← The 2003 CIA World Factbook, Volume 1
Z (part 10)
Highways: total: 19,032 km paved: 2,094 km unpaved: 16,938 km (2000)
Waterways:
2,220 km (including 2 large lakes)
Pipelines:
oil 54 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:
Bluefields, Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas, Puerto Sandino,
Rama, San Juan del Sur
Merchant marine:
none (2002 est.)
Airports:
176 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 165 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 141 (2002)
Military Nicaragua
Military branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force
Military manpower - military age:
18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 1,347,033 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 825,906 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 59,903 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$26 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.2% (FY98)
Transnational Issues Nicaragua
Disputes - international:
territorial disputes with Colombia over the Archipelago de San
Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank region; with respect to
the maritime boundary question in the Golfo de Fonseca, the ICJ
referred to the line determined by the 1900 Honduras-Nicaragua Mixed
Boundary Commission and advised that some tripartite resolution
among El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua likely would be required;
legal dispute over navigational rights of San Juan River on border
with Costa Rica
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US and
transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
@Niger
Introduction Niger
Background:
Not until 1993, 33 years after independence from France, did Niger
hold it's first free and open elections. A 1995 peace accord ended a
five-year Tuareg insurgency in the north. Coups in 1996 and 1999
were followed by the creation of a National Reconciliation Council
that effected a transition to civilian rule by December 1999.
Geography Niger
Location:
Western Africa, southeast of Algeria
Geographic coordinates:
16 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 1.267 million sq km
water: 300 sq km
land: 1,266,700 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,697 km
border countries: Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Faso 628 km,
Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south
Terrain:
predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains
in south; hills in north
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Niger River 200 m
highest point: Mont Bagzane 2,022 m
Natural resources:
uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, petroleum
Land use: arable land: 3.94% permanent crops: 0% other: 96.06% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
660 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
recurring droughts
Environment - current issues: overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world: northern
four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna, suitable for
livestock and limited agriculture
People Niger
Population:
11,058,590 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 47.6% (male 2,686,169; female 2,581,785)
15-64 years: 50.2% (male 2,710,554; female 2,842,319)
65 years and over: 2.2% (male 125,505; female 112,258) (2003 est.)
Median age:
total: 16.1 years
male: 15.6 years
female: 16.6 years (2002)
Population growth rate:
2.71% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:
49.54 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:
21.71 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 123.64 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 119.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 127.99 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 42.21 years
male: 42.29 years
female: 42.12 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.91 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
4% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
6,000 (2001 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Nigerien(s)
adjective: Nigerien
Ethnic groups:
Hausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Fula 8.5%, Tuareg 8%, Beri Beri (Kanouri)
4.3%, Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%, about 1,200 French
expatriates
Religions:
Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christian
Languages:
French (official), Hausa, Djerma
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 17.6%
male: 25.8%
female: 9.7% (2003 est.)
Government Niger
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Niger
conventional short form: Niger
local short form: Niger
local long form: Republique du Niger
Government type:
republic
Capital:
Niamey
Administrative divisions:
7 departments (departements, singular - departement) and 1 capital
district* (capitale district); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi,
Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder
Independence:
3 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Republic Day, 18 December (1958)
Constitution:
the constitution of January 1993 was revised by national referendum
on 12 May 1996 and again by referendum on 18 July 1999
Legal system:
based on French civil law system and customary law; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President TANDJA Mamadou (since 22 December 1999);
note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President TANDJA Mamadou (since 22 December
1999); note - the president is both chief of state and head of
government; Prime Minister Hama AMADOU (since 31 December 1999) was
appointed by the president and shares some executive
responsibilities with the president
cabinet: 23-member Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
last held 24 November 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister
appointed by the president
election results: TANDJA Mamadou elected president; percent of vote
- TANDJA Mamadou 59.9%, Mahamadou ISSOUFOU 40.1%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (83 seats, members elected by popular
vote for five-year terms)
elections: last held 24 November 1999 (next to be held NA 2004)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -
MNSD-Nassara 38, CDS-Rahama 17, PNDS-Tarayya 16, RDP-Jama'a 8,
ANDPS-Zaman Lahiya 4
Judicial branch:
State Court or Cour d'Etat; Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Rally of the People-Jama'a or RDP-Jama'a [Hamid
ALGABID]; Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama or CDS-Rahama
[Mahamane OUSMANE]; National Movement for a Developing
Society-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara [Mamadou TANDJA, chairman]; Nigerien
Alliance for Democracy and Social Progress-Zaman Lahiya or
ANDPS-Zaman Lahiya [Moumouni Adamou DJERMAKOYE]; Nigerien Party for
Democracy and Socialism-Tarayya or PNDS-Tarayya [Mahamadou
ISSOUFOU]; Union of Democratic Patriots and Progressives-Chamoua or
UPDP-Chamoua [Professor Andre' SALIFOU, chairman]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC,
OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL,
WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph DIATTA FAX: (202)483-3169 telephone: (202) 483-4224 through 4227 chancery: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gail Dennise Thomas MATHIEU embassy: Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey mailing address: B. P. 11201, Niamey telephone: 72 26 61 through 72 26 64 FAX: 73 31 67, 72-31-46
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with
a small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the white
band; similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel
centered in the white band
Economy Niger
Economy - overview:
Niger is a poor, landlocked Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy
centers on subsistence agriculture, animal husbandry, and reexport
trade, and increasingly less on uranium, because of declining world
demand. The 50% devaluation of the West African franc in January
1994 boosted exports of livestock, cowpeas, onions, and the products
of Niger's small cotton industry. The government relies on bilateral
and multilateral aid - which was suspended following the April 1999
coup d'etat - for operating expenses and public investment. In
2000-01, the World Bank approved a structural adjustment loan of
$105 million to help support fiscal reforms. However, reforms could
prove difficult given the government's bleak financial situation.
The IMF approved a $73 million poverty reduction and growth facility
for Niger in 2000 and announced $115 million in debt relief under
the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Further
disbursements of aid occurred in 2002. Future growth may be
sustained by exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and other mineral
resources.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $8.713 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.9% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $800 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 39% industry: 17% services: 44% (2001)
Population below poverty line: 63% (1993 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.8% highest 10%: 35.4% (1995)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
50.5 (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
70,000 receive regular wages or salaries
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 6%, government 4%
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues: $320 million - including $134 million from foreign sources
expenditures: $320 million, including capital expenditures of $178
million (2002 est.)
Industries:
uranium mining, cement, brick, textiles, food processing,
chemicals, slaughterhouses
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
242 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:
325.1 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:
100 million kWh (2001)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:
5,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA (2001)
Oil - imports:
NA (2001)
Agriculture - products: cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry
Exports:
$293 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:
uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions
Exports - partners:
France 39%, Nigeria 33.2%, Japan 17.1% (2002)
Imports:
$368 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals
Imports - partners:
France 16.8%, Cote d'Ivoire 14.9%, China 9.8%, Nigeria 7.4%, US
5.2%, Japan 4.6%, India 4.4% (2002)
Debt - external:
$1.6 billion (1999 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$341 million (1997)
Currency:
Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible
authority is the Central Bank of the West African States
Currency code:
XOF
Exchange rates:
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 696.99
(2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Niger
Telephones - main lines in use:
20,000 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
6,700 (2002)
Telephone system:
general assessment: small system of wire, radio telephone
communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in the
southwestern area of Niger
domestic: wire, radiotelephone communications, and microwave radio
relay; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations and 1 planned
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic
Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 5, FM 6, shortwave 4 (2001)
Radios:
680,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
3 (plus seven low-power repeaters) (2002)
Televisions:
125,000 (1997)
Internet country code:
.ne
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
1 (2002)
Internet users:
12,000 (2002)
Transportation Niger
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 10,100 km
paved: 798 km
unpaved: 9,302 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:
300 km
note: the Niger River is navigable from Niamey to Gaya on the Benin
frontier from mid-December through March
Ports and harbors:
none
Airports:
27 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 9
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 18
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 14
under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Military Niger
Military branches:
Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, National Intervention and Security
Force
Military manpower - military age:
18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 2,379,485 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 1,288,396 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 119,367 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$20.54 million (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.1% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Niger
Disputes - international:
Libya claims about 25,000 sq km in a currently dormant dispute;
much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria,
remains undemarcated but states accept 2001 arbitration over
disputed Niger River islands; Lake Chad Commission continues to urge
signatories Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria to ratify
delimitation treaty over the lake region, which remains the site of
armed clashes among local populations and militias
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
@Nigeria
Introduction Nigeria
Background:
Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution was
adopted in 1999, and a peaceful transition to civilian government
was completed. The president faces the daunting task of rebuilding a
petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been squandered through
corruption and mismanagement, and institutionalizing democracy. In
addition, the OBASANJO administration must defuse longstanding
ethnic and religious tensions, if it is to build a sound foundation
for economic growth and political stability. Despite some
irregularities the April 2003 elections marked the first civilian
transfer of power in Nigeria's history.
Geography Nigeria
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and
Cameroon
Geographic coordinates:
10 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 923,768 sq km
water: 13,000 sq km
land: 910,768 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total: 4,047 km
border countries: Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger
1,497 km
Coastline:
853 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:
varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north
Terrain:
southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains
in southeast, plains in north
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Chappal Waddi 2,419 m
Natural resources:
natural gas, petroleum, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal, limestone,
lead, zinc, arable land
Land use: arable land: 30.96% permanent crops: 2.79% other: 66.25% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
2,330 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
periodic droughts; flooding
Environment - current issues:
soil degradation; rapid deforestation; urban air and water
pollution; desertification; oil pollution - water, air, and soil;
has suffered serious damage from oil spills; loss of arable land;
rapid urbanization
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine
Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
the Niger enters the country in the northwest and flows southward
through tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in the Gulf of
Guinea
People Nigeria
Population:
133,881,703
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower
population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2003 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43.6% (male 29,322,774; female 28,990,702)
15-64 years: 53.6% (male 36,513,700; female 35,254,333)
65 years and over: 2.8% (male 1,890,043; female 1,910,151) (2003
est.)
Median age: total: 18 years male: 18.1 years female: 17.9 years (2002)
Population growth rate:
2.53% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:
38.75 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:
13.76 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:
0.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 71.35 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 68.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 74.44 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 51.01 years
male: 50.89 years
female: 51.14 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.4 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
5.8% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
3.5 million (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
170,000 (2001 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Nigerian(s)
adjective: Nigerian
Ethnic groups:
Nigeria, which is Africa's most populous country, is composed of
more than 250 ethnic groups; the following are the most populous and
politically influential: Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo
(Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5%
Religions:
Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%
Languages:
English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 68%
male: 75.7%
female: 60.6% (2003 est.)
Government Nigeria
Country name:
conventional long form: Federal Republic of Nigeria
conventional short form: Nigeria
Government type:
republic transitioning from military to civilian rule
Capital:
Abuja; note - on 12 December 1991 the capital was officially
transferred from Lagos to Abuja; most federal government offices
have now made the move to Abuja
Administrative divisions:
36 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Abuja Federal Capital Territory*,
Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross
River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna,
Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun,
Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara
Independence:
1 October 1960 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day (National Day), 1 October (1960)
Constitution:
new constitution adopted May 1999
Legal system:
based on English common law, Islamic Shariah law (only in some
northern states), and traditional law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Olusegun OBASANJO (since 29 May 1999);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Olusegun OBASANJO (since 29 May 1999);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
cabinet: Federal Executive Council
elections: president is elected by popular vote for no more than two
four-year terms; election last held 19 April 2003 (next to be held
NA 2007)
election results: Olusegun OBASANJO elected president; percent of
vote - Olusegun OBASANJO (PDP) 61.9%, Muhammadu BUHARI (ANPP) 31.2%,
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu OJUKWU (APGA) 3.3%, other 3.6%
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Assembly consists of Senate (107 seats, three
from each state and one from the Federal Capital Territory; members
elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and House of
Representatives (346 seats, members elected by popular vote to serve
four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 12 April 2003 (next to be held NA
2007); House of Representatives - last held 12 April 2003 (next to
be held NA 2007)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PDP 53.6%,
ANPP 27.9%, AD 9.7%; seats by party - PDP 73, ANPP 28, AD 6; House
of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDP 54.5%, ANPP
27.4%, AD 9.3%, other 8.8%; seats by party - PDP 213, ANPP 95, AD
31, other 7; note - two constituencies are not reported
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges appointed by the President); Federal Court of
Appeal (judges are appointed by the federal government on the advice
of the Advisory Judicial Committee)
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for Democracy or AD [Alhaji Adamu ABDULKADIR]; All Nigeria
Peoples' Party or ANPP [Don ETIEBET]; All Progressives Grand
Alliance or APGA [Chekwas OKORIE]; National Democratic Party or NDP
[Aliyu Habu FARI]; Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Audu OGBEH];
Peoples Redemption Party or PRP [Abdulkadir Balarabe MUSA]; Peoples
Salvation Party or PSP [Lawal MAITURARE]; United Nigeria Peoples
Party or UNPP [Saleh JAMBO]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Nigerian Labor Congress or NLC [Adams OSHIOMOLE]
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC,
OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM,
UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNMOVIC, UNU, UPU, WCO,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jibril Muhammad AMINU
consulate(s) general: Atlanta and New York
FAX: (202) 775-1385
telephone: (202) 986-8400
chancery: 3519 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Howard Franklin JETER
embassy: 7 Mambilla Drive, Abuja
mailing address: P. O. Box 554, Lagos
telephone: (9) 523-0916/0906/5857/2235/2205
FAX: (9) 523-0353
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green
Economy Nigeria
Economy - overview:
The oil-rich Nigerian economy, long hobbled by political
instability, corruption, and poor macroeconomic management, is
undergoing substantial reform under the new civilian administration.
Nigeria's former military rulers failed to diversify the economy
away from overdependence on the capital-intensive oil sector, which
provides 20% of GDP, 95% of foreign exchange earnings, and about 65%
of budgetary revenues. The largely subsistence agricultural sector
has failed to keep up with rapid population growth, and Nigeria,
once a large net exporter of food, now must import food. Following
the signing of an IMF stand-by agreement in August 2000, Nigeria
received a debt-restructuring deal from the Paris Club and a $1
billion credit from the IMF, both contingent on economic reforms.
The agreement was allowed to expire by the IMF in November 2001,
however, and Nigeria apparently received much less multilateral
assistance than expected in 2002. Nonetheless, increases in foreign
oil investment and oil production kept growth at 3% in 2002. The
government lacks the strength to implement the market-oriented
reforms urged by the IMF, such as modernization of the banking
system; to curb inflation by blocking excessive wage demands; and to
resolve regional disputes over the distribution of earnings from the
oil industry. When the uncertainties in the global economy are added
in, estimates of Nigeria's prospects for 2003 must have a wide
margin of error.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $112.5 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.2% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $900 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 45% industry: 20% services: 35% (2002 est.)
Population below poverty line: 60% (2000 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 40.8% (1996-97)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
50.6 (1996-97)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
14.2% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
66 million (1999 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 70%, industry 10%, services 20% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate:
28% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $3.4 billion
expenditures: $3.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(2000 est.)
Industries:
crude oil, coal, tin, columbite, palm oil, peanuts, cotton, rubber,
wood, hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction
materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing,
ceramics, steel
Industrial production growth rate:
0.4% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:
15.67 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 61.9% hydro: 38.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:
14.55 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:
20 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:
2.256 million bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:
275,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA (2001)
Oil - imports:
NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:
27 billion bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:
15.68 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
7.85 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
7.83 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
4.007 trillion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava (tapioca), yams, rubber; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; timber; fish
Exports:
$17.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber
Exports - partners:
US 32.3%, Brazil 8.3%, Spain 7.2%, Indonesia 5.9%, France 5.6%,
India 4.6% (2002)
Imports:
$13.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, chemicals, transport equipment, manufactured goods, food
and live animals
Imports - partners:
UK 9.6%, US 9.4%, China 9.3%, France 8.7%, Germany 6.8%, South
Korea 6.1%, Netherlands 5.2%, Italy 4.7% (2002)
Debt - external:
$29.7 billion (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
ODA $250 million (1998)
Currency:
naira (NGN)
Currency code:
NGN
Exchange rates:
nairas per US dollar - NA (2002), 111.23 (2001), 101.7 (2000),
92.34 (1999), 21.89 (1998)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Nigeria
Telephones - main lines in use:
500,000 (2000 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
200,000 (2001)
Telephone system:
general assessment: an inadequate system, further limited by poor
maintenance; major expansion is required and a start has been made
domestic: intercity traffic is carried by coaxial cable, microwave
radio relay, a domestic communications satellite system with 19
earth stations, and a coastal submarine cable; mobile cellular
facilities and the Internet are available
international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic
Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); coaxial submarine cable SAFE (South
African Far East)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 83, FM 36, shortwave 11 (2001)
Radios:
23.5 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (the government controls 2 of the broadcasting stations and 15 repeater stations) (2002)
Televisions:
6.9 million (1997)
Internet country code:
.ng
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
11 (2000)
Internet users:
100,000 (2000)
Transportation Nigeria
Railways:
total: 3,557 km
narrow gauge: 3,505 km 1.067-m gauge
standard gauge: 52 km 1.435-m gauge (2002)
Highways:
total: 194,394 km
paved: 60,068 km (including 1,194 km of expressways)
unpaved: 134,326 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:
8,575 km
note: consisting of the Niger and Benue rivers and smaller rivers
and creeks
Pipelines:
condensate 105 km; gas 1,660 km; oil 3,634 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:
Calabar, Lagos, Onne, Port Harcourt, Sapele, Warri
Merchant marine:
total: 44 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 327,689 GRT/607,560 DWT
note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of
convenience: Bulgaria 1, Greece 1, Norway 1, Pakistan 1, Togo 1, US
1 (2002 est.)
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 7, chemical tanker 5, petroleum tanker
29, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1
Airports:
70 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 36 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 3 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 34 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 18 (2002)
Heliports: 1 (2002)
Military Nigeria
Military branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force
Military manpower - military age:
18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 31,790,482 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 18,259,696 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 1,418,099 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$417.9 million (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Nigeria
Disputes - international:
ICJ ruled in 2002 on the Cameroon-Nigeria land and maritime
boundary by awarding the potentially petroleum-rich Bakassi
Peninsula and offshore region to Cameroon; Nigeria rejected the
cession of the peninsula but the parties formed a Joint Border
Commission to peaceably resolve the dispute and commence with
demarcation in other less-contested sections of the boundary;
several villages along the Okpara River are in dispute with Benin;
Lake Chad Commission continues to urge signatories Cameroon, Chad,
Niger, and Nigeria to ratify delimitation treaty over lake region,
which remains the site of armed clashes among local populations and
militias; Nigeria agreed to ratify the treaty and relinquish
sovereignty of disputed lands to Cameroon by December 2003
Illicit drugs:
a transit point for heroin and cocaine intended for European, East
Asian, and North American markets; safehaven for Nigerian
narcotraffickers operating worldwide; major money-laundering center;
massive corruption and criminal activity, along with unwillingness
of the government to address the deficiencies in its
anti-money-laundering regime make money laundering a major problem
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
@Niue
Introduction Niue
Background:
Niue's remoteness, as well as cultural and linguistic differences
between its Polynesian inhabitants and those of the rest of the Cook
Islands, have caused it to be separately administered. The
population of the island continues to drop (from a peak of 5,200 in
1966 to about 2,100 in 2002), with substantial emigration to New
Zealand, 2,400 km to the southwest.
Geography Niue
Location:
Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga
Geographic coordinates:
19 02 S, 169 52 W
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 260 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 260 sq km
Area - comparative:
1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
64 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:
tropical; modified by southeast trade winds
Terrain:
steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location near Mutalau settlement 68 m
Natural resources: fish, arable land
Land use: arable land: 19.23% permanent crops: 7.69% other: 73.08% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Natural hazards:
typhoons
Environment - current issues: increasing attention to conservationist practices to counter loss of soil fertility from traditional slash and burn agriculture
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note: one of world's largest coral islands
People Niue
Population: 2,145 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.01% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:
NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:
NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:
NA (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA years
male: NA years
female: NA years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:
NA children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Niuean(s)
adjective: Niuean
Ethnic groups:
Polynesian (with some 200 Europeans, Samoans, and Tongans)
Religions:
Ekalesia Niue (Niuean Church - a Protestant church closely related
to the London Missionary Society) 75%, Latter-Day Saints 10%, other
15% (mostly Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day
Adventist)
Languages:
Niuean, a Polynesian language closely related to Tongan and Samoan;
English
Literacy: definition: NA total population: 95% male: NA% female: NA%
Government Niue
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Niue former: Savage Island
Dependency status:
self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974;
Niue fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains
responsibility for external affairs and defense; however, these
responsibilities confer no rights of control and are only exercised
at the request of the Government of Niue
Government type:
self-governing parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Alofi
Administrative divisions:
none; note - there are no first-order administrative divisions as
defined by the US Government, but there are 14 villages at the
second order
Independence:
on 19 October 1974, Niue became a self-governing parliamentary
government in free association with New Zealand
National holiday:
Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty
over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)
Constitution:
19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act)
Legal system:
English common law
note: Niue is self-governing, with the power to make its own laws
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK
and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High Commissioner
John BRYAN (since NA May 2000)
election results: Young VIVIAN elected premier; percent of
Legislative Assembly vote - Young VIVIAN (NPP) 70%, Hunukitama
HUNUKI (AI) 30%
elections: the monarch is hereditary; premier elected by the
Legislative Assembly for a three-year term; election last held 1 May
2002 (next to be held NA May 2005)
head of government: Premier Young VIVIAN (since 1 May 2002)
cabinet: Cabinet consists of the premier and three ministers
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; members elected by
popular vote to serve three-year terms; six elected from a common
roll and 14 are village representatives)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -
NPP 9, independents 11; note - all 20 seats were reelected
elections: last held 21 March 2002 (next to be held in March 2005)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of New Zealand; High Court of Niue
Political parties and leaders:
Niue People's Action Party or NPP [Young VIVIAN]; Alliance of
Independents or AI [leader NA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACP, ESCAP (associate), FAO, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)
Flag description:
yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant;
the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a large
one on a blue disk in the center and a smaller one on each arm of
the bold red cross
Economy Niue
Economy - overview:
The economy suffers from the typical Pacific island problems of
geographic isolation, few resources, and a small population.
Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, and the shortfall
is made up by critically needed grants from New Zealand that are
used to pay wages to public employees. Niue has cut government
expenditures by reducing the public service by almost half. The
agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening,
although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists
primarily of small factories to process passion fruit, lime oil,
honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign
collectors is an important source of revenue. The island in recent
years has suffered a serious loss of population because of migration
of Niueans to New Zealand. Efforts to increase GDP include the
promotion of tourism and a financial services industry, although
Premier LAKATANI announced in February 2002 that Niue will shut down
the offshore banking industry. Economic aid from New Zealand in 2002
was about $2.6 million.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $7.6 million (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-0.3% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $3,600 (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: 55%
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1% (1995)
Labor force:
NA
Labor force - by occupation:
most work on family plantations; paid work exists only in
government service, small industry, and the Niue Development Board
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries:
tourism, handicrafts, food processing
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
3 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:
2.79 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:
20 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA (2001)
Oil - imports:
NA (2001)
Agriculture - products: coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes, taro, yams, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle
Exports: $137,200 (1999)
Exports - commodities: canned coconut cream, copra, honey, vanilla, passion fruit products, pawpaws, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicrafts
Exports - partners:
NZ mainly, Fiji, Cook Islands, Australia (2000)
Imports:
$2.38 million (1999)
Imports - commodities:
food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels,
lubricants, chemicals, drugs
Imports - partners:
NZ mainly, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Australia, US (2000)
Debt - external:
$418,000 (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$2.6 million from New Zealand (2002)
Currency:
New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Currency code:
NZD
Exchange rates:
New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.162 (2002), 2.3776 (2001),
2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8629 (1998)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
Communications Niue
Telephones - main lines in use:
376 (1991)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
0 (1991)
Telephone system:
domestic: single-line telephone system connects all villages on
island
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:
1,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (1997)
Televisions:
NA
Internet country code:
.nu
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
1 (2000)
Internet users:
NA
Transportation Niue
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 234 km paved: 86 km unpaved: 148 km (2001)
Waterways:
none
Ports and harbors:
none; offshore anchorage only
Merchant marine:
none (2002 est.)
Airports:
1 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Military Niue
Military branches:
no regular indigenous military forces; Police Force
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
Transnational Issues Niue
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
@Norfolk Island
Introduction Norfolk Island
Background:
Two British attempts at establishing the island as a penal colony
(1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned. In 1856, the
island was resettled by Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of the
Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions.
Geography Norfolk Island
Location:
Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia
Geographic coordinates:
29 02 S, 167 57 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 34.6 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 34.6 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
32 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:
subtropical, mild, little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Bates 319 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Natural hazards:
typhoons (especially May to July)
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
most of the 32-km coastline consists of almost inaccessible cliffs,
but the land slopes down to the sea in one small southern area on
Sydney Bay, where the capital of Kingston is situated
People Norfolk Island
Population: 1,853 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.2% 15-64 years: 63.9% 65 years and over: 15.9% (2003 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.01% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:
NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:
NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:
NA (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA years
male: NA years
female: NA years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:
NA children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Norfolk Islander(s)
adjective: Norfolk Islander(s)
Ethnic groups:
descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New Zealander,
Polynesians
Religions:
Anglican 37.4%, Uniting Church in Australia 14.5%, Roman Catholic
11.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3.1%, none 12.2%, unknown 17.4%, other
3.9% (1996)
Languages:
English (official), Norfolk a mixture of 18th century English and
ancient Tahitian
Literacy:
NA
Government Norfolk Island
Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Island
conventional short form: Norfolk Island
Dependency status:
territory of Australia; Canberra administers Commonwealth
responsibilities on Norfolk Island through the Department of
Environment, Sport, and Territories
Government type:
NA
Capital:
Kingston
Administrative divisions:
none (territory of Australia)
Independence:
none (territory of Australia)
National holiday:
Pitcairners Arrival Day, 8 June (1856)
Constitution:
Norfolk Island Act of 1979
Legal system:
based on the laws of Australia, local ordinances and acts; English
common law applies in matters not covered by either Australian or
Norfolk Island law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK
and Australia are represented by Administrator Anthony J. MESSNER
(since 4 August 1997)
election results: Geoffrey Robert GARDNER elected chief minister;
percent of Legislative Assembly vote - NA%
elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the
governor general of Australia; chief minister elected by the
Legislative Assembly for a term of not more than three years;
election last held 29 November 2001 (next to be held by December
2004)
head of government: Assembly President and Chief Minister Geoffrey
Robert GARDNER (since 5 December 2001)
cabinet: Executive Council is made up of four of the nine members of
the Legislative Assembly; the council devises government policy and
acts as an advisor to the administrator
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly (9 seats; members elected by
electors who have nine equal votes each but only four votes can be
given to any one candidate; members serve three-year terms)
elections: last held 29 November 2001 (next to be held by December
2004)
election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Court of Petty Sessions
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none
International organization participation:
none
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Flag description:
three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a
large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider
white band
Economy Norfolk Island
Economy - overview:
Tourism, the primary economic activity, has steadily increased over
the years and has brought a level of prosperity unusual among
inhabitants of the Pacific islands. The agricultural sector has
become self-sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - real growth rate:
NA%
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Labor force:
NA
Labor force - by occupation:
tourism NA%, subsistence agriculture NA%
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues: $4.6 million
expenditures: $4.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY 92/93)
Industries:
tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
NA kWh
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2002) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:
NA kWh
Agriculture - products:
Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables,
fruit; cattle, poultry
Exports:
$1.5 million f.o.b. (FY 91/92)
Exports - commodities:
postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia palm,
small quantities of avocados
Exports - partners:
Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe
Imports:
$17.9 million c.i.f. (FY 91/92)
Imports - commodities:
NA
Imports - partners:
Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe
Debt - external:
$NA
Economic aid - recipient:
$NA
Currency:
Australian dollar (AUD)
Currency code:
AUD
Exchange rates:
Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.8406 (2002), 1.9320 (2001),
1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June
Communications Norfolk Island
Telephones - main lines in use:
1,087 (1983)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
0 (1983)
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate
domestic: NA
international: radiotelephone service with Sydney (Australia)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:
2,500 (1996)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (local programming station plus two repeaters that bring in
Australian programs by satellite) (1998)
Televisions:
1,200 (1996)
Internet country code:
.nf
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
2 (2000)
Internet users:
NA
Transportation Norfolk Island
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 80 km paved: 53 km unpaved: 27 km (2001)
Waterways:
none
Ports and harbors:
none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade
Merchant marine:
none (2002 est.)
Airports:
1 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Military Norfolk Island
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues Norfolk Island
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
@Northern Mariana Islands
Introduction Northern Mariana Islands
Background:
Under US administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of the
Pacific, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the
1970s not to seek independence but instead to forge closer links
with the US. Negotiations for territorial status began in 1972. A
covenant to establish a commonwealth in political union with the US
was approved in 1975. A new government and constitution went into
effect in 1978.
Geography Northern Mariana Islands
Location:
Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters
of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Geographic coordinates:
15 12 N, 145 45 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 477 sq km
note: includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
water: 0 sq km
land: 477 sq km
Area - comparative:
2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,482 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:
tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little
seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy
season July to October
Terrain:
southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing
coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m
Natural resources:
arable land, fish
Land use:
arable land: 15.22%
permanent crops: 6.52%
other: 78.26% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Natural hazards:
active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August
to November)
Environment - current issues: contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species conflicts with development
Geography - note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean
People Northern Mariana Islands
Population:
80,006 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 23.3% (male 9,483; female 9,168)
15-64 years: 74.8% (male 27,839; female 32,041)
65 years and over: 1.8% (male 748; female 727) (2003 est.)
Median age:
total: 30.4 years
male: 31 years
female: 30.1 years (2002)
Population growth rate:
3.37% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:
19.97 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:
2.44 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:
16.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female
total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 5.52 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.16 years
male: 73.06 years
female: 79.44 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.75 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: NA
adjective: NA
Ethnic groups:
Chamorro, Carolinians and other Micronesians, Caucasian, Japanese,
Chinese, Filipino, Korean
Religions:
Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs
and taboos may still be found)
Languages:
English, Chamorro, Carolinian
note: 86% of population speaks a language other than English at home
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97%
male: 97%
female: 96% (1980 est.)
Government Northern Mariana Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
conventional short form: Northern Mariana Islands
former: Mariana Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific
Islands)
Dependency status:
commonwealth in political union with the US; federal funds to the
Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior,
Office of Insular Affairs
Government type:
commonwealth; self-governing with locally elected governor,
lieutenant governor, and legislature
Capital:
Saipan
Administrative divisions:
none (commonwealth in political union with the US); there are no
first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US
Government, but there are four municipalities at the second order;
Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian
Independence:
none (commonwealth in political union with the US)
National holiday:
Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)
Constitution:
Covenant Agreement effective 4 November 1986 and the Constitution
of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective 1
January 1978
Legal system:
based on US system, except for customs, wages, immigration laws,
and taxation
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens
but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:
chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20
January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January
2001)
head of government: Governor Juan N. BABAUTA (since NA January
2002); Lieutenant Governor Diego T. BENEVENTE (since NA January 2002)
cabinet: NA
elections: US president and vice president elected on the same
ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected
on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election
last held NA November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2005)
election results: Juan N. BABAUTA elected governor in a four-way
race; percent of vote - Juan N. BABAUTA (Republican Party) 49%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Legislature consists of the Senate (9 seats; members are
elected by popular vote to serve four-year staggered terms) and the
House of Representatives (18 seats; members are elected by popular
vote to serve two-year terms)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by
party - Republican Party 4, Democratic Party 3, Reform Party 1,
independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party -
NA%; seats by party - Covenant Party 9, Republican Party 7,
Democratic Party 1, independent 1
note: the Northern Mariana Islands does not have a nonvoting
delegate in the US Congress; instead, it has an elected official or
"resident representative" located in Washington, DC; seats by party
- Republican Party 1 (Pedro A. TENORIO)
elections: Senate - last held 5 November 2001 (next to be held NA
November 2003); House of Representatives - last held 1 November 2003
(next to be held NA November 2005)
Judicial branch:
Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO]; Republican Party [Benigno
R. FITIAL]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ESCAP (associate), Interpol (subbureau), SPC
Flag description:
blue, with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on the gray
silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in
building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath
Economy Northern Mariana Islands
Economy - overview:
The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from
the US. The rate of funding has declined as locally generated
government revenues have grown. The key tourist industry employs
about 50% of the work force and accounts for roughly one-fourth of
GDP. Japanese tourists predominate. Annual tourist entries have
exceeded one-half million in recent years, but financial
difficulties in Japan have caused a temporary slowdown. The
agricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms
producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Garment
production is by far the most important industry with employment of
17,500 mostly Chinese workers and sizable shipments to the US under
duty and quota exemptions.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $900 million
note: $900 million $900 million GDP estimate includes US subsidy
(2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
NA%
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $12,500 (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.2% (1997 est.)
Labor force:
6,006 total indigenous labor force; 2,699 unemployed; 28,717
foreign workers
Labor force - by occupation:
NA
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues: $193 million
expenditures: $223 million, including capital expenditures of NA (FY
01/02 est.)
Industries:
tourism, construction, garments, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
NA kWh
Electricity - consumption:
NA kWh
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh
Agriculture - products:
coconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle
Exports:
$NA
Exports - commodities:
garments
Exports - partners:
US (2000)
Imports:
$NA
Imports - commodities:
food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products
Imports - partners:
US, Japan (2000)
Debt - external:
$NA
Economic aid - recipient:
extensive funding from US
Currency:
US dollar (USD)
Currency code:
USD
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September
Communications Northern Mariana Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
21,000 (1996)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1,200 (1995)
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:
NA
Television broadcast stations:
1 (on Saipan and one station planned for Rota; in addition, two
cable services on Saipan provide varied programming from satellite
networks) (1997)
Televisions:
NA
Internet country code:
.mp
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
1 (2001)
Internet users:
NA
Transportation Northern Mariana Islands
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 362 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1991)
Waterways:
none
Ports and harbors:
Saipan, Tinian
Merchant marine:
none (2002 est.)
Airports:
6 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 3
under 914 m: 2 (2002)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
Heliports:
1 (2002)
Military Northern Mariana Islands
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues Northern Mariana Islands
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
@Norway
Introduction Norway
Background:
Two centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off following the
adoption of Christianity by King Olav TRYGGVASON in 994. Conversion
of the Norwegian kingdom occurred over the next several decades. In
1397, Norway was absorbed into a union with Denmark that was to last
for more than four centuries. In 1814, Norwegians resisted the
cession of their country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution.
Sweden then invaded Norway but agreed to let Norway keep its
constitution in return for accepting the union under a Swedish king.
Rising nationalism throughout the 19th century led to a 1905
referendum granting Norway independence. Norway remained neutral in
World War I and proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War
II. Nevertheless, it was not able to avoid a five-year occupation by
Nazi Germany (1940-1945). In 1949, neutrality was abandoned and
Norway became a member of NATO. Discovery of oil and gas in adjacent
waters in the late 1960s boosted Norway's economic fortunes. The
current focus is on containing spending on the extensive welfare
system and planning for the time when petroleum reserves are
depleted. In referenda held in 1972 and 1994, Norway rejected
joining the EU.
Geography Norway
Location:
Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic
Ocean, west of Sweden
Geographic coordinates:
62 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 324,220 sq km
land: 307,860 sq km
water: 16,360 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 2,544 km
border countries: Finland 729 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km
Coastline:
21,925 km (includes mainland 3,419 km, large islands 2,413 km, long
fjords, numerous small islands, and minor indentations 16,093 km)
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 10 NM territorial sea: 4 NM continental shelf: 200 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Climate:
temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder
interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy
year-round on west coast
Terrain:
glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by
fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented
by fjords; arctic tundra in north
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m
highest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, copper, natural gas, pyrites, nickel, iron ore, zinc,
lead, fish, timber, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 2.94% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.06% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
1,270 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
rockslides, avalanches
Environment - current issues:
water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting
lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85,
Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,
Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical
Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note:
about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much
indented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air
routes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and longest coastlines
in world
People Norway
Population:
4,546,123 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 19.9% (male 465,320; female 439,095)
15-64 years: 65.2% (male 1,501,608; female 1,462,590)
65 years and over: 14.9% (male 281,554; female 395,956) (2003 est.)
Median age:
total: 37.7 years
male: 36.7 years
female: 38.7 years (2002)
Population growth rate:
0.46% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:
12.17 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:
9.72 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:
2.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 3.87 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 4.32 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.09 years
male: 76.15 years
female: 82.22 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.8 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
1,800 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
less than 100 (2001 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Norwegian(s)
adjective: Norwegian
Ethnic groups:
Norwegian, Sami 20,000
Religions:
Evangelical Lutheran 86% (state church), other Protestant and Roman
Catholic 3%, other 1%, none and unknown 10% (1997)
Languages:
Norwegian (official)
note: small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 100%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Government Norway
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Norway
conventional short form: Norway
local short form: Norge
local long form: Kongeriket Norge
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
Oslo
Administrative divisions:
19 provinces (fylker, singular - fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder,
Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland,
Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane,
Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold
Dependent areas:
Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard
Independence:
7 June 1905 Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved; 26
October 1905 Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union
National holiday:
Constitution Day, 17 May (1814); note - on 14 January 1814 Denmark
ceded Norway to Sweden; resisting Swedish domination, Norwegians
adopted a new constitution four months later; on 14 August 1814
Norway was proclaimed independent but in union with Sweden; on 7
June 1905 Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved
Constitution:
17 May 1814, modified in 1884
Legal system:
mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common law
traditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature
when asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); Heir
Apparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS, son of the monarch (born 20
July 1973)
head of government: Prime Minister Kjell Magne BONDEVIK (since 19
October 2001)
cabinet: State Council appointed by the monarch with the approval of
Parliament
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following parliamentary
elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the
majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the
monarch with the approval of the Parliament
Legislative branch:
modified unicameral Parliament or Storting (165 seats; members are
elected by popular vote by proportional representation to serve
four-year terms)
elections: last held 10 September 2001 (next to be held NA September
2005)
note: for certain purposes, the Parliament divides itself into two
chambers and elects one-fourth of its membership to an upper house
or Lagting
election results: percent of vote by party - Labor Party 24.3%,
Conservative Party 21.2%, Progress Party 14.6%, Socialist Left Party
12.5%, Christian People's Party 12.4%, Center Party 5.6%, Liberal
Party 3.9%, Coastal Party 1.7%, other 3.8%; seats by party - Labor
Party 43, Conservative Party 38, Progress Party 26, Socialist Left
Party 23, Christian People's Party 22, Center Party 10, Liberal
Party 2, Coastal Party 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the monarch)
Political parties and leaders:
Center Party [Aslaug Marie HAGA]; Christian People's Party [Valgerd
Svarstad HAUGLAND]; Coastal Party [Steinar BASTESEN]; Conservative
Party [Jan PETERSEN]; Labor Party [Jens STOLTENBERG]; Liberal Party
[Lars SPONHEIM]; Progress Party [Carl I. HAGEN]; Socialist Left
Party [Kristin HALVORSEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE,
EFTA, ESA, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO,
ITU, NAM (guest), NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD,
OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIBH,
UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Knut VOLLEBAEK
chancery: 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
consulate(s) general: Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, and San
Francisco
FAX: (202) 337-0870
telephone: (202) 333-6000
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John D. ONG embassy: Drammensveien 18, 0244 Oslo mailing address: PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707 telephone: (22) 44 85 50 FAX: (22) 44 33 63
Flag description:
red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges
of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist
side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy Norway
Economy - overview:
The Norwegian economy is a prosperous bastion of welfare
capitalism, featuring a combination of free market activity and
government intervention. The government controls key areas, such as
the vital petroleum sector (through large-scale state enterprises).
The country is richly endowed with natural resources - petroleum,
hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependent on
its oil production and international oil prices; in 1999, oil and
gas accounted for 35% of exports. Only Saudi Arabia and Russia
export more oil than Norway. Norway opted to stay out of the EU
during a referendum in November 1994. The government has moved ahead
with privatization. With arguably the highest quality of life
worldwide, Norwegians still worry about that time in the next two
decades when the oil and gas begin to run out. Accordingly, Norway
has been saving its oil-boosted budget surpluses in a Government
Petroleum Fund, which is invested abroad and now is valued at more
than $43 billion. GDP growth was a lackluster 1% in 2002 and 2003
against the background of a faltering European economy.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $149.1 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $33,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.9%
industry: 30.8%
services: 67.3% (2000)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 21.8% (1995)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
25.8 (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.3% (2001 est.)
Labor force:
2.4 million (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: services 74%, industry 22%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 4% (1995)
Unemployment rate:
3.9% (2002 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $71.7 billion
expenditures: $57.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(2000 est.)
Industries:
petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper
products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing
Industrial production growth rate:
1.2% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:
120.1 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.4% hydro: 99.3% other: 0.4% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:
115.3 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:
7.162 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:
10.76 billion kWh (2001)
Oil - production:
3.408 million bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:
171,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:
3.466 million bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:
88,870 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:
9.859 billion bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:
54.6 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
4.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
50.5 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
1.716 trillion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products:
barley, wheat, potatoes; pork, beef, veal, milk; fish
Exports:
$68.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals,
chemicals, ships, fish
Exports - partners:
UK 18.1%, Germany 13.8%, France 11%, US 9.2%, Netherlands 8.2%,
Sweden 8% (2002)
Imports:
$37.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Sweden 17.7%, Germany 13.4%, UK 7.8%, Denmark 7.7%, US 5.7%,
Netherlands 5.3%, France 4.2%, Italy 4% (2002)
Debt - external:
$0 (Norway is a net external creditor)
Economic aid - donor:
ODA, $1.4 billion (1998)
Currency:
Norwegian krone (NOK)
Currency code:
NOK
Exchange rates:
Norwegian kroner per US dollar - 7.98 (2002), 8.99 (2001), 8.8
(2000), 7.8 (1999), 7.55 (1998)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Norway
Telephones - main lines in use:
2.735 million (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2,080,408 (1998)
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern in all respects; one of the most
advanced telecommunications networks in Europe
domestic: Norway has a domestic satellite system; moreover, the
prevalence of rural areas encourages the wide use of cellular mobile
systems instead of fixed-wire systems
international: 2 buried coaxial cable systems; 4 coaxial submarine
cables; satellite earth stations - NA Eutelsat, NA Intelsat
(Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean
regions); note - Norway shares the Inmarsat earth station with the
other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden) (1999)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 5, FM at least 650, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:
4.03 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
360 (plus 2,729 repeaters) (1995)
Televisions:
2.03 million (1997)
Internet country code:
.no
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
13 (2000)
Internet users:
2.68 million (2002)
Transportation Norway
Railways: total: 4,178 km standard gauge: 4,178 km 1.435-m gauge (2,518 km electrified) (2002)
Highways:
total: 91,454 km
paved: 69,505 km (including 143 km of expressways)
unpaved: 21,949 km (2000)
Waterways:
1,577 km (along west coast)
note: navigable by 2.4 m maximum draft vessels
Pipelines:
condensate 411 km; gas 6,199 km; oil 2,213 km; oil/gas/water 746
km; unknown (oil/water) 38 km; water 96 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:
Bergen, Drammen, Floro, Hammerfest, Harstad, Haugesund,
Kristiansand, Larvik, Narvik, Oslo, Porsgrunn, Stavanger, Tromso,
Trondheim
Merchant marine:
total: 714 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 20,247,207 GRT/30,860,236 DWT
ships by type: bulk 68, cargo 136, chemical tanker 125, combination
bulk 5, combination ore/oil 32, container 19, liquefied gas 86,
multi-function large load carrier 1, passenger 6, petroleum tanker
127, refrigerated cargo 6, roll on/roll off 44, short-sea passenger
20, specialized tanker 5, vehicle carrier 34
note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of
convenience: Australia 1, Denmark 14, Germany 11, Greece 10, Hong
Kong 7, Iceland 2, Japan 11, Lithuania 1, Monaco 42, Poland 1, Saudi
Arabia 3, Singapore 10, Sweden 42, Switzerland 2, UK 4, US 5 (2002
est.)
Airports:
102 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 66 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 26 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 36 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 29 (2002)
Military Norway
Military branches:
Norwegian Army, Royal Norwegian Navy (including Coast Artillery and
Coast Guard), Royal Norwegian Air Force, Home Guard
Military manpower - military age:
20 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 1,099,314 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 910,628 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 27,249 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$3.113 billion (FY98/99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
2.13% (2002)
Transnational Issues Norway
Disputes - international:
Norway asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land
and its continental shelf); despite recent discussions, Russia and
Norway continue to dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea
and Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits
within the Svalbard Treaty zone
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
@Oman
Introduction Oman
Background:
In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al Said ousted his father and has ruled as
sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened
the country to the outside world and has preserved a long-standing
political and military relationship with the UK. Oman's moderate,
independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations
with all Middle Eastern countries.
Geography Oman
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian
Gulf, between Yemen and UAE
Geographic coordinates:
21 00 N, 57 00 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 212,460 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 212,460 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Kansas
Land boundaries: total: 1,374 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km
Coastline: 2,092 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:
dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong
southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
Terrain:
central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m
highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium,
gypsum, natural gas
Land use: arable land: 0.08% permanent crops: 0.22% other: 99.7% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
620 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in
interior; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; very limited
natural fresh water resources
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of
Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
People Oman
Population: 2,807,125 note: includes 577,293 non-nationals (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42.2% (male 603,664; female 580,469)
15-64 years: 55.4% (male 934,621; female 620,158)
65 years and over: 2.4% (male 36,504; female 31,709) (2003 est.)
Median age:
total: 19.4 years
male: 22.3 years
female: 16.5 years (2002)
Population growth rate:
3.38% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:
37.47 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:
3.97 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:
0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.51 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.15 male(s)/female
total population: 1.28 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 21.01 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 17.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 24.03 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.58 years
male: 70.4 years
female: 74.86 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.94 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
1,300 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Omani(s)
adjective: Omani
Ethnic groups:
Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan,
Bangladeshi), African
Religions:
Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu
Languages:
Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Literacy: definition: NA total population: 75.8% male: 83.1% female: 67.2% (2003 est.)
Government Oman
Country name:
conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman
conventional short form: Oman
local long form: Saltanat Uman
former: Muscat and Oman
local short form: Uman
Government type:
monarchy
Capital:
Muscat
Administrative divisions:
6 regions (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah) and 2 governorates*
(muhafazat, singular - muhafazah) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al
Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat, Musandam*, Zufar*; note -
the US Embassy in Oman reports that Masqat is a governorate, but
this has not been confirmed by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN)
Independence:
1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
National holiday:
Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)
Constitution:
none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal
decree promulgating a new basic law which, among other things,
clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars
ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with
the government, establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees
basic civil liberties for Omani citizens
Legal system:
based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the
monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
in Oman's most recent elections in 2000, limited to approximately
175,000 Omanis chosen by the government to vote in elections for the
Majlis al-Shura
Executive branch:
chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said
(since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief of state
and head of government
head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al
Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief of
state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary
Legislative branch:
bicameral Majlis Oman consists of an upper chamber or Majlis
al-Dawla (48 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has advisory
powers only) and a lower chamber or Majlis al-Shura (83 seats;
members elected by limited suffrage for three-year term, however,
the monarch makes final selections and can negate election results;
body has some limited power to propose legislation, but otherwise
has only advisory powers)
elections: last held 4 October 2003 (next to be held NA 2006)
election results: NA
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
note: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has
non-Islamic judges as well as traditional Islamic judges
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt
(signatory), IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,
ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Muhammad bin Ali bin Thani AL-KHUSSAIBY
chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: (202) 387-1980 through 1981, 1988
FAX: (202) 745-4933
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Richard Lewis BALTIMORE III
embassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat
mailing address: P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Al-Sultan Qaboos,
Muscat
telephone: 698989, extension 203
FAX: 699771
Flag description:
three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with
a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem
(a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords
in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band
Economy Oman
Economy - overview:
Oman's economic performance improved significantly in 2000 due
largely to the upturn in oil prices. The government is moving ahead
with privatization of its utilities, the development of a body of
commercial law to facilitate foreign investment, and increased
budgetary outlays. Oman continues to liberalize its markets and
joined the World Trade Organization (WTrO) in November 2000. GDP
growth improved in 2001 despite the global slowdown and then fell
back to 2.2% in 2002. In order to reduce unemployment, the
government is trying to replace expatriate workers with local
workers. Another government objective is the development of the
nation's gas resources.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $22.4 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.2% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $8,300 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 55%
services: 42% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-0.5% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
920,000 (2002 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues: $9.2 billion
expenditures: $6.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(2000 est.)
Industries:
crude oil production and refining, natural gas production,
construction, cement, copper
Industrial production growth rate:
4% (2000 est.)
Electricity - production:
9.274 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:
8.625 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:
963,800 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:
53,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA (2001)
Oil - imports:
NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:
5.703 billion bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:
13.77 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
6.34 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
7.43 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
846.4 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products:
dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish
Exports:
$10.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles
Exports - partners:
Japan 20.5%, South Korea 18.5%, China 14.1%, Thailand 11.7%, UAE
9.2%, Singapore 4.3%, US 4.1% (2002)
Imports:
$5.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food,
livestock, lubricants
Imports - partners:
UAE 27.5%, Japan 16.7%, UK 7.4%, US 6.9%, Germany 5% (2002)
Debt - external:
$5.7 billion (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$76.4 million (1995)
Currency:
Omani rial (OMR)
Currency code:
OMR
Exchange rates:
Omani rials per US dollar - 0.38 (2002), 0.38 (2001), 0.38 (2000),
0.38 (1999), 0.38 (1998)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Oman
Telephones - main lines in use:
201,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
59,822 (1997)
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system consisting of open-wire,
microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited
coaxial cable
domestic: open-wire, microwave, radiotelephone communications, and a
domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 3, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999)
Radios:
1.4 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
13 (plus 25 low-power repeaters) (1999)
Televisions:
1.6 million (1997)
Internet country code:
.om
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
1 (2000)
Internet users:
120,000 (2002)
Transportation Oman
Railways:
0 km
Highways:
total: 34,965 km
paved: 9,673 km (including 550 km of expressways)
unpaved: 25,292 km (2001)
Waterways:
none
Pipelines:
gas 3,599 km; oil 3,187 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:
Matrah, Mina' al Fahl, Mina' Raysut
Merchant marine:
total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 17,291 GRT/9,457 DWT
ships by type: container 1, passenger 2
note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of
convenience: Singapore 1 (2002 est.)
Airports:
139 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 133 914 to 1,523 m: 37 under 914 m: 32 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 55 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
Heliports: 1 (2002)
Military Oman
Military branches:
Royal Omani Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force), Royal Omani Police
Military manpower - military age:
14 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 788,429 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 438,326 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 29,485 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$2.424 billion (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
12.2% (FY01)
Transnational Issues Oman
Disputes - international: boundary agreement signed and ratified with UAE in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
@Pacific Ocean
Introduction Pacific Ocean
Background:
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the world's five oceans
(followed by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and
Arctic Ocean). Strategically important access waterways include the
La Perouse, Tsugaru, Tsushima, Taiwan, Singapore, and Torres Straits.
Geography Pacific Ocean
Location:
body of water between the Southern Ocean, Asia, Australia, and the
Western Hemisphere
Geographic coordinates:
0 00 N, 160 00 W
Map references:
Political Map of the World
Area:
total: 155.557 million sq km
note: includes Bali Sea, Bering Sea, Bering Strait, Coral Sea, East
China Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf of Tonkin, Philippine Sea, Sea of
Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, South China Sea, Tasman Sea, and other
tributary water bodies
Area - comparative:
about 15 times the size of the US; covers about 28% of the global
surface; larger than the total land area of the world
Coastline:
135,663 km
Climate:
planetary air pressure systems and resultant wind patterns exhibit
remarkable uniformity in the south and east; trade winds and
westerly winds are well-developed patterns, modified by seasonal
fluctuations; tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of
Mexico from June to October and affect Mexico and Central America;
continental influences cause climatic uniformity to be much less
pronounced in the eastern and western regions at the same latitude
in the North Pacific Ocean; the western Pacific is monsoonal - a
rainy season occurs during the summer months, when moisture-laden
winds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry season during the
winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian landmass back to
the ocean; tropical cyclones (typhoons) may strike southeast and
east Asia from May to December
Terrain:
surface currents in the northern Pacific are dominated by a
clockwise, warm-water gyre (broad circular system of currents) and
in the southern Pacific by a counterclockwise, cool-water gyre; in
the northern Pacific, sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea of
Okhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific, sea ice from Antarctica
reaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in the
eastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while the
western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the Mariana
Trench, which is the world's deepest
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench -10,924 m
highest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources:
oil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand and gravel
aggregates, placer deposits, fish
Natural hazards:
surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and earthquake activity
sometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring of Fire"; subject to
tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asia from May to
December (most frequent from July to October); tropical cyclones
(hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike Central America and
Mexico from June to October (most common in August and September);
cyclical El Nino/La Nina phenomenon occurs in the equatorial
Pacific, influencing weather in the Western Hemisphere and the
western Pacific; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme
north from October to May; persistent fog in the northern Pacific
can be a maritime hazard from June to December
Environment - current issues:
endangered marine species include the dugong, sea lion, sea otter,
seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in Philippine Sea and
South China Sea
Geography - note:
the major chokepoints are the Bering Strait, Panama Canal, Luzon
Strait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides the Pacific
Ocean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean;
dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands in the
southwestern Pacific Ocean
Economy Pacific Ocean
Economy - overview:
The Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world economy and
particularly to those nations its waters directly touch. It provides
low-cost sea transportation between East and West, extensive fishing
grounds, offshore oil and gas fields, minerals, and sand and gravel
for the construction industry. In 1996, over 60% of the world's fish
catch came from the Pacific Ocean. Exploitation of offshore oil and
gas reserves is playing an ever-increasing role in the energy
supplies of US, Australia, NZ, China, and Peru. The high cost of
recovering offshore oil and gas, combined with the wide swings in
world prices for oil since 1985, has slowed but not stopped new
drillings.
Transportation Pacific Ocean
Ports and harbors:
Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong, Kao-hsiung (Taiwan), Los Angeles
(US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan (South Korea), San Francisco (US),
Seattle (US), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Sydney (Australia),
Vladivostok (Russia), Wellington (NZ), Yokohama (Japan)
Transportation - note:
Inside Passage offers protected waters from southeast Alaska to
Puget Sound (Washington state)
Transnational Issues Pacific Ocean
Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
@Pakistan
Introduction Pakistan
Background:
The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of
Pakistan (with two sections West and East) and largely Hindu India
was never satisfactorily resolved. A third war between these
countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan seceding and becoming
the separate nation of Bangladesh. A dispute over the state of
Kashmir is ongoing. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing,
Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998.
Geography Pakistan
Location:
Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east
and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north
Geographic coordinates:
30 00 N, 70 00 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 803,940 sq km
land: 778,720 sq km
water: 25,220 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total: 6,774 km
border countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912
km, Iran 909 km
Coastline:
1,046 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Climate:
mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north
Terrain:
flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest;
Balochistan plateau in west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m
Natural resources:
land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor
quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone
Land use: arable land: 27.81% permanent crops: 0.79% other: 71.4% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
180,000 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and
west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August)
Environment - current issues:
water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and
agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; a
majority of the population does not have access to potable water;
deforestation; soil erosion; desertification
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the
Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban
Geography - note:
controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes
between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent
People Pakistan
Population:
150,694,740 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 39.3% (male 30,463,958; female 28,726,776)
15-64 years: 56.5% (male 43,571,093; female 41,651,872)
65 years and over: 4.2% (male 3,051,674; female 3,229,367) (2003
est.)
Median age: total: 19.8 years male: 19.7 years female: 20 years (2002)
Population growth rate:
2.01% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:
29.59 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:
8.79 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female
total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 76.53 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 76.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 76.95 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 62.2 years
male: 61.3 years
female: 63.14 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.1 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
78,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
4,500 (2001 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Pakistani(s)
adjective: Pakistani
Ethnic groups:
Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch, Muhajir (immigrants from
India at the time of partition and their descendants)
Religions:
Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other 3%
Languages:
Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu
8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English
(official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government
ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 45.7%
male: 59.8%
female: 30.6% (2003 est.)
Government Pakistan
Country name:
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan
conventional short form: Pakistan
former: West Pakistan
Government type:
federal republic
Capital:
Islamabad
Administrative divisions:
4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**; Balochistan,
Federally Administered Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**,
North-West Frontier Province, Punjab, Sindh
note: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and
Kashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas
Independence:
14 August 1947 (from UK)
National holiday:
Republic Day, 23 March (1956)
Constitution:
10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored with amendments 30
December 1985; suspended 15 October 1999, restored on 31 December
2002
note: selected provisions of the Constitution pertaining to changes
President MUSHARRAF made while the Constitution was suspended,
remain contested by political opponents
Legal system:
based on English common law with provisions to accommodate
Pakistan's status as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal; joint electorates and reserved
parliamentary seats for women and non-Muslims
Executive branch:
note: following a military takeover on 12 October 1999, Chief of
Army Staff and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee,
General Pervez MUSHARRAF, suspended Pakistan's constitution and
assumed the additional title of Chief Executive; exercising the
powers of the head of the government, he appointed an eight-member
National Security Council to function as Pakistan's supreme
governing body; on 12 May 2000, Pakistan's Supreme Court unanimously
validated the October 1999 coup and granted MUSHARRAF executive and
legislative authority for three years from the coup date; on 20 June
2001, MUSHARRAF named himself as president and was sworn in,
replacing Mohammad Rafiq TARAR; in a referendum held on 30 April
2002, MUSHARRAF's presidency was extended by five more years
chief of state: President Pervez MUSHARRAF (since 20 June 2001)
head of government: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan JAMALI (since
23 November 2002)
elections: the president is elected by Parliament for a five-year
term; note - in a referendum held on 30 April 2002, MUSHARRAF's
presidency was extended by five more years (next to be held NA
2007); the prime minister is selected by the National Assembly for a
four-year term (next to be held NA 2006)
election results: results are for the 10 October 2002 election for
prime minister - Mir Zafarullah Khan JAMALI elected prime minister
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the Prime Minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists of the Senate (100
seats - formerly 87; members indirectly elected by provincial
assemblies to serve four-year terms; and the National Assembly (342
seats - formerly 217; 60 seats represent women; 10 seats represent
minorities; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
election results: Senate results - percent of vote by party - NA%;
seats by party - PML/Q 40, PPPP 11, MMA 21, MQM/A 6, PML/N 4, NA 3,
PML/F 1, PkMAP 2, ANP 2, PPP/S 2, JWP 1, BNP-Awami 1, BNP-Mengal 1,
BNM/H 1, independents 4; National Assembly results - percent of
votes by party - NA%; seats by party - PML/Q 126, PPPP 81, MMA 63,
PML/N 19, MQM/A 17, NA 16, PML/F 5, PML/J 3, PPP/S 2, BNP 1, JWP 1,
PAT 1, PML/Z 1, PTI 1, MQM/H 1, PkMAP 1, independents 3
elections: Senate - last held 24 and 27 February 2003 (next to be
held by February 2007); National Assembly - last held 10 October
2002 (next to be held by October 2006)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president); Federal
Islamic or Shari'a Court
Political parties and leaders:
Awami National Party or ANP [Wali KHAN]; Balochistan National
Movement/Hayee Group or BNM/H [Dr. Hayee BALUCH]; Baluch National
Party or BNP [Sardar Akhtar MENGAL]; Baluch National Party/Awami or
BNP/Awami [Moheem Kahn BALOCH]; Jamhoori Watan Party or JWP [Akbar
Khan BUGTI]; Jamiat-al-Hadith or JAH [Sajid MIR]; Jamiat
Ulema-i-Islam, Fazlur Rehman faction or JUI/F [Fazlur REHMAN];
Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Sami-ul-HAQ faction or JUI/S [Sami ul-HAQ];
Jamiat-i-Islami or JI [Qazi Hussain AHMED]; Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan,
Noorani faction or JUP/NO [Shah Ahmad NOORANI]; Millat Party or MP
[Farooq LEGHARI]; Mutahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf faction or MQM/A
[Altaf HUSSAIN]; Muhajir Quami Movement, Haqiqi faction or MQM/H
[Afaq AHMAD]; Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal Pakistan or MMA [leader NA];
National Alliance or NA [Farooq Ahmad Khan LEGHARI]; National
People's Party or NPP [Ghulam Mustapha JATOI]; Pakhtun Khwa Milli
Awami Party or PkMAP [Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI]; Pakhtun Quami Party or
PQP [Mohammed Afzal KHAN]; Pakistan Awami Tehrik or PAT [Tahir ul
QADRI]; Pakistan Democratic Party or PDP [Nawabadzada KHAN];
Pakistan Muslim League, Functional Group or PML/F [Pir PAGARO];
Pakistan Muslim League, Junejo faction or PML/J [Hamid Nasir
CHATTHA]; Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif faction or PML/N
[Nawaz SHARIF]; Pakistan Muslim League, Quaid-l-Azam faction or
PML/Q [Chaudhry Shujjat HUSSEIN]; Pakistan Muslim League, Zia-ul-HAQ
or PML/Z [Ejaz ul-Haq]; Pakistan National Party or PNP [Hasil
BIZENJO]; Pakistan People's Party or PPP [Benazir BHUTTO]; Pakistan
People's Party/Sherpao or PPP/S [Aftab Ahmed Khan SHERPAO]; Pakistan
People's Party/Shaheed Bhutto or PPP/SB [Ghinva BHUTTO]; Pakistan
People's Party Parliamentarians or PPPP [Amin FAHIM]; Pakistan
Tehrik-e-Insaaf or PTI [Imran KHAN]; Tehrik-i-Islami [Allama Sajid
NAQVI]; Tehrik-i-Insaaf or PTI [Imran KHAN]
note: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequently
Political pressure groups and leaders:
military remains most important political force; ulema (clergy),
landowners, industrialists, and small merchants also influential
International organization participation:
AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), C (suspended), CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO,
G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,
MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, UN, UN
Security Council (temporary), UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,
UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL,
WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir QAZI
chancery: 2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
FAX: (202) 387-0484
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York, and Sunnyvale
(California)
telephone: (202) 939-6205
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Nancy J. POWELL
embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad
mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200
telephone: (51) 2080-0000
FAX: (51) 2276427
consulate(s): Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar
Flag description:
green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious
minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are
centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are
traditional symbols of Islam
Economy Pakistan
Economy - overview:
Pakistan, an impoverished and underdeveloped country, suffers from
internal political disputes, low levels of foreign investment, and a
costly, ongoing confrontation with neighboring India. Pakistan's
economic prospects, although still marred by poor human development
indicators, continued to improve in 2002 following unprecedented
inflows of foreign assistance beginning in 2001. Foreign exchange
reserves have grown to record levels, supported largely by fast
growth in recorded worker remittances. Trade levels rebounded after
a sharp decline in late 2001. The government has made significant
inroads in macroeconomic reform since 2000, but progress is
beginning to slow. Although it is in the second year of its $1.3
billion IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility, Islamabad
continues to require waivers for politically difficult reforms.
Long-term prospects remain uncertain as development spending remains
low, regional tensions remain high, and political tensions weaken
Pakistan's commitment to lender-recommended economic reforms. GDP
growth will continue to hinge on crop performance; dependence on
foreign oil leaves the import bill vulnerable to fluctuating oil
prices; and efforts to open and modernize the economy remain uneven.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $295.3 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.4% (FY01/02 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $2,000 (FY01/02 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 24% industry: 25% services: 51% (FY01/02 est.)
Population below poverty line: 35% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 27.6% (1996-97)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
41 (FY98/99)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.9% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
40.4 million
note: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use
of child labor (2000)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 44%, industry 17%, services 39% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.8% plus substantial underemployment (2002 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $12.6 billion
expenditures: $14.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY02/03 est.)
Industries:
textiles, and apparel, food processing, beverages, construction
materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp
Industrial production growth rate:
2.4% (FY01/02 est.)
Electricity - production:
66.96 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 68.8% hydro: 28.2% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 3%
Electricity - consumption:
62.27 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:
62,870 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:
365,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA (2001)
Oil - imports:
NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:
297.1 million bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:
23.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
23.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
695.6 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs
Exports:
$9.8 billion f.o.b. (FY02/03 est.)
Exports - commodities:
textiles (garments, cotton cloth, and yarn), rice, leather, sports
goods, and carpets and rugs
Exports - partners:
US 24.5%, UAE 8.5%, UK 7.2%, Germany 4.9%, Hong Kong 4.8% (2002)
Imports:
$11.1 billion f.o.b. (FY02/03 est.)
Imports - commodities:
petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, chemicals, transportation
equipment, edible oils, pulses, iron an steel, tea
Imports - partners:
UAE 11.7%, Saudi Arabia 11.7%, Kuwait 6.7%, US 6.4%, China 6.2%,
Japan 6%, Malaysia 4.5%, Germany 4.4% (2002)
Debt - external:
$32.3 billion (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$2.4 billion (FY01/02)
Currency:
Pakistani rupee (PKR)
Currency code:
PKR
Exchange rates:
Pakistani rupees per US dollar - 59.72 (2002), 61.93 (2001), 53.65
(2000), 49.12 (1999), 44.94 (1998)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June
Communications Pakistan
Telephones - main lines in use:
2.861 million (March 1999)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
158,000 (1998)
Telephone system:
general assessment: the domestic system is mediocre, but improving;
service is adequate for government and business use, in part because
major businesses have established their own private systems; since
1988, the government has promoted investment in the national
telecommunications system on a priority basis, significantly
increasing network capacity; despite major improvements in trunk and
urban systems, telecommunication services are still not readily
available to the majority of the rural population
domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable,
cellular, and satellite networks
international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic
Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); 3 operational international gateway
exchanges (1 at Karachi and 2 at Islamabad); microwave radio relay
to neighboring countries (1999)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 27, FM 1, shortwave 21 (1998)
Radios:
13.5 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
22 (plus seven low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions:
3.1 million (1997)
Internet country code:
.pk
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
30 (2000)
Internet users:
1.2 million (2000)
Transportation Pakistan
Railways:
total: 8,163 km
broad gauge: 7,718 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 445 km 1.000-m gauge (2002)
Highways:
total: 254,410 km
paved: 109,396 km (including 339 km of expressways)
unpaved: 145,014 km (1999)
Waterways:
none
Pipelines:
gas 9,945 km; oil 1,821 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:
Karachi, Port Muhammad bin Qasim
Merchant marine:
total: 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 247,675 GRT/375,435 DWT
ships by type: cargo 14, container 3, petroleum tanker 1 (2002 est.)
Airports:
124 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 87 over 3,047 m: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 21 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 3 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 32
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 37 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 19 (2002)
Heliports: 13 (2002)
Military Pakistan
Military branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces, National Guard
Military manpower - military age:
17 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 38,133,733 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 23,328,575 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 1,767,502 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$2.964 billion (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
4.6% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Pakistan
Disputes - international:
thousands of Afghan refugees still reside in Pakistan; isolating
terrain and close ties among Pashtuns in Pakistan make cross-border
activities difficult to control; armed stand-off with India over the
status and sovereignty of Kashmir continues - India objects to
Pakistan ceding lands to China in 1965 boundary agreement that India
believes are part of disputed Kashmir; disputes with India over
Indus River water sharing and the terminus of the Rann of Kutch,
which prevents maritime boundary delimitation
Illicit drugs:
opium poppy cultivation practically eliminated; key transit point
for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western markets; Afghan
narcotics continue to transit Federally Administered Tribal Areas,
Balochistan Province, and Karachi; financial crimes related to drug
trafficking, terrorism, corruption, and smuggling remain problems
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
@Palau
Introduction Palau
Background:
After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the
Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the
Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the
Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with
the US was approved in 1986, but not ratified until 1993. It entered
into force the following year, when the islands gained independence.
Geography Palau
Location:
Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of
the Philippines
Geographic coordinates:
7 30 N, 134 30 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 458 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 458 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,519 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM territorial sea: 3 NM extended fishing zone: 200 NM
Climate:
wet season May to November; hot and humid
Terrain:
varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of
Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier
reefs
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m
Natural resources:
forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed
minerals
Land use:
arable land: 21.74%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 78.26% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Natural hazards:
typhoons (June to December)
Environment - current issues:
inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the
marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing
practices, and overfishing
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six
island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II
battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands
People Palau
Population:
19,717 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 26.7% (male 2,714; female 2,552)
15-64 years: 68.7% (male 7,352; female 6,197)
65 years and over: 4.6% (male 429; female 473) (2003 est.)
Median age:
total: 30.8 years
male: 31.8 years
female: 29.7 years (2002)
Population growth rate:
1.54% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:
19.02 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:
7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:
3.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.19 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female
total population: 1.14 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 15.76 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 13.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 17.55 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.5 years
male: 66.37 years
female: 72.82 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.47 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Palauan(s)
adjective: Palauan
Ethnic groups:
Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 70%,
Asian (mainly Filipinos, followed by Chinese, Taiwanese, and
Vietnamese) 28%, white 2% (2000 est.)
Religions:
Christian (Roman Catholics 49%, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah's
Witnesses, the Assembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission, and
Latter-Day Saints), Modekngei religion (one-third of the population
observes this religion, which is indigenous to Palau)
Languages:
English and Palauan official in all states except Sonsoral
(Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are
official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92%
male: 93%
female: 90% (1980 est.)
Government Palau
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Palau
conventional short form: Palau
local short form: Belau
former: Palau District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
local long form: Beluu er a Belau
Government type:
constitutional government in free association with the US; the
Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994
Capital:
Koror; note - a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast of
Koror
Administrative divisions:
16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatobohei, Kayangel, Koror,
Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar,
Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsoral
Independence:
1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)
National holiday:
Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
Constitution:
1 January 1981
Legal system:
based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal,
common, and customary laws
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19
January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since 19
January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and
head of government
head of government: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19
January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since 19
January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and
head of government
cabinet: Cabinet
elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets
by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 November
2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)
election results: Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. elected president;
percent of vote - Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. 53%, Peter SUGIYAMA
46%; Sandra PIERANTOZZI elected vice president; percent of vote -
Sandra PIERANTOZZI 52%, Alan SEID 45%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of the
Senate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote on a population
basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16
seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA
November 2004); House of Delegates - last held 7 November 2000 (next
to be held NA November 2004)
election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA%; seats -
independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA%; seats -
independents 16
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; National Court; Court of Common Pleas
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC,
Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA consulate(s): Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands) FAX: (202) 452-6281 telephone: (202) 452-6814 chancery: 1800 K Street NW, Suite 714, Washington, DC 20006
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: the Ambassador to the Philippines is accredited
to Palau
embassy: address NA, Koror
mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940
telephone: 488-2920, 2990
FAX: 488-2911
Flag description:
light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted
slightly to the hoist side
Economy Palau
Economy - overview:
The economy consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture
and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force,
relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. Business and
tourist arrivals numbered 50,000 in FY00/01. The population enjoys a
per capita income twice that of the Philippines and much of
Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the key tourist sector have been
greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the
rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and the
willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $174 million
note: $174 million $174 million GDP estimate includes US subsidy
(2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $9,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.4% (2000 est.)
Labor force:
9,845 (2000)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 20%, industry NA%, services NA% (1990)
Unemployment rate:
2.3% (2000 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $57.7 million
expenditures: $80.8 million, including capital expenditures of $17.1
million (FY 98/99 est.)
Industries:
tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction,
garment making
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production by source:
0%
Agriculture - products:
coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes
Exports:
$18 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Exports - commodities:
shellfish, tuna, copra, garments
Exports - partners:
US, Japan, Singapore (2000)
Imports:
$99 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
US, Guam, Japan, Singapore, Korea (2000)
Debt - external:
$0 (FY 99/00)
Economic aid - recipient:
$155.8 million ; note - the Compact of Free Association with the
US, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October
1994, provides Palau with up to $700 million in US aid over 15 years
in return for furnishing military facilities
Currency:
US dollar (USD)
Currency code:
USD
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September
Communications Palau
Telephones - main lines in use:
6,700 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1,000 (2002)
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2002)
Radios:
12,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (1997)
Televisions:
11,000 (1997)
Internet country code:
.pw
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
1 (2002)
Transportation Palau
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 61 km paved: 36 km unpaved: 25 km
Waterways:
none
Ports and harbors:
Koror
Merchant marine:
none (2002 est.)
Airports:
3 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002)
Military Palau
Military branches:
NA
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
NA%
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US; under a Compact of Free
Association between Palau and the US, the US military is granted
access to the islands for 50 years
Transnational Issues Palau
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
@Palmyra Atoll
Introduction Palmyra Atoll
Background:
The Kingdom of Hawaii claimed the atoll in 1862, and the US
included it among the Hawaiian Islands when it annexed the
archipelago in 1898. The Hawaii Statehood Act of 1959 did not
include Palmyra Atoll, which is now privately owned by the Nature
Conservancy. This organization is managing the atoll as a nature
preserve. The lagoons and surrounding waters within the 12 nautical
mile US territorial seas were transferred to the US Fish and
Wildlife Service and were designated a National Wildlife Refuge in
January 2001.
Geography Palmyra Atoll
Location:
Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between
Hawaii and American Samoa
Geographic coordinates:
5 52 N, 162 06 W
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 11.9 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 11.9 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
14.5 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:
equatorial, hot, and very rainy
Terrain:
very low
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 2 m
Natural resources: terrestrial and aquatic wildlife
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (forests and woodlands) (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
about 50 islets covered with dense vegetation, coconut trees, and
balsa-like trees up to 30 meters tall
People Palmyra Atoll
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants; 4 to 20 Nature Conservancy staff, US
Fish and Wildlife staff (July 2003 est.)
Government Palmyra Atoll
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Palmyra Atoll
Dependency status:
incorporated territory of the US; privately owned, but administered
from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US
Department of the Interior; the Office of Insular Affairs of the US
Department of the Interior continues to administer nine excluded
areas comprising certain tidal and submerged lands within the 12 NM
territorial sea or within the lagoon
Legal system:
the laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Flag description:
the flag of the US is used
Economy Palmyra Atoll
Economy - overview: no economic activity
Transportation Palmyra Atoll
Highways:
most of the roads and many causeways built during World War II are
unserviceable and overgrown (2001)
Waterways:
none
Ports and harbors:
West Lagoon
Airports:
1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Military Palmyra Atoll
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues Palmyra Atoll
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
@Panama
Introduction Panama
Background:
With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly
signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal
and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the
structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the
US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. On 7 September
1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal
from the US to Panama by the end of 1999. Certain portions of the
Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over
in the intervening years. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA was
deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the
Canal, and remaining US military bases were turned over to Panama by
or on 31 December 1999.
Geography Panama
Location:
Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North
Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica
Geographic coordinates:
9 00 N, 80 00 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 78,200 sq km
water: 2,210 sq km
land: 75,990 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries: total: 555 km border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km
Coastline: 2,490 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:
tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May
to January), short dry season (January to May)
Terrain:
interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland
plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m
Natural resources:
copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 6.72% permanent crops: 2.08% other: 91.2% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
320 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area
Environment - current issues: water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,
Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge
connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links
North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean
People Panama
Population:
2,960,784 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 30.6% (male 461,670; female 443,671)
15-64 years: 63.3% (male 950,089; female 924,038)
65 years and over: 6.1% (male 86,006; female 95,310) (2003 est.)
Median age:
total: 25.6 years
male: 25.4 years
female: 25.9 years (2002)
Population growth rate:
1.36% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:
20.78 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:
6.25 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 21.44 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 19.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 23.59 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.32 years
male: 69.97 years
female: 74.79 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.53 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.5% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
25,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
1,900 (2001 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Panamanian(s)
adjective: Panamanian
Ethnic groups:
mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed
(West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%
Languages:
Spanish (official), English 14%
note: many Panamanians bilingual
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.6%
male: 93.2%
female: 91.9% (2003 est.)
Government Panama
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Panama
conventional short form: Panama
local short form: Panama
local long form: Republica de Panama
Government type:
constitutional democracy
Capital:
Panama
Administrative divisions:
9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory*
(comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera,
Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*, and Veraguas
Independence:
3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28
November 1821)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 3 November (1903)
Constitution:
11 October 1972; major reforms adopted 1978, 1983 and 1994
Legal system:
based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in
the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,
with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (since 1
September 1999); First Vice President Arturo Ulises VALLARINO (since
1 September 1999); Second Vice President Dominador "Kaiser"
Baldonero BAZAN Jimenez (since 1 September 1999); note - the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (since
1 September 1999); First Vice President Arturo Ulises VALLARINO
(since 1 September 1999); Second Vice President Dominador "Kaiser"
Baldonero BAZAN Jimenez (since 1 September 1999); note - the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 2 May 1999
(next to be held NA May 2004)
note: government coalition - PA, MOLIRENA, Democratic Change,
MORENA, PLN, PS
election results: Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez elected president;
percent of vote - Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (PA) 44%, Martin
TORRIJOS (PRD) 37%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (71 seats;
members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -
PRD 34, PA 18, PDC 5, PS 4, MOLIRENA 3, PLN 3, Democratic Change 2,
PRC 1, MORENA 1
note: legislators from outlying rural districts are chosen on a
plurality basis while districts located in more populous towns and
cities elect multiple legislators by means of a proportion-based
formula
elections: last held 2 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2004)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges
appointed for 10-year terms); five superior courts; three courts of
appeal
Political parties and leaders:
Arnulfista Party or PA [Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez]; Civic
Renewal Party or PRC [Serguei DE LA ROSA]; Democratic Change
[Ricardo MARTINELLI]; Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD [Martin
TORRIJOS]; National Liberal Party or PLN [Raul ARANGO Gasteazopo];
National Renovation Movement or MORENA [Pedro VALLARINO Cox];
Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Ramon MORALES];
Popular Party or PP (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC)
[Ruben AROSEMENA]; Solidarity Party or PS [Samuel LEWIS Galindo]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council of
Organized Workers or CONATO; National Union of Construction and
Similar Workers (SUNTRACS); National Council of Private Enterprise
or CONEP; Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE;
Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers Confederation of
the Republic of Panama or CTRP
International organization participation:
ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW,
PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto ALFARO Estripeaut
FAX: (202) 483-8416
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New
York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa
telephone: (202) 483-1407
chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Linda Ellen WATT
embassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 37, Apartado Postal 0816-02561,
Zona 5, Panama City 5
mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002
telephone: 207-7000
FAX: 227-1964
Flag description:
divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white
(hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain
red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with
a red five-pointed star in the center
Economy Panama
Economy - overview:
Panama's economy is based primarily on a well-developed services
sector that accounts for three-fourths of GDP. Services include
operating the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone, insurance,
container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. A slump in Colon
Free Zone and agricultural exports, the global slowdown, and the
withdrawal of US military forces held back economic growth in
2000-02. The government has been backing public works programs, tax
reforms, new regional trade agreements, and development of tourism
in order to stimulate growth.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $18.06 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.7% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $6,200 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7% industry: 17% services: 76% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 37% (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 35.7% (1997)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
48.5 (1997)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.1% (2001 est.)
Labor force:
1.1 million
note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled
labor (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 20.8%, industry 18%, services 61.2% (1995 est.)
Unemployment rate:
16% (2002 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $1.9 billion
expenditures: $2 billion, including capital expenditures of $471
million (2000 est.)
Industries:
construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and other
construction materials, sugar milling
Industrial production growth rate:
0.5% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:
4.039 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 37% hydro: 61.3% other: 1.7% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:
3.681 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:
118 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:
43 million kWh (2001)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:
52,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA (2001)
Oil - imports:
NA (2001)
Agriculture - products: bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock; shrimp
Exports:
$5.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:
bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing (1999)
Exports - partners:
US 47.8%, Sweden 5.8%, Costa Rica 4.8%, Honduras 4.4% (2002)
Imports:
$6.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:
capital goods, crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals
(1999)
Imports - partners:
US 34.3%, Colombia 5.9%, Japan 5.4%, Costa Rica 4.2%, Venezuela
4.2% (2002)
Debt - external:
$7 billion (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$197.1 million (1995)
Currency:
balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD)
Currency code:
PAB; USD
Exchange rates:
balboas per US dollar - 1 (2002), 1 (2001), 1 (2000), 1 (1999), 1
(1998)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Panama
Telephones - main lines in use:
396,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
17,000 (1997)
Telephone system:
general assessment: domestic and international facilities well
developed
domestic: NA
international: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth stations -
2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central American
Microwave System
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 101, FM 134, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:
815,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
38 (including repeaters) (1998)
Televisions:
510,000 (1997)
Internet country code:
.pa
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
6 (2000)
Internet users:
45,000 (2000)
Transportation Panama
Railways:
total: 355 km
broad gauge: 76 km 1.524-m gauge
narrow gauge: 279 km 0.914-m gauge (2002)
Highways:
total: 11,400 km
paved: 3,944 km (including 30 km of expressways)
unpaved: 7,456 km (1999)
Waterways: 882 km note: 800 km navigable by shallow draft vessels; 82 km Panama Canal
Pipelines:
crude oil 130 km (2001)
Ports and harbors:
Balboa, Cristobal, Coco Solo, Manzanillo (part of Colon area),
Vacamonte
Merchant marine:
total: 4,860 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 122,543,755 GRT/184,910,607
DWT
ships by type: barge carrier 5, bulk 1,443, cargo 846, chemical
tanker 376, combination bulk 72, combination ore/oil 17, container
588, liquefied gas 207, livestock carrier 6, multi-functional
large-load carrier 12, passenger 38, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum
tanker 537, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 287, roll on/roll
off 107, short-sea passenger 41, specialized tanker 33, vehicle
carrier 240
note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of
convenience: Albania 2, Angola 1, Antigua and Barbuda 1, Argentina
11, Australia 13, Austria 2, The Bahamas 5, Belgium 2, Belize 6,
Brazil 6, British Virgin Islands 8, Cambodia 1, Canada 9, Chile 12,
China 259, Colombia 14, Croatia 2, Cuba 20, Cyprus 3, Denmark 3,
Dominican Republic 1, Ecuador 3, Egypt 16, Equatorial Guinea 1,
France 9, Germany 72, Greece 523, Haiti 1, Honduras 3, Hong Kong
299, Iceland 1, India 18, Indonesia 48, Ireland 1, Israel 5, Italy
9, Japan 1,642, Kenya 1, Kuwait 2, Latvia 8, Liberia 5, Lithuania 1,
Malaysia 18, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 1, Mexico 8, Monaco 112,
Netherlands 19, Netherlands Antilles 1, Nigeria 3, Norway 98,
Paraguay 1, Peru 15, Philippines 49, Poland 5, Portugal 7, Puerto
Rico 2, Romania 7, Russia 12, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent
and the Grenadines 5, Saudi Arabia 4, Seychelles 1, Singapore 112,
South Africa 3, South Korea 342, Spain 52, Sri Lanka 3, Sudan 1,
Sweden 2, Switzerland 81, Taiwan 334, Thailand 14, Trinidad and
Tobago 1, Tunisia 1, Turkey 4, Ukraine 1, UAE 54, UK 73, US 115,
Venezuela 6 (2002 est.)
Airports:
103 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 41 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 21 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 62 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 50 (2002)
Military Panama
Military branches:
an amendment to the Constitution abolished the armed forces, but
there are security forces (Panamanian Public Forces or PPF includes
the Panamanian National Police, National Maritime Service, and
National Air Service)
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 797,456 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 544,967 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$128 million (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.3% (FY99)
Military - note:
on 10 February 1990, the government of then President ENDARA
abolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus by
creating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama's
Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting
the creation of a standing military force, but allowing the
temporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of
"external aggression"
Transnational Issues Panama
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
major cocaine transshipment point and primary money laundering
center for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity is
especially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial center;
negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial
transactions is improving; official corruption remains a major
problem
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
@Papua New Guinea
Introduction Papua New Guinea
Background:
The eastern half of the island of New Guinea - second largest in
the world - was divided between Germany (north) and the UK (south)
in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902, which
occupied the northern portion during World War I and continued to
administer the combined areas until independence in 1975. A
nine-year secessionist revolt on the island of Bougainville ended in
1997, after claiming some 20,000 lives.
Geography Papua New Guinea
Location:
Oceania, group of islands including the eastern half of the island
of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean,
east of Indonesia
Geographic coordinates:
6 00 S, 147 00 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 462,840 sq km
land: 452,860 sq km
water: 9,980 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than California
Land boundaries: total: 820 km border countries: Indonesia 820 km
Coastline:
5,152 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
territorial sea: 12 NM
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
Climate:
tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon
(May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m
Natural resources: gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries
Land use: arable land: 0.13% permanent crops: 1.35% other: 98.52% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Natural hazards:
active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire"; the
country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud
slides; tsunamis
Environment - current issues:
rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of growing
commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from mining
projects; severe drought
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical
Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note:
shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of world's largest
swamps along southwest coast
People Papua New Guinea
Population:
5,295,816 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 38.4% (male 1,034,219; female 1,000,505)
15-64 years: 57.8% (male 1,582,983; female 1,479,436)
65 years and over: 3.8% (male 93,604; female 105,069) (2003 est.)
Median age:
total: 20.8 years
male: 21 years
female: 20.6 years (2002)
Population growth rate:
2.34% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:
31.07 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:
7.63 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female
total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 54.84 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 50.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 59.14 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 64.19 years
male: 62.07 years
female: 66.42 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.13 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.7% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
17,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
880 (2001 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Papua New Guinean(s)
adjective: Papua New Guinean
Ethnic groups:
Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian
Religions:
Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%, Presbyterian/Methodist/London
Missionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%, Evangelical Alliance 4%,
Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Protestant 10%, indigenous beliefs
34%
Languages:
English spoken by 1%-2%, pidgin English widespread, Motu spoken in
Papua region
note: 715 indigenous languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 66%
male: 72.3%
female: 59.3% (2003 est.)
Government Papua New Guinea
Country name:
conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guinea
conventional short form: Papua New Guinea
abbreviation: PNG
former: Territory of Papua and New Guinea
Government type:
constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Port Moresby
Administrative divisions:
20 provinces; Bougainville, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands,
East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay,
Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, Sandaun, Southern
Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain
Independence:
16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 16 September (1975)
Constitution:
16 September 1975
Legal system:
based on English common law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),
represented by Governor General Sir Albert KIPALAN (since 13
November 2003)
head of government: Prime Minister Sir Michael SOMARE (since 2
August 2002); Deputy Prime Minister Andrew BAING (since 15 November
2003)
cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governor
general on the recommendation of the prime minister
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general
appointed by the National Executive Council; following legislative
elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the
majority coalition usually is appointed prime minister by the
governor general
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Parliament - sometimes referred to as the House
of Assembly (109 seats, 89 elected from open electorates and 20 from
provincial electorates; members elected by popular vote to serve
five-year terms)
elections: last held 15-29 June 2002 and April and May 2003;
completed in May 2003 (voting in the Southern Highlands was not
completed during the June 2002 election period); next to be held not
later than June 2007
election results: percent of vote by party - PPP 15%, Pangu Pati
14%, NA 14%, PDM 8%, PNC 6%, PAP 5%, UP 3%, NP 1%, PUP 1%,
independents 33%; seats by party - PPP 16, Pangu Pati 15, NA 15, PDM
9, PNC 7, PAP 5, UP 3, NP 1, PUP 1, independents 37; note -
association with political parties is very fluid (2002)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor
general on the proposal of the National Executive Council after
consultation with the minister responsible for justice; other judges
are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission)
Political parties and leaders:
Melanesian Alliance Party or MAP [Bernard NAROKOBI]; National
Alliance or NA [Michael SOMARE, party leader; George MANOA, party
president]; National Front Party [leader NA]; National Party or NP
[leader NA]; Papua New Guinea Revival Party [John PUNDARI]; Papua
New Guinea United Party or Pangu Pati [Pate WAMP, party leader;
Chris HAIVETA, parliamentary leader]; People's Action Party or PAP
[Ted DIRO]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Sir Mekere
MORAUTA]; People's Labor Party or PLP [Peter YAMA]; People's
National Congress or PNC [Bill SKATE]; People's Progress Party or
PPP [Michael NALI]; People's Unity Party or PUP [leader NA]; United
Party or UP [Rimbiuk PATO]
note: 43 political parties registered to participate in the June
2002 elections
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACP, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (associate member),
C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO
(correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Evan Jeremy PAKI
chancery: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington, DC
20036
FAX: (202) 745-3679
telephone: (202) 745-3680
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert W. Fitts embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby mailing address: 4240 Port Moresby PI, US Department of State, Washington DC 20521-4240 telephone: 321-1455 FAX: 321-3423
Flag description:
divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle
is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower
triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of the
Southern Cross constellation centered
Economy Papua New Guinea
Economy - overview:
Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but
exploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain and the high cost
of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence
livelihood for 85% of the population. Mineral deposits, including
oil, copper, and gold, account for 72% of export earnings. The
economy has faltered over the past three years but will probably
improve slightly in 2003. Former Prime Minister Mekere MORAUTA had
tried to restore integrity to state institutions, stabilize the
kina, restore stability to the national budget, privatize public
enterprises where appropriate, and ensure ongoing peace on
Bougainville. The government has had considerable success in
attracting international support, specifically gaining the backing
of the IMF and the World Bank in securing development assistance
loans. Significant challenges face Prime Minister Michael SOMARE,
including gaining further investor confidence, continuing efforts to
privatize government assets, and maintaining the support of members
of Parliament.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $10.86 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-3.1% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $2,100 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 32.1% industry: 35.8% services: 32.1% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 37% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 40.5% (1996)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
50.9 (1996)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
9.8% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
2.3 million (1999)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 85%, industry NA%, services NA%
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues: $894 million
expenditures: $1.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $344
million (2000 est.)
Industries:
copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip
production; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oil
production; construction, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
NA
Electricity - production:
1.496 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 54.1% hydro: 45.9% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:
1.391 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:
67,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:
15,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA (2001)
Oil - imports:
NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:
345.2 million bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:
110 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
110 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
385.5 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, tea, rubber, sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables; poultry, pork
Exports: $1.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities: oil, gold, copper ore, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, crayfish, prawns
Exports - partners:
Australia 23.7%, Japan 9.3%, China 5.3% (2002)
Imports:
$1.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels,
chemicals
Imports - partners:
Australia 49.3%, Singapore 18.8%, New Zealand 4.4%, Japan 4.2%
(2002)
Debt - external:
$2.8 billion (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$400 million (1999 est.)
Currency:
kina (PGK)
Currency code:
PGK
Exchange rates:
kina per US dollar - 3.8 (2002), 3.39 (2001), 2.78 (2000), 2.57
(1999), 2.07 (1998)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Papua New Guinea
Telephones - main lines in use:
61,152 (1999)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3,053 (1996)
Telephone system:
general assessment: services are adequate and being improved;
facilities provide radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio,
aeronautical radio, and international radio communication services
domestic: mostly radiotelephone
international: submarine cables to Australia and Guam; satellite
earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); international radio
communication service
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 8, FM 19, shortwave 28 (1998)
Radios:
410,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (all in the Port Moresby area) note: additional stations at Mt. Hagen, Goroka, Lae, and Rabaul are planned (2002)
Televisions:
59,841 (1999)
Internet country code:
.pg
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
3 (2000)
Internet users:
135,000 (2001)
Transportation Papua New Guinea
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 19,600 km paved: 686 km unpaved: 18,914 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:
10,940 km
Pipelines:
oil 264 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:
Kieta, Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul
Merchant marine:
total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 45,203 GRT/63,238 DWT
note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of
convenience: Singapore 2, UK 7 (2002 est.)
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 12, chemical tanker 1, combination
ore/oil 2, container 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 3
Airports:
491 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 21 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 under 914 m: 1 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 4
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 470 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 56 under 914 m: 403 (2002)
Heliports: 2 (2002)
Military Papua New Guinea
Military branches:
Papua New Guinea Defense Force (includes Ground Force, Maritime
Operations Element, and Air Operations Element)
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 1,370,419 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 757,421 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$40.21 million (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.4% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Papua New Guinea
Disputes - international: Indonesian secessionists, squatters, and illegal migrants create repatriation problems for Papua New Guinea
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
@Paracel Islands
Introduction Paracel Islands
Background:
The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing grounds
and by potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochina
annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island;
maintenance was continued by its successor, Vietnam. China has
occupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized a
South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. The islands
are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam.
Geography Paracel Islands
Location:
Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the South
China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the
northern Philippines
Geographic coordinates:
16 30 N, 112 00 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: NA sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: NA sq km
Area - comparative:
NA
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
518 km
Maritime claims:
NA
Climate:
tropical
Terrain:
mostly low and flat
Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m
Natural resources: none
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
typhoons
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the
northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group
People Paracel Islands
Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons (July 2003 est.)
Government Paracel Islands
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Paracel Islands
Economy Paracel Islands
Economy - overview:
China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism.
Transportation Paracel Islands
Waterways:
none
Ports and harbors:
small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island
being expanded
Airports:
1 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Military Paracel Islands
Military - note: occupied by China
Transnational Issues Paracel Islands
Disputes - international: occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
@Paraguay
Introduction Paraguay
Background:
In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70), Paraguay
lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. It
stagnated economically for the next half century. In the Chaco War
of 1932-35, large, economically important areas were won from
Bolivia. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER was
overthrown in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political
infighting in recent years, relatively free and regular presidential
elections have been held since then.
Geography Paraguay
Location:
Central South America, northeast of Argentina
Geographic coordinates:
23 00 S, 58 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 406,750 sq km
water: 9,450 sq km
land: 397,300 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than California
Land boundaries: total: 3,920 km border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern
portions, becoming semiarid in the far west
Terrain:
grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco
region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river,
and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m
highest point: Cerro Pero (Cerro Tres Kandu) 842 m
Natural resources:
hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone
Land use: arable land: 5.54% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 94.25% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
670 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly
drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal
present health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban
Geography - note:
landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population
concentrated in southern part of country
People Paraguay
Population:
6,036,900 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 38.4% (male 1,179,084; female 1,141,420)
15-64 years: 56.8% (male 1,721,867; female 1,707,918)
65 years and over: 4.7% (male 132,145; female 154,466) (2003 est.)
Median age:
total: 20.9 years
male: 20.7 years
female: 21.2 years (2002)
Population growth rate:
2.54% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:
30.14 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:
4.64 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 27.71 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 22.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 32.63 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.4 years
male: 71.89 years
female: 77.03 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.02 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.11% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
3,000 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
220 (2001 est.)
Nationality: noun: Paraguayan(s) adjective: Paraguayan
Ethnic groups:
mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite, and other Protestant
Languages:
Spanish (official), Guarani (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 94%
male: 94.9%
female: 93% (2003 est.)
Government Paraguay
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form: Paraguay
local short form: Paraguay
local long form: Republica del Paraguay
Government type:
constitutional republic
Capital:
Asuncion
Administrative divisions:
17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1
capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*,
Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion,
Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari,
Presidente Hayes, San Pedro
Independence:
14 May 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 14 May (1811)
Constitution:
promulgated 20 June 1992
Legal system:
based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicial
review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS (since 15 August
2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI (since 15 August 2003); note
- the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS (since 15 August
2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI (since 15 August 2003); note
- the president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the president
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 27 April
2003 (next to be held NA April 2008)
election results: Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS elected president; percent
of vote - Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS 37.1%, Julio Cesar Ramon FRANCO
Gomez 23.9%, Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella 21.3%, Guillermo
SANCHEZ Guffanti 13.5%, other 4.2%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Chamber of Senators
or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members are elected by popular
vote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara
de Diputados (80 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve
five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 27 April 2003 (next to be
held NA May 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held 27 April 2003
(next to be held NA May 2008)
election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party -
NA%; seats by party - Colorado Party 16, PLRA 12, UNACE 7, MPQ 7,
PPS 2, PEN 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%;
seats by party - Colorado Party 37, PLRA 21, UNACE 10, MPQ 10, PPS 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges
appointed on the proposal of the Counsel of Magistrates or Consejo
de la Magistratura)
Political parties and leaders:
Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Nicanor
DUARTE FRUTOS]; Movimiento Patria Querida or MPQ [Pedro Nicolas
Maraa FADUL Niella]; Movimiento Union Nacional de Colorados Eticos
or UNACE [Lino Cesar OVIEDO Silva]; Partido Encuentro Nacional or
PEN [Diego ABENTE Brun]; Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA
[Julio Cesar FRANCO]; Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto
FILIZZOLA Pallares]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Ahorristas Estafados or AE; National Workers Central or CNT;
Paraguayan Workers Confederation or CPT; Roman Catholic Church;
Unitary Workers Central or CUT
International organization participation:
ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MONUC, NAM (observer),
OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU,
WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Leila Teresa RACHID COWLES
consulate(s) general: Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans,
New York
FAX: (202) 234-4508
telephone: (202) 483-6960 through 6962
chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John F. KEANE embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion mailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001 telephone: (21) 213-715 FAX: (21) 213-728
Flag description:
three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an
emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem
is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left)
bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a
green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within
two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears the seal
of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the
words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words
REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)
Economy Paraguay
Economy - overview:
Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large informal sector.
The informal sector features both reexport of imported consumer
goods to neighboring countries as well as the activities of
thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. Because of
the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures
are difficult to obtain. A large percentage of the population
derives their living from agricultural activity, often on a
subsistence basis. The formal economy grew by an average of about 3%
annually in 1995-97; but GDP declined slightly in 1998, 1999, and
2000, rose slightly in 2001, only to fall again in 2002. On a per
capita basis, real income has stagnated at 1980 levels. Most
observers attribute Paraguay's poor economic performance to
political uncertainty, corruption, lack of progress on structural
reform, substantial internal and external debt, and deficient
infrastructure.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $25.19 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-2.7% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $4,300 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 27% industry: 27% services: 46% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 36% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 43.8% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
57.7 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10.5% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
2 million (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 45%
Unemployment rate:
18.2% (2002 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $1.3 billion
expenditures: $2 billion, including capital expenditures of $700
million (1999 est.)
Industries:
sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products
Industrial production growth rate:
0% (2000 est.)
Electricity - production:
44.89 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 99.9% other: 0.1% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:
2.637 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:
39.11 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:
25,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA (2001)
Oil - imports:
NA (2001)
Agriculture - products: cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber
Exports:
$2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:
soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity
Exports - partners:
Brazil 25.1%, Argentina 23%, Chile 5.5%, Bermuda 4% (2002)
Imports:
$2.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:
road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products,
electrical machinery
Imports - partners:
Brazil 32.7%, Argentina 22.7%, US 18.1%, Hong Kong 4.7% (2002)
Debt - external:
$3.2 billion (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$NA
Currency:
guarani (PYG)
Currency code:
PYG
Exchange rates:
guarani per US dollar - 5,720.44 (2002), 4,105.92 (2001), 3,486.35
(2000), 3,119.07 (1999), 2,726.49 (1998)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Paraguay
Telephones - main lines in use:
290,475 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
510,000 (2001)
Telephone system:
general assessment: meager telephone service; principal switching
center is Asuncion
domestic: fair microwave radio relay network
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 46, FM 27, shortwave 6 (three inactive) (1998)
Radios:
925,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
4 (2001)
Televisions:
990,000 (2001)
Internet country code:
.py
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
4 (2000)
Internet users:
20,000 (2000)
Transportation Paraguay
Railways: total: 441 km standard gauge: 441 km 1.435-m gauge (2002)
Highways: total: 29,500 km paved: 14,986 km unpaved: 14,514 km (1999 est)
Waterways:
3,100 km
Ports and harbors:
Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion
Merchant marine:
total: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 32,475 GRT/36,101 DWT
ships by type: cargo 14, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll
on/roll off 3
note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of
convenience: Argentina 2, Japan 1 (2002 est.)
Airports:
879 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 11
over 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 868
1,524 to 2,437 m: 27
914 to 1,523 m: 323
under 914 m: 518 (2002)
Military Paraguay
Military branches:
Army, Navy (includes Naval Air and Marines), Air Force
Military manpower - military age:
17 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 1,465,781 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 1,056,437 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 61,706 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$125 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.4% (FY98)
Transnational Issues Paraguay
Disputes - international:
unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders
is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and drug trafficking,
and harbors Islamist militants
Illicit drugs:
major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is
consumed in South America; transshipment country for Andean cocaine
headed for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets, Europe, and US;
corruption and some money-laundering activity, especially in the
Tri-Border Area
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
@Peru
Introduction Peru
Background:
Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean
civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was
captured by the Spanish conquistadores in 1533. Peruvian
independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces
defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru
returned to democratic leadership in 1980, but experienced economic
problems and the growth of a violent insurgency. President Alberto
FUJIMORI's election in 1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic
turnaround in the economy and significant progress in curtailing
guerrilla activity. Nevertheless, the president's increasing
reliance on authoritarian measures and an economic slump in the late
1990s generated mounting dissatisfaction with his regime. FUJIMORI
won reelection to a third term in the spring of 2000, but
international pressure and corruption scandals led to his ouster by
Congress in November of that year. A caretaker government oversaw
new elections in the spring of 2001, which ushered in Alejandro
TOLEDO as the new head of government.
Geography Peru
Location:
Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between
Chile and Ecuador
Geographic coordinates:
10 00 S, 76 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 1,285,220 sq km
water: 5,220 sq km
land: 1.28 million sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Alaska
Land boundaries:
total: 5,536 km
border countries: Bolivia 900 km, Brazil 1,560 km, Chile 160 km,
Colombia 1,496 km (est.), Ecuador 1,420 km
Coastline:
2,414 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 NM
territorial sea: 200 NM
Climate:
varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to
frigid in Andes
Terrain:
western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center
(sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m
Natural resources:
copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal,
phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas
Land use: arable land: 2.85% permanent crops: 0.38% other: 96.77% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
11,950 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity
Environment - current issues: deforestation (some the result of illegal logging); overgrazing of the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes
Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note:
shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake,
with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, is the
ultimate source of the Amazon River
People Peru
Population:
28,409,897 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 33.5% (male 4,828,531; female 4,678,008)
15-64 years: 61.5% (male 8,794,799; female 8,689,072)
65 years and over: 5% (male 652,375; female 767,112) (2003 est.)
Median age:
total: 23.5 years
male: 23.2 years
female: 23.7 years (2002)
Population growth rate:
1.61% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:
22.81 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:
5.69 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:
-1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 36.97 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 31.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 42.04 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.88 years
male: 68.45 years
female: 73.43 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.81 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.4% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
53,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
3,900 (2001 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Peruvian(s)
adjective: Peruvian
Ethnic groups:
Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white
15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 90%
Languages:
Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 90.9%
male: 95.2%
female: 86.8% (2003 est.)
Government Peru
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Peru
conventional short form: Peru
local long form: Republica del Peru
local short form: Peru
Government type:
constitutional republic
Capital:
Lima
Administrative divisions:
24 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1
constitutional province* (provincia constitucional); Amazonas,
Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao*, Cusco,
Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima,
Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin,
Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali
note: some reports indicate that the 24 departments and 1
constitutional province are now being referred to as regions; Peru
is implementing a decentralization program whereby these 25
administrative divisions will begin to exercise greater governmental
authority over their territories; in November 2002, voters chose
their new regional presidents and other regional leaders; the
authority that the regional government will exercise has not yet
been clearly defined, but it will be devolved to the regions over
the course of several years
Independence:
28 July 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 28 July (1821)
Constitution:
31 December 1993
Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (since 28 July
2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government; additionally two vice presidents are provided for by the
constitution, First Vice President Raul DIEZ Canseco (since 28 July
2001) and Second Vice President David WAISMAN (since 28 July 2001)
head of government: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (since 28
July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head
of government; additionally two vice presidents are provided for by
the constitution, First Vice President Raul DIEZ Canseco (since 28
July 2001) and Second Vice President David WAISMAN (since 28 July
2001)
note: Prime Minister Carlos FERRERO Costa (since 15 December 2003)
does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of the
president; note - Beatriz MERINO was asked to resign on 12 December
2003 and was replaced by Carlos FERRERO Costa three days later
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
special presidential and congressional elections held 8 April 2001,
with runoff election held 3 June 2001; next to be held 9 April 2006
election results: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique elected
president in runoff election; percent of vote - Alejandro TOLEDO
Manrique 53.1%, Alan GARCIA 46.9%
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral Congress of the Republic of Peru or Congreso de la
Republica del Peru (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote
to serve five-year terms)
election results: percent of vote by party - Peru Posible 26.3%,
APRA 19.7%, Unidad Nacional 13.8%, FIM 11.0%, others 29.2%; seats by
party - Peru Posible 47, APRA 28, Unidad Nacional 17, FIM 11, others
17
elections: last held 8 April 2001 (next to be held 9 April 2006)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are
appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary)
Political parties and leaders:
Peruvian Aprista Party or PAP [Alan GARCIA]; Independent Moralizing
Front or FIM [Fernando OLIVERA Vega]; National Unity (Unidad
Nacional) or UN [Lourdes FLORES Nano]; Peru Posible or PP [Luis
SOLARI]; Popular Action or AP [Javier DIAZ Orihuela]; Solucion
Popular [Carlos BOLANA]; Somos Peru or SP [Alberto ANDRADE]; Union
for Peru or UPP [Roger GUERRA Garcia]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
leftist guerrilla groups include Shining Path [Abimael GUZMAN
Reynoso (imprisoned), Gabriel MACARIO (top leader at-large)]; Tupac
Amaru Revolutionary Movement or MRTA [Victor POLAY (imprisoned),
Hugo AVALLENEDA Valdez (top leader at-large)]
International organization participation:
ABEDA, APEC, CAN, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA,
MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
chancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles,
Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco, Washington
(DC)
FAX: (202) 659-8124
telephone: (202) 833-9860 through 9869
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador John R. DAWSON
embassy: Avenida La Encalada, Cuadra 17s/n, Surco, Lima 33
mailing address: P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima),
APO AA 34031-5000
telephone: (1) 434-3000
FAX: (1) 434-3037
Flag description:
three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red
with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms
features a shield bearing a vicuna, cinchona tree (the source of
quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all
framed by a green wreath
Economy Peru
Economy - overview:
Thanks to foreign investment and the cooperation between the
government and the IMF and World Bank, growth was strong in 1994-97
and inflation was brought under control. In 1998, El Nino's impact
on agriculture, the financial crisis in Asia, and instability in
Brazilian markets undercut growth. The following year was again lean
year for Peru, with the aftermath of El Nino and the Asian financial
crisis working its way through the economy. Political instability
resulting from the presidential election and FUJIMORI's subsequent
departure from office limited growth in 2000. The downturn in the
global economy further curtailed growth in 2001. President TOLEDO,
who assumed the presidency in July 2001, has been working to
reinvigorate the economy and reduce unemployment. Economic growth in
2002 is estimated at 4.8%, led by construction in the retail and gas
sectors.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $138.8 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.3% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10% industry: 27% services: 63% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 50% (2000 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 35.4% (1996)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
46.2 (1996)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.2% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
7.5 million (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, transport, services
Unemployment rate:
9.4%; widespread underemployment (2002 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $10.4 billion
expenditures: $10.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(2002 est.)
Industries:
mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, food
processing, cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding, metal
fabrication
Industrial production growth rate:
6.5% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:
20.59 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 14.5% hydro: 84.7% other: 0.8% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:
19.15 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:
95,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:
161,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA (2001)
Oil - imports:
NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:
614.7 million bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:
370 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
370 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
245.1 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: coffee, cotton, sugarcane, rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, plantains, coca; poultry, beef, dairy products, wool; fish
Exports: $7.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities: fish and fish products, gold, copper, zinc, crude petroleum and byproducts, lead, coffee, sugar, cotton
Exports - partners:
US 28.1%, China 10.5%, UK 7%, Switzerland 6.1%, Japan 5.6% (2002)
Imports:
$7.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum, iron and
steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
Imports - partners:
US 26.1%, Chile 7.9%, Spain 5.1%, Colombia 5%, Brazil 4.7%,
Venezuela 4.7%, Argentina 4.3% (2002)
Debt - external:
$29.2 billion (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$895.1 million (1995)
Currency:
nuevo sol (PEN)
Currency code:
PEN
Exchange rates:
nuevo sol per US dollar - 3.52 (2002), 3.51 (2001), 3.49 (2000),
3.38 (1999), 2.93 (1998)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Peru
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.8 million (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
504,995 (1998)
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate for most requirements
domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system and a domestic
satellite system with 12 earth stations
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic
Ocean); Pan American submarine cable
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 472, FM 198, shortwave 189 (1999)
Radios:
6.65 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
13 (plus 112 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions:
3.06 million (1997)
Internet country code:
.pe
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
10 (2000)
Internet users:
3 million (2002)
Transportation Peru
Railways:
total: 1,829 km
standard gauge: 1,515 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 314 km 0.914-m gauge (2002)
Highways:
total: 72,900 km
paved: 9,331 km
unpaved: 63,569 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:
8,808 km
note: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 km
of Lago Titicaca
Pipelines:
gas 388 km; oil 1,557 km; refined products 13 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:
Callao, Chimbote, Ilo, Matarani, Paita, Puerto Maldonado,
Salaverry, San Martin, Talara, Iquitos, Pucallpa, Yurimaguas
note: Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas are all on the upper reaches
of the Amazon and its tributaries
Merchant marine:
total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 29,470 GRT/45,451 DWT
note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of
convenience: US 1 (2002 est.)
ships by type: cargo 4, petroleum tanker 1
Airports:
233 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 49 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 20 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 184 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 61 under 914 m: 100 (2002)
Military Peru
Military branches:
Army (Ejercito Peruano), Navy (Marina de Guerra del Peru; includes
Naval Air, Marines, and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea del
Peru; FAP), National Police (includes General Police, Security
Police, and Technical Police)
Military manpower - military age:
17 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 7,510,882 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 5,045,619 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 281,717 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$1 billion (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.8% (FY01)
Transnational Issues Peru
Disputes - international:
Bolivia continues to press Chile and Peru to restore the Atacama
corridor ceded to Chile in 1884
Illicit drugs:
until 1996 the world's largest coca leaf producer; emerging opium
producer; cultivation of coca in Peru increased by 8% to 36,600
hectares between 2001 and the end of 2002; much of the cocaine base
is shipped to neighboring Colombia for processing into cocaine,
while finished cocaine is shipped out from Pacific ports to the
international drug market; increasing amounts of base and finished
cocaine, however, are being moved to Brazil and Bolivia for use in
the Southern Cone or transshipped to Europe and Africa
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
@Philippines
Introduction Philippines
Background:
The Philippines were ceded by Spain to the US in 1898 following the
Spanish-American War. They attained independence in 1946 after
Japanese occupation in World War II. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand
MARCOS ended in 1986, when a widespread popular rebellion forced him
into exile. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the
islands. The Philippines has had two electoral presidential
transitions since the removal of MARCOS. In January 2001, the
Supreme Court declared Joseph ESTRADA unable to rule in view of mass
resignations from his government and administered the oath of office
to Vice President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO as his constitutional
successor. The government continues to struggle with Muslim
insurgencies in the south.
Geography Philippines
Location:
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the
South China Sea, east of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates:
13 00 N, 122 00 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 300,000 sq km
water: 1,830 sq km
land: 298,170 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Arizona
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
36,289 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 NM from
coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also
claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 NM in
breadth
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Climate:
tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest
monsoon (May to October)
Terrain:
mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m
Natural resources:
timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper
Land use:
arable land: 18.45%
permanent crops: 14.76%
other: 66.79% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
15,500 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to
six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes;
destructive earthquakes; tsunamis
Environment - current issues:
uncontrolled deforestation in watershed areas; soil erosion; air
and water pollution in Manila; increasing pollution of coastal
mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear
Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber
83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note:
favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main
water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes
Sea, and Luzon Strait
People Philippines
Population:
84,619,974 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 36.2% (male 15,625,480; female 15,028,498)
15-64 years: 59.9% (male 25,206,467; female 25,485,482)
65 years and over: 3.9% (male 1,427,238; female 1,846,809) (2003
est.)
Median age: total: 21.8 years male: 21.3 years female: 22.4 years (2002)
Population growth rate:
1.92% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:
26.3 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:
5.6 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:
-1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 24.98 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 21.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 27.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.29 years
male: 66.44 years
female: 72.28 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.29 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
9,400 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
720 (2001 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Filipino(s)
adjective: Philippine
Ethnic groups:
Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3%
Languages:
two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English;
eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocan, Hiligaynon or
Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 95.9%
male: 96%
female: 95.8% (2003 est.)
Government Philippines
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines
conventional short form: Philippines
local short form: Pilipinas
local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas
Government type:
republic
Capital:
Manila
Administrative divisions:
73 provinces and 61 chartered cities*; Abra, Agusan del Norte,
Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Angeles*, Antique, Aurora, Bacolod*,
Bago*, Baguio*, Bais*, Basilan, Basilan City*, Bataan, Batanes,
Batangas, Batangas City*, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan,
Butuan*, Cabanatuan*, Cadiz*, Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro*, Calbayog*,
Caloocan*, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Canlaon*,
Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cavite City*, Cebu, Cebu City*,
Cotabato*, Dagupan*, Danao*, Dapitan*, Davao City*, Davao del Norte,
Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dipolog*, Dumaguete*, Eastern Samar,
General Santos*, Gingoog*, Ifugao, Iligan*, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos
Sur, Iloilo, Iloilo City*, Iriga*, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao, La
Carlota*, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Laoag*,
Lapu-Lapu*, La Union, Legaspi*, Leyte, Lipa*, Lucena*, Maguindanao,
Mandaue*, Manila*, Marawi*, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental,
Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain,
Naga*, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern
Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Olongapo*, Ormoc*, Oroquieta*,
Ozamis*, Pagadian*, Palawan, Palayan*, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Pasay*,
Puerto Princesa*, Quezon, Quezon City*, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon,
Roxas*, Samar, San Carlos* (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos* (in
Pangasinan), San Jose*, San Pablo*, Silay*, Siquijor, Sorsogon,
South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao*,
Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacloban*, Tagaytay*,
Tagbilaran*, Tangub*, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Toledo*, Trece Martires*,
Zambales, Zamboanga*, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur
Independence:
12 June 1898 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day (from Spain), 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898
is the date of independence from Spain, 4 July 1946 is the date of
independence from the US
Constitution:
2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987
Legal system:
based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January
2001) and Vice President Teofisto GUINGONA (since 20 January 2001);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20
January 2001) and Vice President Teofisto GUINGONA (since 20 January
2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with the consent of the
Commission of Appointments
elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets
by popular vote for six-year terms; election last held 11 May 1998
(next to be held 16 May 2004)
election results: results of the last presidential election - Joseph
Ejercito ESTRADA elected president; percent of vote - approximately
40%; Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO elected vice president; percent of vote
- 55%; note - on 20 January 2001, Vice President Gloria
MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was sworn in as the constitutional successor to
President Joseph ESTRADA after the Supreme Court declared that
ESTRADA was unable to rule in view of the mass resignations from his
government; according to the Constitution, only in cases of death,
permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the
president, can the vice president serve for the unexpired term
Legislative branch:
bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24
seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected by
popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of
Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (214 seats; members
elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note - additional
members may be appointed by the president but the Constitution
prohibits the House of Representatives from having more than 250
members)
elections: Senate - last held 14 May 2001 (next to be held 16 May
2004); House of Representatives - elections last held 14 May 2001
(next to be held 16 May 2004)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by
party - Lakas 13, PDP-Laban/LDP 11; House of Representatives -
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Lakas 86, NPC 51,
LDP 21, LP 20, independents 10, other 26
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (justices are appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70
years of age)
Political parties and leaders:
Laban Ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or
LDP [Edgardo ANGARA, president, Agapito AQUINO, secretary general];
Lakas Ng Edsa (National Union of Christian Democrats) or Lakas [Jose
DE VENECIA, president]; Liberal Party or LP [Florencio ABAD,
president; Franklin DRILON, chairman]; National People's Coalition
or NPC [Eduardo COJUANGCO, chairman emeritus; Frisco SAN JUAN,
president; Faustino DY, chairman]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL,
chairman; Jejomar BINAY, president]; PMP [Horacio MORALES,
president]; Aksyon Demokratiko Party [Raul ROCO, president]; Reporma
[Renato DE VILLA, chairman]; PROMDI [Emilio OSMENA, president]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS
(observer), OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISET, UNU,
UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Albert DEL ROSARIO consulate(s): San Diego consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, San Jose (Northern Mariana Islands), Tamuning (Guam) FAX: (202) 328-7614 telephone: (202) 467-9300 chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Francis J. RICCIARDONE
embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila
mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000
telephone: (2) 523-1001
FAX: (2) 522-4361
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a white
equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of the
triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each containing
three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle is a small
yellow five-pointed star
Economy Philippines
Economy - overview:
In 1998, the Philippine economy - a mixture of agriculture, light
industry, and supporting services - deteriorated as a result of
spillover from the Asian financial crisis and poor weather
conditions. Growth fell to 0.6% in 1998 from 5% in 1997, but
recovered to about 3.3% in 1999, 4.5% in 2000, and 4.5% in 2001. In
2002, the Philippines recorded GDP growth of 4.4% but also incurred
a record budget deficit. As a result, the Philippines is burdened
with a public sector debt equal to more than 100% of GDP. Growth
eased to 3.8% in 2003. The government has promised economic reforms
including going forward with privatization, reforming the tax
system, and promoting additional trade integration within its
region. Considerable drive is required to update the educational
system and the road network.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $379.7 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.4% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $4,600 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 31% services: 54% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 40% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.5% highest 10%: 39.3% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
46.2 (1997)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.1% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
33.7 million (2002)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 45%, industry 15%, services 40% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:
10.2% (2002)
Budget:
revenues: $10.9 billion
expenditures: $15 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(2002 est.)
Industries:
textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food
processing, electronics assembly, petroleum refining, fishing
Industrial production growth rate:
4% (2000 est.)
Electricity - production:
45.21 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 55.6% hydro: 17.5% other: 26.9% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:
42.04 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:
8,460 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:
343,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA (2001)
Oil - imports:
NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:
164 million bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:
10 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
10 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
104.6 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish
Exports:
$35.1 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Exports - commodities:
electronic equipment, machinery and transport equipment, garments,
coconut products, chemicals
Exports - partners:
US 26.2%, Japan 14.9%, China 7.4%, Taiwan 5.8%, Singapore 5.7%,
Hong Kong 5.3%, Malaysia 5.3%, Netherlands 5%, Germany 4.6%, South
Korea 4.3% (2002)
Imports:
$33.5 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Imports - commodities:
raw materials, machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Japan 21.6%, US 18.6%, Singapore 7.8%, South Korea 7.5%, China
5.2%, Hong Kong 4.5%, Taiwan 4.1% (2002)
Debt - external:
$60.3 billion (2002)
Economic aid - recipient:
ODA, $1.1 billion (1998)
Currency:
Philippine peso (PHP)
Currency code:
PHP
Exchange rates:
Philippine pesos per US dollar - 51.67 (2002), 50.99 (2001), 44.19
(2000), 39.09 (1999), 40.89 (1998)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Philippines
Telephones - main lines in use:
6.98 million (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
11.35 million (2001)
Telephone system:
general assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarine
cable services; domestic and inter-island service adequate
domestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations
international: 9 international gateways; satellite earth stations -
3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean); submarine cables to
Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan
Radio broadcast stations: AM 366, FM 290, shortwave 5 note: each shortwave station operates on multiple frequencies in the language of the target audience (2002)
Radios:
11.5 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
75 (2000)
Televisions:
3.7 million (1997)
Internet country code:
.ph
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
33 (2000)
Internet users:
4.5 million (2002)
Transportation Philippines
Railways:
total: 897 km
narrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (405 km are not in operation)
(2002)
Highways:
total: 201,994 km
paved: 42,419 km
unpaved: 159,575 km (2000)
Waterways: 3,219 km note: limited to vessels with a draft of less than 1.5 m
Pipelines:
gas 565 km; oil 135 km; refined products 100 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:
Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Guimaras Island, Iligan,
Iloilo, Jolo, Legaspi, Manila, Masao, Puerto Princesa, San Fernando,
Subic Bay, Zamboanga
Merchant marine:
total: 393 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,664,718 GRT/6,699,666 DWT
note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of
convenience: Australia 2, Canada 1, Germany 3, Greece 8, Hong Kong
13, Japan 47, Malaysia 19, Netherlands 14, Norway 8, Panama 3,
Singapore 12, South Korea 1, Taiwan 2, UK 7 (2002 est.)
ships by type: bulk 111, cargo 105, chemical tanker 4, combination
bulk 8, container 8, liquefied gas 8, livestock carrier 9, passenger
5, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 42, refrigerated cargo 21,
roll on/roll off 16, short-sea passenger 27, specialized tanker 2,
vehicle carrier 18
Airports:
257 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 82 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 34 under 914 m: 13 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 175 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 71 under 914 m: 99 (2002)
Heliports: 2 (2002)
Military Philippines
Military branches:
Army, Navy (including Coast Guard and Marine Corps), Air Force,
paramilitary units
Military manpower - military age:
20 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 21,923,324 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 15,428,043 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 846,994 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$995 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.5% (FY98)
Transnational Issues Philippines
Disputes - international:
involved in complex dispute over Spratly Islands with China,
Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and possibly Brunei; claimants in November
2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South
China Sea", a mechanism to ease tension but which fell short of a
legally binding "code of conduct"; Sultanate of Sulu granted
Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue its sovereignty
claim over Malaysia's Sabah State but Malaysia rejects claim
Illicit drugs:
exports locally-produced marijuana and hashish to East Asia, the
US, and other Western markets; serves as a transit point for heroin
and crystal methamphetamine
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
@Pitcairn Islands
Introduction Pitcairn Islands
Background:
Pitcairn Island was discovered in 1767 by the British and settled
in 1790 by the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions.
Pitcairn was the first Pacific island to become a British colony (in
1838) and today remains the last vestige of that empire in the South
Pacific. Outmigration, primarily to New Zealand, has thinned the
population from a peak of 233 in 1937 to less than 50 today.
Geography Pitcairn Islands
Location:
Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about midway between
Peru and New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:
25 04 S, 130 06 W
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 47 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 47 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
51 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 3 NM
Climate:
tropical, hot, humid; modified by southeast trade winds; rainy
season (November to March)
Terrain:
rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pawala Valley Ridge 347 m
Natural resources:
miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish
note: manganese, iron, copper, gold, silver, and zinc have been
discovered offshore
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
other: NA% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Natural hazards:
typhoons (especially November to March)
Environment - current issues:
deforestation (only a small portion of the original forest remains
because of burning and clearing for settlement)
Geography - note:
Britain's most isolated dependency; only the larger island of
Pitcairn is inhabited but it has no port or natural harbor; supplies
must be transported by rowed longboat from larger ships stationed
offshore
People Pitcairn Islands
Population: 47 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.)
Population growth rate:
NA%
Birth rate:
NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:
NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:
NA (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA years
male: NA years
female: NA years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:
NA children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality: noun: Pitcairn Islander(s) adjective: Pitcairn Islander
Ethnic groups:
descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives
Religions:
Seventh-Day Adventist 100%
Languages:
English (official), Pitcairnese (mixture of an 18th century English
dialect and a Tahitian dialect)
Literacy:
NA
Government Pitcairn Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands
conventional short form: Pitcairn Islands
Dependency status:
overseas territory of the UK
Government type:
NA
Capital:
Adamstown
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
Constitution:
1838; reformed 1904 with additional reforms in 1940; further
refined by the Local Government Ordinance of 1964
Legal system:
local island by-laws
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal with three years residency
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),
represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor
(nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands Richard FELL (since NA
December 2001); Commissioner (nonresident) Leon SALT (since NA);
serves as liaison between the governor and the Island Council
election results: Steve CHRISTIAN elected mayor; percent of vote -
NA%
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner and
commissioner appointed by the monarch; island magistrate elected by
popular vote for a three-year term; election last held NA December
1999 (next to be held NA December 2002)
head of government: Mayor and Chairman of the Island Council Steve
CHRISTIAN (since 7 December 1999)
cabinet: NA
Legislative branch:
unicameral Island Council (10 seats - 6 elected by popular vote, 1
appointed by the 6 elected members, 2 appointed by the governor, and
1 seat for the Island Secretary; members serve one-year terms)
elections: last held NA December 2002 (next to be held NA December
2003)
election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - all independents
Judicial branch:
Island Court (island magistrate presides over the court and is
elected every three years)
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none
International organization participation:
SPC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and
the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of the
flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with a
shield featuring a yellow anchor
Economy Pitcairn Islands
Economy - overview:
The inhabitants of this tiny isolated economy exist on fishing,
subsistence farming, handicrafts, and postage stamps. The fertile
soil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits and
vegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams,
and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The major
sources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to collectors and
the sale of handicrafts to passing ships.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - real growth rate:
NA%
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Labor force:
12 able-bodied men (1997)
Labor force - by occupation:
no business community in the usual sense; some public works;
subsistence farming and fishing
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues: $729,884
expenditures: $878,119, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY
94/95 est.)
Industries:
postage stamps, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
NA kWh; note - electric power is provided by a small diesel-powered
generator
Electricity - consumption:
NA kWh
Agriculture - products:
wide variety of fruits and vegetables, goats, chickens
Exports:
$NA
Exports - commodities:
fruits, vegetables, curios, stamps
Exports - partners:
NA (2000)
Imports:
$NA
Imports - commodities:
fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar, other
foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
NA (2000)
Debt - external:
$NA
Economic aid - recipient:
$NA
Currency:
New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Currency code:
NZD
Exchange rates:
New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.162 (2002), 2.3776 (2001),
2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8629 (1998), 1.5083 (1997)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
Communications Pitcairn Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
1 (there are 17 telephones on one party line) (1997)
Telephone system:
general assessment: only party line telephone service is available
for this small, closely related community
domestic: party line service only
international: radiotelephone
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:
NA
Television broadcast stations:
0 (1997)
Televisions:
NA
Internet country code:
.pn
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
NA
Internet users:
NA
Transportation Pitcairn Islands
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 6.4 km paved: 0 km unpaved: 6.4 km
Waterways:
none
Ports and harbors:
Adamstown (on Bounty Bay)
Merchant marine:
none (2002 est.)
Airports:
none (2002)
Military Pitcairn Islands
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues Pitcairn Islands
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
@Poland
Introduction Poland
Background:
Poland is an ancient nation that was conceived around the middle of
the 10th century. Its golden age occurred in the 16th century.
During the following century, the strengthening of the gentry and
internal disorders weakened the nation, until an agreement in 1772
between Russia, Prussia, and Austria partitioned Poland. Poland
regained its independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and
the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a Soviet satellite state
following the war, but its government was comparatively tolerant and
progressive. Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the
independent trade union "Solidarity" that over time became a
political force and by 1990 had swept parliamentary elections and
the presidency. A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s
enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most
robust in Central Europe, but Poland currently suffers low GDP
growth and high unemployment. Solidarity suffered a major defeat in
the 2001 parliamentary elections when it failed to elect a single
deputy to the lower house of Parliament, and the new leaders of the
Solidarity Trade Union subsequently pledged to reduce the Trade
Union's political role. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and is scheduled
to accede to the European Union along with nine other states on 1
May 2004.
Geography Poland
Location:
Central Europe, east of Germany
Geographic coordinates:
52 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 312,685 sq km
water: 8,220 sq km
land: 304,465 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 2,788 km
border countries: Belarus 407 km, Czech Republic 658 km, Germany 456
km, Lithuania 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Slovakia
444 km, Ukraine 526 km
Coastline:
491 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: defined by international treaties
territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:
temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with
frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and
thundershowers
Terrain:
mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: near Raczki Elblaskie -2 m
highest point: Rysy 2,499 m
Natural resources:
coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, amber,
arable land
Land use: arable land: 45.81% permanent crops: 1.23% other: 52.96% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
1,000 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
flooding
Environment - current issues:
situation has improved since 1989 due to decline in heavy industry
and increased environmental concern by post-Communist governments;
air pollution nonetheless remains serious because of sulfur dioxide
emissions from coal-fired power plants, and the resulting acid rain
has caused forest damage; water pollution from industrial and
municipal sources is also a problem, as is disposal of hazardous
wastes; pollution levels should continue to decrease as industrial
establishments bring their facilities up to European Union code, but
at substantial cost to business and the government
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,
Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic
Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the
Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94,
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note:
historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and the
lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain
People Poland
Population:
38,622,660 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 17.5% (male 3,458,844; female 3,284,995)
15-64 years: 69.8% (male 13,407,012; female 13,547,728)
65 years and over: 12.7% (male 1,879,445; female 3,044,636) (2003
est.)
Median age: total: 36 years male: 34.1 years female: 38 years (2002)
Population growth rate:
0% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:
10.47 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:
9.96 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 8.95 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 7.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 10.04 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.91 years
male: 69.77 years
female: 78.28 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.37 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% - note: no country specific models provided (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
100 (2001 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Pole(s)
adjective: Polish
Ethnic groups:
Polish 97.6%, German 1.3%, Ukrainian 0.6%, Belarusian 0.5% (1990
est.)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 95% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox,
Protestant, and other 5%
Languages:
Polish
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.8%
male: 99.8%
female: 99.7% (2003 est.)
Government Poland
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Poland
conventional short form: Poland
local short form: Polska
local long form: Rzeczpospolita Polska
Government type:
republic
Capital:
Warsaw
Administrative divisions:
16 provinces (wojewodztwa, singular - wojewodztwo); Dolnoslaskie,
Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lodzkie, Lubelskie, Lubuskie, Malopolskie,
Mazowieckie, Opolskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, Pomorskie, Slaskie,
Swietokrzyskie, Warminsko-Mazurskie, Wielkopolskie,
Zachodniopomorskie
Independence:
11 November 1918 (independent republic proclaimed)
National holiday:
Constitution Day, 3 May (1791)
Constitution:
16 October 1997; adopted by the National Assembly 2 April 1997;
passed by national referendum 23 May 1997
Legal system:
mixture of Continental (Napoleonic) civil law and holdover
Communist legal theory; changes being gradually introduced as part
of broader democratization process; limited judicial review of
legislative acts, but rulings of the Constitutional Tribunal are
final; court decisions can be appealed to the European Court of
Justice in Strasbourg
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI (since 23 December
1995)
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 8 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2005);
prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president
and confirmed by the Sejm
head of government: Prime Minister Leszek MILLER (SLD) (since 19
October 2001), Deputy Prime Ministers Marek POL (since 19 October
2001), Jerzy HAUSNER (since 11 June 2003)
cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the prime minister and
the Sejm; the prime minister proposes, the president appoints, and
the Sejm approves the Council of Ministers
election results: Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI reelected president;
percent of popular vote - Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI 53.9%, Andrzej
OLECHOWSKI 17.3%, Marian KRZAKLEWSKI 15.6%, Lech WALESA 1%
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Assembly or Zgromadzenie Narodowe consists of
the Sejm (460 seats; members are elected under a complex system of
proportional representation to serve four-year terms) and the Senate
or Senat (100 seats; members are elected by a majority vote on a
provincial basis to serve four-year terms)
elections: Sejm elections last held 23 September 2001 (next to be
held by September 2005); Senate - last held 23 September 2001 (next
to be held by September 2005)
election results: Sejm - percent of vote by party - SLD-UP 41%, PO
12.7%, Samoobrona 10.2%, PiS 9.5%, PSL 9%, LPR 7.9%, AWSP 5.6% UW
3.1%, other 1%; seats by party (as of 25 April 2003) - SLD 193, PO
57, Samoobrona 39, PiS 43, PSL 39, LPR 28, UP 16, SKL 8, PLD 6, PBL
5, RKN 5, PP 3, ROP 3, German minorities 2, independents 13; note -
SLD and UP ran together on electoral lists in the 2001 elections,
but constitute separate parliamentary clubs in the Sejm; several
other deputies have left their parties and set up other
parliamentary factions; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%;
seats by party - SLD-UP 75, AWSP (an electoral alliance of some 36
parties) 15, PSL 4, Samoobrona 2, LPR 2, independents 2
note: two seats are assigned to ethnic minority parties
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the National Council of the Judiciary for an
indefinite period); Constitutional Tribunal (judges are chosen by
the Sejm for nine-year terms)
Political parties and leaders:
Catholic-National Movement or RKN [Antoni MACIEREWICZ]; Citizens
Platform or PO [Donald TUSK]; Conservative Peasants Party or SKL-RNP
[Artur BALAZS]; Democratic Left Alliance or SLD [Leszek MILLER];
Freedom Union or UW [Wladyslaw FRASYNIUK]; German Minority of Lower
Silesia or MNSO [Henryk KROLL]; Law and Justice or PiS [Jaroslaw
KACZYNSKI]; League of Polish Families or LPR [Marek KOTLINOWSKI];
Movement for the Reconstruction of Poland or ROP [Jan OLSZEWSKI];
Peasant-Democratic Party or PLD [Roman JAGIELINSKI]; Polish Accord
or PP [Jan LOPUSZANSKI]; Polish Peasant Bloc or PBL [Wojciech
MOJZESOWICZ]; Polish Peasant Party or PSL [Jaroslaw KALINOWSKI];
Samoobrona [Andrzej LEPPER]; Social Movement or RS [Krzysztof
PIESIEWICZ]; Union of Labor or UP [Marek POL]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
All Poland Trade Union Alliance or OPZZ (trade union) [Maciej
MANICKI]; Roman Catholic Church [Cardinal Jozef GLEMP]; Solidarity
Trade Union [Janusz SNIADEK]
International organization participation:
ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CE,
CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest),
NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,
UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK,
UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Przemyslaw GRUDZINSKI chancery: 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 FAX: (202) 328-6270 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York telephone: (202) 234-3800 through 3802
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher R. HILL embassy: Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31 00-540 Warsaw P1 mailing address: American Embassy Warsaw, US Department of State, 5010 Warsaw Place, Washington, DC 20521-5010 (pouch) telephone: (22) 504-2000 FAX: (22) 504-2951 consulate(s) general: Krakow
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to the
flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white
Economy Poland
Economy - overview:
Poland has steadfastly pursued a policy of economic liberalization
throughout the 1990s and today stands out as a success story among
transition economies. Even so, much remains to be done. The
privatization of small and medium state-owned companies and a
liberal law on establishing new firms has encouraged the development
of the private business sector, but legal and bureaucratic obstacles
alongside persistent corruption are hampering its further
development. Poland's agricultural sector remains handicapped by
structural problems, surplus labor, inefficient small farms, and
lack of investment. Restructuring and privatization of "sensitive
sectors" (e.g., coal, steel, railroads, and energy), while recently
initiated, have stalled due to a lack of political will on the part
of the government. Structural reforms in health care, education, the
pension system, and state administration have resulted in larger
than expected fiscal pressures. Further progress in public finance
depends mainly on privatization of Poland's remaining state sector,
the reduction of state employment, and an overhaul of the tax code
to incorporate the growing gray economy and farmers most of whom pay
no tax. The government's determination to enter the EU has shaped
most aspects of its economic policy and new legislation; in June
2003, 77% of the voters approved membership, now scheduled for May
2004. Improving Poland's export competitiveness and containing the
internal budget deficit are top priorities. Due to political
uncertainty, the zloty has recently depreciated in relation to the
euro and the dollar while currencies of the other euro-zone
aspirants have been appreciating. GDP per capita equals that of the
3 Baltic states.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $373.2 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.4% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $9,700 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.8% industry: 35% services: 61.2% (2000 est.)
Population below poverty line: 18.4% (2000 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 24.7% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
31.6 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.9% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
17.6 million (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
industry 22.1%, agriculture 27.5%, services 50.4% (1999)
Unemployment rate:
18.1% (2002)
Budget:
revenues: $49.6 billion
expenditures: $52.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1999)
Industries:
machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals,
shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles
Industrial production growth rate:
0.3% (2001)
Electricity - production:
135 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 98.1% hydro: 1.5% other: 0.4% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:
118.8 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:
11.04 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:
4.306 billion kWh (2001)
Oil - production:
17,180 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:
424,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:
53,000 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:
413,700 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:
116.4 million bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:
5.471 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
13.85 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
41 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
8.782 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
154.4 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products:
potatoes, fruits, vegetables, wheat; poultry, eggs, pork
Exports:
$32.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment 30.2%, intermediate manufactured
goods 25.5%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 20.9%, food and live
animals 8.5% (1999)
Exports - partners:
Germany 33%, Italy 5.7%, France 5%, UK 4.8%, Czech Republic 4.3%
(2002)
Imports:
$43.4 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment 38.2%, intermediate manufactured
goods 20.8%, chemicals 14.3%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 9.5%
(1999)
Imports - partners:
Germany 29.9%, Italy 8.1%, Russia 7.4%, France 7.2%, Netherlands
5.3% (2002)
Debt - external:
$64 billion (2002)
Economic aid - recipient:
EU structural adjustment funds
Currency:
zloty (PLN)
Currency code:
PLN
Exchange rates:
zlotych per US dollar - 3.99 (2002), 4.09 (2001), 4.35 (2000), 3.97
(1999), 3.48 (1998)
note: zlotych is the plural form of zloty
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Poland
Telephones - main lines in use:
8.07 million (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
13 million (2002)
Telephone system:
general assessment: underdeveloped and outmoded system in the
process of being overhauled; partial privatization of the
state-owned telephone monopoly is underway; the long waiting list
for main line telephone service has resulted in a boom in mobile
cellular telephone use
domestic: cable, open-wire, and microwave radio relay; 3 cellular
networks; local exchanges 56.6% digital
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat, NA Eutelsat, 2
Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions), and 1 Intersputnik
(Atlantic Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 14, FM 777, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:
20.2 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
179 (plus 256 repeaters) (September 1995)
Televisions:
13.05 million (1997)
Internet country code:
.pl
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
19 (2000)
Internet users:
6.4 million (2001)
Transportation Poland
Railways:
total: 23,420 km
broad gauge: 646 km 1.524-m gauge
standard gauge: 21,639 km 1.435-m gauge (11,626 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 1,135 km various gauges including 1.000-m, 0.785-m,
0.750-m, and 0.600-m (2002)
Highways:
total: 364,656 km
paved: 249,060 km (including 358 km of expressways)
unpaved: 115,596 km (2000)
Waterways:
3,812 km (navigable rivers and canals) (1996)
Pipelines:
gas 12,901 km; oil 737 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:
Gdansk, Gdynia, Gliwice, Kolobrzeg, Szczecin, Swinoujscie, Ustka,
Warsaw, Wroclaw
Merchant marine:
total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 199,186 GRT/275,476 DWT
ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, roll on/roll off
1, short-sea passenger 1 (2002 est.)
Airports:
150 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 88 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 30 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 9 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 39
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 62 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 under 914 m: 43 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 15
Heliports: 3 (2002)
Military Poland
Military branches:
Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force
Military manpower - military age:
19 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 10,354,978 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 8,077,706 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 343,500 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$3.5 billion (2002)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.71% (2002)
Transnational Issues Poland
Disputes - international:
small boundary changes made with Slovakia in 2003
Illicit drugs:
major illicit producer of amphetamine for the international market;
minor transshipment point for Asian and Latin American illicit drugs
to Western Europe
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
@Portugal
Introduction Portugal
Background:
Following its heyday as a world power during the 15th and 16th
centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the
destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the
Napoleonic Wars, and the independence in 1822 of Brazil as a colony.
A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six
decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a
left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The
following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African
colonies. Portugal entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986.
Geography Portugal
Location:
Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of
Spain
Geographic coordinates:
39 30 N, 8 00 W
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 92,391 sq km
land: 91,951 sq km
note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands
water: 440 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries: total: 1,214 km border countries: Spain 1,214 km
Coastline: 1,793 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Climate:
maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in
south
Terrain:
mountainous north of the Tagus River, rolling plains in south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Ponta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico in
the Azores 2,351 m
Natural resources:
fish, forests (cork), tungsten, iron ore, uranium ore, marble,
arable land, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 20.57% permanent crops: 7.74% other: 71.69% (1999 est.)
Irrigated land:
6,320 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
Azores subject to severe earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
soil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial and vehicle
emissions; water pollution, especially in coastal areas
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical
Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic
Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Environmental
Modification, Nuclear Test Ban
Geography - note:
Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along western
sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar
People Portugal
Population:
10,102,022 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.8% (male 874,198; female 825,742)
15-64 years: 67.2% (male 3,326,957; female 3,461,425)
65 years and over: 16% (male 651,697; female 962,003) (2003 est.)
Median age:
total: 37.6 years
male: 35.8 years
female: 39.3 years (2002)
Population growth rate:
0.17% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:
11.45 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:
10.21 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:
0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 5.73 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 6.26 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.35 years
male: 72.86 years
female: 80.07 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.49 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.5% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
27,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
1,000 (2001 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Portuguese (singular and plural)
adjective: Portuguese
Ethnic groups:
homogeneous Mediterranean stock; citizens of black African descent
who immigrated to mainland during decolonization number less than
100,000; since 1990 East Europeans have entered Portugal
Religions:
Roman Catholic 94%, Protestant (1995)
Languages:
Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official - but locally used)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93.3%
male: 95.5%
female: 91.3% (2003 est.)
Government Portugal
Country name:
conventional long form: Portuguese Republic
conventional short form: Portugal
local long form: Republica Portuguesa
local short form: Portugal
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Lisbon
Administrative divisions:
18 districts (distritos, singular - distrito) and 2 autonomous
regions* (regioes autonomas, singular - regiao autonoma); Aveiro,
Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca, Castelo Branco, Coimbra,
Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa, Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto,
Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu
Independence:
1143 (independent republic proclaimed 5 October 1910)
National holiday:
Portugal Day, 10 June (1580)
Constitution:
25 April 1976, revised 30 October 1982, 1 June 1989, 5 November
1992, and 3 September 1997
Legal system:
civil law system; the Constitutional Tribunal reviews the
constitutionality of legislation; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Jorge SAMPAIO (since 9 March 1996)
note: there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultative
body to the president
head of government: Prime Minister Jose Manuel DURAO BARROSO (since
6 April 2002)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 14 January 2001 (next to be held NA January
2006); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority
party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime
minister by the president
election results: Jorge SAMPAIO reelected president; percent of vote
- Jorge SAMPAIO (Socialist) 55.8%, Joaquim FERREIRA Do Amaral
(Social Democrat) 34.5%, Antonio ABREU (Communist) 5.1%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (230
seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 17 March 2002 (next to be held NA 2006)
election results: percent of vote by party - PSD 40.1%, PS 37.8%, PP
8.7%, PCP/PEV 6.9%, The Left Bloc 2.7%; seats by party - PSD 105, PS
96, PP 14, PCP/PEV 12, The Left Bloc 3
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal de Justica (judges appointed for
life by the Conselho Superior da Magistratura)
Political parties and leaders:
The Greens or PEV [no leader]; Popular Party or PP [Paulo PORTAS];
Portuguese Communist Party/The Greens or PCP/PEV [Carlos CARVALHAS];
Portuguese Socialist Party or PS [Eduardo Ferro RODRIGUES]; Social
Democratic Party or PSD [Jose Manuel DURAO BARROSO]; United
Democratic Coalition or CDU [Carlos CARVALHAS]; The Left Bloc [no
leader]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC,
EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU,
ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,
IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO,
NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Pedro Manuel Dos Reis Alves CATARINO
consulate(s): Los Angeles, New Bedford (Massachusetts), Providence
(Rhode Island)
consulate(s) general: Boston, New York, Newark (New Jersey), and San
Francisco
FAX: (202) 462-3726
telephone: (202) 328-8610
chancery: 2125 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John N. PALMER embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600-081 Lisbon mailing address: PSC 83, APO AE 09726 telephone: (21) 727-3300 FAX: (21) 726-9109 consulate(s): Ponta Delgada (Azores)
Flag description:
two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red
(three-fifths) with the Portuguese coat of arms centered on the
dividing line
Economy Portugal
Economy - overview:
Portugal has become a diversified and increasingly service-based
economy since joining the European Community in 1986. Over the past
decade, successive governments have privatized many state-controlled
firms and liberalized key areas of the economy, including the
financial and telecommunications sectors. The country qualified for
the European Monetary Union (EMU) in 1998 and began circulating the
euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU member economies.
Economic growth has been above the EU average for much of the past
decade, but fell back in 2001-03. GDP per capita stands at 70% of
that of the leading EU economies. A poor educational system, in
particular, has been an obstacle to greater productivity and growth.
Portugal has been increasingly overshadowed by lower-cost producers
in Central Europe and Asia as a target for foreign direct
investment. The coalition government faces tough choices in its
attempts to boost Portugal's economic competitiveness and to keep
the budget deficit within the 3% EU ceiling.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $195.2 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.4% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $19,400 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.6%
industry: 28.7%
services: 67.7% (2001)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 28.4% (1995 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
35.6 (1994-95)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.7% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
5.1 million (2000)
Labor force - by occupation:
services 60%, industry 30%, agriculture 10% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate:
4.7% (2002 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $45 billion
expenditures: $48 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(2001 est.)
Industries:
textiles and footwear; wood pulp, paper, and cork; metalworking;
oil refining; chemicals; fish canning; wine; tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
1.5% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:
44.32 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 64.5% hydro: 31.3% other: 4.1% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:
41.48 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:
3.479 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:
3.743 billion kWh (2001)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:
339,800 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:
28,830 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:
357,300 bbl/day (2001)
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
2.542 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
2.553 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products: grain, potatoes, olives, grapes; sheep, cattle, goats, poultry, beef, dairy products
Exports: $25.9 billion f.o.b. (2001)
Exports - commodities:
clothing and footwear, machinery, chemicals, cork and paper
products, hides
Exports - partners:
Spain 20.3%, Germany 18.4%, France 12.6%, UK 10.5%, US 5.8%, Italy
4.8%, Belgium 4.5% (2002)
Imports:
$39 billion f.o.b. (2001)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum, textiles,
agricultural products
Imports - partners:
Spain 28.1%, Germany 15%, France 10.2%, Italy 6.5%, UK 5.2%,
Netherlands 4.5% (2002)
Debt - external:
$13.1 billion (1997 est.)
Economic aid - donor:
ODA, $271 million (1995)
Currency:
euro (EUR)
note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the
euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of
member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole
currency for everyday transactions within the member countries
Currency code:
EUR
Exchange rates:
euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94
(1999)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Portugal
Telephones - main lines in use:
5.3 million (yearend 1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3,074,194 (1999)
Telephone system:
general assessment: undergoing rapid development in recent years,
Portugal's telephone system, by the end of 1998, achieved a
state-of-the-art network with broadband, high-speed capabilities and
a main line telephone density of 53%
domestic: integrated network of coaxial cables, open-wire, microwave
radio relay, and domestic satellite earth stations
international: 6 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3
Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat;
tropospheric scatter to Azores; note - an earth station for Inmarsat
(Atlantic Ocean region) is planned
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 47, FM 172 (many are repeaters), shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios:
3.02 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 62 (plus 166 repeaters) note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands (1995)
Televisions:
3.31 million (1997)
Internet country code:
.pt
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
16 (2000)
Internet users:
4.4 million (2002)
Transportation Portugal
Railways:
total: 2,850 km
broad gauge: 2,576 km 1.668-m gauge (623 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 274 km 1.000-m gauge (2002)
Highways:
total: 68,732 km
paved: 59,110 km (including 1441 km of expressways)
unpaved: 9,622 km (2000)
Waterways:
820 km
note: relatively unimportant to national economy, used by
shallow-draft craft limited to 300 metric-ton or less cargo capacity
Pipelines:
gas 482 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:
Aveiro, Funchal (Madeira Islands), Horta (Azores), Leixoes, Lisbon,
Porto, Ponta Delgada (Azores), Praia da Vitoria (Azores), Setubal,
Viana do Castelo
Merchant marine:
total: 132 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 993,325 GRT/1,533,255 DWT
ships by type: bulk 11, cargo 62, chemical tanker 18, container 7,
liquefied gas 8, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 4,
petroleum tanker 10, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 5,
short-sea passenger 3, vehicle carrier 2
note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of
convenience: Belgium 1, British Virgin Islands 1, Cyprus 1, Denmark
6, Germany 20, Greece 1, Iceland 1, Italy 16, Lebanon 1, Liberia 1,
Monaco 2, Norway 5, Panama 5, Spain 22, Switzerland 8, UK 1, Virgin
Islands (UK) 1 (2002 est.)
Airports:
66 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 40 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 7 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 25 (2002)
Military Portugal
Military branches:
Army, Navy (PON) (includes Marines), Air Force, Republican Guard
(includes Fiscal Guard)
Military manpower - military age:
20 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 2,520,852 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 2,017,678 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 67,816 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$1.286 billion (FY99/00)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
2.2% (FY99/00)
Transnational Issues Portugal
Disputes - international:
Portugal has periodically reasserted claims to territories around
the town of Olivenza, Spain
Illicit drugs:
gateway country for Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian
heroin entering the European market; transshipment point for hashish
from North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest Asian heroin
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
@Puerto Rico
Introduction Puerto Rico
Background:
Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was
claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following Columbus' second
voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule
that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African
slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result
of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US
citizenship in 1917 and popularly elected governors have served
since 1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for
internal self-government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and
1998 voters chose to retain commonwealth status.
Geography Puerto Rico
Location:
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic
Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic
Geographic coordinates:
18 15 N, 66 30 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 9,104 sq km
water: 145 sq km
land: 8,959 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
501 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:
tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
mostly mountains, with coastal plain belt in north; mountains
precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal
areas
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m
Natural resources: some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil
Land use: arable land: 3.72% permanent crops: 5.07% other: 91.21% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
400 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
periodic droughts; hurricanes
Environment - current issues:
erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages
Geography - note:
important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to
the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural
harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central
mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry;
fertile coastal plain belt in north
People Puerto Rico
Population:
3,885,877 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22.9% (male 454,908; female 434,555)
15-64 years: 65.2% (male 1,212,764; female 1,322,356)
65 years and over: 11.9% (male 200,669; female 260,625) (2003 est.)
Median age:
total: 33.3 years
male: 31.6 years
female: 34.9 years (2002)
Population growth rate:
0.58% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:
15 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:
7.68 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:
-1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 9.38 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 10.3 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.26 years
male: 73.27 years
female: 81.44 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.02 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
7,397 (1997)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)
adjective: Puerto Rican
Ethnic groups:
white (mostly Spanish origin) 80.5%, black 8%, Amerindian 0.4%,
Asian 0.2%, mixed and other 10.9%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%
Languages:
Spanish, English
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93.8%
male: 93.7%
female: 94% (2001)
Government Puerto Rico
Country name:
conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
conventional short form: Puerto Rico
Dependency status:
commonwealth associated with the US
Government type:
commonwealth
Capital:
San Juan
Administrative divisions:
none (commonwealth associated with the US); there are no
first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US
Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios, singular -
municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas
Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta,
Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy, Canovanas,
Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerio,
Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica, Guayama,
Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Humacao,
Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Las
Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo, Mayaguez, Moca,
Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Penuelas, Ponce,
Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San
German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa
Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja,
Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco
Independence:
none (commonwealth associated with the US)
National holiday:
US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day,
25 July (1952)
Constitution:
ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3 July 1952;
effective 25 July 1952
Legal system:
based on Spanish civil code and within the US Federal system of
justice
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens
but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:
chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20
January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January
2001)
election results: Sila M. CALDERON (PPD) elected governor; percent
of vote - 48.6%
note: residents of Puerto Rico do not vote for US president and vice
president
elections: US president and vice president elected on the same
ticket for four-year terms; governor elected by popular vote for a
four-year term; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held
2 November 2004)
head of government: Governor Sila M. CALDERON (since 2 January 2001)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the
legislature
Legislative branch:
bicameral Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (28 seats;
members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year
terms) and the House of Representatives (51 seats; members are
directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by
party - PPD 19, PNP 8, PIP 1; House of Representatives - percent of
vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PPD 30, PNP 20, PIP 1
note: Puerto Rico elects, by popular vote, a resident commissioner
to serve a four-year term as a nonvoting representative in the US
House of Representatives; aside from not voting on the House floor,
he enjoys all the rights of a member of Congress; elections last
held 7 November 2000 (next to be held 2 November 2004); results -
percent of vote by party - PPD 49.3%; seats by party - PPD 1; Anibal
ACEVEDO-VILA elected resident commissioner
elections: Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held 2
November 2004); House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2000
(next to be held 2 November 2004)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Appellate Court; Court of First Instance composed of
two sections: a Superior Court and a Municipal Court (justices for
all these courts appointed by the governor with the consent of the
Senate)
Political parties and leaders:
National Democratic Party [Celeste BENITEZ]; National Republican
Party of Puerto Rico [Luis FERRE]; New Progressive Party or PNP
(pro-US statehood) [Carlos PESQUERA]; Popular Democratic Party or
PPD (pro-commonwealth) [Sila M. CALDERON]; Puerto Rican Independence
Party or PIP (pro-independence) [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Armed Forces for National Liberation or FALN; Armed Forces of
Popular Resistance; Boricua Popular Army (also known as the
Macheteros); Volunteers of the Puerto Rican Revolution
International organization participation:
Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), FAO (associate), ICFTU,
Interpol (subbureau), IOC, WCL, WFTU, WHO (associate), WToO
(associate)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (commonwealth associated with the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (commonwealth associated with the US)
Flag description:
five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating
with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears
a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; design initially
influenced by the US flag, but similar to the Cuban flag, with the
colors of the bands and triangle reversed
Economy Puerto Rico
Economy - overview:
Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean
region. A diverse industrial sector has far surpassed agriculture as
the primary locus of economic activity and income. Encouraged by
duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms have
invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage
laws apply. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and
other livestock products as the main source of income in the
agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important
source of income, with estimated arrivals of nearly 5 million
tourists in 1999. Growth fell off in 2001-02, largely due to the
slowdown in the US economy.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $43.01 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-0.2% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $11,100 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 45%
services: 54% (1999 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
1.3 million (2000)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 3%, industry 20%, services 77% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
12% (2002)
Budget:
revenues: $6.7 billion
expenditures: $9.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY 99/00)
Industries:
pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products; tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
20.9 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.2% hydro: 0.8% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:
19.44 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:
190,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA (2001)
Oil - imports:
NA (2001)
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
630 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
630 million cu m (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products: sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas; livestock products, chickens
Exports: $46.9 billion f.o.b. (2001)
Exports - commodities: chemicals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment
Exports - partners:
US 88.2%, UK 1.5%, Dominican Republic 1.4% (2001)
Imports:
$29.1 billion c.i.f. (2001)
Imports - commodities:
chemicals, machinery and equipment, clothing, food, fish, petroleum
products
Imports - partners:
US 53.5%, Ireland 16.3%, Japan 4.5% (2001)
Debt - external:
$NA
Economic aid - recipient:
$NA
Currency:
US dollar (USD)
Currency code:
USD
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June
Communications Puerto Rico
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.322 million (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
169,265 (1996)
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system, integrated with that of the US
by high-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with high-speed data
capability
domestic: digital telephone system; cellular telephone service
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat; submarine cable
to US
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 72, FM 17, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:
2.7 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
18 (plus three stations of the US Armed Forces Radio and Television
Service) (1997)
Televisions:
1.021 million (1997)
Internet country code:
.pr
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
76 (2000)
Internet users:
600,000 (2002)
Transportation Puerto Rico
Railways: total: 96 km narrow gauge: 96 km 1.000-m gauge (2002)
Highways: total: 14,400 km paved: 14,400 km unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:
none
Ports and harbors:
Aguadilla, Arecibo, Fajardo, Guanica, Guayanilla, Guayama,
Mayaguez, Playa de Ponce, San Juan
Merchant marine:
total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) 19,203 GRT/20,904 DWT
ships by type: container 1 (2002 est.)
Airports:
31 (2002)