← The 2006 CIA World Factbook, Volume 2
Gwp (part 11)
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, iron ore, coal, limestone, niobium,
lead, zinc, arable land
Land use: arable land: 33.02% permanent crops: 3.14% other: 63.84% (2005)
Irrigated land:
2,820 sq km (2003)
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, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, 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:
131,859,731
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
2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42.3% (male 28,089,017/female 27,665,212)
15-64 years: 54.6% (male 36,644,885/female 35,405,915)
65 years and over: 3.1% (male 1,930,007/female 2,124,695) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 18.7 years
male: 18.7 years
female: 18.6 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.38% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
40.43 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
16.94 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
0.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 97.14 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 104.05 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 90.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 47.08 years
male: 46.52 years
female: 47.66 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.49 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
5.4% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
3.6 million (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
310,000 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: one of the most highly endemic areas for Lassa fever (2005)
Nationality: noun: Nigerian(s) adjective: Nigerian
Ethnic groups:
Nigeria, 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:
federal republic
Capital:
name: Abuja
geographic coordinates: 9 12 N, 7 11 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
36 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra,
Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo,
Ekiti, Enugu, Federal Capital Territory*, 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 (in 12 northern
states), and traditional law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,
with reservations
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 a four-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held 19 April 2003 (next
to be held April 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 (109 seats - 3 from
each state plus 1 from Abuja, members elected by popular vote to
serve four-year terms) and House of Representatives (360 seats,
members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 12 April 2003 (next to be held in
2007); House of Representatives - last held 12 April 2003 (next to
be held in 2007)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PDP 53.7%,
ANPP 27.9%, AD 9.7%; seats by party - PDP 76, ANPP 27, AD 6; House
of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDP 54.5%, ANPP
27.4%, AD 8.8%, other 9.3%; seats by party - PDP 223, ANPP 96, AD
34, other 6; note - one seat is vacant
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 [Mojisoluwa AKINFENWA]; All Nigeria
Peoples' Party or ANPP [Don ETIEBET]; All Progressives Grand
Alliance or APGA [disputed leadership]; National Democratic Party or
NDP [Aliyu Habu FARI]; Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Dr. Ahmadu
ALI]; Peoples Redemption Party or PRP [Abdulkadir Balarabe MUSA];
Peoples Salvation Party or PSP [Lawal MAITURARE]; United Nigeria
Peoples Party or UNPP [disputed leadership]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM,
OAS (observer), OIC, ONUB, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UPU, WCO,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Professor George A. OBIOZOR
chancery: 3519 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: (202) 986-8400
FAX: (202) 775-1385
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador John CAMPBELL
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:
Oil-rich Nigeria, long hobbled by political instability,
corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and poor macroeconomic
management, is undertaking some reforms under a new reform-minded
administration. Nigeria's former military rulers failed to diversify
the economy away from its 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 - Nigeria is Africa's most populous country - and
the country, 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. Nigeria pulled out of its IMF program in April 2002, after
failing to meet spending and exchange rate targets, making it
ineligible for additional debt forgiveness from the Paris Club. In
the last year the government has begun showing the political will to
implement the market-oriented reforms urged by the IMF, such as to
modernize 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. In 2003, the
government began deregulating fuel prices, announced the
privatization of the country's four oil refineries, and instituted
the National Economic Empowerment Development Strategy, a
domestically designed and run program modeled on the IMF's Poverty
Reduction and Growth Facility for fiscal and monetary management.
GDP rose strongly in 2005, based largely on increased oil exports
and high global crude prices. In November 2005, Abuja won Paris Club
approval for a historic debt-relief deal that by March 2006 should
eliminate $30 billion worth of Nigeria's total $37 billion external
debt. The deal first requires that Nigeria repay roughly $12 billion
in arrears to its bilateral creditors. Nigeria would then be allowed
to buy back its remaining debt stock at a discount. The deal also
commits Nigeria to more intensified IMF reviews.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$175.5 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$77.33 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.9% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,400 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 26.9% industry: 48.7% services: 24.4% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 57.21 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 70% industry: 10% services: 20% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate:
2.9% (2005 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):
13.5% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
21.3% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $12.86 billion
expenditures: $13.54 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA
(2005 est.)
Public debt:
11% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava
(tapioca), yams, rubber; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; timber; fish
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, small commercial ship construction and repair
Industrial production growth rate:
3.8% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:
15.59 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 61.9% hydro: 38.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
14.46 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
40 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
2.451 million bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:
310,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:
36 billion bbl (2005 est.)
Natural gas - production:
19.2 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
7.41 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
7.83 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
4.502 trillion cu m (2005)
Current account balance:
$5.597 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:
$52.16 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber
Exports - partners:
US 49.7%, Brazil 10.4%, Spain 7.6% (2005)
Imports:
$25.95 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, chemicals, transport equipment, manufactured goods, food
and live animals
Imports - partners:
China 10.4%, US 7.3%, UK 6.7%, Netherlands 6%, France 5.9%, Germany
4.2% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$28.28 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:
$32.45 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
IMF, $250 million (1998)
Currency (code):
naira (NGN)
Currency code:
NGN
Exchange rates:
nairas per US dollar - 132.59 (2005), 132.89 (2004), 129.22 (2003),
120.58 (2002), 111.23 (2001)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Nigeria
Telephones - main lines in use:
1,223,300 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
21,571,131 (2006)
Telephone system:
general assessment: expansion and modernization of the fixed-line
telephone network has been slow due to faltering efforts at
privatization
domestic: the addition of a second fixed-line provider in 2002
resulted in faster growth in this service; wireless telephony has
grown rapidly, in part responding to the shortcomings of the
fixed-line network; four wireless (GSM) service providers operate
nationally; the combined growth resulted in a sharp increase in
teledensity reported to be over 18% in March 2006
international: country code - 234; satellite earth stations - 3
Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); fiber optic
submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia
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 hosts:
1,549 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
11 (2000)
Internet users:
5 million (2005)
Transportation Nigeria
Airports: 69 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 36 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 2 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 33 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 18 (2006)
Heliports:
1 (2006)
Pipelines:
condensate 126 km; gas 2,812 km; liquid petroleum gas 125 km; oil
4,278 km; refined products 3,517 km (2006)
Railways:
total: 3,505 km
narrow gauge: 3,505 km 1.067-m gauge (2005)
Roadways:
total: 194,394 km
paved: 60,068 km
unpaved: 134,326 km (1999)
Waterways:
8,600 km (Niger and Benue rivers and smaller rivers and creeks)
(2005)
Merchant marine:
total: 52 ships (1000 GRT or over) 277,709 GRT/475,414 DWT
by type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 5, combination ore/oil 1,
liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 36, specialized
tanker 2
foreign-owned: 4 (Norway 1, Pakistan 1, Singapore 1, Spain 1)
registered in other countries: 28 (Bahamas 2, Bermuda 11, Cambodia
2, Comoros 2, Panama 7, Poland 1, Seychelles 1, unknown 2) (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Bonny Inshore Terminal, Calabar, Lagos, Port Harcourt
Military Nigeria
Military branches:
Nigerian Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army, Niger
Air Force (2006)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 26,802,678
females age 18-49: 25,668,446 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 15,052,914
females age 18-49: 13,860,806 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males age 18-49: 1,353,180
females age 18-49: 1,329,267 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$737.6 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
0.8% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Nigeria
Disputes - international:
ICJ ruled in 2002 on the entire Cameroon-Nigeria land and maritime
boundary but the parties formed a Joint Border Commission to resolve
differences bilaterally and have commenced with demarcation in
less-contested sections of the boundary, starting in Lake Chad in
the north; following the UN-brokered Greentree Agreement of 12 June
2006, Nigeria, in completion of the 2002 ICJ decision on the
Cameroon-Nigerian land boundary, handed sovereignty of the Bakassi
peninsula to Cameroon on 14 August; all Nigerian military forces
have reportedly withdrawn from the region but Nigeria will continue
to maintain a police and administrative presence in the southeastern
"transition zone" for a period of up to two years; Nigeria pledges
to provide for the resettlement of those Bakassi residents who wish
to remain Nigerian citizens; the ICJ ruled on an equidistance
settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary
in the Gulf of Guinea, but imprecisely defined coordinates in the
ICJ decision and a sovereignty dispute between Equatorial Guinea and
Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River all
contribute to the delay in implementation; a joint task force was
established in 2004 that resolved disputes over and redrew the
maritime and the 870-km land boundary with Benin on the Okpara
River; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad
Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty which also
includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 200,000 - 250,000 (communal violence between Christians and
Muslims since President OBASANJO's election in 1999) (2005)
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; Nigeria has improved some
anti-money-laundering controls, resulting in its removal from the
Financial Action Task Force's (FATF's) Noncooperative Countries and
Territories List in June 2006; Nigeria's anti-money-laundering
regime continues to be monitored by FATF
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@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 2,166 in 2006), 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
land: 260 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
64 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 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: 11.54%
permanent crops: 15.38%
other: 73.08% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
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: 2,166 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.01% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
NA births/1,000 population
Death rate:
NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate:
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex ratio:
NA
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Total fertility rate:
NA
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:
Niuen 78.2%, Pacific islander 10.2%, European 4.5%, mixed 3.9%,
Asian 0.2%, unspecified 3% (2001 census)
Religions:
Ekalesia Niue (Niuean Church - a Protestant church closely related
to the London Missionary Society) 61.1%, Latter-Day Saints 8.8%,
Roman Catholic 7.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist
1.4%, other 8.4%, unspecified 8.7%, none 1.9% (2001 census)
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:
name: Alofi
geographic coordinates: 19 01 S, 169 55 W
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
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),
represented by Governor General of New Zealand Anand SATYANAND
(since 23 August 2006); the UK and New Zealand are represented by
New Zealand High Commissioner John BRYAN (since NA May 2000)
head of government: Premier Young VIVIAN (since 1 May 2002)
cabinet: Cabinet consists of the premier and three ministers
elections: the monarch is hereditary; premier elected by the
Legislative Assembly for a three-year term; election last held 12
May 2005 (next to be held May 2008)
election results: Young VIVIAN reelected premier; percent of
Legislative Assembly vote - Young VIVIAN (NPP) 85%, O'Love JACOBSEN
(independent) 15%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; members elected by
popular vote to serve three-year terms; 6 elected from a common roll
and 14 are village representatives)
elections: last held 30 April 2005 (next to be held April 2008)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of New Zealand; High Court of Niue
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance of Independents or AI; Niue People's Action Party or NPP
[Young VIVIAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACP, FAO, IFAD, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, 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
emigration to New Zealand. Efforts to increase GDP include the
promotion of tourism and a financial services industry, although the
International Banking Repeal Act of 2002 resulted in the termination
of all offshore banking licenses. Economic aid from New Zealand in
2002 was about US$2 million. Niue suffered a devastating typhoon in
January 2004, which decimated nascent economic programs. While in
the process of rebuilding, Niue has been dependent on foreign aid.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$7.6 million (2000 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$10.01 million
GDP - real growth rate:
6.2%
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$5,800 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 23.5%
industry: 26.9%
services: 49.5% (2003)
Labor force:
NA 663
Labor force - by occupation: note: most work on family plantations; paid work exists only in government service, small industry, and the Niue Development Board
Unemployment rate:
12% NA%
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4% (2005)
Budget:
revenues: $15.07 million
expenditures: $16.33 million; including capital expenditures of
$123,700
Agriculture - products: coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes, taro, yams, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle
Industries:
tourism, handicrafts, food processing
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
3 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
2.79 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:
20 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:
NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Exports:
$201,400 (2004)
Exports - commodities:
canned coconut cream, copra, honey, vanilla, passion fruit
products, pawpaws, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicrafts
Exports - partners:
New Zealand mainly, Fiji, Cook Islands, Australia (2004)
Imports:
$9.038 million (2004)
Imports - commodities:
food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels,
lubricants, chemicals, drugs
Imports - partners:
New Zealand mainly, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Australia, US (2004)
Debt - external:
$418,000 (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$2.6 million from New Zealand (2002)
Currency (code):
New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Currency code:
NZD
Exchange rates:
New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004),
1.7221 (2003), 2.1622 (2002), 2.3788 (2001)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
Communications Niue
Telephones - main lines in use:
1,100 est (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
400 (2002)
Telephone system:
domestic: single-line telephone system connects all villages on
island
international: country code - 683
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:
900 (2002)
Transportation Niue
Airports: 1 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Roadways: total: 234 km paved: 86 km unpaved: 148 km (2001)
Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only
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 19 December, 2006
@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
land: 34.6 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
32 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 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% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
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: 1,828 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.2% 15-64 years: 63.9% 65 years and over: 15.9% (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.01% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
NA
Death rate:
NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate:
NA
Sex ratio:
NA
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Total fertility rate:
NA
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,
Polynesian
Religions:
Anglican 34.9%, Roman Catholic 11.7%, Uniting Church in Australia
11.2%, Seventh-Day Adventist 2.8%, Australian Christian 2.4%,
Jehovah's Witness 0.9%, other 2.7%, unspecified 15.3%, none 18.1%
(2001 census)
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:
name: Kingston
geographic coordinates: 29 03 S, 167 58 E
time difference: UTC+11.5 (16.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (territory of Australia)
Independence:
none (territory of Australia)
National holiday:
Bounty Day (commemorates the arrival of Pitcairn Islanders), 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 Grant TAMBLING (since
1 November 2003)
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
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 20 October 2004 (next to be held by December 2007)
election results: Geoffrey Robert GARDNER elected chief minister;
percent of Legislative Assembly vote - 17.2%
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 20 October 2004 (next to be held by December
2007)
election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9
(note - no political parties)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Court of Petty Sessions
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none
International organization participation:
UPU
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
Labor force:
1,345
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 10% industry and services: 90%
Unemployment rate:
0%
Budget:
revenues: $4.6 million
expenditures: $4.8 million; including capital expenditures of $2
million (FY99/00)
Agriculture - products:
Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables,
fruit; cattle, poultry
Industries:
tourism, light industry, ready mixed concrete
Electricity - production:
NA kWh
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2002)
Electricity - consumption:
NA kWh
Exports:
$1.5 million f.o.b. (FY91/92)
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 (2004)
Imports:
$17.9 million c.i.f. (FY91/92)
Imports - commodities:
NA
Imports - partners:
Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe (2004)
Debt - external:
$NA
Economic aid - recipient:
$NA
Currency (code):
Australian dollar (AUD)
Currency code:
AUD
Exchange rates:
Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004),
1.5419 (2003), 1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June
Communications Norfolk Island
Telephones - main lines in use:
2,532; note - a mix of analog (2500) and digital (32) circuits
(2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
0 (proposed cellular service disallowed in August 2002 island
referendum) (2002)
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate
domestic: free local calls
international: country code - 672; undersea coaxial cable links with
Australia, New Zealand, and Canada; satellite earth station
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2005)
Radios:
2,500 (1996)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (local programming station plus two repeaters that bring in
Australian programs by satellite) (2005)
Televisions:
1,200 (1996)
Internet country code:
.nf
Internet hosts:
100 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
2 (2000)
Internet users:
700
Transportation Norfolk Island
Airports: 1 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Roadways: total: 80 km paved: 53 km unpaved: 27 km (2002)
Ports and terminals: none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade
Military Norfolk Island
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues Norfolk Island
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@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, and came into force on 24 March 1976. 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
land: 477 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
Area - comparative:
2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,482 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 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: 13.04%
permanent crops: 4.35%
other: 82.61% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
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:
82,459 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 19.4% (male 8,350/female 7,623)
15-64 years: 79% (male 26,715/female 38,442)
65 years and over: 1.6% (male 679/female 650) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 29.5 years
male: 31.7 years
female: 28.5 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.54% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
19.43 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
2.29 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
8.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.7 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/female
total population: 0.77 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.98 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 6.92 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 7.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.09 years
male: 73.5 years
female: 78.83 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.24 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: NA (US citizens)
adjective: NA
Ethnic groups:
Asian 56.3%, Pacific islander 36.3%, Caucasian 1.8%, other 0.8%,
mixed 4.8% (2000 census)
Religions:
Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs
and taboos may still be found)
Languages:
Philippine languages 24.4%, Chinese 23.4%, Chamorro 22.4%, English
10.8%, other Pacific island languages 9.5%, other 9.6% (2000 census)
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
abbreviation: CNMI
former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Mariana Islands
District
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:
name: Saipan
geographic coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E
time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
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:
Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
effective 1 January 1978; Covenant Agreement fully effective 4
November 1986
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 Benigno R. FITIAL (since 9 January
2006); Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. VILLAGOMEZ (since 9 January
2006)
cabinet: the cabinet consists of the heads of the 10 principal
departments under the executive branch who are appointed by the
governor with the advice and consent of the Senate; other members
include Special Assistants to the governor and office heads
appointed by and reporting directly to the governor
elections: under the US Consitution, residents of unincorporated
territories, such as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice
president; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same
ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second
term); election last held 5 November 2005 (next to be held November
2009)
election results: Benigno R. FITIAL elected governor in a four-way
race; percent of vote - Benigno R. FITIAL (Covenant Party) 28.07%,
Heinz HOFSCHNEIDER (Independent) 27.34%, Juan BABAUTA (Republican)
26.6%, Froilan TENORIO (Democrat) 17.99%
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)
elections: Senate - last held 5 November 2005 (next to be held
November 2009); House of Representatives - last held 5 November 2005
(next to be held November 2007)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by
party - Covenant Party 3, Republican Party 3, Democratic Party 2,
independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party -
NA%; seats by party - Covenant Party 7, Republican Party 7,
Democratic Party 2, independent 2
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)
Judicial branch:
Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court
Political parties and leaders:
Covenant Party [Benigno R. FITIAL]; Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S.
CAMACHO]; Republican Party [Juan S. REYES]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
Interpol (subbureau), SPC, UPU
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 the 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: GDP estimate includes US subsidy (2000 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$633.4 million
GDP - real growth rate:
NA%
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$12,500 (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Labor force:
44,470 total indigenous labor force; 2,699 unemployed; 28,717
foreign workers (2000)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
3.9% NA%
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-0.8% (2000)
Budget:
revenues: $193 million
expenditures: $223 million; including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY01/02 est.)
Agriculture - products:
coconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle
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
Exports:
$NA
Exports - commodities:
garments
Exports - partners:
US (2004)
Imports:
$214.4 million $NA
Imports - commodities:
food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products
Imports - partners:
US, Japan (2004)
Debt - external:
$NA
Economic aid - recipient:
extensive funding from US
Currency (code):
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 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
20,500 (2004)
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: NA
international: country code - 1-670; satellite earth stations - 2
Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 1 (2006)
Radios:
NA
Television broadcast stations:
1 (Low Power TV on Saipan; in addition, two cable services on
Saipan provide varied programming from satellite networks) (2006)
Televisions:
NA
Internet country code:
.mp
Internet hosts:
20 (2005)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
1 (2001)
Internet users:
10,000 (2003)
Transportation Northern Mariana Islands
Airports:
5 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Heliports:
1 (2006)
Roadways:
total: 536 km (2004)
Ports and terminals:
Saipan, Tinian
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 19 December, 2006
@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 lasted 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. Although Norway remained neutral in
World War I, it suffered heavy losses to its shipping. Norway
proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II, but was
nonetheless occupied for five years by Nazi Germany (1940-45). 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: 323,802 sq km
land: 307,442 sq km
water: 16,360 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 2,542 km
border countries: Finland 727 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km
Coastline:
25,148 km (includes mainland 2,650 km, as well as long fjords,
numerous small islands, and minor indentations 22,498 km; length of
island coastlines 58,133 km)
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 10 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 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, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, titanium,
pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 2.7% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.3% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,270 sq km (2003)
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-Sulfur 85,
Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,
Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
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 the world
People Norway
Population:
4,610,820 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 19.3% (male 455,122/female 434,009)
15-64 years: 65.9% (male 1,542,439/female 1,496,745)
65 years and over: 14.8% (male 288,509/female 393,996) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 38.4 years
male: 37.6 years
female: 39.3 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.38% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
11.46 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
9.4 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
1.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 3.67 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 4.03 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.54 years
male: 76.91 years
female: 82.31 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.78 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
2,100 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
less than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Norwegian(s)
adjective: Norwegian
Ethnic groups:
Norwegian, Sami 20,000
Religions:
Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other
Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004)
Languages:
Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small
Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities; note - Sami is official in
six municipalities
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%
Government Norway
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Norway
conventional short form: Norway
local long form: Kongeriket Norge
local short form: Norge
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Oslo
geographic coordinates: 59 55 N, 10 45 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
19 counties (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)
Constitution:
17 May 1814; amended many times
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 Jens STOLTENBERG (since 17
October 2005)
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 (169 seats; members are
elected by popular vote by proportional representation to serve
four-year terms)
elections: last held 12 September 2005 (next to be held September
2009)
election results: percent of vote by party - Labor Party 32.7%,
Progress Party 22.1%, Conservative Party 14.1%, Socialist Left Party
8.8%, Christian People's Party 6.8%, Center Party 6.5%, Liberal
Party 5.9%, Red Electoral Alliance 1.2%, other 1.9%; seats by party
- Labor Party 61, Progress Party 38, Conservative Party 23,
Socialist Left Party 15, Christian People's Party 11, Center Party
11, Liberal Party 10
note: for certain purposes, the parliament divides itself into two
chambers and elects one-fourth of its membership to an upper house
or Lagting
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the monarch)
Political parties and leaders:
Center Party [Aslaug Marie HAGA]; Christian People's Party [Dagfinn
HOYBRATEN]; Coastal Party [Roy WAAGE]; Conservative Party [Erna
SOLBERG]; Labor Party [Jens STOLTENBERG]; Liberal Party [Lars
SPONHEIM]; Progress Party [Siv JENSEN]; Red Electoral Alliance
[Torstein DAHLE]; Socialist Left Party [Kristin HALVORSEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
AfDB, Arctic Council, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN,
EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, ESA, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt,
ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NC, NEA,
NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO,
UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Knut VOLLEBAEK chancery: 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 333-6000 FAX: (202) 337-0870 consulate(s) general: Houston, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Benson K. WHITNEY embassy: Henrik Ibsens gate 48, 0244 Oslo; note - the embassy will move to Huseby in the near future mailing address: PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707 telephone: (22) 44 85 50 FAX: (22) 44 33 63, 56 27 51
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, with oil and gas
accounting for one-third 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; nonetheless, it contributes
sizably to the EU budget. The government has moved ahead with
privatization. Although Norwegian oil production peaked in 2000,
natural gas production is still rising. Norwegians realize that once
their gas production peaks they will eventually face declining oil
and gas revenues; accordingly, Norway has been saving its
oil-and-gas-boosted budget surpluses in a Government Petroleum Fund,
which is invested abroad and now is valued at more than $250
billion. After lackluster growth of 1% in 2002 and 0.5% in 2003, GDP
growth picked up to 3.3% in 2004 and to 3.7% in 2005.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$196.4 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$246.9 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$42,800 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.1% industry: 41.5% services: 56.4% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 2.4 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4% industry: 22% services: 74% (1995)
Unemployment rate:
4.6% (2005 est.)
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 (2000)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.6% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
18.7% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $176.1 billion
expenditures: $131.3 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA
(2005 est.)
Public debt:
50.1% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
barley, wheat, potatoes; pork, beef, veal, milk; fish
Industries:
petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper
products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing
Industrial production growth rate:
-0.5% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:
105.6 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.4% hydro: 99.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
106.1 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
5.6 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
13.5 billion kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
3.22 million bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:
257,200 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
3.466 million bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:
88,870 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:
9.859 billion bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production:
73.4 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
4.14 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
50.5 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
2.118 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)
Current account balance:
$49.49 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:
$111.2 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals,
chemicals, ships, fish
Exports - partners:
UK 25.5%, Germany 12.6%, Netherlands 9.9%, France 9.1%, US 6.7%,
Sweden 6.5% (2005)
Imports:
$58.12 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Sweden 14.6%, Germany 13.6%, Denmark 7.3%, UK 6.8%, China 5.5%, US
5%, France 4% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$46.99 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:
$281 billion; note - Norway is a net external creditor (30 June
2005)
Economic aid - donor:
ODA, $1.4 billion (1998)
Currency (code):
Norwegian krone (NOK)
Currency code:
NOK
Exchange rates:
Norwegian kroner per US dollar - 6.4425 (2005), 6.7408 (2004),
7.0802 (2003), 7.9838 (2002), 8.9917 (2001)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Norway
Telephones - main lines in use:
2.129 million (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
4.755 million (2005)
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: country code - 47; 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 hosts:
1,364,448 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
13 (2000)
Internet users:
3.14 million (2005)
Transportation Norway
Airports: 99 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 67 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 29 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 32 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 26 (2006)
Heliports:
1 (2006)
Pipelines:
condensate 508 km; gas 5,910 km; oil 2,557 km; oil/gas/water 746 km
(2006)
Railways:
total: 4,077 km
standard gauge: 4,077 km 1.435-m gauge (2,680 km electrified) (2005)
Roadways:
total: 92,513 km
paved: 71,832 km (including 664 km of expressways)
unpaved: 20,681 km (2005)
Waterways:
1,577 km (2002)
Merchant marine:
total: 724 ships (1000 GRT or over) 14,472,103 GRT/20,245,353 DWT
by type: bulk carrier 67, cargo 153, chemical tanker 150, container
2, liquefied gas 79, passenger/cargo 121, petroleum tanker 75,
refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 19, specialized tanker 2,
vehicle carrier 47
foreign-owned: 168 (China 3, Cyprus 2, Denmark 32, Estonia 1,
Finland 4, Greece 1, Hong Kong 55, Iceland 4, Italy 4, Japan 1,
Lithuania 1, Monaco 4, Netherlands 3, Poland 2, Saudi Arabia 3,
Sweden 28, UAE 1, UK 6, US 13)
registered in other countries: 861 (Antigua and Barbuda 11,
Australia 1, Bahamas 259, Barbados 29, Belize 2, Bermuda 5, Brazil
2, Cambodia 1, Canada 1, Cayman Islands 2, China 1, Comoros 1, Cook
Islands 1, Cyprus 16, Denmark 3, Dominica 1, Ecuador 1, Estonia 2,
Faroe Islands 4, Finland 1, France 1, French Southern and Antarctic
Lands 12, Gibraltar 18, Hong Kong 26, Indonesia 1, Isle of Man 27,
Liberia 38, Libya 1, Malta 49, Marshall Islands 65, Mexico 1,
Netherlands 7, Netherlands Antilles 5, Nigeria 1, Panama 66,
Philippines 3, Portugal 4, Russia 1, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines 16, Singapore 90, Spain 7, Sweden 7, Thailand 30, Tonga
1, UK 36, US 2, unknown 2) (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Borg Havn, Bergen, Mo i Rana, Molde, Mongstad, Narvik, Oslo, Sture
Military Norway
Military branches:
Norwegian Army (Haeren), Royal Norwegian Navy (Kongelige Norske
Sjoeforsvaret, RNoN; includes Coastal Rangers and Coast Guard
(Kystvakt)), Royal Norwegian Air Force (Kongelige Norske
Luftforsvaret, RNoAF), Home Guard (Heimevernet, HV) (2006)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age in
wartime; 17 years of age for male volunteers; 18 years of age for
women; 16 years of age for volunteers to the Home Guard; conscript
service obligation - 12 months (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 1,014,592
females age 18-49: 982,734 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 827,016
females age 18-49: 801,358 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males age 18-49: 29,179
females age 18-49: 28,023 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$4,033.5 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.9% (2003)
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 19 December, 2006
@Oman
Introduction Oman
Background:
The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian
Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established sultanate
in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with
Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and
military advisors increased, but it never became a British colony.
In 1970, QABOOS bin Said al-Said overthrew the restrictive rule of
his father; he has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive
modernization program has opened the country to the outside world
while preserving the longstanding close ties 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
land: 212,460 sq km
water: 0 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: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 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: 0.12% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 99.74% (2005)
Irrigated land:
720 sq km (2003)
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, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, 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: 3,102,229 note: includes 577,293 non-nationals (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42.7% (male 675,423/female 648,963)
15-64 years: 54.7% (male 1,001,917/female 695,578)
65 years and over: 2.6% (male 44,300/female 36,048) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 19 years
male: 21.7 years
female: 16.5 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.28% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
36.24 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
3.81 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.44 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.23 male(s)/female
total population: 1.25 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 18.89 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 21.65 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 16 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.37 years
male: 71.14 years
female: 75.72 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.77 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
1,300 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
less than 200 (2003 est.)
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%
Government Oman
Country name:
conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman
conventional short form: Oman
local long form: Saltanat Uman
local short form: Uman
former: Muscat and Oman
Government type:
monarchy
Capital:
name: Muscat
geographic coordinates: 23 37 N, 58 35 E
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
5 regions (manatiq, singular - mintaqat) and 4 governorates*
(muhafazat, singular - muhafazat) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al
Buraymi*, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat*, Musandam*,
Zufar (Dhofar)*
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 basic law considered by the government to be a
constitution 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 Majlis al-Shura elections in 2003, suffrage
was universal for all Omanis over age 21 except for members of the
military and security forces; the next Majlis al-Shura elections are
scheduled for 2007
Executive branch:
chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said al-Said
(sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972);
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 (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July
1972); 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 (58 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has advisory
powers only) and a lower chamber or Majlis al-Shura (83 seats;
members elected by popular vote for four-year terms; 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 2007)
election results: NA
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
note: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has
judges who practice secular and Shari'a law
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory),
IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU,
LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmad
al-MUGHAIRI
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 Gary A. GRAPPO
embassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat
mailing address: P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos,
Muscat
telephone: 24-698989
FAX: 24-699771
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 is a middle-income economy in the Middle East with notable oil
and gas resources, a substantial trade surplus, and low inflation.
Work on a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility progressed in
2005 and will contribute to slightly higher oil and gas exports in
2006. Oman continues to liberalize its markets and joined the World
Trade Organization (WTO) in November 2000. To reduce unemployment
and limit dependence on foreign labor, the government is encouraging
the replacement of foreign expatriate workers with local workers.
Training in information technology, business management, and English
support this objective. Industrial development plans focus on gas
resources, metal manufacturing, petrochemicals, and international
transshipment ports. In 2005, Oman signed agreements with several
foreign investors to boost oil reserves, build and operate a power
plant, and develop a second mobile phone network in the country.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$40.39 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$24.98 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.6% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$13,500 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.7% industry: 39% services: 58.3% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 920,000 (2002 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
15% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.2% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
14.8% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $14.36 billion
expenditures: $10.61 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA
(2005 est.)
Public debt:
8.1% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish
Industries:
crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural
gas (LNG) production; construction, cement, copper, steel,
chemicals, optic fiber
Industrial production growth rate:
4.1% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:
10.3 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
9.582 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
769,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:
62,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
721,000 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - imports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:
6.1 billion bbl (2005 est.)
Natural gas - production:
16.5 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
7.09 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
7.43 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
829.1 billion cu m (2005)
Current account balance:
$4.796 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:
$19.01 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles
Exports - partners:
China 21.7%, South Korea 19.5%, Japan 14.3%, Thailand 12.7%, UAE
7.1%, Taiwan 4.1% (2005)
Imports:
$8.709 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food,
livestock, lubricants
Imports - partners:
UAE 22.4%, Japan 15.7%, UK 7.7%, US 6.7%, Germany 5.8%, India 4.2%
(2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$4.358 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:
$4.361 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$76.4 million (1995)
Currency (code):
Omani rial (OMR)
Currency code:
OMR
Exchange rates:
Omani rials per US dollar - 0.3845 (2005), 0.3845 (2004), 0.3845
(2003), 0.3845 (2002), 0.3845 (2001)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Oman
Telephones - main lines in use:
265,200 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.333 million (2005)
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: country code - 968; 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 hosts:
3,555 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
1 (2000)
Internet users:
245,000 (2005)
Transportation Oman
Airports: 137 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 131 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 52 914 to 1,523 m: 35 under 914 m: 35 (2006)
Heliports:
1 (2006)
Pipelines:
gas 4,072 km; oil 3,405 km (2006)
Roadways:
total: 34,965 km
paved: 9,673 km (including 550 km of expressways)
unpaved: 25,292 km (2001)
Merchant marine:
total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 10,797 GRT/5,040 DWT
by type: passenger 1
registered in other countries: 2 (Kazakhstan 2) (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Mina' Qabus, Salalah
Military Oman
Military branches:
Royal Omani Armed Forces: Royal Army of Oman, Royal Navy of Oman,
Royal Air Force of Oman (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Sultanat Oman,
RAFO) (2006)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 719,871
females age 18-49: 508,621 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 581,444
females age 18-49: 435,107 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males age 18-49: 26,391
females age 18-49: 25,466 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$252.99 million (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
11.4% (2003)
Transnational Issues Oman
Disputes - international:
boundary agreement reportedly signed and ratified with UAE in 2003
for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah
exclave, but details have not been made public
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Oman is a destination country for men and women
primarily from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India who migrate
willingly, but may subsequently become victims of trafficking when
subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude as domestic workers
and laborers; there have been occasional reports that expatriate
children engaged in camel racing may transit or reside in Omani
territory
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Oman is placed on the Tier 2 Watch
List because of a lack of evidence of increasing efforts to combat
severe forms of trafficking in persons in 2005
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@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. The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization
in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth ocean, the Southern Ocean,
removed the portion of the Pacific Ocean south of 60 degrees south.
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 the 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 led to fluctuations in new
drillings.
Transportation Pacific Ocean
Ports and terminals:
Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong (China), 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 19 December, 2006
@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, and India and Pakistan fought two
wars - in 1947-48 and 1965 - over the disputed Kashmir territory. A
third war between these countries in 1971 - in which India
capitalized on Islamabad's marginalization of Bengalis in Pakistani
politics - resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of
Bangladesh. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan
conducted its own tests in 1998. The dispute over the state of
Kashmir is ongoing, but discussions and confidence-building measures
have led to decreased tensions since 2002.
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: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
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: 24.44% permanent crops: 0.84% other: 74.72% (2005)
Irrigated land:
182,300 sq km (2003)
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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, 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
Geography - note:
controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes
between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent
People Pakistan
Population:
165,803,560 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 39% (male 33,293,428/female 31,434,314)
15-64 years: 56.9% (male 48,214,298/female 46,062,933)
65 years and over: 4.1% (male 3,256,065/female 3,542,522) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 19.8 years
male: 19.7 years
female: 20 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.09% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
29.74 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
8.23 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 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: 0.92 male(s)/female
total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 70.45 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 70.84 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 70.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 63.39 years
male: 62.4 years
female: 64.44 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
74,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
4,900 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E,
and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and cutaneous
leishmaniasis are high risks depending on location
animal contact disease: rabies (2005)
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: 48.7%
male: 61.7%
female: 35.2% (2004 est.)
Government Pakistan
Country name:
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan
conventional short form: Pakistan
local long form: Jamhuryat Islami Pakistan
local short form: Pakistan
former: West Pakistan
Government type:
federal republic
Capital:
name: Islamabad
geographic coordinates: 33 42 N, 73 10 E
time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
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 consists of two administrative entities: Azad Kashmir
and Northern Areas
Independence:
14 August 1947 (from UK)
National holiday:
Republic Day, 23 March (1956)
Constitution:
12 April 1973; suspended 5 July 1977, restored with amendments 30
December 1985; suspended 15 October 1999, restored in stages in
2002; amended 31 December 2003
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; 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; on 1 January 2004, MUSHARRAF won a vote
of confidence in the Senate, National Assembly, and four provincial
assemblies
chief of state: President General Pervez MUSHARRAF (since 20 June
2001)
head of government: Prime Minister Shaukat AZIZ (since 28 August
2004)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister
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 in
2007); the prime minister is selected by the National Assembly (next
to be held in 2007)
election results: AZIZ elected by the National Assembly on 27 August
2004 with 191 of the votes
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists of the Senate (100
seats - formerly 87; members indirectly elected by provincial
assemblies to serve six-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 five-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held in March 2006 (next to be held in
March 2009); National Assembly - last held 10 October 2002 (next to
be held in 2007)
election results: Senate results - percent of vote by party - NA;
seats by party - PML 47, PPPP 9, MMA 20, MQM/A 6, PML/N 4, PML/F 1,
PkMAP 3, ANP 2, PPP 3, JWP 1, BNP-Awami 1, BNP-Mengal 1, BNP/H 1,
independents 1; 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
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president); Federal
Islamic or Shari'a Court
Political parties and leaders:
Awami National Party or ANP [Asfandyar Wali KHAN]; Balochistan
National Party/Hayee Group or BNP/H [Dr. Hayee BALUCH]; Baluch
National Party/Awami or BNP/Awami [Moheem Khan BALOCH]; Baluch
National Party-Mengal or BNP/M [Sardar Ataullah MENGAL]; Jamhoori
Watan Party or JWP; Jamiat-al-Hadith or JAH [Sajid MIR];
Jamiat-i-Islami or JI [Qazi Hussain AHMED]; 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
Ulema-i-Pakistan or JUP [Shah Faridul HAQ]; Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal
Pakistan or MMA [Qazi Hussain AHMED]; Muttahida Qaumi Movement,
Altaf faction or MQM/A [Altaf HUSSAIN]; Muttahida Quami Movement,
Haqiqi faction or MQM/H [Afaq AHMAD]; National Alliance or NA
[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
Muslim League, Functional Group or PML/F [Pir PAGARO]; Pakistan
Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif faction or PML/N [Nawaz SHARIF];
Pakistan Muslim League or PML [Chaudhry Shujaat HUSSAIN]; note - as
of May 2004, the PML/Q changed its name to PML and absorbed the
PML/J, PML/Z, and NA; Pakistan National Party or PNP [Hasil
BIZENJO]; Pakistan People's Party or PPP [Aftab Ahmed Khan SHERPAO];
Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians or PPPP [Benazir BHUTTO];
Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf or PTI [Imran KHAN]; Tehrik-i-Islami
[Allama Sajid NAQVI]
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:
ARF, AsDB, C (reinstated 2004), CP, ECO, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO,
MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, SAARC,
SACEP, SCO (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR,
UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mahmud Ali DURRANI chancery: 3517 International Court, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 243-6500 FAX: (202) 686-1544 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Sunnyvale (California)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ryan CROCKER embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200 telephone: (51) 208-0000 FAX: (51) 2276427 consulate(s) general: Karachi consulate(s): 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, has suffered
from decades of internal political disputes, low levels of foreign
investment, and a costly, ongoing confrontation with neighboring
India. However, IMF-approved government policies, bolstered by
generous foreign assistance and renewed access to global markets
since 2001, have generated solid macroeconomic recovery the last
four years. The government has made substantial macroeconomic
reforms since 2000, although progress on more politically sensitive
reforms has slowed. For example, in the budget for fiscal year 2006,
Islamabad did not impose taxes on the agriculture or real estate
sectors, despite Pakistan's chronically low tax-to-GDP ratio. While
long-term prospects remain uncertain, given Pakistan's low level of
development, medium-term prospects for job creation and poverty
reduction are the best in more than a decade. Islamabad has raised
development spending from about 2% of GDP in the 1990s to 4% in
2003, a necessary step towards reversing the broad underdevelopment
of its social sector. GDP growth, spurred by double-digit gains in
industrial production over the past year, has become less dependent
on agriculture, and remained above 7% in 2004 and 2005. Inflation
remains the biggest threat to the economy, jumping to more than 9%
in 2005. The World Bank and Asian Development Bank announced that
they would provide US $1 billion each in aid to help Pakistan
rebuild areas hit by the October 2005 earthquake in Kashmir. Foreign
exchange reserves continued to reach new levels in 2005, supported
by steady worker remittances. In the near term, growth probably
cannot be sustained at the 7% level; however, massive international
aid, increased government spending, lower taxes, and pay increases
for government workers will help Pakistan maintain strong GDP growth
over the longer term.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$395.2 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$89.55 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.6% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,400 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 21.6%
industry: 25.1%
services: 53.3% (2005 est.)
Labor force:
46.84 million
note: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use
of child labor (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 42%
industry: 20%
services: 38% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:
6.6% plus substantial underemployment (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:
32% (FY00/01 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 27.6% (FY96/97)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
41 (FY98/99)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
9.1% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
15.3% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $15.45 billion
expenditures: $20.07 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA
(2005 est.)
Public debt:
53.8% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef,
mutton, eggs
Industries:
textiles and apparel, food processing, pharmaceuticals,
construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp
Industrial production growth rate:
10.7% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:
76.92 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 68.8% hydro: 28.2% nuclear: 3% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
71.54 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
63,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:
365,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:
341.8 million bbl (2005 est.)
Natural gas - production:
23.8 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
23.8 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
759.7 billion cu m (2005)
Current account balance:
$-1.109 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:
$14.85 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:
textiles (garments, bed linen, cotton cloth, yarn), rice, leather
goods, sports goods, chemicals, manufactures, carpets and rugs
Exports - partners:
US 22.5%, UAE 8.9%, UK 5.8%, China 5.4%, Germany 4.6% (2005)
Imports:
$21.26 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:
petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, plastics, transportation
equipment, edible oils, paper and paperboard, iron and steel, tea
Imports - partners:
China 13.8%, Saudi Arabia 10.3%, UAE 8.8%, Japan 6.1%, US 5%,
Kuwait 5%, Germany 4.8% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$10.95 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:
$38.8 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$2.4 billion (FY01/02)
Currency (code):
Pakistani rupee (PKR)
Currency code:
PKR
Exchange rates:
Pakistani rupees per US dollar - 59.515 (2005), 58.258 (2004),
57.752 (2003), 59.724 (2002), 61.927 (2001)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June
Communications Pakistan
Telephones - main lines in use:
5,277,500 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
12.771 million (2005)
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: country code - 92; 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 hosts:
72,765 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
30 (2000)
Internet users:
10.5 million (2005)
Transportation Pakistan
Airports: 139 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 91 over 3,047 m: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 21 1,524 to 2,437 m: 33 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 8 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 48 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 23 (2006)
Heliports:
18 (2006)
Pipelines:
gas 10,257 km; oil 2,001 km (2006)
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 (2004)
Roadways:
total: 255,856 km
paved: 157,975 km (including 367 km of expressways)
unpaved: 97,881 km (2004)
Merchant marine:
total: 16 ships (1000 GRT or over) 397,740 GRT/657,656 DWT
by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 10, container 1, petroleum tanker 4
registered in other countries: 11 (Comoros 2, North Korea 3, Malta
1, Nigeria 1, Panama 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Karachi, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim
Military Pakistan
Military branches:
Army (includes National Guard), Navy (includes Marines), Pakistan
Air Force (Pakistan Fiza'ya) (2006)
Military service age and obligation: 16 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers cannot be deployed for combat until age of 18; the Pakistani Air Force has inducted its first female combat pilot (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 39,028,014
females age 16-49: 36,779,584 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 29,428,747
females age 16-49: 28,391,887 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males age 18-49: 1,969,055
females age 16-49: 1,849,254 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$4.26 billion (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
3.9% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Pakistan
Disputes - international:
various talks and confidence-building measures cautiously have
begun to defuse tensions over Kashmir, particularly since the
October 2005 earthquake in the region; Kashmir nevertheless remains
the site of the world's largest and most militarized territorial
dispute with portions under the de facto administration of China
(Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir
and Northern Areas); UN Military Observer Group in India and
Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has maintained a small group of peacekeepers
since 1949; India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic
Kashmir lands to China in 1964; in 2004, India and Pakistan
instituted a cease-fire in the Kashmir, and in 2005 restored bus
service across the highly militarized Line of Control; Pakistan has
taken its dispute on the impact of India's building the Baglihar Dam
on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir to the World Bank for
arbitration and in general the two states still dispute Indus River
water sharing; to defuse tensions and prepare discussions on a
maritime boundary, in 2004, India and Pakistan resurveyed a portion
of the disputed the Sir Creek estuary at the mouth of the Rann of
Kutch; Pakistani maps continue to show the Junagadh claim in India's
Gujarat State; by 2005, Pakistan, with UN assistance, had
repatriated 2.3 million Afghan refugees and had undertaken a census
to count the remaining million or more, many of whom remain at their
own choosing; Pakistan has sent troops into remote tribal areas to
control the border with Afghanistan and stem organized terrorist or
other illegal cross-border activities; regular meetings with Afghan
and Coalition allies aim to resolve periodic claims of boundary
encroachments
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 960,041 (Afghanistan)
IDPs: undetermined (government strikes on Islamic militants in South
Waziristan); 3 million (October 2005 earthquake) (2005)
Illicit drugs:
opium poppy cultivation declined 58% to 3,147 hectares in 2005;
federal and provincial authorities continue to conduct anti-poppy
campaigns that force eradication - fines and arrests will take place
if the ban on poppy cultivation is not observed; key transit point
for Afghan drugs, including heroin, opium, morphine, and hashish,
bound for Western markets, the Gulf States, and Africa; financial
crimes related to drug trafficking, terrorism, corruption, and
smuggling remain problems
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@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
land: 458 sq km
water: 0 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: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
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: 8.7%
permanent crops: 4.35%
other: 86.95% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
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:
20,579 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 26.3% (male 2,789/female 2,622)
15-64 years: 69.1% (male 7,664/female 6,549)
65 years and over: 4.6% (male 453/female 502) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 31.7 years
male: 32.7 years
female: 30.7 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.31% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
18.03 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
6.8 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
1.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.17 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
total population: 1.13 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 14.46 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 16.19 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.42 years
male: 67.26 years
female: 73.77 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.46 children born/woman (2006 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) 69.9%,
Filipino 15.3%, Chinese 4.9%, other Asian 2.4%, white 1.9%,
Carolinian 1.4%, other Micronesian 1.1%, other or unspecified 3.2%
(2000 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 41.6%, Protestant 23.3%, Modekngei 8.8% (indigenous
to Palau), Seventh-Day Adventist 5.3%, Jehovah's Witness 0.9%,
Latter-Day Saints 0.6%, other religion 3.1%, unspecified or none
16.4% (2000 census)
Languages:
Palauan 64.7% official in all islands except Sonsoral (Sonsoralese
and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and
Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official), Filipino 13.5%,
English 9.4%, Chinese 5.7%, Carolinian 1.5%, Japanese 1.5%, other
Asian 2.3%, other languages 1.5% (2000 census)
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 long form: Beluu er a Belau
local short form: Belau
former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau District
Government type:
constitutional government in free association with the US; the
Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994
Capital:
name: Melekeok
geographic coordinates: 7 29 N, 134 38 E
time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror,
Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar,
Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol
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 Camsek CHIN (since 1 January 2005);
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 Camsek CHIN (since 1 January 2005)
cabinet: NA
elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets
by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term);
election last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2008)
election results: Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. reelected president;
percent of vote - Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. 64%, Polycarp BASILIUS
33%; Elias Camsek CHIN elected vice president; percent of vote -
Elias Camsek CHIN 70%, Sandra PIERANTOZZI 29%
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 2 November 2004 (next to be held
November 2008); House of Delegates - last held 2 November 2004 (next
to be held November 2008)
election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA%; seats -
independents 9 (four new members elected); House of Delegates -
percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 16 (one new member
elected)
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, AsDB, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC,
IPU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA
chancery: 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC
20006
telephone: (202) 452-6814
FAX: (202) 452-6281
consulate(s) general: Honolulu
consulate(s): Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: US ambassador to the Philippines is accredited to
Palau
embassy: Koror (no street address)
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 63,000 in 2003. 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):
$124.5 million; note - includes US subsidy (2004 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$145 million
GDP - real growth rate:
5.5% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$7,600 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% 6.2% industry: NA% 12% services: NA% 81.8%
Labor force: 9,777 (2005)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 20% industry: NA% services: NA% (1990)
Unemployment rate:
4.2% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.7% (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $72.07 million
expenditures: $72.43 million; including capital expenditures of
$12.98 million (FY98/99 est.)
Agriculture - products:
coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; fish
Industries:
tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction,
garment making
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production by source:
NA
Current account balance:
$15.09 million
Exports:
$5.882 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:
shellfish, tuna, copra, garments
Exports - partners:
US, Japan, Singapore (2004)
Imports:
$107.3 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
US, Singapore, Japan, South Korea (2004)
Debt - external:
$0 (FY99/00)
Economic aid - recipient:
$19.6 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 (code):
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: country code - 680; 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 (cable) (2005)
Televisions:
11,000 (1997)
Internet country code:
.pw
Internet hosts:
3 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
1 (2002)
Transportation Palau
Airports: 3 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2006)
Roadways:
total: 61 km
paved: 36 km
unpaved: 25 km
Ports and terminals:
Koror
Military Palau
Military branches:
no regular military forces; Palau National Police (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 5,694 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 4,087 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males age 18-49: 142 (2005 est.)
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, but it has not stationed any
military forces there (2005)
Transnational Issues Palau
Disputes - international: border delineation disputes being negotiated with Philippines, Indonesia
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@Panama
Introduction Panama
Background:
Explored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, Panama
broke with Spain in 1821 and joined a union of Colombia, Venezuela,
and Ecuador - named the Republic of Gran Colombia. When the latter
dissolved in 1830, Panama remained part of Colombia. 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. In 1977, an agreement was
signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama
by the end of the century. Certain portions of the Zone and
increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the
subsequent decades. 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 transfered to Panama by
the end of 1999. In October 2006, Panamanians approved an ambitious
plan to expand the Canal. The project, which is to begin in 2007 and
could double the Canal's capacity, is expected to be completed in
2014-15.
Geography Panama
Location:
Central 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
land: 75,990 sq km
water: 2,210 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: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 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: 7.26% permanent crops: 1.95% other: 90.79% (2005)
Irrigated land:
430 sq km (2003)
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, 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:
3,191,319 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 30.3% (male 492,403/female 472,996)
15-64 years: 63.4% (male 1,025,898/female 998,926)
65 years and over: 6.3% (male 94,122/female 106,974) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 26.1 years
male: 25.8 years
female: 26.5 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.6% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
21.74 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
5.36 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 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: 0.88 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 16.37 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 17.75 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 14.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.22 years
male: 72.68 years
female: 77.87 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.68 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.9% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
16,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
less than 500 (2003 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 long form: Republica de Panama
local short form: Panama
Government type:
constitutional democracy
Capital:
name: Panama
geographic coordinates: 8 58 N, 79 32 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard
Time)
Administrative divisions:
9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory*
(comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera,
Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*(Kuna Yala), 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, 1994, and 2004
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 Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1 September
2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1 September
2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since 1
September 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and
head of government
head of government: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1
September 2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1
September 2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since
1 September 2004); 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 (eligible for two more terms);
election last held 2 May 2004 (next to be held 3 May 2009); note -
beginning in 2009, Panama will have only one vice president.
election results: Martin TORRIJOS Espino elected president; percent
of vote - Martin TORRIJOS Espino 47.5%, Guillermo ENDARA Galimany
30.6%, Jose Miguel ALEMAN 17%, Ricardo MARTINELLI 4.9%
note: government coalition - PRD (Democratic Revolutionary Party),
PP (Popular Party)
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (formerly called Legislative Assembly)
or Asamblea Nacional (78 seats; members are elected by popular vote
to serve five-year terms); note - in 2009, the number of seats will
change to 71
elections: last held 2 May 2004 (next to be held 3 May 2009)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -
PRD 40, PA 17, PS 8, MOLIRENA 3, CD 2, PP 2, PLN 1, other 5
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
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:
Democratic Change or CD [Ricardo MARTINELLI]; Democratic
Revolutionary Party or PRD [Hugo GUIRAUD]; National Liberal Party or
PLN [Anibal GALINDO]; Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or
MOLIRENA [Jesus ROSAS]; Panamenista Party or PA (formerly the
Arnulfista Party) [Marco AMEGLIO]; Popular Party or PP (formerly
Christian Democratic Party or PDC) [Ricardo ARIAS Calderon];
Solidarity Party or PS [Jose Raul MULINO]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council of
Organized Workers or CONATO; National Council of Private Enterprise
or CONEP; National Union of Construction and Similar Workers
(SUNTRACS); Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE;
Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers Confederation of
the Republic of Panama or CTRP
International organization participation:
CAN (observer), CSN (observer), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM,
OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,
WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Federico HUMBERT Arias
chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: (202) 483-1407
FAX: (202) 483-8416
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New
York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador William A. EATON
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 dollarised economy rests 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 the Colon Free Zone and agricultural exports, the global
slowdown, and the withdrawal of US military forces held back
economic growth in 2000-03; growth picked up in 2004 and 2005 led by
export-oriented services and a construction boom stimulated by tax
incentives. The government has implemented tax reforms, as well as
social security reforms, and backs regional trade agreements and
development of tourism. Unemployment remains high.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$23.33 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$14.89 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.4% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$7,400 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 6.8%
industry: 15.6%
services: 77.6% (2005 est.)
Labor force:
1.39 million
note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled
labor (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 20.8%
industry: 18%
services: 61.2% (1995 est.)
Unemployment rate:
9.8% (2005 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:
56.4 (2000)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.9% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
16.5% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $3.426 billion
expenditures: $3.959 billion; including capital expenditures of $471
million (2005 est.)
Public debt:
64.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock;
shrimp
Industries:
construction, brewing, cement and other construction materials,
sugar milling
Industrial production growth rate:
1.7% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:
5.398 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 37% hydro: 61.3% nuclear: 0% other: 1.7% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
4.87 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
175 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
25 million kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:
78,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:
NA bbl/day; note - imports oil
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Current account balance:
$-705.7 million (2005 est.)
Exports:
$7.481 billion f.o.b.; note - includes the Colon Free Zone (2005
est.)
Exports - commodities:
bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing
Exports - partners:
US 44.9%, Spain 8.9%, Sweden 5.6%, Netherlands 4.9%, Costa Rica 4%
(2005)
Imports:
$8.734 billion f.o.b. (includes the Colon Free Zone) (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:
capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals
Imports - partners:
US 27.5%, Netherlands Antilles 11.4%, Costa Rica 4.7%, Japan 4.5%
(2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.211 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:
$9.758 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$197.1 million (1995)
Currency (code):
balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD)
Currency code:
PAB; USD
Exchange rates:
balboas per US dollar - 1 (2005), 1 (2004), 1 (2003), 1 (2002), 1
(2001)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Panama
Telephones - main lines in use:
440,100 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.352 million (2005)
Telephone system:
general assessment: domestic and international facilities well
developed
domestic: NA
international: country code - 507; 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 hosts:
7,149 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
6 (2000)
Internet users:
300,000 (2005)
Transportation Panama
Airports: 117 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 53 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 28 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 64 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 53 (2006)
Railways:
total: 355 km
standard gauge: 77 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 278 km 0.914-m gauge (2005)
Roadways:
total: 11,643 km
paved: 4,028 km
unpaved: 7,615 km (2000)
Waterways:
800 km (includes 82 km Panama Canal) (2005)
Merchant marine:
total: 5,473 ships (1000 GRT or over) 146,511,342 GRT/219,940,567
DWT
by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 1,776, cargo 992, chemical
tanker 476, combination ore/oil 2, container 663, liquefied gas 193,
livestock carrier 7, passenger 49, passenger/cargo 77, petroleum
tanker 518, refrigerated cargo 299, roll on/roll off 123,
specialized tanker 23, vehicle carrier 274
foreign-owned: 4,922 (Anguilla 1, Argentina 9, Australia 3, Bahamas,
The 2, Belgium 11, Bermuda 1, Bulgaria 1, Canada 4, Chile 9, China
420, Colombia 5, Croatia 5, Cuba 11, Cyprus 14, Denmark 34, Egypt
16, Estonia 3, France 15, Gabon 1, Germany 35, Greece 524, Hong Kong
169, India 19, Indonesia 50, Iran 4, Ireland 2, Israel 6, Italy 15,
Japan 2007, Jordan 13, South Korea ( ( (291, Kuwait 2, Latvia 3,
Lebanon 2, Lithuania 5, Malaysia 13, Maldives 1, Malta 3, Mexico 5,
Monaco 9, Morocco 1, Netherlands 21, Nigeria 7, Norway 66, Pakistan
3, Peru 15, Philippines 13, Poland 15, Portugal 10, Qatar 1, Romania
9, Russia 7, Saudi Arabia 8, Singapore 67, South Africa 3, Spain 53,
Sri Lanka 5, Sudan 1, Sweden 5, Switzerland 226, Syria 18, Taiwan
308, Thailand 9, Trinidad and Tobago 1, Turkey 42, UAE 105, UK 37,
Ukraine 8, US 94, Venezuela 14, Vietnam 4, Yemen 3)
registered in other countries: 1 (Venezuela 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Balboa, Colon, Cristobal
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)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 751,065 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 591,604 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males age 18-49: 29,724
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$150 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1% (2005 est.)
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: organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia operate within the border region with Panama
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 19 December, 2006
@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: 0.49% permanent crops: 1.4% other: 98.11% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
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, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of world's largest
swamps along southwest coast
People Papua New Guinea
Population:
5,670,544 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 37.8% (male 1,090,879/female 1,054,743)
15-64 years: 58.3% (male 1,703,204/female 1,601,224)
65 years and over: 3.9% (male 103,054/female 117,440) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 21.2 years
male: 21.4 years
female: 21.1 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.21% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
29.36 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
7.25 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 49.96 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 54.08 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 45.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 65.28 years
male: 63.08 years
female: 67.58 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.88 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.6% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
16,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
600 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in some locations (2005)
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:
Melanesian Pidgin serves as the lingua franca, English spoken by
1%-2%, Motu spoken in Papua region
note: 820 indigenous languages spoken (over one-tenth of the world's
total)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 64.6%
male: 71.1%
female: 57.7% (2002)
Government Papua New Guinea
Country name:
conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guinea
conventional short form: Papua New Guinea
local short form: Papuaniugini
former: Territory of Papua and New Guinea
abbreviation: PNG
Government type:
constitutional parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Port Moresby
geographic coordinates: 9 30 S, 147 10 E
time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
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 Paulius MATANE (since 29 June
2004)
head of government: Prime Minister Sir Michael SOMARE (since 2
August 2002); deputy prime minister Don Polye (since 5 July 2006)
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 - National Alliance 18%,
URP 13%, PDM 12%, PPP 8%, Pangu 6%, PAP 5%, PLP 4%, others 34%;
seats by party - National Alliance 19, URP 14, PDM 13, PPP 8, PANGU
6, PAP 5, PLP 4, others 40; as of January 2006 - National Alliance
25, URP 10, PNGP 9, PPP 9, PANGU 6, PAP 12, PLP 4, others 34
note: association with political parties is fluid (2005)
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:
Christian Democratic Party [Dr. Banare BUN]; Melanesian Alliance
Party or MAP [Sir Moi AVEL]; National Alliance Party or NA [Michael
SOMARE]; National Party [Melcher PEP]; Papua and Niugini Union Party
or PANGU [Rabbie NAMALIU]; Papua New Guinea First Party [Cecilking
DORUBA]; Papua New Guinea Labor Party [Bob DANAYA]; Papua New Guinea
Party or PNGP (was People's Democratic Movement or PDM) [Sir Mekere
MORAUTA]; People's Action Party or PAP [Moses MALADINA]; People's
Labor Party or PLP [Ekis ROPENU]; People's National Congress or PNC
[Peter O'NEILL]; People's Progress Party or PPP [Byron CHAN]; Pipol
First Party [Luther WENGE]; United Party [Bire KIMASOPA]; United
Resources Party or URP [Tim NEVILLE] (2005)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACP, APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD,
ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA,
NAM, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Evan Jeremy PAKI
chancery: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington, DC
20036
telephone: (202) 745-3680
FAX: (202) 745-3679
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 nearly two-thirds of export
earnings. The economy has improved over the past three years because
of high commodity prices following a prolonged period of
instability. The government of Prime Minister SOMARE has expended
much of its energy remaining in power and should be the first
government in decades to serve a full five-year term. The government
has also brought stability to the national budget thus far, largely
through expenditure control. Numerous challenges still face the
government including regaining investor confidence, restoring
integrity to state institutions, promoting economic efficiency by
privatizing moribund state institutions, and balancing relations
with Australia, the former colonial ruler. Other socio-cultural
challenges include the HIV/Aids epidemic, law and order, and land
tenure issues. Australia annually supplies $240 million in aid,
which accounts for nearly 20% of the national budget.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$14.37 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$3.924 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,600 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 35.3% industry: 38.1% services: 26.6% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 2.413 million (2004)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 85% industry: NA% services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
2.8% up to 80% in urban areas (2004)
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):
1.7% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
19.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $1.368 billion
expenditures: $1.354 billion; including capital expenditures of $344
million (2005 est.)
Public debt:
42.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
coffee, cocoa, copra, palm kernels, tea, sugar, rubber, sweet
potatoes, fruit, vegetables, vanilla; shell fish, poultry, pork
Industries:
copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip
production; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oil
production, petroleum refining; construction, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
1.592 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 54.1% hydro: 45.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
1.481 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
50,000 bbl/day (January 2006 est.)
Oil - consumption:
18,000 bbl/day (January 2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:
170 million bbl (2005 est.)
Natural gas - production:
140 million cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
140 million cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
345.5 billion cu m (2005)
Current account balance:
$482.1 million (2005 est.)
Exports:
$2.833 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:
oil, gold, copper ore, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, crayfish,
prawns
Exports - partners:
Australia 28.7%, Japan 8.6%, China 5.4% (2005)
Imports:
$1.651 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels,
chemicals
Imports - partners:
Australia 54.6%, Singapore 13.4%, Japan 4.3%, Malaysia 4.2% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$748.8 million (2005 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.882 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$NA
Currency (code):
kina (PGK)
Currency code:
PGK
Exchange rates:
kina per US dollar - 3.08 (2005), 3.2225 (2004), 3.5635 (2003),
3.8952 (2002), 3.3887 (2001)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Papua New Guinea
Telephones - main lines in use:
62,000 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
26,000 (2005)
Telephone system:
general assessment: services are adequate; facilities provide
radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio, aeronautical radio, and
international radio communication services
domestic: mostly radiotelephone
international: country code - 675; 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 (2004)
Televisions:
59,841 (1999)
Internet country code:
.pg
Internet hosts:
1,573 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
3 (2000)
Internet users:
170,000 (2005)
Transportation Papua New Guinea
Airports: 582 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 21 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 561 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 62 under 914 m: 488 (2006)
Heliports:
2 (2006)
Pipelines:
oil 264 km (2006)
Roadways: total: 19,600 km paved: 686 km unpaved: 18,914 km (1999)
Waterways:
10,940 km (2003)
Merchant marine:
total: 24 ships (1000 GRT or over) 55,532 GRT/72,240 DWT
by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 18, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum
tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 6 (UK 6) (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Kimbe, Lae, Rabaul
Military Papua New Guinea
Military branches:
Papua New Guinea Defense Force (includes Maritime Operations
Element, Air Operations Element)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 1,264,728
females age 18-49: 1,167,188 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 902,432
females age 18-49: 894,759 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$16.9 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.4% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Papua New Guinea
Disputes - international:
relies on assistance from Australia to keep out illegal
cross-border activities from primarily Indonesia, including goods
smuggling, illegal narcotics trafficking, and squatters and
secessionists
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@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
land: NA sq km
water: 0 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% (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
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
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
Airports: 1 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Ports and terminals:
small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island
being expanded
Military Paracel Islands
Military - note: occupied by China
Transnational Issues Paracel Islands
Disputes - international: occupied by China, also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@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
land: 397,300 sq km
water: 9,450 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: 7.47% permanent crops: 0.24% other: 92.29% (2005)
Irrigated land:
670 sq km (2003)
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
pose 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: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population
concentrated in southern part of country
People Paraguay
Population:
6,506,464 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 37.7% (male 1,245,149/female 1,204,970)
15-64 years: 57.5% (male 1,878,761/female 1,862,266)
65 years and over: 4.8% (male 145,899/female 169,419) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 21.3 years
male: 21.1 years
female: 21.6 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.45% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
29.1 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
4.49 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 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 (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 24.78 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 29.4 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 19.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.1 years
male: 72.56 years
female: 77.78 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.89 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.5% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
15,000 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
600 (2003 est.)
Nationality: noun: Paraguayan(s) adjective: Paraguayan
Ethnic groups:
mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite and other Protestant 10%
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 long form: Republica del Paraguay
local short form: Paraguay
Government type:
constitutional republic
Capital:
name: Asuncion
geographic coordinates: 25 16 S, 57 40 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
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 (observed 15 May annually)
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; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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 Joria (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 Joria (since 15 August 2003)
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the president
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held 27
April 2003 (next to be held 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 April 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held 27 April 2003
(next to be held April 2008)
election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party -
NA; seats by party - ANR 16, PLRA 12, UNACE 7, PQ 7, PPS 2, PEN 1;
Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party
- ANR 37, PLRA 21, UNACE 10, PQ 10, PPS 2
note: as of January 2006, changes in party affiliation has led to
the composition of the legislature as follows: Chamber of Senators -
seats by party - ANR 18, PLRA 12, UNACE 5, PQ 7, PPS 2, PEN 1;
Chamber of Deputies - seats by party - ANR 39, PLRA 21, UNACE 8, PQ
10, PPS 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges
appointed on the proposal of the Council of Magistrates or Consejo
de la Magistratura)
Political parties and leaders:
Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Herminio
CACERES, interim president]; Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos
Eticos or UNACE [Enrique GONZALEZ Quintana, acting chairman]; Patria
Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PQ [Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL
Niella]; Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Luis TORALES Kennedy];
Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Blas LLANO]; Partido Pais
Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLA Pallares]
note: Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS on leave as party leader of the Colorado
Party or ANR while serving as President of Paraguay; Lino Cesar
OVIEDO Silva, leader of UNACE, is currently serving a ten-year
prison term
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Ahorristas Estafados or AE; National Coordinating Board of
Campesino Organizations or MCNOC [Luis AGUAYO]; National Federation
of Campesinos or FNC [Odilon ESPINOLA]; National Workers Central or
CNT [Secretary General Juan TORRALES]; Paraguayan Workers
Confederation or CPT; Roman Catholic Church; Unitary Workers Central
or CUT [Jorge Guzman ALVARENGA Malgarejo]
International organization participation:
CAN (associate), CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,
ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,
IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA,
MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James SPALDING Hellmers
chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: (202) 483-6960 through 6962
FAX: (202) 234-4508
consulate(s) general: Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Ambassador James C. CASON
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:
Landlocked Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large informal
sector. This 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 its living from agricultural activity, often on a
subsistence basis. The formal economy grew by an average of about 3%
annually in 1995-97, but averaged near-zero growth in 1998-2001 and
contracted by 2.3 percent in 2002, in response to regional contagion
and an outbreak of hoof-and-mouth disease. 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. Aided by a
firmer exchange rate and perhaps a greater confidence in the
economic policy of the DUARTE FRUTOS administration, the economy
rebounded between 2003 and 2005, posting modest growth each year.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$29.11 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$7.281 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.7% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$4,600 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 22.4% industry: 20.7% services: 56.9% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 2.68 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 45% industry: NA% services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
16% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:
32% (2005 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 43.8% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
56.8 (1999)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.8% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
19.4% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $1.334 billion
expenditures: $1.37 billion; including capital expenditures of $700
million (2005 est.)
Public debt:
36% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava
(tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber
Industries:
sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel,
metallurgic, electric power
Industrial production growth rate:
0% (2000 est.)
Electricity - production:
51.29 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 99.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0.1% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
3.528 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
44.17 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:
25,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:
NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Current account balance:
$-255 million (2005 est.)
Exports:
$3.13 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:
soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity, wood,
leather
Exports - partners:
Uruguay 26.7%, Brazil 15.2%, Argentina 4.8%, Chile 4.7% (2005)
Imports:
$3.832 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:
road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products,
electrical machinery
Imports - partners:
Brazil 26.8%, Argentina 21.1%, US 20.8%, China 9.5% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.297 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:
$3.45 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$NA
Currency (code):
guarani (PYG)
Currency code:
PYG
Exchange rates:
guarani per US dollar - 6,178 (2005), 5,974.6 (2004), 6,424.3
(2003), 5,716.3 (2002), 4,105.9 (2001)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Paraguay
Telephones - main lines in use:
320,300 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.887 million (2005)
Telephone system:
general assessment: meager telephone service; principal switching
center is in Asuncion
domestic: fair microwave radio relay network
international: country code - 595; 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:
5 (2003)
Televisions:
990,000 (2001)
Internet country code:
.py
Internet hosts:
13,178 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
4 (2000)
Internet users:
200,000 (2005)
Transportation Paraguay
Airports: 881 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 12
over 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 869
1,524 to 2,437 m: 26
914 to 1,523 m: 325
under 914 m: 518 (2006)
Railways: total: 36 km standard gauge: 36 km 1.435-m gauge (2005)
Roadways: total: 29,500 km paved: 14,986 km unpaved: 14,514 km (1999)
Waterways:
3,100 km (2005)
Merchant marine:
total: 21 ships (1000 GRT or over) 34,749 GRT/39,280 DWT
by type: cargo 15, livestock carrier 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo
1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 3 (Argentina 3)
registered in other countries: 1 (Ecuador 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion
Military Paraguay
Military branches:
Army, National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Naval Aviation,
Marine Corps, General Naval Prefecture), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea
Paraguay, FAP) (2006)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service;
conscript service obligation - 12 months for Army, 24 months for
Navy (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 1,345,022
females age 18-49: 1,342,725 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 1,109,166
females age 18-49: 1,135,046 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males age 18-49: 63,058
females age 18-49: 62,217 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$53.1 million (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
0.9% (2003 est.)
Transnational Issues Paraguay
Disputes - international:
unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders
is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics
trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations
Illicit drugs:
major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is
consumed in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile; transshipment country for
Andean cocaine headed for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets, and
Europe; corruption and some money-laundering activity, especially in
the Tri-Border Area; weak anti-money-laundering laws and enforcement
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@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 conquistadors 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, which led to his ouster in 2000. A
caretaker government oversaw new elections in the spring of 2001,
which ushered in Alejandro TOLEDO as the new head of government -
the first democratically elected president of Quechua ethnicity. The
presidential election of 2006 saw the return of Alan GARCIA who,
after a disappointing presidential term from 1985 to 1990, returned
to the presidency with promises to improve social conditions.
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
land: 1.28 million sq km
water: 5,220 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:
territorial sea: 200 nm
continental shelf: 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: 2.88% permanent crops: 0.47% other: 96.65% (2005)
Irrigated land:
12,000 sq km (2003)
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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
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:
28,302,603 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 30.9% (male 4,456,195/female 4,300,233)
15-64 years: 63.7% (male 9,078,123/female 8,961,981)
65 years and over: 5.3% (male 709,763/female 796,308) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 25.3 years
male: 25 years
female: 25.5 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.32% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
20.48 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
6.23 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
-1.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 30.94 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 33.49 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 28.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.84 years
male: 68.05 years
female: 71.71 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.51 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.5% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
82,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
4,200 (2003 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 81%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.4%, other Christian
0.7%, other 0.6%, unspecified or none 16.3% (2003 est.)
Languages:
Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara, and a large number
of minor Amazonian languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 87.7%
male: 93.5%
female: 82.1% (2004 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:
name: Lima
geographic coordinates: 12 03 S, 77 03 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard
Time)
Administrative divisions:
25 regions (regiones, singular - region) and 1 province*
(provincia); Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho,
Cajamarca, Callao, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La
Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Lima*, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua,
Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin, Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali
Independence:
28 July 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 28 July (1821)
Constitution:
31 December 1993
Legal system:
based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,
with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 70; note
- members of the military and national police may not vote
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Alan GARCIA Perez (since 28 July 2006);
First Vice President Luis GIAMPIETRI Rojas; Second Vice President
Lourdes MENDOZA del Solar (since 28 July 2006); note - the president
is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Alan GARCIA Perez (since 28 July
2006); First Vice President Luis GIAMPIETRI Rojas; Second Vice
President Lourdes MENDOZA del Solar (since 28 July 2006)
note: Prime Minister Jorge DEL CASTILLO Galvez (since 28 August
2006) does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands
of the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); presidential and congressional
elections held 9 April 2006, with runoff election held 4 June 2006;
next to be held April 2011
election results: Alan GARCIA elected president in runoff election;
percent of vote - Alan GARCIA 52.5%, Ollanta HUMALA Tasso 47.5%
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)
elections: last held 9 April 2006 (next to be held April 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - UPP 21.2%, PAP 20.6%,
UN 15.3%, AF 13.1%, FC 7.1%, PP 4.1%, RN 4.0%; seats by party - UPP
45, PAP 36, UN 17, AF 13, FC 5, PP 2, RN 2
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:
Alliance For Progress (Alianza Para El Progreso) [Cesar ACUNA
Peralta]; Alliance For The Future (Alianza Por El Futuro) or AF - a
coalition of pro-FUJIMORI parties including Cambio 90, Nueva
Mayoria, and Si Cumple [Martha CHAVEZ Cossio]; Centrist Front
(Frente Del Centro) or FC - a coalition of Accion Popular, Somos
Peru, and Coordinadora Nacional de Independientes [Valentin PANIAGUA
Corazoa]; Independent Moralizing Front (Frente Independiente
Moralizador) or FIM [Fernando OLIVERA Vega]; Nationalist Party
Uniting Peru (Partido Nacionalista Uniendo al Peru) or UPP - a
coalition of Union for Peru (UPP) and Peruvian Nationalist Party
(PNP) [Ollanta HUMALA Tasso]; National Restoration (Restauracion
Nacional) or RN [Humberto LAY Sun]; National Unity (Unidad Nacional)
or UN [Lourdes FLORES Nano]; Peru Possible (Peru Posible) or PP
[David WAISMAN]; Peruvian Aprista Party (Partido Aprista Peruano) or
PAP - also referred to by its original name Alianza Popular
Revolucionaria Americana or APRA [Alan 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:
APEC, CAN, CSN, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA,
Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW,
PCA, RG, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Felipe ORTIZ de Zevallos
chancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: (202) 833-9860 through 9869
FAX: (202) 659-8124
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Hartford, Houston,
Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco,
Washington, DC
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador J. Curtis STRUBLE
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) 618-2397
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:
Peru's economy reflects its varied geography - an arid coastal
region, the Andes further inland, and tropical lands bordering
Colombia and Brazil. Abundant mineral resources are found in the
mountainous areas, and Peru's coastal waters provide excellent
fishing grounds. However, overdependence on minerals and metals
subjects the economy to fluctuations in world prices, and a lack of
infrastructure deters trade and investment. After several years of
inconsistent economic performance, the Peruvian economy grew by more
than 4 percent per year during the period 2002-2005, with a stable
exchange rate and low inflation. Risk premiums on Peruvian bonds on
secondary markets reached historically low levels in late 2004,
reflecting investor optimism regarding the government's prudent
fiscal policies and openness to trade and investment. Despite the
strong macroeconomic performance, the TOLEDO administration remained
unpopular in 2005, and unemployment and poverty have stayed
persistently high. Economic growth will be driven by the Camisea
natural gas megaproject and by exports of minerals, textiles, and
agricultural products. Peru is expected to sign a free-trade
agreement with the United States in early 2006.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$167.3 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$69.81 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.4% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$6,000 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 27% services: 65% (2003 est.)
Labor force: 9.06 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 9% industry: 18% services: 73% (2001)
Unemployment rate:
7.6% in metropolitan Lima; widespread underemployment (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:
54% (2003 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.8% highest 10%: 37.2% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
49.8 (2000)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.6% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
18.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $21.87 billion
expenditures: $22.47 billion; including capital expenditures of $1.8
billion for general government, but excluding private enterprises
(2005 est.)
Public debt:
38% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
coffee, cotton, sugarcane, rice, potatoes, corn, plantains, grapes,
oranges, coca; poultry, beef, dairy products; fish
Industries:
mining and refining of minerals; steel, metal fabrication;
petroleum extraction and refining, natural gas; fishing and fish
processing, textiles, clothing, food processing
Industrial production growth rate:
6.9% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:
22.68 billion kWh (2003 est.)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 14.5% hydro: 84.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0.8% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
21.09 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
120,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:
157,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
49,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - imports:
NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:
370 million bbl (2005 est.)
Natural gas - production:
560 million cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
910 million cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
247.1 billion cu m (2005)
Current account balance:
$1.03 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:
$15.95 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:
copper, gold, zinc, crude petroleum and petroleum products, coffee
Exports - partners:
US 31.1%, China 10.8%, Chile 6.6%, Canada 5.9%, Switzerland 4.6%
(2005)
Imports:
$12.15 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products, plastics, machinery, vehicles,
iron and steel, wheat, paper
Imports - partners:
US 18.2%, China 8.5%, Brazil 8%, Ecuador 7.4%, Colombia 6.1%,
Argentina 5.1%, Chile 5.1%, Venezuela 4.1% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$14.18 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:
$30.94 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$491 million (2002)
Currency (code):
nuevo sol (PEN)
Currency code:
PEN
Exchange rates:
nuevo sol per US dollar - 3.2958 (2005), 3.4132 (2004), 3.4785
(2003), 3.5165 (2002), 3.5068 (2001)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Peru
Telephones - main lines in use:
2,250,500 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.583 million (2005)
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate for most requirements
domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system and a domestic
satellite system with 12 earth stations
international: country code - 51; 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 hosts:
269,981 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
10 (2000)
Internet users:
4.6 million (2005)
Transportation Peru
Airports: 268 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 54 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 20 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 3 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 214 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 63 under 914 m: 124 (2006)
Heliports:
1 (2006)
Pipelines:
gas 983 km; gas/lpg 61 km; liquid natural gas 106 km; liquid
petroleum gas 517 km; oil 1,754 km; refined products 13 km (2006)
Railways:
total: 3,462 km
standard gauge: 2,962 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 500 km 0.914-m gauge (2005)
Roadways:
total: 78,672 km
paved: 10,314 km (including 276 km of expressways)
unpaved: 68,358 km (2003)
Waterways:
8,808 km
note: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 km
of Lago Titicaca (2005)
Merchant marine:
total: 4 ships (1000 GRT or over) 38,954 GRT/62,255 DWT
by type: cargo 3, petroleum tanker 1
foreign-owned: 1 (US 1)
registered in other countries: 15 (Panama 15) (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Callao, Iquitos, Matarani, Pucallpa, Yurimaguas; note - Iquitos,
Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas are on the upper reaches of the Amazon and
its tributaries
Military Peru
Military branches:
Peruvian Army (Ejercito Peruano), Peruvian Navy (Marina de Guerra
del Peru; includes naval air, naval infantry, and coast guard),
Peruvian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea del Peru, FAP)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory military service (1999)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 6,647,874
females age 18-49: 6,544,408 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 4,938,417
females age 18-49: 5,278,511 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males age 18-49: 277,105
females age 18-49: 269,799 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$829.3 million (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.4% (2003 est.)
Transnational Issues Peru
Disputes - international:
Chile and Ecuador rejected Peru's November 2005 unilateral law to
shift the axis of their joint treaty-defined maritime boundary along
the parallel of latitude to an equidistance line which favors Peru;
organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia have penetrated
Peru's shared border; Peru does not support Bolivia's claim to
restore maritime access through a sovereign corridor through Chile
along the Peruvian border
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 60,000 (civil war from 1980-2000; most IDPs are indigenous
peasants in Andean and Amazonian regions) (2005)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Peru is primarily a source country for women and
children trafficked internally for the purposes of sexual
exploitation and forced domestic labor; most victims are girls and
young women moved internally from rural to urban areas, or from city
to city, and lured or coerced into prostitution in nightclubs, bars,
and brothels; Peruvians have also been trafficked for sexual
exploitation to Spain, Japan, the United States, and Venezuela; the
government acknowledges that sex tourism occurs, particularly in the
Amazon region of the country
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Peru is placed on the Tier 2 Watch
List for failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate
trafficking in 2005
Illicit drugs:
until 1996 the world's largest coca leaf producer; cultivation of
coca in Peru fell 15% to 31,150 hectares between 2002 and the end of
2003; 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 19 December, 2006
@Philippines
Introduction Philippines
Background:
The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th
century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the
Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a
self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected President and
was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a
10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese
occupation during WWII, and US forces and Filipinos fought together
during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Philippines
attained their independence. The 20-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS
ended in 1986, when a widespread popular rebellion forced him into
exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was
hampered by several coup attempts, which prevented a return to full
political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was
elected president in 1992 and his administration was marked by
greater stability and progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US
closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was
elected president in 1998, but was succeeded by his vice-president,
Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy
impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and widespread
demonstrations led to his ouster. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a
six-year term in May 2004. The Philippine Government faces threats
from armed communist insurgencies and from Muslim separatists 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
land: 298,170 sq km
water: 1,830 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Arizona
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
36,289 km
Maritime claims:
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
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
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: 19% permanent crops: 16.67% other: 64.33% (2005)
Irrigated land:
15,500 sq km (2003)
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 especially in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers; coral reef degradation; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Geography - note:
the Philippine archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands; 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:
89,468,677 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 35% (male 15,961,365/female 15,340,065)
15-64 years: 61% (male 27,173,919/female 27,362,736)
65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,576,089/female 2,054,503) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 22.5 years
male: 22 years
female: 23 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.8% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
24.89 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
5.41 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
-1.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 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 (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 22.81 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 25.59 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 19.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.21 years
male: 67.32 years
female: 73.24 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.11 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
9,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
less than 500 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and
typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in
some locations
animal contact disease: rabies (2005)
Nationality:
noun: Filipino(s)
adjective: Philippine
Ethnic groups:
Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%,
Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% (2000
census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 80.9%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%,
Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, Muslim 5%, other 1.8%,
unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)
Languages:
two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English;
eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or
Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.6%
male: 92.5%
female: 92.7% (2002)
Government Philippines
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines
conventional short form: Philippines
local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas
local short form: Pilipinas
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Manila
geographic coordinates: 14 35 N, 121 00 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
79 provinces and 117 chartered cities
provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay,
Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas,
Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines
Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu,
Compostela, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Eastern
Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela,
Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte,
Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro
Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain Province,
Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar,
Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon,
Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South
Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte,
Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte,
Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay
chartered cities: Alaminos, Angeles, Antipolo, Bacolod, Bago,
Baguio, Bais, Balanga, Batangas, Bayawan, Bislig, Butuan,
Cabanatuan, Cadiz, Cagayan de Oro, Calamba, Calapan, Calbayog,
Candon, Canlaon, Cauayan, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Danao,
Dapitan, Davao, Digos, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Escalante, Gapan, General
Santos, Gingoog, Himamaylan, Iligan, Iloilo, Isabela, Iriga,
Kabankalan, Kalookan, Kidapawan, Koronadal, La Carlota, Laoag,
Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Legazpi, Ligao, Lipa, Lucena, Maasin, Makati,
Malabon, Malaybalay, Malolos, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marawi,
Markina, Masbate, Muntinlupa, Munoz, Naga, Olongapo, Ormoc,
Oroquieta, Ozamis, Pagadian, Palayan, Panabo, Paranaque, Pasay,
Pasig, Passi, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, Roxas, Sagay, Samal, San
Carlos (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos (in Pangasinan), San
Fernando (in La Union), San Fernando (in Pampanga), San Jose, San
Jose del Monte, San Pablo, Santa Rosa, Santiago, Silay, Sipalay,
Sorsogon, Surigao, Tabaco, Tacloban, Tacurong, Tagaytay, Tagbilaran,
Taguig, Tagum, Talisay (in Cebu), Talisay (in Negros Oriental),
Tanauan, Tangub, Tanjay, Tarlac, Toledo, Tuguegarao, Trece Martires,
Urdaneta, Valencia, Valenzuela, Victorias, Vigan, Zamboanga
Independence:
12 June 1898 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 was date of
declaration of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was date of
independence from 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); note - president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20
January 2001); note - president is both chief of state and head of
government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with consent of
Commission of Appointments
elections: president and vice president (Manuel "Noli" DE CASTRO)
elected on separate tickets by popular vote for a single six-year
term; election last held 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2010)
election results: results of the election - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
elected president; percent of vote - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO 40%,
Fernando POE 37%, three others 23%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24
seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected at large
by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of
Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (212 members
representing districts plus 24 sectoral party-list members; members
elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note - the
Constitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having more
than 250 members)
elections: Senate - last held 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May
2007); House of Representatives - elections last held 10 May 2004
(next to be held in May 2007)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - Lakas 30%, LP
13%, KNP 13%, independents 17%, others 27%; seats by party - Lakas
7, LP 3, KNP (coalition) 3, independents 4, others 6; note - there
are 23 rather than 24 sitting senators because one senator was
elected vice president; House of Representatives - percent of vote
by party - NA; seats by party - Lakas 93, NPC 53, LP 34, LDP 11,
others 20; party-listers 24 (2004)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (15 justices are appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70
years of age); Court of Appeals; Sandigan-bayan (special court for
hearing corruption cases of government officials)
Political parties and leaders:
Kabalikat Ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) [Ronaldo PUNO]; Laban Ng
Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP
[Edgardo ANGARA]; Lakas Ng Edsa (National Union of Christian
Democrats) or Lakas [Jose DE VENECIA]; Liberal Party or LP [Franklin
DRILON/Eli QUINTO]; Nacionalista [Manuel VILLAR]; National People's
Coalition or NPC [Frisco SAN JUAN]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL];
People's Reform Party [Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO]; PROMDI [Emilio
OSMENA]; Pwersa Ng Masang Pilipino (Party of the Philippine Masses)
or PMP [Joseph ESTRADA]; Reporma [Renato DE VILLA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
AKBAYAN [Reps. Etta ROSALES, Mario AGUJA, and Risa
HONTIVEROS-BARAQUIEL]; ALAGAD [Rep. Rodante MARROLITA]; ALIF [Rep.
Acmad TOMAWIS]; An Waray [Rep. Horencio NOEL]; Anak Mindanao [Mujiv
HATAMIN]; ANAKPAWIS [Reps. Crispin BELTRAN and Rafael MARIANO]; APEC
[Reps. Ernesto PABLO, Edgar VALDEZ]; Association of Philippine
Electric Cooperatives (APEC) [Reps. Edgar VALDEZ, Ernesto PABLO, and
Sunny Rose MADAMBA]; AVE [Rep. Eulogio MAGSAYSAY]; Bayan Muna [Reps.
Satur OCAMPO, Joel VIRADOR, and Teodoro CASINO, Jr.]; BUHAY [Reps.
Rene VELARDE and Hans Christian SENERES]; BUTIL [Rep. Benjamin
CRUZ]; CIBAC [Rep. Emmanuel Joel VILLANUEVA]; COOP-NATCO [Rep.
Guillermo CUA]; GABRIELA [Rep. Liza MAZA]; Partido Ng Manggagawa
[Rep. Renato MAGTUBO]; Veterans Federation of the Philippines [Rep.
Ernesto GIDAYA] (2006)
International organization participation:
APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, CP, EAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA,
MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS (observer), ONUB, OPCW, PIF (partner), UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Willy C. GAA
chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: (202) 467-9300
FAX: (202) 328-7614
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San
Francisco, San Jose (Northern Mariana Islands), Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita 1000, Manila mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000 telephone: (2) 528-6300 FAX: (2) 522-4361
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top; representing peace and
justice) and red (representing courage); a white equilateral
triangle based on the hoist side represents equality; the center of
the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays, each
representing one of the first eight provinces that sought
independence from Spain; each corner of the triangle contains a
small, yellow, five-pointed star representing the three major
geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao;
the design of the flag dates to 1897; in wartime the flag is flown
upside down with the red band at the top
Economy Philippines
Economy - overview:
The Philippines was less severely affected by the Asian financial
crisis of 1998 than its neighbors, aided in part by its high level
of annual remittances from overseas workers, and no sustained runup
in asset prices or foreign borrowing prior to the crisis. From a
0.6% decline in 1998, GDP expanded by 2.4% in 1999, and 4.4% in
2000, but slowed to 3.2% in 2001 in the context of a global economic
slowdown, an export slump, and political and security concerns. GDP
growth accelerated to about 5% between 2002 and 2005 reflecting the
continued resilience of the service sector, and improved exports and
agricultural output. Nonetheless, it will take a higher, sustained
growth path to make appreciable progress in the alleviation of
poverty given the Philippines' high annual population growth rate
and unequal distribution of income. The Philippines also faces
higher oil prices, higher interest rates on its dollar borrowings,
and higher inflation. Fiscal constraints limit Manila's ability to
finance infrastructure and social spending. The Philippines'
consistently large budget deficit has produced a high debt level,
and this situation has forced Manila to spend a large portion of the
national government budget on debt service. Large unprofitable
public enterprises, especially in the energy sector, contribute to
the government's debt because of slow progress on privatization.
Credit rating agencies have at times expressed concern about the
Philippines' ability to service the debt, though central bank
reserves appear adequate and large remittance inflows appear stable.
The implementation of the expanded Value Added Tax (VAT) in November
2005 boosted confidence in the government's fiscal capacity and
helped to strengthen the peso, which gained 5.7 percent
year-on-year, making it East Asia's best performing currency in
2005. Investors and credit rating institutions will continue to look
for effective implementation of the new VAT and continued
improvement in the government's overall fiscal capacity in the
coming year.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$412.5 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$91.36 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.8% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$4,700 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14.4% industry: 32.6% services: 53% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 36.73 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 36% industry: 16% services: 48% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:
8.7% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:
40% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 31.9% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
46.6 (2003)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.6% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
15.5% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $12.38 billion
expenditures: $15.77 billion; including capital expenditures of NA
(2005 est.)
Public debt:
72.3% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, cassavas, pineapples,
mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish
Industries:
electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals,
chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining,
fishing
Industrial production growth rate:
2.2% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:
47.82 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 55.6% hydro: 17.5% nuclear: 0% other: 26.9% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
44.48 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
14,360 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:
335,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:
312,000 bbl/day (2003)
Oil - proved reserves:
152 million bbl (1 January 2004)
Natural gas - production:
2.3 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
2.3 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
106.8 billion cu m (1 January 2004)
Current account balance:
$2.354 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:
$41.25 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:
electronic equipment, machinery and transport equipment, garments,
optical instruments, coconut products, fruits and nuts, copper
products, chemicals
Exports - partners:
US 18%, Japan 17.5%, China 9.9%, Netherlands 9.8%, Hong Kong 8.1%,
Singapore 6.6%, Malaysia 6%, Taiwan 4.6% (2005)
Imports:
$42.66 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:
raw materials, machinery and equipment, fuels, vehicles and vehicle
parts, plastic, chemicals, grains
Imports - partners:
US 19.2%, Japan 17%, Singapore 7.9%, Taiwan 7.5%, China 6.3%, South
Korea 4.8%, Saudi Arabia 4.6%, Hong Kong 4.1% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$18.5 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:
$65.71 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
ODA commitments, $2 billion (2004)
Currency (code):
Philippine peso (PHP)
Currency code:
PHP
Exchange rates:
Philippine pesos per US dollar - 55.086 (2005), 56.04 (2004),
54.203 (2003), 51.604 (2002), 50.993 (2001)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Philippines
Telephones - main lines in use:
3,437,500 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
32.81 million (2005)
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: country code - 63; 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 369, FM 583, shortwave 5 note: each shortwave station operates on multiple frequencies in the language of the target audience (2004)
Radios:
11.5 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
225; note - 1373 CATV networks (2004)
Televisions:
3.7 million (1997)
Internet country code:
.ph
Internet hosts:
111,262 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
33 (2000)
Internet users:
7.82 million (2005)
Transportation Philippines
Airports: 256 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 83 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 36 under 914 m: 10 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 173 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 69 under 914 m: 99 (2006)
Heliports:
2 (2006)
Pipelines:
gas 565 km; oil 135 km; refined products 105 km (2006)
Railways: total: 897 km narrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (492 km are in operation) (2005)
Roadways: total: 200,037 km paved: 19,804 km unpaved: 180,233 km (2003)
Waterways:
3,219 km (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m) (2005)
Merchant marine:
total: 403 ships (1000 GRT or over) 4,661,285 GRT/6,426,183 DWT
by type: bulk carrier 82, cargo 115, chemical tanker 13, container
6, liquefied gas 5, livestock carrier 17, passenger 9,
passenger/cargo 73, petroleum tanker 42, refrigerated cargo 15, roll
on/roll off 13, vehicle carrier 13
foreign-owned: 66 (Greece 5, Hong Kong 3, Japan 26, Malaysia 1,
Netherlands 19, Norway 3, UAE 1, US 8)
registered in other countries: 41 (Australia 1, Bahamas 1, Cambodia
1, Cayman Islands 1, Comoros 1, Cyprus 1, Hong Kong 16, Indonesia 1,
Panama 13, Singapore 5) (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iligan, Iloilo, Manila, Surigao
Military Philippines
Military branches:
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes Marine
Corps), Philippine Air Force (Hukbomg Himpapawid ng Pilipinas) (2006)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 20,131,179
females age 18-49: 20,009,526 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 15,170,096
females age 18-49: 16,931,191 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males age 18-49: 907,542
females age 18-49: 878,712 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$836.9 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
0.9% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Philippines
Disputes - international:
Philippines claims sovereignty over certain of the Spratly Islands,
known locally as the Kalayaan (Freedom) Islands, also claimed by
China, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam; the 2002 "Declaration on the
Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," has eased tensions in
the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code of
conduct" desired by several of the disputants; in March 2005, the
national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed
a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly
Islands; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah
State in northern Borneo based on the Sultanate of Sulu's granting
the Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue a sovereignty
claim on his behalf
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 150,000 (fighting between government troops and MILF and Abu
Sayyaf groups) (2005)
Illicit drugs:
domestic methamphetamine production has been a growing problem in
recent years; longstanding marijuana producer
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@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
land: 47 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
51 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; hot and 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%
Irrigated land:
NA
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: 45 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.01% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
NA
Death rate:
NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate:
NA
Sex ratio:
NA
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Total fertility rate:
NA
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:
name: Adamstown
geographic coordinates: 25 04 S, 130 05 W
time difference: UTC-9 (4 hours behind Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
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:
30 November 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 George FERGUSSON (since April
2006); Commissioner (nonresident) Leslie JAQUES (since September
2003) serves as liaison between the governor and the Island Council
head of government: Governor George FERGUSSON (since April 2006);
Mayor and Chairman of the Island Council Jay WARREN (since 15
December 2004)
cabinet: NA
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor and commissioner
appointed by the monarch; island mayor elected by popular vote for a
three-year term; election last held December 2004 (next to be held
December 2007)
election results: Jay WARREN elected mayor and chairman of the
Island Council
Legislative branch:
unicameral Island Council (10 seats - 5 elected by popular vote, 1
nominated by the 5 elected members, 2 appointed by the governor
including 1 seat for the Island Secretary, the Island Mayor, and a
commissioner liaising between the governor and council; elected
members serve one-year terms)
elections: last held in 24 December 2005 (next to be held December
2006)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - all independents
Judicial branch:
Magistrate's Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Judicial
Officers are appointed by the Governor
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none
International organization participation:
SPC, UPU
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. In October 2004, more than
one-quarter of Pitcairn's small labor force was arrested, putting
the economy in a bind, since their services were required as lighter
crew to load or unload passing ships.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$NA
Labor force:
15 able-bodied men (2004)
Labor force - by occupation:
note: no business community in the usual sense; some public works;
subsistence farming and fishing
Budget:
revenues: $746,000
expenditures: $1.028 million; including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY04/05)
Agriculture - products:
honey; wide variety of fruits and vegetables; goats, chickens
Industries:
postage stamps, handicrafts, beekeeping, honey
Electricity - production:
NA kWh; note - electric power is provided by a small diesel-powered
generator
Exports:
$NA
Exports - commodities:
fruits, vegetables, curios, stamps
Imports:
$NA
Imports - commodities: fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar, other foodstuffs
Economic aid - recipient:
$3.465 million (2004)
Currency (code):
New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Currency code:
NZD
Exchange rates:
New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004),
1.7221 (2003), 2.1622 (2002), 2.3788 (2001)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
Communications Pitcairn Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
1 (there are 17 telephones on one party line); (2004)
Telephone system:
general assessment: satellite phone services
domestic: domestic communication via radio (CB)
international: country code - 872; satellite earth station (Inmarsat)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0, note - 15 Ham radio operators (VP6) (2004)
Radios:
NA
Televisions:
NA
Internet country code:
.pn
Internet hosts:
8 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
NA
Internet users:
NA
Transportation Pitcairn Islands
Roadways: total: 6 km unpaved: 6 km (dirt roads)
Ports and terminals:
Adamstown (on Bounty Bay)
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 19 December, 2006
@Poland
Introduction Poland
Background:
Poland is an ancient nation that was conceived near 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. In a series of agreements
between 1772 and 1795, Russia, Prussia, and Austria partitioned
Poland amongst themselves. 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
still faces the lingering challenges of high unemployment,
underdeveloped and dilapidated infrastructure, and a poor rural
underclass. 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 the European Union in
2004. With its transformation to a democratic, market-oriented
country largely completed, Poland is an increasingly active member
of Euro-Atlantic organizations.
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
land: 304,465 sq km
water: 8,220 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 3,056 km
border countries: Belarus 416 km, Czech Republic 790 km, Germany 467
km, Lithuania 103 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 210 km, Slovakia
541 km, Ukraine 529 km
Coastline:
491 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: defined by international treaties
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: 40.25% permanent crops: 1% other: 58.75% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,000 sq km (2003)
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 EU 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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94
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:
38,536,869 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15.9% (male 3,142,811/female 2,976,363)
15-64 years: 70.8% (male 13,585,306/female 13,704,763)
65 years and over: 13.3% (male 1,961,326/female 3,166,300) (2006
est.)
Median age: total: 37 years male: 35.1 years female: 39 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.05% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
9.85 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
9.89 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 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 (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 7.22 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 7.95 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.97 years
male: 70.95 years
female: 79.23 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.25 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% ; note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
14,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
100 (2001 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Pole(s)
adjective: Polish
Ethnic groups:
Polish 96.7%, German 0.4%, Belarusian 0.1%, Ukrainian 0.1%, other
and unspecified 2.7% (2002 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 89.8% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox 1.3%,
Protestant 0.3%, other 0.3%, unspecified 8.3% (2002)
Languages:
Polish 97.8%, other and unspecified 2.2% (2002 census)
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 long form: Rzeczpospolita Polska
local short form: Polska
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Warsaw
geographic coordinates: 52 15 N, 21 00 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
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:
adopted by the National Assembly 2 April 1997, passed by national
referendum 25 May 1997, effective 17 October 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; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Lech KACZYNSKI (since 23 December 2005)
head of government: Prime Minister Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI (since 10 July
2006); Deputy Prime Ministers Ludwik DORN (since 23 November 2005),
Roman GIERTYCH (since 5 May 2006), Zyta GILOWSKA (since 22 September
2006), Andrzej LEPPER (since 16 October 2006)
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
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held 9 and 23 October
2005 (next to be held October 2010); prime minister and deputy prime
ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the Sejm
election results: Lech KACZYNSKI elected president; percent of
popular vote - Lech KACZYNSKI 54%, Donald Tusk 46%
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature consisting of an upper house, the Senate or
Senat (100 seats; members are elected by a majority vote on a
provincial basis to serve four-year terms), and a lower house, the
Sejm (460 seats; members are elected under a complex system of
proportional representation to serve four-year terms); the
designation of National Assembly or Zgromadzenie Narodowe is only
used on those rare occasions when the two houses meet jointly
elections: Senate - last held 25 September 2005 (next to be held by
September 2009); Sejm elections last held 25 September 2005 (next to
be held by September 2009)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by
party - PiS 49, PO 34, LPR 7, SO 3, PSL 2, independents 5; Sejm -
percent of vote by party - PiS 27%, PO 24.1%, SO 11.4%, SLD 11.3%,
LPR 8%, PSL 7%, other 11.2%; seats by party - PiS 155, PO 133, SO
56, SLD 55, LPR 34, PSL 25, German minorities 2
note: two seats are assigned to ethnic minority parties in the Sejm
only
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]; Civic
Platform or PO [Donald TUSK]; Conservative Peasants Party or SKL
[Artur BALASZ]; Democratic Left Alliance or SLD [Wojciech
OLEJNICZAK]; Democratic Party or PD [Wladyslaw FRASYNIUK]; Dom
Ojczysty (Fatherland Home); German Minority of Lower Silesia or MNSO
[Henryk KROLL]; Law and Justice or PiS [Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI]; League
of Polish Families or LPR [Marek KOTLINOWSKI]; Peasant-Democratic
Party or PLD [Roman JAGIELINSKI]; Polish Accord or PP [Jan
LOPUSZANSKI]; Polish Peasant Party or PSL [Waldemar PAWLAK]; Ruch
Patriotyczny or RP [Jan OLSZEWSKI]; Samoobrona or SO [Andrzej
LEPPER]; Social Democratic Party of Poland or SDPL [Marek BOROWSKI];
Social Movement or RS [Krzysztof PIESIEWICZ]; Union of Labor or UP
[Andrzej SPYCHALSKI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
All Poland Trade Union Alliance or OPZZ (trade union) [Jan GUZ];
Roman Catholic Church [Cardinal Jozef GLEMP]; Solidarity Trade Union
[Janusz SNIADEK]
International organization participation:
ACCT (observer), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS,
BSEC (observer), CBSS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC,
NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW,
OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE,
UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Janusz REITER chancery: 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: (202) 234-3800 through 3802 FAX: (202) 328-6271 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Victor ASHE embassy: Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31 00-540 Warsaw mailing address: American Embassy Warsaw, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5010 (pouch) telephone: (22) 504-2000 FAX: (22) 504-2688 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, especially
in bringing down the unemployment rate - currently the highest in
the EU. The privatization of small- and medium-sized 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 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. 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 reducing losses in Polish state
enterprises, restraining entitlements, and overhauling the tax code
to incorporate the growing gray economy and farmers, most of whom
pay no tax. The previous Socialist-led government introduced a
package of social and administrative spending cuts to reduce public
spending by about $17 billion through 2007, but full implementation
of the plan was trumped by election-year politics in 2005. The
right-wing Law and Justice party won parliamentary elections in
September, and Lech KACZYNSKI won the presidential election in
October 2005, running on a state-interventionist fiscal and monetary
platform. Poland joined the EU in May 2004, and surging exports to
the EU contributed to Poland's strong growth in 2004, though its
competitiveness could be threatened by the zloty's appreciation. GDP
per capita roughly equals that of the three Baltic states. Poland
stands to benefit from nearly $23.2 billion in EU funds, available
through 2006. Farmers have already begun to reap the rewards of
membership via booming exports, higher food prices, and EU
agricultural subsidies.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$505.2 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$246.2 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.4% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$13,100 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 31.1% services: 64% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 17.1 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 16.1% industry: 29% services: 54.9% (2002)
Unemployment rate:
18.2% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:
17% (2003 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 26.7% (2002)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
34.1 (2002)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.2% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
18.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $52.73 billion
expenditures: $63.22 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA
(2005 est.)
Public debt:
47.7% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
potatoes, fruits, vegetables, wheat; poultry, eggs, pork, dairy
Industries:
machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals,
shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles
Industrial production growth rate:
3.7% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:
150.8 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 98.1% hydro: 1.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
121.3 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:
15.2 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:
5 billion kWh (2004)
Oil - production:
24,530 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:
476,200 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
53,000 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:
413,700 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:
142.4 million bbl (December 2004)
Natural gas - production:
4.33 billion cu m (2004)
Natural gas - consumption:
14.97 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
44 million cu m (2004)
Natural gas - imports:
9.45 billion cu m (2004)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
154.4 billion cu m (December 2004)
Current account balance:
$-4.364 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:
$92.72 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment 37.8%, intermediate manufactured
goods 23.7%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 17.1%, food and live
animals 7.6% (2003)
Exports - partners:
Germany 28.2%, France 6.2%, Italy 6.1%, UK 5.6%, Czech Republic
4.6%, Russia 4.4%, Netherlands 4.2% (2005)
Imports:
$95.67 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment 38%, intermediate manufactured
goods 21%, chemicals 14.8%, minerals, fuels, lubricants, and related
materials 9.1% (2003)
Imports - partners:
Germany 29.6%, Russia 8.7%, Italy 6.6%, Netherlands 5.9%, France
5.7% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$42.56 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:
$101.5 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $13.9 billion in available EU structural adjustment and cohesion funds (2004-06)
Currency (code):
zloty (PLN)
Currency code:
PLN
Exchange rates:
zlotych per US dollar - 3.2355 (2005), 3.6576 (2004), 3.8891
(2003), 4.08 (2002), 4.0939 (2001)
note: zlotych is the plural form of zloty
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Poland
Telephones - main lines in use:
11.803 million (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
29,166,400 (2005)
Telephone system:
general assessment: modernization of the telecommunications network
has accelerated with market based competition finalized in 2003;
fixed-line service, dominated by the former state-owned company, is
dwarfed by the growth in wireless telephony
domestic: wireless service, available since 1993 (GSM service
available since 1996) and provided by three nation-wide networks,
has grown rapidly in response to the weak fixed-line coverage; third
generation UMTS service available in urban areas; cellular coverage
is generally good with more gaps in the east; fixed-line service is
growing slowly and still lags in rural areas
international: country code - 48; international direct dialing with
automated exchanges; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat,
Eutelsat, Inmarsat, and Intersputnik)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 14, FM 777, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:
20.2 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
40 (2006)
Televisions:
13.05 million (1997)
Internet country code:
.pl
Internet hosts:
358,476 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
19 (2000)
Internet users:
10.6 million (2005)
Transportation Poland
Airports: 122 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 83 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 29 1,524 to 2,437 m: 40 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 2 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 39 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 21 (2006)
Heliports:
3 (2006)
Pipelines:
gas 13,552 km; oil 1,384 km; refined products 777 km (2006)
Railways:
total: 23,072 km
broad gauge: 629 km 1.524-m gauge
standard gauge: 22,443 km 1.435-m gauge (20,555 km operational;
11,910 km electrified) (2005)
Roadways:
total: 423,997 km
paved: 295,356 km (including 405 km of expressways)
unpaved: 128,641 km (2004)
Waterways:
3,997 km (navigable rivers and canals) (2005)
Merchant marine:
total: 11 ships (1000 GRT or over) 55,701 GRT/45,082 DWT
by type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 2, passenger/cargo 1, roll on/roll
off 1, vehicle carrier 1
foreign-owned: 1 (Nigeria 1)
registered in other countries: 106 (Antigua and Barbuda 3, Bahamas
15, Belize 2, Cyprus 20, Liberia 14, Malta 27, Norway 2, Panama 15,
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Slovakia 2, Vanuatu 5) (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Gdansk, Gdynia, Swinoujscie, Szczecin
Military Poland
Military branches:
Polish Armed Forces: Land Forces (includes Navy (Marynarka Wojenna,
MW)), Polish Air Force (Polskie Sily Powietrzne, PSP) (2006)
Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for compulsory military service after January 1st of the year of 18th birthday; 17 years of age for voluntary military service; in 2005, Poland plans to shorten the length of conscript service obligation from 12 to 9 months; by 2008, plans call for at least 60% of military personnel to be volunteers; only soldiers who have completed their conscript service are allowed to volunteer for professional service; as of April 2004, women are only allowed to serve as officers and noncommissioned officers (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 17-49: 9,681,703
females age 17-49: 9,480,641 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 17-49: 7,739,472
females age 17-49: 7,859,165 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males age 18-49: 275,446
females age 17-49: 265,164 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$3.5 billion (2002)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.71% (2002)
Transnational Issues Poland
Disputes - international:
as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border,
Poland must implement the strict Schengen border rules
Illicit drugs:
major illicit producer of synthetic drugs for the international
market; minor transshipment point for Asian and Latin American
illicit drugs to Western Europe
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@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 is a founding member of NATO and 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
water: 440 sq km
note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries: total: 1,214 km border countries: Spain 1,214 km
Coastline: 1,793 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
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), iron ore, copper, zinc, tin, tungsten,
silver, gold, uranium, marble, clay, gypsum, salt, arable land,
hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 17.29%
permanent crops: 7.84%
other: 74.87% (2005)
Irrigated land:
6,500 sq km (2003)
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
Geography - note:
Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along western
sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar
People Portugal
Population:
10,605,870 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.5% (male 915,604/female 839,004)
15-64 years: 66.3% (male 3,484,545/female 3,544,674)
65 years and over: 17.2% (male 751,899/female 1,070,144) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 38.5 years
male: 36.4 years
female: 40.6 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.36% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
10.72 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
10.5 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
3.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.98 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 5.45 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.7 years
male: 74.43 years
female: 81.2 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.47 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.4% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
22,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
less than 1,000 (2003 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:
name: Lisbon
geographic coordinates: 38 43 N, 9 08 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
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 (Kingdom of Portugal recognized); 5 October 1910 (independent
republic proclaimed)
National holiday:
Portugal Day (Day of Portugal), 10 June (1580); note - also called
Camoes Day, the day that revered national poet Luis de Camoes
(1524-80) died
Constitution:
25 April 1976; revised many times
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 Anibal CAVACO Silva (since 9 March 2006)
head of government: Prime Minister Jose SOCRATES (since 12 March
2005)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the prime minister
note: there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultative
body to the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held 22 January 2006
(next to be held January 2011); 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: Anibal CAVACO Silva elected president; percent of
vote - Anibal CAVACO Silva 50.6%, Manuel ALEGRE 20.7%, Mario SOARES
14.3%, Jeronimo de SOUSA 8.5%, Franciso LOUCA 5.3%
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 20 February 2005 (next to be held February 2009)
election results: percent of vote by party - PS 45.1%, PSD 28.7%,
CDU 7.6%, PP 7.3%, BE 6.4%; seats by party - PS 121, PSD 75, CDU 14,
PP 12, BE 8
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal de Justica (judges appointed for
life by the Conselho Superior da Magistratura)
Political parties and leaders:
Green Ecologist Party or PEV [Heloisa APOLONIA]; Popular Party or
PP [Jose Ribeiro e CASTRO]; Portuguese Communist Party or PCP
[Jeronimo de SOUSA]; Portuguese Socialist Party or PS [Jose SOCRATES
Carvalho Pinto de Sousa]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Luis
Marques MENDES]; The Left Bloc or BE [Franciso Anacleto LOUCA];
Unitarian Democratic Coalition or CDU (includes PEV and PCP)
[Jeronimo de SOUSA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, 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, IPU,
ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS
(observer), OECD, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI (observer), UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Pedro Manuel Dos Reis Alves CATARINO
chancery: 2012 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: (202) 350-5400
FAX: (202) 462-3726
consulate(s) general: Boston, New York, Newark (New Jersey), San
Francisco
consulate(s): New Bedford (Massachusetts), Providence (Rhode Island)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alfred J. HOFFMAN Jr.
embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600-081 Lisbon
mailing address: Apartado 43033, 1601-301 Lisboa; 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 had been above the EU average for much of the past
decade, but fell back in 2001-05. GDP per capita stands at
two-thirds that of the Big Four 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 government faces tough choices in its
attempts to boost Portugal's economic competitiveness while keeping
the budget deficit within the eurozone's 3%-of-GDP ceiling.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$200.6 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$170.3 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.4% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$19,000 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5.3% industry: 27.4% services: 67.3% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 5.52 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 10% industry: 30% services: 60% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.6% (2005 est.)
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:
38.5 (1997)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.3% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
21.6% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $78.84 billion
expenditures: $90.27 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA
(2005 est.)
Public debt:
63.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
grain, potatoes, tomatoes, olives, grapes; sheep, cattle, goats,
swine, poultry, dairy products; fish
Industries:
textiles and footwear; wood pulp, paper, and cork; metals and
metalworking; oil refining; chemicals; fish canning; rubber and
plastic products; ceramics; electronics and communications
equipment; rail transportation equipment; aerospace equipment; ship
construction and refurbishment; wine; tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
0% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:
44.32 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 64.5% hydro: 31.3% nuclear: 0% other: 4.1% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
44.01 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
3.1 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
5.9 billion kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:
326,500 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
28,830 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:
357,300 bbl/day (2001)
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
2.983 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
2.553 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Current account balance:
$-17.1 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:
$38.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:
clothing and footwear, machinery, chemicals, cork and paper
products, hides
Exports - partners:
Spain 25.9%, France 13.1%, Germany 11.9%, UK 8%, US 5.4%, Italy
4.3% (2005)
Imports:
$60.35 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum, textiles,
agricultural products
Imports - partners:
Spain 29%, Germany 13.4%, France 8.5%, Italy 5.2%, Netherlands
4.3%, UK 4.2% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$10.36 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:
$287.8 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - donor:
ODA, $271 million (1995)
Currency (code):
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 - 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003),
1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Portugal
Telephones - main lines in use:
4.234 million (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
11.448 million (2005)
Telephone system:
general assessment: Portugal's telephone system has achieved a
state-of-the-art network with broadband, high-speed capabilities
domestic: integrated network of coaxial cables, open-wire, microwave
radio relay, and domestic satellite earth stations
international: country code - 351; 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 hosts:
845,980 (2005)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
16 (2000)
Internet users:
7,782,700 (2006)
Transportation Portugal
Airports: 66 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 43 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 11 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 22 (2006)
Pipelines:
gas 1,099 km; oil 8 km; refined products 174 km (2006)
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 (2005)
Roadways:
total: 72,600 km
paved: 62,436 km (including 1,700 km of expressways)
unpaved: 10,164 km (2002)
Waterways:
210 km (on Douro River from Porto) (2003)
Merchant marine:
total: 111 ships (1000 GRT or over) 1,077,300 GRT/1,363,435 DWT
by type: bulk carrier 11, cargo 27, chemical tanker 15, container 7,
liquefied gas 11, passenger 9, passenger/cargo 10, petroleum tanker
8, roll on/roll off 4, vehicle carrier 9
foreign-owned: 82 (Australia 1, Belgium 8, Cyprus 1, Denmark 4,
Germany 17, Greece 4, Italy 12, Japan 9, Malta 1, Mexico 1,
Netherlands 1, Norway 4, Spain 15, Switzerland 3, US 1)
registered in other countries: 16 (Cyprus 2, Hong Kong 1, Malta 3,
Panama 10) (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Leixoes, Lisbon, Setubal, Sines
Military Portugal
Military branches:
Army, Navy (Marinha Portuguesa; includes Marine Corps), Air Force
(Forca Aerea Portuguesa, FAP), National Republican Guard (Guarda
Nacional Republicana) (2005)
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; compulsory military service was ended in 2004; women serve in the armed forces, on naval ships since 1993, but are prohibited from serving in some combatant specialties (2005)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 2,435,042
females age 18-49: 2,405,816 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 1,952,819
females age 18-49: 1,977,264 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males age 18-49: 67,189
females age 18-49: 60,626 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$3,497.8 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
2.3% (2003)
Transnational Issues Portugal
Disputes - international:
Portugal does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over the territory
of Olivenza based on a difference of interpretation of the 1815
Congress of Vienna and the 1801 Treaty of Badajoz
Illicit drugs:
gateway country for Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian
heroin entering the European market (especially from Brazil);
transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe;
consumer of Southwest Asian heroin
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
@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. 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 not to alter the existing political 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: 13,790 sq km
land: 8,870 sq km
water: 4,921 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
501 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 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 1,339 m
Natural resources: some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil
Land use: arable land: 3.69% permanent crops: 5.59% other: 90.72% (2005)
Irrigated land:
400 sq km (2003)
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:
3,927,188 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 21.3% (male 428,610/female 409,484)
15-64 years: 65.8% (male 1,239,255/female 1,345,519)
65 years and over: 12.8% (male 218,045/female 286,275) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 34.7 years
male: 33 years
female: 36.4 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.4% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
12.77 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
7.65 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
-1.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 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: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 9.14 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 10.32 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.4 years
male: 74.46 years
female: 82.54 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.75 children born/woman (2006 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: 94.1%
male: 93.9%
female: 94.4% (2002 est.)
Government Puerto Rico
Country name:
conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
conventional short form: Puerto Rico
Dependency status:
unincorporated, organized territory of the US with commonwealth
status; policy relations between Puerto Rico and the US conducted
under the jurisdiction of the Office of the President
Government type:
commonwealth
Capital:
name: San Juan
geographic coordinates: 18 28 N, 66 07 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (territory of the US with commonwealth status); 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 (territory of the US with commonwealth status)
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; island residents 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 Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA (since 2 January
2005)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the
legislature
elections: under the US Consitution, residents of unincorporated
territories, such as Puerto Rico, do not vote in elections for US
president and vice president; governor elected by popular vote for a
four-year term (no term limits); election last held 2 November 2004
(next to be held November 2008)
election results: Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA (PPD) elected governor;
percent of vote - 48.4%