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo,
Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe
Independence:
24 May 1822 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 10 August (1809) (independence of Quito)
Constitution:
10 August 1979
Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate persons ages
18-65, optional for other eligible voters
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Sixto DURAN BALLEN Cordovez (since 10 August 1992); Vice
President Alberto DAHIK Garzoni (since 10 August 1992); election
runoff election held 5 July 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results -
Sixto DURAN BALLEN elected as president and Alberto DAHIK elected as
vice president
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Congress (Congreso Nacional):
elections last held 17 May 1992 (next to be held 1 May 1994); results
- percent of vote by party NA; seats - (77 total) PSC 20, PRE 15, PUR
12, ID 7, PC 6, DP 5, PSE 3, MPD 3, PLRE 2, CFP 2, FRA 1, APRE 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
Political parties and leaders:
Center-Right parties:
Social Christian Party (PSC), Jaime NEBOT Saadi, president; Republican
Unity Party (PUR), President Sixto DURAN BALLEN, leader; Conservative
Party (PC), Vice President Alberto DAHIK, president
Center-Left parties:
Democratic Left (ID), Andres VALLEJO Arcos, Rodrigo BORJA Cevallos,
leaders; Popular Democracy (DP), Jamil MANUAD Witt, president;
Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party (PLRE), Carlos Luis PLAZA Aray,
director; Radical Alfarista Front (FRA), Jaime ASPIAZU Seminario,
director
Populist parties:
Roldista Party (PRE), Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz, director; Concentration of
Popular Forces (CFP), Rafael SANTELICES, director; Popular
Revolutionary Action (APRE), Frank VARGAS Passos, leader; Assad
Bucaram Party (PAB), Avicena BUCARAM, leader; People, Change, and
Democracy (PCD), Raul AULESTIA, director
Far-Left parties:
Popular Democratic Movement (MPD), Jorge Fausto MORENO, director;
Ecuadorian Socialist Party (PSE), Leon ROLDOS, leader; Broad Leftist
Front (FADI), Jose Xavier GARAYCOA, president; Ecuadorian National
Liberation (LN), Alfredo CASTILLO, director
Communists:
Communist Party of Ecuador (PCE, pro-North Korea), Rene Leon Mague
MOSWUERRA, secretary general (5,000 members); Communist Party of
Ecuador/Marxist-Leninist (PCMLE, Maoist), leader NA (3,000 members)
Member of:
AG, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES,
LAIA, LORCS, NAM, OAS, ONUSAL, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Edgar TERAN
chancery:
2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
(202) 234-7200
consulate(s) general:
Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San
Diego, and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Peter F. ROMERO
embassy:
Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria, Quito
mailing address:
P. O. Box 538, Unit 5309, Quito, or APO AA 34039-3420
telephone:
(2) 562-890, 561-623 or 624
FAX:
(2) 502-052
consulate(s) general:
Guayaquil
Flag:
three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red
with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; similar
to the flag of Colombia that is shorter and does not bear a coat of
arms

@Ecuador, Economy

Overview:
Ecuador has substantial oil resources and rich agricultural areas.
Growth has been uneven because of natural disasters, fluctuations in
global oil prices, and government policies designed to curb inflation.
Banana exports, second only to oil, have suffered as a result of
import quotas of the European Union and banana blight. The new
President Sixto DURAN-BALLEN, has a much more favorable attitude
toward foreign investment than did his predecessor. Ecuador has
implemented trade agreements with Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, and
Venezuela and has applied for GATT membership. At the end of 1991,
Ecuador received a standby IMF loan of $105 million, which will permit
the country to proceed with the rescheduling of Paris Club debt. In
September 1992, the government launched a new, macroeconomic program
that gives more play to market forces. In 1993, the DURAN-BALLEN
administration adopted a rigorous austerity program that resulted in
economic stabilization, with inflation cut in half and international
reserves boosted to a record $1.3 billion. Growth in 1993 was perhaps
only 2% due to falling export prices, notably oil, and slow progress
on privatization.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $41.8 billion
National product real growth rate:
2% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$4,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
31% (1993)
Unemployment rate:
8% (1992)
Budget:
revenues:
$1.9 billion
expenditures:
$1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992)
Exports:
$3 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
petroleum 42%, bananas, shrimp, cocoa, coffee
partners:
US 53.4%, Latin America, Caribbean, EC countries
Imports:
$2.5 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
transport equipment, vehicles, machinery, chemicals
partners:
US 32.7%, Latin America, Caribbean, EC countries, Japan
External debt:
$12.7 billion (1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate 3.9% (1991); accounts for almost 30% of GDP, including
petroleum
Electricity:
capacity:
2,921,000 kW
production:
7.676 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
700 kWh (1992)
Industries:
petroleum, food processing, textiles, metal works, paper products,
wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, timber
Agriculture:
accounts for 18% of GDP and 35% of labor force (including fishing and
forestry); leading producer and exporter of bananas and balsawood;
other exports - coffee, cocoa, fish, shrimp; crop production - rice,
potatoes, manioc, plantains, sugarcane; livestock sector - cattle,
sheep, hogs, beef, pork, dairy products; net importer of foodgrains,
dairy products, and sugar
Illicit drugs:
significant transit country for derivatives of coca originating in
Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru; minor illicit producer of coca; importer
of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics;
important money-laundering hub
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $498 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.15
billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $64 million
Currency:
1 sucre (S/) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
sucres (S/) per US$1 - 1,947.1 (October 1993), 1,534.0 (1992),
1,046.25 (1991), 767.8 (1990), 767.78 (1990), 526.35 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Ecuador, Communications

Railroads:
965 km total; all 1.067-meter-gauge single track
Highways:
total:
28,000 km
paved:
3,600 km
unpaved:
gravel or improved earth 17,400 km; unimproved earth 7,000 km
Inland waterways:
1,500 km
Pipelines:
crude oil 800 km; petroleum products 1,358 km
Ports:
Guayaquil, Manta, Puerto Bolivar, Esmeraldas
Merchant marine:
40 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 263,752 GRT/378,675 DWT, bulk 1,
cargo 3, container 2, liquefied gas 1, oil tanker 14, passenger 3,
refrigerated cargo 15, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1
Airports:
total:
211
usable:
208
with permanent-surface runways:
56
with runway over 3,659 m:
1
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
7
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
21
Telecommunications:
domestic facilities generally adequate; 318,000 telephones; telephone
density - 30 per 1,000 persons; broadcast stations - 272 AM, no FM, 33
TV, 39 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Ecuador, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army (Ejercito Ecuatoriano), Navy (Armada Ecuatoriana), Air Force
(Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana), National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 2,734,988; fit for military service 1,850,989; reach
military age (20) annually 111,707 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP

@Egypt, Geography

Location:
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea,
between Sudan and Libya
Map references:
Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
1,001,450 sq km
land area:
995,450 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total 2,689 km, Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 255 km, Libya 1,150 km, Sudan
1,273 km
Coastline:
2,450 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
not specified
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
administrative boundary with Sudan 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:
desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters
Terrain:
vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone,
gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc
Land use:
arable land:
3%
permanent crops:
2%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
95%
Irrigated land:
25,850 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
agricultural land being lost to urbanization and windblown sands;
increasing soil salinization below Aswan High Dam; desertification;
oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, and marine habitats;
other water pollution from agricultural pesticides, untreated sewage,
and industrial effluents; water scarcity away from the Nile which is
the only perennial water source; rapid growth in population
overstraining natural resources
natural hazards:
periods of drought; subject to frequent earthquakes, landslides,
volcanic activity; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in
spring
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands, Whaling;
signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change
Note:
controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and
remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, shortest sea
link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean; size, and juxtaposition
to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics

@Egypt, People

Population:
60,765,028 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.95% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
28.69 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
8.87 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
76.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
60.79 years
male:
58.91 years
female:
62.76 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.77 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Egyptian(s)
adjective:
Egyptian
Ethnic divisions:
Eastern Hamitic stock (Egyptians, Bedouins, and Berbers) 99%, Greek,
Nubian, Armenian, other European (primarily Italian and French) 1%
Religions:
Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94% (official estimate), Coptic Christian and
other 6% (official estimate)
Languages:
Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated
classes
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
48%
male:
63%
female:
34%
Labor force:
15 million (1992 est.)
by occupation:
government, public sector enterprises, and armed forces 36%,
agriculture 34%, privately owned service and manufacturing enterprises
20% (1984)
note:
shortage of skilled labor; 2,500,000 Egyptians work abroad, mostly in
Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Arab states (1993 est.)

@Egypt, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Arab Republic of Egypt
conventional short form:
Egypt
local long form:
Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah
local short form:
none
former:
United Arab Republic (with Syria)
Digraph:
EG
Type:
republic
Capital:
Cairo
Administrative divisions:
26 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al
Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah,
Al Isma'iliyah, Al Jizah, Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah, Al
Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid, Ash Sharqiyah, As Suways, Aswan, Asyu't,
Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id, Dumyat, Janub Sina, Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh,
Qina, Shamal Sina, Suhaj
Independence:
28 February 1922 (from UK)
National holiday:
Anniversary of the Revolution, 23 July (1952)
Constitution:
11 September 1971
Legal system:
based on English common law, Islamic law, and Napoleonic codes;
judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees
validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (was made acting President on 6
October 1981 upon the assassination of President SADAT and sworn in as
president on 14 October 1981); national referendum held 4 October 1993
validated Mubarak's nomination by the People's Assembly to a third
6-year presidential term
head of government:
Prime Minister Atef Mohammed Najib SEDKY (since 12 November 1986)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
bicameral
People's Assembly (Majlis al-Cha'b):
elections last held 29 November 1990 (next to be held NA November
1995); results - NDP 86.3%, NPUG 1.3%, independents 12.4%; seats -
(454 total, 444 elected, 10 appointed by the president) NDP 383, NPUG
6, independents 55; note - most opposition parties boycotted; NDP
figures include NDP members who ran as independents and other
NDP-affiliated independents
Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura):
functions only in a consultative role; elections last held 8 June 1989
(next to be held NA June 1995); results - NDP 100%; seats - (258
total, 172 elected, 86 appointed by the president) NDP 172
Judicial branch:
Supreme Constitutional Court
Political parties and leaders:
National Democratic Party (NDP), President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK,
leader, is the dominant party; legal opposition parties are; New Wafd
Party (NWP), Fu'ad SIRAJ AL-DIN; Socialist Labor Party, Ibrahim
SHUKRI; National Progressive Unionist Grouping (NPUG), Khalid
MUHYI-AL-DIN; Socialist Liberal Party (SLP), Mustafa Kamal MURAD;
Democratic Unionist Party, Mohammed 'Abd-al-Mun'im TURK; Umma Party,
Ahmad al-SABAHI; Misr al-Fatah Party (Young Egypt Party), Ali al-Din
SALIH; Nasserist Arab Democratic Party, Dia' al-din DAWUD; Democratic
Peoples' Party, Anwar AFIFI; The Greens Party, Kamal KIRAH
note:
formation of political parties must be approved by government
Other political or pressure groups:
the constitution bans religious-based political parties; nonetheless,
the government tolerates limited political activity by the technically
illegal Muslim Brotherhood, which constitutes Mubarak's chief
political opposition; trade unions and professional associations are
officially sanctioned
Member of:
ABEDA, ACC, ACCT (associate), AfDB, AFESD, AG (observer), AL, AMF,
CAEU, CCC, EBRD, ECA, ESCWA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,
INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, NAM, OAPEC,
OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNOMOZ, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UNTAC, UPU, UNRWA, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ahmed Maher El SAYED
chancery:
2310 Decatur Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 232-5400
consulate(s) general:
Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Edward WALKER
embassy:
(North Gate) 8, Kamel El-Din Saleh Street, Garden City, Cairo
mailing address:
APO AE 09839-4900
telephone:
(2) 355-7371
FAX:
(2) 357-3200
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with the
national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden eagle facing the
hoist side above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic)
centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a
plain white band; also similar to the flag of Syria that has two green
stars and to the flag of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an
Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band

@Egypt, Economy

Overview: Egypt has one of the largest public sectors of all the Third World economies, most industrial plants being owned by the government. Overregulation holds back technical modernization and foreign investment. Even so, the economy grew rapidly during the late 1970s and early 1980s, but in 1986 the collapse of world oil prices and an increasingly heavy burden of debt servicing led Egypt to begin negotiations with the IMF for balance-of-payments support. Egypt's first IMF standby arrangement concluded in mid-1987 was suspended in early 1988 because of the government's failure to adopt promised reforms. Egypt signed a follow-on program with the IMF and also negotiated a structural adjustment loan with the World Bank in 1991. In 1991-93 the government made solid progress on administrative reforms such as liberalizing exchange and interest rates but resisted implementing major structural reforms like streamlining the public sector. As a result, the economy has not gained momentum and unemployment has become a growing problem. Egypt probably will continue making uneven progress in implementing the successor programs with the IMF and World Bank it signed onto in late 1993. In 1992-93 tourism plunged 20% or so because of sporadic attacks by Islamic extremists on tourist groups. President MUBARAK has cited population growth as the main cause of the country's economic troubles. The addition of about 1.4 million people a year to the already huge population of 60 million exerts enormous pressure on the 5% of the land area available for agriculture. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $139 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 0.3% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $2,400 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% (1993 est.) Budget: revenues: $16.8 billion expenditures: $19.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.4 billion (FY94 est.) Exports: $3.5 billion (f.o.b., FY93 est.) commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, cotton yarn, raw cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals partners: EC, Eastern Europe, US, Japan Imports: $10.5 billion (c.i.f., FY93 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, foods, fertilizers, wood products, durable consumer goods, capital goods partners: EC, US, Japan, Eastern Europe External debt: $32 billion (March 1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -0.4% (FY92 est.); accounts for 18% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 14,175,000 kW production: 47 billion kWh consumption per capita: 830 kWh (1992) Industries: textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, petroleum, construction, cement, metals Agriculture: accounts for 20% of GDP and employs more than one-third of labor force; dependent on irrigation water from the Nile; world's sixth-largest cotton exporter; other crops produced include rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruit, vegetables; not self-sufficient in food for a rapidly expanding population; livestock - cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats; annual fish catch about 140,000 metric tons Illicit drugs: a transit point for Southwest Asian and Southeast Asian heroin and opium moving to Europe and the US; popular transit stop for Nigerian couriers; large domestic consumption of hashish from Lebanon and Syria Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $15.7 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $10.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $2.9 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $2.4 billion Currency: 1 Egyptian pound (#E) = 100 piasters Exchange rates: Egyptian pounds (#E) per US$1 - 3.369 (November 1993), 3.345 (November 1992), 2.7072 (1990), 2.5171 (1989), 2.2233 (1988), 1.5183 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

@Egypt, Communications

Railroads:
5,110 km total; 4,763 km 1,435-meter standard gauge, 347 km
0.750-meter gauge; 951 km double track; 25 km electrified
Highways:
total:
45,500 km
paved:
18,300 km
unpaved:
gravel 12,503 km; earth 14,697 km
Inland waterways:
3,500 km (including the Nile, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway,
and numerous smaller canals in the delta); Suez Canal, 193.5 km long
(including approaches), used by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 16.1
meters of water
Pipelines:
crude oil 1,171 km; petroleum products 596 km; natural gas 460 km
Ports:
Alexandria, Port Said, Suez, Bur Safajah, Damietta
Merchant marine:
171 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,08,208 GRT/1,617,890 DWT,
bulk 16, cargo 88, container 1, oil tanker 14, passenger 27,
refrigerated cargo 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 15, short-sea passenger 7
Airports:
total:
92
usable:
82
with permanent-surface runways:
66
with runways over 3,659 m:
2
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
45
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
23
Telecommunications:
large system by Third World standards but inadequate for present
requirements and undergoing extensive upgrading; 600,000 telephones
(est.) - 11 telephones per 1,000 persons; principal centers at
Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah, Ismailia Suez, and Tanta are connected
by coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; international traffic is
carried by satellite - one earth station for each of Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT, Indian Ocean INTELSAT, ARABSAT and INMARSAT; by 5 coaxial
submarine cables, microwave troposcatter (to Sudan), and microwave
radio relay (to Libya, Israel, and Jordan); broadcast stations - 39
AM, 6 FM, and 41 TV

@Egypt, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 15,335,889; fit for military service 9,961,128; reach
military age (20) annually 625,748 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $2.05 billion, 6% of GDP (FY92/93)

@El Salvador, Geography

Location:
Middle America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean between Guatemala
and Honduras
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zones
of the World
Area:
total area:
21,040 sq km
land area:
20,720 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
total 545 km, Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km
Coastline:
307 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
200 nm; overflight and navigation permitted beyond 12 nm
International disputes:
land boundary dispute with Honduras mostly resolved by 11 September
1992 International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision; ICJ referred the
maritime boundary in the Golfo de Fonseca to an earlier agreement in
this century and advised that some tripartite resolution among El
Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua likely would be required
Climate:
tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to
April)
Terrain:
mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau
Natural resources:
hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum
Land use:
arable land:
27%
permanent crops:
8%
meadows and pastures:
29%
forest and woodland:
6%
other:
30%
Irrigated land:
1,200 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils
from disposal of toxic wastes
natural hazards:
known as the Land of Volcanoes, subject to frequent and sometimes very
destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Note:
smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on
Caribbean Sea

@El Salvador, People

Population:
5,752,511 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.04% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
32.81 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
6.36 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-6.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
40.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
66.99 years
male:
64.41 years
female:
69.71 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.78 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Salvadoran(s)
adjective:
Salvadoran
Ethnic divisions:
mestizo 94%, Indian 5%, white 1%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 75%
note:
Roman Catholic about 75%; there is extensive activity by Protestant
groups throughout the country; by the end of 1992, there were an
estimated 1 million Protestant evangelicals in El Salvador
Languages:
Spanish, Nahua (among some Indians)
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
73%
male:
76%
female:
70%
Labor force:
1.7 million (1982 est.)
by occupation:
agriculture 40%, commerce 16%, manufacturing 15%, government 13%,
financial services 9%, transportation 6%, other 1%
note:
shortage of skilled labor and a large pool of unskilled labor, but
manpower training programs improving situation (1984 est.)

@El Salvador, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of El Salvador
conventional short form:
El Salvador
local long form:
Republica de El Salvador
local short form:
El Salvador
Digraph:
ES
Type:
republic
Capital:
San Salvador
Administrative divisions:
14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapan,
Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union,
Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, Santa Ana, San Vicente, Sonsonate,
Usulutan
Independence:
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution:
20 December 1983
Legal system:
based on civil and Roman law, with traces of common law; judicial
review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Armando CALDERON SOL (since 1 June 1994); Vice President
Enrique BORGO Bustamante (since 1 June 1994) election last held 20
March 1994 (next to be held March 1999); results - Armando CALDERON
SOL (ARENA) 49.03%, Ruben ZAMORA Rivas (CD/FMLN/MNR) 24.09%, Fidel
CHAVEZ Mena (PDC) 16.39%, other 10.49%; because no candidate received
a majority, run off election was held 24 April 1994; results - Armando
CALDERON SOL (ARENA) 68.35%, Ruben ZAMORA Rivas (CD/FMLN/MNR) 31.65%
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa):
elections last held 20 March 1994 (next to be held March 1997);
results - ARENA 46.4%, FMLN 25.0%, PDC 21.4%, PCN 4.8%, other 2.4%;
seats - (84 total) ARENA 39, FMLN 21, PDC 18, PCN 4, other 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
Political parties and leaders:
National Republican Alliance (ARENA); Farabundo Marti National
Liberation Front (FMLN) has five factions - Popular Liberation Forces
(FPL), Armed Forces of National Resistance (FARN), Popular Expression
of Renewal (ERP), Salvadoran Communist Party (PCES), and
Central American Workers' Revolutionary Party (PRTC); Christian
Democratic Party (PDC); National Conciliation Party (PCN); Democratic
Convergence (CD), a coalition of three parties - the Social Democratic
Party (PSD), Democratic Nationalist Union (UDN), and the Popular
Social Christian Movement (MPSC); Authentic Christian Movement (MAC)
note:
new party leaders not yet designated at time of publication
Other political or pressure groups:
labor organizations:
Salvadoran Communal Union (UCS), peasant association; General
Confederation of Workers (CGT), moderate; United Workers Front (FUT)
business organizations:
Productive Alliance (AP), conservative; National Federation of
Salvadoran Small Businessmen (FENAPES), conservative
Member of:
BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,
IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA
(observer), LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ana Cristina SOL
chancery:
2308 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 265-9671 or 9672
consulate(s) general:
Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San
Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Alan H. FLANIGAN
embassy:
Final Boulevard, Station Antigua Cuscatlan, San Salvador
mailing address:
Unit 3116, San Salvador; APO AA 34023
telephone:
78-4444
FAX:
78-6011
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the
national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms
features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL
SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua,
which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it
features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on
top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of
Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered
in the white band

@El Salvador, Economy

Overview:
The agricultural sector accounts for 24% of GDP, employs about 40% of
the labor force, and contributes about 66% to total exports. Coffee is
the major commercial crop, accounting for 45% of export earnings. The
manufacturing sector, based largely on food and beverage processing,
accounts for 19% of GDP and 15% of employment. In 1992-93 the
government made substantial progress toward privatization and
deregulation of the economy. Growth in national output in 1990-93
exceeded growth in population for the first time since 1987, and
inflation in 1993 of 12% was down from 17% in 1992
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $14.2 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
5% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$2,500 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
12% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
6.7% (1993)
Budget:
revenues:
$846 million
expenditures:
$890 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992 est.)
Exports:
$730 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
coffee, sugarcane, shrimp
partners:
US, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Germany
Imports:
$1.9 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities:
raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods
partners:
US, Guatemala, Mexico, Venezuela, Germany
External debt:
$2.6 billion (December 1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate 7.6% (1993)
Electricity:
capacity:
713,800 kW
production:
2.19 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
390 kWh (1992)
Industries:
food processing, beverages, petroleum, nonmetallic products, tobacco,
chemicals, textiles, furniture
Agriculture:
accounts for 24% of GDP and 40% of labor force (including fishing and
forestry); coffee most important commercial crop; other products -
sugarcane, corn, rice, beans, oilseeds, beef, dairy products, shrimp;
not self-sufficient in food
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine; marijuana produced for local
consumption
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $2.95 billion (plus $250
million for 1992-96); Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF
bilateral commitments (1970-89), $525 million
Currency:
1 Salvadoran colon (C) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
Salvadoran colones (C) per US$1 - 8.720 (January 1994), 8.670 (1993),
8.4500 (1992), 8.080 (1991), 8.0300 (1990), fixed rate of 5.000
(1986-1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@El Salvador, Communications

Railroads:
602 km 0.914-meter gauge, single track; some sections abandoned,
unusable, or operating at reduced capacity
Highways:
total:
10,000 km
paved:
1,500 km
unpaved:
gravel 4,100 km; improved, unimproved earth 4,400 km
Inland waterways:
Rio Lempa partially navigable
Ports:
Acajutla, Cutuco
Airports:
total:
107
usable:
76
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:
6
Telecommunications:
nationwide trunk microwave radio relay system; connection into Central
American Microwave System; 116,000 telephones (21 telephones per 1,000
persons); broadcast stations - 77 AM, no FM, 5 TV, 2 shortwave; 1
Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@El Salvador, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,351,641; fit for military service 866,010; reach
military age (18) annually 74,181 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $104 million, 1.1% of GDP (1994 est.)

@Equatorial Guinea, Geography

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Cameroon and Gabon Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 28,050 sq km land area: 28,050 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland Land boundaries: total 539 km, Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km Coastline: 296 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Gabon because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay Climate: tropical; always hot, humid Terrain: coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic Natural resources: timber, petroleum, small unexploited deposits of gold, manganese, uranium Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 51% other: 33% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: desertification natural hazards: subject to violent windstorms international agreements: party to - Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea Note: insular and continental regions rather widely separated

@Equatorial Guinea, People

Population:
409,550 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.59% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
40.65 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
14.73 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
102.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
52.09 years
male:
49.97 years
female:
54.27 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.28 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)
adjective:
Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean
Ethnic divisions:
Bioko (primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos), Rio Muni (primarily Fang),
Europeans less than 1,000, mostly Spanish
Religions:
nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices
Languages:
Spanish (official), pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
50%
male:
64%
female:
37%
Labor force:
172,000 (1986 est.)
by occupation:
agriculture 66%, services 23%, industry 11% (1980)
note:
labor shortages on plantations; 58% of population of working age
(1985)

@Equatorial Guinea, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Equatorial Guinea
conventional short form:
Equatorial Guinea
local long form:
Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial
local short form:
Guinea Ecuatorial
former:
Spanish Guinea
Digraph:
EK
Type:
republic in transition to multiparty democracy
Capital:
Malabo
Administrative divisions:
7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte,
Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas
Independence:
12 October 1968 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 12 October (1968)
Constitution:
new constitution 17 November 1991
Legal system:
partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom
Suffrage:
universal adult at age NA
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3
August 1979) election last held 25 June 1989 (next to be held 25 June
1996); results - President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA
MBASOGO was reelected without opposition
head of government:
Prime Minister Silvestre SIALE BILEKA (since 17 January 1992); Vice
Prime Minister Anatolio NDONG MBA (since November 1993);
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral
House of People's Representatives:
(Camara de Representantes del Pueblo) elections last held 21 November
1993; seats - (82 total) PDGE 72, various opposition parties 10
Judicial branch:
Supreme Tribunal
Political parties and leaders:
ruling - Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea (PDGE), Brig. Gen.
(Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO, party leader; Progressive
Democratic Alliance (ADP), Antonio-Ebang Mbele Abang, president;
Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea (APGE),Casiano Masi Edu, leader;
Liberal Democratic Convention (CLD), Alfonso Nsue MOKUY, president;
Convergence for Social Democracy (CPDS),Santiago Obama Ndong,
president; Social Democratic and Popular Convergence (CSDP), Secundino
Oyono Agueng Ada, general secretary; Party of the Social Democratic
Coalition (PCSD), Buenaventura Moswi M'Asumu, general coordinater;
Liberal Party (PL), leaders unknown; Party of Progress (PP), Severo
MOTO Nsa, president; Social Democratic Party (PSD), Benjamin-Gabriel
Balingha Balinga Alene, general secretary; Socialist Party of
Equatorial Guinea (PSGE), Tomas MICHEBE Fernandez, general secretary;
National Democratic Union (UDENA), Jose MECHEBA Ikaka, president;
Democratic Social Union (UDS), Jesus Nze Obama Avomo, general
secretary; Popular Union (UP), Juan Bitui, president
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC,
ITU, LORCS (associate), NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador DAMASO Obiang Ndong
chancery:
(temporary) 57 Magnolia Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10553
telephone:
(914) 738-9584 or 667-6913
FAX:
(914) 667-6838
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador John E. BENNETT
embassy:
Calle de Los Ministros, Malabo
mailing address:
P.O. Box 597, Malabo
telephone:
(9) 2185, 2406, 2507
FAX:
(9) 2164
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a
blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms
centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow
six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore
islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below
which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace,
Justice)

@Equatorial Guinea, Economy

Overview:
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing account for about half of GDP and
nearly all exports. Subsistence farming predominates. Although
pre-independence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for
hard currency earnings, the deterioration of the rural economy under
successive brutal regimes has diminished potential for agriculture-led
growth. A number of AID programs sponsored by the World Bank and the
international donor community have failed to revitalize export
agriculture. There is little industry; businesses for the most part
are owned by government officials and their family members. Commerce
accounts for about 8% of GDP and the construction, public works, and
service sectors for about 38%. Undeveloped natural resources include
titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold. Oil
exploration, taking place under concessions offered to US, French, and
Spanish firms, has been moderately successful. Increased production
from recently discovered natural gas fields will provide a greater
share of exports by 1995.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $280 million (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
NA
National product per capita:
$700 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.6% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$32.5 million
expenditures:
$35.9 million, including capital expenditures of $3 million (1992
est.)
Exports:
$52.8 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
coffee, timber, cocoa beans
partners:
Spain 55.2%, Nigeria 11.4%, Cameroon 9.1% (1992)
Imports:
$63.6 million (c.i.f., 1992)
commodities:
petroleum, food, beverages, clothing, machinery
partners:
Cameroon 23.1%, Spain 21.8%, France 14.1%, US 4.3%
External debt:
$260 million (1992 est)
Industrial production:
growth rate -6.5% (1992 est.); accounts for 5% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
23,000 kW
production:
60 million kWh
consumption per capita:
160 kWh (1991)
Industries:
fishing, sawmilling
Agriculture:
accounts for almost 50% of GDP, cash crops - timber and coffee from
Rio Muni, cocoa from Bioko; food crops - rice, yams, cassava, bananas,
oil palm nuts, manioc, livestock
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY81-89), $14 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $130
million; Communist countries (1970-89), $55 million
Currency:
1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 592.05
(January 1994), 273,16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26
(1990), 319.01 (1989)
note:
beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per
French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March

@Equatorial Guinea, Communications

Highways:
total:
2,760 km (2,460 km on Rio Muni and 300 km on Bioko)
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Ports:
Malabo, Bata
Merchant marine:
2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,412 GRT/6,699 DWT, cargo 1,
passenger-cargo 1
Airports:
total:
3
usable:
3
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:
1
Telecommunications:
poor system with adequate government services; international
communications from Bata and Malabo to African and European countries;
2,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian
Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Equatorial Guinea, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 86,957; fit for military service 44,174
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP

@Eritrea, Geography

Location:
Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea between Djibouti and Sudan
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
121,320 sq km
land area:
121,320 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:
total 1,630 km, Djibouti 113 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Sudan 605 km
Coastline:
1,151 km (land and island coastline is 2,234 km)
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the
central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually); semiarid in
western hills and lowlands; rainfall heaviest during June-September
except on coast desert
Terrain:
dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending highlands,
descending on the east to a coastal desert plan, on the northwest to
hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling plains
Natural resources:
gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, probably oil, fish
Land use:
arable land:
3%
permanent crops:
2% (coffee)
meadows and pastures:
40%
forest and woodland:
5%
other:
50%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
famine; deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; loss of
infrastructure from civil warfare
natural hazards:
frequent droughts
international agreements:
NA
Note:
strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes
and close to Arabian oilfields, Eritrea retained the entire coastline
of Ethiopia along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia
on 27 April 1993

@Eritrea, People

Population:
3,782,543 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.41% (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Eritrean(s)
adjective:
Eritrean
Ethnic divisions:
ethnic Tigrays 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea coast
dwellers) 3%
Religions:
Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant
Languages:
Tigre and Kunama, Cushitic dialects, Tigre, Nora Bana, Arabic
Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
NA

@Eritrea, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
State of Eritrea
conventional short form:
Eritrea
local long form:
none
local short form:
none
former:
Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia
Digraph:
ER
Type:
transitional government
note:
on 29 May 1991 ISSAIAS Afeworke, secretary general of the Eritrean
People's Liberation Front (EPLF), announced the formation of the
Provisional Government in Eritrea (PGE), in preparation for the 23-25
April 1993 referendum on independence for the autonomous region of
Eritrea; the result was a landslide vote for independence that was
announced on 27 April 1993
Capital:
Asmara (formerly Asmera)
Administrative divisions:
7 provinces; Akale Guzay, Baraka, Denakil, Hamasen, Samhar, Seraye,
Sahil (1993)
Independence:
27 May 1993 (from Ethiopia; formerly the Eritrea Autonomous Region)
National holiday:
National Day (independence from Ethiopia), 24 May (1993)
Constitution:
transitional "constitution" decreed 19 May 1993
Legal system:
NA
Suffrage:
NA
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President ISSAIAS Afeworke (since 22 May 1993)
cabinet:
State Council; the collective executive authority
note:
election to be held before 20 May 1997
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Assembly:
EPLF Central Committee serves as the country's legislative body until
multinational elections are held (before 20 May 1997)
Judicial branch:
Judiciary
Political parties and leaders:
Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) (Christian Muslim), ISSAIAS
Aferworke, PETROS Solomon; Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) (Muslim),
ABDULLAH Muhammed; Eritrean Liberation Front - United Organization
(ELF-UO), Mohammed Said NAWUD; Eritrean Liberation Front -
Revolutionary Council (ELF-RC), Ahmed NASSER
Other political or pressure groups:
Eritrean Islamic Jihad (EIJ); Islamic Militant Group
Member of:
OAU, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ILO, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), ITU, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador-designate Hagos GEBREHIWOT
chancery:
Suite 400, 910 17th Street NW, Washington DC 20006
telephone:
(202) 429-1991
FAX:
(202) 429-9004
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Robert G. HOUDEK
embassy:
34 Zera Yacob St., Asmara
mailing address:
P.O. Box 211, Asmara
telephone:
(1) 123-720
FAX:
(1) 127-584
Flag:
red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing the flag
into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the lower one
is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is centered on
the hoist side of the red triangle

@Eritrea, Economy

Overview:
With independence from Ethiopia on 27 April 1993, Eritrea faces the
bitter economic problems of a small, desperately poor African country.
Most of the population will continue to depend on subsistence farming.
Domestic output is substantially augmented by worker remittances from
abroad. Government revenues come from custom duties and income and
sales taxes. Eritrea has inherited the entire coastline of Ethiopia
and has long-term prospects for revenues from the development of
offshore oil, offshore fishing and tourism. For the time being,
Ethiopia will be largely dependent on Eritrean ports for its foreign
trade.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $1.7 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$500 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$NA
expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Exports:
$NA
commodities:
NA
partners:
NA
Imports:
$NA
commodities:
NA
partners:
NA
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
NA kW
production:
NA kWh
consumption per capita:
NA kWh
Industries:
food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles
Agriculture:
products - sorghum, livestock (including goats), fish, lentils,
vegetables, maize, cotton, tobacco, coffee, sisal (for making rope)
Economic aid:
$NA
Currency:
1 birr (Br) = 100 cents; at present, Ethiopian currency used
Exchange rates:
1 birr (Br) per US$1 - 5.000 (fixed rate since 1992)
Fiscal year:
NA

@Eritrea, Communications

Railroads:
307 km total; 307 km 1.000-meter gauge; 307 km 0.950-meter gauge
(nonoperational) linking Ak'ordat and Asmara (formerly Asmera) with
the port of Massawa (formerly Mits'iwa; 1993 est.)
Highways:
total:
3,845 km
paved:
807 km
unpaved:
gravel 840 km; improved earth 402 km; unimproved earth 1,796 km
Ports:
Assab (formerly Aseb), Massawa (formerly Mits'iwa)
Merchant marine:
none
Airports:
total:
5
usable:
5
with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
2
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
2
Telecommunications:
NA

@Eritrea, Defense Forces

Branches:
Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF)
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP

@Estonia, Geography

Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Sweden and Russia Map references: Arctic Region, Asia, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 45,100 sq km land area: 43,200 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than New Hampshire and Vermont combined note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea Land boundaries: total 557 km, Latvia 267 km, Russia 290 km Coastline: 1,393 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers Terrain: marshy, lowlands Natural resources: shale oil, peat, phosphorite, amber Land use: arable land: 22% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 11% forest and woodland: 31% other: 36% Irrigated land: 110 sq km (1990) Environment: current issues: air heavily polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; contamination of soil and ground water with petroleum products, chemicals at military bases natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change Population: 1,616,882 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.52% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 13.98 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 12.04 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 3.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 19.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.96 years male: 64.98 years female: 75.19 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Estonian(s) adjective: Estonian Ethnic divisions: Estonian 61.5%, Russian 30.3%, Ukrainian 3.17%, Byelorussian 1.8%, Finn 1.1%, other 2.13% (1989) Religions: Lutheran Languages: Estonian (official), Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, other Literacy: age 9-49 can read and write (1989) total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Labor force: 750,000 (1992) by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 20%, other 38% (1990)

@Estonia, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Estonia
conventional short form:
Estonia
local long form:
Eesti Vabariik
local short form:
Eesti
former:
Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic
Digraph:
EN
Type:
republic
Capital:
Tallinn
Administrative divisions:
15 counties (maakonnad, singular - maakond) and 6 municipalities*:
Harju maakond (Tallinn), Hiiu maakond (Kardla), Ida-Viru maakond
(Johvi), Jarva maakond (Paide), Jogeva maakond (Jogeva),
Kohtla-Jarve*, Laane maakond (Haapsalu), Laane-Viru maakond (Rakvere),
Narva*, Parnu*, Parnu maakond (Parnu), Polva maakond (Polva), Rapla
maakond (Rapla), Saare maakond (Kuessaare), Sillamae*, Tallinn*,
Tartu*, Tartu maakond (Tartu), Valga maakond (Valga), Viljandi maakond
(Viljandi), Voru maakond (Voru)
note:
county centers are in parentheses
Independence:
6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 24 February (1918)
Constitution:
adopted 28 June 1992
Legal system:
based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Lennart MERI (since 21 October 1992); election last held 20
September 1992; (next to be held NA 1997); results - no candidate
received majority; newly elected Parliament elected Lennart MERI (21
October 1992)
head of government:
Prime Minister Mart LAAR (since 21 October 1992)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister, authorized by
the legislature
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Parliament (Riigikogu):
elections last held 20 September 1992; (next to be held NA); results -
Fatherland 21%, Safe Haven 14%, Popular Front 13%, M 10%, ENIP 8%, ERP
7%, ERL 7%, EP 2%, other 18%; seats - (101 total) Fatherland 29, Safe
Haven 18, Popular Front 15, M 12, ENIP 10, ERP 8, ERL 8, EP 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
National Coalition Party 'Pro Patria' (Isamaa of Fatherland), Mart
LAAR, president, made up of 4 parties: Christian Democratic Party
(KDE), Aivar KALA, chairman; Christian Democratic Union (KDL), Illar
HALLASTE, chairman; Conservative People's Party (KR), Enn TARTO,
chairman; Republican Coalition Party (VK), Leo STARKOV, chairman;
Moderates (M), made up of two parties: Estonian Social Democratic
Party (ESDB), Marju LAURISTIN, chairman; Estonian Rural Center Pary
(EMK), Ivar RAIG, chairman; Estonian National Independence Party
(ENIP), Tunne KELAM, chairman; Liberal Democratic Party (LDP),
Paul-Eerik RUMMO, chairman; Safe Haven, made up of three parties:
Estonian Coalition Party (EK), Tiit VAHI, chairman; Estonian Rural
Union (EM), Arvo SIRENDI, chairman; Estonian Democratic Justice
Union/Estonian Pensioners' League (EDO/EPU), Harri KARTNER, chairman;
Estonian Centrist Party (EK), Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman; Estonian
Democratic Labor Party (EDT), Vaino VALJAS, chairman; Estonian Green
Party (ERL), Tonu OJA; Estonian Royalist Party (ERP), Kalle KULBOK,
chairman; Entrepreneurs' Party (EP), Tiit MADE; Estonian Citizen
(EKL), Juri TOOMEPUU, chairman
Member of:
BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,
IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NACC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Toomas Hendrik ILVES
chancery:
1030 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, Suite 1000
telephone:
(202) 789-0320
FAX:
(202) 789-0471
consulate(s) general:
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Robert C. FRASURE
embassy:
Kentmanni 20, Tallin EE 0001
mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
011- (6) 312-021 through 024
FAX:
(6) 312-025
Flag:
pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal
horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white

@Estonia, Economy

Overview:
Bolstered by a widespread national desire to reintegrate into Western
Europe, the Estonian government has pursued a program of market
reforms and rough stabilization measures, which is rapidly
transforming the economy. Two years after independence - and one year
after the introduction of the kroon - Estonians are beginning to reap
tangible benefits; inflation is low; production declines appear to
have bottomed out; and living standards are rising. Economic
restructuring is clearly underway with the once-dominant
energy-intensive heavy industrial sectors giving way to
labor-intensive light industry and the underdeveloped service sector.
The private sector is growing rapidly; the share of the state
enterprises in retail trade has steadily declined and by June 1993
accounted for only 12.5% of total turnover, and 70,000 new jobs have
reportedly been created as a result of new business start-ups.
Estonia's foreign trade has shifted rapidly from East to West with the
Western industrialized countries now accounting for two-thirds of
foreign trade.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $8.8 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 Estonian statistics, which are
very uncertain because of major economic changes since 1990)
National product real growth rate:
-5% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$5,480 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.6% per month (1993 average)
Unemployment rate:
3.5% (May 1993); but large number of underemployed workers
Budget:
revenues:
$223 million
expenditures:
$142 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992)
Exports:
$765 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
textile 14%, food products 11%, vehicles 11%, metals 11% (1993)
partners:
Russia, Finland, Latvia, Germany, Ukraine
Imports:
$865 million (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities:
machinery 18%, fuels 15%, vehicles 14%, textiles 10% (1993)
partners:
Finland, Russia, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands
External debt:
$650 million (end of 1991)
Industrial production:
growth rate -27% (1993)
Electricity:
capacity:
3,700,000 kW
production:
22.9 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
14,245 kWh (1992)
Industries:
accounts for 42% of labor force; oil shale, shipbuilding, phosphates,
electric motors, excavators, cement, furniture, clothing, textiles,
paper, shoes, apparel
Agriculture:
employs 20% of work force; very efficient by Soviet standards; net
exports of meat, fish, dairy products, and potatoes; imports of
feedgrains for livestock; fruits and vegetables
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia
and Latin America to Western Europe; limited illicit opium producer;
mostly for domestic consumption
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (1992), $10 million
Currency:
1 Estonian kroon (EEK) = 100 cents (introduced in August 1992)
Exchange rates:
kroons (EEK) per US$1 - 13.9 (January 1994), 13.2 (1993); note -
kroons are tied to the German Deutschmark at a fixed rate of 8 to 1
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Estonia, Communications

Railroads:
1,030 km; does not include industrial lines (1990)
Highways:
total:
30,300 km
paved or gravelled:
29,200 km
unpaved:
earth 1,100 km (1990)
Inland waterways:
500 km perennially navigable
Pipelines:
natural gas 420 km (1992)
Ports:
coastal - Tallinn, Novotallin, Parnu; inland - Narva
Merchant marine:
69 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 406,405 GRT/537,016 DWT, bulk 6,
cargo 50, container 2, oil tanker 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6,
short-sea passenger 4
Airports:
total:
29
usable:
18
with permanent-surface runways:
11
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
10
with runways 1,060-2,439 m:
8
note:
a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstrip
Telecommunications:
Estonia's telephone system is antiquated and supports about 400,000
domestic telephone circuits, i.e. 25 telephones for each 100 persons;
improvements are being made piecemeal, with emphasis on business needs
and international connections; there are still about 150,000
unfulfilled requests for telephone service; broadcast stations - 3 TV
(provide Estonian programs as well Moscow Ostenkino's first and second
programs); international traffic is carried to the other former USSR
republics by land line or microwave and to other countries partly by
leased connection to the Moscow international gateway switch, and
partly by a new Tallinn-Helsinki fiber optic submarine cable which
gives Estonia access to international circuits everywhere; substantial
investment has been made in cellular systems which are operational
throughout Estonia and also Latvia and which have access to the
international packet switched digital network via Helsinki

@Estonia, Defense Forces

Branches:
Ground Forces, Maritime Border Guard, National Guard (Kaitseliit),
Security Forces (internal and border troops), Coast Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 392,135; fit for military service 308,951; reach
military age (18) annually 11,789 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
124.4 million kroons, NA% of GDP (forecast for 1993); note -
conversion of the military budget into US dollars using the current
exchange rate could produce misleading results

@Ethiopia, Geography

Location:
Eastern Africa, between Somalia and Sudan
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
1,127,127 sq km
land area:
1,119,683 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total 5,311 km, Djibouti 337 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 830 km, Somalia
1,626 km, Sudan 1,606 km
Coastline:
none - landlocked
Maritime claims:
none - landlocked
International disputes:
southern half of the boundary with Somalia is a Provisional
Administrative Line; territorial dispute with Somalia over the Ogaden
Climate:
tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation
Terrain:
high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley
Natural resources:
small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash
Land use:
arable land:
12%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
41%
forest and woodland:
24%
other:
22%
Irrigated land:
1,620 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; famine
natural hazards:
geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes,
volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species; signed, but not ratified -
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Law of the
Sea, Nuclear Test Ban
Note:
landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de
jure independence of Eritrea on 27 April 1993

@Ethiopia, People

Population:
54,927,108 (July 1994 est.)
note:
Ethiopian demographic data, except population and population growth
rate, include Eritrea
Population growth rate:
3.4% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
45.01 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
13.89 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
2.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
106.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
52.67 years
male:
51 years
female:
54.38 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.81 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Ethiopian(s)
adjective:
Ethiopian
Ethnic divisions:
Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigrean 32%, Sidamo 9%, Shankella 6%, Somali 6%,
Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, other 1%
Religions:
Muslim 45%-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%-40%, animist 12%, other 5%
Languages:
Amharic (official), Tigrinya, Orominga, Guaraginga, Somali, Arabic,
English (major foreign language taught in schools)
Literacy:
age 10 and over can read and write (1984)
total population:
24%
male:
33%
female:
16%
Labor force:
18 million
by occupation:
agriculture and animal husbandry 80%, government and services 12%,
industry and construction 8% (1985)

@Ethiopia, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Ethiopia
local long form:
none
local short form:
Ityop'iya
Digraph:
ET
Type:
transitional government
note:
on 28 May 1991 the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front
(EPRDF) toppled the authoritarian government of MENGISTU Haile-Mariam
and took control in Addis Ababa; the Transitional Government of
Ethiopia (TGE), announced a two-year transitional period
Capital:
Addis Ababa
Administrative divisions:
14 administrative regions (astedader akababiwach, singular - astedader
akababi) Addis Ababa, Afar, Amhara, Benishangul, Gambela,
Gurage-Hadiya-Kambata, Harer, Kefa, Omo, Oromo, Sidamo, Somali,
Tigray, Wolayta
Independence:
oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the
world - at least 2,000 years
National holiday:
National Day, 28 May (1991) (defeat of Mengistu regime)
Constitution:
to be redrafted by 1993
Legal system:
NA
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President MELES Zenawi (since 1 June 1991); election last held 10
September 1987; next election planned after new constitution drafted;
results - MENGISTU Haile-Mariam elected by the now defunct National
Assembly, but resigned and left Ethiopia on 21 May 1991
head of government:
Prime Minister TAMIRAT Layne (since 6 June 1991)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; designated by the chairman of the Council of
Representatives
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Constituent Assembly:
elections were held on 5 June 1994 (next to be held NA); results - NA;
a major task of the new Assembly will be to ratify the constitution to
drafted by the end of 1994
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), MELES
Zenawi; Oromo People's Democratic Organization (OPDO), Kuma DEMEKSA
Other political or pressure groups:
Oromo Liberation Front (OLF); Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party
(EPRP); numerous small, ethnic-based groups have formed since
Mengistu's resignation, including several Islamic militant groups
Member of:
ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS,
NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador BERHANE Gebre-Christos
chancery:
2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 234-2281 or 2282
FAX:
(202) 328-7950
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Marc A. BAAS
embassy:
Entoto Street, Addis Ababa
mailing address:
P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa
telephone:
(1) 550-666
FAX:
(1) 552-191
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red; Ethiopia
is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the colors of her
flag were so often adopted by other African countries upon
independence that they became known as the pan-African colors

@Ethiopia, Economy

Overview:
With the independence of Eritrea on 27 April 1993, Ethiopia continues
to face difficult economic problems as one of the poorest and least
developed countries in Africa. (The accompanying analysis and figures
predate the independence of Eritrea.) Its economy is based on
subsistence agriculture, which accounts for about 45% of GDP, 90% of
exports, and 80% of total employment; coffee generates 60% of export
earnings. The manufacturing sector is heavily dependent on inputs from
the agricultural sector. Over 90% of large-scale industry, but less
than 10% of agriculture, is state run; the government is considering
selling off a portion of state-owned plants. Favorable agricultural
weather largely explains the 4.5% growth in output in FY89, whereas
drought and deteriorating internal security conditions prevented
growth in FY90. In 1991 the lack of law and order, particularly in the
south, interfered with economic development and growth. In 1992,
because of some easing of civil strife and aid from the outside world,
the economy substantially improved.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $22.7 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
7.8% (FY93 est)
National product per capita:
$400 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
21% (1992 est)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$NA
expenditures:
$1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992 est.)
Exports:
$189 million (f.o.b., FY91)
commodities:
coffee, leather products, gold, petroleum products
partners:
Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, France, Italy
Imports:
$472 million (c.i.f., FY91)
commodities:
capital goods, consumer goods, fuel
partners:
US, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Japan
External debt:
$3.48 billion (1991)
Industrial production:
growth rate -3.3% (FY92); accounts for 12% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
330,000 kW
production:
650 million kWh
consumption per capita:
10 kWh (1991)
Industries:
food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metals processing,
cement
Agriculture:
accounts for 47% of GDP and is the most important sector of the
economy even though frequent droughts and poor cultivation practices
keep farm output low; famines not uncommon; export crops of coffee and
oilseeds grown partly on state farms; estimated 50% of agricultural
production at subsistence level; principal crops and livestock -
cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseeds, sugarcane, potatoes and other
vegetables, hides and skins, cattle, sheep, goats
Illicit drugs:
transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and Southeast Asia and
destined for Europe and North America as well as cocaine destined for
southern African markets; cultivates qat (chat) for local use and
regional export
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $504 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.4
billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $8 million; Communist countries
(1970-89), $2 billion
Currency:
1 birr (Br) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
birr (Br) per US$1 - 5.0000 (fixed rate since 1992); fixed at 2.070
before 1992
Fiscal year:
8 July - 7 July

@Ethiopia, Communications

Highways:
total:
24,127 km
paved:
3,289 km
unpaved:
gravel 6,664 km; improved earth 1,652 km; unimproved earth 12,522 km
(1993)
Ports:
none; landlocked
Merchant marine:
12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 62,627 GRT/88,909 DWT, cargo 8,
livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 2, roll on/roll off cargo 1
Airports:
total:
120
usable:
84
with permanent-surface runways:
10
with runways over 3,659 m:
1
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
15
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
83
Telecommunications:
open-wire and radio relay system adequate for government use;
open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and
Djibouti; broadcast stations - 4 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 100,000 TV sets;
9,000,000 radios; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
and 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT

@Ethiopia, Defense Forces

Branches:
Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 13,229,078; fit for military service 6,867,582; reach
military age (18) annually 596,691 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP

@Europa Island

Header Affiliation: (possession of France)

@Europa Island, Geography

Location: Southern Africa, in the southern Mozambique Channel about halfway between Madagascar and Mozambique Map references: Africa Area: total area: 28 sq km land area: 28 sq km comparative area: about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 22.2 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claimed by Madagascar Climate: tropical Terrain: NA Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% (heavily wooded) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: wildlife sanctuary

@Europa Island, People

Population: uninhabited

@Europa Island, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Europa Island
local long form:
none
local short form:
Ile Europa
Digraph:
EU
Type:
French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic;
resident in Reunion
Capital:
none; administered by France from Reunion
Independence:
none (possession of France)

@Europa Island, Economy

Overview: no economic activity

@Europa Island, Communications

Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 0 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,439-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: 1 meteorological station

@Europa Island, Defense Forces

Note: defense is the responsibility of France

@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Header Affiliation: (dependent territory of the UK)

@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Geography

Location:
Southern South America, in the South Atlantic Ocean, off the southern
coast of Argentina
Map references:
Antarctic Region, South America
Area:
total area:
12,170 sq km
land area:
12,170 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Connecticut
note:
includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200
small islands
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,288 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
100-m depth
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina
Climate:
cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more
than half of days in year; occasional snow all year, except in January
and February, but does not accumulate
Terrain:
rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains
Natural resources:
fish, wildlife
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
99%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
1%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
NA
Note:
deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing
season

@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), People

Population:
2,261 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.43% (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
Nationality:
noun:
Falkland Islander(s)
adjective:
Falkland Island
Ethnic divisions:
British
Religions:
primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist
Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist
Languages:
English
Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
1,100 (est.)
by occupation:
agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding)

@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Colony of the Falkland Islands
conventional short form:
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Digraph:
FA
Type:
dependent territory of the UK
Capital:
Stanley
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
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government:
Governor David Everard TATHAM (since August 1992)
cabinet:
Executive Council; 3 members elected by the Legislative Council, 2
ex-officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and
the governor
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Legislative Council:
elections last held 11 October 1989 (next to be held October 1994);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (10 total, 8 elected)
number of seats by party NA
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
NA
Member of:
ICFTU
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
US diplomatic representation:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag:
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the
Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk centered on the outer
half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising
is the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose
crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the
motto DESIRE THE RIGHT

@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Economy

Overview:
The economy is based on sheep farming, which directly or indirectly
employs most of the work force. A few dairy herds are kept to meet
domestic consumption of milk and milk products, and crops grown are
primarily those for providing winter fodder. Exports feature shipments
of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins.
Rich stocks of fish in the surrounding waters are not presently
exploited by the islanders. So far, efforts to establish a domestic
fishing industry have been unsuccessful. In 1987 the government began
selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the
Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees amount to more
than $40 million per year and are a primary source of income for the
government. To encourage tourism, the Falkland Islands Development
Corporation has built three lodges for visitors attracted by the
abundant wildlife and trout fishing.
National product:
GDP $NA
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.4% (1980-87 average)
Unemployment rate:
NA%; labor shortage
Budget:
revenues:
$62.7 million
expenditures:
$42.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90)
Exports:
at least $14.7 million
commodities:
wool, hides and skins, and meat
partners:
UK, Netherlands, Japan (1987 est.)
Imports:
at least $13.9 million
commodities:
food, clothing, fuels, and machinery
partners:
UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1987 est.)
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
9,200 kW
production:
17 million kWh
consumption per capita:
8,940 kWh (1992)
Industries:
wool and fish processing
Agriculture:
predominantly sheep farming; small dairy herds; some fodder and
vegetable crops
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1992-93), $87 million
Currency:
1 Falkland pound (#F) = 100 pence
Exchange rates:
Falkland pound (#F) per US$1 - 0.6699 (January 1994), 0.6658 (1993),
0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5604 (1990), 0.6099 (1989); note - the
Falkland pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March

@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Communications

Highways:
total:
510 km
paved:
30 km
unpaved:
gravel 80 km; unimproved earth 400 km
Ports:
Stanley
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:
government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radio networks
provide effective service to almost all points on both islands; 590
telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, no TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT earth station with links through London to other countries

@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Defense Forces

Branches:
British Forces Falkland Islands (including Army, Royal Air Force,
Royal Navy, and Royal Marines), Police Force
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK

@Faroe Islands

Header Affiliation: (part of the Danish realm)

@Faroe Islands, Geography

Location:
Nordic States, Northern Europe in the north Atlantic Ocean, located
half way between Norway and Iceland
Map references:
Arctic Region
Area:
total area:
1,400 sq km
land area:
1,400 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than eight times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
764 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
3 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Terrain:
rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
Natural resources:
fish
Land use:
arable land:
2%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
98%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
NA
Note:
archipelago of 18 inhabited islands and a few uninhabited islets;
strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern
Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal
lowlands

@Faroe Islands, People

Population: 48,427 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.83% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 17.97 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 7.56 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -2.09 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: 78.1 years male: 74.71 years female: 81.62 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.47 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Faroese (singular and plural) adjective: Faroese Ethnic divisions: Scandinavian Religions: Evangelical Lutheran Languages: Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 17,585 by occupation: largely engaged in fishing, manufacturing, transportation, and commerce

@Faroe Islands, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Faroe Islands
local long form:
none
local short form:
Foroyar
Digraph:
FO
Type:
part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative
division of Denmark
Capital:
Torshavn
Administrative divisions:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Independence:
none (part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative
division of Denmark)
National holiday:
Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)
Constitution:
5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Legal system:
Danish
Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972), represented by High
Commissioner Bent KLINTE (since NA)
head of government:
Prime Minister Marita PETERSEN (since 18 January 1993)
cabinet:
Landsstyri; elected by the local legislature
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Faroese Parliament (Lgting):
elections last held 17 November 1990 (next to be held November 1994);
results - Social Democratic 27.4%, People's Party 21.9%, Cooperation
Coalition Party 18.9%, Republican Party 14.7%, Home Rule 8.8%,
PFIP-CPP 5.9%, other 2.4%; seats - (32 total) two-party coalition 17
(Social Democratic 10, People's Party 7), Cooperation Coalition Party
6, Republican Party 4, Home Rule 3, PFIP-CPP 2
Danish Parliament:
elections last held on 12 December 1990 (next to be held by December
1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) Social
Democratic 1, People's Party 1; note - the Faroe Islands elects two
representatives to the Danish Parliament
Judicial branch:
none
Political parties and leaders:
three-party ruling coalition:
Social Democratic Party, Marita PETERSEN; Republican Party, Signer
HANSEN; Home Rule Party, Hilmar KASS
opposition:
Cooperation Coalition Party, Pauli ELLEFSEN; Progressive and Fishing
Industry Party-Christian People's Party (PFIP-CPP), leader NA;
Progress Party, leader NA; People's Party, Jogvan SUND-STEIN
Member of:
none
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
US diplomatic representation:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Flag:
white with a red cross outlined in blue 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)

@Faroe Islands, Economy

Overview:
The Faroese, who have long enjoyed the affluent living standards of
the Danes and other Scandinavians, now must cope with the decline of
the all-important fishing industry and one of the world's heaviest per
capita external debts of nearly $30,000. When the nations of the world
extended their fishing zones to 200 nautical miles in the early 1970s,
the Faroese no longer could continue their traditional long-distance
fishing and subsequently depleted their own nearby fishing areas. The
government's tight controls on fish stocks and its austerity measures
have caused a recession, and subsidy cuts will force nationalization
in the fishing industry, which has already been plagued with
bankruptcies. Copenhagen has threatened to withhold its annual subsidy
of $130 million - roughly one-third of the islands' budget revenues -
unless the Faroese make significant efforts to balance their budget.
To this extent the Faroe government is expected to continue its tough
policies, including introducing a 20% value-added tax (VAT) in 1993,
and has agreed to an IMF economic-political stabilization plan. In
addition to its annual subsidy, the Danish government has bailed out
the second largest Faroe bank to the tune of $140 million since
October 1992.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $662 million (1989 est.)
National product real growth rate:
3% (1989 est.)
National product per capita:
$14,000 (1989 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2% (1988)
Unemployment rate:
2.5% (1993 est)
Budget:
revenues:
$425 million
expenditures:
$480 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991 est.)
Exports:
$386 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.)
commodities:
fish and fish products 88%, animal feedstuffs, transport equipment
(ships) (1989)
partners:
Denmark 20%, Germany 18.3%, UK 14.2%, France 11.2%, Spain 7.9%, US
4.5%
Imports:
$322 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment 24.4%, manufactures 24%, food and
livestock 19%, fuels 12%, chemicals 6.5%
partners:
Denmark 43.8%, Norway 19.8%, Sweden 4.9%, Germany 4.2%, US 1.3%
External debt:
$1.3 billion (1991)
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
80,000 kW
production:
280 million kWh
consumption per capita:
5,760 kWh (1992)
Industries:
fishing, shipbuilding, handicrafts
Agriculture:
accounts for 27% of GDP and employs 27% of labor force; principal
crops - potatoes and vegetables; livestock - sheep; annual fish catch
about 360,000 metric tons
Economic aid:
recipient:
receives an annual subsidy from Denmark of about $130 million
Currency:
1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates:
Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 6.771 (January 1994), 6.484 (1993),
6.036 (1992), 6.396 (1991), 6.189 (1990), 7.310 (1989)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March

@Faroe Islands, Communications

Highways:
total:
200 km
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Ports:
Torshavn, Tvoroyri
Merchant marine:
7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 19,943 GRT/18,399 DWT, cargo 5,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 1
note:
a subset of the Danish register
Airports:
total:
1
usable:
1
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:
good international communications; fair domestic facilities; 27,900
telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 3 (10 repeaters) FM, 3 (29
repeaters) TV; 3 coaxial submarine cables

@Faroe Islands, Defense Forces

Branches:
small Police Force, no organized native military forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of Denmark

@Fiji, Geography

Location: Oceania, Melanesia, 2,500 km north of New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean Map references: Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 18,270 sq km land area: 18,270 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,129 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines continental shelf: 200-m depth or to depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin Natural resources: timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 5% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 65% other: 19% Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: deforestation; soil erosion natural hazards: cyclonic storms can occur from November to January international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection Note: includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited

@Fiji, People

Population:
764,382 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.05% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
24.18 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
6.5 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-7.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
18.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
65.14 years
male:
62.88 years
female:
67.51 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.92 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Fijian(s)
adjective:
Fijian
Ethnic divisions:
Fijian 49%, Indian 46%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas
Chinese, and other 5%
Religions:
Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim
8%, other 2%
note:
Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is a Muslim
minority (1986)
Languages:
English (official), Fijian, Hindustani
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1985 est.)
total population:
86%
male:
90%
female:
81%
Labor force:
235,000
by occupation:
subsistence agriculture 67%, wage earners 18%, salary earners 15%
(1987)

@Fiji, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Fiji
conventional short form:
Fiji
Digraph:
FJ
Type:
republic
note:
military coup leader Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA formally declared Fiji
a republic on 6 October 1987
Capital:
Suva
Administrative divisions:
4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*,
Western
Independence:
10 October 1970 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 10 October (1970)
Constitution:
10 October 1970 (suspended 1 October 1987); a new Constitution was
proposed on 23 September 1988 and promulgated on 25 July 1990; the
1990 Constitution is under review; the review will be complete by 1997
Legal system:
based on British system
Suffrage:
none
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA (since 12 January 1994); First Vice
President Ratu Sir Josaia TAIVAIQIA (since 12 January 1994); Second
Vice President Ratu Inoke TAKIVEIKATA (since 12 January 1994); note -
President GANILAU died on 15 December 1993 and Vice President MARA
became acting president; MARA was elected president by the Great
Council of Chiefs on 12 January 1994
head of government:
Prime Minister Sitiveni RABUKA (since 2 June 1992)
Presidential Council:
appointed by the governor general
Great Council of Chiefs:
(highest ranking members of the traditional chiefly system)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by prime minister from members of Parliament and
responsible to Parliament
Legislative branch:
the bicameral Parliament was dissolved following the coup of 14 May
1987
Senate:
nonelective body containing 34 seats, 24 reserved for Melanesians, 9
for Indians and others, 1 for the island of Rotuma
House of Representatives:
elections last held 18-25 February 1994 (next to be held NA 1997);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (70 total, with ethnic
Fijians allocated 37 seats, ethnic Indians 27 seats, and independents
and other 6 seats) number of seats by party SVT 31, NFP 20, FLP 7, FA
5, GVP 4, independents 2, ANC 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Fijian Political Party (SVT - primarily Fijian), leader Maj. Gen.
Sitivini RABUKA; National Federation Party (NFP; primarily Indian),
Jai Ram REDDY; Christian Fijian Nationalist Party (CFNP), Sakeasi
BUTADROKA; Fiji Labor Party (FLP), Mahendra CHAUDHRY; All National
Congress (ANC), Apisai TORA; General Voters Party (GVP), Max OLSSON;
Fiji Conservative Party (FCP), Isireli VUIBAU; Conservative Party of
Fiji (CPF), Jolale ULUDOLE and Viliame SAVU; Fiji Indian Liberal
Party, Swami MAHARAJ; Fiji Indian Congress Party, Ishwari BAJPAI; Fiji
Independent Labor (Muslim), leader NA; Four Corners Party, David
TULVANUAVOU; Fijian Association (FA), Josevata KAMIKAMICA
Member of:
ACP, AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, PCA,
SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNOMUR,
UNTAC, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Pita Kewa NACUVA
chancery:
Suite 240, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone:
(202) 337-8320
FAX:
(202) 337-1996
consulate(s):
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
(vacant); Charge d'Affaires William ROPE
embassy:
31 Loftus Street, Suva
mailing address:
P. O. Box 218, Suva
telephone:
314-466
FAX:
300-081
Flag:
light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant
and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the
shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the
cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree,
bananas, and a white dove

@Fiji, Economy

Overview:
Fiji's economy is primarily agricultural, with a large subsistence
sector. Sugar exports and tourism are the major sources of foreign
exchange. Industry contributes 13% to GDP, with sugar processing
accounting for one-third of industrial activity. Roughly 250,000
tourists visit each year. Political uncertainty and drought, however,
contribute to substantial fluctuations in earnings from tourism and
sugar. In 1992, growth was approximately 3%, based on growth in
tourism and a lessening of labor-management disputes in the sugar and
gold-mining sectors. In 1993, the government's budgeted growth rate of
3% was not achieved because of a decline in non-sugar agricultural
output and damage from Cyclone Kina.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $3 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
1% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$4,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.6% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
5.9% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$455 million
expenditures:
$546 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)
Exports:
$417 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
sugar 40%, clothing, processed fish, gold, lumber
partners:
EC 26%, Australia 15%, Pacific Islands 11%, Japan 6%
Imports:
$517 million (c.i.f., 1992 est)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, consumer
goods, chemicals
partners:
Australia 30%, NZ 17%, Japan 13%, EC 6%, US 6%
External debt:
$670 million (1994 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 7.5% (1992 est.); accounts for 13% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
215,000 kW
production:
420 million kWh
consumption per capita:
560 kWh (1992)
Industries:
sugar, tourism, copra, gold, silver, clothing, lumber, small cottage
industries
Agriculture:
accounts for 23% of GDP; principal cash crop is sugarcane; coconuts,
cassava, rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; small livestock sector
includes cattle, pigs, horses, and goats; fish catch nearly 33,000
tons (1989)
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1980-89), $815 million
Currency:
1 Fijian dollar (F$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Fijian dollars (F$) per US$1 - 1.5239 (January 1994), 1.5418 (1993),
1.5030 (1992), 1.4756 (1991), 1.4809 (1990), 1.4833 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Fiji, Communications

Railroads:
644 km 0.610-meter narrow gauge, belonging to the government-owned
Fiji Sugar Corporation
Highways:
total:
3,300 km
paved:
1,590 km
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone, stabilized earth 1,290 km; unimproved earth 420
km (1984)
Inland waterways:
203 km; 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges
Ports:
Labasa, Lautoka, Savusavu, Suva
Merchant marine:
8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 44,911 GRT/54,490 DWT, cargo 1,
chemical tanker 2, container 2, oil tanker 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2
Airports:
total:
25
usable:
22
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:
2
Telecommunications:
modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated)
public and special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter
facilities; regional radio center; important COMPAC cable link between
US-Canada and NZ-Australia; 53,228 telephones (71 telephones per 1,000
persons); broadcast stations - 7 AM, 1 FM, no TV; 1 Pacific Ocean
INTELSAT earth station

@Fiji, Defense Forces

Branches:
Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF; including a naval division,
police)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 197,767; fit for military service 109,026; reach
military age (18) annually 8,154 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $22.4 million, about 2% of GDP (FY91/92)

@Finland, Geography

Location:
Nordic State, Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea between Sweden
and Russia
Map references:
Arctic Region, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
337,030 sq km
land area:
305,470 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:
total 2,628 km, Norway 729 km, Sweden 586 km, Russia 1,313 km
Coastline:
1,126 km (excludes islands and coastal indentations)
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
6 nm
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone:
12 nm
territorial sea:
4 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
cold temperate; potentially subarctic, but comparatively mild because
of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and
more than 60,000 lakes
Terrain:
mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low
hills
Natural resources:
timber, copper, zinc, iron ore, silver
Land use:
arable land:
8%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
76%
other:
16%
Irrigated land:
620 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid
rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals;
habitat loss threatens wildlife populations
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic
Treaty, 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, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Note:
long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital
on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern
coastal plain

@Finland, People

Population:
5,068,931 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.34% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
12.41 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
9.84 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
75.93 years
male:
72.18 years
female:
79.86 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.79 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Finn(s)
adjective:
Finnish
Ethnic divisions:
Finn, Swede, Lapp, Gypsy, Tatar
Religions:
Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Greek Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other 1%
Languages:
Finnish 93.5% (official), Swedish 6.3% (official), small Lapp- and
Russian-speaking minorities
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population:
100%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
2.533 million
by occupation:
public services 30.4%, industry 20.9%, commerce 15.0%, finance,
insurance, and business services 10.2%, agriculture and forestry 8.6%,
transport and communications 7.7%, construction 7.2%

@Finland, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Finland
conventional short form:
Finland
local long form:
Suomen Tasavalta
local short form:
Suomi
Digraph:
FI
Type:
republic
Capital:
Helsinki
Administrative divisions:
12 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Ahvenanmaa, Hame,
Keski-Suomi, Kuopio, Kymi, Lappi, Mikkeli, Oulu, Pohjois-Karjala,
Turku ja Pori, Uusimaa, Vaasa
Independence:
6 December 1917 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 6 December (1917)
Constitution:
17 July 1919
Legal system:
civil law system based on Swedish law; Supreme Court may request
legislation interpreting or modifying laws; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Martti AHTISAARI (since 1 March 1994); election last held 31
January - 6 February 1994 (next to be held January 2000); results -
Martti AHTISAARI 54%, Elisabeth REHN 46%
head of government:
Prime Minister Esko AHO (since 26 April 1991); Deputy Prime Minister
Pertti SALOLAINEN (since at least January 1992)
cabinet:
Council of State (Valtioneuvosto); appointed by the president,
responsible to Parliament
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Parliament (Eduskunta):
elections last held 17 March 1991 (next to be held March 1995);
results - Center Party 24.8%, Social Democratic Party 22.1%, National
Coalition (Conservative) Party 19.3%, Leftist Alliance (Communist)
10.1%, Green League 6.8%, Swedish People's Party 5.5%, Rural 4.8%,
Finnish Christian League 3.1%, Liberal People's Party 0.8%; seats -
(200 total) Center Party 55, Social Democratic Party 48, National
Coalition (Conservative) Party 40, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 19,
Swedish People's Party 12, Green League 10, Finnish Christian League
8, Rural 7, Liberal People's Party 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Korkein Oikeus)
Political parties and leaders:
government coalition:
Center Party, Esko AHO; National Coalition (conservative) Party, Perti
SALOLAINEN; Swedish People's Party, (Johan) Ole NORRBACK; Finnish
Christian League, Toimi KANKAANNIEMI
other parties:
Social Democratic Party, Paavo LIPPONEN, acting chairman; Leftist
Alliance (Communist) People's Democratic League and Democratic
Alternative, Claes ANDERSON; Green League, Pekka SAURI; Rural Party,
Tina MAKELA; Liberal People's Party, Kalle MAATTA
Other political or pressure groups:
Finnish Communist Party-Unity, Yrjo HAKANEN; Constitutional Rightist
Party; Finnish Pensioners Party; Communist Workers Party, Timo
LAHDENMAKI
Member of:
AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN,
COCOM (cooperating), CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA (associate), FAO, G-9,
GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO,
IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS,
MTCR, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN,
UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP,
UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jukka VALTASAARI
chancery:
3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone:
(202) 363-2430
FAX:
(202) 363-8233
consulate(s) general:
Los Angeles and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador John H. KELLY
embassy:
Itainen Puistotie 14A, SF-00140, Helsinki
mailing address:
APO AE 09723
telephone:
(0) 171931
FAX:
(0) 174681
Flag:
white with a blue 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)

@Finland, Economy

Overview: Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free market economy, with per capita output two-thirds of the US figure. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally the wood, metals, and engineering industries. Trade is important, with the export of goods representing about 30% of GDP. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. The economy, which experienced an average of 4.9% annual growth between 1987 and 1989, sank into deep recession in 1991 as growth contracted by 6.5%. The recession - which continued in 1992 with growth contracting by 4.1% - has been caused by economic overheating, depressed foreign markets, and the dismantling of the barter system between Finland and the former Soviet Union under which Soviet oil and gas had been exchanged for Finnish manufactured goods. The Finnish Government has proposed efforts to increase industrial competitiveness and efficiency by an increase in exports to Western markets, cuts in public expenditures, partial privatization of state enterprises, and changes in monetary policy. In June 1991 Helsinki had tied the markka to the European Union's (EU) European Currency Unit (ECU) to promote stability. Ongoing speculation resulting from a lack of confidence in the government's policies forced Helsinki to devalue the markka by about 12% in November 1991 and to indefinitely break the link in September 1992. The devaluations have boosted the competitiveness of Finnish exports to the extent the recession bottomed out in 1993 with renewed economic growth expected in 1994. Unemployment probably will remain a serious problem during the next few years, with the majority of Finnish firms facing a weak domestic market and the troubled German and Swedish export markets. Declining revenues, increased transfer payments, and extensive funding to bail out the banking system pushed the central government's budget deficit to nearly 13% in 1993. Helsinki continues to harmonize its economic policies with those of the EU during Finland's current EU membership bid. In early 1995, Finland is expected to join the European Union (formerly the European Community), thus broadening European economic unity. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $81.1 billion (1993) National product real growth rate: -2.6% (1993) National product per capita: $16,100 (1993) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (1992) Unemployment rate: 22% (1993) Budget: revenues: $26.8 billion expenditures: $40.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) Exports: $23.4 billion (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: timber, paper and pulp, ships, machinery, clothing and footwear partners: EC 53.2% (Germany 15.6%, UK 10.7%), EFTA 19.5% (Sweden 12.8%), US 5.9%, Japan 1.3%, Russia 2.8% (1992) Imports: $18 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, fodder grains partners: EC 47.2% (Germany 16.9%, UK 8.7%), EFTA 19.0% (Sweden 11.7%), US 6.1%, Japan 5.5%, Russia 7.1% (1992) External debt: $30 billion (December 1993) Industrial production: growth rate 7.6% (1992 est.) Electricity: capacity: 13,500,000 kW production: 55.3 billion kWh consumption per capita: 11,050 kWh (1992) Industries: metal products, shipbuilding, forestry and wood processing (pulp, paper), copper refining, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing Agriculture: accounts for 5% of GDP (including forestry); livestock production, especially dairy cattle, predominates; forestry is an important export earner and a secondary occupation for the rural population; main crops - cereals, sugar beets, potatoes; 85% self-sufficient, but short of foodgrains and fodder grains; annual fish catch about 160,000 metric tons Economic aid: donor: ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $2.7 billion Currency: 1 markka (FMk) or Finmark = 100 pennia Exchange rates: markkaa (FMk) per US$1 - 5.6920 (January 1994), 5.7123 (1993), 4.4794 (1992), 4.0440 (1991), 3.8235 (1990), 4.2912 (1989) Fiscal year: calendar year

@Finland, Communications

Railroads:
5,924 km total; Finnish State Railways (VR) operate a total of 5,863
km 1,524-mm gauge, of which 480 km are multiple track and 1,710 km are
electrified
Highways:
total:
76,631 km (1991)
paved:
bituminous concrete, bituminous treated soil 46,745 km
unpaved:
gravel 29,886 km
Inland waterways:
6,675 km total (including Saimaa Canal); 3,700 km suitable for
steamers
Pipelines:
natural gas 580 km
Ports:
Helsinki, Oulu, Pori, Rauma, Turku
Merchant marine:
93 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,040,905 GRT/1,143,276 DWT,
bulk 7, cargo 20, chemical tanker 5, liquefied gas 3, oil tanker 15,
passenger 3, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 30,
short-sea passenger 9
Airports:
total:
160
usable:
157
with permanent-surface runways:
66
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
26
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
20
Telecommunications:
good service from cable and microwave radio relay network; 3,140,000
telephones; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 105 FM, 235 TV; 1 submarine
cable; INTELSAT satellite transmission service via Swedish earth
station and a receive-only INTELSAT earth station near Helsinki

@Finland, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, Frontier Guard (including Coast Guard)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,323,322; fit for military service 1,089,300; reach
military age (17) annually 33,594 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $1.6 billion, about 1.5% of GDP (1993)

@France, Geography

Location:
Western Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Spain and
Germany
Map references:
Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
547,030 sq km
land area:
545,630 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than twice the size of Colorado
note:
includes Corsica and the rest of metropolitan France, but excludes the
overseas administrative divisions
Land boundaries:
total 2,892.4 km, Andorra 60 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy
488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573
km
Coastline:
3,427 km (mainland 2,783 km, Corsica 644 km)
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
12-24 nm
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
Madagascar claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands,
Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island; Comoros claims Mayotte;
Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; Seychelles claims Tromelin Island;
Suriname claims part of French Guiana; Mexico claims Clipperton
Island; territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land); Saint Pierre
and Miquelon is focus of maritime boundary dispute between Canada and
France
Climate:
generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot
summers along the Mediterranean
Terrain:
mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west;
remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east
Natural resources:
coal, iron ore, bauxite, fish, timber, zinc, potash
Land use:
arable land:
32%
permanent crops:
2%
meadows and pastures:
23%
forest and woodland:
27%
other:
16%
Irrigated land:
11,600 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from industrial and
vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural
runoff
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping,
Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Air
Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Law of the Sea
Note:
largest West European nation; occasional warm tropical wind known as
mistral

@France, People

Population:
57,840,445 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.47% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
13.13 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
9.3 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
6.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
78.19 years
male:
74.27 years
female:
82.3 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.8 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)
adjective:
French
Ethnic divisions:
Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese,
Basque minorities
Religions:
Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim (North African
workers) 1%, unaffiliated 6%
Languages:
French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages
(Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population:
99%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
24.17 million
by occupation:
services 61.5%, industry 31.3%, agriculture 7.2% (1987)

@France, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
French Republic
conventional short form:
France
local long form:
Republique Francaise
local short form:
France
Digraph:
FR
Type:
republic
Capital:
Paris
Administrative divisions:
22 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne,
Basse-Normandie, Bourgogne, Bretagne, Centre, Champagne-Ardenne,
Corse, Franche-Comte, Haute-Normandie, Ile-de-France,
Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Midi-Pyrenees,
Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes,
Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Rhone-Alpes
note:
the 22 regions are subdivided into 96 departments; see separate
entries for the overseas departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe,
Martinique, Reunion) and the territorial collectivities (Mayotte,
Saint Pierre and Miquelon)
Dependent areas:
Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Polynesia,
French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova
Island, New Caledonia, Tromelin Island, Wallis and Futuna
note:
the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica
Independence:
486 (unified by Clovis)
National holiday:
National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:
28 September 1958, amended concerning election of president in 1962,
amended to comply with provisions of EC Maastricht Treaty in 1992;
amended to tighten immigration laws 1993
Legal system:
civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative
but not legislative acts
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981); election last held
8 May 1988 (next to be held by May 1995); results - Second Ballot
Francois MITTERRAND 54%, Jacques CHIRAC 46%
head of government:
Prime Minister Edouard BALLADUR (since 29 March 1993)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the president on the suggestion of
the prime minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament (Parlement)
Senate (Senat):
elections last held 27 September 1992 (next to be held September 1995
- nine-year term, elected by thirds every three years); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (321 total; 296 metropolitan
France, 13 for overseas departments and territories, and 12 for French
nationals abroad) RPR 91, UDF 142 (UREI 51, UC 68, RDE 23), PS 66, PCF
16, independents 2, other 4
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale):
elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held NA 1998);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (577 total) RPR 247,
UDF 213, PS 67, PCF 24, independents 26
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court (Cour Constitutionnelle)
Political parties and leaders:
Rally for the Republic (RPR), Jacques CHIRAC; Union for French
Democracy (UDF, federation of UREI, UC, RDE), Valery Giscard
d'ESTAING; Republican Party (PR), Gerard LONGUET; Center for Social
Democrats (CDS), Pierre MEHAIGNERIE; Radical (RAD), Yves GALLAND;
Socialist Party (PS), Henri EMMAMUELLI, interim party leader; Left
Radical Movement (MRG), Jean-Francois HORY; Communist Party (PCF),
Robert HUE; National Front (FN), Jean-Marie LE PEN; Union of
Republican and Independents (UREI); Centrist Union (UC); Democratic
Assembly (RDE); The Greens, Antoine WAECHTER, Jean-Louis VIDAL, Guy
CAMBOT; Generation Ecology (GE), Brice LALONDE
Other political or pressure groups:
Communist-controlled labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail -
CGT) nearly 2.4 million members (claimed); Socialist-leaning labor
union (Confederation Francaise Democratique du Travail or CFDT) about
800,000 members (est.); independent labor union (Force Ouvriere) 1
million members (est.); independent white-collar union (Confederation
Generale des Cadres) 340,000 members (claimed); National Council of
French Employers (Conseil National du Patronat Francais - CNPF or
Patronat)
Member of:
ACCT, AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, CCC, CDB
(non-regional), CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECA (associate), ECE,
ECLAC, EIB, ESA, ESCAP, FAO, FZ, GATT, G-5, G-7, G-10, IADB, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,
INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, MTCR, NACC,
NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, ONUSAL, PCA, SPC, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UNRWA, UN
Security Council, UNTAC, UN Trusteeship Council, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jacques ANDREANI
chancery:
4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone:
(202) 944-6000
consulate(s) general:
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New
Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Pamela C. HARRIMAN
embassy:
2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08
mailing address:
Unit 21551, Paris; APO AE 09777
telephone:
(1) 4296-12-02 or 42-61-80-75
FAX:
(1) 4266-9783
consulate(s) general:
Bordeaux, Marseille, Strasbourg
Flag:
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known
as the French Tricouleur (Tricolor); the design and colors are similar
to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland,
Cote d'Ivoire, and Luxembourg; the official flag for all French
dependent areas

@France, Economy

Overview:
One of the world's most developed economies, France has substantial
agricultural resources and a highly diversified modern industrial
sector. Large tracts of fertile land, the application of modern
technology, and subsidies have combined to make it the leading
agricultural producer in Western Europe. Largely self-sufficient in
agricultural products, France is a major exporter of wheat and dairy
products. The industrial sector generates about one-quarter of GDP,
and the growing services sector has become crucial to the economy.
Although French GDP contracted by 0.7% in 1993, the economy showed
signs of life by yearend. GDP growth, however, will remain sluggish in
1994 - perhaps reaching only 1.0%. Rapidly increasing unemployment
will still pose a major problem for the government. Paris remains
committed to maintaining the franc-deutsche mark parity, which has
kept French interest rates high despite France's low inflation.
Although the pace of economic integration within the European
Community has slowed down, integration presumably will remain a major
force shaping the fortunes of the various economic sectors.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $1.05 trillion (1993)
National product real growth rate:
-0.7% (1993)
National product per capita:
$18,200 (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.1% (1993)
Unemployment rate:
12.2% (May 1994)
Budget:
revenues:
$220.5 billion
expenditures:
$249.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $47 billion (1993
budget)
Exports:
$270.5 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs,
agricultural products, iron and steel products, textiles and clothing
partners:
Germany 18.6%, Italy 11.0%, Spain 11.0%, Belgium-Luxembourg 9.1%, UK
8.8%, Netherlands 7.9%, US 6.4%, Japan 2.0%, former USSR 0.7% (1991
est.)
Imports:
$250.2 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities:
crude oil, machinery and equipment, agricultural products, chemicals,
iron and steel products
partners:
Germany 17.8%, Italy 10.9%, US 9.5%, Netherlands 8.9%, Spain 8.8%,
Belgium-Luxembourg 8.5%, UK 7.5%, Japan 4.1%, former USSR 1.3% (1991
est.)
External debt:
$300 billion (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -4.3% (1993)
Electricity:
capacity:
110 million kW
production:
426 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
7,430 kWh (1992)
Industries:
steel, machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft,
electronics, mining, textiles, food processing, tourism
Agriculture:
accounts for 4% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); one of the
world's top five wheat producers; other principal products - beef,
dairy products, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes;
self-sufficient for most temperate-zone foods; shortages include fats
and oils and tropical produce, but overall net exporter of farm
products; fish catch of 850,000 metric tons ranks among world's top 20
countries and is all used domestically
Economic aid:
donor:
ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $75.1 billion
Currency:
1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993),
5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@France, Communications

Railroads:
French National Railways (SNCF) operates 34,322 km 1,435-mm standard
gauge; 12,434 km electrified, 15,132 km double or multiple track; 99
km of various gauges (1,000-mm), privately owned and operated
Highways:
total:
1,510,750 km
paved:
747,750 km (including 7,450 km of controlled access divided highway)
unpaved:
763,000 km
Inland waterways:
14,932 km; 6,969 km heavily traveled
Pipelines:
crude oil 3,059 km; petroleum products 4,487 km; natural gas 24,746 km
Ports:
coastal - Bordeaux, Boulogne, Brest, Cherbourg, Dunkerque,
Fos-Sur-Mer, Le Havre, Marseille, Nantes, Sete, Toulon; inland - Rouen
Merchant marine:
124 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,226,175 GRT/5,109,375 DWT,
bulk 9, cargo 10, chemical tanker 8, container 21, liquefied gas 6,
multifunction large-load carrier 1, oil tanker 37, passenger 1,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 21, short-sea passenger 7, specialized tanker 3
note:
France also maintains a captive register for French-owned ships in the
Kerguelen Islands (French Southern and Antarctic Lands) and French
Polynesia
Airports:
total:
472
usable:
461
with permanent-surface runways:
258
with runways over 3,659 m:
3
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
37
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
136
Telecommunications:
highly developed; extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks;
large-scale introduction of optical-fiber systems; satellite systems
for domestic traffic; 39,200,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 41
AM, 800 (mostly repeaters) FM, 846 (mostly repeaters) TV; 24 submarine
coaxial cables; 2 INTELSAT earth stations (with total of 5 antennas -
2 for the Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 3 for the Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT); HF radio communications with more than 20 countries;
INMARSAT service; EUTELSAT TV service

@France, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy (including Naval Air), Air Force, National Gendarmerie
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 14,717,461; fit for military service 12,265,874; reach
military age (18) annually 376,485 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $33.0 billion, 3.3% of GDP (1993)

@French Guiana

Header Affiliation: (overseas department of France)

@French Guiana, Geography

Location: Northern South America, bordering on the North Atlantic Ocean between Suriname and Brazil Map references: South America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 91,000 sq km land area: 89,150 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Indiana Land boundaries: total 1,183 km, Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km Coastline: 378 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: Suriname claims area between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa) Climate: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains Natural resources: bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered), cinnabar, kaolin, fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 82% other: 18% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: mostly an unsettled wilderness

@French Guiana, People

Population:
139,299 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
4.27% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
25.83 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
4.67 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
21.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
15.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
75.2 years
male:
71.93 years
female:
78.63 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.5 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
French Guianese (singular and plural)
adjective:
French Guianese
Ethnic divisions:
black or mulatto 66%, Caucasian 12%, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian
12%, other 10%
Religions:
Roman Catholic
Languages:
French
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1982)
total population:
82%
male:
81%
female:
83%
Labor force:
23,265
by occupation:
services, government, and commerce 60.6%, industry 21.2%, agriculture
18.2% (1980)
Names:
conventional long form:
Department of Guiana
conventional short form:
French Guiana
local long form:
none
local short form:
Guyane
Digraph:
FG
Type:
overseas department of France
Capital:
Cayenne
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas department of France)
Independence:
none (overseas department of France)
National holiday:
National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:
28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:
French legal system
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)
head of government:
Prefect Jean-Francois CORDET (since NA 1992); President of the General
Council Elie CASTOR (since NA); President of the Regional Council
Antoine KARAM (22 March 1993)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
unicameral General Council and a unicameral Regional Council
General Council:
elections last held 25 September and 8 October 1988 (next to be held
NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (19 total) PSG 12,
URC 7
Regional Council:
elections last held 22 March 1992 (next to be held NA); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (31 total) PSG 16
French Senate:
elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September
1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) PSG 1
French National Assembly:
elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held NA 1998);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) RPR 1,
independent 1
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeals (highest local court based in Martinique with
jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana)
Political parties and leaders:
Guianese Socialist Party (PSG), Elie CASTRO; Conservative Union for
the Republic (UPR), Leon BERTRAND; Rally for the Center Right (URC);
Rally for the Republic (RPR); Guyana Democratic Front (FDG), Georges
OTHILY; Walwari Committee, Christine TAUBIRA-DELANON
Member of:
FZ, WCL
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (overseas department of France)
US diplomatic representation:
none (overseas department of France)
Flag:
the flag of France is used

@French Guiana, Economy

Overview:
The economy is tied closely to that of France through subsidies and
imports. Besides the French space center at Kourou, fishing and
forestry are the most important economic activities, with exports of
fish and fish products (mostly shrimp) accounting for more than 60% of
total revenue in 1992. The large reserves of tropical hardwoods, not
fully exploited, support an expanding sawmill industry that provides
sawn logs for export. Cultivation of crops - rice, cassava, bananas,
and sugar cane - is limited to the coastal area, where the population
is largely concentrated. French Guiana is heavily dependent on imports
of food and energy. Unemployment is a serious problem, particularly
among younger workers.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $421 million (1986)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$4,390 (1986)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.1% (1987)
Unemployment rate:
13% (1990)
Budget:
revenues:
$735 million
expenditures:
$735 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1987)
Exports:
$59 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
shrimp, timber, rum, rosewood essence
partners:
France 52%, Spain 15%, US 5% (1992)
Imports:
$1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1992)
commodities:
food (grains, processed meat), other consumer goods, producer goods,
petroleum
partners:
France 77%, Germany 11%, US 5% (1992)
External debt:
$1.2 billion (1988)
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
92,000 kW
production:
185 million kWh
consumption per capita:
1,450 kWh (1992)
Industries:
construction, shrimp processing, forestry products, rum, gold mining
Agriculture:
some vegetables for local consumption; rice, corn, manioc, cocoa,
bananas, sugar; livestock - cattle, pigs, poultry
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-89), $1.51 billion
Currency:
1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993),
5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@French Guiana, Communications

Highways:
total:
680 km
paved:
510 km
unpaved:
improved, unimproved earth 170 km
Inland waterways:
460 km, navigable by small oceangoing vessels and river and coastal
steamers; 3,300 km navigable by native craft
Ports:
Cayenne
Airports:
total:
10
usable:
10
with permanent-surface runways:
4
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
1
Telecommunications:
fair open-wire and microwave radio relay system; 18,100 telephones;
broadcast stations - 5 AM, 7 FM, 9 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth
station

@French Guiana, Defense Forces

Branches:
French Forces, Gendarmerie
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 40,506; fit for military service 26,394
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP
Note:
defense is the responsibility of France

@French Polynesia

Header Affiliation: (overseas territory of France)

@French Polynesia, Geography

Location: Oceania, Polynesia halfway between Australia and South America Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 3,941 sq km land area: 3,660 sq km comparative area: slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2,525 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical, but moderate Terrain: mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs Natural resources: timber, fish, cobalt Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 19% meadows and pastures: 5% forest and woodland: 31% other: 44% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: occasional cyclonic storms in January international agreements: NA Note: includes five archipelagoes; Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru

@French Polynesia, People

Population: 215,129 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.25% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 27.75 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 5.27 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 14.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.54 years male: 68.14 years female: 73.06 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.31 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: French Polynesian(s) adjective: French Polynesian Ethnic divisions: Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4% Religions: Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 16% Languages: French (official), Tahitian (official) Literacy: age 14 and over but definition of literacy not available (1977) total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% Labor force: 76,630 employed (1988)

@French Polynesia, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Territory of French Polynesia
conventional short form:
French Polynesia
local long form:
Territoire de la Polynesie Francaise
local short form:
Polynesie Francaise
Digraph:
FP
Type:
overseas territory of France since 1946
Capital:
Papeete
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order
administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there
are 5 archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipel
des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, and Iles Sous-le-Vent
note:
Clipperton Island is administered by France from French Polynesia
Independence:
none (overseas territory of France)
National holiday:
National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:
28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:
based on French system
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981); High Commissioner
of the Republic Michel JAU (since NA February 1992)
head of government:
President of the Territorial Government of French Polynesia Gaston
FLOSSE (since 10 May 1991); Deputy to the French Assembly and
President of the Territorial Assembly Jean JUVENTIN (since NA November
1992); Territorial Vice President and Minister of Health Michel
BUILLARD (since 12 September 1991)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of the
Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Territorial Assembly:
elections last held 17 March 1991 (next to be held March 1996);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (41 total) People's
Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 18, Polynesian Union Party 12, New
Fatherland Party 7, other 4
French Senate:
elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September
1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) party
NA
French National Assembly:
elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held NA March
1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total)
People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 2
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal, Court of the First Instance, Court of Administrative
Law
Political parties and leaders:
People's Rally for the Republic (Tahoeraa Huiraatira), Gaston FLOSSE;
Polynesian Union Party includes Te Tiarama, Alexandre LEONTIEFF, and
Pupu Here Ai'a Te Nuneao Ia Ora, Jean JUVENTIN; New Fatherland Party
(Ai'a Api), Emile VERNAUDON; Polynesian Liberation Front (Tavini
Huiraatira), Oscar TEMARU; Independent Party (Ia Mana Te Nunaa), James
SALMON; other small parties
Member of:
ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (overseas territory of France)
US diplomatic representation:
none (overseas territory of France)
Flag:
the flag of France is used

@French Polynesia, Economy

Overview:
Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region,
French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence economy to one in
which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the
military or supports the tourist industry. Tourism accounts for about
20% of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.5 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$7,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-0.6% (1991)
Unemployment rate:
10% (1990 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$614 million
expenditures:
$957 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1988)
Exports:
$88.9 million (f.o.b., 1989)
commodities:
coconut products 79%, mother-of-pearl 14%, vanilla, shark meat
partners:
France 54%, US 17%, Japan 17%
Imports:
$765 million (c.i.f., 1989)
commodities:
fuels, foodstuffs, equipment
partners:
France 53%, US 11%, Australia 6%, NZ 5%
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
75,000 kW
production:
275 million kWh
consumption per capita:
1,330 kWh (1992)
Industries:
tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts
Agriculture:
coconut and vanilla plantations; vegetables and fruit; poultry, beef,
dairy products
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-88), $3.95 billion
Currency:
1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 107.63
(January 1994), 102.96 (1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.00
(1990), 115.99 (1989); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the
French franc
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@French Polynesia, Communications

Highways:
total:
600 km (1982)
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Ports:
Papeete, Bora-bora
Merchant marine:
3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,127 GRT/6,710 DWT,
passenger-cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 1
note:
a captive subset of the French register
Airports:
total:
43
usable:
41
with permanent-surface runways:
23
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
2
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
12
Telecommunications:
33,200 telephones; 84,000 radio receivers; 26,400 TV sets; broadcast
stations - 5 AM, 2 FM, 6 TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@French Polynesia, Defense Forces

Branches:
French forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie
Note:
defense is responsibility of France

@French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Header Affiliation: (overseas territory of France)

@French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Geography

Location: Southern Africa, in the southern Indian Ocean, about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia Map references: Antarctic Region, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 7,781 sq km land area: 7,781 sq km comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Delaware note: includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles Crozet; excludes Terre Adelie claim of about 500,000 sq km in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,232 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm from Iles Kerguelen only territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: Terre Adelie claim in Antarctica is not recognized by the US Climate: antarctic Terrain: volcanic Natural resources: fish, crayfish 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: Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes international agreements: NA Note: remote location in the southern Indian Ocean

@French Southern and Antarctic Lands, People

Population:
no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are researchers whose numbers
vary from 150 in winter (July) to 200 in summer (January)

@French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
conventional short form:
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
local long form:
Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises
local short form:
Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises
Digraph:
FS
Type:
overseas territory of France since 1955; governed by High
Administrator Bernard de GOUTTES (since May 1990), who is assisted by
a 7-member Consultative Council and a 12-member Scientific Council
Capital:
none; administered from Paris, France
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order
administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there
are 3 districts named Ile Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles Saint-Paul
et Amsterdam; excludes Terre Adelie claim in Antarctica that is not
recognized by the US
Independence:
none (overseas territory of France)
Flag:
the flag of France is used

@French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Economy

Overview:
Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and
geophysical research stations and French and other fishing fleets. The
fishing catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported
to France and Reunion.
Budget:
revenues:
$17.5 million
expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992)

@French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Communications

Highways:
total:
NA
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Ports:
none; offshore anchorage only
Merchant marine:
21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 441,962 GRT/813,779 DWT, bulk 3,
cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, liquified gas 2, multifunction large load
carrier 1, oil tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo
4
note:
a captive subset of the French register
Telecommunications:
NA

@French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Defense Forces

Note: defense is the responsibility of France

@Gabon, Geography

Location:
Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator between
the Congo and Equatorial Guinea
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
267,670 sq km
land area:
257,670 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Colorado
Land boundaries:
total 2,551 km, Cameroon 298 km, Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350
km
Coastline:
885 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
maritime boundary dispute with Equatorial Guinea because of disputed
sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay
Climate:
tropical; always hot, humid
Terrain:
narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south
Natural resources:
petroleum, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore
Land use:
arable land:
1%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
18%
forest and woodland:
78%
other:
2%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; poaching
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands; signed,
but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea

@Gabon, People

Population:
1,139,006 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.46% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
28.46 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
13.9 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
94.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
54.67 years
male:
51.88 years
female:
57.53 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.97 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Gabonese (singular and plural)
adjective:
Gabonese
Ethnic divisions:
Bantu tribes including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Eshira,
Bapounou, Bateke), Africans and Europeans 100,000, including 27,000
French
Religions:
Christian 55-75%, Muslim less than 1%, animist
Languages:
French (official), Fang, Myene, Bateke, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
61%
male:
74%
female:
48%
Labor force:
120,000 salaried
by occupation:
agriculture 65.0%, industry and commerce 30.0%, services 2.5%,
government 2.5%
note:
58% of population of working age (1983)

@Gabon, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Gabonese Republic
conventional short form:
Gabon
local long form:
Republique Gabonaise
local short form:
Gabon
Digraph:
GB
Type:
republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized
1990)
Capital:
Libreville
Administrative divisions:
9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga,
Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem
Independence:
17 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Renovation Day, 12 March (1968) (Gabonese Democratic Party
established)
Constitution:
adopted 14 March 1991
Legal system:
based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of
legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court;
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction not accepted
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President El Hadj Omar BONGO (since 2 December 1967); election last
held on 5 December 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - President
Omar BONGO was reelected with 51% of the vote
head of government:
Prime Minister Casimir OYE-MBA (since 3 May 1990)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister in consultation
with the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale):
elections last held on 21 and 28 October and 4 November 1990 (next to
be held by NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (120
total) PDG 62, Morena-Bucherons/RNB 19, PGP 18, National Recovery
Movement (Morena-Original) 7, APSG 6, USG 4, CRP 1, independents 3
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG, former sole party), Jaques ADIAHENOT,
Secretary General; National Recovery Movement - Lumberjacks
(Morena-Bucherons/RNB), Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE, leader; Gabonese Party
for Progress (PGP), Pierre-Louis AGONDHO-OKAWE, President; National
Recovery Movement (Morena-Original), Pierre ZONGUE-NGUEMA, Chairman;
Association for Socialism in Gabon (APSG), leader NA; Gabonese
Socialist Union (USG), leader NA; Circle for Renewal and Progress
(CRP), leader NA; Union for Democracy and Development (UDD), leader
NA; Rally of Democrats (RD), leader NA; Forces of Change for
Democratic Union, leader NA
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, GATT,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,
INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS (associate), NAM, OAU,
OIC, OPEC, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Paul BOUNDOUKOU-LATHA
chancery:
2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
(202) 797-1000
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Joseph C. WILSON IV
embassy:
Boulevard de la Mer, Libreville
mailing address:
B. P. 4000, Libreville
telephone:
(241) 762003/4, or 743492
FAX:
745-507
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue

@Gabon, Economy

Overview:
Notwithstanding its serious ongoing economic problems, Gabon enjoys a
per capita income more than twice that of most nations of sub-Saharan
Africa. Gabon depended on timber and manganese until oil was
discovered offshore in the early 1970s. The oil sector now accounts
for 50% of GNP. Real growth was feeble in 1992 and Gabon continues to
face weak prices for its timber, manganese, and uranium exports.
Despite an abundance of natural wealth, and a manageable rate of
population growth, the economy is hobbled by poor fiscal management.
In 1992, the fiscal deficit widened to 2.4% of GDP, and Gabon failed
to settled arrears on its bilateral debt, leading to a cancellation of
rescheduling agreements with official and private creditors.
Devaluation of the local currency by 50% in January 1994 could set off
an inflationary spiral if the government fails to reign in spending
and grants large wage increases to an already overpaid public sector
workforce.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $5.4 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
0.5% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$4,800 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.7% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$1.3 billion
expenditures:
$1.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $272 million (1992
est.)
Exports:
$2.3 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est)
commodities:
crude oil 80%, timber 9%, manganese 7%, uranium 2%
partners:
France 48%, US 15%, Germany 2%, Japan 2%
Imports:
$702 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.)
commodities:
foodstuffs, chemical products, petroleum products, construction
materials, manufactures, machinery
partners:
France 64%, African countries 7%, US 5%, Japan 3%
External debt:
$4.4 billion (1991)
Industrial production:
growth rate -10% (1988 est.); accounts for 8% of GDP, including
petroleum
Electricity:
capacity:
315,000 kW
production:
995 million kWh
consumption per capita:
920 kWh (1991)
Industries:
petroleum, food and beverages, lumbering and plywood, textiles, mining
- manganese, uranium, gold, cement
Agriculture:
accounts for 9% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); cash crops -
cocoa, coffee, palm oil; livestock not developed; importer of food;
small fishing operations provide a catch of about 20,000 metric tons;
okoume (a tropical softwood) is the most important timber product
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $68 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-90),
$2.342 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $27 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:
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

@Gabon, Communications

Railroads:
649 km 1.437-meter standard-gauge single track (Transgabonese
Railroad)
Highways:
total:
7,500 km
paved:
560 km
unpaved:
crushed stone 960 km; earth 5,980 km
Inland waterways:
1,600 km perennially navigable
Pipelines:
crude oil 270 km; petroleum products 14 km
Ports:
Owendo, Port-Gentil, Libreville
Merchant marine:
2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 18,562 GRT/25,330 DWT
Airports:
total:
70
usable:
59
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:
22
Telecommunications:
adequate system of cable, radio relay, tropospheric scatter links and
radiocommunication stations; 15,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 6
AM, 6 FM, 3 (5 repeaters) TV; satellite earth stations - 3 Atlantic
Ocean INTELSAT and 12 domestic satellite

@Gabon, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential Guard, National Gendarmerie,
National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 270,501; fit for military service 136,995; reach
military age (20) annually 10,107 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $102 million, 3.2% of GDP (1990 est.)

@The Gambia, Geography

Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean almost completely
surrounded by Senegal
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
11,300 sq km
land area:
10,000 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than twice the size of Delaware
Land boundaries:
total 740 km, Senegal 740 km
Coastline:
80 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
18 nm
continental shelf:
not specified
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
short section of boundary with Senegal is indefinite
Climate:
tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season
(November to May)
Terrain:
flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills
Natural resources:
fish
Land use:
arable land:
16%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
9%
forest and woodland:
20%
other:
55%
Irrigated land:
120 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent
natural hazards:
rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last thirty years
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified -
Biodiversity, Climate Change
Note:
almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of
Africa

@The Gambia, People

Population:
959,300 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.08% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
46.39 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
15.64 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
123.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
50.08 years
male:
47.83 years
female:
52.39 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.29 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Gambian(s)
adjective:
Gambian
Ethnic divisions:
African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%,
other 4%), non-Gambian 1%
Religions:
Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1%
Languages:
English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous
vernaculars
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
27%
male:
39%
female:
16%
Labor force:
400,000 (1986 est.)
by occupation:
agriculture 75.0%, industry, commerce, and services 18.9%, government
6.1%
note:
55% population of working age (1983)

@The Gambia, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of The Gambia
conventional short form:
The Gambia
Digraph:
GA
Type:
republic under multiparty democratic rule
Capital:
Banjul
Administrative divisions:
5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Lower River, MacCarthy Island, North
Bank, Upper River, Western
Independence:
18 February 1965 (from UK; The Gambia and Senegal signed an agreement
on 12 December 1981 that called for the creation of a loose
confederation to be known as Senegambia, but the agreement was
dissolved on 30 September 1989)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 18 February (1965)
Constitution:
24 April 1970
Legal system:
based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law, and customary
law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Alhaji Sir Dawda Kairaba JAWARA (since 24 April 1970); Vice
President Saihou SABALLY (since NA); election last held on 29 April
1992 (next to be held April 1997); results - Sir Dawda JAWARA (PPP)
58.5%, Sherif Mustapha DIBBA (NCP) 22.2%, Assan Musa CAMARA (GPP) 8.0%
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president from members of the House of
Representatives
Legislative branch:
unicameral
House of Representatives:
elections last held on 29 April 1992 (next to be held April 1997);
results - PPP 58.1%, seats - (43 total, 36 elected) PPP 30, NCP 6
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
People's Progressive Party (PPP), Dawda K. JAWARA, secretary general;
National Convention Party (NCP), Sheriff DIBBA; Gambian People's Party
(GPP), Hassan Musa CAMARA; United Party (UP), leader NA; People's
Democratic Organization of Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), leader
NA; People's Democratic Party (PDP), Jabel SALLAH
Member of:
ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,
IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL,
IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ousman A. SALLAH
chancery:
Suite 1000, 1155 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone:
(202) 785-1399, 1379, or 1425
FAX:
(202) 785-1430
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Arlene RENDER
embassy:
Fajara, Kairaba Avenue, Banjul
mailing address:
P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul
telephone:
92856 or 92858, 91970, 91971
FAX:
(220) 92475
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and
green

@The Gambia, Economy

Overview:
The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and has
a limited agricultural base. It is one of the world's poorest
countries with a per capita income of roughly $800. About 75% of the
population is engaged in crop production and livestock raising, which
contribute 30% to GDP. Small-scale manufacturing activity - processing
peanuts, fish, and hides - accounts for less than 10% of GDP. A
sustained structural adjustment program, including a liberalized trade
policy, has fostered a respectable 4% rate of growth in recent years.
Re-export trade constitutes one-third of economic activity; however,
border closures associated with Senegal's monetary crisis in late 1993
led to a 50% decline in re-export trade, reducing government revenues
in turn. Devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994 has made
Senegalese goods more competitive, and is likely to prompt a
relaxation of Senegalese controls, paving the way for a comeback in
re-exports.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $740 million (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
4.5% (FY92 est)
National product per capita:
$800 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5% (FY 92 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$94 million
expenditures:
$80 million, including capital expenditures of $25 million (FY91 est.)
Exports:
$164 million (f.o.b., FY92 est.)
commodities:
peanuts and peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels
partners:
Japan 60%, Europe 29%, Africa 5%, US 1%, other 5% (1989)
Imports:
$214 million (f.o.b., FY92 est.)
commodities:
foodstuffs, manufactures, raw materials, fuel, machinery and transport
equipment
partners:
Europe 57%, Asia 25%, USSR and Eastern Europe 9%, US 6%, other 3%
(1989)
External debt:
$336 million (December 1990 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 6.7% (year NA); accounts for 5.8% of GDP (FY90)
Electricity:
capacity:
30,000 kW
production:
65 million kWh
consumption per capita:
75 kWh (1991)
Industries:
peanut processing, tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery
assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing
Agriculture:
accounts for 30% of GDP and employs about 75% of the population;
imports one-third of food requirements; major export crop is peanuts;
other principal crops - millet, sorghum, rice, corn, cassava, palm
kernels; livestock - cattle, sheep, goats; forestry and fishing
resources not fully exploited
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $93 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $535
million; Communist countries (1970-89), $39 million
Currency:
1 dalasi (D) = 100 butut
Exchange rates:
dalasi (D) per US$1 - 9.440 (November 1993), 8.888 (1992), 8.803
(1991), 7.883 (1990), 7.5846 (1989), 6.7086 (1988)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June

@The Gambia, Communications

Highways: total: 3,083 km paved: 431 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone 501 km; unimproved earth 2,151 km Inland waterways: 400 km Ports: Banjul Merchant marine: 1 bulk ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,194 GRT/19,394 DWT Airports: total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: adequate network of radio relay and wire; 3,500 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 2 FM; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@The Gambia, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, National Gendarmerie, National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 207,754; fit for military service 105,100
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP

@Gaza Strip

Header
Note:
The war between Israel and Egypt, Syria, and Jordan in June 1967 ended
with Israel in control of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Gaza
Strip, the Sinai Peninsula, and the Golan Heights. Israel withdrew
from the Sinai Peninsula pursuant to a 1979 peace treaty with Egypt.
The Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government
Arrangements ("the DOP"), signed in Washington on 13 September 1993,
provides for a transitional period not exceeding five years of
Palestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West
Bank. Under the DOP, final status negotiations are to begin no later
than the beginning of the third year of the transitional period.

@Gaza Strip, Geography

Location:
Middle East, bordering the eastern Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt
and Israel
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total area:
360 sq km
land area:
360 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total 62 km, Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km
Coastline:
40 km
Maritime claims:
Israeli occupied with status to be determined
International disputes:
West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli occupied with interim status
subject to Israeli/Palestinian negotiations - final status to be
determined
Climate:
temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers
Terrain:
flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain
Natural resources:
negligible
Land use:
arable land:
13%
permanent crops:
32%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
55%
Irrigated land:
200 sq km
Environment:
current issues:
desertification
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
NA
Note:
there are 24 Jewish settlements and civilian land use sites in the
Gaza Strip (April 1994)

@Gaza Strip, People

Population:
731,296 (July 1994 est.)
note:
in addition, there are 4,500 Jewish settlers in the Gaza Strip (1994
est.)
Population growth rate:
3.53% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
45.01 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
5.45 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-4.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
36.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
67.78 years
male:
66.47 years
female:
69.16 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
7.39 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
NA
adjective:
NA
Ethnic divisions:
Palestinian Arab and other 99.8%, Jewish 0.2%
Religions:
Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 99%, Christian 0.7%, Jewish 0.3%
Languages:
Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers), English (widely
understood)
Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
NA
by occupation:
construction 33.4%, agriculture 20.0%, commerce, restaurants, and
hotels 14.9%, industry 10.0%, other services 21.7% (1991)
note:
excluding Jewish settlers

@Gaza Strip, Government

Note:
Under the Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim
Self-Government Arragements ("the DOP"), Israel agreed to transfer
certain powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, and
subsequently to an elected Palestinian Council, as part of interim
self-governing arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A
transfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza Strip and Jericho
has taken place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo Agreement
on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area. The DOP provides that Israel
will retain responsibility during the transitional period for external
security and for internal security and public order of settlements and
Israelis. Final status is to be determined through direct negotiations
within five years.
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Gaza Strip
local long form:
none
local short form:
Qita Ghazzah
Digraph:
GZ

@Gaza Strip, Economy

Overview:
In 1991 roughly 40% of Gaza Strip workers were employed across the
border by Israeli industrial, construction, and agricultural
enterprises, with worker remittances accounting for about one-third of
GNP. The construction, agricultural, and industrial sectors account
for about 18%, 16%, and 12% of GNP, respectively. Gaza depends upon
Israel for nearly 90% of its external trade. Aggravating the impact of
Israeli military administration, unrest in the territory since 1988
(intifadah) has raised unemployment and lowered the standard of living
of Gazans. The Persian Gulf crisis and its aftershocks also have dealt
blows to Gaza since August 1990. Worker remittances from the Gulf
states have dropped, unemployment has increased, and exports have
fallen. The withdrawal of Israel from the Gaza Strip in May 1994
brings a new set of adjustment problems.
National product:
GNP - exchange rate conversion - $840 million (1991 est.)
National product real growth rate:
1% (1991 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,275 (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
20% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$33.6 million
expenditures:
$34.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90)
Exports:
$75 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
citrus
partners:
Israel, Egypt
Imports:
$370 million (c.i.f., 1991 est.)
commodities:
food, consumer goods, construction materials
partners:
Israel, Egypt
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate 11% (1991 est.); accounts for about 12% of GNP
Electricity:
power supplied by Israel
Industries:
generally small family businesses that produce textiles, soap,
olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have
established some small-scale modern industries in an industrial center
Agriculture:
accounts for about 16% of GNP; olives, citrus and other fruits,
vegetables, beef, dairy products
Economic aid:
$NA
Currency:
1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot
Exchange rates:
new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 2.9760 (February 1994), 2.8301
(1993), 2.4591 (1992), 2.2791 (1991), 2.0162 (1990), 1.9164 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year (since 1 January 1992)

@Gaza Strip, Communications

Railroads: one line, abandoned and in disrepair, some trackage remains Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA note: small, poorly developed road network Ports: facilities for small boats to service the city of Gaza Airports: total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 0 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: broadcast stations - no AM, no FM, no TV

@Gaza Strip, Defense Forces

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

@Georgia

Note:
Georgia is currently besieged by interethnic strife in its Abkhazian
and South Ossetian enclaves.

@Georgia, Geography

Location:
Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia
Map references:
Africa, Asia, Commonwealth of Independent States - European States,
Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
69,700 sq km
land area:
69,700 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than South Carolina
Land boundaries:
total 1,461 km, Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km,
Turkey 252 km
Coastline:
310 km
Maritime claims:
note:
12 nm in 1973 USSR-Turkish Protocol concerning the sea boundary
between the two states in the Black Sea; Georgia claims the coastline
along the Black Sea as its international waters, although it cannot
control this area and the Russian navy and commercial ships transit
freely
International disputes:
none
Climate:
warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast
Terrain:
largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and
Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhida Lowland opens to the
Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; good soils in
river valley flood plains, foothills of Kolkhida Lowland
Natural resources:
forest lands, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ores, copper, minor
coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important
tea and citrus growth
Land use:
arable land:
NA%
permanent crops:
NA%
meadows and pastures:
NA%
forest and woodland:
NA%
other:
NA%
Irrigated land:
4,660 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues:
air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution of Mtkvari
River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of safe drinking water;
soil pollution from toxic chemicals
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
NA

@Georgia, People

Population:
5,681,025 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.81% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
16.11 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
8.69 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
23.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
72.84 years
male:
69.16 years
female:
76.7 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.18 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Georgian(s)
adjective:
Georgian
Ethnic divisions:
Georgian 70.1%, Armenian 8.1%, Russian 6.3%, Azeri 5.7%, Ossetian 3%,
Abkhaz 1.8%, other 5%
Religions:
Georgian Orthodox 65%, Russian Orthodox 10%, Muslim 11%, Armenian
Orthodox 8%, unknown 6%
Languages:
Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, other 7%
Literacy:
age 9-49 can read and write (1970)
total population:
100%
male:
100%
female:
100%
Labor force:
2.763 million
by occupation:
industry and construction 31%, agriculture and forestry 25%, other 44%
(1990)

@Georgia, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Georgia
conventional short form:
Georgia
local long form:
Sak'art'velos Respublika
local short form:
Sak'art'velo
former:
Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic
Digraph:
GG
Type:
republic
Capital:
T'bilisi
Administrative divisions:
2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom
respublika); Abkhazia (Sokhumi), Ajaria (Bat'umi)
note:
the administrative centers of the autonomous republics are included in
parentheses; there are no oblasts - the rayons around T'bilisi are
under direct republic jurisdiction
Independence:
9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 9 April (1991)
Constitution:
adopted NA February 1921; currently amending constitution for
Parliamentary and popular review by late 1995
Legal system:
based on civil law system
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Chairman of Parliament Eduard Amvrosiyevich SHEVARDNADZE (since 10
March 1992); election last held 11 October 1992 (next to be held NA
1995); results - Eduard SHEVARDNADZE 95%
head of government:
Prime Minister Otar PATSATSIA (since September 1993); Deputy Prime
Ministers Avtandil MARGIANI, Zurab KERVALISHVILI (since NA), Tamaz
NADARISHVILI (since September 1993), Teimuraz BASILIA (since NA)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Georgian Parliament (Supreme Soviet):
elections last held 11 October 1992 (next to be held NA 1995); results
- percent of vote by party NA; seats - (225 total) number of seats by
party NA; note - representatives of 26 parties elected; Peace Bloc,
October 11, Unity, National Democratic Party, and the Greens Party won
the largest representation
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Merab Kostava Society, Vazha ADAMIA, chairman; Traditionalists' Union,
Akaki ASATIANI, chairman; Georgian Social Democratic Party, Guram
MUCHAIDZE, chairman; Green Party, Zurab ZHVANIA, chairman; Georgian
Popular Front (GPF), Nodar NATADZE, chairman; National Democratic
Party (NDP), Gia CHANTURIA, chairman; National Independence Party
(NIP), Irakliy TSERETELI, chairmen; Charter 1991 Party, Tedo
PATASHVILI, chairman; Peace Bloc; Unity; October 11
Other political or pressure groups:
supporters of ousted President Zuiad GAMSAKHURDIA (deceased 1 January
1994) boycotted the October elections and remain a source of
opposition and instability
Member of:
BSEC, CIS, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, IBRD, IDA, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, IOC,
ITU, NACC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Petr CHKHEIDZE
chancery:
(temporary) Suite 424, 1511 K Street NW, Washington, DC
telephone:
(202) 393-6060
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Kent N. BROWN
embassy:
#25 Antoneli Street, T'bilisi 380026
mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
(7) 8832-98-99-68
FAX:
(7) 8832-93-37-59
Flag:
maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist side corner;
rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below

@Georgia, Economy

Overview: Georgia's economy has traditionally revolved around Black Sea tourism; cultivation of citrus fruits, tea, and grapes; mining of manganese and copper; and a small industrial sector producing wine, metals, machinery, chemicals, and textiles. The country imports the bulk of its energy needs, including natural gas and coal. Its only sizable domestic energy resource is hydropower. Since 1990, widespread conflicts, e.g., in Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Mengrelia, severely aggravated the economic crisis resulting from the disintegration of the Soviet command economy in December 1991. Throughout 1993, much of industry was functioning at only 20% of capacity; heavy disruptions in agricultural cultivation were reported; and tourism was shut down. The country is precariously dependent on US and EU humanitarian grain shipments, as most other foods are priced beyond reach of the average citizen. Georgia is also suffering from an acute energy crisis, as it is having problems paying for even minimal imports. Georgia is pinning its hopes for recovery on reestablishing trade ties with Russia and on developing international transportation through the key Black Sea ports of P'ot'i and Bat'umi. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $7.8 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 Georgian statistics, which are very uncertain because of major economic changes since 1990) National product real growth rate: -35% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $1,390 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 40.5% per month (2nd half 1993 est.) Unemployment rate: officially less than 5% but real unemployment may be up near 20%, with even larger numbers of underemployed workers; real unemployment may be up near 20% with even larger numbers of underemployed workers Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $NA commodities: citrus fruits, tea, wine, other agricultural products; diverse types of machinery; ferrous and nonferrous metals; textiles; chemicals; fuel re-exports partners: Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan (1992) Imports: $NA commodities: fuel, grain and other foods, machinery and parts, transport equipment partners: Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey (1993) External debt: $100 million to $200 million (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -27% (1993); accounts for 36% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 4,875,000 kW production: 15.8 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,835 kWh (1992) Industries: heavy industrial products include raw steel, rolled steel, airplanes; machine tools, foundry equipment, electric locomotives, tower cranes, electric welding equipment, machinery for food preparation and meat packing, electric motors, process control equipment, instruments; trucks, tractors, and other farm machinery; light industrial products, including cloth, hosiery, and shoes; chemicals; wood-working industries; the most important food industry is wine Agriculture: accounts for 41% of GDP; accounted for 97% of former USSR citrus fruits and 93% of former USSR tea; important producer of grapes; also cultivates vegetables and potatoes; dependent on imports for grain, dairy products, sugar; small livestock sector Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy; mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: recipient: heavily dependent on US for humanitarian grain shipments; EC granted around $70 million in trade credits in 1992 and another $40 million in 1993; Turkey granted $50 million in 1993; smaller scale credits granted by Russia and China Currency: coupons introduced in April 1993 to be followed by introduction of the lari at undetermined future date; in July 1993 use of the Russian ruble was banned Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year

@Georgia, Communications

Railroads:
1,570 km, does not include industrial lines (1990)
Highways:
total:
33,900 km
paved and gravelled:
29,500 km
unpaved:
earth 4,400 km (1990)
Pipelines:
crude oil 370 km; refined products 300 km; natural gas 440 km (1992)
Ports:
coastal - Bat'umi, P'ot'i, Sokhumi
Merchant marine:
41 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 575,823 GRT/882,110 DWT, bulk
cargo 14, oil tanker 27
Airports:
total:
37
usable:
27
with permanent-surface runways:
14
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
10
with runways 1,060-2,439 m:
4
note:
a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstrip
Telecommunications:
poor telephone service; as of mid-1993, 672,000 telephone lines
providing 14 lines per 100 persons; 339,000 unsatisfied applications
for telephones (31 December 1990); international links via landline to
CIS members and Turkey; low capacity satellite earth station and
leased international connections via the Moscow international gateway
switch with other countries; international electronic mail and telex
service available
Note:
transportation network is disrupted by ethnic conflict, criminal
activities, and fuel shortages

@Georgia, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Air Force, Navy, Interior Ministry Troops, Border Guards
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,362,818; fit for military service 1,081,624; reach
military age (18) annually 42,881 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GNP
Note:
Georgian forces are poorly organized and not fully under the
government's control

@Germany, Geography

Location:
Central Europe, bordering the North Sea between France and Poland
Map references:
Arctic Region, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
356,910 sq km
land area:
349,520 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Montana
note:
includes the formerly separate Federal Republic of Germany, the German
Democratic Republic, and Berlin following formal unification on 3
October 1990
Land boundaries:
total 3,621 km, Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 646 km,
Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577 km,
Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km
Coastline:
2,389 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
3 nm in North Sea and Schleswig-Holstein coast of Baltic Sea (extends,
at one point, to 16 nm in the Helgolander Bucht); 12 nm in remainder
of Baltic Sea
International disputes:
none
Climate:
temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers;
occasional warm, tropical foehn wind; high relative humidity
Terrain:
lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south
Natural resources:
iron ore, coal, potash, timber, lignite, uranium, copper, natural gas,
salt, nickel
Land use:
arable land:
34%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
16%
forest and woodland:
30%
other:
19%
Irrigated land:
4,800 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries in the southeast
and lead emissions from vehicle exhausts (the result of continued use
of leaded fuels) contribute to air pollution; acid rain, resulting
from sulfur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; heavy pollution in
the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in
eastern Germany
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical
Timber, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Air
Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Hazardous Wastes
Note:
strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to
the Baltic Sea

@Germany, People

Population:
81,087,506 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.36% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
11.04 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
10.89 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
3.39 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:
76.34 years
male:
73.22 years
female:
79.64 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.47 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
German(s)
adjective:
German
Ethnic divisions:
German 95.1%, Turkish 2.3%, Italians 0.7%, Greeks 0.4%, Poles 0.4%,
other 1.1% (made up largely of people fleeing the war in the former
Yugoslavia)
Religions:
Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 37%, unaffiliated or other 18%
Languages:
German
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1977 est.)
total population:
99%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
36.75 million
by occupation:
industry 41%, agriculture 6%, other 53% (1987)

@Germany, Government