Adelie Land The only non-insular district of the TAAF is the Antarctic claim known as "Adelie Land." The US Government does not recognize it as a French dependency. 78 00 S 139 00 E 500,000 sq km (approx) 500,000 sq km (approx) 0 sq km 4.8 km territorial claim asserted by France (not recognized by the US) Afghanistan Ahmad Shah DURRANI unified the Pashtun tribes and founded Afghanistan in 1747. The country served as a buffer between the British and Russian empires until it won independence from notional British control in 1919. A brief experiment in democracy ended in a 1973 coup and a 1978 Communist counter-coup. The Soviet Union invaded in 1979 to support the tottering Afghan Communist regime, touching off a long and destructive war. The USSR withdrew in 1989 under relentless pressure by internationally supported anti-Communist mujahedin rebels. A series of subsequent civil wars saw Kabul finally fall in 1996 to the Taliban, a hardline Pakistani-sponsored movement that emerged in 1994 to end the country's civil war and anarchy. Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, a US, Allied, and anti-Taliban Northern Alliance military action toppled the Taliban for sheltering Osama BIN LADIN. The UN-sponsored Bonn Conference in 2001 established a process for political reconstruction that included the adoption of a new constitution, a presidential election in 2004, and National Assembly elections in 2005. In December 2004, Hamid KARZAI became the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan and the National Assembly was inaugurated the following December. Despite gains toward building a stable central government, a resurgent Taliban and continuing provincial instability - particularly in the south and the east - remain serious challenges for the Afghan Government. Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran 33 00 N 65 00 E Asia 647,500 sq km 647,500 sq km 0 sq km slightly smaller than Texas 5,529 km China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km, Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest Amu Darya 258 m Nowshak 7,485 m natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones 12.13% 0.21% 87.66% (2005) 27,200 sq km (2003) damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; droughts limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building materials); desertification; air and water pollution Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation landlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast to southwest divide the northern provinces from the rest of the country; the highest peaks are in the northern Vakhan (Wakhan Corridor) 32,738,376 (July 2008 est.) 44.6% (male 7,474,394/female 7,121,145) 53% (male 8,901,880/female 8,447,983) 2.4% (male 383,830/female 409,144) (2008 est.) 17.6 years 17.6 years 17.6 years (2008 est.) 2.626% (2008 est.) 45.82 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 19.56 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 154.67 deaths/1,000 live births 158.88 deaths/1,000 live births 150.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 44.21 years 44.04 years 44.39 years (2008 est.) 6.58 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.01% (2001 est.) high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria rabies highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) Afghan(s) Afghan Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27%, Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%, Aimak 4%, Turkmen 3%, Baloch 2%, other 4% Sunni Muslim 80%, Shia Muslim 19%, other 1% Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%, Pashto (official) 35%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism age 15 and over can read and write 28.1% 43.1% 12.6% (2000 est.) Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Afghanistan Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Afghanestan Afghanestan Republic of Afghanistan Islamic republic Kabul 34 31 N 69 11 E UTC+4.5 (9.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 34 provinces (velayat, singular - velayat); Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamyan, Daykundi, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghor, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabul, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khost, Kunar, Kunduz, Laghman, Logar, Nangarhar, Nimroz, Nuristan, Paktika, Paktiya, Panjshir, Parwan, Samangan, Sar-e Pul, Takhar, Uruzgan, Wardak, Zabul 19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs) Independence Day, 19 August (1919) new constitution drafted 14 December 2003-4 January 2004; signed 16 January 2004 based on mixed civil and Sharia law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); Vice Presidents Ahmad Zia MASOOD and Abdul Karim KHALILI (since 7 December 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; former King ZAHIR Shah held the honorific, "Father of the Country," and presided symbolically over certain occasions but lacked any governing authority; the honorific is not hereditary; King ZAHIR Shah died on 23 July 2007 President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); Vice Presidents Ahmad Zia MASOOD and Abdul Karim KHALILI (since 7 December 2004) 25 ministers; note - under the new constitution, ministers are appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly the president and two vice presidents are elected by direct vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if no candidate receives 50% or more of the vote in the first round of voting, the two candidates with the most votes will participate in a second round; a president can only be elected for two terms; election last held 9 October 2004 (next to be held in 2009) Hamid KARZAI elected president; percent of vote - Hamid KARZAI 55.4%, Yunus QANUNI 16.3%, Ustad Mohammad MOHAQQEQ 11.6%, Abdul Rashid DOSTAM 10.0%, Abdul Latif PEDRAM 1.4%, Masooda JALAL 1.2% the bicameral National Assembly consists of the Wolesi Jirga or House of People (no more than 249 seats), directly elected for five-year terms, and the Meshrano Jirga or House of Elders (102 seats, one-third elected from provincial councils for four-year terms, one-third elected from local district councils for three-year terms, and one-third nominated by the president for five-year terms) on rare occasions the government may convene a Loya Jirga (Grand Council) on issues of independence, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity; it can amend the provisions of the constitution and prosecute the president; it is made up of members of the National Assembly and chairpersons of the provincial and district councils last held 18 September 2005 (next to be held for the Wolesi Jirga by September 2009; next to be held for the provincial councils to the Meshrano Jirga by September 2008) the single non-transferable vote (SNTV) system used in the election did not make use of political party slates; most candidates ran as independents the constitution establishes a nine-member Stera Mahkama or Supreme Court (its nine justices are appointed for 10-year terms by the president with approval of the Wolesi Jirga) and subordinate High Courts and Appeals Courts; there is also a minister of justice; a separate Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission established by the Bonn Agreement is charged with investigating human rights abuses and war crimes Afghanistan Peoples' Treaty Party [Sayyed Amir TAHSEEN]; Afghanistan's Islamic Mission Organization [Abdul Rasoul SAYYAF]; Afghanistan's Islamic Nation Party [Toran Noor Aqa Ahmad ZAI]; Afghanistan's National Islamic Party [Rohullah LOUDIN]; Afghanistan's Welfare Party [Meer Asef ZAEEFI]; Afghan Social Democratic Party [Anwarul Haq AHADI]; Afghan Society for the Call to the Koran and Sunna [Mawlawee Samiullah NAJEEBEE]; Comprehensive Movement of Democracy and Development of Afghanistan Party [Sher Mohammad BAZGAR]; Democratic Party of Afghanistan [Tawos ARAB]; Democratic Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Kabir RANJBAR]; Elites People of Afghanistan Party [Abdul Hamid JAWAD]; Freedom and Democracy Movement of Afghanistan [Abdul Raqib Jawid KOHISTANEE]; Freedom Party of Afghanistan [Ilaj Abdul MALEK]; Freedom Party of Afghanistan [Dr. Ghulam Farooq NEJRABEE]; Hizullah-e-Afghanistan [Qari Ahmad ALI]; Human Rights Protection and Development Party of Afghanistan [Baryalai NASRATI]; Islamic Justice Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Kabir MARZBAN]; Islamic Movement of Afghanistan [Mohammad Ali JAWID]; Islamic Movement of Afghanistan Party [Mohammad Mukhtar MUFLEH]; Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Khalid FAROOQI]; Islamic Party of the Afghan Land [Mohammad Hassan FEROZKHEL]; Islamic People's Movement of Afghanistan [Ilhaj Said Hussain ANWARY]; Islamic Society of Afghanistan [Ustad RABBANI]; Islamic Unity of the Nation of Afghanistan Party [Qurban Ali URFANI]; Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Karim KHALILI]; Islamic Unity Party of the People of Afghanistan [Ustad Mohammad MOHAQQEQ]; Labor and Progress of Afghanistan Party [Zulfiqar OMID]; Muslim People of Afghanistan Party [Besmellah JOYAN]; Muslim Unity Movement Party of Afghanistan [Wazir Mohammad WAHDAT]; National and Islamic Sovereignty Movement Party of Afghanistan [Ahmad Shah AHMADZAI]; National Congress Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Latif PEDRAM]; National Country Party [Ghulam MOHAMMAD]; National Development Party of Afghanistan [Dr. Aref BAKTASH]; National Freedom Seekers Party [Abdul Hadi DABEER]; National Independence Party of Afghanistan [Taj Mohammad WARDAK]; National Islamic Fighters Party of Afghanistan [Amanat NINGARHAREE]; National Islamic Front of Afghanistan [Pir Sayed Ahmad GAILANEE]; National Islamic Moderation Party of Afghanistan [Qara Bik Eized YAAR]; National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan [Sayed NOORULLAH]; National Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad AKBAREE]; National Movement of Afghanistan [Ahmad Wali MASOOUD]; National Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Rashid ARYAN]; National Patch of Afghanistan Party [Sayed Kamal SADAT]; National Peace Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Shah Mohammood Popal ZAI]; National Peace & Islamic Party of the Tribes of Afghanistan [Abdul Qaher SHARIATEE]; National Peace & Unity Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Qader IMAMI]; National Prosperity and Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Osman SALEKZADA]; National Prosperity Party [Mohammad Hassan JAHFAREE]; National Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan [Pir Sayed Eshaq GAILANEE]; National Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Sayed Mansoor NADREEI]; National Sovereignty Party [Sayed Mustafa KAZEMI]; National Stability Party [Mohammad Same KHAROTI]; National Stance Party [Habibullah JANEBDAR]; National Tribal Unity Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Shah KHOGYANI]; National United Front [Burhanuddin RABBANI] (a coalition); National Unity Movement [Sultan Mohammad GHAZI]; National Unity Movement of Afghanistan [Mohammad Nadir AATASH]; National Unity Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Rashid JALILI]; New Afghanistan Party [Mohammad Yunis QANUNI]; Peace and National Welfare Activists Society [Shamsul Haq Noor SHAMS]; Peace Movement [Shahnawaz TANAI]; People's Aspirations Party of Afghanistan [Ilhaj Saraj-u-din ZAFAREE]; People's Freedom Seekers Party of Afghanistan [Feda Mohammad EHSAS]; People's Liberal Freedom Seekers Party of Afghanistan [Ajmal SUHAIL]; People's Message Party of Afghanistan [Noor Aqa WAINEE]; People's Movement of the National Unity of Afghanistan [Abdul Hakim NOORZAI]; People's Party of Afghanistan [Ahmad Shah ASAR]; People's Prosperity Party of Afghanistan [Ustad Mohammad ZAREEF]; People's Sovereignty Movement of Afghanistan [Hayatullah SUBHANEE]; People's Uprising Party of Afghanistan [Sayed Zahir Qayed Omul BELADI]; People's Welfare Party of Afghanistan [Mia Gul WASIQ]; People's Welfare Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Zubair PAIROZ]; Progressive Democratic Party of Afghanistan [Wali ARYA]; Republican Party [Sebghatullah SANJAR]; Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Khaleq NEMAT]; The Afghanistan's Mujahid Nation's Islamic Unity Movement [Saeedullah SAEED]; The People of Afghanistan's Democratic Movement [Sharif NAZARI]; Tribes Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Zarif NASERI]; Understanding and Democracy Party of Afghanistan [Ahamad SHAHEEN]; United Afghanistan Party [Mohammad Wasil RAHIMEE]; United Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Wahidullah SABAWOON]; Young Afghanistan's Islamic Organization [Sayed Jawad HUSSINEE]; Youth Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Jamil KARZAI]; note - includes only political parties approved by the Ministry of Justice religious groups; tribal leaders ADB, CP, ECO, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SAARC, SACEP, SCO (guest), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Ambassador Said Tayeb JAWAD 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 483-6410 [1] (202) 483-6488 Los Angeles, New York Ambassador William B. WOOD The Great Masood Road, Kabul U.S. Embassy Kabul, APO, AE 09806 [93] 0700 108 001 [93] 0700 108 564 three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), red, and green, with the national emblem in white centered on the red band and slightly overlapping the other two bands; the center of the emblem features a mosque with pulpit and flags on either side, below the mosque are numerals for the solar year 1298 (1919 in the Gregorian calendar, the year of Afghan independence from the UK); this central image is circled by a border consisting of sheaves of wheat on the left and right, in the upper-center is an Arabic inscription of the Shahada (Muslim creed) below which are rays of the rising sun over the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God is great"), and at bottom center is a scroll bearing the name Afghanistan Afghanistan's economy is recovering from decades of conflict. The economy has improved significantly since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001 largely because of the infusion of international assistance, the recovery of the agricultural sector, and service sector growth. Real GDP growth exceeded 7% in 2007. Despite the progress of the past few years, Afghanistan is extremely poor, landlocked, and highly dependent on foreign aid, agriculture, and trade with neighboring countries. Much of the population continues to suffer from shortages of housing, clean water, electricity, medical care, and jobs. Criminality, insecurity, and the Afghan Government's inability to extend rule of law to all parts of the country pose challenges to future economic growth. It will probably take the remainder of the decade and continuing donor aid and attention to significantly raise Afghanistan's living standards from its current level, among the lowest in the world. International pledges made by more than 60 countries and international financial institutions at the Berlin Donors Conference for Afghan reconstruction in March 2004 reached $8.9 billion for 2004-09. While the international community remains committed to Afghanistan's development, pledging over $24 billion at three donors' conferences since 2002, Kabul will need to overcome a number of challenges. Expanding poppy cultivation and a growing opium trade generate roughly $4 billion in illicit economic activity and looms as one of Kabul's most serious policy concerns. Other long-term challenges include: budget sustainability, job creation, corruption, government capacity, and rebuilding war torn infrastructure. $35 billion (2007 est.) $8.842 billion (2007 est.) 11.5% (2007 est.) $1,000 (2007 est.) 38% 24% 38% data exclude opium production (2005 est.) 15 million (2004 est.) 80% 10% 10% (2004 est.) 40% (2005 est.) 53% (2003) 13% (2007 est.) $715 million $2.6 billion Afghanistan has also received $273 million from the Reconstruction Trust Fund and $63 million from the Law and Order Trust Fund (2007 est.) opium, wheat, fruits, nuts; wool, mutton, sheepskins, lambskins small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper 839 million kWh (2007 est.) 1.088 billion kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 230 million kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 5,036 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 4,534 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 20 million cu m (2006 est.) 20 million cu m (2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 49.55 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $274 million; note - not including illicit exports or reexports (2006) opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems India 22.8%, Pakistan 21.8%, US 20.5%, Tajikistan 7.2% (2007) $3.823 billion (2006) capital goods, food, textiles, petroleum products Pakistan 36.8%, US 11%, India 5%, Germany 4.2% (2007) $8 billion in bilateral debt, mostly to Russia; Afghanistan has $500 million in debt to Multilateral Development Banks (2004) $2.775 billion (2005) afghani (AFA) afghanis (AFA) per US dollar - NA (2007), 46 (2006), 47.7 (2005), 48 (2004), 49 (2003) 21 March - 20 March 280,000 (2005) 5.4 million (2008) limited landline telephone service; an increasing number of Afghans utilize mobile-cellular phone networks in major cities aided by the presence of multiple providers, mobile-cellular telephone service is improving rapidly 93 five VSAT's installed in Kabul, Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kandahar, and Jalalabad provide international and domestic voice and data connectivity (2007) 27: AM 21, FM 5, shortwave 1 (broadcasts in Pashto, Dari (Afghan Persian), Urdu, and English) (2006) at least 7 (1 government-run central television station in Kabul and regional stations in 6 of the 34 provinces) (2006) .af 31 (2008) 580,000 (2007) Internet access is growing through Internet cafes as well as public "telekiosks" in Kabul (2005) 46 (2007) 12 4 2 4 1 1 (2007) 34 1 4 16 4 9 (2007) 9 (2007) gas 466 km (2007) 42,150 km 12,350 km 29,800 km (2006) 1,200 km (chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to 500 DWT) (2007) Kheyrabad, Shir Khan Afghan Armed Forces: Afghan National Army (ANA, includes Afghan National Army Air Corps) (2008) 22 years of age; inductees are contracted into service for a 4-year term (2005) 16 7,431,147 16 7,004,819 (2008 est.) 16 4,234,180 16 3,946,685 (2008 est.) 371,451 351,295 (2008 est.) 1.9% of GDP (2006 est.) Pakistan has built fences in some portions of its border with Afghanistan which remains open in some areas to foreign terrorists and other illegal activities 132,246 (mostly Pashtuns and Kuchis displaced in south and west due to drought and instability) (2007) world's largest producer of opium; poppy cultivation increased 17% to a near-record 202,000 hectares in 2007; good growing conditions pushed potential opium production to a record 8,000 metric tons, up 42% from last year; if the entire opium crop were processed, 947 metric tons of heroin potentially could be produced; drug trade is a source of instability and the Taliban and other antigovernment groups participate in and profit from the drug trade; widespread corruption impedes counterdrug efforts; most of the heroin consumed in Europe and Eurasia is derived from Afghan opium; vulnerable to drug money laundering through informal financial networks; regional source of hashish Akrotiri By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers - Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The southernmost and smallest of these is the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the Western Sovereign Base Area. Eastern Mediterranean, peninsula on the southwest coast of Cyprus 34 37 N 32 58 E Middle East 123 sq km 111 sq km 12 sq km (salt lake) includes a salt lake and wetlands about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC 47.4 km Cyprus 47.4 km 56.3 km temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters shooting around the salt lake; note - breeding place for loggerhead and green turtles; only remaining colony of griffon vultures is on the base British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus; of the Sovereign Base Area land, 60% is privately owned and farmed, 20% is owned by the Ministry of Defense, and 20% is SBA Crown land approximately 15,700 live on the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia including 7,700 Cypriots, 3,600 Service and UK-based contract personnel, and 4,400 dependents English, Greek Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area Akrotiri a special form of UK overseas territory; administered by an administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus Episkopi Cantonment (base administrative center for Akrotiri and Dhekelia) 34 40 N 32 51 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council 1960, effective 16 August 1960, functions as a basic legal document the Sovereign Base Area Administration has its own court system to deal with civil and criminal matters; laws applicable to the Cypriot population are, as far as possible, the same as the laws of the Republic of Cyprus Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) Administrator Air Vice-Marshal Richard LACEY (since 26 April 2006); note - reports to the British Ministry of Defense none; the monarch is hereditary; the administrator is appointed by the monarch none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of the UK) the flag of the UK is used Economic activity is limited to providing services to the military and their families located in Akrotiri. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. euro (EUR) adopted 1 January 2008; note - the Cypriot pound (CYP) formerly used euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.4286 (2007), 0.46019 (2006), 0.4641 (2005), 0.4686 (2004), 0.5174 (2003) 1: AM NA, FM 1, shortwave NA (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1 and Radio 2 service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia) (2006) 0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia) (2006) Akrotiri has a full RAF base, Headquarters for British Forces on Cyprus, and Episkopi Support Unit Albania Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was conquered by Italy in 1939. Communist partisans took over the country in 1944. Albania allied itself first with the USSR (until 1960), and then with China (to 1978). In the early 1990s, Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated physical infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since first holding multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. International observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a decisive victory on pledges of reducing crime and corruption, promoting economic growth, and decreasing the size of government. The election, and particularly the orderly transition of power, was considered an important step forward. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure. Albania has played a largely helpful role in managing inter-ethnic tensions in southeastern Europe, and is continuing to work toward joining NATO and the EU. Albania, with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been a strong supporter of the global war on terrorism. Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece in the south and Montenegro and Kosovo to the north 41 00 N 20 00 E Europe 28,748 sq km 27,398 sq km 1,350 sq km slightly smaller than Maryland 717 km Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Montenegro 172 km, Kosovo 112 km 362 km 12 nm 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast Adriatic Sea 0 m Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower 20.1% 4.21% 75.69% (2005) 3,530 sq km (2003) destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea) 3,619,778 (July 2008 est.) 23.6% (male 447,126/female 406,757) 66.9% (male 1,239,819/female 1,180,720) 9.5% (male 160,241/female 185,115) (2008 est.) 29.5 years 28.9 years 30.2 years (2008 est.) 0.538% (2008 est.) 15.22 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 5.44 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -4.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.1 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.87 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 19.31 deaths/1,000 live births 19.74 deaths/1,000 live births 18.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 77.78 years 75.12 years 80.71 years (2008 est.) 2.02 children born/woman (2008 est.) Albanian(s) Albanian Albanian 95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Roma (Gypsy), Serb, Macedonian, Bulgarian) (1989 est.) in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from 1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization) Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10% percentages are estimates; there are no available current statistics on religious affiliation; all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects age 9 and over can read and write 98.7% 99.2% 98.3% (2001 census) Republic of Albania Albania Republika e Shqiperise Shqiperia People's Socialist Republic of Albania emerging democracy Tirana (Tirane) 41 19 N 19 49 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Berat, Diber, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Korce, Kukes, Lezhe, Shkoder, Tirane, Vlore 28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire) Independence Day, 28 November (1912) adopted by popular referendum on 22 November 1998; promulgated 28 November 1998 has a civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; has accepted jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court for its citizens 18 years of age; universal President of the Republic Bamir TOPI (since 24 July 2007) Prime Minister Sali BERISHA (since 10 September 2005) Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, nominated by the president, and approved by parliament president elected by the People's Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); four election rounds held between 8 and 20 July 2007 (next election to be held in 2012); prime minister appointed by the president Bamir TOPI elected president; People's Assembly vote, fourth round (three-fifths majority (84 votes) required): Bamir TOPI 85 votes, Neritan CEKA 5 votes unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi (140 seats; 100 members are elected by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) last held 3 July 2005 (next to be held in 2009) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PD 56, PS 42, PR 11, PSD 7, LSI 5, other 19 Constitutional Court, Supreme Court (chairman is elected by the People's Assembly for a four-year term), and multiple appeals and district courts Agrarian Environmentalist Party or PAA [Lufter XHUVELI]; Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Nard NDOKA]; Communist Party of Albania or PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI]; Democratic Alliance Party or AD [Neritan CEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; Legality Movement Party or PLL [Ekrem SPAHIA]; Liberal Union Party or BLD [Arjan STAROVA]; Movement for National Development or LZhK [Dashamir SHEHI]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or PBK [Artur ROSHI]; New Democratic Party or PDR [Genc POLLO]; Party of National Unity or PUK [Idajet BEQIRI]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU]; Social Democracy Party of Albania or PDSSh [Paskal MILO]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI [Ilir META]; Socialist Party or PS [Edi RAMA]; Union for Human Rights Party or PBDNj [Vangjel DULE] Citizens Advocacy Office [Kreshnik SPAHIU]; Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania or KSSH [Kastriot MUCO]; Front for Albanian National Unification or FBKSH [Gafur ADILI]; Mjaft Movement; Omonia [Jani JANI]; Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania or BSPSH [Gezim KALAJA] BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Aleksander SALLABANDA 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 223-4942 [1] (202) 628-7342 Ambassador Dr. John L. WITHERS, II Rruga e Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana US Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Dulles, VA 20189-9510 [355] (4) 2247285 [355] (4) 2232222 red with a black two-headed eagle in the center Lagging behind its Balkan neighbors, Albania is making the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. The government has taken measures to curb violent crime, and recently adopted a fiscal reform package aimed at reducing the large gray economy and attracting foreign investment. The economy is bolstered by annual remittances from abroad of $600-$800 million, mostly from Albanians residing in Greece and Italy; this helps offset the towering trade deficit. Agriculture, which accounts for more than one-fifth of GDP, is held back because of lack of modern equipment, unclear property rights, and the prevalence of small, inefficient plots of land. Energy shortages and antiquated and inadequate infrastructure contribute to Albania's poor business environment, which make it difficult to attract and sustain foreign investment. The completion of a new thermal power plant near Vlore and improved transmission line between Albania and Montenegro will help relieve the energy shortages. Also, the government is moving slowly to improve the poor national road and rail network, a long-standing barrier to sustained economic growth. On the positive side, macroeconomic growth was strong in 2003-07 and inflation is low and stable. $20.87 billion Albania has a large gray economy that may be as large as 50% of official GDP (2007 est.) $10.62 billion (2007 est.) 6% (2007 est.) $5,800 (2007 est.) 21.2% 20.5% 58.3% (2007 est.) 1.09 million (not including 352,000 emigrant workers) (September 2006 est.) 58% 15% 27% (September 2006 est.) 13.2% official rate, but may exceed 30% due to preponderance of near-subsistence farming (2007 est.) 25% (2004 est.) 3.4% 24.4% (2004) 26.7 (2005) 2.9% (2007 est.) 23.3% of GDP (2007 est.) $2.782 billion $3.155 billion (2007 est.) 51.4% of GDP (2007 est.) wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower 4% (2007 est.) 2.892 billion kWh (2007 est.) 3.607 billion kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 2.8 billion kWh (2007 est.) 6,425 bbl/day (2007 est.) 30,900 bbl/day (2006 est.) 748.9 bbl/day (2005 est.) 24,860 bbl/day (2005 est.) 199.1 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 30 million cu m (2006 est.) 30 million cu m (2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 849.5 million cu m (1 January 2008 est.) -$1.202 billion (2007 est.) $1.076 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco Italy 72%, Greece 8.8%, China 2.7% (2007) $3.999 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals Italy 27.6%, Greece 14.8%, Turkey 7.4%, China 6.8%, Germany 5.6%, Switzerland 5%, Russia 4.2% (2007) $2.162 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $1.55 billion (2004) ODA: $318.7 million top donors were Italy, EU, Germany (2005 est.) lek (ALL) the plural of lek is leke leke (ALL) per US dollar - 92.668 (2007), 98.384 (2006), 102.649 (2005), 102.78 (2004), 121.863 (2003) calendar year 353,600 (2005) 2.3 million (2007) despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines remains low with roughly 10 lines per 100 people; cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density is approximately 75 telephones per 100 persons offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile phone service has been available since 1996; by 2003, two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of Albania's neighbors; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005; Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital 355 submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2007) 60: AM 13, FM 46, shortwave 1 (2005) 65 (3 national, 62 local); 2 cable networks (2005) .al 10,162 (2008) 471,200 (2006) 11 (2007) 3 3 (2007) 8 1 2 1 4 (2007) 1 (2007) gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2007) 447 km 447 km 1.435-m gauge (2006) 18,000 km 7,020 km 10,980 km (2002) 43 km (2007) 24 cargo 22, roll on/roll off 2 1 (Turkey 1) 2 (Panama 2) (2008) Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore Land Forces Command (Army), Naval Forces Command, Air Defense Command, General Staff Headquarters (includes Logistics Command, Training and Doctrine Command) (2007) 19 years of age (2004) 16 944,592 16 908,527 (2008 est.) 16 798,454 16 767,143 (2008 est.) 36,340 33,077 (2008 est.) 1.49% of GDP (2005 est.) the Albanian Government calls for the protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians in neighboring countries, and the peaceful resolution of interethnic disputes; some ethnic Albanian groups in neighboring countries advocate for a "greater Albania," but the idea has little appeal among Albanian nationals; the mass emigration of unemployed Albanians remains a problem for developed countries, chiefly Greece and Italy Albania is a source country for women and girls trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; it is no longer considered a major country of transit; Albanian victims are trafficked to Greece, Italy, Macedonia, and Kosovo, with many trafficked onward to Western European countries; children were also trafficked to Greece for begging and other forms of child labor; approximately half of all Albanian trafficking victims are under age 18; internal sex trafficking of women and children is on the rise Tier 2 Watch List - Albania is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007, particularly in the area of victim protection; the government did not appropriately identify trafficking victims during 2007, and has not demonstrated that it is vigorously investigating or prosecuting complicit officials (2008) increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to a lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and growing cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and expanding in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens Algeria After more than a century of rule by France, Algerians fought through much of the 1950s to achieve independence in 1962. Algeria's primary political party, the National Liberation Front (FLN), has dominated politics ever since. Many Algerians in the subsequent generation were not satisfied, however, and moved to counter the FLN's centrality in Algerian politics. The surprising first round success of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) in the December 1991 balloting spurred the Algerian army to intervene and postpone the second round of elections to prevent what the secular elite feared would be an extremist-led government from assuming power. The army began a crackdown on the FIS that spurred FIS supporters to begin attacking government targets. The government later allowed elections featuring pro-government and moderate religious-based parties, but did not appease the activists who progressively widened their attacks. The fighting escalated into an insurgency, which saw intense fighting between 1992-98 and which resulted in over 100,000 deaths - many attributed to indiscriminate massacres of villagers by extremists. The government gained the upper hand by the late-1990s and FIS's armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, disbanded in January 2000. However, small numbers of armed militants persist in confronting government forces and conducting ambushes and occasional attacks on villages. The army placed Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA in the presidency in 1999 in a fraudulent election but claimed neutrality in his 2004 landslide reelection victory. Longstanding problems continue to face BOUTEFLIKA in his second term, including the ethnic minority Berbers' ongoing autonomy campaign, large-scale unemployment, a shortage of housing, unreliable electrical and water supplies, government inefficiencies and corruption, and the continuing activities of extremist militants. The 2006 merger of the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) with al-Qaida (followed by a name change to al-Qaida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb) signaled an increase in bombings, including high-profile, mass-casualty suicide attacks targeted against the Algerian government and Western interests. Algeria must also diversify its petroleum-based economy, which has yielded a large cash reserve but which has not been used to redress Algeria's many social and infrastructure problems. Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia 28 00 N 3 00 E Africa 2,381,740 sq km 2,381,740 sq km 0 sq km slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas 6,343 km Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km, Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km 998 km 12 nm 32-52 nm arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow, discontinuous coastal plain Chott Melrhir -40 m Tahat 3,003 m petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc 3.17% 0.28% 96.55% (2005) 5,690 sq km (2003) mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides and floods in rainy season soil erosion from overgrazing and other poor farming practices; desertification; dumping of raw sewage, petroleum refining wastes, and other industrial effluents is leading to the pollution of rivers and coastal waters; Mediterranean Sea, in particular, becoming polluted from oil wastes, soil erosion, and fertilizer runoff; inadequate supplies of potable water Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan) 33,769,668 (July 2008 est.) 26.3% (male 4,528,919/female 4,349,746) 68.7% (male 11,699,701/female 11,509,619) 5% (male 779,467/female 902,217) (2008 est.) 26 years 25.8 years 26.2 years (2008 est.) 1.209% (2008 est.) 17.03 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 4.62 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 28.75 deaths/1,000 live births 31.95 deaths/1,000 live births 25.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 73.77 years 72.13 years 75.49 years (2008 est.) 1.82 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.1%; note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.) 9,100 (2003 est.) fewer than 500 (2003 est.) Algerian(s) Algerian Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1% almost all Algerians are Berber in origin, not Arab; the minority who identify themselves as Berber live mostly in the mountainous region of Kabylie east of Algiers; the Berbers are also Muslim but identify with their Berber rather than Arab cultural heritage; Berbers have long agitated, sometimes violently, for autonomy; the government is unlikely to grant autonomy but has offered to begin sponsoring teaching Berber language in schools Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1% Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects age 15 and over can read and write 69.9% 79.6% 60.1% (2002 est.) People's Democratic Republic of Algeria Algeria Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah Al Jaza'ir republic Algiers 36 45 N 3 03 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 48 provinces (wilayat, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen 5 July 1962 (from France) Revolution Day, 1 November (1954) 8 September 1963; revised 19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 November 1988, 23 February 1989, 28 November 1996, and 12 November 2008 socialist, based on French and Islamic law; judicial review of legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed of various public officials, including several Supreme Court justices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28 April 1999) Prime Minister Ahmed OUYAHIA (since 23 June 2008) Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a third term under 2008 amendment to constitution); election last held 8 April 2004 (next to be held in April 2009); prime minister appointed by the president Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA reelected president for second term; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA 85%, Ali BENFLIS 6.4%, Abdellah DJABALLAH 5% bicameral Parliament consists of the National People's Assembly or Al-Majlis Al-Shabi Al-Watani (389 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Council of Nations (Senate) (144 seats; one-third of the members appointed by the president, two-thirds elected by indirect vote; to serve six-year terms; the constitution requires half the council to be renewed every three years) National People's Assembly - last held 17 May 2007 (next to be held in 2012); Council of Nations (Senate) - last held 28 December 2006 (next to be held in 2009) National People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 136, RND 61, MSP 52, PT 26, RCD 19, FNA 13, other 49, independents 33; Council of Nations - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 29, RND 12, MSP 3, RCD 1, independents 3, presidential appointees (unknown affiliation) 24; note - Council seating reflects the number of replaced council members rather than the whole Council Supreme Court Ahd 54 [Ali Fauzi REBAINE]; Algerian National Front or FNA [Moussa TOUATI]; Islamic Salvation Front or FIS (outlawed April 1992) [Ali BELHADJ, Dr. Abassi MADANI, Rabeh KEBIR]; National Democratic Rally (Rassemblement National Democratique) or RND [Ahmed OUYAHIA]; National Entente Movement or MEN [Ali BOUKHAZNA]; National Liberation Front or FLN [Abdelaziz BELKHADEM, secretary general]; National Reform Movement or Islah (formerly MRN) [Mohamed BOULAHIA]; National Renewal Party or PRA [Mohamed BENSMAIL]; Rally for Culture and Democracy or RCD [Said SADI]; Renaissance Movement or EnNahda Movement [Fatah RABEI]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Hocine Ait AHMED]; Social Liberal Party or PSL [Ahmed KHELIL]; Society of Peace Movement or MSP [Boudjerra SOLTANI]; Workers Party or PT [Louisa HANOUNE] a law banning political parties based on religion was enacted in March 1997 The Algerian Human Rights League or LADDH [Hocine ZEHOUANE]; SOS Disparus [Nacera DUTOUR]; Somoud [Ali MERABET] ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BIS, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Ambassador Abdallah BAALI 2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 265-2800 [1] (202) 667-2174 Ambassador David D. PEARCE 05 Chemin Cheikh Bachir, El-Ibrahimi, El-Biar 16000 Algiers B. P. 408, Alger-Gare, 16030 Algiers [213] 770-08-2000 [213] 21-60-7355 two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a red, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-color boundary the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam (the state religion) The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the eighth-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the fourth-largest gas exporter; it ranks 14th in oil reserves. Sustained high oil prices in recent years have helped improve Algeria's financial and macroeconomic indicators. Algeria is running substantial trade surpluses and building up record foreign exchange reserves. Algeria has decreased its external debt to less than 10% of GDP after repaying its Paris Club and London Club debt in 2006. Real GDP has risen due to higher oil output and increased government spending. The government's continued efforts to diversify the economy by attracting foreign and domestic investment outside the energy sector, however, has had little success in reducing high unemployment and improving living standards. Structural reform within the economy, such as development of the banking sector and the construction of infrastructure, moves ahead slowly hampered by corruption and bureaucratic resistance. $222.3 billion (2007 est.) $131.6 billion (2007 est.) 4.5% (2007 est.) $6,700 (2007 est.) 8.2% 61.5% 30.3% (2007 est.) 9.38 million (2007 est.) agriculture 14%, industry 13.4%, construction and public works 10%, trade 14.6%, government 32%, other 16% (2003 est.) 11.8% (2007 est.) 25% (2005 est.) 2.8% 26.8% (1995) 35.3 (1995) 3.5% (2007 est.) 24.5% of GDP (2007 est.) $57.03 billion $40.53 billion (2007 est.) 18% of GDP (2007 est.) wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing 5% (2007 est.) 33.12 billion kWh (2006 est.) 26.91 billion kWh (2006 est.) 300 million kWh (2006 est.) 382 million kWh (2006 est.) 2.173 million bbl/day (2007 est.) 279,800 bbl/day (2006 est.) 1.844 million bbl/day (2005 est.) 13,110 bbl/day (2005 est.) 12.2 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 85.7 billion cu m (2007 est.) 26.3 billion cu m (2007 est.) 59.4 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 4.502 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $32.05 billion (2007 est.) $60.51 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97% US 29.4%, Italy 13.8%, Spain 9.6%, Canada 8.4%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 5% (2007) $26.25 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods France 18.7%, China 9%, Italy 8.5%, Spain 6%, US 5.5%, Germany 5.3%, Russia 4.6%, Turkey 4.1% (2007) $110.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $3.957 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $370.6 million (2005 est.) Algerian dinar (DZD) Algerian dinars (DZD) per US dollar - 69.9 (2007), 72.647 (2006), 73.276 (2005), 72.061 (2004), 77.395 (2003) calendar year 3.068 million (2007) 27.563 million (2007) a weak network of fixed-main lines, which remains low at less than 10 telephones per 100 persons, is partially offset by the rapid increase in mobile cellular subscribership; in 2007, combined fixed-line and mobile telephone density surpassed 90 telephones per 100 persons privatization of Algeria's telecommunications sector began in 2000; three mobile cellular licenses have been issued and, in 2005, a consortium led by Egypt's Orascom Telecom won a 15-year license to build and operate a fixed-line network in Algeria; the license will allow Orascom to develop high-speed data and other specialized services and contribute to meeting the large unfulfilled demand for basic residential telephony; Internet broadband services began in 2003 with approximately 200,000 subscribers in 2006 213 landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; microwave radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial cable to Morocco and Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel; satellite earth stations - 51 (Intelsat, Intersputnik, and Arabsat) (2007) 34: AM 25, FM 1, shortwave 8 (1999) 46 (plus 216 repeaters) (1995) .dz 477 (2008) 3.5 million (2007) 150 (2007) 52 10 27 10 4 1 (2007) 98 3 26 44 25 (2007) 2 (2007) condensate 1,532 km; gas 13,861 km; liquid petroleum gas 2,408 km; oil 6,878 km (2007) 3,973 km 2,888 km 1.435-m gauge (283 km electrified) 1,085 km 1.055-m gauge (2006) 108,302 km 76,028 km (includes 645 km of expressways) 32,274 km (2004) 33 bulk carrier 6, cargo 8, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 9, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 2 18 (Jordan 7, UK 11) (2008) Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda National Popular Army (ANP; includes Land Forces), Algerian National Navy (MRA), Air Force (QJJ), Territorial Air Defense Force (2005) 19-30 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (6 months basic training, 12 months civil projects) (2006) 16 9,736,757 16 9,590,978 (2008 est.) 16 8,141,864 16 8,215,895 (2008 est.) 374,365 360,942 (2008 est.) 3.3% of GDP (2006) Algeria, and many other states, rejects Moroccan administration of Western Sahara; the Polisario Front, exiled in Algeria, represents the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic; Algeria's border with Morocco remains an irritant to bilateral relations, each nation accusing the other of harboring militants and arms smuggling; Algeria remains concerned about armed bandits operating throughout the Sahel who sometimes destabilize southern Algerian towns; dormant disputes include Libyan claims of about 32,000 sq km still reflected on its maps of southeastern Algeria and the FLN's assertions of a claim to Chirac Pastures in southeastern Morocco 90,000 (Western Saharan Sahrawi, mostly living in Algerian-sponsored camps in the southwestern Algerian town of Tindouf) undetermined (civil war during 1990s) (2007) Algeria is a transit country for men and women trafficked from sub-Saharan Africa to Europe for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and involuntary servitude; Algerian children are trafficked internally for the purpose of domestic servitude or street vending Tier 3 - Algeria did not report any serious law enforcement actions to punish traffickers who force women into commercial sexual exploitation or men into involuntary servitude in 2007; the government again reported no investigations of trafficking of children for domestic servitude or improvements in protection services available to victims of trafficking; Algeria still lacks victim protection services, and its failure to distinguish between trafficking and illegal migration may result in the punishment of victims of trafficking (2008) American Samoa Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered" by European explorers in the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year. Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand 14 20 S 170 00 W Oceania 199 sq km 199 sq km 0 sq km includes Rose Island and Swains Island slightly larger than Washington, DC 0 km 116 km 12 nm 200 nm tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October); little seasonal temperature variation five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island) Pacific Ocean 0 m Lata Mountain 964 m pumice, pumicite 10% 15% 75% (2005) typhoons common from December to March limited natural fresh water resources; the water division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to improve water catchments and pipelines Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean 64,827 (July 2008 est.) 34.4% (male 11,337/female 10,946) 61.8% (male 20,335/female 19,728) 3.8% (male 1,161/female 1,320) (2008 est.) 22.8 years 22.7 years 23 years (2008 est.) 1.236% (2008 est.) 23.66 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 4.13 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -7.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.88 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 10.46 deaths/1,000 live births 13.69 deaths/1,000 live births 7.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 73.47 years 70.55 years 76.56 years (2008 est.) 3.35 children born/woman (2008 est.) American Samoan(s) (US nationals) American Samoan native Pacific islander 91.6%, Asian 2.8%, white 1.1%, mixed 4.2%, other 0.3% (2000 census) Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30% Samoan 90.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 2.9%, Tongan 2.4%, other Pacific islander 2.1%, other 2% most people are bilingual (2000 census) age 15 and over can read and write 97% 98% 97% (1980 est.) Territory of American Samoa American Samoa AS unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior Pago Pago 14 16 S 170 42 W UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three districts and two islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western none (territory of the US) Flag Day, 17 April (1900) ratified 2 June 1966, effective 1 July 1967 18 years of age; universal President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001) Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 7 April 2003) Cabinet made up of 12 department directors under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as American Samoa, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 and 18 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012) Togiola TULAFONO reelected governor; percent of vote - Togiola TULAFONO 56.5%, Afoa Moega LUTU 43.5% bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the House of Representatives (21 seats; 20 members are elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms) and the Senate (18 seats; members are elected from local chiefs to serve four-year terms) House of Representatives - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010); Senate - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012) House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 18 American Samoa elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA reelected as delegate High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior) Democratic Party [Oreta M. TOGAFAU]; Republican Party [Tautai A. F. FAALEVAO] Population Pressure LAS (addresses the growing population pressures) Interpol (subbureau), IOC, SPC, UPU none (territory of the US) none (territory of the US) blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the fly side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a war club known as a "Fa'alaufa'i" (upper; left talon), and a coconut fiber fly whisk known as a "Fue" (lower; right talon); the combination of symbols broadly mimics that seen on the US Great Seal and reflects the relationship between the United States and American Samoa American Samoa has a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the US with which American Samoa conducts most of its commerce. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well being. Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism is a promising developing sector. as a territory of the US, American Samoa does not treat the US as an external trade partner $510.1 million (2003 est.) $333.8 million (2005) 3% (2003 est.) $5,800 (2005 est.) 17,630 (2005) 34% 33% 33% (1990) 29.8% (2005) $121 million (37% in local revenue and 63% in US grants) $127 million (FY96/97) bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts 180 million kWh (2006 est.) 167.4 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 4,053 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 4,066 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) $445.6 million (FY04 est.) canned tuna 93% (2004 est.) Indonesia 28.2%, India 22.3%, Australia 15.3%, Japan 11.2%, NZ 7.1% (2006) $308.8 million (FY04 est.) materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%, machinery and parts 6% (2004 est.) Australia 66%, Samoa 13.8%, NZ 10.8% (2006) $NA important financial support from the US, more than $40 million in 1994 US dollar (USD) the US dollar is used 1 October - 30 September 10,400 (2004) 2,200 (2004) good telex, telegraph, facsimile, and cellular telephone services; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station 684 satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat-Pacific Ocean) 5: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2005) 1 (2006) .as 1,923 (2008) 3 (2007) 3 1 1 1 (2007) 221 km (2007) Pago Pago 806 781 (2008 est.) defense is the responsibility of the US Tokelau periodically asserts claims to American Samoa's Swains Island (Olohega), such as in its 2006 draft independence constitution Andorra For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes. Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain 42 30 N 1 30 E Europe 468 sq km 468 sq km 0 sq km 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC 120.3 km France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys Riu Runer 840 m Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead 2.13% 0% 97.87% (2005) avalanches deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes none of the selected agreements landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees 82,627 (July 2008 est.) 15.5% (male 6,606/female 6,192) 72.5% (male 31,313/female 28,563) 12% (male 4,906/female 5,047) (2008 est.) 38.9 years 39.2 years 38.6 years (2008 est.) 1.899% (2008 est.) 10.59 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 5.59 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 13.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.07 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 1.08 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 3.68 deaths/1,000 live births 3.76 deaths/1,000 live births 3.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 82.67 years 80.35 years 85.14 years (2008 est.) 1.32 children born/woman (2008 est.) Andorran(s) Andorran Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6% (1998) Roman Catholic (predominant) Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese 100% 100% 100% Principality of Andorra Andorra Principat d'Andorra Andorra parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its chiefs of state a coprincipality; the two princes are the president of France and bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain, who are represented locally by coprinces' representatives Andorra la Vella 42 30 N 1 31 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria 1278 (formed under the joint suzerainty of the French Count of Foix and the Spanish Bishop of Urgel) Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278) Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991, approved by referendum 14 March 1993, effective 28 April 1993 based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal French Coprince Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by Philippe MASSONI (since 26 July 2002) and Spanish Coprince Bishop Joan Enric VIVES i SICILIA (since 12 May 2003); represented by Nemesi MARQUES i OSTE (since 30 July 2003) Executive Council President Albert PINTAT SANTOLARIA (since 27 May 2005) Executive Council or Govern designated by the Executive Council president Executive Council president elected by the General Council and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year term; election last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held in April-May 2009) Albert PINTAT SANTOLARIA elected executive council president; percent of General Council vote - NA unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de las Valls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 from a single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the seven parishes; to serve four-year terms) last held on 24 April 2005 (next to be held in March-April 2009) percent of vote by party - PLA 41.2%, PS 38.1%, CDA-S21 11%, other 9.7%; seats by party - PLA 14, PS 12, CDA-S21 2 Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justice or Consell Superior de la Justicia; Fiscal Ministry or Ministeri Fiscal; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional Andorran Democratic Center Party (formerly Democratic Party or PD) and Century 21 or CDA and S21 [Enric TARRADO]; Liberal Party of Andorra or PLA [Albert PINTAT SANTOLARIA] (formerly Liberal Union or UL); Social Democratic Party or PS [Jaume BARTUMEU CASSANY] (formerly part of National Democratic Group or AND) CE, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, Union Latina, UNWTO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer) Ambassador Carles FONT-ROSSELL 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017 [1] (212) 750-8064 [1] (212) 750-6630 the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US Ambassador to Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; telephone: [34] (93) 280-2227; FAX: [34] (93) 280-6175 three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coat of arms features a quartered shield similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for more than 80% of GDP. An estimated 11.6 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage has recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spain have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and lower tariffs. The banking sector, with its partial "tax haven" status, also contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is limited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most food has to be imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising. Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs) and as a non-EU member for agricultural products. $2.77 billion (2005) $NA 3.5% (2005 est.) $38,800 (2005) 42,420 (2005) 0.3% 20.3% 79.4% (2005) 0% (1996 est.) 3.2% (2005) $333.5 million $386.6 million (2005) small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking, tobacco, furniture NA kWh; note - most electricity supplied by Spain and France; Andorra generates a small amount of hydropower $148.7 million f.o.b. (2005) tobacco products, furniture $1.879 billion (2005) consumer goods, food, electricity $NA $0 euro (EUR) euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003) calendar year 37,200 (2007) 68,500 (2007) modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges 376 landline circuits to France and Spain 15: AM 0, FM 15, shortwave 0 (1998) 0 (1997) .ad 23,368 (2008) 58,900 (2007) 270 km no regular military forces, Police Service of Andorra 16 18,685 (2008 est.) 16 14,976 (2008 est.) 412 395 (2008 est.) defense is the responsibility of France and Spain none Angola Angola is rebuilding its country after the end of a 27-year civil war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in 1975. Peace seemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, but UNITA renewed fighting after being beaten by the MPLA at the polls. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost - and 4 million people displaced - in the quarter century of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and strengthened the MPLA's hold on power. President DOS SANTOS has announced legislative elections will be held in September 2008, with presidential elections planned for sometime in 2009. Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo 12 30 S 18 30 E Africa 1,246,700 sq km 1,246,700 sq km 0 sq km slightly less than twice the size of Texas 5,198 km Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km 1,600 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April) narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau Atlantic Ocean 0 m Morro de Moco 2,620 m petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium 2.65% 0.23% 97.12% (2005) 800 sq km (2003) locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropical rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution none of the selected agreements the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo 12,531,357 (July 2008 est.) 43.6% (male 2,760,264/female 2,707,665) 53.6% (male 3,416,914/female 3,302,552) 2.7% (male 151,609/female 192,353) (2008 est.) 18 years 18 years 18 years (2008 est.) 2.136% (2008 est.) 44.09 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 24.44 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.79 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 182.31 deaths/1,000 live births 194.38 deaths/1,000 live births 169.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 37.92 years 36.99 years 38.9 years (2008 est.) 6.2 children born/woman (2008 est.) 3.9% (2003 est.) 240,000 (2003 est.) 21,000 (2003 est.) very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever malaria, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) schistosomiasis (2008) Angolan(s) Angolan Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22% indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.) Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages age 15 and over can read and write 67.4% 82.9% 54.2% (2001 est.) Republic of Angola Angola Republica de Angola Angola People's Republic of Angola republic; multiparty presidential regime Luanda 8 50 S 13 14 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire 11 November 1975 (from Portugal) Independence Day, 11 November (1975) adopted by People's Assembly 25 August 1992 based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); Antonio Paulo KASSOMA was named prime minister by MPLA on 26 September 2008 Council of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by universal ballot for a five-year term (eligible for a second consecutive or discontinuous term) under the 1992 constitution; President DOS SANTOS originally elected (in 1979) without opposition under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held in 2009) Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; the run-off was not held because SAVIMBI's National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) repudiated the results of the first election; the civil war resumed leaving DOS SANTOS in his current position as the president unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) last held 5-6 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2012) percent of vote by party - MPLA 81.6%, UNITA 10.4%, PRS 3.2%, ND 1.2%, FNLA 1.1%, other 2.5%; seats by party - MPLA 191, UNITA 16, PRS 8, ND 2, FNLA 3 Supreme Court and separate provincial courts (judges are appointed by the president) Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Analia de Victoria PEREIRA]; National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [disputed between Ngola KABANGU and Lucas NGONDA]; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA (largest opposition party) [Isaias SAMAKUVA]; Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA (ruling party in power since 1975) [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS]; Social Renewal Party or PRS [Eduardo KUANGANA] about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 elections but only won a few seats; they and more than 100 other smaller parties have little influence in the National Assembly Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zita Henriques TIAGO, Antonio Bento BEMBE] ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OPEC, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKITE 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 785-1156 [1] (202) 785-1258 Houston, New York Ambassador Dan MOZENA number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area of Luanda), Luanda international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda; pouch: US Embassy Luanda, US Department of State, 2550 Luanda Place, Washington, DC 20521-2550 [244] (222) 64-1000 [244] (222) 64-1232 two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle) Angola's high growth rate is driven by its oil sector, with record oil prices and rising petroleum production. Oil production and its supporting activities contribute about 85% of GDP. Increased oil production supported growth averaging more than 15% per year from 2004 to 2007. A postwar reconstruction boom and resettlement of displaced persons has led to high rates of growth in construction and agriculture as well. Much of the country's infrastructure is still damaged or undeveloped from the 27-year-long civil war. Remnants of the conflict such as widespread land mines still mar the countryside even though an apparently durable peace was established after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI in February 2002. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for most of the people, but half of the country's food must still be imported. In 2005, the government started using a $2 billion line of credit, since increased to $7 billion, from China to rebuild Angola's public infrastructure, and several large-scale projects were completed in 2006. Angola also has large credit lines from Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Spain, and the EU. The central bank in 2003 implemented an exchange rate stabilization program using foreign exchange reserves to buy kwanzas out of circulation. This policy became more sustainable in 2005 because of strong oil export earnings; it has significantly reduced inflation. Although consumer inflation declined from 325% in 2000 to under 13% in 2007, the stabilization policy has put pressure on international net liquidity. Angola became a member of OPEC in late 2006 and in late 2007 was assigned a production quota of 1.9 million barrels a day, somewhat less than the 2-2.5 million bbl Angola's government had wanted. To fully take advantage of its rich national resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to implement government reforms, increase transparency, and reduce corruption. The government has rejected a formal IMF monitored program, although it continues Article IV consultations and ad hoc cooperation. Corruption, especially in the extractive sectors, and the negative effects of large inflows of foreign exchange, are major challenges facing Angola. $95.46 billion (2007 est.) $61.36 billion (2007 est.) 16.7% (2007 est.) $7,800 (2007 est.) 9.5% 65.8% 24.6% (2007 est.) 7.148 million (2007 est.) 85% 15% (2003 est.) > 50% - extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than half the population (2001 est.) 70% (2003 est.) 12.2% (2007 est.) 9.1% of GDP (2007 est.) $20.18 billion $15.53 billion (2007 est.) 12% of GDP (2007 est.) bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; ship repair 23.9% (2007 est.) 3.513 billion kWh (2006 est.) 3.084 billion kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 1.91 million bbl/day (2008 est.) 55,640 bbl/day (2006 est.) 1.23 million bbl/day (2005) 19,550 bbl/day (2005) 9.035 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 680 million cu m (2006 est.) 680 million cu m (2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 269.8 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $13.58 billion (2007 est.) $45.03 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton US 32.1%, China 32%, France 5.9%, Taiwan 5.3%, South Africa 4.5% (2007) $12.29 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods Portugal 19.7%, US 10.9%, China 10.5%, Brazil 10.3%, South Africa 6.6%, France 6.3%, UK 4.6%, Germany 4.3% (2007) $11.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $8.357 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $441.8 million (2005) kwanza (AOA) kwanza (AOA) per US dollar - 76.6 (2007), 80.4 (2006), 88.6 (2005), 83.541 (2004), 74.606 (2003) calendar year 98,200 (2006) 3.307 million (2007) system inadequate; fewer than one fixed-line per 100 persons; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density exceeded 25 telephones per 100 persons in 2007 state-owned telecom had monopoly for fixed-lines until 2005; demand outstripped capacity, prices were high, and services poor; Telecom Namibia, through an Angolan company, became the first private licensed operator in Angola's fixed-line telephone network; Angola Telecom established mobile-cellular service in Luanda in 1993 and the network has been extended to larger towns; a privately-owned, mobile-cellular service provider began operations in 2001 244 landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 29 (2007) 34: AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2001) 6 (2000) .ao 3,562 (2008) 100,000 (2007) 232 (2007) 31 5 8 12 5 1 (2007) 201 2 5 30 95 69 (2007) gas 234 km; liquid petroleum gas 85 km; oil 896 km; oil/gas/water 5 km (2007) 2,761 km 2,638 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2006) 51,429 km 5,349 km 46,080 km (2001) 1,300 km (2007) 6 cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1 1 (Spain 1) 6 (Bahamas 6) (2008) Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Namibe Angolan Armed Forces (FAA): Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra, MdG), Angolan National Air Force (FANA) (2007) 17 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years plus time for training (2001) 16 2,856,492 16 2,755,864 (2008 est.) 16 1,430,658 16 1,371,689 (2008 est.) 142,791 139,539 (2008 est.) 5.7% of GDP (2006) Cabindan separatists continue to return to the Angolan exclave from exile in neighboring states and Europe since the 2006 ceasefire and peace agreement 12,615 (Democratic Republic of Congo) 61,700 (27-year civil war ending in 2002; 4 million IDPs already have returned) (2007) used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western Europe and other African states, particularly South Africa Anguilla Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated into a single British dependency, along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becoming a separate British dependency. Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico 18 15 N 63 10 W Central America and the Caribbean 102 sq km 102 sq km 0 sq km about half the size of Washington, DC 0 km 61 km 3 nm 200 nm tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone Caribbean Sea 0 m Crocus Hill 65 m salt, fish, lobster 0% 0% 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds) (2005) frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October) supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles 14,108 (July 2008 est.) 24.8% (male 1,795/female 1,706) 67.6% (male 4,569/female 4,970) 7.6% (male 510/female 558) (2008 est.) 32.3 years 31.3 years 33.4 years (2008 est.) 2.332% (2008 est.) 13.11 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 4.39 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 14.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 3.54 deaths/1,000 live births 4.01 deaths/1,000 live births 3.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 80.53 years 78.01 years 83.12 years (2008 est.) 1.75 children born/woman (2008 est.) Anguillan(s) Anguillan black (predominant) 90.1%, mixed, mulatto 4.6%, white 3.7%, other 1.5% (2001 census) Anglican 29%, Methodist 23.9%, other Protestant 30.2%, Roman Catholic 5.7%, other Christian 1.7%, other 5.2%, none or unspecified 4.3% (2001 census) English (official) age 12 and over can read and write 95% 95% 95% (1984 est.) none Anguilla overseas territory of the UK The Valley 18 13 N 63 03 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of the UK) Anguilla Day, 30 May (1967) Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990 based on English common law 18 years of age; universal Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Andrew N. GEORGE (since 10 July 2006) Chief Minister Osbourne FLEMING (since 3 March 2000) Executive Council appointed by the governor from among the elected members of the House of Assembly the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats; 7 members elected by direct popular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; members serve five-year terms) last held 21 February 2005 (next to be held in 2010) percent of vote by party - AUF 38.9%, AUM 19.4%, ANSA 19.2%, APP 9.5%, independents 13%; seats by party - AUF 4, ANSA 2, AUM 1 High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court) Anguilla United Front or AUF [Osbourne FLEMING, Victor BANKS] (a coalition of the Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla National Alliance or ANA); Anguilla United Movement or AUM [Hubert HUGHES]; Anguilla Progressive Party or APP [Roy ROGERS]; Anguilla Strategic Alternative or ANSA [Edison BAIRD] Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU, WFTU none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of the UK) blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design on a white background with blue wavy water below Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourism industry has spurred the growth of the construction sector, contributing to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector, which is small, but growing. In the medium term, prospects for the economy will depend largely on the tourism sector and, therefore, on revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on favorable weather conditions. $108.9 million (2004 est.) $108.9 million (2004 est.) 10.2% (2004 est.) $8,800 (2004 est.) 4% 18% 78% (2002 est.) 6,049 (2001) agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4%, manufacturing 3%, construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, commerce 36%, services 29% (2000 est.) 8% (2002) 23% (2002) 5.3% (2006 est.) $22.8 million $22.5 million (2000 est.) small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising tourism, boat building, offshore financial services 3.1% (1997 est.) -$42.87 million (2003 est.) $13 million (2006) lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum UK, US, Puerto Rico, Saint-Martin (2006) $143 million (2006) fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles US, Puerto Rico, UK (2006) $8.8 million (1998) $9 million (2004 est.) East Caribbean dollar (XCD) East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) fixed rate since 1976 1 April - 31 March 6,200 (2002) 1,800 (2002) modern internal telephone system 264 landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) (2007) 9: AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2004) 1 (1997) .ai 205 (2008) 3,000 (2002) 3 (2007) 1 1 (2007) 2 2 (2007) 175 km 82 km 93 km (2004) Blowing Point, Road Bay 16 3,538 (2008 est.) 16 2,929 (2008 est.) 103 103 (2008 est.) defense is the responsibility of the UK none transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe Antarctica Speculation over the existence of a "southern land" was not confirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercial operators and British and Russian national expeditions began exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south of the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established that Antarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands. Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20th century. Following World War II, there was an upsurge in scientific research on the continent. A number of countries have set up a range of year-round and seasonal stations, camps, and refuges to support scientific research in Antarctica. Seven have made territorial claims, but not all countries recognize these claims. In order to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on the continent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither denies nor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in 1959, it entered into force in 1961. continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle 90 00 S 0 00 E Antarctic Region 14 million sq km 14 million sq km (280,000 sq km ice-free, 13.72 million sq km ice-covered) (est.) fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the subcontinent of Europe slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US 0 km see entry on Disputes - international 17,968 km Australia, Chile, and Argentina claim Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rights or similar over 200 nm extensions seaward from their continental claims, but like the claims themselves, these zones are not accepted by other countries; 21 of 28 Antarctic consultative nations have made no claims to Antarctic territory (although Russia and the US have reserved the right to do so) and do not recognize the claims of the other nations; also see the Disputes - international entry severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the coast and average slightly below freezing about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges up to nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area, and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves along about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelves constitute 11% of the area of the continent Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,555 m the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in the Bentley Subglacial Trench; at its surface is the deepest ice yet discovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater Vinson Massif 4,897 m iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small uncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill, finfish, and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries 0% 0% 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%) (2005) katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau; cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the coast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of West Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs may calve from ice shelf in 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the Antarctic ozone hole was the largest on record, covering 27 million square kilometers; researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet light passing through the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an Antarctic fish lacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown to harm one-celled Antarctic marine plants; in 2002, significant areas of ice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest continent; during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period; mostly uninhabitable no indigenous inhabitants, but there are both permanent and summer-only staffed research stations 28 nations, all signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, operate through their National Antarctic Program a number of seasonal-only (summer) and year-round research stations on the continent and its nearby islands south of 60 degrees south latitude (the region covered by the Antarctic Treaty); these stations' population of persons doing and supporting science or engaged in the management and protection of the Antarctic region varies from approximately 4,000 in summer to 1,000 in winter; in addition, approximately 1,000 personnel, including ship's crew and scientists doing onboard research, are present in the waters of the treaty region; peak summer (December-February) population - 4,219 total; Argentina 667, Australia 200, Brazil 40, Bulgaria 15, Chile 237, China 70, Czech Republic 20, Ecuador 26, Finland 20, France 100, France and Italy jointly 45, Germany 90, India 65, Italy 90, Japan 125, South Korea 70, NZ 85, Norway 44, Peru 28, Poland 40, Romania 3, Russia 429, South Africa 80, Spain 28, Sweden 20, Ukraine 24, UK 205, US 1,293, Uruguay 60 (2007-2008); winter (June-August) station population - 1,088 total; Argentina 176, Australia 62, Brazil 12, Chile 96, China 29, France 26, France and Italy jointly 13, Germany 9, India 25, Italy 2, Japan 40, South Korea 18, NZ 10, Norway 7, Poland 12, Russia 148, South Africa 10, Ukraine 12, UK 37, US 337, Uruguay 9 (2008); research stations operated within the Antarctic Treaty area (south of 60 degrees south latitude) by National Antarctic Programs: year-round stations - 38 total; Argentina 6, Australia 3, Brazil 1, Chile 4, China 2, France 1, France and Italy jointly 1, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 1, South Korea 1, NZ 1, Norway 1, Poland 1, Russia 5, South Africa 1, Ukraine 1, UK 2, US 3, Uruguay 1 (2008); a range of seasonal-only (summer) stations, camps, and refuges - Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Brazil, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, UK, US, and Uruguay (2007-2008); in addition, during the austral summer some nations have numerous occupied locations such as tent camps, summer-long temporary facilities, and mobile traverses in support of research (March 2008 est.) none Antarctica Antarctic Treaty Summary - the Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961, establishes the legal framework for the management of Antarctica; the 30th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was held in Delhi, India in April/May 2007; at these periodic meetings, decisions are made by consensus (not by vote) of all consultative member nations; at the end of 2007, there were 46 treaty member nations: 28 consultative and 18 non-consultative; consultative (decision-making) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and 21 non-claimant nations; the US and Russia have reserved the right to make claims; the US does not recognize the claims of others; Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations; decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; the years in parentheses indicate when a consultative member-nation acceded to the Treaty and when it was accepted as a consultative member, while no date indicates the country was an original 1959 treaty signatory; claimant nations are - Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and the UK. Nonclaimant consultative nations are - Belgium, Brazil (1975/1983), Bulgaria (1978/1998) China (1983/1985), Ecuador (1987/1990), Finland (1984/1989), Germany (1979/1981), India (1983/1983), Italy (1981/1987), Japan, South Korea (1986/1989), Netherlands (1967/1990), Peru (1981/1989), Poland (1961/1977), Russia, South Africa, Spain (1982/1988), Sweden (1984/1988), Ukraine (1992/2004), Uruguay (1980/1985), and the US; non-consultative members, with year of accession in parentheses, are - Austria (1987), Belarus (2006), Canada (1988), Colombia (1989), Cuba (1984), Czech Republic (1962/1993), Denmark (1965), Estonia (2001), Greece (1987), Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), North Korea (1987), Papua New Guinea (1981), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1962/1993), Switzerland (1990), Turkey (1996), and Venezuela (1999); note - Czechoslovakia acceded to the Treaty in 1962 and separated into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993; Article 1 - area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; Article 2 - freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue; Article 3 - free exchange of information and personnel, cooperation with the UN and other international agencies; Article 4 - does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force; Article 5 - prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes; Article 6 - includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south and reserves high seas rights; Article 7 - treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all expeditions and of the introduction of military personnel must be given; Article 8 - allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states; Article 9 - frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations; Article 10 - treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; Article 11 - disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the ICJ; Articles 12, 13, 14 - deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations; other agreements - some 200 recommendations adopted at treaty consultative meetings and ratified by governments include - Agreed Measures for Fauna and Flora (1964) which were later incorporated into the Environmental Protocol; Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980); a mineral resources agreement was signed in 1988 but remains unratified; the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed 4 October 1991 and entered into force 14 January 1998; this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment through six specific annexes: 1) environmental impact assessment, 2) conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora, 3) waste disposal and waste management, 4) prevention of marine pollution, 5) area protection and management and 6) liability arising from environmental emergencies; it prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research; a permanent Antarctic Treaty Secretariat was established in 2004 in Buenos Aires, Argentina Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations; decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; US law, including certain criminal offenses by or against US nationals, such as murder, may apply extraterritorially; some US laws directly apply to Antarctica; for example, the Antarctic Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. section 2401 et seq., provides civil and criminal penalties for the following activities, unless authorized by regulation of statute: the taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction of nonindigenous plants and animals; entry into specially protected areas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importation into the US of certain items from Antarctica; violation of the Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 in fines and one year in prison; the National Science Foundation and Department of Justice share enforcement responsibilities; Public Law 95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, as amended in 1996, requires expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify, in advance, the Office of Oceans, Room 5805, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plans to other nations as required by the Antarctic Treaty; for more information, contact Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone: (703) 292-8030, or visit their website at www.nsf.gov; more generally, access to the Antarctic Treaty area, that is to all areas between 60 and 90 degrees south latitude, is subject to a number of relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states party to the Antarctic Treaty Fishing off the coast and tourism, both based abroad, account for Antarctica's limited economic activity. Antarctic fisheries in 2005-06 (1 July-30 June) reported landing 128,081 metric tons (estimated fishing from the area covered by the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which extends slightly beyond the Antarctic Treaty area). Unregulated fishing, particularly of Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides), is a serious problem. The CCAMLR determines the recommended catch limits for marine species. A total of 36,460 tourists visited the Antarctic Treaty area in the 2006-07 Antarctic summer, up from the 30,877 visitors the previous year (estimates provided to the Antarctic Treaty by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO); this does not include passengers on overflights). Nearly all of them were passengers on commercial (nongovernmental) ships and several yachts that make trips during the summer. Most tourist trips last approximately two weeks. 0; note - information for US bases only (2001) local systems at some research stations commercial cellular networks operating in a small number of locations none via satellite (including mobile Inmarsat and Iridium systems) to and from all research stations, ships, aircraft, and most field parties (2007) 3: FM 2, shortwave 1 (information for US bases only); note - many research stations have a local FM radio station (2007) 1 (cable system with 6 channels; American Forces Antarctic Network-McMurdo - information for US bases only) (2002) .aq 7,748 (2008) 27 (2008) 27 6 5 1 9 6 (2008) 53 all year-round and seasonal stations operated by National Antarctic Programs stations have some kind of helicopter landing facilities, prepared (helipads) or unprepared (2007) there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters; a few stations have a basic wharf facility; US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), and Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03 W); government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under "Legal System"); all ships at port are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent; relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states parties to the Antarctic Treaty regulating access to the Antarctic Treaty area, to all areas between 60 and 90 degrees of latitude south, have to be complied with (see "Legal System"); The Hydrographic Committee on Antarctica (HCA), a special hydrographic commission of International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), is responsible for hydrographic surveying and nautical charting matters in Antarctic Treaty area; it coordinates and facilitates provision of accurate and appropriate charts and other aids to navigation in support of safety of navigation in region; membership of HCA is open to any IHO Member State whose government has acceded to the Antarctic Treaty and which contributes resources and/or data to IHO Chart coverage of the area; members of HCA are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, NZ, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Spain, UK, and US (2007) the Antarctic Treaty prohibits any measures of a military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military maneuvers, or the testing of any type of weapon; it permits the use of military personnel or equipment for scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes the Antarctic Treaty freezes, and most states do not recognize, the land and maritime territorial claims made by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom (some overlapping) for three-fourths of the continent; the US and Russia reserve the right to make claims; no claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west; the International Whaling Commission created a sancturary around the entire continent to deter catches by countries claiming to conduct scientific whaling; Australia has established a similar preserve in the waters around its territorial claim Antigua and Barbuda The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak Indians populated the islands when COLUMBUS landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early settlements by the Spanish and French were succeeded by the English who formed a colony in 1667. Slavery, established to run the sugar plantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981. Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico 17 03 N 61 48 W Central America and the Caribbean 442.6 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km) 442.6 sq km 0 sq km includes Redonda, 1.6 sq km 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 153 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas Caribbean Sea 0 m Boggy Peak 402 m NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism 18.18% 4.55% 77.27% (2005) hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts water management - a major concern because of limited natural fresh water resources - is further hampered by the clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to run off quickly 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, Whaling none of the selected agreements Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a large western harbor 84,522 (July 2008 est.) 27.2% (male 11,670/female 11,318) 66.3% (male 26,138/female 29,859) 6.6% (male 2,408/female 3,129) (2008 est.) 29.5 years 28 years 30.8 years (2008 est.) 1.305% (2008 est.) 16.78 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 6.14 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 2.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.88 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 17.49 deaths/1,000 live births 20.21 deaths/1,000 live births 14.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 74.25 years 72.33 years 76.26 years (2008 est.) 2.08 children born/woman (2008 est.) Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s) Antiguan, Barbudan black 91%, mixed 4.4%, white 1.7%, other 2.9% (2001 census) Anglican 25.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.3%, Pentecostal 10.6%, Moravian 10.5%, Roman Catholic 10.4%, Methodist 7.9%, Baptist 4.9%, Church of God 4.5%, other Christian 5.4%, other 2%, none or unspecified 5.8% (2001 census) English (official), local dialects age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling 85.8% (2003 est.) none Antigua and Barbuda constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government Saint John's 17 07 N 61 51 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip 1 November 1981 (from UK) Independence Day (National Day), 1 November (1981) 1 November 1981 based on English common law 18 years of age; universal Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Louisse LAKE-TACK (since 17 July 2007) Prime Minister Winston Baldwin SPENCER (since 24 March 2004) Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister the monarch is hereditary; governor general chosen by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17 seats; members appointed by the governor general) and the House of Representatives (17 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms) House of Representatives - last held 23 March 2004 (next to be held in 2009) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ALP 4, UPP 13 Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction); member Caribbean Court of Justice Antigua Labor Party or ALP [Lester Bryant BIRD]; Barbudans for a Better Barbuda [Ordrick SAMUEL]; Barbuda People's Movement or BPM [Thomas H. FRANK]; Barbuda People's Movement for Change [Arthur NIBBS]; United Progressive Party or UPP [Baldwin SPENCER] (a coalition of three parties - Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement or ACLM, Progressive Labor Movement or PLM, United National Democratic Party or UNDP) Antigua Trades and Labor Union or ATLU [William ROBINSON]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Hugh MARSHALL] ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Deborah Mae LOVELL 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 [1] (202) 362-5122 [1] (202) 362-5225 Miami the US does not have an embassy in Antigua and Barbuda; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda red, with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black (top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun in the black band Antigua has a relatively high GDP per capita in comparison to most other Caribbean nations. It has experienced solid growth since 2003, driven by a construction boom in hotels and housing that which should wind down in 2008. Tourism continues to dominate the economy, accounting for more than half of GDP. The dual-island nation's agricultural production is focused on the domestic market and constrained by a limited water supply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of higher wages in tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on income growth in the industrialized world, especially in the US, which accounts for slightly more than one-third of tourist arrivals. Since taking office in 2004, the SPENCER government has adopted an ambitious fiscal reform program, but will continue to be saddled by its debt burden with a debt-to-GDP ratio exceeding 100%. $1.526 billion (2007 est.) $1.089 billion (2007 est.) 6.1% (2007 est.) $18,300 (2007 est.) 3.8% 22% 74.3% (2002 est.) 30,000 (1991) 7% 11% 82% (1983) 11% (2001 est.) 1.5% (2007 est.) $123.7 million $145.9 million (2000 est.) cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances) 105 million kWh (2006 est.) 97.65 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 4,109 bbl/day (2006 est.) 157.7 bbl/day (2005) 4,556 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) $-211 million (2007 est.) $84.3 million (2007 est.) petroleum products, bedding, handicrafts, electronic components, transport equipment, food and live animals Spain 34%, Germany 20.7%, Italy 7.7%, Singapore 5.8%, UK 4.9% (2006) $522.8 million (2007 est.) food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil US 21.1%, China 16.4%, Germany 13.3%, Singapore 12.7%, Spain 6.5% (2006) $359.8 million (June 2006) $7.23 million (2005) East Caribbean dollar (XCD) East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) fixed rate since 1976 1 April - 31 March 37,500 (2006) 110,200 (2006) good automatic telephone system 268 landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; satellite earth stations - 2; tropospheric scatter to Saba (Netherlands Antilles) and Guadeloupe (2007) 6: AM 4, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) 2 (1997) .ag 2,215 (2008) 60,000 (2007) 3 (2007) 2 1 1 (2007) 1 1 (2007) 1,165 km 384 km 781 km (2002) 1,146 barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 50, cargo 651, carrier 4, chemical tanker 5, container 392, liquefied gas 12, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 20 1,113 (Australia 1, Colombia 2, Cyprus 18, Denmark 19, Estonia 23, France 1, Germany 941, Greece 3, Iceland 12, Italy 1, Latvia 13, Lithuania 5, Netherlands 20, NZ 2, Norway 8, Poland 2, Russia 4, Slovenia 6, Sweden 1, Switzerland 8, Turkey 6, UK 9, US 8) (2008) Saint John's Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force (2007) 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) 16 19,560 16 18,977 (2008 est.) 16 15,591 16 15,542 (2008 est.) 744 742 (2008 est.) none considered a minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; more significant as an offshore financial center Arctic Ocean The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the recently delimited Southern Ocean). The Northwest Passage (US and Canada) and Northern Sea Route (Norway and Russia) are two important seasonal waterways. A sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes circumscribes the Arctic Ocean. body of water between Europe, Asia, and North America, mostly north of the Arctic Circle 90 00 N 0 00 E Arctic Region 14.056 million sq km 14.056 million sq km includes Baffin Bay, Barents Sea, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, East Siberian Sea, Greenland Sea, Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea, Northwest Passage, and other tributary water bodies slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US 45,389 km polar climate characterized by persistent cold and relatively narrow annual temperature ranges; winters characterized by continuous darkness, cold and stable weather conditions, and clear skies; summers characterized by continuous daylight, damp and foggy weather, and weak cyclones with rain or snow central surface covered by a perennial drifting polar icepack that, on average, is about 3 meters thick, although pressure ridges may be three times that thickness; clockwise drift pattern in the Beaufort Gyral Stream, but nearly straight-line movement from the New Siberian Islands (Russia) to Denmark Strait (between Greenland and Iceland); the icepack is surrounded by open seas during the summer, but more than doubles in size during the winter and extends to the encircling landmasses; the ocean floor is about 50% continental shelf (highest percentage of any ocean) with the remainder a central basin interrupted by three submarine ridges (Alpha Cordillera, Nansen Cordillera, and Lomonosov Ridge) Fram Basin -4,665 m sea level 0 m sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales) ice islands occasionally break away from northern Ellesmere Island; icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenland and extreme northeastern Canada; permafrost in islands; virtually ice locked from October to June; ships subject to superstructure icing from October to May endangered marine species include walruses and whales; fragile ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from disruptions or damage; thinning polar icepack major chokepoint is the southern Chukchi Sea (northern access to the Pacific Ocean via the Bering Strait); strategic location between North America and Russia; shortest marine link between the extremes of eastern and western Russia; floating research stations operated by the US and Russia; maximum snow cover in March or April about 20 to 50 centimeters over the frozen ocean; snow cover lasts about 10 months Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals. Churchill (Canada), Murmansk (Russia), Prudhoe Bay (US) sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes; the Northwest Passage (North America) and Northern Sea Route (Eurasia) are important seasonal waterways the littoral states are engaged in various stages of demonstrating the limits of their continental shelves beyond 200 nautical miles from their declared baselines in accordance with Article 76, paragraph 8, of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; record summer melting of sea ice in the Arctic has restimulated interest in maritime shipping lanes and sea floor exploration Argentina In 1816, the United Provinces of the Rio Plata declared their independence from Spain. After Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay went their separate ways, the area that remained became Argentina. The country's population and culture were heavily shaped by immigrants from throughout Europe, but most particularly Italy and Spain, which provided the largest percentage of newcomers from 1860 to 1930. Up until about the mid-20th century, much of Argentina's history was dominated by periods of internal political conflict between Federalists and Unitarians and between civilian and military factions. After World War II, an era of Peronist authoritarian rule and interference in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983, and has persisted despite numerous challenges, the most formidable of which was a severe economic crisis in 2001-02 that led to violent public protests and the resignation of several interim presidents. The economy has recovered strongly since bottoming out in 2002. Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay 34 00 S 64 00 W South America 2,766,890 sq km 2,736,690 sq km 30,200 sq km slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US 9,861 km Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,261 km, Chile 5,308 km, Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 580 km 4,989 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border Laguna del Carbon -105 m Cerro Aconcagua 6,960 m fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium 10.03% 0.36% 89.61% (2005) 15,500 sq km (2003) San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the pampas and northeast; heavy flooding environmental problems (urban and rural) typical of an industrializing economy such as deforestation, soil degradation, desertification, air pollution, and water pollution Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse gas targets 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, Wetlands, Whaling Marine Life Conservation second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); diverse geophysical landscapes range from tropical climates in the north to tundra in the far south; Cerro Aconcagua is the Western Hemisphere's tallest mountain, while Laguna del Carbon is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere 40.482 million (July 2008 est.) 25.8% (male 5,341,642/female 5,095,325) 63.5% (male 12,807,458/female 12,884,745) 10.8% (male 1,784,652/female 2,568,176) (2008 est.) 29.7 years 28.8 years 30.8 years (2008 est.) 1.068% (2008 est.) 18.11 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 7.43 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.7 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 11.78 deaths/1,000 live births 13.12 deaths/1,000 live births 10.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 76.36 years 73.11 years 79.77 years (2008 est.) 2.37 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.7% (2001 est.) 130,000 (2001 est.) 1,500 (2003 est.) intermediate bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A leptospirosis (2008) Argentine(s) Argentine white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry), Amerindian, or other non-white groups 3% nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4% Spanish (official), Italian, English, German, French age 15 and over can read and write 97.2% 97.2% 97.2% (2001 census) Argentine Republic Argentina Republica Argentina Argentina republic Buenos Aires 34 36 S 58 40 W UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends third Saturday in March; note - a new policy of daylight saving time was initiated by the government on 30 December 2007 23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 autonomous city* (distrito federal); Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires Capital Federal*, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Cordoba, Corrientes, Entre Rios, Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquen, Rio Negro, Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, Tierra del Fuego - Antartida e Islas del Atlantico Sur, Tucuman the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica 9 July 1816 (from Spain) Revolution Day, 25 May (1810) 1 May 1853; amended many times starting in 1860 mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal and compulsory President Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER (since 10 December 2007); Vice President Julio COBOS (since 10 December 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER (since 10 December 2007); Vice President Julio COBOS (since 10 December 2007) Cabinet appointed by the president president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 28 October 2007 (next election to be held in 2011) Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER elected president; percent of vote - Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER 45%, Elisa CARRIO 23%, Roberto LAVAGNA 17%, Alberto Rodriguez SAA 8% bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate (72 seats; members are elected by direct vote; presently one-third of the members elected every two years to serve six-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; members are elected by direct vote; one-half of the members elected every two years to serve four-year terms) Senate - last held 28 October 2007 (next to be held in 2009); Chamber of Deputies - last held last held 28 October 2007 (next to be held in 2009) Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or party - FV 12, UCR 4, CC 4, other 4; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or party - FV 5, UCR 10, PJ 10, PRO 6, CC 16, FJ 2, other 31; note - Senate and Chamber of Deputies seating reflect the number of replaced senators and deputies, rather than the whole Senate and Chamber of Deputies Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (the nine Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president with approval of the Senate) the Supreme Court currently has two unfilled vacancies, and the Argentine Congress is considering a bill to reduce the number of Supreme Court judges to five Coalicion Civica (a broad coalition loosely affiliated with Elisa CARRIO); Front for Victory or FV (a broad coalition, including elements of the UCR and numerous provincial parties) [Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER]; Interbloque Federal or IF (a broad coalition of approximately 12 parties including PRO); Justicialist Front or FJ; Justicialist Party or PJ (Peronist umbrella political organization); Radical Civic Union or UCR [Gerardo MORALES]; Republican Proposal or PRO (including Federal Recreate Movement or RECREAR [Ricardo LOPEZ MURPHY] and Commitment for Change or CPC [Mauricio MACRI]); Socialist Party or PS [Ruben GIUSTINIANI]; Union For All [Patricia BULLRICH]; several provincial parties Argentine Association of Pharmaceutical Labs (CILFA); Argentine Industrial Union (manufacturers' association); Argentine Rural Confederation or CRA (small to medium landowners' association); Argentine Rural Society (large landowners' association); Central of Argentine Workers or CTA (a radical union for employed and unemployed workers); General Confederation of Labor or CGT (Peronist-leaning umbrella labor organization); Roman Catholic Church business organizations; Peronist-dominated labor movement; Piquetero groups (popular protest organizations that can be either pro or anti-government); students AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CAN (associate), FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina (observer), UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Ambassador Hector Marcos TIMERMAN 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 238-6400 [1] (202) 332-3171 Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York Ambassador Earl Anthony WAYNE Avenida Colombia 4300, C1425GMN Buenos Aires international mail: use embassy street address; APO address: US Embassy Buenos Aires, Unit 4334, APO AA 34034 [54] (11) 5777-4533 [54] (11) 5777-4240 three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with a human face known as the Sun of May Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Although one of the world's wealthiest countries 100 years ago, Argentina suffered during most of the 20th century from recurring economic crises, persistent fiscal and current account deficits, high inflation, mounting external debt, and capital flight. A severe depression, growing public and external indebtedness, and a bank run culminated in 2001 in the most serious economic, social, and political crisis in the country's turbulent history. Interim President Adolfo RODRIGUEZ SAA declared a default - the largest in history - on the government's foreign debt in December of that year, and abruptly resigned only a few days after taking office. His successor, Eduardo DUHALDE, announced an end to the peso's decade-long 1-to-1 peg to the US dollar in early 2002. The economy bottomed out that year, with real GDP 18% smaller than in 1998 and almost 60% of Argentines under the poverty line. Real GDP rebounded to grow by an average 9% annually over the subsequent five years, taking advantage of previously idled industrial capacity and labor, an audacious debt restructuring and reduced debt burden, excellent international financial conditions, and expansionary monetary and fiscal policies. Inflation, however, reached double-digit levels in 2006 and the government of President Nestor KIRCHNER responded with "voluntary" price agreements with businesses, as well as export taxes and restraints. Multi-year price freezes on electricity and natural gas rates for residential users stoked consumption and kept private investment away, leading to restrictions on industrial use and blackouts in 2007. $526.4 billion (2007 est.) $260 billion (2007 est.) 8.7% (2007 est.) $13,100 (2007 est.) 9.5% 34% 56.5% (2007 est.) 16.03 million urban areas only (2007 est.) 1% 23% 76% (2007 est.) 8.5% (2007 est.) 23.4% (January-June 2007) 1% 35% (January-March 2007) 49 (2006) 8.8% official rate; actual rate may be double the official rate (2007 est.) 24.2% of GDP (2007 est.) $48.99 billion $61.23 billion (2007 est.) 56.1% of GDP (2007 est.) sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco, peanuts, tea, wheat; livestock food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel 7.5% (2007 est.) 109.4 billion kWh (2006 est.) 97.72 billion kWh (2006 est.) 2.628 billion kWh (2007 est.) 10.27 billion kWh (2007 est.) 790,800 bbl/day (2007 est.) 525,100 bbl/day (2006 est.) 339,900 bbl/day (2005) 23,380 bbl/day (2005) 2.587 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 44.8 billion cu m (2007 est.) 44.1 billion cu m (2007 est.) 2.6 billion cu m (2007 est.) 1.9 billion cu m (2007 est.) 446 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $7.438 billion (2007 est.) $55.78 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) soybeans and derivatives, petroleum and gas, vehicles, corn, wheat Brazil 19.1%, China 9.4%, US 7.9%, Chile 7.6% (2007) $42.53 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery, motor vehicles, petroleum and natural gas, organic chemicals, plastics Brazil 34.6%, US 12.6%, China 12%, Germany 5% (2007) $46.12 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $135.8 billion (31 December 2007) $99.66 million (2005) Argentine peso (ARS) Argentine pesos (ARS) per US dollar - 3.1105 (2007), 3.0543 (2006), 2.9037 (2005), 2.9233 (2004), 2.9006 (2003) calendar year 9.5 million (2007) 40.402 million (2007) by opening the telecommunications market to competition and foreign investment with the "Telecommunications Liberalization Plan of 1998," Argentina encouraged the growth of modern telecommunications technology; fiber-optic cable trunk lines are being installed between all major cities; major networks are entirely digital and the availability of telephone service is improving; fixed-line telephone density is gradually increasing reaching nearly 25 lines per 100 people in 2007; mobile telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly and has reached a level of 100 telephones per 100 persons microwave radio relay, fiber-optic cable, and a domestic satellite system with 40 earth stations serve the trunk network; more than 110,000 pay telephones are installed and mobile telephone use is rapidly expanding; broadband services are gaining ground 54 landing point for the Atlantis-2, UNISUR, and South America-1 optical submarine cable systems that provide links to Europe, Africa, South and Central America, and US; satellite earth stations - 112; 2 international gateways near Buenos Aires (2007) 1,266+ probably: AM 260 (includes 10 inactive stations), FM (probably more than 1,000, mostly unlicensed), shortwave 6 (1998) 42 (plus 444 repeaters) (1997) .ar 3.813 million (2008) 9.309 million (2007) 1,272 (2007) 154 4 26 65 50 9 (2007) 1,118 2 1 44 515 556 (2007) 1 (2007) gas 28,657 km; liquid petroleum gas 41 km; oil 5,607 km; refined products 3,052 km; unknown (oil/water) 13 km (2007) 31,902 km 20,858 km 1.676-m gauge (141 km electrified) 2,885 km 1.435-m gauge (26 km electrified) 7,922 km 1.000-m gauge; 237 km 0.750-m gauge (2006) 231,374 km 69,412 km (includes 734 km of expressways) 161,962 km (2004) 11,000 km (2006) 46 bulk carrier 3, cargo 9, chemical tanker 2, container 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 24, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1 14 (Brazil 1, Chile 7, Spain 2, UK 4) 19 (Liberia 3, Panama 8, Paraguay 5, Uruguay 3) (2008) Arroyo Seco, Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, La Plata, Punta Colorada, Rosario, San Lorenzo-San Martin Argentine Army (Ejercito Argentino), Navy of the Argentine Republic (Armada Republica; includes naval aviation and naval infantry), Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Argentina, FAA) (2008) 18-24 years of age for voluntary military service (18-21 requires parental permission); no conscription (2001) 16 10,029,488 16 9,889,002 (2008 est.) 16 8,352,147 16 8,366,781 (2008 est.) 348,310 332,944 (2008 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2005 est.) the Argentine military is a well-organized force constrained by the country's prolonged economic hardship; the country has recently experienced a strong recovery, and the military is implementing a modernization plan aimed at making the ground forces lighter and more responsive (2008) Argentina continues to assert its claims to the UK-administered Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands in its constitution, forcibly occupying the Falklands in 1982, but in 1995 agreed no longer to seek settlement by force; territorial claim in Antarctica partially overlaps UK and Chilean claims; 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; uncontested dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera/Brasiliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim River leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question; in 2006, Argentina went to the ICJ to protest, on environmental grounds, the construction of two pulp mills in Uruguay on the Uruguay River, which forms the boundary; both parties presented their pleadings in 2007 with Argentina's reply in January and Uruguay's rejoinder in July 2008; the joint boundary commission, established by Chile and Argentina in 2001 has yet to map and demarcate the delimited boundary in the inhospitable Andean Southern Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur) Argentina is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; most victims are trafficked within the country, from rural to urban areas; child sex tourism is a problem; foreign women and children, primarily from Paraguay, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic, are trafficked to Argentina for commercial sexual exploitation; Argentine women and girls are also trafficked to neighboring countries, Mexico, and Western Europe for sexual exploitation; a significant number of Bolivians, Peruvians, and Paraguayans are trafficked into the country for forced labor in sweatshops, agriculture, and as domestic servants Tier 2 Watch List - despite some progress, Argentina remains on the Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly in terms of providing adequate assistance to victims and curbing official complicity with trafficking activity, especially on the provincial and local levels; the Argentine Congress has demonstrated progress by enacting much-needed and first-ever federal anti-trafficking legislation (2008) a transshipment country for cocaine headed for Europe; some money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; law enforcement corruption; a source for precursor chemicals; increasing domestic consumption of drugs in urban centers, especially cocaine base and synthetic drugs Armenia Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. During World War I in the western portion of Armenia, Ottoman Turkey instituted a policy of forced resettlement coupled with other harsh practices that resulted in an estimated 1 million Armenian deaths. The eastern area of Armenia was ceded by the Ottomans to Russia in 1828; this portion declared its independence in 1918, but was conquered by the Soviet Red Army in 1920. Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Muslim Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle escalated after both countries attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold, Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also a significant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of both sides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution. Turkey imposed an economic blockade on Armenia and closed the common border because of the Armenian separatists' control of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas. Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey 40 00 N 45 00 E Asia 29,743 sq km 28,454 sq km 1,289 sq km slightly smaller than Maryland 1,254 km Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) highland continental, hot summers, cold winters Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley Debed River 400 m Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, bauxite 16.78% 2.01% 81.21% (2005) 2,860 sq km (2003) occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; the energy crisis of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a seismically active zone Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range 2,968,586 (July 2008 est.) 18.7% (male 296,401/female 259,594) 70.3% (male 975,438/female 1,111,989) 11% (male 128,398/female 196,766) (2008 est.) 31.1 years 28.4 years 34 years (2008 est.) -0.077% (2008 est.) 12.53 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 8.34 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -4.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.15 male(s)/female 1.14 male(s)/female 0.88 male(s)/female 0.65 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 20.94 deaths/1,000 live births 25.82 deaths/1,000 live births 15.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 72.4 years 68.79 years 76.55 years (2008 est.) 1.35 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.1% (2003 est.) 2,600 (2003 est.) fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Armenian(s) Armenian Armenian 97.9%, Yezidi (Kurd) 1.3%, Russian 0.5%, other 0.3% (2001 census) Armenian Apostolic 94.7%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (monotheist with elements of nature worship) 1.3% Armenian 97.7%, Yezidi 1%, Russian 0.9%, other 0.4% (2001 census) age 15 and over can read and write 99.4% 99.7% 99.2% (2001 census) Republic of Armenia Armenia Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun Hayastan Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, Armenian Republic republic Yerevan 40 10 N 44 30 E UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan 21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) Independence Day, 21 September (1991) adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995; amendments adopted through a nationwide referendum 27 November 2005 based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President Serzh SARGSIAN (since 9 April 2008) Prime Minister Tigran SARGSIAN (since 9 April 2008) Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 19 February 2008 (next to be held February 2013); prime minister appointed by the president based on majority or plurality support in parliament; the prime minister and Council of Ministers must resign if the National Assembly refuses to accept their program Serzh SARGSIAN elected president; percent of vote - Serzh SARGSIAN 52.9%, Levon TER-PETROSSIAN 21.5%, Artur BAGHDASARIAN 16.7% unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131 seats; members elected by popular vote, 90 members elected by party list and 41 by direct vote; to serve four-year terms) last held 12 May 2007 (next to be held in the spring of 2012) percent of vote by party - HHK 33.9%, Prosperous Armenia 15.1%, ARF (Dashnak) 13.2%, Rule of Law 7.1%, Heritage Party 6%, other 24.7%; seats by party - HHK 64, Prosperous Armenia 18, ARF (Dashnak) 16, Rule of Law 9, Heritage Party 7, independent 17 Constitutional Court; Court of Cassation (Appeals Court) Armenian National Movement or ANM [Ararat ZURABYAN]; Armenian People's Party [Tigran KARAPETYAN]; Armenian Ramkavar Azadagan Party Alliance or HRAK (includes former Dashink Party, National Revival Party, and Ramkavar Liberal Party); Armenian Revolutionary Federation ("Dashnak" Party) or ARF [Hrant MARKARYAN]; Heritage Party [Raffi HOVHANNISYAN]; National Democratic Party [Shavarsh KOCHARIAN]; National Democratic Union or NDU [Vazgen MANUKIAN]; National Unity Party [Artashes GEGHAMYAN]; People's Party of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; Prosperous Armenia [Gagik TSAROUKYAN]; Republic Party [Aram SARKISYAN]; Republican Party of Armenia or HHK [Serzh SARGSIAN]; Rule of Law Party (Orinats Yerkir) [Artur BAGHDASARIAN]; Union of Constitutional Rights [Hrant KHACHATURYAN]; United Labor Party [Gurgen ARSENYAN] Aylentrank (Impeachment) [Nikol PASHINYAN]; Yerkrapah Union [Manvel GRIGORIAN] ACCT (observer), ADB, BSEC, CE, CIS, CSTO, EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIF (associate member), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Tatoul MARKARIAN 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 319-1976 [1] (202) 319-2982 Los Angeles Ambassador Marie L. YOVANOVITCH 1 American Ave., Yerevan 0082 American Embassy Yerevan, US Department of State, 7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020 [374](10) 464-700 [374](10) 464-742 three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange Since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia has made progress in implementing many economic reforms including privatization, price reforms, and prudent fiscal policies. The conflict with Azerbaijan over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh contributed to a severe economic decline in the early 1990s. By 1994, however, the Armenian Government launched an ambitious IMF-sponsored economic liberalization program that resulted in positive growth rates. Economic growth has averaged over 13% in recent years. Armenia has managed to reduce poverty, slash inflation, stabilize its currency, and privatize most small- and medium-sized enterprises. Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics, in exchange for raw materials and energy. Armenia has since switched to small-scale agriculture and away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet era. Nuclear power plants built at Metsamor in the 1970s were closed following the 1988 Spitak Earthquake, though they sustained no damage. One of the two reactors was re-opened in 1995, but the Armenian government is under international pressure to close it due to concerns that the Soviet era design lacks important safeguards. Metsamor provides 40 percent of the country's electricity - hydropower accounts for about one-fourth. Economic ties with Russia remain close, especially in the energy sector. The electricity distribution system was privatized in 2002 and bought by Russia's RAO-UES in 2005. Construction of a pipeline to deliver natural gas from Iran to Armenia is halfway completed and is scheduled to be commissioned by January 2009. Armenia has some mineral deposits (copper, gold, bauxite). Pig iron, unwrought copper, and other nonferrous metals are Armenia's highest valued exports. Armenia's severe trade imbalance has been offset somewhat by international aid, remittances from Armenians working abroad, and foreign direct investment. Armenia joined the WTO in January 2003. The government made some improvements in tax and customs administration in recent years, but anti-corruption measures will be more difficult to implement. Despite strong economic growth, Armenia's unemployment rate remains high. Armenia will need to pursue additional economic reforms in order to improve its economic competitiveness and to build on recent improvements in poverty and unemployment, especially given its economic isolation from two of its nearest neighbors, Turkey and Azerbaijan. $17.17 billion (2007 est.) $7.974 billion (2007 est.) 13.7% (2007 est.) $5,800 (2007 est.) 17.2% 36.4% 46.4% (2007 est.) 1.2 million (2007 est.) 46.2% 15.6% 38.2% (2006 est.) 7.1% (2007 est.) 26.5% (2006 est.) 1.6% 41.3% (2004) 37 (2006) 4.4% (2007 est.) 33.6% of GDP (2007 est.) $1.666 billion $1.735 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2007 est.) fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock diamond-processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, jewelry manufacturing, software development, food processing, brandy 3.2% (2007 est.) 5.544 billion kWh (2007 est.) 4.539 billion kWh (2006 est.) 322.6 million kWh; note - exports an unknown quantity to Georgia; includes exports to Nagorno-Karabakh region in Azerbaijan (2007 est.) 400.6 million kWh; note - imports an unknown quantity from Iran (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 41,090 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 44,670 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 2.05 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 2.05 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006) -$571.4 million (2007 est.) $1.2 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) pig iron, unwrought copper, nonferrous metals, diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy Russia 17.5%, Germany 14.7%, Netherlands 13.5%, Belgium 8.7%, Georgia 7.6%, US 6.6%, Switzerland 4.3%, Bulgaria 4.1%, Ukraine 4% (2007) $2.807 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds Russia 15.1%, Ukraine 7.7%, Kazakhstan 7.4%, Germany 6.8%, China 6%, France 4.6%, US 4.5%, Iraq 4.3% (2007) $1.657 billion (December 2007 est.) $1.372 billion (31 December 2007 est.) ODA, $180 million (2007) dram (AMD) drams (AMD) per US dollar - 344.06 (2007), 414.69 (2006), 457.69 (2005), 533.45 (2004), 578.76 (2003) calendar year 603,900 (2006) 1,185,400 (2006) telecommunications investments have made major inroads in modernizing and upgrading the outdated telecommunications network inherited from the Soviet era; now 100% privately owned and undergoing modernization and expansion; mobile-cellular services monopoly terminated in late 2004 and a second provider began operations in mid-2005 reliable modern landline and mobile-cellular services are available across Yerevan in major cities and towns; significant but ever-shrinking gaps remain in mobile-cellular coverage in rural areas 374 Yerevan is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable through Iran; additional international service is available by microwave radio relay and landline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, through the Moscow international switch, and by satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 3 (2007) 26: AM 9, FM 16, shortwave 1 (2006) 48 (private television stations alongside 2 public networks; major Russian channels widely available) (2006) .am 26,081 (2008) 172,800 (2006) 12 (2007) 10 2 2 4 2 (2007) 2 1 1 (2007) gas 2,036 km (2007) 839 km 839 km 1.520-m gauge (828 km electrified) some lines are out of service (2006) 7,700 km 7,700 km (includes 1,561 km of expressways) (2006) Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Nagorno-Karabakh Self Defense Force (NKSDF), Air Force and Air Defense (2008) 18-27 years of age for voluntary or compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2007) 16 809,576 16 870,864 (2008 est.) 16 637,776 16 729,846 (2008 est.) 30,548 29,170 (2008 est.) 6.5% of GDP (FY01) Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and since the early 1990s, has militarily occupied 16% of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; over 800,000 mostly ethnic Azerbaijanis were driven from the occupied lands and Armenia; about 230,000 ethnic Armenians were driven from their homes in Azerbaijan into Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh; Azerbaijan seeks transit route through Armenia to connect to Naxcivan exclave; border with Turkey remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakh dispute; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy; Armenians continue to emigrate, primarily to Russia, seeking employment 113,295 (Azerbaijan) 8,400 (conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, majority have returned home since 1994 ceasefire) (2007) Armenia is primarily a source country for women and girls trafficked to the UAE and Turkey for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; Armenian men and women are trafficked to Turkey and Russia for the purpose of forced labor Tier 2 Watch List - Armenia is placed on the Tier 2 Watch List for a fourth consecutive year; its efforts to increase compliance with the minimum standards were assessed based on its commitments to undertake future actions, particularly in the areas of improving victim protection and assistance; while the government elevated anti-trafficking responsibilities to the ministerial level, adopted a new National Action Plan, and drafted a National Referral Mechanism, it has yet to show tangible progress in identifying and protecting victims or in tackling trafficking complicity of government officials; the Armenian Government made some notable improvements in its anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts, but it failed to demonstrate evidence of investigations, prosecutions, convictions, and sentences of officials complicit in trafficking (2008) illicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domestic consumption; minor transit point for illicit drugs - mostly opium and hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe Aruba Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990. Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela 12 30 N 69 58 W Central America and the Caribbean 193 sq km 193 sq km 0 sq km slightly larger than Washington, DC 0 km 68.5 km 12 nm tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation flat with a few hills; scant vegetation Caribbean Sea 0 m Mount Jamanota 188 m NEGL; white sandy beaches 10.53% 0% 89.47% (2005) 0.01 sq km (1998 est.) hurricanes; lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt and is rarely threatened a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit) 101,541 estimate based on a revision of the base population, fertility, and mortality numbers, as well as a revision of 1985-1999 migration estimates from outmigration to inmigration, which is assumed to continue into the future; the new results are consistent with the 2000 census (July 2008 est.) 19.4% (male 9,933/female 9,747) 70.3% (male 34,123/female 37,228) 10.4% (male 4,189/female 6,321) (2008 est.) 37.6 years 35.8 years 39.3 years (2008 est.) 1.501% (2008 est.) 12.81 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 7.65 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 9.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.02 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 0.66 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 14.26 deaths/1,000 live births 18.92 deaths/1,000 live births 9.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 75.06 years 72.03 years 78.14 years (2008 est.) 1.85 children born/woman (2008 est.) Aruban(s) Aruban; Dutch mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%, other 20% Roman Catholic 80.8%, Protestant 9%, other (includes Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish) 5.6%, none or unspecified 4.6% Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) 66.3%, Spanish 12.6%, English (widely spoken) 7.7%, Dutch (official) 5.8%, other 2.2%, unspecified or unknown 5.3% (2000 census) 97.3% 97.5% 97.1% (2000 census) none Aruba member country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs parliamentary democracy Oranjestad 12 31 N 70 02 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Flag Day, 18 March (1976) 1 January 1986 based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence 18 years of age; universal Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980); represented by Governor General Fredis REFUNJOL (since 11 May 2004) Prime Minister Nelson O. ODUBER (since 30 October 2001) Council of Ministers elected by the Staten the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last held in 2005 (next to be held by 2009) Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 23 September 2005 (next to be held in 2009) percent of vote by party - MEP 43%, AVP 32%, MPA 7%, RED 7%, PDR 6%, OLA 4%, PPA 2%; seats by party - MEP 11, AVP 8, MPA 1, RED 1 Common Court of Justice of Aruba (judges are appointed by the monarch) Aliansa/Aruban Social Movement or MSA [Robert WEVER]; Aruban Liberal Organization or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Movement or MPA [Monica ARENDS-KOCK]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Mike EMAN]; People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; Real Democracy or PDR [Andin BIKKER]; RED [Rudy LAMPE]; Workers Political Platform or PTT [Gregorio WOLFF] environmental groups Caricom (observer), ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITUC, UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCL, WFTU, WMO none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - Mr. Henry BAARH, Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Netherlands Antilles is accredited to Aruba blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Over 1.5 million tourists per year visit Aruba, with 75% of those from the US. Construction continues to boom, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the country's oil refinery reopened in 1993, providing a major source of employment, foreign exchange earnings, and growth. Tourist arrivals have rebounded strongly following a dip after the 11 September 2001 attacks. The island experiences only a brief low season, and hotel occupancy in 2004 averaged 80%, compared to 68% throughout the rest of the Caribbean. The government has made cutting the budget and trade deficits a high priority. $2.258 billion (2005 est.) $2.258 billion (2005 est.) 2.4% (2005 est.) $21,800 (2004 est.) 0.4% 33.3% 66.3% (2002 est.) 41,500 (2004 est.) most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining 6.9% (2005 est.) 3.4% (2005) $507.9 million $577.9 million (2005 est.) 46.3% of GDP (2005) aloes; livestock; fish tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining 800 million kWh (2006 est.) 744 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 2,356 bbl/day (2007 est.) 7,102 bbl/day (2006 est.) 233,300 bbl/day (2005) 238,200 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006) $124 million f.o.b.; note - includes oil reexports (2006) live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment Panama 29.7%, Colombia 17%, Netherlands Antilles 13.2%, US 11.3%, Venezuela 10.9%, Netherlands 9.2% (2007) $1.054 billion f.o.b. (2006) machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs US 54.6%, Netherlands 12%, UK 4.7% (2007) $478.6 million (2005 est.) $11.3 million (2004) Aruban guilder/florin (AWG) Aruban guilders/florins (AWG) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.79 (2006), 1.79 (2005), 1.79 (2004), 1.79 (2003) calendar year 38,700 (2006) 105,700 (2006) modern fully automatic telecommunications system increased competition through privatization; 3 wireless service providers are now licensed 297 landing site for the PAN-AM submarine telecommunications cable system that extends from the US Virgin Islands through Aruba to Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, and the west coast of South America; extensive interisland microwave radio relay links (2007) 18: AM 2, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2004) 1 (1997) .aw 17,661 (2008) 24,000 (2007) 1 (2007) 1 1 (2007) Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas no regular indigenous military forces; the Netherlands maintains a detachment of marines, a frigate, and an amphibious combat detachment in the neighboring Netherlands Antilles (2008) 16 24,585 16 25,742 (2008 est.) 16 20,173 16 21,062 (2008 est.) 705 719 (2008 est.) defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands none transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity; relatively high percentage of population consumes cocaine Ascension Island This barren and uninhabited island was discovered and named by the Portuguese in 1503. The British garrisoned the island in 1815 to prevent a rescue of Napoleon from Saint Helena and it served as a provisioning station for the Royal Navy's West Africa Squadron on anti-slavery patrol. The island remained under Admiralty control until 1922, when it became a dependency of Saint Helena. During World War II, the UK permitted the US to construct an airfield on Ascension in support of trans-Atlantic flights to Africa and anti-submarine operations in the South Atlantic. In the 1960s the island became an important space tracking station for the US. In 1982, Ascension was an essential staging area for British forces during the Falklands War, and it remains a critical refueling point in the air-bridge from the UK to the South Atlantic. 700 nm northwest of Saint Helena 7 57 S 14 22 W 90 sq km 90 sq km 0 sq km 4.8 km tropical marine; mild, semi-arid surface covered by lava flows and cinder cones of 44 dormant volcanoes; ground rises to the east breeding ground for sea turtles and sooty terns NA but inhabited (July 2008 est.) can communicate worldwide automatic digital network 247 international direct dialing; satellite voice and data communications; 4 satellite earth stations) 3: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (2005) .ac 40 km 40 km 0 km (2002) Georgetown Ashmore and Cartier Islands These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931; formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983, it became a National Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, became a marine reserve in 2000. Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island 12 14 S 123 05 E Southeast Asia 5 sq km 5 sq km 0 sq km includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC 0 km 74.1 km 12 nm 12 nm 200 nm 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation tropical low with sand and coral Indian Ocean 0 m unnamed location 3 m fish 0% 0% 100% (all grass and sand) (2005) 0 sq km surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards illegal killing of protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000 no indigenous inhabitants Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island; access to East and Middle Islands is by permit only Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands Ashmore and Cartier Islands territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Attorney-General's Department the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply none (territory of Australia) none (territory of Australia) the flag of Australia is used no economic activity none; offshore anchorage only defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force as the closest Australian territory to Indonesia, these islands became the target of human traffickers for the landing of illegal immigrants; in 2001, the Australian government removed these islands from the Australian Migration Zone making illegal arrivals ineligible for temporary visas and entry into Australia Atlantic Ocean The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, but larger than the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). The Kiel Canal (Germany), Oresund (Denmark-Sweden), Bosporus (Turkey), Strait of Gibraltar (Morocco-Spain), and the Saint Lawrence Seaway (Canada-US) are important strategic access waterways. The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth world ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Atlantic Ocean south of 60 degrees south latitude. body of water between Africa, Europe, the Southern Ocean, and the Western Hemisphere 0 00 N 25 00 W Political Map of the World 76.762 million sq km 76.762 million sq km includes Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, part of the Drake Passage, Gulf of Mexico, Labrador Sea, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, almost all of the Scotia Sea, and other tributary water bodies slightly less than 6.5 times the size of the US 111,866 km tropical cyclones (hurricanes) develop off the coast of Africa near Cape Verde and move westward into the Caribbean Sea; hurricanes can occur from May to December, but are most frequent from August to November surface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea, Denmark Strait, and coastal portions of the Baltic Sea from October to June; clockwise warm-water gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the northern Atlantic, counterclockwise warm-water gyre in the southern Atlantic; the ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a rugged north-south centerline for the entire Atlantic basin Milwaukee Deep in the Puerto Rico Trench -8,605 m sea level 0 m oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales), sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, precious stones icebergs common in Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, and the northwestern Atlantic Ocean from February to August and have been spotted as far south as Bermuda and the Madeira Islands; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme northern Atlantic from October to May; persistent fog can be a maritime hazard from May to September; hurricanes (May to December) endangered marine species include the manatee, seals, sea lions, turtles, and whales; drift net fishing is hastening the decline of fish stocks and contributing to international disputes; municipal sludge pollution off eastern US, southern Brazil, and eastern Argentina; oil pollution in Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Lake Maracaibo, Mediterranean Sea, and North Sea; industrial waste and municipal sewage pollution in Baltic Sea, North Sea, and Mediterranean Sea major chokepoints include the Dardanelles, Strait of Gibraltar, access to the Panama and Suez Canals; strategic straits include the Strait of Dover, Straits of Florida, Mona Passage, The Sound (Oresund), and Windward Passage; the Equator divides the Atlantic Ocean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean The Atlantic Ocean provides some of the world's most heavily trafficked sea routes, between and within the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Other economic activity includes the exploitation of natural resources, e.g., fishing, dredging of aragonite sands (The Bahamas), and production of crude oil and natural gas (Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea). Alexandria (Egypt), Algiers (Algeria), Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Casablanca (Morocco), Colon (Panama), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dakar (Senegal), Gdansk (Poland), Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands, Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille (France), Montevideo (Uruguay), Montreal (Canada), Naples (Italy), New Orleans (US), New York (US), Oran (Algeria), Oslo (Norway), Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Stockholm (Sweden) Kiel Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway are two important waterways; significant domestic commercial and recreational use of Intracoastal Waterway on central and south Atlantic seaboard and Gulf of Mexico coast of US; the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of littoral states and offshore Atlantic waters as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea off West Africa, the east coast of Brazil, and the Caribbean Sea; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargoes stolen; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen some maritime disputes (see littoral states) Australia Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia about 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession in the name of Great Britain. Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. In recent decades, Australia has transformed itself into an internationally competitive, advanced market economy. It boasted one of the OECD's fastest growing economies during the 1990s, a performance due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s. Long-term concerns include climate-change issues such as the depletion of the ozone layer and more frequent droughts, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef. Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean 27 00 S 133 00 E Oceania 7,686,850 sq km 7,617,930 sq km 68,920 sq km includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states 0 km 25,760 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast Lake Eyre -15 m Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum Australia is the world's largest net exporter of coal accounting for 29% of global coal exports 6.15% (includes about 27 million hectares of cultivated grassland) 0.04% 93.81% (2005) 25,450 sq km (2003) cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited natural fresh water resources 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, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; the invigorating sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor" affects the city of Perth on the west coast, and is one of the most consistent winds in the world 21,007,310 (July 2008 est.) 18.8% (male 2,022,151/female 1,919,002) 67.9% (male 7,233,555/female 7,038,722) 13.3% (male 1,266,166/female 1,527,714) (2008 est.) 37.1 years 36.4 years 37.9 years (2008 est.) 1.221% (2008 est.) 12.55 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 6.68 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 6.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.83 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 4.82 deaths/1,000 live births 5.15 deaths/1,000 live births 4.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 81.53 years 79.16 years 84.02 years (2008 est.) 1.78 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.1% (2003 est.) 14,000 (2003 est.) fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Australian(s) Australian white 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1% Catholic 26.4%, Anglican 20.5%, other Christian 20.5%, Buddhist 1.9%, Muslim 1.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 12.7%, none 15.3% (2001 Census) English 79.1%, Chinese 2.1%, Italian 1.9%, other 11.1%, unspecified 5.8% (2001 Census) age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 99% (2003 est.) Commonwealth of Australia Australia federal parliamentary democracy Canberra 35 17 S 149 13 E UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in October; ends last Sunday in March Australia is divided into three time zones 6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island, Macquarie Island 1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies) Australia Day, 26 January (1788); ANZAC Day (commemorated as the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April (1915) 9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901 based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Quentin BRYCE (since 5 September 2008) Prime Minister Kevin RUDD (since 3 December 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Julia GILLARD (since 3 December 2007) prime minister nominates, from among members of Parliament, candidates who are subsequently sworn in by the governor general to serve as government ministers the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor general bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats; 12 members from each of the six states and 2 from each of the two mainland territories; one-half of state members are elected every three years by popular vote to serve six-year terms while all territory members are elected every three years) and the House of Representatives (150 seats; members elected by popular preferential vote to serve terms of up to three-years; no state can have fewer than 5 representatives) Senate - last held 24 November 2007 (next to be held no later than 2010); House of Representatives - last held 24 November 2007 (next to be called no later than 2010) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 37, Australian Labor Party 32, Australian Greens 5, Family First Party 1, other 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Australian Labor Party 83, Liberal Party 55, National Party 10, independents 2 High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general) Australian Democrats [Lyn ALLISON]; Australian Greens [Bob BROWN]; Australian Labor Party [Kevin RUDD]; Country Liberal Party [Jodeen CARNEY]; Family First Party [Steve FIELDING]; Liberal Party [Malcolm TURNBULL]; The Nationals [Warren TRUSS] business groups; environmental groups; social groups; trade unions ADB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, Paris Club, PCA, PIF, SAARC (observer), Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Ambassador Dennis J. RICHARDSON 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 797-3000 [1] (202) 797-3168 Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco Ambassador Robert D. McCALLUM, Jr. Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600 APO AP 96549 [61] (02) 6214-5600 [61] (02) 6214-5970 Melbourne, Perth, Sydney blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as the Commonwealth or Federation Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the six original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories; on the fly half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars Australia has an enviable, strong economy with a per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West European economies. Robust business and consumer confidence and high export prices for raw materials and agricultural products are fueling the economy, particularly in mining states. Australia's emphasis on reforms, low inflation, a housing market boom, and growing ties with China have been key factors behind the economy's 16 solid years of expansion. Drought, robust import demand, and a strong currency have pushed the trade deficit up in recent years, while infrastructure bottlenecks and a tight labor market are constraining growth in export volumes and stoking inflation. Australia's budget has been in surplus since 2002 due to strong revenue growth. $773 billion (2007 est.) $908.8 billion (2007 est.) 4.3% (2007 est.) $37,300 (2007 est.) 3% 26.4% 70.6% (2007 est.) 10.95 million (2007 est.) 3.6% 21.2% 75.2% (2004 est.) 4.4% (2007 est.) 2% 25.4% (1994) 30.5 (2006) 2.3% (2007 est.) 27.3% of GDP (2007 est.) $321.9 billion $315.8 billion (2007 est.) 15.6% of GDP the Commonwealth government eliminated its net debt in 2006, but continues a gross debt issue to support the market for risk-free securities (2007 est.) wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits, cattle, sheep, poultry mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel 4.1% (2007 est.) 244.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) 220 billion kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 600,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) 966,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) 337,400 bbl/day (2005) 615,000 bbl/day (2005) 1.5 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 43.62 billion cu m (2007 est.) 29.4 billion cu m (2007 est.) 19.91 billion cu m (2007 est.) 5.689 billion cu m (2007 est.) 849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) -$56.78 billion (2007 est.) $142.1 billion (2007 est.) coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery and transport equipment Japan 18.9%, China 14.2%, South Korea 8%, US 6%, NZ 5.6%, India 5.5%, UK 4.2% (2007) $160 billion (2007 est.) machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products China 15.5%, US 12.8%, Japan 9.6%, Singapore 5.6%, Germany 5.2%, UK 4.3%, Thailand 4.2% (2007) $26.91 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $826.4 billion (31 December 2007) ODA, $2.123 billion (2006) Australian dollar (AUD) Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003) 1 July - 30 June 9.76 million (2007) 21.26 million (2007) excellent domestic and international service domestic satellite system; significant use of radiotelephone in areas of low population density; rapid growth of mobile cellular telephones 61 landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable with links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the Southern Cross fiber optic submarine cable provides links to New Zealand and the United States; satellite earth stations - 19 (10 Intelsat - 4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean, 2 Inmarsat - Indian and Pacific Ocean regions, 2 Globalstar, 5 other) (2007) 608: AM 262, FM 345, shortwave 1 (1998) 104 (1997) .au 11.134 million (2008) 11.24 million (2007) 461 (2007) 317 11 12 138 143 13 (2007) 144 19 109 16 (2007) 1 (2007) condensate/gas 469 km; gas 26,719 km; liquid petroleum gas 240 km; oil 3,720 km; oil/gas/water 110 km (2007) 38,550 km 3,727 km 1.600-m gauge 20,519 km 1.435-m gauge (1,877 km electrified) 14,074 km 1.067-m gauge (2,453 km electrified) 230 km dual gauge (2006) 812,972 km 341,448 km 471,524 km (2004) 2,000 km (mainly used for recreation on Murray and Murray-Darling river systems) (2006) 50 bulk carrier 12, cargo 5, chemical tanker 1, container 1, liquefied gas 4, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 8, roll on/roll off 5 24 (Canada 9, France 1, Germany 2, Japan 1, Netherlands 2, Norway 1, Singapore 1, UK 5, US 2) 28 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Belize 1, Bermuda 1, Dominica 2, Fiji 1, Marshall Islands 1, NZ 1, Panama 4, Singapore 12, Tonga 1, US 1, Vanuatu 2) (2008) Brisbane, Dampier, Fremantle, Gladstone, Hay Point, Melbourne, Newcastle, Port Hedland, Port Kembla, Port Walcott, Sydney Australian Defense Force (ADF): Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Special Operations Command (2006) 17 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription; women allowed to serve in Army combat units in non-combat support roles (2008) 16 4,999,988 16 4,870,043 (2008 est.) 16 4,137,176 16 4,022,588 (2008 est.) 144,934 137,511 (2008 est.) 2.4% of GDP (2006) Timor-Leste and Australia agreed in 2005 to defer the disputed portion of the boundary for fifty years and to split hydrocarbon revenues evenly outside the Joint Petroleum Development Area covered by the 2002 Timor Sea Treaty; dispute with Timor-Leste hampers creation of a revised maritime boundary with Indonesia in the Timor Sea; regional states continue to express concern over Australia's 2004 declaration of a 1,000-nautical mile-wide maritime identification zone; Australia asserts land and maritime claims to Antarctica; in 2004 Australia submitted its claims to Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) to extend its continental margins covering over 3.37 million square kilometers, expanding its seabed roughly thirty percent more than its claimed exclusive economic zone; since 2003, Australia has led the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) to maintain civil and political order and reinforce regional security Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate; major consumer of cocaine and amphetamines Austria Once the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in World War I. Following annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 and subsequent occupation by the victorious Allies in 1945, Austria's status remained unclear for a decade. A State Treaty signed in 1955 ended the occupation, recognized Austria's independence, and forbade unification with Germany. A constitutional law that same year declared the country's "perpetual neutrality" as a condition for Soviet military withdrawal. The Soviet Union's collapse in 1991 and Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995 have altered the meaning of this neutrality. A prosperous, democratic country, Austria entered the EU Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia 47 20 N 13 20 E Europe 83,870 sq km 82,444 sq km 1,426 sq km slightly smaller than Maine 2,562 km Czech Republic 362 km, Germany 784 km, Hungary 366 km, Italy 430 km, Liechtenstein 35 km, Slovakia 91 km, Slovenia 330 km, Switzerland 164 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain and some snow in lowlands and snow in mountains; moderate summers with occasional showers in the west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the eastern and northern margins mostly flat or gently sloping Neusiedler See 115 m Grossglockner 3,798 m oil, coal, lignite, timber, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, magnesite, tungsten, graphite, salt, hydropower 16.59% 0.85% 82.56% (2005) 40 sq km (2003) landslides; avalanches; earthquakes some forest degradation caused by air and soil pollution; soil pollution results from the use of agricultural chemicals; air pollution results from emissions by coal- and oil-fired power stations and industrial plants and from trucks transiting Austria between northern and southern Europe Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of central Europe with many easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys; major river is the Danube; population is concentrated on eastern lowlands because of steep slopes, poor soils, and low temperatures elsewhere 8,205,533 (July 2008 est.) 14.8% (male 621,326/female 592,131) 67.5% (male 2,783,531/female 2,753,389) 17.7% (male 599,415/female 855,741) (2008 est.) 41.7 years 40.7 years 42.8 years (2008 est.) 0.064% (2008 est.) 8.66 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 9.91 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.7 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 4.48 deaths/1,000 live births 5.48 deaths/1,000 live births 3.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 79.36 years 76.46 years 82.41 years (2008 est.) 1.38 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.3% (2003 est.) 10,000 (2003 est.) fewer than 100 (2003 est.) Austrian(s) Austrian Austrians 91.1%, former Yugoslavs 4% (includes Croatians, Slovenes, Serbs, and Bosniaks), Turks 1.6%, German 0.9%, other or unspecified 2.4% (2001 census) Roman Catholic 73.6%, Protestant 4.7%, Muslim 4.2%, other 3.5%, unspecified 2%, none 12% (2001 census) German (official nationwide) 88.6%, Turkish 2.3%, Serbian 2.2%, Croatian (official in Burgenland) 1.6%, other (includes Slovene, official in Carinthia, and Hungarian, official in Burgenland) 5.3% (2001 census) age 15 and over can read and write 98% Republic of Austria Austria Republik Oesterreich Oesterreich federal republic Vienna 48 12 N 16 22 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 9 states (Bundeslaender, singular - Bundesland); Burgenland, Kaernten (Carinthia), Niederoesterreich (Lower Austria), Oberoesterreich (Upper Austria), Salzburg, Steiermark (Styria), Tirol (Tyrol), Vorarlberg, Wien (Vienna) 976 (Margravate of Austria established); 17 September 1156 (Duchy of Austria founded); 11 August 1804 (Austrian Empire proclaimed); 12 November 1918 (republic proclaimed) National Day, 26 October (1955); note - commemorates the passage of the law on permanent neutrality 1920; revised 1929; reinstated 1 May 1945; note - during the period 1 May 1934-1 May 1945 there was a fascist (corporative) constitution in place civil law system with Roman law origin; judicial review of legislative acts by the Constitutional Court; separate administrative and civil/penal supreme courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 16 years of age; universal; note - reduced from 18 years of age in 2007 President Heinz FISCHER (SPOe) (since 8 July 2004) Chancellor Werner FAYMANN (SPOe) (since 2 December 2008); Vice Chancellor Josef PROELL (OeVP) (since 2 December 2008) Council of Ministers chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor president elected by direct popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); presidential election last held 25 April 2004 (next to be held in April 2010); chancellor formally chosen by the president but determined by the coalition parties forming a parliamentary majority; vice chancellor chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor Heinz FISCHER elected president; percent of vote - Heinz FISCHER 52.4%, Benita FERRERO-WALDNER 47.6% government coalition - SPOe and OeVP bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists of Federal Council or Bundesrat (62 seats; members chosen by state parliaments with each state receiving 3 to 12 members according to its population; members serve a five- or six-year term) and the National Council or Nationalrat (183 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) National Council - last held 28 September 2008 (next to be held by September 2013) National Council - percent of vote by party - SPOe 29.3%, OeVP 26%, FPOe 17.5%, BZOe 10.7%, Greens 10.4%, other 6.1%; seats by party - SPOe 57, OeVP 51, FPOe 34, BZOe 21, Greens 20 Supreme Judicial Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Administrative Court or Verwaltungsgerichtshof; Constitutional Court or Verfassungsgerichtshof Alliance for the Future of Austria or BZOe [Stefan PETZNER]; Austrian People's Party or OeVP [Wilhelm MOLTERER]; Freedom Party of Austria or FPOe [Heinz Christian STRACHE]; Social Democratic Party of Austria or SPOe [Werner FAYMANN]; The Greens [Alexander VAN DER BELLEN] Austrian Trade Union Federation or OeGB (nominally independent but primarily Social Democratic); Federal Economic Chamber; OeVP-oriented Association of Austrian Industrialists or IV; Roman Catholic Church, including its chief lay organization, Catholic Action three composite leagues of the Austrian People's Party or OeVP representing business, labor, farmers, and other nongovernment organizations in the areas of environment and human rights ACCT (observer), ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Ambassador (vacant); Deputy Chief of Mission Andreas Riecken 3524 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008-3035 [1] (202) 895-6700 [1] (202) 895-6750 Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Ambassador David F. GIRARD-DICARLO Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1090, Vienna use embassy street address [43] (1) 31339-0 [43] (1) 3100682 three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red Austria, with its well-developed market economy and high standard of living, is closely tied to other EU economies, especially Germany's. The Austrian economy also benefits greatly from strong commercial relations, especially in the banking and insurance sectors, with central, eastern, and southeastern Europe. The economy features a large service sector, a sound industrial sector, and a small, but highly developed agricultural sector. Membership in the EU has drawn an influx of foreign investors attracted by Austria's access to the single European market and proximity to the new EU economies. The outgoing government has successfully pursued a comprehensive economic reform program, aimed at streamlining government and creating a more competitive business environment, further strengthening Austria's attractiveness as an investment location. It has implemented effective pension reforms; however, lower taxes in 2005-06 led to a small budget deficit in 2006 and 2007. Boosted by strong exports, growth nevertheless reached 3.3% in both 2006 and 2007, although the economy may slow in 2008 because of the strong euro, high oil prices, and problems in international financial markets. To meet increased competition - especially from new EU members and Central European countries - Austria will need to continue restructuring, emphasizing knowledge-based sectors of the economy, and encouraging greater labor flexibility and greater labor participation by its aging population. $322 billion (2007 est.) $373.9 billion (2007 est.) 3.1% (2007 est.) $39,300 (2007 est.) 1.6% 30.3% 68% (2007 est.) 3.566 million (2007 est.) 3% 27% 70% (2005 est.) 4.4% (2007 est.) 5.9% (2004) 3.3% 22.5% (2004) 26 (2005) 2.2% (2007 est.) 20.6% of GDP (2007 est.) $177.5 billion $179.9 billion (2007 est.) 59.1% of GDP (2007 est.) grains, potatoes, sugar beets, wine, fruit; dairy products, cattle, pigs, poultry; lumber construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, metals, chemicals, lumber and wood processing, paper and paperboard, communications equipment, tourism 5.7% (2007 est.) 59.31 billion kWh (2007 est.) 62.35 billion kWh (2006 est.) 15.51 billion kWh (2007 est.) 22.13 billion kWh (2007 est.) 24,920 bbl/day (2007 est.) 289,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) 46,300 bbl/day (2005) 313,500 bbl/day (2005) 50 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 1.848 billion cu m (2007 est.) 8.436 billion cu m (2007 est.) 2.767 billion cu m (2007 est.) 9.658 billion cu m (2007 est.) 16.14 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $12.03 billion (2007 est.) $162.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, paper and paperboard, metal goods, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, foodstuffs Germany 29.8%, Italy 8.8%, US 4.9%, Switzerland 4.3% (2007) $160.3 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods, oil and oil products; foodstuffs Germany 45.5%, Italy 7.1%, Switzerland 5%, Netherlands 4.3% (2007) $18.22 billion (2006 est.) $752.5 billion (30 June 2007) ODA, $1.498 billion (2006) euro (EUR) euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003) calendar year 3.374 million (2007) 9.768 million (2007) highly developed and efficient fixed-line subscribership has been in decline since the mid-1990s with mobile-cellular subscribership eclipsing it by the late 1990s; the fiber-optic net is very extensive; all telephone applications and Internet services are available 43 satellite earth stations - 15; in addition, there are about 600 VSATs (very small aperture terminals) (2007) 68: AM 2, FM 65 (plus several hundred repeaters), shortwave 1 (2001) 10 (plus more than 1,000 repeaters) (2001) .at 2.806 million (2008) 4.277 million (2007) 55 (2007) 25 1 5 1 3 15 (2007) 30 1 3 26 (2007) 1 (2007) gas 2,722 km; oil 663 km; refined products 157 km (2007) 6,383 km 5,924 km 1.435-m gauge (3,772 km electrified) 371 km 1.000-m gauge; 88 km 0.760-m gauge (25 km electrified) (2006) 107,262 km 107,262 km (includes 1,677 km of expressways) (2006) 358 km (2007) 4 cargo 2, container 2 2 (Netherlands 2) 4 (Cyprus 1, Malta 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2) (2008) Enns, Krems, Linz, Vienna Land Forces (KdoLdSK), Air Forces (KdoLuSK) 18-35 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for male or female voluntary service; service obligation 7 months of training, followed by an 8-year reserve obligation (2006) 16 1,986,411 16 1,944,834 (2008 est.) 16 1,617,385 16 1,583,886 (2008 est.) 50,869 48,246 (2008 est.) 0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) while threats of international legal action never materialized in 2007, 915,220 Austrians, with the support of the newly elected Freedom Party, signed a petition in January 2008, demanding that Austria block the Czech Republic's accession to the EU unless Prague closes its nuclear power plant in Temelin, bordering Austria transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; increasing consumption of European-produced synthetic drugs Azerbaijan Azerbaijan - a nation with a majority-Turkic and majority-Muslim population - was briefly independent from 1918 to 1920; it regained its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite a 1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh enclave (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 600,000 internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict. Corruption is ubiquitous, and the government has been accused of authoritarianism. Although the poverty rate has been reduced in recent years, the promise of widespread wealth from development of Azerbaijan's energy sector remains largely unfulfilled. Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range 40 30 N 47 30 E Asia 86,600 sq km 86,100 sq km 500 sq km includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and the Nagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished by Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991 slightly smaller than Maine 2,013 km Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-proper) 432 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9 km 0 km (landlocked); note - Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (713 km) none (landlocked) dry, semiarid steppe large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea Caspian Sea -28 m Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, bauxite 20.62% 2.61% 76.77% (2005) 14,550 sq km (2003) droughts local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe air, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution results from oil spills, from the use of DDT pesticide, and from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements both the main area of the country and the Naxcivan exclave are landlocked 8,177,717 (July 2008 est.) 24.6% (male 1,061,318/female 947,607) 68.6% (male 2,753,277/female 2,855,406) 6.8% (male 208,293/female 351,816) (2008 est.) 27.9 years 26.3 years 29.7 years (2008 est.) 0.723% (2008 est.) 17.52 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 8.32 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -1.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.14 male(s)/female 1.12 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.59 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 56.43 deaths/1,000 live births 62.09 deaths/1,000 live births 49.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 66.31 years 62.2 years 71 years (2008 est.) 2.05 children born/woman (2008 est.) less than 0.1% (2003 est.) 1,400 (2003 est.) fewer than 100 (2001 est.) Azerbaijani(s) Azerbaijani Azeri 90.6%, Dagestani 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.9% (1999 census) almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.) religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan; percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower Azerbaijani (Azeri) 90.3%, Lezgi 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.3%, unspecified 1% (1999 census) age 15 and over can read and write 98.8% 99.5% 98.2% (1999 census) Republic of Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Azarbaycan Respublikasi Azarbaycan Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic republic Baku (Baki, Baky) 40 23 N 49 52 E UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities (saharlar; sahar - singular), 1 autonomous republic (muxtar respublika) Abseron Rayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu, Agdas Rayonu, Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, Astara Rayonu, Balakan Rayonu, Barda Rayonu, Beylaqan Rayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu, Cabrayil Rayonu, Calilabad Rayonu, Daskasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu, Fuzuli Rayonu, Gadabay Rayonu, Goranboy Rayonu, Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu, Imisli Rayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu, Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu, Lacin Rayonu, Lankaran Rayonu, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli Rayonu, Neftcala Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, Qax Rayonu, Qazax Rayonu, Qobustan Rayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu, Qusar Rayonu, Saatli Rayonu, Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, Salyan Rayonu, Samaxi Rayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu, Siyazan Rayonu, Susa Rayonu, Tartar Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu, Xacmaz Rayonu, Xanlar Rayonu, Xizi Rayonu, Xocali Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, Yardimli Rayonu, Yevlax Rayonu, Zangilan Rayonu, Zaqatala Rayonu, Zardab Rayonu Ali Bayramli Sahari, Baki Sahari, Ganca Sahari, Lankaran Sahari, Mingacevir Sahari, Naftalan Sahari, Saki Sahari, Sumqayit Sahari, Susa Sahari, Xankandi Sahari, Yevlax Sahari Naxcivan Muxtar Respublikasi 30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, 28 May (1918) adopted 12 November 1995 based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003) Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 4 November 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub EYYUBOV (since June 2006) Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly president elected by popular vote to a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 15 October 2008 (next to be held in October 2013); prime minister and first deputy prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly Ilham ALIYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Ilham ALIYEV 88.7%, Igbal AGHAZADE 2.9%, five other candidates with smaller percentages several political parties boycotted the election due to unfair conditions; OSCE observers concluded that the election did not meet international standards unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 6 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2010) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Yeni 58, Azadliq coalition 8, CSP 2, Motherland 2, other parties with single seats 9, independents 42, undetermined 4 Supreme Court Azadliq (Freedom) coalition (Popular Front Party, Liberal Party, Citizens' Development Party); Azerbaijan Democratic Party or ADP [Sardar JALALOGLU]; Azerbaijan Democratic Reforms Party (ADRP) Youth Movement [Ramin HAJILI]; Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF, now split in two [Ali KARIMLI, leader of "Reform" APF party; Mirmahmud MIRALI-OGLU, leader of "Classic" APF party]; Azerbaijan Public Forum [Eldar NAMAZOV]; Citizens' Development Party [Ali ALIYEV]; Civil Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLY]; Dalga Youth Movement [Vafa JAFAROVA]; Green Party [Mais GULALIYEV and Tarana MAMMADOVA]; Hope (Umid) Party [Iqbal AGAZADE]; Ireli Youth Movement [Jeyhun OSMANLI, Roya TALIBOVA, Farhad MAMMADOV, Elnara GARIBOVA, Elnur MAMMADOV, Ziya ALIYEV]; Justice Party [Ilyas ISMAILOV]; Liberal Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shovkat HACIYEVA]; Magam Youth Movement [Emin HUSEYNOV]; Motherland Party [Fazail AGAMALI]; Musavat (Equality) [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; Musavat Party Youth Movement [Elnur MAMMADLI]; National Democratic Party or Grey Wolves (Nationalist, Pan-Turkic) [Iskender HAMIDOV]; Open Society Party [Rasul GULIYEV, in exile in the US]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan or PNIA [Ayaz RUSTAMOV]; Popular Front Party Youth Movement [Seymur KHAZIYEV]; Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan or SDP [Araz ALIZADE and Ayaz MUTALIBOV (in exile)]; Turkish Nationalist Party [Vugar BAYTURAN]; United Azerbaijan Party [Karrar ABILOV]; United Azerbaijan National Unity Party [Hajibaba AZIMOV]; United Party [Tahir KARIMLI]; Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party [President Ilham ALIYEV]; Yeni Azerbaijan Party Youth Movement [Ramil HASANOV]; Yox (No) Youth Movement [Ali ISMAYILOV] opposition parties regularly factionalize and form new parties; Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (self-proclaimed); Karabakh Liberation Organization; Sadval, Lezgin movement; Talysh independence movement; Union of Pro-Azerbaijani Forces or UPAF ADB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Ambassador Yashar ALIYEV 2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 337-3500 [1] (202) 337-5911 Consulate(s) general: Los Angeles Ambassador Anne E. DERSE 83 Azadlig Prospecti, Baku AZ1007 American Embassy Baku, US Department of State, 7050 Baku Place, Washington, DC 20521-7050 [994] (12) 4980-335 through 337 [994] (12) 4656-671 three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red band Azerbaijan's high economic growth in 2006 and 2007 is attributable to large and growing oil exports. Azerbaijan's oil production declined through 1997, but has registered an increase every year since. Negotiation of production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with foreign firms, which have committed $60 billion to long-term oilfield development, should generate the funds needed to spur future industrial development. Oil production under the first of these PSAs, with the Azerbaijan International Operating Company, began in November 1997. A consortium of Western oil companies began pumping 1 million barrels a day from a large offshore field in early 2006, through a $4 billion pipeline it built from Baku to Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan. By 2010 revenues from this project will double the country's current GDP. Azerbaijan shares all the formidable problems of the former Soviet republics in making the transition from a command to a market economy, but its considerable energy resources brighten its long-term prospects. Baku has only recently begun making progress on economic reform, and old economic ties and structures are slowly being replaced. Several other obstacles impede Azerbaijan's economic progress: the need for stepped up foreign investment in the non-energy sector, the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, pervasive corruption, and elevated inflation. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance, while trade is building with Turkey and the nations of Europe. Long-term prospects will depend on world oil prices, the location of new oil and gas pipelines in the region, and Azerbaijan's ability to manage its energy wealth. $64.66 billion (2007 est.) $31.32 billion (2007 est.) 23.4% (2007 est.) $8,000 (2007 est.) 6.2% 63.3% 30.5% (2007 est.) 5.243 million (2007 est.) 41% 7% 52% (2001) 1% official rate (2007 est.) 24% (2005 est.) 3.1% 29.5% (2001) 36.5 (2001) 16.7% (2007 est.) 20% of GDP (2007 est.) $6.755 billion $8.572 billion (2007 est.) 6.7% of GDP (2007 est.) cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore; cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles 25% (2007 est.) 23.8 billion kWh (2007 est.) 27.5 billion kWh (2007 est.) 800 million kWh (2007 est.) 500 million kWh (2007 est.) 1.099 million bbl/day (2008 est.) 160,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) 795,600 bbl/day (2007 est.) 4,267 bbl/day (2005) 7 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 9.77 billion cu m (2007 est.) 9.77 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2005) 849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $9.019 billion (2007 est.) $21.27 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) oil and gas 90%, machinery, cotton, foodstuffs Turkey 17.4%, Italy 15.5%, Russia 8.7%, Iran 7.2%, Indonesia 6.4%, Israel 6.1%, Georgia 5.7%, US 4.8%, France 4.3% (2007) $6.045 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and equipment, oil products, foodstuffs, metals, chemicals Russia 17.6%, Turkey 10.9%, Germany 8.2%, Ukraine 8.2%, UK 7.2%, Japan 5.2%, China 4.9%, US 4.7% (2007) $4.273 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $2.439 billion (31 December 2007 est.) ODA, $223.4 million (2005 est.) Azerbaijani manat (AZN) Azerbaijani manats (AZN) per US dollar - 0.8581 (2007), 0.8934 (2006), 4,727.1 (2005), 4,913.48 (2004), 4,910.73 (2003) on 1 January 2006 Azerbaijan revalued its currency, with 5,000 old manats equal to 1 new manat calendar year 1.254 million (2007) 4.3 million (2007) inadequate; requires considerable expansion and modernization; teledensity of 15 main lines per 100 persons is low; mobile-cellular penetration is increasing and is currently about 50 telephones per 100 persons fixed-line telephony and a broad range of other telecom services are controlled by a state-owned telecommunications monopoly and growth has been stagnant; more competition exists in the mobile-cellular market with three providers in 2006; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its exclave of Naxcivan 994 the old Soviet system of cable and microwave is still serviceable; satellite earth stations - 2 (2007) 28: AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998) 2 (1997) .az 6,995 (2008) 1.036 million (2007) 35 (2007) 27 2 6 13 4 2 (2007) 8 1 7 (2007) 1 (2007) gas 3,857 km; oil 2,436 km (2007) 2,122 km 2,122 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (2006) 59,141 km 29,210 km 29,931 km (2004) 89 cargo 26, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 46, roll on/roll off 3, specialized tanker 3 3 (Malta 2, Panama 1) (2008) Baku (Baki) Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces (2008) men between 18 and 35 are liable for military service; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; length of military service is 18 months and 12 months for university graduates (2006) 16 2,278,888 16 2,291,770 (2008 est.) 16 1,696,167 16 1,923,556 (2008 est.) 94,402 89,686 (2008 est.) 2.6% of GDP (2005 est.) Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and since the early 1990s has militarily occupied 16% of Azerbaijan; over 800,000 mostly ethnic Azerbaijanis were driven from the occupied lands and Armenia; about 230,000 ethnic Armenians were driven from their homes in Azerbaijan into Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh; Azerbaijan seeks transit route through Armenia to connect to Naxcivan exclave; Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia have ratified Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on an even one-fifth allocation and challenges Azerbaijan's hydrocarbon exploration in disputed waters; bilateral talks continue with Turkmenistan on dividing the seabed and contested oilfields in the middle of the Caspian; Azerbaijan and Georgia continue to discuss the alignment of their boundary at certain crossing areas 2,400 (Russia) 580,000-690,000 (conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh) (2007) Azerbaijan is primarily a source and transit country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; women and some children from Azerbaijan are trafficked to Turkey and the UAE for the purpose of sexual exploitation; men and boys are trafficked to Russia for the purpose of forced labor; Azerbaijan serves as a transit country for victims from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Moldova trafficked to Turkey and the UAE for sexual exploitation Tier 2 Watch List - Azerbaijan is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons, particularly efforts to investigate, prosecute, and punish traffickers; to address complicity among law enforcement personnel; and to adequately identify and protect victims in Azerbaijan; the government has yet to develop a much-needed mechanism to identify potential trafficking victims and refer them to safety and care; poor treatment of trafficking victims in courtrooms continues to be a problem (2008) limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; small government eradication program; transit point for Southwest Asian opiates bound for Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe Bahrain In 1783, the al-Khalifa family captured Bahrain from the Persians. In order to secure these holdings, it entered into a series of treaties with the UK during the 19th century that made Bahrain a British protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence in 1971. Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian Gulf countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has transformed itself into an international banking center. King HAMAD bin Isa al-Khalifa, after coming to power in 1999, pushed economic and political reforms to improve relations with the Shia community. Shia political societies participated in 2006 parliamentary and municipal elections. Al Wifaq, the largest Shia political society, won the largest number of seats in the elected chamber of the legislature. However, Shi'a discontent has resurfaced in recent years with street demonstrations and occasional low-level violence. Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia 26 00 N 50 33 E Middle East 665 sq km 665 sq km 0 sq km 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 161 km 12 nm 24 nm extending to boundaries to be determined arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment Persian Gulf 0 m Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls 2.82% 5.63% 91.55% (2005) 40 sq km (2003) periodic droughts; dust storms desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil refineries, and distribution stations; lack of freshwater resources (groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all water needs) Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean 718,306 includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2008 est.) 26.4% (male 95,709/female 93,747) 69.8% (male 288,957/female 212,706) 3.8% (male 14,224/female 12,963) (2008 est.) 29.9 years 33 years 26.4 years (2008 est.) 1.337% (2008 est.) 17.26 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 4.29 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.36 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female 1.25 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 15.64 deaths/1,000 live births 18.27 deaths/1,000 live births 12.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 74.92 years 72.41 years 77.5 years (2008 est.) 2.53 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.2% (2001 est.) fewer than 600 (2003 est.) fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Bahraini(s) Bahraini Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6% (2001 census) Muslim (Shia and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census) Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu age 15 and over can read and write 86.5% 88.6% 83.6% (2001 census) Kingdom of Bahrain Bahrain Mamlakat al Bahrayn Al Bahrayn Dilmun constitutional monarchy Manama 26 14 N 50 34 E UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 5 governorates; Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq, Shamaliyah, Wasat each governorate administered by an appointed governor 15 August 1971 (from UK) National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 was the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 was the date of independence from British protection adopted 14 February 2002 based on Islamic law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 20 years of age; universal King HAMAD bin Isa al-Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad (son of the monarch, born 21 October 1969) Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman al-Khalifa (since 1971); Deputy Prime Ministers ALI bin Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak al-Khalifa, Jawad al-ARAIDH Cabinet appointed by the monarch the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch bicameral legislature consists of the Consultative Council (40 members appointed by the King) and the Council of Representatives or Chamber of Deputies (40 seats; members directly elected to serve four-year terms) Council of Representatives - last held November-December 2006 (next election to be held in 2010) Council of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - al Wifaq (Shia) 17, al Asala (Sunni Salafi) 5, al Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 7, independents 11; note - seats by party as of February 2007 - al Wifaq 17, al Asala 8, al Minbar 7, al Mustaqbal (Moderate Sunni pro-government) 4, unassociated independents (all Sunni) 3, independent affiliated with al Wifaq (Sunni oppositionist) 1 High Civil Appeals Court political parties prohibited but political societies were legalized per a July 2005 law Shia activists; Sunni Islamist legislators several small leftist and other groups are active ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Houda Ezra Ibrahim NUNU 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 342-1111 [1] (202) 362-2192 New York Ambassador J. Adam ERELI Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 331, Zinj District, Manama PSC 451, Box 660, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama [973] 1724-2700 [973] 1727-0547 red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states, with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam With its highly developed communication and transport facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. Petroleum production and refining account for over 60% of Bahrain's export receipts, over 70% of government revenues, and 11% of GDP (exclusive of allied industries), underpinning Bahrain's strong economic growth in recent years. Aluminum is Bahrain's second major export after oil. Other major segments of Bahrain's economy are the financial and construction sectors. Bahrain is focused on Islamic banking and is competing on an international scale with Malaysia as a worldwide banking center. Bahrain is actively pursuing the diversification and privatization of its economy to reduce the country's dependence on oil. As part of this effort, in August 2006 Bahrain and the US implemented a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the first FTA between the US and a Gulf state. Continued strong growth hinges on Bahrain's ability to acquire new natural gas supplies as feedstock to support its expanding petrochemical and aluminum industries. Unemployment, especially among the young, and the depletion of oil and underground water resources are long-term economic problems. $24.01 billion (2007 est.) $19.66 billion (2007 est.) 6.7% (2007 est.) $33,900 (2007 est.) 0.3% 43.6% 56% (2007 est.) 437,000 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2007 est.) 1% 79% 20% (1997 est.) 15% (2005 est.) 3.3% (2007 est.) 22.3% of GDP (2007 est.) $5.418 billion $4.968 billion (2007 est.) 31.2% of GDP (2007 est.) fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, Islamic and offshore banking, insurance, ship repairing, tourism 5.2% (2007 est.) 9.233 billion kWh (2006 est.) 8.742 billion kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 48,610 bbl/day (2007 est.) 32,830 bbl/day (2006 est.) 238,900 bbl/day (2005) 221,500 bbl/day (2005) 124.6 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 11.33 billion cu m (2006 est.) 11.33 billion cu m (2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 92.03 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $2.907 billion (2007 est.) $13.79 billion (2007 est.) petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles Saudi Arabia 3.5%, US 2.5%, UAE 2.5% (2007) $10.93 billion (2007 est.) crude oil, machinery, chemicals Saudi Arabia 37.7%, Japan 7.2%, US 6.2%, Germany 4.7%, UK 4.5%, UAE 4.2%, China 4.1% (2007) $4.101 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $7.858 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $103.9 million (2004) Bahraini dinar (BHD) Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar - 0.376 (2007), 0.376 (2006), 0.376 (2005), 0.376 (2004), 0.376 (2003) calendar year 194,200 (2006) 1.116 million (2007) modern system modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones 973 landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and US; tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth station - 1 (2007) 5: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) 4 (1997) .bh 2,621 (2008) 250,000 (2007) 3 (2007) 3 2 1 (2007) 1 (2007) gas 20 km; oil 52 km (2007) 3,498 km 2,768 km 730 km (2003) 9 bulk carrier 4, container 4, petroleum tanker 1 6 (Kuwait 5, UAE 1) (2008) Mina' Salman, Sitrah Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF): Ground Force (includes Air Defense), Naval Force, Air Force, National Guard 17 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for NCOs, technicians, and cadets; no conscription (2008) 16 210,938 16 170,471 (2008 est.) 16 171,536 16 142,714 (2008 est.) 6,543 6,429 (2008 est.) 4.5% of GDP (2006) none Bahrain is a destination country for men and women trafficked for the purposes of involuntary servitude and commercial sexual exploitation; men and women from Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia migrate voluntarily to Bahrain to work as laborers or domestic servants where some face conditions of involuntary servitude such as unlawful withholding of passports, restrictions on movements, non-payment of wages, threats, and physical or sexual abuse; women from Thailand, Morocco, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia are trafficked to Bahrain for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation Tier 2 Watch List - Bahrain is on the Tier 2 Watch List for failing to show evidence of increased efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly efforts that enforce laws against trafficking in persons, and that prevent the punishment of victims of trafficking; during 2007, Bahrain passed a comprehensive law prohibiting all forms of trafficking in persons; the government also established a specialized anti-trafficking unit within the Ministry of Interior to investigate trafficking crimes; however, the government did not report any prosecutions or convictions for trafficking offenses during 2007, despite reports of a substantial problem of involuntary servitude and sex trafficking (2008) Baker Island The US took possession of the island in 1857, and its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began on this island but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The island was established as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1974. atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,830 nm (3,389 km) southwest of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and Australia 0 13 N 176 28 W Oceania 129.1 sq km 2.1 sq km (emergent) 127 sq km about two and a half times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC 0 km 4.8 km 12 nm 200 nm equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef Pacific Ocean 0 m unnamed location 8 m guano (deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife 0% 0% 100% (2005) 0 sq km the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard no natural fresh water resources scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; closed to the public uninhabited American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery and remnants of structures from early settlement are located near the middle of the west coast; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service none Baker Island unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system the laws of the US, where applicable, apply the flag of the US is used no economic activity one abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m covered with vegetation and unusable none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard none Bangladesh Europeans began to set up trading posts in the area of Bangladesh in the 16th century; eventually the British came to dominate the region and it became part of British India. In 1947, West Pakistan and East Bengal (both primarily Muslim) separated from India (largely Hindu) and jointly became the new country of Pakistan. East Bengal became East Pakistan in 1955, but the awkward arrangement of a two-part country with its territorial units separated by 1,600 km left the Bengalis marginalized and dissatisfied. East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan in 1971 and was renamed Bangladesh. A military-backed caretaker regime suspended planned parliamentary elections in January 2007 in an effort to reform the political system and root out corruption; the regime has pledged new democratic elections by the end of 2008. About a third of this extremely poor country floods annually during the monsoon rainy season, hampering economic development. Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India 24 00 N 90 00 E Asia 144,000 sq km 133,910 sq km 10,090 sq km slightly smaller than Iowa 4,246 km Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km 580 km 12 nm 18 nm 200 nm up to the outer limits of the continental margin tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October) mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast Indian Ocean 0 m Keokradong 1,230 m natural gas, arable land, timber, coal 55.39% 3.08% 41.53% (2005) 47,250 sq km (2003) droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land; waterborne diseases prevalent in surface water; water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results from the use of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated by naturally occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; severe overpopulation Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements most of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers flowing from the Himalayas: the Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal 153,546,896 (July 2008 est.) 33.4% (male 26,364,370/female 24,859,792) 63.1% (male 49,412,903/female 47,468,013) 3.5% (male 2,912,321/female 2,529,502) (2008 est.) 22.8 years 22.8 years 22.9 years (2008 est.) 2.022% (2008 est.) 28.86 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 8 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -0.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.15 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 57.45 deaths/1,000 live births 58.44 deaths/1,000 live births 56.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 63.21 years 63.14 years 63.28 years (2008 est.) 3.08 children born/woman (2008 est.) less than 0.1% (2001 est.) 13,000 (2001 est.) 650 (2001 est.) high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever dengue fever and malaria are high risks in some locations leptospirosis rabies highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) Bangladeshi(s) Bangladeshi Bengali 98%, other 2% (includes tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims) (1998) Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998) Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English age 15 and over can read and write 43.1% 53.9% 31.8% (2003 est.) People's Republic of Bangladesh Bangladesh Gana Prajatantri Banladesh Banladesh East Bengal, East Pakistan parliamentary democracy Dhaka 23 43 N 90 24 E UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 6 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet 16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh Independence Day, 26 March (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972; suspended following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986; amended many times based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President Iajuddin AHMED (since 6 September 2002) the country has a caretaker government until a general election is held; Iajuddin AHMED remains as President and Minister of Defense, and all other Cabinet portfolios are held by Caretaker Advisers (CAs); the Chief CA, Fakhruddin AHMED, is roughly equivalent to a prime minister president elected by National Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election scheduled for 16 September 2002 was not held since Iajuddin AHMED was the only presidential candidate; he was sworn in on 6 September 2002 (next election NA); following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats is usually appointed prime minister by the president Iajuddin AHMED declared president-elect by the Election Commission; he ran unopposed as president; percent of National Parliament vote - NA unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad; 300 seats elected by popular vote from single territorial constituencies; members serve five-year terms; note - parliament not in session during the extended caretaker regime last held 1 October 2001 (the scheduled January 2007 election has been postponed until 29 December 2008) percent of vote by party - BNP and alliance partners 41%, AL 40%, other 19%; seats by party - BNP 193, AL 58, JI 17, JP (Ershad faction) 14, IOJ 2, JP (Manzur) 4, other 12; note - the election of October 2001 brought to power a majority BNP government aligned with three other smaller parties - JI, IOJ, and Jatiya Party (Manzur) Supreme Court (the chief justices and other judges are appointed by the president) Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]; Bangladesh Communist Party or BCP [Manjurul A. KHAN]; Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP [Khaleda ZIA]; Islami Oikya Jote or IOJ [Mufti Fazlul Haq AMINI]; Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh or JIB [Matiur Rahman NIZAMI]; Jatiya Party or JP (Ershad faction) [Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD]; Jatiya Party (Manzur faction) [Naziur Rahman MANZUR]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Badrudozza CHOWDHURY and Oli AHMED] Advocacy to End Gender-based Violence through the MoWCA (Ministry of Women's and Children's Affairs) environmentalists; Islamist groups; religious leaders; teachers; union leaders ADB, ARF, BIMSTEC, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador M. Humayun KABIR 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 244-0183 [1] (202) 244-7830/2771 Los Angeles, New York Ambassador James F. MORIARTY Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212 G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000 [880] (2) 885-5500 [880] (2) 882-3744 green field with a large red disk shifted slightly to the hoist side of center; the red disk represents the rising sun and the sacrifice to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush vegetation of Bangladesh The economy has grown 5-6% over the past few years despite inefficient state-owned enterprises, delays in exploiting natural gas resources, insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Bangladesh remains a poor, overpopulated, and inefficiently-governed nation. Although more than half of GDP is generated through the service sector, nearly two-thirds of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as the single-most-important product. Garment exports and remittances from Bangladeshis working overseas, mainly in the Middle East and East Asia, fuel economic growth. $208.3 billion (2007 est.) $72.42 billion (2007 est.) 6.3% (2007 est.) $1,400 (2007 est.) 19% 28.7% 52.3% (2007 est.) 69.4 million extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Malaysia; workers' remittances estimated at $4.8 billion in 2005-06. (2007 est.) 63% 11% 26% (FY95/96) 2.5% (includes underemployment) (2007 est.) 45% (2004 est.) 3.7% 27.9% (2000) 33.4 (2000) 9.1% (2007 est.) 24.3% of GDP (2007 est.) $7.01 billion $9.464 billion (2007 est.) 37.4% of GDP (2007 est.) rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruit; beef, milk, poultry cotton textiles, jute, garments, tea processing, paper newsprint, cement, chemical fertilizer, light engineering, sugar 8.4% (2007 est.) 22.78 billion kWh (2007 est.) 21.37 billion kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 6,746 bbl/day (2007 est.) 89,940 bbl/day (2006 est.) 1,351 bbl/day (2005) 83,220 bbl/day (2005) 28 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 15.7 billion cu m (2007 est.) 15.7 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 141.6 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $804.7 million (2007 est.) $12.45 billion (2007 est.) garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood US 23%, Germany 13%, UK 9.1%, France 5.5%, Belgium 4% (2007) $16.67 billion (2007 est.) machinery and equipment, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, foodstuffs, petroleum products, cement China 15%, India 14.3%, Kuwait 8.3%, Singapore 6.2%, Hong Kong 4.2% (2007) $5.278 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $21.23 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $1.321 billion (2005) taka (BDT) taka (BDT) per US dollar - 69.893 (2007), 69.031 (2006), 64.328 (2005), 59.513 (2004), 58.15 (2003) 1 July - 30 June 1.187 million (2007) 34.37 million (2007) inadequate for a modern country; fixed-line telephone density remains less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly and is approaching 25 per 100 persons modernizing; introducing digital systems; trunk systems include VHF and UHF microwave radio relay links, and some fiber-optic cable in cities 880 landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 6; international radiotelephone communications and landline service to neighboring countries (2007) 30: AM 15, FM 13, shortwave 2 (2006) 15 (1999) .bd 1,440 (2008) 500,000 (2007) 16 (2007) 15 1 4 4 1 5 (2007) 1 1 (2007) gas 2,644 km (2007) 2,768 km 946 km 1.676-m gauge 1,822 km 1.000-m gauge (2006) 239,226 km 22,726 km 216,500 km (2003) 8,370 km includes up to 3,060 km main cargo routes; network reduced to 5,200 km in dry season (2006) 40 bulk carrier 3, cargo 27, container 5, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 4 1 (China 1) 10 (Comoros 2, Honduras 1, Malta 2, Panama 2, Singapore 2, Togo 1) (2008) Chittagong, Mongla Port the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of Bangladesh as high risk for armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen Bangladesh Defense Force: Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force (Bangladesh Biman Bahini, BAF) (2008) 16 years of age for voluntary military service; 17 years of age for officers (both with parental consent); conscription legally possible in emergency, but has never been implemented (2008) 16 41,199,340 (2008 est.) 16 31,968,168 (2008 est.) 1,311,850 1,246,012 (2008 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2006) discussions with India remain stalled to delimit a small section of river boundary, exchange territory for 51 small Bangladeshi exclaves in India and 111 small Indian exclaves in Bangladesh, allocate divided villages, and stop illegal cross-border trade, migration, violence, and transit of terrorists through the porous border; Bangladesh protests India's fencing and walling off high-traffic sections of the porous boundary; a joint Bangladesh-India boundary commission resurveyed and reconstructed 92 missing pillars in 2007; dispute with India over New Moore/South Talpatty/Purbasha Island in the Bay of Bengal deters maritime boundary delimitation; after 21 years, Bangladesh resumes talks with Burma on delimiting a maritime boundary 26,268 (Burma) 65,000 (land conflicts, religious persecution) (2007) transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries Barbados The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance. Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela 13 10 N 59 32 W Central America and the Caribbean 431 sq km 431 sq km 0 sq km 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 97 km 12 nm 200 nm tropical; rainy season (June to October) relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region Atlantic Ocean 0 m Mount Hillaby 336 m petroleum, fish, natural gas 37.21% 2.33% 60.46% (2005) 50 sq km (2003) infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements easternmost Caribbean island 281,968 (July 2008 est.) 19.3% (male 27,270/female 27,193) 71.7% (male 99,357/female 102,683) 9% (male 9,856/female 15,609) (2008 est.) 35.4 years 34.2 years 36.4 years (2008 est.) 0.36% (2008 est.) 12.48 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 8.58 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.01 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.63 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 11.05 deaths/1,000 live births 12.4 deaths/1,000 live births 9.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 73.21 years 71.2 years 75.24 years (2008 est.) 1.65 children born/woman (2008 est.) 1.5% (2003 est.) 2,500 (2003 est.) fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial) Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial) black 90%, white 4%, Asian and mixed 6% Protestant 63.4% (Anglican 28.3%, Pentecostal 18.7%, Methodist 5.1%, other 11.3%), Roman Catholic 4.2%, other Christian 7%, other 4.8%, none or unspecified 20.6% (2008 est.) English age 15 and over has ever attended school 99.7% 99.7% 99.7% (2002 est.) none Barbados parliamentary democracy Bridgetown 13 06 N 59 37 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 11 parishes and 1 city*; Bridgetown*, Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas 30 November 1966 (from UK) Independence Day, 30 November (1966) 30 November 1966 English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Clifford Straughn HUSBANDS (since 1 June 1996) Prime Minister David THOMPSON (since 16 January 2008) Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (21 seats; members appointed by the governor general - 12 on the advice of the Prime Minister, 2 on the advice of the opposition leader, and 7 at his discretion) and the House of Assembly (30 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) House of Assembly - last held 15 January 2008 (next to be called in 2013) House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - DLP 52.5%, BLP 47.3%; seats by party - DLP 20, BLP 10 Supreme Court of Judicature (judges are appointed by the Service Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Services); Caribbean Court of Justice is the highest court of appeal Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Mia MOTTLEY]; Democratic Labor Party or DLP [David THOMPSON]; People's Empowerment Party or PEP [David COMISSIONG] Barbados Secondary Teachers' Union or BSTU [Patrick FROST]; Barbados Union of Teachers or BUT [Herbert GITTENS]; Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados or CTUSAB, (includes the BWU, NUPW, BUT, and BSTU) [Leroy TROTMAN]; Barbados Workers Union or BWU [Leroy TROTMAN]; Clement Payne Labor Union [David COMISSIONG]; National Union of Public Workers [Joseph GODDARD] ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Michael Ian KING 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 939-9200 [1] (202) 332-7467 Miami, New York Los Angeles Ambassador Mary M. OURISMAN U.S. Embassy, Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael BB 14006 P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown BB 11000; CMR 1014, APO AA 34055 [1] (246) 227-4399 [1] (246) 431-0179 three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident) Historically, the Barbadian economy was dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities. However, production in recent years has diversified into light industry and tourism, with about three-quarters of GDP and 80% of exports being attributed to services. Growth has rebounded since 2003, bolstered by increases in construction projects and tourism revenues - reflecting its success in the higher-end segment. The country enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the region and an investment grade rating which benefits from its political stability and stable institutions. Offshore finance and information services are important foreign exchange earners and thrive from having the same time zone as eastern US financial centers and a relatively highly educated workforce. The government continues its efforts to reduce unemployment, to encourage direct foreign investment, and to privatize remaining state-owned enterprises. $5.31 billion (2007 est.) $3.739 billion (2007 est.) 4.3% (2007 est.) $18,900 (2007 est.) 6% 16% 78% (2000 est.) 128,500 (2001 est.) 10% 15% 75% (1996 est.) 10.7% (2003 est.) 5.5% (2007 est.) $847 million (including grants) $886 million (2000 est.) sugarcane, vegetables, cotton tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export -3.2% (2000 est.) 1.003 billion kWh (2007 est.) 939.9 million kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 1,111 bbl/day (2007 est.) 8,674 bbl/day (2006 est.) 1,750 bbl/day (2005) 10,710 bbl/day (2005) 2.2 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 29.17 million cu m (2006 est.) 29.17 million cu m (2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 141.6 million cu m (1 January 2008 est.) -$254 million (2007 est.) $385 million (2006) manufactures, sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages, chemicals, electrical components Trinidad and Tobago 15.5%, Jamaica 13.5%, UK 9.4%, US 9.3%, Brazil 8.3%, Saint Lucia 7.2%, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4.5% (2007) $1.586 billion (2006) consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials, chemicals, fuel, electrical components US 30.5%, Trinidad and Tobago 27.6%, UK 6.5% (2007) $620 million (2007) $668 million (2003) $2.07 million (2005) Barbadian dollar (BBD) Barbadian dollars (BBD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 2 (2006), 2 (2005), 2 (2004), 2 (2003) 1 April - 31 March 134,900 (2005) 237,100 (2006) fixed-line teledensity of roughly 50 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density of about 85 per 100 persons island-wide automatic telephone system 246 landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; satellite earth stations - 1 (Intelsat -Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Trinidad and Saint Lucia (2007) 8: AM 2, FM 6, shortwave 0 (2004) 1 (plus 2 cable channels) (2004) .bb 104 (2008) 160,000 (2005) 1 (2007) 1 1 (2007) 1,600 km 1,600 km (2004) 85 bulk carrier 15, cargo 50, chemical tanker 7, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 6, roll on/roll off 2 80 (Canada 9, Greece 12, India 1, Iran 2, Lebanon 1, Norway 38, Sweden 7, Syria 1, UK 9) 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) Bridgetown Royal Barbados Defense Force: Troops Command, Barbados Coast Guard (2007) 18 years of age for voluntary military service (younger requires parental consent); no conscription (2008) 16 75,265 16 75,389 (2008 est.) 16 58,556 16 58,143 (2008 est.) 2,157 2,155 (2008 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2006 est.) the Royal Barbados Defense Force includes a land-based Troop Command and a small Coast Guard; the primary role of the land element is to defend the island against external aggression; the Command consists of a single, part-time battalion with a small regular cadre that is deployed throughout the island; it increasingly supports the police in patrolling the coastline to prevent smuggling and other illicit activities (2007) Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago abide by the April 2006 Permanent Court of Arbitration decision delimiting a maritime boundary and limiting catches of flying fish in Trinidad and Tobago's exclusive economic zone; joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea one of many Caribbean transshipment points for narcotics bound for Europe and the US; offshore financial center Bassas da India A French possession since 1897, this atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide. 21 30 S 39 50 E 80 sq km 0.2 sq km 79.8 sq km (lagoon) land area about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC 35.2 km atoll, awash at high tide; shallow (15 m) lagoon 100% rock, coral reef, and sand maritime hazard since it is under water for a period of three hours prior to and following the high tide and surrounded by reefs the atoll is a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano 0 Belarus After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on 8 December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the accord, serious implementation has yet to take place. Since his election in July 1994 as the country's first president, Alexandr LUKASHENKO has steadily consolidated his power through authoritarian means. Government restrictions on freedom of speech and the press, peaceful assembly, and religion continue. Eastern Europe, east of Poland 53 00 N 28 00 E Europe 207,600 sq km 207,600 sq km 0 sq km slightly smaller than Kansas 3,306 km Latvia 171 km, Lithuania 680 km, Poland 605 km, Russia 959 km, Ukraine 891 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime generally flat and contains much marshland Nyoman River 90 m Dzyarzhynskaya Hara 346 m forests, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, clay 26.77% 0.6% 72.63% (2005) 1,310 sq km (2003) soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident at Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, 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 none of the selected agreements landlocked; glacial scouring accounts for the flatness of Belarusian terrain and for its 11,000 lakes 9,685,768 (July 2008 est.) 14.4% (male 717,885/female 677,254) 70.9% (male 3,333,699/female 3,531,920) 14.7% (male 459,627/female 965,383) (2008 est.) 38.4 years 35.4 years 41.3 years (2008 est.) -0.393% (2008 est.) 9.62 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 13.92 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.48 male(s)/female 0.87 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 6.53 deaths/1,000 live births 7.56 deaths/1,000 live births 5.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 70.34 years 64.63 years 76.4 years (2008 est.) 1.23 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.3% (2001 est.) 15,000 (2001 est.) 1,000 (2001 est.) Belarusian(s) Belarusian Belarusian 81.2%, Russian 11.4%, Polish 3.9%, Ukrainian 2.4%, other 1.1% (1999 census) Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 20% (1997 est.) Belarusian, Russian, other age 15 and over can read and write 99.6% 99.8% 99.4% (1999 census) Republic of Belarus Belarus Respublika Byelarus' Byelarus' Belorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist Republic republic in name, although in fact a dictatorship Minsk 53 54 N 27 34 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 6 provinces (voblastsi, singular - voblasts') and 1 municipality* (horad); Brest, Homyel', Horad Minsk*, Hrodna, Mahilyow, Minsk, Vitsyebsk administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers 25 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) Independence Day, 3 July (1944); note - 3 July 1944 was the date Minsk was liberated from German troops, 25 August 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union 15 March 1994; revised by national referendum of 24 November 1996 giving the presidency greatly expanded powers and became effective 27 November 1996; revised again 17 October 2004 removing presidential term limits based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President Aleksandr LUKASHENKO (since 20 July 1994) Prime Minister Sergey SIDORSKIY (since 19 December 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir SEMASHKO (since December 2003) Council of Ministers president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; first election took place 23 June and 10 July 1994; according to the 1994 constitution, the next election should have been held in 1999, however, Aleksandr LUKASHENKO extended his term to 2001 via a November 1996 referendum; subsequent election held 9 September 2001; an October 2004 referendum ended presidential term limits and allowed the president to run in a third election, which was held on 19 March 2006; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president Aleksandr LUKASHENKO reelected president; percent of vote - Aleksandr LUKASHENKO 82.6%, Aleksandr MILINKEVICH 6%, Aleksandr KOZULIN 2.3%; note - election marred by electoral fraud bicameral National Assembly or Natsionalnoye Sobranie consists of the Council of the Republic or Soviet Respubliki (64 seats; 56 members elected by regional councils and eight members appointed by the president, to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Palata Predstaviteley (110 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Palata Predstaviteley - last held 28 September 2008 (next to be held fall of 2012); international observers widely denounced the elections as flawed and undemocratic based on massive government falsification; pro-LUKASHENKO candidates won all 110 seats Soviet Respubliki - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Palata Predstaviteley - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Constitutional Court (half of the judges appointed by the president and half appointed by the Chamber of Representatives) Agrarian Party or AP [Mikhail SHIMANSKY]; Belarusian Communist Party or KPB; Belarusian Patriotic Movement (Belarusian Patriotic Party) or BPR [Nikolay ULAKHOVICH, chairman]; Liberal Democratic Party of Belarus [Sergey GAYDUKEVICH]; Party of Labor and Justice [Viktor SOKOLOV]; Social-Sports Party [Vladimir ALEXANDROVICH] Belarusian Christian Democracy Party (unregistered) [Pavel SEVERINETS]; Belarusian Party of Communists or PKB [Sergey KALYAKIN]; Belarusian Party of Labor (unregistered) [Aleksandr BUKHVOSTOV, Leonid LEMESHONAK]; Belarusian Popular Front or BPF [Vintsyuk VYACHORKA]; Belarusian Social-Democratic Gramada [Stanislav SHUSHKEVICH]; Belarusian Social Democratic Party Hramada (People's Assembly) or BSDPH [Aleksandr KOZULIN; Anatoliy LEVKOVICH, acting]; Green Party [Oleg GROMYKO]; Party of Freedom and Progress (unregistered) [Vladimir NOVOSYAD]; United Civic Party or UCP [Anatoliy LEBEDKO]; Women's Party "Nadezhda" [Valentina MATUSEVICH, chairperson] Christian Conservative BPF [Zyanon PAZNIAK]; Ecological Party of Greens [Mikhail KARTASH]; Party of Popular Accord [Sergey YERMAKK]; Republican Party [Vladimir BELAZOR] Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs [Sergey MATSKEVICH]; Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions [Aleksandr YAROSHUK]; Belarusian Helsinki Committee [Tatiana PROTKO]; Belarusian Organization of Working Women [Irina ZHIKHAR]; Charter 97 [Andrey SANNIKOV]; For Freedom (unregistered) [Aleksandr MILINKEVICH]; Lenin Communist Union of Youth (youth wing of the Belarusian Party of Communists or PKB); National Strike Committee of Entrepreneurs [Aleksandr VASILYEV, Valery LEVONEVSKY]; Partnership NGO [Nikolay ASTREYKA]; Perspektiva kiosk watchdog NGO [Anatol SHUMCHENKO]; Vyasna [Ales BYALATSKY]; Women's Independent Democratic Movement [Ludmila PETINA]; Youth Front (Malady Front) [Dmitriy DASHKEVICH, Sergey BAKHUN]; Zubr youth group [Vladimir KOBETS] BSEC (observer), CEI, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Ambassador Mikhail KHVOSTOV 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 986-1604 [1] (202) 986-1805 New York Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jonathan MOORE 46 Starovilenskaya Street, Minsk 220002 PSC 78, Box B Minsk, APO 09723 [375] (17) 210-12-83, 217-7347, 217-7348 [375] (17) 234-7853 red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side bears Belarusian national ornamentation in red Belarus has seen little structural reform since 1995, when President LUKASHENKO launched the country on the path of "market socialism." In keeping with this policy, LUKASHENKO reimposed administrative controls over prices and currency exchange rates and expanded the state's right to intervene in the management of private enterprises. Since 2005, the government has re-nationalized a number of private companies. In addition, businesses have been subject to pressure by central and local governments, e.g., arbitrary changes in regulations, numerous rigorous inspections, retroactive application of new business regulations, and arrests of "disruptive" businessmen and factory owners. A wide range of redistributive policies has helped those at the bottom of the ladder; the Gini coefficient is among the lowest in the world. Because of these restrictive economic policies, Belarus has had trouble attracting foreign investment. Nevertheless, GDP growth has been strong in recent years, reaching nearly 7% in 2007, despite the roadblocks of a tough, centrally directed economy with a high, but decreasing, rate of inflation. Belarus receives heavily discounted oil and natural gas from Russia and much of Belarus' growth can be attributed to the re-export of Russian oil at market prices. Trade with Russia - by far its largest single trade partner - decreased in 2007, largely as a result of a change in the way the Value Added Tax (VAT) on trade was collected. Russia has introduced an export duty on oil shipped to Belarus, which will increase gradually through 2009, and a requirement that Belarusian duties on re-exported Russian oil be shared with Russia - 80% will go to Russia in 2008, and 85% in 2009. Russia also increased Belarusian natural gas prices from $47 per thousand cubic meters (tcm) to $100 per tcm in 2007, and plans to increase prices gradually to world levels by 2011. Russia's recent policy of bringing energy prices for Belarus to world market levels may result in a slowdown in economic growth in Belarus over the next few years. Some policy measures, including tightening of fiscal and monetary policies, improving energy efficiency, and diversifying exports, have been introduced, but external borrowing has been the main mechanism used to manage the growing pressures on the economy. $103.5 billion (2007 est.) $44.77 billion (2007 est.) 8.2% (2007 est.) $10,600 (2007 est.) 8.7% 40.6% 50.6% (2007 est.) 4.3 million (31 December 2005) 14% 34.7% 51.3% (2003 est.) 1.6% officially registered unemployed; large number of underemployed workers (2005) 27.1% (2003 est.) 3.4% 23.5% (2002) 29.7 (2002) 8.4% (2007 est.) 30.8% of GDP (2007 est.) $20.75 billion $20.87 billion (2007 est.) grain, potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, flax; beef, milk metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earthmovers, motorcycles, televisions, synthetic fibers, fertilizer, textiles, radios, refrigerators 5% (2007 est.) 29.91 billion kWh (2006 est.) 30.43 billion kWh (2006 est.) 5.789 billion kWh (2006 est.) 10.15 billion kWh (2006 est.) 33,700 bbl/day (2007 est.) 179,700 bbl/day (2006 est.) 256,400 bbl/day (2005 est.) 394,100 bbl/day (2005 est.) 198 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 164 million cu m (2007 est.) 21.76 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 21.6 billion cu m (2007 est.) 2.832 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) -$2.876 billion (2007 est.) $24.47 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals, textiles, foodstuffs Russia 36.5%, Netherlands 17.8%, UK 6.3%, Ukraine 6.1%, Poland 5%, Latvia 4.1% (2007) $28.32 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) mineral products, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, metals Russia 59.9%, Germany 7.6%, Ukraine 5.4% (2007) $4.266 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $7.347 billion (31 December 2007) $53.76 million (2005) Belarusian ruble (BYB/BYR) Belarusian rubles (BYB/BYR) per US dollar - 2,145 (2007), 2,144.6 (2006), 2,150 (2005), 2,160.26 (2004), 2,051.27 (2003) calendar year 3.672 million (2007) 5.96 million (2006) Belarus lags behind its neighbors in upgrading telecommunications infrastructure; state-owned Beltelcom is the sole provider of fixed-line local and long distance service; fixed-line teledensity of roughly 35 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density of about 60 per 100 persons; modernization of the network progressing with roughly two-thirds of switching equipment now digital fixed-line penetration is improving although rural areas continue to be underserved; 3 GSM wireless networks are experiencing rapid growth; strict government controls on telecommunications technologies 375 Belarus is a member of the Trans-European Line (TEL), Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line, and has access to the Trans-Siberia Line (TSL); 3 fiber-optic segments provide connectivity to Latvia, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine; worldwide service is available to Belarus through this infrastructure; additional analog lines to Russia; Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik earth stations (2007) 76: AM 28, FM 37, shortwave 11 (1998) 47 (plus 27 repeaters) (1995) .by 68,118 (2008) 6 million (2007) 67 (2007) 36 2 22 4 1 7 (2007) 31 1 1 2 27 (2007) 1 (2007) gas 5,250 km; oil 1,528 km; refined products 1,730 km (2007) 5,512 km 5,497 km 1.520-m gauge (874 km electrified) 15 km 1.435 m (2006) 94,797 km 84,028 km 10,769 km (2005) 2,500 km (use limited by location on perimeter of country and by shallowness) (2003) Mazyr Belarus Armed Forces: Land Force, Air and Air Defense Force (2008) 18-27 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2005) 16 2,491,643 16 2,528,779 (2008 est.) 16 1,727,974 16 2,093,106 (2008 est.) 64,232 60,788 (2008 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2005 est.) Boundary demarcated with Latvia and Lithuania in 2006; 1997 boundary delimitation treaty with Ukraine remains unratified over unresolved financial claims, preventing demarcation and diminishing border security limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for the domestic market; transshipment point for illicit drugs to and via Russia, and to the Baltics and Western Europe; a small and lightly regulated financial center; new anti-money-laundering legislation does not meet international standards; few investigations or prosecutions of money-laundering activities Belgium Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands 50 50 N 4 00 E Europe 30,528 sq km 30,278 sq km 250 sq km about the size of Maryland 1,385 km France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km 66.5 km 12 nm 24 nm geographic coordinates define outer limit median line with neighbors temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast North Sea 0 m Signal de Botrange 694 m construction materials, silica sand, carbonates 27.42% 0.69% 71.89% includes Luxembourg (2005) 400 sq km (2003) flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) had slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges 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, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements crossroads of Western Europe; most West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO 10,403,951 (July 2008 est.) 16.3% (male 864,287/female 828,435) 66.3% (male 3,476,802/female 3,416,383) 17.5% (male 751,745/female 1,066,299) (2008 est.) 41.4 years 40.2 years 42.7 years (2008 est.) 0.106% (2008 est.) 10.22 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 10.38 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.7 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births 5.06 deaths/1,000 live births 3.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 79.07 years 75.9 years 82.38 years (2008 est.) 1.65 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.2% (2003 est.) 10,000 (2003 est.) fewer than 100 (2003 est.) Belgian(s) Belgian Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11% Roman Catholic 75%, other (includes Protestant) 25% Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French) age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 99% (2003 est.) Kingdom of Belgium Belgium Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie Belgique/Belgie federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy Brussels 50 50 N 4 20 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch: provincies, singular - provincie) and 3 regions* (French: regions; Dutch: gewesten); Brussels* (Bruxelles) capital region; Flanders* region (five provinces): Antwerpen (Antwerp), Limburg, Oost-Vlaanderen (East Flanders), Vlaams-Brabant (Flemish Brabant), West-Vlaanderen (West Flanders); Wallonia* region (five provinces): Brabant Wallon (Walloon Brabant), Hainaut, Liege, Luxembourg, Namur as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities 4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the throne) 21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King LEOPOLD I 7 February 1831; amended many times; revised 14 July 1993 to create a federal state based on civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal and compulsory King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch Prime Minister Yves LETERME (20 March 2008) Council of Ministers are formally appointed by the monarch the monarchy is hereditary and constitutional; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by parliament bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected by popular vote, 31 are indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 10 June 2007 (next to be held no later than June 2011) Senate - percent of vote by party - CDV/N-VA 19.4%, Open VLD 12.4%, MR 12.3%, VB 11.9%, PS 10.2%, SP.A-Spirit 10%, CDH 5.9%, Ecolo 5.8%, Groen! 3.6%, Dedecker List 3.4%, FN 2.3%, other 2.8%; seats by party - CDV/N-VA 9, Open VLD 5, MR 6, VB 5, PS 4, SP.A-Spririt 4, CDH 2, Ecolo 2, Groen! 1, Dedecker List 1, FN 1 (note - there are also 31 indirectly elected senators); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - CDV/N-VA 18.5%, MR 12.5%, VB 12%, Open VLD 11.8%, PS 10.9%, SP.A-Spirit 10.3%, CDH 6.1%, Ecolo 5.1%, Dedecker List 4%, Groen! 4%, FN 2%, other 2.8%; seats by party - CDV/N-VA 30, MR 23, VB 17, Open VLD 18, PS 20, SP.A-Spirit 14, CDH 10, Ecolo 8, Dedecker List 5, Groen! 4, FN 1 as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments each with its own legislative assembly Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the government; candidacies have to be submitted by the High Justice Council) Christian Democratic and Flemish or CDV [Marianne THYSSEN]; Dedecker List [Jean-Marie DEDECKER]; Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD [Bart SOMERS]; Groen! [Mieke VOGELS] (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens); New Flemish Alliance or N-VA [Bart DE WEVER]; Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A [Caroline GENNEZ]; VlaamsProgressieven (Flemish Progressives) or VP [Bettina GEYSEN] - formerly Spirit; Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Bruno VALKENIERS] Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX, Isabelle DURANT, Claude BROUIR]; Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH [Joelle MILQUET]; National Front or FN [Daniel HUYGENS]; Reform Movement or MR [Didier REYNDERS]; Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; other minor parties Christian, Socialist, and Liberal Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants ACCT, ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Ambassador Dominique STRUYE DE SWIELANDE 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 333-6900 [1] (202) 333-3079 Los Angeles, New York Atlanta Ambassador Sam FOX 27 Boulevard du Regent [Regentlaan], B-1000 Brussels PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710 [32] (2) 508-2111 [32] (2) 511-2725 three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red the design was based on the flag of France This modern, private-enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Roughly three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt is more than 85% of GDP. On the positive side, the government has succeeded in balancing its budget, and income distribution is relatively equal. Belgium began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply because of the global economic slowdown, with moderate recovery in 2004-07. Economic growth and foreign direct investment are expected to slow down in 2008, due to credit tightening, falling consumer and business confidence, and above average inflation. However, with the successful negotiation of the 2008 budget and devolution of power within the government, political tensions seem to be easing and could lead to an improvement in the economic outlook for 2008. $376.5 billion (2007 est.) $453.6 billion (2007 est.) 2.8% (2007 est.) $36,200 (2007 est.) 1.1% 24.5% 74.4% (2007 est.) 4.94 million (2007 est.) 2% 25% 73% (2007 est.) 7.5% (2007 est.) 15.2% (2007 est.) 3.4% 28.4% (2006) 28 (2005) 1.8% (2007 est.) 21.3% of GDP (2007 est.) $220.1 billion $221 billion (2007 est.) 84.6% of GDP (2007 est.) sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum 2.8% (2007 est.) 82.94 billion kWh (2007 est.) 85.54 billion kWh (2006 est.) 9.035 billion kWh (2007 est.) 15.78 billion kWh (2007 est.) 8,671 bbl/day (2007 est.) 628,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) 528,700 bbl/day (2005) 1.119 million bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 17.39 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 17.34 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006) $3.282 billion (2007 est.) $322.2 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs Germany 19.5%, France 16.7%, Netherlands 11.9%, UK 7.6%, US 5.7%, Italy 5.2% (2007) $323.2 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products Germany 17.7%, Netherlands 17.6%, France 11.2%, UK 6.2%, US 5.4%, Ireland 4.9%, China 4.1% (2007) $16.51 billion (2007 est.) $1.313 trillion (30 June 2007) ODA, $1.978 billion (2006) euro (EUR) euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003) calendar year 4.668 million (2007) 10.23 million (2007) highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network 32 landing point for a number of submarine cables that provide links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat - 3) (2007) 87: AM 7, FM 79, shortwave 1 (1998) 25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997) .be 3.841 million (2008) 5.22 million (2007) 43 (2007) 27 6 7 4 1 9 (2007) 16 1 15 (2007) 1 (2007) gas 1,562 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2007) 3,536 km 3,536 km 1.435-m gauge (2,950 km electrified) (2006) 152,256 km 119,079 km (includes 1,763 km of expressways) 33,177 km (2006) 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2006) 79 bulk carrier 20, cargo 9, chemical tanker 1, container 6, liquefied gas 20, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off 10 6 (Denmark 4, France 2) 111 (Bahamas 15, Cyprus 2, France 6, Gibraltar 2, Greece 16, Hong Kong 3, Liberia 4, Luxembourg 7, Malta 15, Mozambique 2, Netherlands 2, Netherlands Antilles 1, Panama 2, Portugal 1, Portugal 7, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 8, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 8, Vanuatu 4) (2008) Antwerp, Gent, Liege, Zeebrugge Belgian Armed Forces: Land Operations Command, Naval Operations Command, Air Operations Command (2008) 18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription suspended (2008) 16 2,407,128 16 2,340,039 (2008 est.) 16 1,973,167 16 1,915,990 (2008 est.) 64,659 61,881 (2008 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2005 est.) none growing producer of synthetic drugs and cannabis; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; despite a strengthening of legislation, the country remains vulnerable to money laundering related to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco; significant domestic consumption of ecstasy Belize Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1854. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. Current concerns include an unsustainable foreign debt, high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, growing urban crime, and increasing incidences of HIV/AIDS. Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico 17 15 N 88 45 W Central America and the Caribbean 22,966 sq km 22,806 sq km 160 sq km slightly smaller than Massachusetts 516 km Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km 386 km 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for negotiating a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala 200 nm tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May) flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south Caribbean Sea 0 m Doyle's Delight 1,160 m arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower 3.05% 1.39% 95.56% (2005) 30 sq km (2003) frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south) deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean 301,270 (July 2008 est.) 38.4% (male 58,987/female 56,674) 58.1% (male 88,521/female 86,450) 3.5% (male 5,095/female 5,543) (2008 est.) 20.1 years 20 years 20.3 years (2008 est.) 2.207% (2008 est.) 27.84 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 5.77 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 23.65 deaths/1,000 live births 26.35 deaths/1,000 live births 20.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 68.19 years 66.39 years 70.08 years (2008 est.) 3.44 children born/woman (2008 est.) 2.4% (2003 est.) 3,600 (2003 est.) fewer than 200 (2003 est.) intermediate bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever and malaria leptospirosis (2008) Belizean(s) Belizean mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7% (2000 census) Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Pentecostal 7.4%, Anglican 5.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Mennonite 4.1%, Methodist 3.5%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), other 14%, none 9.4% (2000) Spanish 46%, Creole 32.9%, Mayan dialects 8.9%, English 3.9% (official), Garifuna 3.4% (Carib), German 3.3%, other 1.4%, unknown 0.2% (2000 census) age 15 and over can read and write 76.9% 76.7% 77.1% (2000 census) none Belize British Honduras parliamentary democracy Belmopan 17 15 N 88 46 W UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo 21 September 1981 (from UK) Independence Day, 21 September (1981) 21 September 1981 English law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG, Sr. (since 17 November 1993) Prime Minister Dean BARROW (since 8 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar VEGA (since 12 February 2008) Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 seats; members appointed by the governor general - 6 on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1 each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; to serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (31 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) House of Representatives - last held 6 February 2008 (next to be held in 2013) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UDP 25, PUP 6 Supreme Court of Judicature (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal National Alliance for Belizean Rights or NABR; National Reform Party or NRP [Cornelius DUECK]; People's National Party or PNP [Wil MAHEIA]; People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean BARROW]; Vision Inspired by the People or VIP [Paul MORGAN]; We the People Reform Movement or WTP [Hipolito BAUTISTA] Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Gustavo PERERA]; Association of Concerned Belizeans or ACB [David VASQUEZ]; National Trade Union Congress of Belize or NTUC/B [Rene GOMEZ] ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Nestor MENDEZ 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 332-9636 [1] (202) 332-6888 Los Angeles Ambassador Robert J. DIETER Floral Park Road, Belmopan City, Cayo District P.O. Box 497, Belmopan City, Cayo District, Belize [501] 822-4011 [501] 822-4012 blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland In this small, essentially private-enterprise economy, tourism is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by exports of marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to sturdy GDP growth averaging nearly 4% in 1999-2007. Oil discoveries in 2006 bolstered the economic growth in 2006 and 2007. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit and unsustainable foreign debt. In February 2007, the government restructured nearly all of its public external commercial debt, which will reduce interest payments and relieve liquidity concerns. A key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty with the help of international donors. $2.444 billion (2007 est.) $1.274 billion (2007 est.) 2.2% (2007 est.) $7,900 (2007 est.) 21.3% 13.7% 65% (2007 est.) 113,000 shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (2006 est.) 22.5% 15.2% 62.3% (2005 est.) 9.4% (2006) 33.5% (2002 est.) 2.3% (2007 est.) 19.7% of GDP (2007 est.) $307 million $344 million (2007 est.) bananas, cacao, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber; garments garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil 0.5% (2007 est.) 213.5 million kWh (2007 est.) 193.3 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 3,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) 7,000 bbl/day (2006 est.) 1,960 bbl/day (2006) 7,122 bbl/day (2005) 6.7 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) -$43 million (2007 est.) $429 million f.o.b. (2007 est.) sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood US 28.7%, UK 16.3%, Thailand 5.8%, Cote d'Ivoire 5.4%, Finland 4.2%, Spain 4% (2007) $642 million f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco US 31.2%, Mexico 13.6%, Cuba 8.5%, Guatemala 8%, Russia 4.6% (2007) $109 million (31 December 2007 est.) $1.2 billion (June 2005 est.) $12.91 million (2005) Belizean dollar (BZD) Belizean dollars (BZD) per US dollar - 2 (2007), 2 (2006), 2 (2005), 2 (2004), 2 (2003) 1 April - 31 March 33,900 (2007) 118,300 (2007) above-average system; fixed-line teledensity of 12 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density of about 40 per 100 persons trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay 501 landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 8 (Intelsat - 2, unknown - 6) (2007) 17: AM 1, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2006) 5 (2006) .bz 2,751 (2008) 32,000 (2007) 44 (2007) 4 1 1 2 (2007) 40 1 12 27 (2007) 3,007 km 575 km 2,432 km (2006) 825 km (navigable only by small craft) (2007) 216 barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 32, cargo 152, chemical tanker 2, container 1, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 12, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 1 178 (Australia 1, China 71, Croatia 2, Cyprus 1, Estonia 6, Greece 1, Iceland 2, Italy 3, Japan 8, South Korea 1, Latvia 12, Norway 3, Peru 1, Russia 31, Singapore 2, Spain 1, Turkey 15, Ukraine 7, UAE 5, UK 5) (2008) Belize City, Big Creek Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, BDF Air Wing, BDF Volunteer Guard (2007) 18 years of age for voluntary military service; laws allow for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient; conscription has never been implemented; volunteers typically outnumber available positions by 3:1 (2008) 16 74,605 16 72,926 (2008 est.) 16 54,627 16 53,500 (2008 est.) 3,580 3,449 (2008 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2006) OAS-initiated Agreement on the Framework for Negotiations and Confidence Building Measures saw cooperation in repatriation of Guatemalan squatters and other areas, but Guatemalan land and maritime claims in Belize and the Caribbean Sea remain unresolved; the Line of Adjacency created under the 2002 Differendum serves in lieu of the contiguous international boundary to control squatting in the sparsely inhabited rain forests of Belize's border region; Honduras claims Belizean-administered Sapodilla Cays in its constitution but agreed to a joint ecological park under the Differendum transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis, primarily for local consumption; money-laundering activity related to narcotics trafficking and offshore sector Benin Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged. KEREKOU stepped down at the end of his second term in 2006 and was succeeded by Thomas YAYI Boni, a political outsider and independent. YAYI has begun a high profile fight against corruption and has strongly promoted accelerating Benin's economic growth. Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo 9 30 N 2 15 E Africa 112,620 sq km 110,620 sq km 2,000 sq km slightly smaller than Pennsylvania 1,989 km Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km 121 km 200 nm tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains Atlantic Ocean 0 m Mont Sokbaro 658 m small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber 23.53% 2.37% 74.1% (2005) 120 sq km (2003) hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands 8,532,547 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2008 est.) 45.5% (male 1,978,897/female 1,901,005) 51.9% (male 2,195,667/female 2,236,458) 2.6% (male 91,213/female 129,307) (2008 est.) 17.1 years 16.7 years 17.6 years (2008 est.) 3.01% (2008 est.) 39.8 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 9.69 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.7 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 66.2 deaths/1,000 live births 69.68 deaths/1,000 live births 62.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 58.56 years 57.42 years 59.76 years (2008 est.) 5.58 children born/woman (2008 est.) 1.9% (2003 est.) 68,000 (2003 est.) 5,800 (2003 est.) very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and yellow fever meningococcal meningitis (2008) Beninese (singular and plural) Beninese Fon and related 39.2%, Adja and related 15.2%, Yoruba and related 12.3%, Bariba and related 9.2%, Peulh and related 7%, Ottamari and related 6.1%, Yoa-Lokpa and related 4%, Dendi and related 2.5%, other 1.6% (includes Europeans), unspecified 2.9% (2002 census) Christian 42.8% (Catholic 27.1%, Celestial 5%, Methodist 3.2%, other Protestant 2.2%, other 5.3%), Muslim 24.4%, Vodoun 17.3%, other 15.5% (2002 census) French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north) age 15 and over can read and write 34.7% 47.9% 23.3% (2002 census) Republic of Benin Benin Republique du Benin Benin Dahomey republic Porto-Novo (official capital) 6 29 N 2 37 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Cotonou (seat of government) 12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou 1 August 1960 (from France) National Day, 1 August (1960) adopted by referendum 2 December 1990 based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006) Council of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); runoff election held 19 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2011) Thomas YAYI Boni elected president; percent of vote - Thomas YAYI Boni 74.5%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI 25.5% unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 31 March 2007 (next to be held by March 2011) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FCBE 35, ADD 20, PRD 10, other and independents 18 Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice Alliance for Dynamic Democracy or ADD; Alliance of Progress Forces or AFP; African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Benin Renaissance or RB [Rosine SOGLO]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Force Cowrie for an Emerging Benin or FCBE; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD [Theophile NATA]; Key Force or FC [Lazare SÈHOUÉTO]; Movement for the People's Alternative or MAP [Olivier CAPO-CHICHI]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Dominique HOUNGNINOU]; Social Democrat Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Union for the Relief or UPR [Issa SALIFOU]; Union for Democracy and National Solidarity or UDS [Sacca LAFIA] approximately 20 additional minor parties economic groups; environmentalists; political groups; teachers' unions and other educational groups ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 232-6656 [1] (202) 265-1996 Ambassador Gayleatha B. BROWN Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou [229] 21-30-06-50 [229] 21-30-03-84 two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a vertical green band on the hoist side The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output has averaged around 5% in the past seven years, but rapid population growth has offset much of this increase. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and communication technology. Specific projects to improve the business climate by reforms to the land tenure system, the commercial justice system, and the financial sector were included in Benin's $307 million Millennium Challenge Account grant signed in February 2006. The 2001 privatization policy continues in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture though the government annulled the privatization of Benin's state cotton company in November 2007 after the discovery of irregularities in the bidding process. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, with Benin benefiting from a G8 debt reduction announced in July 2005, while pressing for more rapid structural reforms. An insufficient electrical supply continues to adversely affect Benin's economic growth though the government recently has taken steps to increase domestic power production. $12 billion (2007 est.) $5.433 billion (2007 est.) 4.5% (2007 est.) $1,400 (2007 est.) 33.2% 14.5% 52.3% (2007 est.) 5.38 million (2007 est.) 37.4% (2007 est.) 3.1% 29% (2003) 36.5 (2003) 1.3% (2007 est.) 19.3% of GDP (2007 est.) $959.2 million $1.211 billion (2007 est.) cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, cashews; livestock textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement 4.5% (2007 est.) 120 million kWh (2006 est.) 595 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 590 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 9,232 bbl/day (2007 est.) 6,484 bbl/day (2005) 16,830 bbl/day (2007 est.) 8 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 1.133 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) -$441 million (2007 est.) $586 million f.o.b. (2007 est.) cotton, cashews, shea butter, textiles, palm products, seafood China 24.7%, India 8.2%, Niger 6.6%, Togo 5.4%, Nigeria 5.3%, Belgium 4.6% (2007) $1.085 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products China 44.5%, France 8.2%, US 6.5%, Thailand 6.3%, Malaysia 4.8% (2007) $1.209 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $1.2 billion (2007) $374.7 million (2006) Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003) since 1 January 1999, the XOF franc has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF francs per euro calendar year 110,300 (2007) 1.895 million (2007) inadequate; fixed-line network characterized by aging, deteriorating equipment with fixed-line teledensity stuck at 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership is increasing system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections; multiple mobile-cellular providers 229 landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat-Atlantic Ocean) (2007) 36: AM 1, FM 34, shortwave 1 (2007) 6 (2007) .bj 848 (2008) 150,000 (2007) 5 (2007) 1 1 (2007) 4 1 1 2 (2007) 758 km 758 km 1.000-m gauge (2006) 16,000 km 1,400 km 14,600 km (2006) 150 km (on River Niger along northern border) (2005) Cotonou Benin Armed Forces (FAB): Army (l'Arme de Terre), Benin Navy (Forces Navales Beninois, FNB), Benin People's Air Force (Force Aerienne Populaire de Benin, FAPB) (2008) 21 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; in practice, volunteers may be taken at the age of 18; both sexes are eligible for military service; conscript tour of duty - 18 months (2006) 16 1,908,457 16 1,882,421 (2008 est.) 16 1,173,742 16 1,162,113 (2008 est.) 97,543 94,008 (2008 est.) 1.7% of GDP (2006) in September 2007, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) intervened to attempt to resolve the dispute over two villages along the Benin-Burkina Faso border that remain from 2005 ICJ decision; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated; in 2005, Nigeria ceded thirteen villages to Benin, but border relations remain strained by rival cross-border gang clashes; talks continue between Benin and Togo on funding the Adjrala hydroelectric dam on the Mona River 9,444 (Togo) (2007) transshipment point used by Nigerian traffickers for narcotics destined for Western Europe; vulnerable to money laundering due to poorly enforced financial regulations Bermuda Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. Although a referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995, the present government has reopened debate on the issue. North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South Carolina (US) 32 20 N 64 45 W North America 53.3 sq km 53.3 sq km 0 sq km about one-third the size of Washington, DC 0 km 103 km 12 nm 200 nm subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter low hills separated by fertile depressions Atlantic Ocean 0 m Town Hill 76 m limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism 20% 0% 80% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (2005) hurricanes (June to November) sustainable development consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995 66,536 (July 2008 est.) 18% (male 6,055/female 5,954) 69.1% (male 22,795/female 23,189) 12.8% (male 3,728/female 4,815) (2008 est.) 41 years 40.1 years 41.8 years (2008 est.) 0.546% (2008 est.) 11.15 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 7.98 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 2.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.02 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 7.87 deaths/1,000 live births 9.31 deaths/1,000 live births 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 78.3 years 76.15 years 80.48 years (2008 est.) 1.88 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.297% (2005) 163 (2005) 392 (2005) Bermudian(s) Bermudian black 54.8%, white 34.1%, mixed 6.4%, other races 4.3%, unspecified 0.4% (2000 census) Anglican 23%, Roman Catholic 15%, African Methodist Episcopal 11%, other Protestant 18%, other 12%, unaffiliated 6%, unspecified 1%, none 14% (2000 census) English (official), Portuguese age 15 and over can read and write 98% 98% 99% (2005 est.) none Bermuda Somers Islands overseas territory of the UK parliamentary; self-governing territory Hamilton 32 17 N 64 47 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November 9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick none (overseas territory of the UK) Bermuda Day, 24 May 8 June 1968; amended 1989 and 2003 English law 18 years of age; universal Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Sir Richard GOZNEY (since 12 December 2007) Premier Ewart BROWN (since 30 October 2006); Deputy Premier Paula COX Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; members appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve up to five-year terms) last general election held 18 December 2007 (next to be held not later than 2012) percent of vote by party - PLP 52.5%, UBP 47.3%; seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14 Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Ewart BROWN]; United Bermuda Party or UBP [Kim SWAN] Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Union or BPSU [Ed BALL]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES] Caricom (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC, UPU, WCO, WFTU none (overseas territory of the UK) Consul General Gregory W. SLAYTON Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3 P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, US Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300 [1] (441) 295-1342 [1] (441) 295-1592, [1] (441) 296-9233 red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag Bermuda enjoys the third highest per capita income in the world, more than 50% higher than that of the US. Its economy is primarily based on providing financial services for international business and luxury facilities for tourists. A number of reinsurance companies relocated to the island following the 11 September 2001 attacks and again after Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, contributing to the expansion of an already robust international business sector. Bermuda's tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors from the US - continues to struggle but remains the island's number two industry. Most capital equipment and food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is small, although construction continues to be important; the average cost of a house in June 2003 had risen to $976,000. Agriculture is limited with only 20% of the land being arable. $4.5 billion (2004 est.) $NA 4.6% (2004 est.) $69,900 (2004 est.) 1% 10% 89% (2002 est.) 38,360 (2004) agriculture and fishing 3%, laborers 17%, clerical 19%, professional and technical 21%, administrative and managerial 15%, sales 7%, services 19% (2004 est.) 2.1% (2004 est.) 19% (2000) 2.8% (November 2005) $738 million $665 million (FY04/05) bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products, honey international business, tourism, light manufacturing 675.6 million kWh (2007 est.) 619.8 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 4,566 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 4,378 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) $763 million (2006) reexports of pharmaceuticals Spain 13.8%, Germany 11.7%, Switzerland 8.8%, Denmark 6.6%, UK 6% (2007) $1.162 billion (2006) clothing, fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals, food and live animals South Korea 36.4%, US 15.7%, Germany 13.2%, Italy 11.8% (2007) $160 million (FY99/00) $90,000 (2004) Bermudian dollar (BMD) Bermudian dollars (BMD) per US dollar - 1.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar) 1 April - 31 March 57,700 (2006) 60,100 (2006) good fully automatic digital telephone system; fiber optic trunk lines 441 landing point for the Atlantica-1 telecommunications submarine cable that extends from the US to Brazil; satellite earth stations - 3 (2007) 8: AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2005) 3 (2005) .bm 1,628 (2008) 48,000 (2007) 1 (2007) 1 1 (2007) 447 km 447 km public roads - 225 km; private roads - 222 km (2007) 137 bulk carrier 23, chemical tanker 3, container 22, liquefied gas 33, passenger 24, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 9 115 (Australia 1, China 10, France 1, Germany 22, Greece 9, Hong Kong 4, Ireland 1, Israel 3, Japan 2, Nigeria 11, Norway 5, Sweden 20, UK 3, US 23) 50 (Bahamas 12, Marshall Islands 4, Philippines 34) (2008) Hamilton, Saint George Bermuda Regiment (2008) 18-23 years of age; eligible men required to register for conscription as needed into the Bermuda Regiment, which is largely voluntary; term of service 39 months (2007) 16 15,623 (2008 est.) 16 12,682 (2008 est.) 426 445 (2008 est.) 0.11% of GDP (2005 est.) defense is the responsibility of the UK none Bhutan In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land to British India. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. A refugee issue of over 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of the refugees are housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the government's draft constitution - which would introduce major democratic reforms - and pledged to hold a national referendum for its approval. In December 2006, the King abdicated the throne to his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK, in order to give him experience as head of state before the democratic transition. In early 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty to allow Bhutan greater autonomy in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate policy decisions in this area with New Delhi. In July 2007, seven ministers of Bhutan's ten-member cabinet resigned to join the political process, and the cabinet acted as a caretaker regime until democratic elections for seats to the country's first parliament were completed in March 2008. The king ratified the country's first constitution in July 2008. Southern Asia, between China and India 27 30 N 90 30 E Asia 47,000 sq km 47,000 sq km 0 sq km about one-half the size of Indiana 1,075 km China 470 km, India 605 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna Drangme Chhu 97 m Kula Kangri 7,553 m timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate 2.3% 0.43% 97.27% (2005) 400 sq km (2003) violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name, which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season soil erosion; limited access to potable water Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes Law of the Sea landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes 682,321 the Factbook population estimate is consistent with the first modern census of Bhutan, conducted in 2005; previous Factbook population estimates for this country, which were on the order of three times the total population reported here, were based on Bhutanese government publications that did not include the census (July 2008 est.) 30.8% (male 107,360/female 103,093) 63.7% (male 231,323/female 203,649) 5.4% (male 19,561/female 17,335) (2008 est.) 23.5 years 24.1 years 22.8 years (2008 est.) 1.301% (2008 est.) 20.56 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 7.54 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.14 male(s)/female 1.13 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 51.92 deaths/1,000 live births 53.1 deaths/1,000 live births 50.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 65.53 years 64.75 years 66.35 years (2008 est.) 2.48 children born/woman (2008 est.) less than 0.1% (2001 est.) fewer than 100 (1999 est.) intermediate bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria leptospirosis (2008) Bhutanese (singular and plural) Bhutanese Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15% Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects age 15 and over can read and write 47% 60% 34% (2003 est.) Kingdom of Bhutan Bhutan Druk Gyalkhap Druk Yul in transition to constitutional monarchy; special treaty relationship with India Thimphu 27 29 N 89 36 E UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 20 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Gasa, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Tashi Yangtse, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang 1907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king) National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907) ratified 23 July 2008 based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal King Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK (since 14 December 2006); note - King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK abdicated the throne on 14 December 2006 and his son immediately succeeded him Prime Minister Jigme THINLEY (since 9 April 2008) Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) nominated by the monarch, approved by the National Assembly; members serve fixed, five-year terms; note - there is also a Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde), members nominated by the monarch the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reforms in July 1998 grant the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote; election of a new National Assembly occurred in March 2008; the leader of the majority party is nominated as the prime minister new bicameral Parliament consists of the non-partisan National Council (25 seats; 20 members elected by each of the 20 electoral districts (dzongkhags) for four-year terms and 5 members nominated by the King); and the National Assembly (47 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote for five-year terms) National Council elections last held on 31 December 2007 and 29 January 2008 (next to be held by December 2012); National Assembly elections last held on 24 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2013) National Council - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - DPT 67%, PDP 33%; seats by party - DPT 45, PDP 2 Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch); note - the draft constitution establishes a Supreme Court, which will serve as chief court of appeal Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party (Druk Phuensum Tshogpa) or DPT [Jigme THINLEY]; People's Democratic Party or PDP [Sangay NGEDUP] United Front for Democracy (exiled) Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community ADB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) none; note - the Permanent Mission to the UN for Bhutan has consular jurisdiction in the US; address: 763 First Avenue, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 682-2268; FAX [1] (212) 661-0551 New York the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India) divided diagonally from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than 60% of the population. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and dependence on India's financial assistance. The industrial sector is technologically backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Model education, social, and environment programs are underway with support from multilateral development organizations. Each economic program takes into account the government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. For example, the government, in its cautious expansion of the tourist sector, encourages visits by upscale, environmentally conscientious tourists. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas such as industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. Hydropower exports to India had a major impact on growth in 2007. $3.359 billion (2007 est.) $1.308 billion (2007 est.) 22.4% (2007 est.) $5,200 (2007 est.) 22.3% 37.9% 39.8% (2006) NA major shortage of skilled labor 63% 6% 31% (2004 est.) 2.5% (2004) 31.7% (2003) 4.9% (2007 est.) $272 million $350 million the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures (2005) 81.4% of GDP (2004) rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide, tourism 9.3% (1996 est.) 4.475 billion kWh (2007 est.) 528.8 million kWh (2007 est.) 3.644 billion kWh (2007 est.) 11 million kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 1,250 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 1,152 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) $116 million (2007 est.) $350 million f.o.b. (2006) electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices India 58.6%, Hong Kong 30.1%, Bangladesh 7.3% (2007) $320 million c.i.f. (2006) fuel and lubricants, grain, aircraft, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice India 74.5%, Japan 7.4%, Sweden 3.2% (2007) $713.3 million (2006) $941.2 million; note - substantial aid from India (2006) ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR) ngultrum (BTN) per US dollar - 41.487 (2007), 45.279 (2006), 44.101 (2005), 45.317 (2004), 46.583 (2003) the ngultrum is pegged to the Indian rupee 1 July - 30 June 29,900 (2007) 149,400 (2007) urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services very low teledensity; domestic service is very poor especially in rural areas; wireless service available since 2003 975 international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2007) 10: AM 0, FM 9, shortwave 1 (2007) 1 (2007) .bt 9,046 (2008) 40,000 (2007) 2 (2007) 1 1 (2007) 1 1 (2007) 8,050 km 4,991 km 3,059 km (2003) Royal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard and Royal Bhutan Police) (2008) 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) 16 190,104 16 167,289 (2008 est.) 16 146,063 16 131,193 (2008 est.) 7,847 7,530 (2008 est.) 1% of GDP (2005 est.) Bhutan cooperates with India to expel Indian Nagaland separatists; lacking any treaty describing the boundary, Bhutan and China continue negotiations to establish a common boundary alignment to resolve territorial disputes arising from substantial cartographic discrepancies, the largest of which lie in Bhutan's northwest and along the Chumbi salient Bolivia Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and countercoups. Democratic civilian rule was established in 1982, but leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and illegal drug production. In December 2005, Bolivians elected Movement Toward Socialism leader Evo MORALES president - by the widest margin of any leader since the restoration of civilian rule in 1982 - after he ran on a promise to change the country's traditional political class and empower the nation's poor majority. However, since taking office, his controversial strategies have exacerbated racial and economic tensions between the Amerindian populations of the Andean west and the non-indigenous communities of the eastern lowlands. Central South America, southwest of Brazil 17 00 S 65 00 W South America 1,098,580 sq km 1,084,390 sq km 14,190 sq km slightly less than three times the size of Montana 6,940 km Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,423 km, Chile 860 km, Paraguay 750 km, Peru 1,075 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin Rio Paraguay 90 m Nevado Sajama 6,542 m tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower 2.78% 0.19% 97.03% (2005) 1,320 sq km (2003) flooding in the northeast (March-April) the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the international demand for tropical timber are contributing to deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification; loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used for drinking and irrigation 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 Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru 9,247,816 (July 2008 est.) 33.5% (male 1,580,887/female 1,519,960) 61.8% (male 2,800,457/female 2,912,375) 4.7% (male 192,701/female 241,436) (2008 est.) 22.6 years 21.9 years 23.3 years (2008 est.) 1.383% (2008 est.) 22.31 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 7.35 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -1.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 49.09 deaths/1,000 live births 52.54 deaths/1,000 live births 45.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 66.53 years 63.86 years 69.33 years (2008 est.) 2.67 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.1% (2003 est.) 4,900 (2003 est.) fewer than 500 (2003 est.) high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever leptospirosis (2008) Bolivian(s) Bolivian Quechua 30%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry) 30%, Aymara 25%, white 15% Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist) 5% Spanish 60.7% (official), Quechua 21.2% (official), Aymara 14.6% (official), foreign languages 2.4%, other 1.2% (2001 census) age 15 and over can read and write 86.7% 93.1% 80.7% (2001 census) Republic of Bolivia Bolivia Republica de Bolivia Bolivia republic La Paz (administrative capital) 16 30 S 68 09 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Sucre (constitutional capital) 9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Beni, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija 6 August 1825 (from Spain) Independence Day, 6 August (1825) 2 February 1967; revised in August 1994; possible referendum on new constitution to be held in 2008 based on Spanish law and Napoleonic Code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age, universal and compulsory (married); 21 years of age, universal and compulsory (single) President Juan Evo MORALES Ayma (since 22 January 2006); Vice President Alvaro GARCIA Linera (since 22 January 2006); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Juan Evo MORALES Ayma (since 22 January 2006); Vice President Alvaro GARCIA Linera (since 22 January 2006) Cabinet appointed by the president president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held 18 December 2005 (next to be held in 2010) Juan Evo MORALES Ayma elected president; percent of vote - Juan Evo MORALES Ayma 53.7%; Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramirez 28.6%; Samuel DORIA MEDINA Arana 7.8%; Michiaki NAGATANI Morishit 6.5%; Felipe QUISPE Huanca 2.2%; Guildo ANGULA Cabrera 0.7% bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (27 seats; members are elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130 seats; 70 members are directly elected from their districts and 60 are elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year terms) Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies - last held 18 December 2005 (next to be held in 2010) Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PODEMOS 13, MAS 12, UN 1, MNR 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MAS 73, PODEMOS 43, UN 8, MNR 6 Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges appointed for 10-year terms by National Congress); District Courts (one in each department); provincial and local courts (to try minor cases); Constitutional Tribunal (five primary or titulares and five alternate or suplente magistrates appointed by Congress; to rule on constitutional issues); National Electoral Court (six members elected by Congress, Supreme Court, the President, and the political party with the highest vote in the last election for 4-year terms) Free Bolivia Movement or MBL [Franz BARRIOS]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Juan Evo MORALES Ayma]; Movement Without Fear or MSM [Juan DEL GRANADO]; National Revolutionary Movement or MNR [Mirta QUEVEDO]; National Unity [Samuel DORIA MEDINA Arana]; Poder Democratico Nacional or PODEMOS [Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramirez]; Social Alliance [Rene JOAQUINO] Sole Confederation of Campesino Workers of Bolivia or CSUTCB Cocalero groups; indigenous organizations; labor unions CAN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINURCAT, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Erika DUENAS 3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 483-4410 [1] (202) 328-3712 Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Oklahoma City, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, DC Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Krishna URS Avenida Arce 2780, Casilla 425, La Paz P. O. Box 425, La Paz; APO AA 34032 [591] (2) 216-8000 [591] (2) 216-8111 three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band Bolivia is one of the poorest and least developed countries in Latin America. Following a disastrous economic crisis during the early 1980s, reforms spurred private investment, stimulated economic growth, and cut poverty rates in the 1990s. The period 2003-05 was characterized by political instability, racial tensions, and violent protests against plans - subsequently abandoned - to export Bolivia's newly discovered natural gas reserves to large northern hemisphere markets. In 2005, the government passed a controversial hydrocarbons law that imposed significantly higher royalties and required foreign firms then operating under risk-sharing contracts to surrender all production to the state energy company, which was made the sole exporter of natural gas. The law also required that the state energy company regain control over the five companies that were privatized during the 1990s - a process that is still underway. In 2006, higher earnings for mining and hydrocarbons exports pushed the current account surplus to about 12% of GDP and the government's higher tax take produced a fiscal surplus after years of large deficits. Debt relief from the G8 - announced in 2005 - also has significantly reduced Bolivia's public sector debt burden. Private investment as a share of GDP, however, remains among the lowest in Latin America, and inflation reached double-digit levels in 2007. $39.75 billion (2007 est.) $13.19 billion (2007 est.) 4.6% (2007 est.) $4,400 (2007 est.) 14.5% 30.5% 55% (2006 est.) 4.377 million (2007 est.) 40% 17% 43% (2006 est.) 7.5% in urban areas; widespread underemployment (2007 est.) 60% (2006 est.) 0.3% 47.2% (2002) 59.2 (2006) 8.7% (2007 est.) 16.1% of GDP (2007 est.) $5.723 billion $5.495 billion (2007 est.) 46.3% of GDP (2007 est.) soybeans, coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes; timber mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing 1.1% (2007 est.) 5.668 billion kWh (2007 est.) 5.092 billion kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 61,790 bbl/day (2007 est.) 31,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) 18,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) 8,600 bbl/day (2007 est.) 465 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 14.7 billion cu m (2007 est.) 3 billion cu m (2007 est.) 11.7 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 750.4 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $1.796 billion (2007 est.) $4.49 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) natural gas, soybeans and soy products, crude petroleum, zinc ore, tin Brazil 46%, US 9.8%, Japan 7.6%, Argentina 5.8%, South Korea 4.8%, Peru 4.1% (2007) $3.249 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) petroleum products, plastics, paper, aircraft and aircraft parts, prepared foods, automobiles, insecticides, soybeans Brazil 29.9%, Argentina 16.2%, Chile 10.5%, US 9.8%, Peru 8.1% (2007) $5.318 billion (31 October 2007) $4.495 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $582.9 million (2005 est.) boliviano (BOB) bolivianos (BOB) per US dollar - 7.8616 (2007), 8.0159 (2006), 8.0661 (2005), 7.9363 (2004), 7.6592 (2003) calendar year 678,200 (2007) 3.254 million (2007) privatization begun in 1995; reliability has steadily improved; new subscribers face bureaucratic difficulties; most telephones are concentrated in La Paz and other cities; mobile-cellular telephone use expanding rapidly; fixed-line teledensity of 7 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density of 35 per 100 persons primary trunk system, which is being expanded, employs digital microwave radio relay; some areas are served by fiber-optic cable; mobile cellular systems are being expanded 591 satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) 321: AM 171, FM 73, shortwave 77 (1999) 48 (1997) .bo 68,428 (2008) 1 million (2007) 1,061 (2007) 16 4 4 5 3 (2007) 1,045 1 4 57 183 800 (2007) gas 4,860 km; liquid petroleum gas 47 km; oil 2,475 km; refined products 1,589 km; unknown (oil/water) 247 km (2007) 3,504 km 3,504 km 1.000-m gauge (2006) 62,479 km 3,749 km 58,730 km (2004) 10,000 km (commercially navigable) (2007) 23 bulk carrier 1, cargo 11, carrier 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 7, refrigerated cargo 1, specialized tanker 1 7 (Bahamas 1, China 1, Iran 1, Singapore 1, Syria 2, Taiwan 1) (2008) Puerto Aguirre (inland port on the Paraguay/Parana waterway at the Bolivia/Brazil border); Bolivia has free port privileges in maritime ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay Bolivian Armed Forces: Bolivian Army (Ejercito Boliviano), Bolivian Navy (Armada Boliviana; includes marines), Bolivian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana, FAB) (2008) 18 years of age for 12-month compulsory military service; when annual number of volunteers falls short of goal, compulsory recruitment is effected, including conscription of boys as young as 14; 15-19 years of age for voluntary premilitary service, provides exemption from further military service (2008) 16 2,295,746 16 2,366,828 (2008 est.) 16 1,600,219 16 1,815,514 (2008 est.) 107,051 103,620 (2008 est.) 1.9% of GDP (2006) Chile and Peru rebuff Bolivia's reactivated claim to restore the Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, but Chile offers instead unrestricted but not sovereign maritime access through Chile for Bolivian natural gas and other commodities; an accord placed the long-disputed Isla Suárez/Ilha de Guajará-Mirim, a fluvial island on the Río Mamoré, under Bolivian administration in 1958, but sovereignty remains in dispute world's third-largest cultivator of coca (after Colombia and Peru) with an estimated 29,500 hectares under cultivation in 2007, a slight increase over 2006; third largest producer of cocaine, estimated at 120 metric tons of potential pure cocaine in 2007; transit country for Peruvian and Colombian cocaine destined for Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Europe; cultivation generally increasing since 2000, despite eradication and alternative crop programs; weak border controls; some money-laundering activity related to narcotics trade, especially along the borders with Brazil and Paraguay; major cocaine consumption (2007) Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina's declaration of sovereignty in October 1991 was followed by a declaration of independence from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia and Montenegro - responded with armed resistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and joining Serb-held areas to form a "Greater Serbia." In March 1994, Bosniaks and Croats reduced the number of warring factions from three to two by signing an agreement creating a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed a peace agreement that brought to a halt three years of interethnic civil strife (the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995). The Dayton Peace Accords retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundaries and created a joint multi-ethnic and democratic government charged with conducting foreign, diplomatic, and fiscal policy. Also recognized was a second tier of government comprised of two entities roughly equal in size: the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS governments were charged with overseeing most government functions. The Office of the High Representative (OHR) was established to oversee the implementation of the civilian aspects of the agreement. In 1995-96, a NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops served in Bosnia to implement and monitor the military aspects of the agreement. IFOR was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) whose mission was to deter renewed hostilities. European Union peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) replaced SFOR in December 2004; their mission is to maintain peace and stability throughout the country. EUFOR's mission changed from peacekeeping to civil policing in October 2007, with its presence reduced from nearly 7,000 to 2,500 troops. Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia 44 00 N 18 00 E Europe 51,209.2 sq km 51,197 sq km 12.2 sq km slightly smaller than West Virginia 1,538 km Croatia 932 km, Montenegro 249 km, Serbia 357 km 20 km no data available hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coast mountains and valleys Adriatic Sea 0 m Maglic 2,386 m coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, cobalt, manganese, nickel, clay, gypsum, salt, sand, forests, hydropower 19.61% 1.89% 78.5% (2005) 30 sq km (2003) destructive earthquakes air pollution from metallurgical plants; sites for disposing of urban waste are limited; water shortages and destruction of infrastructure because of the 1992-95 civil strife; deforestation Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements within Bosnia and Herzegovina's recognized borders, the country is divided into a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation (about 51% of the territory) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska or RS (about 49% of the territory); the region called Herzegovina is contiguous to Croatia and Montenegro, and traditionally has been settled by an ethnic Croat majority in the west and an ethnic Serb majority in the east 4,590,310 (July 2008 est.) 14.7% (male 347,679/female 326,091) 70.6% (male 1,634,053/female 1,606,341) 14.7% (male 277,504/female 398,642) (2008 est.) 39.4 years 38.2 years 40.5 years (2008 est.) 0.666% (2008 est.) 8.82 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 8.54 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 6.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.07 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.7 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 9.34 deaths/1,000 live births 10.71 deaths/1,000 live births 7.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 78.33 years 74.74 years 82.19 years (2008 est.) 1.24 children born/woman (2008 est.) less than 0.1% (2001 est.) 900 (2003 est.) 100 (2001 est.) Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s) Bosnian, Herzegovinian Bosniak 48%, Serb 37.1%, Croat 14.3%, other 0.6% (2000) Bosniak has replaced Muslim as an ethnic term in part to avoid confusion with the religious term Muslim - an adherent of Islam Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Roman Catholic 15%, other 14% Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian age 15 and over can read and write 96.7% 99% 94.4% (2000 est.) none Bosnia and Herzegovina none Bosna i Hercegovina People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina emerging federal democratic republic Sarajevo 43 52 N 18 25 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 2 first-order administrative divisions and 1 internationally supervised district* - Brcko district (Brcko Distrikt)*, the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska; note - Brcko district is in northeastern Bosnia and is an administrative unit under the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina; the district remains under international supervision 1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia; referendum for independence completed 1 March 1992; independence declared 3 March 1992) National Day, 25 November (1943) the Dayton Agreement, signed 14 December 1995 in Paris, included a new constitution now in force; note - each of the entities also has its own constitution based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age, universal Chairman of the Presidency Nebojsa RADMANOVIC (chairman since 6 November 2008; presidency member since 1 October 2006 - Serb); other members of the three-member presidency rotating (every eight months): Haris SILAJDZIC (presidency member since 1 October 2006 - Bosniak); and Zeljko KOMSIC (presidency member since 1 October 2006 - Croat) Chairman of the Council of Ministers Nikola SPIRIC (since 11 January 2007) Council of Ministers nominated by the council chairman; approved by the National House of Representatives the three members of the presidency (one Bosniak, one Croat, one Serb) are elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term, but then ineligible for four years); the chairmanship rotates every eight months and resumes where it left off following each national election; election last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in 2010); the chairman of the Council of Ministers is appointed by the presidency and confirmed by the National House of Representatives percent of vote - Nebojsa RADMANOVIC with 53.3% of the votes for the Serb seat; Zeljko KOMSIC received 39.6% of the votes for the Croat seat; Haris SILAJDZIC received 62.8% of the votes for the Bosniak seat President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Borjana KRISTO (since 21 February 2007); Vice Presidents Spomenka MICIC (since NA 2007) and Mirsad KEBO (since NA 2007); President of the Republika Srpska: Rajko KUSMANOVIC (since 28 December 2007) bicameral Parliamentary Assembly or Skupstina consists of the national House of Representatives or Predstavnicki Dom (42 seats, 28 seats allocated for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 14 seats for the Republika Srpska; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation, to serve four-year terms); and the House of Peoples or Dom Naroda (15 seats, 5 Bosniak, 5 Croat, 5 Serb; members elected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's House of Representatives and the Republika Srpska's National Assembly to serve four-year terms); note - Bosnia's election law specifies four-year terms for the state and first-order administrative division entity legislatures national House of Representatives - elections last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in 2010); House of Peoples - last constituted in January 2003 (next to be constituted in 2007) national House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - SDA 9, SBH 8, SNSD 7, SDP 5, SDS 3, HDZ-BH 3, HDZ1990 2, other 5; House of Peoples - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - NA the Bosniak/Croat Federation has a bicameral legislature that consists of a House of Representatives (98 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); elections last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party/coalition - SDA 28, SBH 24, SDP 17, HDZ-BH 8, HDZ100 7, other 14; and a House of Peoples (58 seats - 17 Bosniak, 17 Croat, 17 Serb, 7 other); last constituted December 2002; the Republika Srpska has a National Assembly (83 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); elections last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in the fall of 2010); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party/coalition - SNSD 41, SDS 17, PDP 8, DNS 4, SBH 4, SPRS 3, SDA 3, other 3; as a result of the 2002 constitutional reform process, a 28-member Republika Srpska Council of Peoples (COP) was established in the Republika Srpska National Assembly including eight Croats, eight Bosniaks, eight Serbs, and four members of the smaller communities BH Constitutional Court (consists of nine members: four members are selected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's House of Representatives, two members by the Republika Srpska's National Assembly, and three non-Bosnian members by the president of the European Court of Human Rights); BH State Court (consists of nine judges and three divisions - Administrative, Appellate and Criminal - having jurisdiction over cases related to state-level law and appellate jurisdiction over cases initiated in the entities); a War Crimes Chamber opened in March 2005 the entities each have a Supreme Court; each entity also has a number of lower courts; there are 10 cantonal courts in the Federation, plus a number of municipal courts; the Republika Srpska has five municipal courts Alliance of Independent Social Democrats or SNSD [Milorad DODIK]; Bosnian Party or BOSS [Mirnes AJANOVIC]; Civic Democratic Party or GDS [Ibrahim SPAHIC]; Croat Christian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HKDU [Marin TOPIC]; Croat Party of Rights or HSP [Zvonko JURISIC]; Croat Peasants Party or HSS [Marko TADIC]; Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HDZ-BH [Dragan COVIC]; Croatian Democratic Union 1990 or HDZ1990 [Bozo LJUBIC]; Croatian Democratic Union 100 or HDZ100; Croatian Peoples Union [Milenko BRKIC]; Democratic National Union or DNZ [Rifet DOLIC]; Democratic Peoples Alliance or DNS [Marko PAVIC]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDS [Rasim KADIC]; New Croat Initiative or NHI [Kresimir ZUBAK]; Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina or SBH [Haris SILAJDZIC]; Party for Democratic Action or SDA [Sulejman TIHIC]; Party of Democratic Progress or PDP [Mladen IVANIC]; Serb Democratic Party or SDS [Mladen BOSIC]; Serb Radical Party of the Republika Srpska or SRS-RS [Milanko MIHAJLICA]; Serb Radical Party-Dr. Vojislav Seselj or SRS-VS [Radislav KANJERIC]; Social Democratic Party of BIH or SDP [Zlatko LAGUMDZIJA]; Social Democratic Union or SDU [Sejfudin TOKIC]; Socialist Party of Republika Srpska or SPRS [Petar DJOKIC] displaced persons associations; student councils; war veterans BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Ambassador Bisera TURKOVIC 2109 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 [1] (202) 337-1500 [1] (202) 337-1502 Chicago, New York Ambassador Charles L. ENGLISH Alipasina 43, 71000 Sarajevo use embassy street address [387] (33) 445-700 [387] (33) 659-722 branch office(s): Banja Luka, Mostar a wide medium blue vertical band on the fly side with a yellow isosceles triangle abutting the band and the top of the flag; the remainder of the flag is medium blue with seven full five-pointed white stars and two half stars top and bottom along the hypotenuse of the triangle Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked next to Macedonia as the poorest republic in the old Yugoslav federation. Although agriculture is almost all in private hands, farms are small and inefficient, and the republic traditionally is a net importer of food. The private sector is growing and foreign investment is slowly increasing, but government spending, at nearly 40% of adjusted GDP, remains unreasonably high. The interethnic warfare in Bosnia caused production to plummet by 80% from 1992 to 1995 and unemployment to soar. With an uneasy peace in place, output recovered in 1996-99 at high percentage rates from a low base; but output growth slowed in 2000-02. Part of the lag in output was made up in 2003-07 when GDP growth exceeded 5% per year. National-level statistics are limited and do not capture the large share of black market activity. The konvertibilna marka (convertible mark or BAM)- the national currency introduced in 1998 - is pegged to the euro, and confidence in the currency and the banking sector has increased. Implementing privatization, however, has been slow, particularly in the Federation, although more successful in the Republika Srpska. Banking reform accelerated in 2001 as all the Communist-era payments bureaus were shut down; foreign banks, primarily from Western Europe, now control most of the banking sector. A sizeable current account deficit and high unemployment rate remain the two most serious macroeconomic problems. On 1 January 2006 a new value-added tax (VAT) went into effect. The VAT has been successful in capturing much of the gray market economy and has developed into a significant and predictable source of revenues for all layers of government. Bosnia and Herzegovina became a full member of the Central European Free Trade Agreement in September 2007. The country receives substantial reconstruction assistance and humanitarian aid from the international community but will have to prepare for an era of declining assistance. $27.7 billion Bosnia has a large informal sector that could also be as much as 50% of official GDP (2007 est.) $14.78 billion (2007 est.) 6% (2007 est.) $6,100 (2007 est.) 10.2% 23.9% 66% (2006 est.) 1.026 million (2001) 45.5% official rate; grey economy may reduce actual unemployment to 25-30% (31 December 2004 est.) 25% (2004 est.) 3.9% 21.4% (2001) 26.2 (2001) 1.6% (2007 est.) $7.094 billion $7.137 billion (2007 est.) 34% of GDP (2007 est.) wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables; livestock steel, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, bauxite, vehicle assembly, textiles, tobacco products, wooden furniture, tank and aircraft assembly, domestic appliances, oil refining 6.7% (2007 est.) 12.84 billion kWh (2006 est.) 8.501 billion kWh (2006 est.) 5.123 billion kWh (2006 est.) 3.015 billion kWh (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 27,590 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 27,370 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 400 million cu m (2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2005) 0 cu m (1 January 2006) -$1.939 billion (2007 est.) $4.243 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) metals, clothing, wood products Croatia 21%, Slovenia 16.5%, Italy 16.1%, Germany 13.3%, Austria 9.6%, Hungary 5.7% (2007) $9.947 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs Croatia 24.7%, Slovenia 13.3%, Germany 13.1%, Italy 10.4%, Austria 7%, Turkey 6.5%, Hungary 5.4% (2007) $4.525 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $6.734 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $546.1 million (2005 est.) konvertibilna marka (convertible mark) (BAM) konvertibilna markas (BAM) per US dollar - 1.4419 (2007), 1.5576 (2006), 1.5727 (2005), 1.5752 (2004), 1.7329 (2003) the convertible mark is pegged to the euro calendar year 1.065 million (2007) 2.45 million (2007) post-war reconstruction of the telecommunications network, aided by a internationally sponsored program under ERBD, resulted in sharp increases in the number of main telephone lines available; mobile cellular subscribership has been increasing rapidly fixed-line teledensity roughly 25 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density exceeds 50 per 100 persons 387 no satellite earth stations (2007) 25: AM 8, FM 16, shortwave 1 (1998) 33 (plus 277 repeaters) (September 1995) .ba 56,032 (2008) 1.055 million (2007) 28 (2007) 8 4 1 3 (2007) 20 1 7 12 (2007) 5 (2007) 608 km 608 km 1.435-m gauge (2006) 21,846 km 11,425 km (4,714 km of interurban roads) 10,421 km (2006) Sava River (northern border) open to shipping but use limited (2006) Bosanska Gradiska, Bosanski Brod, Bosanski Samac, and Brcko (all inland waterway ports on the Sava), Orasje Bosnia and Herzegovina Armed Forces (OSBiH): Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Air and Air Defense Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Zrakoplovstvo i Protuzracna Obrana, ZPO) (2007) 17 years of age for voluntary military service in the Federation and in the Republika Srpska; conscription abolished January 2006; 4-month service obligation (2006) 16 1,212,007 16 1,170,645 (2008 est.) 16 996,225 16 962,927 (2008 est.) 30,246 28,189 (2008 est.) 4.5% of GDP (2005 est.) sections along the Drina River remain in dispute between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia; discussions continue with Croatia on several small disputed sections of the boundary related to maritime access that hinder final ratification of the 1999 border agreement 7,269 (Croatia) 131,600 (Bosnian Croats, Serbs, and Muslims displaced in 1992-95 war) (2007) increasingly a transit point for heroin being trafficked to Western Europe; minor transit point for marijuana; remains highly vulnerable to money-laundering activity given a primarily cash-based and unregulated economy, weak law enforcement, and instances of corruption Botswana Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease. Southern Africa, north of South Africa 22 00 S 24 00 E Africa 600,370 sq km 585,370 sq km 15,000 sq km slightly smaller than Texas 4,013 km Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) semiarid; warm winters and hot summers predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver 0.65% 0.01% 99.34% (2005) 10 sq km (2003) periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility overgrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resources Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country 1,842,323 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2008 est.) 35.2% (male 329,418/female 318,160) 60.9% (male 566,239/female 556,286) 3.9% (male 29,165/female 43,055) (2008 est.) 21.2 years 21 years 21.4 years (2008 est.) 1.434% (2008 est.) 22.96 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 14.02 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 5.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.68 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 44.01 deaths/1,000 live births 44.94 deaths/1,000 live births 43.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 50.16 years 51.28 years 49.02 years (2008 est.) 2.66 children born/woman (2008 est.) 37.3% (2003 est.) 350,000 (2003 est.) 33,000 (2003 est.) high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria (2008) Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7% Christian 71.6%, Badimo 6%, other 1.4%, unspecified 0.4%, none 20.6% (2001 census) Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English 2.1% (official), other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001 census) age 15 and over can read and write 81.2% 80.4% 81.8% (2003 est.) Republic of Botswana Botswana Republic of Botswana Botswana Bechuanaland parliamentary republic Gaborone 24 45 S 25 55 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 9 districts and 5 town councils*; Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Northeast, Northwest, Selebi-Pikwe*, Southeast, Southern 30 September 1966 (from UK) Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966) March 1965, effective 30 September 1966 based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008) Cabinet appointed by the president president indirectly elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 20 October 2004 (next to be held in October 2009); vice president appointed by the president Festus G. MOGAE elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 52% bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely advisory 15-member body with 8 permanent members consisting of the chiefs of the principal tribes, and 7 non-permanent members serving 5-year terms, consisting of 4 elected subchiefs and 3 members selected by the other 12 members) and the National Assembly (63 seats, 57 members are directly elected by popular vote, 4 are appointed by the majority party, and 2, the President and Attorney-General, serve as ex-officio members; members serve five-year terms) National Assembly elections last held 30 October 2004 (next to be held in October 2009) percent of vote by party - BDP 51.7%, BNF 26.1%, BCP 16.6%, other 5%; seats by party - BDP 44, BNF 12, BCP 1 High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates' Courts (one in each district) Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Otlaadisa KOOSALETSE]; Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Festus G. MOGAE]; Botswana National Front or BNF [Otswoletse MOUPO]; Botswana Peoples Party or BPP; MELS Movement of Botswana or MELS; New Democratic Front or NDF a number of minor parties joined forces in 1999 to form the BAM but did not capture any parliamentary seats - includes the United Action Party [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; the Independence Freedom Party or IFP [Motsamai MPHO]; the Botswana Progressive Union [D. K. KWELE] First People of the Kalahari (Bushman organization); Pitso Ya Ba Tswana; Society for the Promotion of Ikalanga Language (Kalanga elites) diamond mining companies ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Lapologang Caesar LEKOA 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 244-4990 [1] (202) 244-4164 Ambassador Stephen J. NOLAN Embassy Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone [267] 395-3982 [267] 395-6947 light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest economic growth rates since independence in 1966, though growth slowed to 4.7% annually in 2006-07. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of nearly $15,000 in 2007. Two major investment services rank Botswana as the best credit risk in Africa. Diamond mining has fueled much of the expansion and currently accounts for more than one-third of GDP and for 70-80% of export earnings. Tourism, financial services, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are other key sectors. On the downside, the government must deal with high rates of unemployment and poverty. Unemployment officially was 23.8% in 2004, but unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%. HIV/AIDS infection rates are the second highest in the world and threaten Botswana's impressive economic gains. An expected leveling off in diamond mining production overshadows long-term prospects. $26.04 billion (2007 est.) $12.31 billion (2007 est.) 4.8% (2007 est.) $14,300 (2007 est.) 1.6% 51.5% (including 36% mining) 46.9% (2006 est.) 288,400 formal sector employees (2004) 7.5% (2007 est.) 30.3% (2003) 63 (1993) 7.1% (2007 est.) 19.2% of GDP (2007 est.) $4.741 billion $3.816 billion (2007 est.) 5.4% of GDP (2007 est.) livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing; textiles 4.2% (2007 est.) 979 million kWh (2006 est.) 2.574 billion kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 1.959 billion kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 11,640 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 14,500 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) $1.973 billion (2007 est.) $5.025 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles European Free Trade Association (EFTA) 87%, Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 7%, Zimbabwe 4% (2006) $3.403 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 74%, EFTA 17%, Zimbabwe 4% (2006) $9.79 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $408 million (31 December 2007 est.) $70.89 million (2005) pula (BWP) pulas (BWP) per US dollar - 6.2035 (2007), 5.8447 (2006), 5.1104 (2005), 4.6929 (2004), 4.9499 (2003) 1 April - 31 March 136,900 (2006) 1.427 million (2007) the system is expanding with the growth of mobile-cellular service and participation in regional development; system is fully digital with fiber-optic cables linking the major population centers in the east; fixed-line connections declined in recent years and now stand at roughly 8 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density currently is about 80 per 100 persons small system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and a few radiotelephone communication stations; mobile-cellular service is growing fast 267 international calls are made via satellite, using international direct dialing; 2 international exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2007) 25: AM 8, FM 13, shortwave 4 (2001) 2 (1 state-owned, 1 private) .bw 6,374 (2008) 80,000 (2007) 85 (2007) 11 2 7 2 (2007) 74 3 54 17 (2007) 888 km 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2006) 25,798 km 8,410 km 17,388 km (2005) Botswana Defense Force: Ground Forces, Air Wing (2008) 18 is the apparent age of voluntary military service; the official qualifications for determining minimum age are unknown (2001) 16 487,853 16 464,278 (2008 est.) 16 290,093 16 257,700 (2008 est.) 23,007 22,551 (2008 est.) 3.3% of GDP (2006) Botswana still struggles to seal its border from thousands of Zimbabweans who flee economic collapse and political persecution; Namibia has long supported, and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to, plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River at Kazungula crossing, thereby de facto recognizing the short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary Bouvet Island This uninhabited volcanic island is almost entirely covered by glaciers and is difficult to approach. It was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom the island was named. No claim was made until 1825, when the British flag was raised. In 1928, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island the previous year. In 1971, Norway designated Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters a nature reserve. Since 1977, it has run an automated meteorological station on the island. island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) 54 26 S 3 24 E Antarctic Region 49 sq km 49 sq km 0 sq km about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 29.6 km 4 nm antarctic volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible South Atlantic Ocean 0 m Olav Peak 935 m none 0% 0% 100% (93% ice) (2005) 0 sq km covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve Norway uninhabited none Bouvet Island territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Police from Oslo the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply the flag of Norway is used no economic activity; declared a nature reserve .bv 6 (2008) automatic meteorological station none; offshore anchorage only defense is the responsibility of Norway none Brazil Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822 and a republic in 1889. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil overcame more than half a century of military intervention in the governance of the country when in 1985 the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution and crime remain pressing problems. Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean 10 00 S 55 00 W South America 8,511,965 sq km 8,456,510 sq km 55,455 sq km includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo slightly smaller than the US 16,885 km Argentina 1,261 km, Bolivia 3,423 km, Colombia 1,644 km, French Guiana 730 km, Guyana 1,606 km, Paraguay 1,365 km, Peru 2,995 km, Suriname 593 km, Uruguay 1,068 km, Venezuela 2,200 km 7,491 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin mostly tropical, but temperate in south mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt Atlantic Ocean 0 m Pico da Neblina 3,014 m bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber 6.93% 0.89% 92.18% (2005) 29,200 sq km (2003) recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; there is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills 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 none of the selected agreements largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador 196,342,592 Brazil conducted a census in August 2000, which reported a population of 169,799,170; that figure was about 3.3% lower than projections by the US Census Bureau, and is close to the implied underenumeration of 4.6% for the 1991 census; 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2008 est.) 27% (male 26,986,909/female 25,961,947) 66.8% (male 64,939,225/female 66,157,812) 6.3% (male 5,182,987/female 7,113,707) (2008 est.) 28.3 years 27.5 years 29 years (2008 est.) 1.228% (2008 est.) 18.72 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 6.35 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -0.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.73 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 23.33 deaths/1,000 live births 26.95 deaths/1,000 live births 19.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 71.71 years 68.15 years 75.45 years (2008 est.) 2.22 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.7% (2003 est.) 660,000 (2003 est.) 15,000 (2003 est.) Brazilian(s) Brazilian white 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black 6.2%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%, unspecified 0.7% (2000 census) Roman Catholic (nominal) 73.6%, Protestant 15.4%, Spiritualist 1.3%, Bantu/voodoo 0.3%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.2%, none 7.4% (2000 census) Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language); note - less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor Amerindian languages age 15 and over can read and write 88.6% 88.4% 88.8% (2004 est.) Federative Republic of Brazil Brazil Republica Federativa do Brasil Brasil federal republic Brasilia 15 47 S 47 55 W UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins third Sunday in October; ends third Sunday in February Brazil is divided into four time zones, including one for the Fernando de Noronha Islands 26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins 7 September 1822 (from Portugal) Independence Day, 7 September (1822) 5 October 1988 based on Roman codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction voluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70; compulsory over 18 and under 70 years of age; note - military conscripts do not vote President Luiz Inacio "LULA" DA SILVA (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Luiz Inacio "LULA" DA SILVA (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003) Cabinet appointed by the president president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 1 October 2006 with runoff 29 October 2006 (next to be held 3 October 2010 and, if necessary, 31 October 2010) Luiz Inacio "LULA" DA SILVA (PT) reelected president - 60.83%, Geraldo ALCKMIN (PSDB) 39.17% bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; 3 members from each state and federal district elected according to the principle of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third and two-thirds elected every four years, alternately) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) Federal Senate - last held 1 October 2006 for one-third of the Senate (next to be held in October 2010 for two-thirds of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010) Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PFL 6, PSDB 5, PMDB 4, PTB 3, PT 2, PDT 1, PSB 1, PL 1, PPS 1, PRTB 1, PP 1, PCdoB 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PMDB 89, PT 83, PFL 65, PSDB 65, PP 42, PSB 27, PDT 24, PL 23, PTB 22, PPS 21, PCdoB 13, PV 13, PSC 9, other 17; note - as of 1 January 2008: Federal Senate - seats by party - PMDB 20, DEM (formerly PFL) 14, PSDB 13, PT 12, PTB 6, PDT 5, PR 4, PRB 2, PSB 2, PCdoB 1, PP 1, PSOL 1; Chamber of Deputies - seats by party - PMDB 90, PT 83, PSDB 64, DEM (formerly PFL) 62, PP 41, PR 34, PSB 28, PDT 23, PTB 21, PPS 17, PV 13, PCdoB 13, PSC 7, PAN 4, PSOL 3, PMN 3, PTC 3, PHS 2, PTdoB 1, PRB 1 Supreme Federal Tribunal or STF (11 ministers are appointed for life by the president and confirmed by the Senate); Higher Tribunal of Justice; Regional Federal Tribunals (judges are appointed for life); note - though appointed "for life," judges, like all federal employees, have a mandatory retirement age of 70 Brazilian Democratic Movement Party or PMDB [Federal Deputy Michel TEMER]; Brazilian Labor Party or PTB [Roberto JEFFERSON]; Brazilian Renewal Labor Party or PRTB [Jose Levy FIDELIX da Cruz]; Brazilian Republican Party or PRB [Vitor Paulo Araujo DOS SANTOS]; Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB [Senator Sergio GUERRA]; Brazilian Socialist Party or PSB [Governor Eduardo Henrique Accioly CAMPOS]; Christian Labor Party or PTC [Daniel TOURINHO]; Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB [Jose Renato RABELO]; Democratic Labor Party or PDT [Carlos Roberto LUPI]; the Democrats or DEM (formerly Liberal Front Party or PFL) [Federal Deputy Rodrigo MAIA]; Freedom and Socialism Party or PSOL [Heloisa HELENA]; Green Party or PV [Jose Luiz de Franca PENNA]; Humanist Party of Solidarity or PHS [Paulo Roberto MATOS]; Labor Party of Brazil or PTdoB [Luis Henrique de Oliveira RESENDE]; Liberal Front Party or PFL (now known as the Democrats or DEM); National Mobilization Party or PMN [Oscar Noronha FILHO]; Party of the Republic or PR [Sergio TAMER]; Popular Socialist Party or PPS [Federal Deputy Fernando CORUJA]; Progressive Party or PP [Francisco DORNELLES]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Vitor Jorge Abdala NOSSEIS]; Workers' Party or PT [Ricardo Jose Ribeiro BERZOINI] Landless Workers' Movement or MST labor unions and federations; large farmers' associations; religious groups including evangelical Christian churches and the Catholic Church AfDB (nonregional members), BIS, CAN (associate), CPLP, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar PATRIOTA 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 238-2700 [1] (202) 238-2827 Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco Ambassador Clifford M. SOBEL Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, Distrito Federal Cep 70403-900, Brasilia Unit 3500, APO AA 34030 [55] (61) 3312-7000 [55] (61) 3225-9136 Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo Recife green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress) Characterized by large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries and is expanding its presence in world markets. Having weathered 2001-03 financial turmoil, capital inflows are regaining strength and the currency has resumed appreciating. The appreciation has slowed export volume growth, but since 2004, Brazil's growth has yielded increases in employment and real wages. The resilience in the economy stems from commodity-driven current account surpluses, and sound macroeconomic policies that have bolstered international reserves to historically high levels, reduced public debt, and allowed a significant decline in real interest rates. A floating exchange rate, an inflation-targeting regime, and a tight fiscal policy are the three pillars of the economic program. From 2003 to 2007, Brazil ran record trade surpluses and recorded its first current account surpluses since 1992. Productivity gains coupled with high commodity prices contributed to the surge in exports. Brazil improved its debt profile in 2006 by shifting its debt burden toward real denominated and domestically held instruments. "LULA" DA SILVA restated his commitment to fiscal responsibility by maintaining the country's primary surplus during the 2006 election. Following his second inauguration, "LULA" DA SILVA announced a package of further economic reforms to reduce taxes and increase investment in infrastructure. The government's goal of achieving strong growth while reducing the debt burden is likely to create inflationary pressures. $1.849 trillion (2007 est.) $1.314 trillion (2007 est.) 5.4% (2007 est.) $9,500 (2007 est.) 5.5% 28.7% 65.8% (2007 est.) 99.23 million (2007 est.) 20% 14% 66% (2003 est.) 9.3% (2007 est.) 31% (2005) 0.9% 44.8% (2004) 56.7 (2005) 3.6% (2007 est.) 17.6% of GDP (2007 est.) $244 billion $219.9 billion (FY07) 45.1% of GDP (2007 est.) coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment 4.9% (2007 est.) 437.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) 402.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) 2.034 billion kWh (2007 est.) 40.47 billion kWh; note - supplied by Paraguay (2007 est.) 2.277 million bbl/day (2007 est.) 2.372 million bbl/day (2007 est.) 481,100 bbl/day (2005) 648,800 bbl/day (2005) 12.18 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 9.8 billion cu m (2007 est.) 19.8 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 10 billion cu m (2007 est.) 347.7 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $1.712 billion (2007 est.) $160.6 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, autos US 16.1%, Argentina 9.2%, China 6.8%, Netherlands 5.6%, Germany 4.6% (2007) $120.6 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery, electrical and transport equipment, chemical products, oil, automotive parts, electronics US 15.7%, China 10.5%, Argentina 8.6%, Germany 7.2%, Nigeria 4.4% (2007) $180.3 billion (31 December 2007) $229.4 billion (31 December 2007) $191.9 million (2005) real (BRL) reals (BRL) per US dollar - 1.85 (2007 est.), 2.1761 (2006), 2.4344 (2005), 2.9251 (2004), 3.0771 (2003) calendar year 39.4 million (2007) 120.98 million (2007) good working system; fixed-line connections have remained relatively stable in recent years and stand at about 20 per 100 persons; less expensive mobile cellular technology is a major driver in expanding telephone service to the low-income segment of the population with mobile-cellular telephone density reaching nearly 65 per 100 persons extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 64 earth stations; mobile-cellular usage has more than tripled in the past 5 years 55 landing point for a number of submarine cables that provide direct links to South and Central America, the Caribbean, the US, Africa, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region east), connected by microwave relay system to Mercosur Brazilsat B3 satellite earth station (2007) 1,822: AM 1,365, FM 296, shortwave 161 (of which 91 are collocated with AM stations) (1999) 138 (1997) .br 9.573 million (2008) 50 million (2007) 4,263 (2007) 718 7 25 167 467 52 (2007) 3,545 83 1,555 1,907 (2007) 16 (2007) condensate/gas 244 km; gas 12,070 km; liquid petroleum gas 351 km; oil 5,214 km; refined products 4,410 km (2007) 29,295 km 4,932 km 1.600-m gauge (939 km electrified) 194 km 1.440-m gauge 23,773 km 1.000-m gauge (581 km electrified) 396 km 1.000 m and 1.600-m gauges (three rails) (78 km electrified) (2006) 1,751,868 km 96,353 km 1,655,515 km (2004) 50,000 km (most in areas remote from industry and population) (2007) 136 bulk carrier 19, cargo 22, carrier 1, chemical tanker 7, container 11, liquefied gas 12, passenger/cargo 12, petroleum tanker 45, roll on/roll off 7 25 (Chile 1, Denmark 2, Germany 6, Greece 1, Mexico 1, Norway 5, Spain 9) 8 (Argentina 1, Bahamas 2, Ghana 1, Liberia 3, Marshall Islands 1) (2008) Guaiba, Ilha Grande, Paranagua, Rio Grande, Santos, Sao Sebastiao, Tubarao the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Atlantic Ocean as a significant risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil (MB), includes Naval Air and Marine Corps (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais)), Brazilian Air Force (Forca Aerea Brasileira, FAB) (2008) 21-45 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 9 to 12 months; 17-45 years of age for voluntary service; an increasing percentage of the ranks are "long-service" volunteer professionals; women were allowed to serve in the armed forces beginning in early 1980s when the Brazilian Army became the first army in South America to accept women into career ranks; women serve in Navy and Air Force only in Women's Reserve Corps (2001) 16 52,449,957 16 52,375,921 (2008 est.) 16 39,263,710 16 44,109,056 (2008 est.) 1,666,791 1,608,363 (2008 est.) 2.6% of GDP (2006 est.) 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; uncontested boundary dispute with Uruguay over Isla Brasilera at the confluence of the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada rivers, that form a tripoint with Argentina; the Itaipú Dam reservoir covers over a once contested section of Brazil-Paraguay boundary west of Guaira Falls on the Rio Parana; an accord placed the long-disputed Isla Suárez/Ilha de Guajará-Mirim, a fluvial island on the Río Mamoré, under Bolivian administration in 1958, but sovereignty remains in dispute second-largest consumer of cocaine in the world; illicit producer of cannabis; trace amounts of coca cultivation in the Amazon region, used for domestic consumption; government has a large-scale eradication program to control cannabis; important transshipment country for Bolivian, Colombian, and Peruvian cocaine headed for Europe; also used by traffickers as a way station for narcotics air transshipments between Peru and Colombia; upsurge in drug-related violence and weapons smuggling; important market for Colombian, Bolivian, and Peruvian cocaine; illicit narcotics proceeds earned in Brazil are often laundered through the financial system; significant illicit financial activity in the Tri-Border Area British Indian Ocean Territory Formerly administered as part of the British Crown Colony of Mauritius, the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) was established as an overseas territory of the UK in 1965. A number of the islands of the territory were later transferred to the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976. Subsequently, BIOT has consisted only of the six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago. The largest and most southerly of the islands, Diego Garcia, contains a joint UK-US naval support facility. All of the remaining islands are uninhabited. Between 1967 and 1973, former agricultural workers, earlier residents in the islands, were relocated primarily to Mauritius, but also to the Seychelles. Negotiations between 1971 and 1982 resulted in the establishment of a trust fund by the British Government as compensation for the displaced islanders, known as Chagossians. Beginning in 1998, the islanders pursued a series of lawsuits against the British Government seeking further compensation and the right to return to the territory. In 2006 and 2007, British court rulings invalidated the immigration policies contained in the 2004 BIOT Constitution Order that had excluded the islanders from the archipelago, but upheld the special military status of Diego Garcia. In 2008, the House of Lords, as the final court of appeal in the UK, ruled in favor of the British Goverment by overturning the lower court rulings and finding no right of return on the part of the Chagossians. archipelago in the Indian Ocean, south of India, about halfway between Africa and Indonesia 6 00 S 71 30 E; note - Diego Garcia 7 20 S Political Map of the World 54,400 sq km 60 sq km; Diego Garcia 44 sq km 54,340 sq km includes the entire Chagos Archipelago of 55 islands land area is about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 698 km 3 nm 200 nm tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds flat and low (most areas do not exceed two meters in elevation) Indian Ocean 0 m unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m coconuts, fish, sugarcane 0% 0% 100% (2005) 0 sq km archipelago of 55 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility no indigenous inhabitants approximately 1,200 former agricultural workers resident in the Chagos Archipelago, often referred to as Chagossians or Ilois, were relocated to Mauritius and the Seychelles in the 1960s and 1970s; in November 2000 they were granted the right of return by a British High Court ruling, though no timetable has been set; in November 2004, approximately 4,000 UK and US military personnel and civilian contractors were living on the island of Diego Garcia British Indian Ocean Territory none BIOT overseas territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner, resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) Commissioner Colin ROBERTS (since July 2008); Administrator Joanne YEADON (since December 2007); note - both reside in the UK and are represented by the officer commanding British Forces on Diego Garcia none; the monarch is hereditary; commissioner and administrator appointed by the monarch none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of the UK) white with six blue wavy horizontal stripes; the flag of the UK is in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the striped section bears a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag All economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of Diego Garcia, where a joint UK-US military facility is located. Construction projects and various services needed to support the military installation are performed by military and contract employees from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands. When the native Ilois return, they plan to reestablish sugarcane production and fishing. The territory earns foreign exchange by selling fishing licenses and postage stamps. NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by the US military US Dollar (USD) separate facilities for military and public needs are available all commercial telephone services are available, including connection to the Internet 246 (Diego Garcia) international telephone service is carried by satellite (2000) 3: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) 1 (1997) .io 89 (2008) 1 (2007) 1 1 (2007) short section of paved road between port and airfield on Diego Garcia Diego Garcia defense is the responsibility of the UK; the US lease on Diego Garcia expires in 2016 Mauritius claims the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia; in 2001, the former inhabitants of the Chagos Archipelago, evicted in 1967 and 1973 and now residing chiefly in Mauritius, were granted UK citizenship and the right to repatriation; in May 2007, the UK Court of Appeals upheld the May 2006 High Court of London judgment reversing the UK government's 2004 Orders of Council that banned habitation on the islands; a small group of Chagossians visited Diego Garcia in April 2006; repatriation is complicated by the exclusive US military lease of Diego Garcia that restricts access to the largest viable island in the chain British Virgin Islands First inhabited by Arawak and later by Carib Indians, the Virgin Islands were settled by the Dutch in 1648 and then annexed by the English in 1672. The islands were part of the British colony of the Leeward Islands from 1872-1960; they were granted autonomy in 1967. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency. Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico 18 30 N 64 30 W Central America and the Caribbean 153 sq km 153 sq km 0 sq km comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 80 km 3 nm 200 nm subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly Caribbean Sea 0 m Mount Sage 521 m NEGL 20% 6.67% 73.33% (2005) hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments) strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico 24,041 (July 2008 est.) 20% (male 2,432/female 2,366) 74.4% (male 9,178/female 8,715) 5.6% (male 697/female 653) (2008 est.) 32 years 32.1 years 31.9 years (2008 est.) 1.88% (2008 est.) 14.72 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 4.37 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 8.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 15.2 deaths/1,000 live births 17.23 deaths/1,000 live births 13.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 77.07 years 75.88 years 78.32 years (2008 est.) 1.71 children born/woman (2008 est.) British Virgin Islander(s) British Virgin Islander black 83.4%, white 7%, mixed 5.4%, Indian 3.4%, other 0.8% (1991 census) Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%, Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 15%), Roman Catholic 10%, other 2%, none 2% (1991) English (official) age 15 and over can read and write 97.8% (1991 est.) none British Virgin Islands BVI overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing Road Town 18 27 N 64 37 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of the UK) Territory Day, 1 July (1956) 13 June 2007 English law 18 years of age; universal Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor David PEAREY (since 18 April 2006) Premier Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 23 August 2007) Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the House of Assembly the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor unicameral House of Assembly (13 elected seats and 1 non-voting ex officio member in the attorney general; members are elected by direct popular vote, 1 member from each of nine electoral districts, 4 at-large members; members serve four-year terms) last held 20 August 2007 (next to be held in 2011) percent of vote by party - VIP 45.2%, NDP 39.6%, independent 15.2%; seats by party - VIP 10, NDP 2, independent 1 Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Ethlyn SMITH]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United Party or UP [Gregory MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL] The Family Support Network; The Women's Desk environmentalists Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WFTU none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of the UK) blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful) The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, generating an estimated 45% of the national income. An estimated 820,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 2005. In the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, made the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements. Because of traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the US dollar as its currency since 1959. $853.4 million (2004 est.) $839.7 million (2003) 1% (2002 est.) $38,500 (2004 est.) 1.8% 6.2% 92% (1996 est.) 12,770 (2004) 0.6% 40% 59.4% (2005) 3.6% (1997) 2% (2005) $204.7 million $180.4 million (2004) fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center 45 million kWh (2006 est.) 41.85 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 650 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 649.8 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) $134.3 million (1999) $25.3 million (2002) rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US (2006) $187 million (2002 est.) building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US (2006) $36.1 million (1997) $NA US dollar (USD) the US dollar is used 1 April - 31 March 11,700 (2002) 8,000 (2002) worldwide telephone service 284 connected via submarine cable to Bermuda; the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable provides connectivity to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean (2007) 6: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004) 1 (plus 1 cable company) (1997) .vg 465 (2008) 4,000 (2002) 3 (2007) 2 1 1 (2007) 1 1 (2007) 200 km 200 km (2007) 1 (Panama 1) (2008) Road Town 16 7,101 (2008 est.) 16 5,921 (2008 est.) 184 179 (2008 est.) defense is the responsibility of the UK none transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering Brunei The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in Asia. Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia 4 30 N 114 40 E Southeast Asia 5,770 sq km 5,270 sq km 500 sq km slightly smaller than Delaware 381 km Malaysia 381 km 161 km 12 nm 200 nm or to median line tropical; hot, humid, rainy flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west South China Sea 0 m Bukit Pagon 1,850 m petroleum, natural gas, timber 2.08% 0.87% 97.05% (2005) 10 sq km (2003) typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution none of the selected agreements close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave within Malaysia 381,371 (July 2008 est.) 27.2% (male 53,400/female 50,333) 69.6% (male 132,895/female 132,391) 3.2% (male 5,927/female 6,425) (2008 est.) 27.5 years 27.5 years 27.5 years (2008 est.) 1.785% (2008 est.) 18.39 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 3.28 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 2.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 12.69 deaths/1,000 live births 15.19 deaths/1,000 live births 10.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 75.52 years 73.32 years 77.83 years (2008 est.) 1.94 children born/woman (2008 est.) less than 0.1% (2003 est.) fewer than 200 (2003 est.) fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Bruneian(s) Bruneian Malay 66.3%, Chinese 11.2%, indigenous 3.4%, other 19.1% (2004 est.) Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, other (includes indigenous beliefs) 10% Malay (official), English, Chinese age 15 and over can read and write 92.7% 95.2% 90.2% (2001 census) Brunei Darussalam Brunei Negara Brunei Darussalam Brunei constitutional sultanate Bandar Seri Begawan 4 53 N 114 56 E UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei and Muara, Temburong, Tutong 1 January 1984 (from UK) National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection 29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1 January 1984) based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Sharia law supersedes civil law in a number of areas; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age for village elections; universal Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967) Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also a Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises on religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the monarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines the succession to the throne if the need arises none; the monarch is hereditary Legislative Council met on 25 September 2004 for first time in 20 years with 21 members appointed by the Sultan; passed constitutional amendments calling for a 45-seat council with 15 elected members; Sultan dissolved council on 1 September 2005 and appointed a new council with 29 members as of 2 September 2005; council met in March 2006 and in March 2007 last held in March 1962 (date of next election NA) Supreme Court - chief justice and judges are sworn in by monarch for three-year terms; Judicial Committee of Privy Council in London is final court of appeal for civil cases; Sharia courts deal with Islamic laws (2006) National Development Party or NDP [YASSIN Affendi] Brunei National Solidarity Party or PPKB [Abdul LATIF bin Chuchu] and People's Awareness Party or PAKAR [Awang Haji MAIDIN bin Haji Ahmad] were deregistered; parties are small and have limited activity ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, C, EAS, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Angela SHIM 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 237-1838 [1] (202) 885-0560 Ambassador William E. TODD Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan, BS8811 PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507; P.O. Box 2991, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8675, Negara Brunei Darussalam [673] 222-0384 [673] 222-5293 yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands Brunei has a small well-to-do economy that encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for just over half of GDP and more than 90% of exports. Per capita GDP is among the highest in Asia, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and free education through the university level and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration in the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion. Plans for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas. $19.64 billion (2007 est.) $12.39 billion (2007 est.) 0.4% (2007 est.) $51,000 (2007 est.) 0.9% 71.6% 27.5% (2005 est.) 180,400 (2006 est.) 2.9% 61.1% 36% (2003 est.) 4% (2006) 0.4% (2007 est.) $3.765 billion $4.815 billion (2004 est.) rice, vegetables, fruits; chickens, water buffalo, cattle, goats, eggs petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction 1.8% (2005 est.) 3.1 billion kWh (2006 est.) 2.924 billion kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 180,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) 13,200 bbl/day (2006 est.) 200,000 bbl/day (2005) 304 bbl/day (2005) 1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 13.8 billion cu m (2006 est.) 3.99 billion cu m (2006 est.) 9.4 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 390.8 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $7.101 billion (2007 est.) $6.767 billion f.o.b. (2006) crude oil, natural gas, refined products, clothing Japan 32.8%, Indonesia 24.4%, Australia 13.4%, South Korea 12.2%, US 5.5% (2007) $2 billion c.i.f. (2006) machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals UK 46.4%, Singapore 19.5%, Malaysia 11.3% (2007) $0 (2005) $770,000 (2004) Bruneian dollar (BND) Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.5886 (2006), 1.6644 (2005), 1.6902 (2004), 1.7422 (2003) 1 April - 31 March 79,200 (2007) 339,800 (2007) service throughout the country is excellent; international service is good to Southeast Asia, Middle East, Western Europe, and the US every service available 673 landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the Asia-America Gateway submarine cable network, scheduled for completion by late 2008, will provide new links to Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2007) 3: AM 1, FM 2 (transmitting on 18 different frequencies), shortwave 0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) station transmits two FM signals with English and Nepali service) (2006) 4 (includes 2 UHF stations broadcasting a subscription service) (2006) .bn 14,950 (2008) 199,532 (2007) 2 (2007) 1 1 (2007) 1 1 (2007) 3 (2007) gas 672 km; oil 463 km (2007) 3,650 km 2,819 km 831 km (2005) 209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m) (2007) 8 liquefied gas 8 1 (UK 1) (2008) Lumut, Muara, Seria Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF): Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei) (2008) 18 years of age (est.) for voluntary military service; non-Malays are ineligible to serve (2007) 16 108,356 16 110,153 (2008 est.) 16 91,297 16 93,228 (2008 est.) 3,223 3,182 (2008 est.) 4.5% of GDP (2006) Brunei and Malaysia agreed in September 2008 to resolve their offshore and deepwater seabed dispute, resume hydrocarbon exploration, and renounce any territorial claims on land; Brunei established an exclusive economic fishing zone encompassing Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands in 1984, but makes no public territorial claim to the offshore reefs; 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 drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty Bulgaria The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908. Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. The country joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007. Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey 43 00 N 25 00 E Europe 110,910 sq km 110,550 sq km 360 sq km slightly larger than Tennessee 1,808 km Greece 494 km, Macedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km, Serbia 318 km, Turkey 240 km 354 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast Black Sea 0 m Musala 2,925 m bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land 29.94% 1.9% 68.16% (2005) 5,880 sq km (2003) earthquakes, landslides air pollution from industrial emissions; rivers polluted from raw sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation; forest damage from air pollution and resulting acid rain; soil contamination from heavy metals from metallurgical plants and industrial wastes 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 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, Wetlands none of the selected agreements strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia 7,262,675 (July 2008 est.) 13.8% (male 514,238/female 489,608) 68.6% (male 2,449,812/female 2,532,845) 17.6% (male 520,962/female 755,210) (2008 est.) 41.1 years 38.9 years 43.4 years (2008 est.) -0.813% (2008 est.) 9.58 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 14.3 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -3.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.69 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 18.51 deaths/1,000 live births 22 deaths/1,000 live births 14.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 72.83 years 69.22 years 76.66 years (2008 est.) 1.4 children born/woman (2008 est.) less than 0.1% (2001 est.) 346 (2001 est.) 100 (2001 est.) Bulgarian(s) Bulgarian Bulgarian 83.9%, Turk 9.4%, Roma 4.7%, other 2% (including Macedonian, Armenian, Tatar, Circassian) (2001 census) Bulgarian Orthodox 82.6%, Muslim 12.2%, other Christian 1.2%, other 4% (2001 census) Bulgarian 84.5%, Turkish 9.6%, Roma 4.1%, other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census) age 15 and over can read and write 98.2% 98.7% 97.7% (2001 census) Republic of Bulgaria Bulgaria Republika Balgariya Balgariya parliamentary democracy Sofia 42 41 N 23 19 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 28 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Khaskovo, Kurdzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Shumen, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofiya, Sofiya-Grad, Stara Zagora, Turgovishte, Varna, Veliko Turnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Yambol 3 March 1878 (as an autonomous principality within the Ottoman Empire); 22 September 1908 (complete independence from the Ottoman Empire) Liberation Day, 3 March (1878) adopted 12 July 1991 civil and criminal law based on Roman law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations 18 years of age; universal President Georgi PARVANOV (since 22 January 2002); Vice President Angel MARIN (since 22 January 2002) Prime Minister Sergei STANISHEV (since 16 August 2005); Deputy Prime Ministers Ivaylo KALFIN, Daniel VULCHEV, and Emel ETEM (since 16 August 2005) and Meglena PLUGCHIEVA (since 25 April 2008) Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 22 and 29 October 2006 (next to be held in 2011); chairman of the Council of Ministers (prime minister) nominated by the president and elected by the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly Georgi PARVANOV reelected president; percent of vote - Georgi PARVANOV 77.3%, Volen SIDEROV 22.7%; Sergei STANISHEV elected prime minister, result of legislative vote - 168 to 67 unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sobranie (240 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 25 June 2005 (next to be held in June 2009) percent of vote by party - CfB 31.1%, NMS2 19.9%, MRF 12.7%, ATAKA 8.2%, UDF 7.7%, DSB 6.5%, BPU 5.2%, other 8.7%; seats by party - CfB 83, NMS2 53, MRF 33, UDF 20, ATAKA 17, DSB 17, BPU 13, independents 4; note - seats by party as of January 2008 - CfB 82, NMS2 36, MRF 34, Bulgarian New Democracy 16, DSB 16, UDF 16, BPU 13, ATAKA 11, independents 16 Supreme Administrative Court; Supreme Court of Cassation; Constitutional Court (12 justices appointed or elected for nine-year terms); Supreme Judicial Council (consists of the chairmen of the two Supreme Courts, the Chief Prosecutor, and 22 other members; responsible for appointing the justices, prosecutors, and investigating magistrates in the justice system; members of the Supreme Judicial Council elected for five-year terms, 11 elected by the National Assembly and 11 by bodies of the judiciary) ATAKA (Attack Coalition) (coalition of parties headed by the Attack National Union); Attack National Union [Volen SIDEROV]; Bulgarian Agrarian National Union-People's Union or BANU [Anastasia MOZER]; Bulgarian New Democracy [Borislav RALCHEV]; Bulgarian People's Union or BPU (coalition of UFD, IMRO, and BANU); Bulgarian Socialist Party or BSP [Sergei STANISHEV]; Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria or GERB [Tsvetan TSVETANOV]; Coalition for Bulgaria or CfB (coalition of parties dominated by BSP) [Sergei STANISHEV]; Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria or DSB [Ivan KOSTOV]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization or IMRO [Krasimir KARAKACHANOV]; Movement for Rights and Freedoms or MRF [Ahmed DOGAN]; National Movement for Stability and Progress or NMSS [Simeon SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA] (formerly National Movement Simeon II or NMS2); New Time [Emil KOSHLUKOV]; Union of Democratic Forces or UDF [Petar STOYANOV]; Union of Free Democrats or UFD [Stefan SOFIYANSKI]; United Democratic Forces or UtDF (a coalition of center-right parties dominated by UDF) Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria or CITUB; Podkrepa Labor Confederation numerous regional, ethnic, and national interest groups with various agendas ACCT, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate affiliate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Ambassador Latechezar PETKOV 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 387-0174 [1] (202) 234-7973 Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Ambassador Nancy McELDOWNEY 16 Kozyak Street, Sofia 1407 American Embassy Sofia, US Department of State, 5740 Sofia Place, Washington, DC 20521-5740 [359] (2) 937-5100 [359] (2) 937-5320 three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red the national emblem, formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe, has been removed Bulgaria, a former communist country that entered the EU on 1 January 2007, has experienced strong growth since a major economic downturn in 1996. Successive governments have demonstrated commitment to economic reforms and responsible fiscal planning, but have failed so far to rein in rising inflation and large current account deficits. Bulgaria has averaged more than 6% growth since 2004, attracting significant amounts of foreign direct investment, but corruption in the public administration, a weak judiciary, and the presence of organized crime remain significant challenges. $86.71 billion (2007 est.) $39.61 billion (2007 est.) 6.2% (2007 est.) $11,800 (2007 est.) 6.2% 32.3% 61.5% (2007 est.) 2.593 million (2007 est.) 8.5% 33.6% 57.9% (2nd qtr. 2006 est.) 7.7% (2007 est.) 14.1% (2003 est.) 2.9% 25.4% (2005) 31.6 (2005) 9.8% (2007 est.) 29.8% of GDP (2007 est.) $16.84 billion $15.35 billion (2007 est.) 10.5% of GDP (2007 est.) vegetables, fruits, tobacco, wine, wheat, barley, sunflowers, sugar beets; livestock electricity, gas, water; food, beverages, tobacco; machinery and equipment, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined petroleum, nuclear fuel 14% (2007 est.) 43.15 billion kWh (2006 est.) 30.5 billion kWh (2006 est.) 7.534 billion kWh (2007 est.) 3.054 billion kWh (2007 est.) 3,661 bbl/day (2007 est.) 109,600 bbl/day (2006 est.) 50,530 bbl/day (2005 est.) 158,400 bbl/day (2005 est.) 15 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 5.6 billion cu m (2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 5.179 billion cu m (2005) 5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) -$8.53 billion (2007 est.) $18.44 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) clothing, footwear, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, fuels Turkey 11.5%, Germany 10.3%, Italy 10.2%, Greece 9.1%, Belgium 6.2%, Romania 4.9% (2007) $28.67 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and equipment; metals and ores; chemicals and plastics; fuels, minerals, and raw materials Russia 12.3%, Germany 12.3%, Italy 8.7%, Ukraine 7.2%, Turkey 6.9%, Greece 6.2%, Romania 4.5%, Austria 4.3% (2007) $17.38 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $34.88 billion (30 June 2007) $742 million (2005-06 est.) lev (BGN) leva (BGN) per US dollar - 1.4366 (2007), 1.5576 (2006), 1.5741 (2005), 1.5751 (2004), 1.7327 (2003) calendar year 2.3 million (2007) 9.897 million (2007) an extensive but antiquated telecommunications network inherited from the Soviet era; quality has improved; the Bulgaria Telecommunications Company's fixed-line monopoly terminated in 2005 when alternative fixed-line operators were given access to its network; a drop in fixed-line connections in recent years has been more than offset by a sharp increase in mobile-cellular telephone use fostered by multiple service providers; the number of cellular telephone subscriptions now exceeds the population a fairly modern digital cable trunk line now connects switching centers in most of the regions; the others are connected by digital microwave radio relay 359 submarine cable provides connectivity to Ukraine and Russia; a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system provides connectivity to Italy, Albania, and Macedonia; satellite earth stations - 3 (1 Intersputnik in the Atlantic Ocean region, 2 Intelsat in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) (2007) 96: AM 31, FM 63, shortwave 2 (2001) 39 (plus 1,242 repeaters) (2001) .bg 513,470 (2008) 1.899 million (2007) 214 (2007) 131 2 18 15 1 95 (2007) 83 2 9 72 (2007) 4 (2007) gas 2,500 km; oil 339 km; refined products 156 km (2007) 4,294 km 4,049 km 1.435-m gauge (2,710 km electrified) 245 km 0.760-m gauge (2006) 40,231 km 39,587 km (includes 331 km of expressways) 644 km (2005) 470 km (2007) 74 bulk carrier 37, cargo 14, chemical tanker 5, container 6, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1 65 (Germany 63, Ireland 1, Russia 1) 31 (Comoros 2, Malta 5, Panama 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15, Slovakia 6) (2008) Burgas, Varna Bulgarian Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Bulgarian Air Forces (Bulgarski Voennovazdyshni Sily, BVVS) (2008) 18-27 years of age for voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 9 months; as of May 2006, 67% of the Bulgarian Army comprised of professional soldiers; conscription ended as of 1 January 2008; Air and Air Defense Forces and Naval Forces became fully professional at the end of 2006 (2008) 16 1,701,979 16 1,691,092 (2008 est.) 16 1,364,029 16 1,401,348 (2008 est.) 39,477 37,339 (2008 est.) 2.6% of GDP (2005 est.) none major European transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and, to a lesser degree, South American cocaine for the European market; limited producer of precursor chemicals; some money laundering of drug-related proceeds through financial institutions Burkina Faso Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) achieved independence from France in 1960. Repeated military coups during the 1970s and 1980s were followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Current President Blaise COMPAORE came to power in a 1987 military coup and has won every election since then. Burkina Faso's high population density and limited natural resources result in poor economic prospects for the majority of its citizens. Recent unrest in Cote d'Ivoire and northern Ghana has hindered the ability of several hundred thousand seasonal Burkinabe farm workers to find employment in neighboring countries. Western Africa, north of Ghana 13 00 N 2 00 W Africa 274,200 sq km 273,800 sq km 400 sq km slightly larger than Colorado 3,193 km Benin 306 km, Cote d'Ivoire 584 km, Ghana 549 km, Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m Tena Kourou 749 m manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, phosphates, pumice, salt 17.66% 0.22% 82.12% (2005) 250 sq km (2003) recurring droughts recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black, Red, and White Voltas 15,264,735 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2008 est.) 46.3% (male 3,549,034/female 3,521,684) 51.1% (male 3,885,124/female 3,922,198) 2.5% (male 154,476/female 232,219) (2008 est.) 16.7 years 16.5 years 16.9 years (2008 est.) 3.109% (2008 est.) 44.68 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 13.59 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.66 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 86.02 deaths/1,000 live births 93.68 deaths/1,000 live births 78.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 52.55 years 50.67 years 54.49 years (2008 est.) 6.34 children born/woman (2008 est.) 4.2% (2003 est.) 300,000 (2003 est.) 29,000 (2003 est.) very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria schistosomiasis meningococcal meningitis highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) Burkinabe (singular and plural) Burkinabe Mossi over 40%, other approximately 60% (includes Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, and Fulani) Muslim 50%, indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10% French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population age 15 and over can read and write 21.8% 29.4% 15.2% (2003 est.) none Burkina Faso none Burkina Faso Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta parliamentary republic Ouagadougou 12 22 N 1 31 W UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 45 provinces; Bale, Bam, Banwa, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Comoe, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Ioba, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komondjari, Kompienga, Kossi, Koulpelogo, Kouritenga, Kourweogo, Leraba, Loroum, Mouhoun, Nahouri, Namentenga, Nayala, Noumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga, Ziro, Zondoma, Zoundweogo 5 August 1960 (from France) Republic Day, 11 December (1958) 2 June 1991 approved by referendum, 11 June 1991 formally adopted; last amended January 2002 based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction universal President Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987) Prime Minister Tertius ZONGO (since 4 June 2007) Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 13 November 2005 (next to be held in 2010); in April 2000, the constitution was amended reducing the presidential term from seven to five years, enforceable as of 2005; prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the legislature Blaise COMPAORE reelected president; percent of popular vote - Blaise COMPAORE 80.3%, Benewende Stanislas SANKARA 4.9% unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (111 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) National Assembly election last held 6 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2012) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CDP 73, ADF-RDA 14, UPR 5, UNIR-MS 4, CFD-B 3, UPS 2, PDP-PS 2, RDB 2, PDS 2, PAREN 1, PAI 1, RPC 1, UDPS 1 Supreme Court; Appeals Court African Democratic Rally-Alliance for Democracy and Federation or ADF-RDA [Gilbert OUEDRAOGO]; Citizen's Popular Rally or RPC [Antoine QUARE]; Coalition of Democratic Forces of Burkina or CFD-B [Amadou Diemdioda DICKO]; Congress for Democracy and Progress or CDP [Roch Marc-Christian KABORE]; Movement for Tolerance and Progress or MTP [Nayabtigungou Congo KABORE]; Party for African Independence or PAI [Philippe OUEDRAOGO]; Party for Democracy and Progress/Socialist Party or PDP/PS [Ali LANKOANDE]; Party for Democracy and Socialism or PDS [Felix SOUBEIGA]; Party for National Rebirth or PAREN [Oumar DJIGUIMDE]; Rally for the Development of Burkina or RDB [Antoine KARGOUGOU]; Rally of Ecologists of Burkina Faso or RDEB [Ram OUEDRAGO]; Republican Party for Integration and Solidarity or PARIS [Cyril GOUNGOUNGA]; Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Fidele HIEN]; Union for Rebirth - Sankarist Movement or UNIR-MS [Benewende STANISLAS]; Union for the Republic or UPR [Toussaint Abel COULIBALY]; Union of Sankarist Parties or UPS [Ernest Nongma OUEDRAOGO] Burkinabe General Confederation of Labor or CGTB [Tole SAGNON]; Burkinabe Movement for Human Rights or MBDHP [Chrysigone ZOUGMORE]; Group of 14 February [Benewende STANISLAS]; National Confederation of Burkinabe Workers or CNTB [Laurent OUEDRAOGO]; National Organization of Free Unions or ONSL [Paul KABORE] watchdog/political action groups throughout the country in both organizations and communities ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Paramanga Ernest YONLI 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 332-5577 [1] (202) 667-1882 Ambassador Jeanine E. JACKSON 602 Avenue Raoul Follereau, Koulouba, Secteur 4 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 01; pouch mail - US Department of State, 2440 Ouagadougou Place, Washington, DC 20521-2440 [226] 50-30-67-23 [226] 50-30-38-90 two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia One of the poorest countries in the world, landlocked Burkina Faso has few natural resources and a weak industrial base. About 90% of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture, which is vulnerable to periodic drought. Cotton is the main cash crop and the government has joined with three other cotton producing countries in the region - Mali, Niger, and Chad - to lobby in the World Trade Organization for fewer subsidies to producers in other competing countries. Since 1998, Burkina Faso has embarked upon a gradual but successful privatization of state-owned enterprises. Having revised its investment code in 2004, Burkina Faso hopes to attract foreign investors. Thanks to this new code and other legislation favoring the mining sector, the country has seen an upswing in gold exploration and production. While the bitter internal crisis in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire is beginning to be resolved, it is still having a negative effect on Burkina Faso's trade and employment. In 2007 higher costs for energy and imported foodstuffs, as well as low cotton prices, dampened a GDP growth rate that had averaged 6% in the last 10 years. Burkina Faso received a Millennium Challenge Account threshold grant to improve girls' education at the primary school level, and appears likely to receive a grant in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, and land reform. $17.41 billion (2007 est.) $6.977 billion (2007 est.) 4.2% (2007 est.) $1,200 (2007 est.) 29.7% 19.4% 50.9% (2007 est.) 5 million a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment (2003) 90% 10% (2000 est.) 77% (2004) 46.4% (2004) 2.8% 32.2% (2004) 39.5 (2007) -0.2% (2007 est.) 21.1% of GDP (2007 est.) $1.415 billion $1.847 billion (2007 est.) cotton, peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold 5.2% (2007 est.) 611.6 million kWh (2007 est.) 509.3 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 8,470 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 8,446 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) -$706 million (2007 est.) $617 million f.o.b. (2007 est.) cotton, livestock, gold China 29.6%, Singapore 15.7%, Thailand 7.2%, Ghana 6.4%, Niger 4.8% (2007) $1.296 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) capital goods, foodstuffs, petroleum Cote d'Ivoire 25.8%, France 20.6%, Togo 7.1% (2007) $1.029 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $1.33 billion (2007) $659.6 million (2005) Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003) since 1 January 1999, the XOF franc has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF francs per euro calendar year 94,800 (2006) 1.611 million (2007) services only fair; in 2006 the government sold a 51 percent stake in the national telephone company and ultimately plans to retain only a 23 percent stake in the company; fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, fostered by multiple providers, is increasing rapidly from a low base microwave radio relay, open-wire, and radiotelephone communication stations 226 satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) 31: AM 2, FM 26, shortwave 3 3 (1 national, 2 private) .bf 116 (2008) 80,000 (2006) 33 (2007) 2 1 1 (2007) 31 3 11 17 (2007) 622 km 622 km 1.000-m gauge another 660 km of this railway extends into Cote D'Ivoire (2006) 92,495 km 3,857 km 88,638 km (2004) Army, Air Force of Burkina Faso (Force Aerienne de Burkina Faso, FABF), National Gendarmerie (2008) 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 20 years of age for voluntary military service (2001) 16 3,364,288 (2008 est.) 16 2,115,948 (2008 est.) 176,358 173,856 (2008 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2006) in September 2007, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) intervened to attempt to resolve the dispute over two villages along the Benin-Burkina Faso border that remain from 2005 ICJ decision; in recent years citizens and rogue security forces rob and harass local populations on both sides of the poorly-defined Burkina Faso-Niger border; despite the presence of over 9,000 UN forces (UNOCI) in Cote d'Ivoire since 2004, ethnic conflict continues to spread into neighboring states who can no longer send their migrant workers to work in Ivorian cocoa plantations Burma Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; independence from the Commonwealth was attained in 1948. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as self-appointed president, and later as political kingpin. Despite multiparty legislative elections in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party - the National League for Democracy (NLD) - winning a landslide victory, the ruling junta refused to hand over power. NLD leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient AUNG SAN SUU KYI, who was under house arrest from 1989 to 1995 and 2000 to 2002, was imprisoned in May 2003 and subsequently transferred to house arrest. After Burma's ruling junta in August 2007 unexpectedly increased fuel prices, tens of thousands of Burmese marched in protest, led by prodemocracy activists and Buddhist monks. In late September 2007, the government brutally suppressed the protests, killing at least 13 people and arresting thousands for participating in the demonstrations. Since then, the regime has continued to raid homes and monasteries and arrest persons suspected of participating in the pro-democracy protests. The junta appointed Labor Minister AUNG KYI in October 2007 as liaison to AUNG SAN SUU KYI, who remains under house arrest and virtually incommunicado with her party and supporters. Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand 22 00 N 98 00 E Southeast Asia 678,500 sq km 657,740 sq km 20,760 sq km slightly smaller than Texas 5,876 km Bangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km, India 1,463 km, Laos 235 km, Thailand 1,800 km 1,930 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April) central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands Andaman Sea 0 m Hkakabo Razi 5,881 m petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower 14.92% 1.31% 83.77% (2005) 18,700 sq km (2003) destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 none of the selected agreements strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes 47,758,180 estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2008 est.) 25.7% (male 6,236,484/female 6,038,576) 68.9% (male 16,300,380/female 16,627,045) 5.4% (male 1,098,344/female 1,457,352) (2008 est.) 27.8 years 27.2 years 28.4 years (2008 est.) 0.8% (2008 est.) 17.23 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 9.23 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 49.12 deaths/1,000 live births 55.53 deaths/1,000 live births 42.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 62.94 years 60.73 years 65.28 years (2008 est.) 1.92 children born/woman (2008 est.) 1.2% (2003 est.) 330,000 (2003 est.) 20,000 (2003 est.) very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever and malaria leptospirosis rabies highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) Burmese (singular and plural) Burmese Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%, Mon 2%, other 5% Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%), Muslim 4%, animist 1%, other 2% Burmese, minority ethnic groups have their own languages age 15 and over can read and write 89.9% 93.9% 86.4% (2006 est.) Union of Burma Burma Pyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw (translated by the US Government as Union of Myanma and by the Burmese as Union of Myanmar) Myanma Naingngandaw Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma since 1989 the military authorities in Burma have promoted the name Myanmar as a conventional name for their state; this decision was not approved by any sitting legislature in Burma, and the US Government did not adopt the name, which is a derivative of the Burmese short-form name Myanma Naingngandaw military junta Rangoon (Yangon) 16 48 N 96 09 E UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Nay Pyi Taw is administrative capital 7 divisions (taing-myar, singular - taing) and 7 states (pyi ne-myar, singular - pyi ne) Ayeyarwady, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Yangon Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine, Shan 4 January 1948 (from UK) Independence Day, 4 January (1948); Union Day, 12 February (1947) 30 May 2008 based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Sr. Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992) Prime Minister, Lt. Gen THEIN SEIN (since 24 October 2007) Cabinet is overseen by SPDC; military junta assumed power 18 September 1988 under name State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) none unicameral People's Assembly or Pyithu Hluttaw (485 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 27 May 1990, but Assembly never allowed by junta to convene (junta has announced plans to hold elections in 2010) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NLD 392 (opposition), SNLD 23 (opposition), NUP 10 (pro-government), other 60 remnants of the British-era legal system are in place, but there is no guarantee of a fair public trial; the judiciary is not independent of the executive National League for Democracy or NLD [AUNG SHWE, AUNG SAN SUU KYI]; National Unity Party or NUP (pro-regime) [TUN YE]; Shan Nationalities League for Democracy or SNLD [HKUN HTUN OO]; and other smaller parties Ethnic Nationalities Council or ENC (based in Thailand); Federation of Trade Unions-Burma or FTUB (exile trade union and labor advocates); National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma or NCGUB (self-proclaimed government in exile) ["Prime Minister" Dr. SEIN WIN] consists of individuals, some legitimately elected to the People's Assembly in 1990 (the group fled to a border area and joined insurgents in December 1990 to form parallel government in exile); Kachin Independence Organization or KIO; Karen National Union or KNU; Karenni National People's Party or KNPP; National Council-Union of Burma or NCUB (exile coalition of opposition groups); United Wa State Army or UWSA; Union Solidarity and Development Association or USDA (pro-regime, a social and political mass-member organization) [HTAY OO, general secretary]; 88 Generation Students (pro-democracy movement) [MIN KO NAING] several Shan factions ADB, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires MYINT LWIN 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 332-3344 [1] (202) 332-4351 New York Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Larry M. DINGER 110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon Box B, APO AP 96546 [95] (1) 536-509, 535-756, 538-038 [95] (1) 650-306 red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 14, white, five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel containing a stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the seven administrative divisions and seven states Burma, a resource-rich country, suffers from pervasive government controls, inefficient economic policies, and rural poverty. The junta took steps in the early 1990s to liberalize the economy after decades of failure under the "Burmese Way to Socialism," but those efforts stalled, and some of the liberalization measures were rescinded. Despite Burma's increasing oil and gas revenue, socio-economic conditions have deteriorated due to the regime's mismanagement of the economy. Lacking monetary or fiscal stability, the economy suffers from serious macroeconomic imbalances - including rising inflation, fiscal deficits, multiple official exchange rates that overvalue the Burmese kyat, a distorted interest rate regime, unreliable statistics, and an inability to reconcile national accounts to determine a realistic GDP figure. Most overseas development assistance ceased after the junta began to suppress the democracy movement in 1988 and subsequently refused to honor the results of the 1990 legislative elections. In response to the government of Burma's attack in May 2003 on AUNG SAN SUU KYI and her convoy, the US imposed new economic sanctions in August 2003 including a ban on imports of Burmese products and a ban on provision of financial services by US persons. Further, a poor investment climate hampers attracting outside investment slowing the inflow of foreign exchange. The most productive sectors will continue to be in extractive industries, especially oil and gas, mining, and timber with the latter especially causing environmental degradation. Other areas, such as manufacturing and services, are struggling with inadequate infrastructure, unpredictable import/export policies, deteriorating health and education systems, and endemic corruption. A major banking crisis in 2003 shuttered the country's 20 private banks and disrupted the economy. As of 2007, the largest private banks operated under tight restrictions limiting the private sector's access to formal credit. Moreover, the September 2007 crackdown on prodemocracy demonstrators, including thousands of monks, further strained the economy as the tourism industry, which directly employs about 500,000 people, suffered dramatic declines in foreign visitor levels. In November 2007, the European Union announced new sanctions banning investment and trade in Burmese gems, timber and precious stones, while the United States expanded its sanctions list to include more Burmese government and military officials and their family members, as well as prominent regime business cronies, their family members, and associated companies. Official statistics are inaccurate. Published statistics on foreign trade are greatly understated because of the size of the black market and unofficial border trade - often estimated to be as large as the official economy. Though the Burmese government has good economic relations with its neighbors, better investment and business climates and an improved political situation are needed to promote serious foreign investment, exports, and tourism. $91.13 billion (2007 est.) $13.53 billion (2007 est.) 3.8% (2007 est.) $1,900 (2007 est.) 42.4% 18.9% 38.7% (2007 est.) 29.26 million (2007 est.) 70% 7% 23% (2001) 5.2% (2007 est.) 32.7% (2007 est.) 2.8% 32.4% (1998) 35% (2007 est.) 13.1% of GDP (2007 est.) rice, pulses, beans, sesame, groundnuts, sugarcane; hardwood; fish and fish products agricultural processing; wood and wood products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; cement, construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer; natural gas; garments, jade and gems 9% (2007 est.) 5.961 billion kWh (2006 est.) 4.289 billion kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 21,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) 43,140 bbl/day (2006 est.) 5,000 bbl/day (2006 est.) 22,180 bbl/day (2005 est.) 50 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 12.6 billion cu m (2006 est.) 3.62 billion cu m (2006 est.) 9.9 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 283.2 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $1.427 billion (2007 est.) $6.122 billion f.o.b. official export figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of timber, gems, narcotics, rice, and other products smuggled to Thailand, China, and Bangladesh (2007 est.) natural gas, wood products, pulses, beans, fish, rice, clothing, jade and gems Thailand 44.3%, India 14.5%, China 7.1%, Japan 5.7% (2007) $2.942 billion f.o.b. import figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of consumer goods, diesel fuel, and other products smuggled in from Thailand, China, Malaysia, and India (2007 est.) fabric, petroleum products, fertilizer, plastics, machinery, transport equipment; cement, construction materials, crude oil; food products, edible oil China 33.7%, Thailand 19.1%, Singapore 15.5%, South Korea 5.8%, Indonesia 5.2%, Malaysia 4.2% (2007) $2.262 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $7.022 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $144.7 million (2005 est.) kyat (MMK) kyats (MMK) per US dollar - 1,296 (2007), 1,280 (2006), 5.761 (2005), 5.7459 (2004), 6.0764 (2003) unofficial exchange rates ranged in 2004 from 815 kyat/US dollar to nearly 970 kyat/US dollar, and by yearend 2005, the unofficial exchange rate was 1,075 kyat/US dollar; data shown for 2003-05 are official exchange rates 1 April - 31 March 503,900 (2005) 214,200 (2006) meets minimum requirements for local and intercity service for business and government system barely capable of providing basic service; cellular phone system is grossly underdeveloped with a subscribership base of less than 1 per 100 persons 95 landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2, Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and ShinSat (2007) 6: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 3 (2007) 4 (2008) .mm 108 (2008) 40,000 (2007) 86 (2007) 25 8 10 5 1 1 (2007) 61 1 14 14 32 (2007) 4 (2007) gas 2,790 km; oil 558 km (2007) 3,955 km 3,955 km 1.000-m gauge (2006) 27,000 km 3,200 km 23,800 km (2006) 12,800 km (2007) 24 bulk carrier 1, cargo 17, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 3, specialized tanker 1 3 (Cyprus 1, Germany 1, Japan 1) 1 (Panama 1) (2008) Moulmein, Rangoon, Sittwe Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw): Army, Navy, Air Force (Tatmadaw Lay) (2008) 18 years of age for voluntary military service for both sexes; forced conscription of children, although officially prohibited, reportedly continues (2007) 16 13,402,788 16 13,437,042 (2008 est.) 16 9,031,046 16 9,396,547 (2008 est.) 423,809 415,843 (2008 est.) 2.1% of GDP (2005 est.) over half of Burma's population consists of diverse ethnic groups who have substantial numbers of kin in neighboring countries; Thailand must deal with Karen and other ethnic refugees, asylum seekers, and rebels, as well as illegal cross-border activities from Burma; Thailand is studying the feasibility of jointly constructing the Hatgyi Dam on the Salween River near the border with Burma; citing environmental, cultural, and social concerns, China is reconsidering construction of 13 dams on the Salween River but energy-starved Burma with backing from Thailand remains intent on building five hydro-electric dams downstream, despite identical regional and international protests; India seeks cooperation from Burma to keep Indian Nagaland separatists, such as the United Liberation Front of Assam, from hiding in remote Burmese Uplands; after 21 years, Bangladesh resumes talks with Burma on delimiting a maritime boundary in January 2008 503,000 (government offensives against ethnic insurgent groups near the eastern borders; most IDPs are ethnic Karen, Karenni, Shan, Tavoyan, and Mon) (2007) Burma is a source country for women, children, and men trafficked for the purpose of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; Burmese women and children are trafficked to East and Southeast Asia for commercial sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, and forced labor; Burmese children are subjected to conditions of forced labor in Thailand as hawkers, beggars, and for work in shops, agriculture, fish processing, and small-scale industries; women are trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation to Malaysia and China; some trafficking victims transit Burma from Bangladesh to Malaysia and from China to Thailand; internal trafficking occurs primarily from villages to urban centers and economic hubs for labor in industrial zones, agricultural estates, and commercial sexual exploitation; military and civilian officials continue to use a significant amount of forced labor; ethnic insurgent groups also used compulsory labor of adults and unlawful recruitment of children; the military junta's gross economic mismanagement, human rights abuses, and its policy of using forced labor are the top causal factors for Burma's significant trafficking problem Tier 3 - Burma does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; military and civilian officials remain directly involved in significant acts of forced labor and unlawful conscription of child soldiers (2008) remains world's second-largest producer of illicit opium with an estimated production in 2008 of 340 metric tons, an increase of 26%, and cultivation in 2008 was 22,500 hectares, a 4% increase from 2007; production in the United Wa State Army's areas of greatest control remains low; Shan state is the source of 94% of poppy cultivation; lack of government will to take on major narcotrafficking groups and lack of serious commitment against money laundering continues to hinder the overall antidrug effort; major source of methamphetamine and heroin for regional consumption; currently under Financial Action Task Force countermeasures due to continued failure to address its inadequate money-laundering controls (2008) Burundi Burundi's first democratically elected president was assassinated in October 1993 after only 100 days in office, triggering widespread ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions. More than 200,000 Burundians perished during the conflict that spanned almost a dozen years. Hundreds of thousands of Burundians were internally displaced or became refugees in neighboring countries. An internationally brokered power-sharing agreement between the Tutsi-dominated government and the Hutu rebels in 2003 paved the way for a transition process that led to an integrated defense force, established a new constitution in 2005, and elected a majority Hutu government in 2005. The new government, led by President Pierre NKURUNZIZA, signed a South African brokered ceasefire with the country's last rebel group in September of 2006 but still faces many challenges. Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo 3 30 S 30 00 E Africa 27,830 sq km 25,650 sq km 2,180 sq km slightly smaller than Maryland 974 km Democratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m to 2,670 m above sea level); average annual temperature varies with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees centigrade but is generally moderate as the average altitude is about 1,700 m; average annual rainfall is about 150 cm; two wet seasons (February to May and September to November), and two dry seasons (June to August and December to January) hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains Lake Tanganyika 772 m Heha 2,670 m nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum, vanadium, arable land, hydropower, niobium, tantalum, gold, tin, tungsten, kaolin, limestone 35.57% 13.12% 51.31% (2005) 210 sq km (2003) flooding, landslides, drought soil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion of agriculture into marginal lands; deforestation (little forested land remains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel); habitat loss threatens wildlife populations Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands Law of the Sea landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote headstream of the White Nile 8,691,005 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2008 est.) 46.3% (male 2,021,320/female 1,998,502) 51.2% (male 2,210,157/female 2,240,921) 2.5% (male 87,600/female 132,505) (2008 est.) 16.7 years 16.4 years 17 years (2008 est.) 3.443% (2008 est.) 41.72 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 12.91 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 5.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.66 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 60.77 deaths/1,000 live births 67.6 deaths/1,000 live births 53.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 51.71 years 50.86 years 52.6 years (2008 est.) 6.4 children born/woman (2008 est.) 6% (2003 est.) 250,000 (2003 est.) 25,000 (2003 est.) very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria (2008) Burundian(s) Burundian Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%, Europeans 3,000, South Asians 2,000 Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous beliefs 23%, Muslim 10% Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area) age 15 and over can read and write 59.3% 67.3% 52.2% (2000 est.) Republic of Burundi Burundi Republique du Burundi/Republika y'u Burundi Burundi Urundi republic Bujumbura 3 22 S 29 21 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 17 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura Rurale, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro, Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration) Independence Day, 1 July (1962) 28 February 2005; ratified by popular referendum based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction NA years of age; universal (adult) President Pierre NKURUNZIZA (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Yves SAVINGUVU - Tutsi (since 9 November 2007); Second Vice President Gabriel NTISEZERANA - Hutu (since 9 February 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Pierre NKURUNZIZA (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Yves SAVINGUVU - Tutsi (since 9 November 2007); Second Vice President Gabriel NTISEZERANA - Hutu (since 9 February 2007) Council of Ministers appointed by president the president is elected by popular vote to a five-year term (eligible for a second term); note - the constitution adopted in February 2005 permits the post-transition president to be elected by a two-thirds majority of the parliament; vice presidents nominated by the president, endorsed by parliament Pierre NKURUNZIZA was elected president by the parliament by a vote of 151 to 9; note - the constitution adopted in February 2005 permits the post-transition president to be elected by a two-thirds majority of the legislature bicameral Parliament or Parlement, consists of a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (minimum 100 seats, 60% Hutu and 40% Tutsi with at least 30% being women; additional seats appointed by a National Independent Electoral Commission to ensure ethnic representation; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and a Senate (54 seats; 34 members elected by indirect vote to serve five-year terms, with remaining seats assigned to ethnic groups and former chiefs of state) National Assembly - last held 4 July 2005 (next to be held in 2010); Senate - last held 29 July 2005 (next to be held in 2010) National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CNDD-FDD 58.6%, FRODEBU 21.7%, UPRONA 7.2%, CNDD 4.1%, MRC-Rurenzangemero 2.1%, others 6.2%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 59, FRODEBU 25, UPRONA 10, CNDD 4, MRC-Rurenzangemero 2; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 30, FRODEBU 3, CNDD 1 Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court; High Court of Justice (composed of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court) Burundi Democratic Front or FRODEBU [Leonce NGENDAKUMANA]; National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Front for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD-FDD [Jeremie NGENDAKUMANA]; Unity for National Progress or UPRONA [Aloys RUBUKA] a multiparty system was introduced after 1998, included are: National Council for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD [Leonard NYANGOMA]; National Resistance Movement for the Rehabilitation of the Citizen or MRC-Rurenzangemero [Epitace BANYAGANAKANDI]; Party for National Redress or PARENA [Jean-Baptiste BAGAZA] Observatoire de lutte contre la corruption et les malversations economiques or OLUCOME [Gabriel RUFYIRI] (anti-corruption pressure group) Hutu and Tutsi militias (loosely organized) ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Celestin NIYONGABO Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 342-2574 [1] (202) 342-2578 Ambassador Patricia Newton MOLLER Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura B. P. 1720, Bujumbura [257] 223454 [257] 222926 divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and fly side) with a white disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above, two stars below) Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly agricultural with more than 90% of the population dependent on subsistence agriculture. Economic growth depends on coffee and tea exports, which account for 90% of foreign exchange earnings. The ability to pay for imports, therefore, rests primarily on weather conditions and international coffee and tea prices. The Tutsi minority, 14% of the population, dominates the government and the coffee trade at the expense of the Hutu majority, 85% of the population. An ethnic-based war that lasted for over a decade resulted in more than 200,000 deaths, forced more than 48,000 refugees into Tanzania, and displaced 140,000 others internally. Only one in two children go to school, and approximately one in 15 adults has HIV/AIDS. Food, medicine, and electricity remain in short supply. Burundi's GDP grew around 5% annually in 2006-07. Political stability and the end of the civil war have improved aid flows and economic activity has increased, but underlying weaknesses - a high poverty rate, poor education rates, a weak legal system, and low administrative capacity - risk undermining planned economic reforms. Burundi will continue to remain heavily dependent on aid from bilateral and multilateral donors; the delay of funds after a corruption scandal cut off bilateral aid in 2007 reduced government's revenues and its ability to pay salaries. $2.907 billion (2007 est.) $1.001 billion (2007 est.) 3.6% (2007 est.) $300 (2007 est.) 33.7% 20.9% 45.4% (2007 est.) 2.99 million (2002) 93.6% 2.3% 4.1% (2002 est.) 68% (2002 est.) 1.7% 32.8% (1998) 42.4 (1998) 8.3% (2007 est.) 24.4% of GDP (2007 est.) $264.2 million $335.4 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2007 est.) coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, manioc (tapioca); beef, milk, hides light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing 6.4% (2007 est.) 87 million kWh (2006 est.) 120.9 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 40 million kWh; note - supplied by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 2,956 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 2,635 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) -$101 million (2007 est.) $44 million f.o.b. (2007 est.) coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides Germany 31.3%, Pakistan 6.8%, Belgium 5.8%, Sweden 4.3%, Rwanda 4.3%, France 4.2%, Sudan 4% (2007) $272 million f.o.b. (2007 est.) capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs Saudi Arabia 17%, Kenya 11.4%, Belgium 8.7%, France 6.1%, Uganda 5.4%, Germany 5.4%, India 4.8%, Pakistan 4.2% (2007) $177.1 million (31 December 2007 est.) $1.2 billion (2003) $365 million (2005) Burundi franc (BIF) Burundi francs (BIF) per US dollar - 1,065 (2007), 1,030 (2006), 1,138 (2005), 1,100.91 (2004), 1,082.62 (2003) calendar year 35,000 (2006) 250,000 (2007) primitive system; telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at a meager 3 per 100 persons sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay 257 satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2007) 5: AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) 1 (2001) .bi 162 (2008) 60,000 (2006) 8 (2007) 1 1 (2007) 7 4 3 (2007) 1 (2007) 12,322 km 1,286 km 11,036 km (2004) mainly on Lake Tanganyika (2005) Bujumbura National Defense Force (Forces de Defense Nationales, FDN): Army (includes Naval Detachment and Air Wing), Gendarmerie (2008) 16 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; children as young as 10 years of age have been conscripted into the armed forces; the enrollment of children is still not prohibited (2007) 16 1,878,544 16 1,851,676 (2008 est.) 16 1,083,899 16 1,062,488 (2008 est.) 98,105 98,533 (2008 est.) 5.9% of GDP (2006 est.) Burundi and Rwanda dispute sections of border on the Akanyaru/Kanyaru and the Kagera/Nyabarongo rivers, which have changed course since the 1960s, when the boundary was delimited; cross-border conflicts among Tutsi, Hutu, other ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces persist in the Great Lakes region 9,849 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) 100,000 (armed conflict between government and rebels; most IDPs in northern and western Burundi) (2007) Burundi is a source country for children trafficked for the purposes of child soldiering, domestic servitude, and commercial sexual exploitation; a small number of Burundian children may be trafficked internally for domestic servitude or commercial sexual exploitation; in early 2008, Burundian children were allegedly trafficked to Uganda, via Rwanda, for agricultural labor and commercial sexual exploitation Tier 2 Watch List - Burundi is on the Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year for its failure to provide sufficient evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007; the government's inability to provide adequate protective services to children accused of association with armed groups and to conduct anti-trafficking law enforcement activities continue to be causes for concern; Burundi has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Cambodia Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire, ushering in a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French protection in 1863 and it became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. In April 1975, after a five-year struggle, Communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A December 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off almost 13 years of civil war. The 1991 Paris Peace Accords mandated democratic elections and a ceasefire, which was not fully respected by the Khmer Rouge. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy under a coalition government. Factional fighting in 1997 ended the first coalition government, but a second round of national elections in 1998 led to the formation of another coalition government and renewed political stability. The remaining elements of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in early 1999. Some of the remaining Khmer Rouge leaders are awaiting trial by a UN-sponsored tribunal for crimes against humanity. Elections in July 2003 were relatively peaceful, but it took one year of negotiations between contending political parties before a coalition government was formed. In October 2004, King SIHANOUK abdicated the throne due to illness and his son, Prince Norodom SIHAMONI, was selected to succeed him. Local elections were held in Cambodia in April 2007, and there was little in the way of pre-election violence that preceded prior elections. National elections are scheduled for July 2008. Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos 13 00 N 105 00 E Southeast Asia 181,040 sq km 176,520 sq km 4,520 sq km slightly smaller than Oklahoma 2,572 km Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km 443 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north Gulf of Thailand 0 m Phnum Aoral 1,810 m oil and gas, timber, gemstones, iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential 20.44% 0.59% 78.97% (2005) 2,700 sq km (2003) monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts illegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand have resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); soil erosion; in rural areas, most of the population does not have access to potable water; declining fish stocks because of illegal fishing and overfishing Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling Law of the Sea a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap 14,241,640 estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2008 est.) 33.2% (male 2,389,668/female 2,338,838) 63.2% (male 4,372,480/female 4,627,895) 3.6% (male 193,338/female 319,421) (2008 est.) 21.7 years 21 years 22.5 years (2008 est.) 1.752% (2008 est.) 25.68 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 8.16 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.6 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 56.59 deaths/1,000 live births 63.76 deaths/1,000 live births 49.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 61.69 years 59.65 years 63.83 years (2008 est.) 3.08 children born/woman (2008 est.) 2.6% (2003 est.) 170,000 (2003 est.) 15,000 (2003 est.) very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) Cambodian(s) Cambodian Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4% Theravada Buddhist 95%, other 5% Khmer (official) 95%, French, English age 15 and over can read and write 73.6% 84.7% 64.1% (2004 est.) Kingdom of Cambodia Cambodia Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic pronunciation) Kampuchea Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, People's Republic of Kampuchea, State of Cambodia multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy Phnom Penh 11 33 N 104 55 E UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 20 provinces (khaitt, singular and plural) and 4 municipalities* (krong, singular and plural) Banteay Mean Cheay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Krachen, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Cheay, Pouthisat, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanah Kiri, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev Keb, Pailin, Phnum Penh (Phnom Penh), Preah Seihanu (Sihanoukville) 9 November 1953 (from France) Independence Day, 9 November (1953) promulgated 21 September 1993 primarily a civil law mixture of French-influenced codes from the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) period, royal decrees, and acts of the legislature, with influences of customary law and remnants of communist legal theory; increasing influence of common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations 18 years of age; universal King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October 2004) Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985) [co-prime minister from 1993 to 1997]; Permanent Deputy Prime Minister MEN SAM AN (since 25 September 2008); Deputy Prime Ministers SAR KHENG (since 3 February 1992); SOK AN, TEA BANH, HOR NAMHONG, NHEK BUNCHHAY (since 16 July 2004); BIN CHHIN (since 5 September 2007); KEAT CHHON, YIM CHHAI LY (since 25 September 2008) Council of Ministers in theory appointed by the monarch; in practice named by the prime minister the monarch is chosen by a Royal Throne Council; following legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition is named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the king bicameral, consists of the National Assembly (123 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Senate (61 seats; 2 members appointed by the monarch, 2 elected by the National Assembly, and 57 elected by parliamentarians and commune councils; members serve five-year terms) National Assembly - last held 27 July 2008 (next to be held in July 2013); Senate - last held 22 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2011) National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP 58%, SRP 22%, others 20%; seats by party - CPP 90, SRP 26, others 7; Senate - percent of vote by party - CPP 69%, FUNCINPEC 21%, SRP 10%; seats by party - CPP 45, FUNCINPEC 10, SRP 2 Supreme Council of the Magistracy (provided for in the constitution and formed in December 1997); Supreme Court (and lower courts) exercises judicial authority Cambodian People's Party or CPP [CHEA SIM]; National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or FUNCINPEC [KEV PUT REAKSMEI]; Norodom Ranariddh Party or NRP [Norodom RANARIDDH]; Sam Rangsi Party or SRP [SAM RANGSI] Cambodian Freedom Fighters or CFF; Partnership for Transparency Fund or PTF (anti-corruption organization); Students Movement for Democracy; The Committee for Free and Fair Elections or Comfrel human rights organizations; vendors ACCT, ADB, APT, ARF, ASEAN, EAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires MENG EANG NAY 4530 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 [1] (202) 726-7742 [1] (202) 726-8381 Ambassador Carol A. RODLEY #1, Street 96, Sangkat Wat Phnom, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh Box P, APO AP 96546 [855] (23) 728-000 [855] (23) 728-600 three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band only national flag to incorporate an actual building in its design From 2001 to 2004, the economy grew at an average rate of 6.4%, driven largely by an expansion in the garment sector and tourism. The US and Cambodia signed a Bilateral Textile Agreement, which gave Cambodia a guaranteed quota of US textile imports and established a bonus for improving working conditions and enforcing Cambodian labor laws and international labor standards in the industry. With the January 2005 expiration of a WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, Cambodia-based textile producers were forced to compete directly with lower-priced producing countries such as China and India. Better-than-expected garment sector performance led to more than 9% growth in 2007. Its vibrant garment industry employs more than 350,000 people and contributes more than 70% of Cambodia's exports. The Cambodian government has committed itself to a policy supporting high labor standards in an attempt to maintain buyer interest. In 2005, exploitable oil and natural gas deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial waters, representing a new revenue stream for the government if commercial extraction begins. Mining also is attracting significant investor interest, particularly in the northeastern parts of the country, and the government has said opportunities exist for mining bauxite, gold, iron and gems. In 2006, a US-Cambodia bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) was signed and the first round of discussions took place in early 2007. The tourism industry continues to grow rapidly, with foreign arrivals reaching 2 million in 2007. In 2007 the government signed a joint venture agreement with two companies to form a new national airline. The long-term development of the economy remains a daunting challenge. The Cambodian government is working with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the World Bank and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs. The major economic challenge for Cambodia over the next decade will be fashioning an economic environment in which the private sector can create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's demographic imbalance. More than 50% of the population is less than 21 years old. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the poverty-ridden countryside, which suffers from an almost total lack of basic infrastructure. $26.19 billion (2007 est.) $8.604 billion (2007 est.) 10.1% (2007 est.) $1,900 (2007 est.) 31% 26% 43% (2007 est.) 7 million (2003 est.) 75% 2.5% (2000 est.) 35% (2004) 2.9% 34.8% (2004) 41.7 (2004 est.) 5.9% (2007 est.) 19.2% of GDP (2007 est.) $1.015 billion $1.168 billion (2007 est.) rice, rubber, corn, vegetables, cashews, tapioca tourism, garments, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles 15% (2007 est.) 1.163 billion kWh (2006 est.) 1.178 billion kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 110 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 3,736 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 3,618 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) -$506.3 million (2007 est.) $4.089 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, footwear US 58.1%, Germany 7.3%, UK 5.2%, Canada 4.6%, Vietnam 4.5% (2007) $5.424 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction materials, machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products Thailand 23.1%, Vietnam 16.9%, China 15%, Hong Kong 10.4%, Singapore 7.5%, Taiwan 7.2%, South Korea 4.8% (2007) $2.143 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $3.89 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $698.2 million pledged in grants and concession loans for 2007 by international donors (2007) riel (KHR) riels (KHR) per US dollar - 4,006 (2007), 4,103 (2006), 4,092.5 (2005), 4,016.25 (2004), 3,973.33 (2003) calendar year 37,500 (2007) 2.583 million (2007) mobile-phone systems are widely used in urban areas to bypass deficiencies in the fixed-line network; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, aided by increasing competition among service providers, is increasing and stands at nearly 20 per 100 persons adequate landline and/or cellular service in Phnom Penh and other provincial cities; mobile-phone coverage is rapidly expanding in rural areas 855 adequate but expensive landline and cellular service available to all countries from Phnom Penh and major provincial cities; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) (2007) 19: AM 2, FM 17, shortwave NA (2003) 9 (including 2 TV relay stations with French and Vietnamese broadcasts); excludes 18 regional relay stations (2006) .kh 1,230 (2008) 70,000 (2007) 17 (2007) 6 2 2 2 (2007) 11 1 9 1 (2007) 1 (2007) 602 km 602 km 1.000-m gauge (2006) 38,257 km 2,406 km 35,851 km (2004) 2,400 km (mainly on Mekong River) (2005) 626 bulk carrier 41, cargo 530, carrier 3, chemical tanker 10, container 8, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 11, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 1 467 (Canada 2, China 193, Cyprus 7, Egypt 13, Gabon 1, Greece 3, Hong Kong 8, Indonesia 2, Japan 1, South Korea 22, Latvia 1, Lebanon 8, Netherlands 1, Romania 1, Russia 83, Singapore 4, Syria 48, Taiwan 1, Turkey 26, Ukraine 34, UAE 2, US 6) (2008) Phnom Penh, Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville) Royal Cambodian Armed Forces: Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force (2008) 18-30: conscription law of October 2006 requires all males between 18-30 to register for military service; 18-month service obligation (2006) 16 3,759,034 16 3,784,333 (2008 est.) 16 2,581,045 16 2,676,075 (2008 est.) 185,959 182,558 (2008 est.) 3% of GDP (2005 est.) Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of boundary with missing boundary markers and claims of Thai encroachments into Cambodian territory; maritime boundary with Vietnam is hampered by unresolved dispute over sovereignty of offshore islands; Thailand accuses Cambodia of obstructing inclusion of Thai areas near Preah Vihear temple ruins, awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962, as part of a planned UN World Heritage site narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in the government, military, and police; limited methamphetamine production; vulnerable to money laundering due to its cash-based economy and porous borders Cameroon The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged in 1961 to form the present country. Cameroon has generally enjoyed stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite a slow movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of President Paul BIYA. Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria 6 00 N 12 00 E Africa 475,440 sq km 469,440 sq km 6,000 sq km slightly larger than California 4,591 km Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km, Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, Nigeria 1,690 km 402 km 12 nm 24 nm varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north Atlantic Ocean 0 m Fako 4,095 m petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower 12.54% 2.52% 84.94% (2005) 260 sq km (2003) volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes waterborne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa; throughout the country there are areas of thermal springs and indications of current or prior volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in Sub-Saharan west Africa, is an active volcano 18,467,692 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2008 est.) 41.1% (male 3,826,232/female 3,757,859) 55.7% (male 5,164,338/female 5,122,817) 3.2% (male 274,821/female 321,625) (2008 est.) 19 years 18.9 years 19.2 years (2008 est.) 2.218% (2008 est.) 34.59 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 12.41 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.85 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 64.57 deaths/1,000 live births 69.39 deaths/1,000 live births 59.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 53.3 years 52.54 years 54.08 years (2008 est.) 4.41 children born/woman (2008 est.) 6.9% (2003 est.) 560,000 (2003 est.) 49,000 (2003 est.) very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever malaria and yellow fever schistosomiasis meningococcal meningitis rabies (2008) Cameroonian(s) Cameroonian Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African less than 1% indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20% 24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official) age 15 and over can read and write 67.9% 77% 59.8% (2001 est.) Republic of Cameroon Cameroon Republique du Cameroun/Republic of Cameroon Cameroun/Cameroon French Cameroon, British Cameroon, Federal Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Cameroon republic; multiparty presidential regime Yaounde 3 52 N 11 31 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 10 provinces; Adamaoua, Centre, Est, Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Ouest 1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship) Republic Day (National Day), 20 May (1972) 20 May 1972 approved by referendum, adopted 2 June 1972; revised January 1996 based on French civil law system, with common law influence; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 20 years of age; universal President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982) Prime Minister Ephraim INONI (since 8 December 2004) Cabinet appointed by the president from proposals submitted by the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 11 October 2004 (next to be held by October 2011); prime minister appointed by the president President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote - Paul BIYA 70.9%, John FRU NDI 17.4%, Adamou Ndam NJOYA 4.5%, Garga Haman ADJI 3.7% unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (180 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - the president can either lengthen or shorten the term of the legislature last held 22 July 2007 (next to be held in 2012) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RDCP 140, SDF 14, UDC 4, UNDP 4, MP 1, vacant 17; note - vacant seats will be determined in a yet to be scheduled by-election after the Supreme Court nullified results in five districts the constitution calls for an upper chamber for the legislature, to be called a Senate, but it has yet to be established Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); High Court of Justice (consists of nine judges and six substitute judges, elected by the National Assembly) Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC [Adamou Ndam NJOYA]; Cameroon People's Democratic Movement or RDPC [Paul BIYA]; Movement for the Defense of the Republic or MDR [Dakole DAISSALA]; Movement for the Liberation and Development of Cameroon or MLDC [Marcel YONDO]; National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Maigari BELLO BOUBA]; Progressive Movement or MP; Social Democratic Front or SDF [John FRU NDI]; Union of Peoples of Cameroon or UPC [Augustin Frederic KODOCK] Human Rights Defense Group [Albert MUKONG, president]; Southern Cameroon National Council [Ayamba Ette OTUN] ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, C, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Joseph FOE-ATANGANA 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 265-8790 [1] (202) 387-3826 Ambassador Janet E. GARVEY Avenue Rosa Parks, Yaounde P. O. Box 817, Yaounde; pouch: American Embassy, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520 [237] 2220 15 00; Consular: [237] 2220 16 03 [237] 2220 16 00 Ext. 4531; Consular FAX: [237] 2220 17 52 branch office(s): Douala three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Because of its modest oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as a top-heavy civil service and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade, and recapitalize the nation's banks. In June 2000, the government completed an IMF-sponsored, three-year structural adjustment program; however, the IMF is pressing for more reforms, including increased budget transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs. In January 2001, the Paris Club agreed to reduce Cameroon's debt of $1.3 billion by $900 million; debt relief now totals $1.26 billion. International oil and cocoa prices have a significant impact on the economy. $40.24 billion (2007 est.) $20.65 billion (2007 est.) 2.7% (2007 est.) $2,200 (2007 est.) 43.9% 15.8% 40.3% (2007 est.) 6.674 million (2007 est.) 70% 13% 17% (2001 est.) 30% (2001 est.) 48% (2000 est.) 2.3% 35.4% (2001) 44.6 (2001) 1.1% (2007 est.) 17.3% of GDP (2007 est.) $4.179 billion $3.297 billion (2007 est.) 15.5% of GDP (2007 est.) coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, root starches; livestock; timber petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair 3.5% (2007 est.) 3.903 billion kWh (2006 est.) 3.323 billion kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 87,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) 24,500 bbl/day (2006 est.) 108,800 bbl/day (2005) 50,750 bbl/day (2005) 200 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 20 million cu m (2006 est.) 20 million cu m (2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 135.1 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) -$325 million (2007 est.) $3.827 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee, cotton Spain 19.8%, Italy 15.7%, France 11.7%, South Korea 9.4%, Netherlands 6.1%, US 5.7% (2007) $3.714 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food France 23.4%, Nigeria 12.8%, China 9%, Belgium 5.8%, US 4% (2007) $2.932 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $2.554 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $413.8 million (2005) Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003) 1 July - 30 June 130,700 (2006) 4.536 million (2007) fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; equipment is old and outdated, and connections with many parts of the country are unreliable; mobile-cellular usage, in part a reflection of the poor condition and general inadequacy of the fixed-line network, increased more than 6-fold between 2002 and 2007 reaching a subscribership base of 25 per 100 persons cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter 237 landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) 14: AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (2001) 1 (2001) .cm 69 (2008) 370,000 (2006) 45 (2007) 11 2 4 3 1 1 (2007) 34 6 20 8 (2007) gas 27 km; liquid petroleum gas 5 km; oil 1,110 km (2007) 987 km 987 km 1.000-m gauge (2006) 50,000 km 5,000 km 45,000 km (2004) navigation mainly on Benue River; limited during rainy season (2005) Douala, Limboh Terminal Cameroon Armed Forces: Army, Navy (includes naval infantry), Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Cameroun, AAC) (2008) 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; the government makes periodic calls for volunteers (2006) 16 4,321,175 16 4,228,625 (2008 est.) 16 2,567,428 16 2,498,990 (2008 est.) 212,205 207,545 (2008 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2006) Joint Border Commission with Nigeria reviewed 2002 ICJ ruling on the entire boundary and bilaterally resolved differences, including June 2006 Greentree Agreement that immediately ceded sovereignty of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon with a full phase-out of Nigerian control and patriation of residents in 2008; Cameroon and Nigeria agree on maritime delimitation in March 2008; sovereignty dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem 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 20,000 to 30,000 (Chad); 3,000 (Nigeria); 24,000 (Central African Republic) (2007) Cameroon is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; most victims are children trafficked within country, with girls primarily trafficked for domestic servitude and sexual exploitation; both boys and girls are also trafficked within Cameroon for forced labor in sweatshops, bars, restaurants, and on tea and cocoa plantations; children are trafficked into Cameroon from neighboring states for forced labor in agriculture, fishing, street vending, and spare-parts shops; Cameroon is a transit country for children trafficked between Gabon and Nigeria, and from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia; it is a source country for women transported by sex-trafficking rings to Europe Tier 2 Watch List - Cameroon is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in 2007, particularly in terms of efforts to prosecute and convict trafficking offenders; while Cameroon reported some arrests of traffickers, none of them were prosecuted or punished; the government does not identify trafficking victims among vulnerable populations nor does it monitor the number of victims it intercepts (2008) Canada A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across an unfortified border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care and education services, as well as responding to separatist concerns in predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment. Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the conterminous US 60 00 N 95 00 W North America 9,984,670 sq km 9,093,507 sq km 891,163 sq km somewhat larger than the US 8,893 km US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska) 202,080 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast Atlantic Ocean 0 m Mount Logan 5,959 m iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower 4.57% 0.65% 94.78% (2005) 7,850 sq km (2003) continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of the mountains air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting lakes and damaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and forest productivity; ocean waters becoming contaminated due to agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, 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 Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Marine Life Conservation second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km of the US border 33,212,696 (July 2008 est.) 16.3% (male 2,780,491/female 2,644,276) 68.8% (male 11,547,354/female 11,300,639) 14.9% (male 2,150,991/female 2,788,945) (2008 est.) 40.1 years 39 years 41.2 years (2008 est.) 0.83% (2008 est.) 10.29 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 7.61 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 5.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 5.08 deaths/1,000 live births 5.4 deaths/1,000 live births 4.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 81.16 years 78.65 years 83.81 years (2008 est.) 1.57 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.3% (2003 est.) 56,000 (2003 est.) 1,500 (2003 est.) Canadian(s) Canadian British Isles origin 28%, French origin 23%, other European 15%, Amerindian 2%, other, mostly Asian, African, Arab 6%, mixed background 26% Roman Catholic 42.6%, Protestant 23.3% (including United Church 9.5%, Anglican 6.8%, Baptist 2.4%, Lutheran 2%), other Christian 4.4%, Muslim 1.9%, other and unspecified 11.8%, none 16% (2001 census) English (official) 59.3%, French (official) 23.2%, other 17.5% age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 99% (2003 est.) none Canada constitutional monarchy that is also a parliamentary democracy and a federation Ottawa 45 25 N 75 42 W UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November Canada is divided into six time zones 10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory* 1 July 1867 (union of British North American colonies); 11 December 1931 (recognized by UK) Canada Day, 1 July (1867) made up of unwritten and written acts, customs, judicial decisions, and traditions; the written part of the constitution consists of the Constitution Act of 29 March 1867, which created a federation of four provinces, and the Constitution Act of 17 April 1982, which transferred formal control over the constitution from Britain to Canada, and added a Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as procedures for constitutional amendments based on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil law system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Michaelle JEAN (since 27 September 2005) Prime Minister Stephen HARPER (since 6 February 2006) Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from among the members of his own party sitting in Parliament the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition in the House of Commons is automatically designated prime minister by the governor general bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (105 seats; members appointed by the governor general with the advice of the prime minister and serve until reaching 75 years of age) and the House of Commons or Chambre des Communes (308 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve a maximum of five-year terms starting in 2009 elections) House of Commons - last held 14 October 2008 (next to be held 19 October 2009) House of Commons - percent of vote by party - Conservative Party 37.6%, Liberal Party 26.2%, New Democratic Party 18.2%, Bloc Quebecois 10%, Greens 6.8%, other 1%; seats by party - Conservative Party 143, Liberal Party 76, New Democratic Party 37, Bloc Quebecois 50, other 1 Supreme Court of Canada (judges are appointed by the prime minister through the governor general); Federal Court of Canada; Federal Court of Appeal; Provincial Courts (these are named variously Court of Appeal, Court of Queens Bench, Superior Court, Supreme Court, and Court of Justice) Bloc Quebecois [Gilles DUCEPPE]; Conservative Party of Canada [Stephen HARPER] (a merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party); Green Party [Elizabeth MAY]; Liberal Party [Stephane DION]; New Democratic Party [Jack LAYTON] agricultural sector; automobile industry; business groups; chemical industry; commercial banks; communications sector; energy industry; environmentalists; public administration groups; steel industry; trade unions ACCT, ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CDB, CE (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ESA (cooperating state), FAO, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAFTA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SECI (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Ambassador Michael WILSON 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 [1] (202) 682-1740 [1] (202) 682-7701 Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tucson Anchorage, Houston, Philadelphia, Princeton (New Jersey), Raleigh, San Jose (California) Ambassador David H. WILKINS 490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8 P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburgh, NY 13669-0430; P.O. Box 866, Station B, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5T1 [1] (613) 688-5335 [1] (613) 688-3082 Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg two vertical bands of red (hoist and fly side, half width), with white square between them; an 11-pointed red maple leaf is centered in the white square; the official colors of Canada are red and white As an affluent, high-tech industrial society in the trillion-dollar class, Canada resembles the US in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and affluent living standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. The 1989 US-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (which includes Mexico) touched off a dramatic increase in trade and economic integration with the US. Given its great natural resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant, Canada enjoys solid economic prospects. Top-notch fiscal management has produced consecutive balanced budgets since 1997, although public debate continues over the equitable distribution of federal funds to the Canadian provinces. Exports account for roughly a third of GDP. Canada enjoys a substantial trade surplus with its principal trading partner, the US, which absorbs 80% of Canadian exports each year. Canada is the US's largest foreign supplier of energy, including oil, gas, uranium, and electric power. During 2007, Canada enjoyed good economic growth, moderate inflation, and the lowest unemployment rate in more than three decades. $1.271 trillion (2007 est.) $1.432 trillion (2007 est.) 2.7% (2007 est.) $38,600 (2007 est.) 2.1% 28.8% 69.1% (2007 est.) 17.95 million (2007 est.) agriculture 2%, manufacturing 13%, construction 6%, services 76%, other 3% (2006) 6% (2007 est.) 10.8%; note - this figure is the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), a calculation that results in higher figures than found in many comparable economies; Canada does not have an official poverty line (2005) 2.6% 24.8% (2000) 32.1 (2005) 2.1% (2007 est.) 22.6% of GDP (2007 est.) $569.3 billion $556.2 billion (2007 est.) 64.2% of GDP (2007 est.) wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; forest products; fish transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, fish products, petroleum and natural gas 0.3% (2007 est.) 612.6 billion kWh (2007 est.) 530 billion kWh (2006 est.) 50.12 billion kWh (2007 est.) 19.66 billion kWh (2007 est.) 3.425 million bbl/day (2007 est.) 2.371 million bbl/day (2007 est.) 2.225 million bbl/day (2005) 1.229 million bbl/day (2005) 178.6 billion bbl includes oil sands (1 January 2008 est.) 187 billion cu m (2007 est.) 92.9 billion cu m (2007 est.) 107.3 billion cu m (2007 est.) 13.2 billion cu m (2007 est.) 1.648 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $12.67 billion (2007 est.) $431.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) motor vehicles and parts, industrial machinery, aircraft, telecommunications equipment; chemicals, plastics, fertilizers; wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, natural gas, electricity, aluminum US 78.9%, UK 2.8%, China 2.1% (2007) $386.4 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, crude oil, chemicals, electricity, durable consumer goods US 54.1%, China 9.4%, Mexico 4.2% (2007) $41.08 billion (2007 est.) $758.6 billion (30 June 2007) ODA, $3.9 billion (2007) Canadian dollar (CAD) Canadian dollars (CAD) per US dollar - 1.0724 (2007), 1.1334 (2006), 1.2118 (2005), 1.301 (2004), 1.4011 (2003) 1 April - 31 March 21 million (2006) 18.749 million (2006) excellent service provided by modern technology domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stations 1 submarine cables provide links to the US and Europe; satellite earth stations - 7 (5 Intelsat - 4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean, and 2 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2007) 833: AM 245, FM 582, shortwave 6 (2004) 80 (plus many repeaters) (1997) .ca 5.119 million (2008) 28 million (2007) 1,343 (2007) 509 18 16 149 248 78 (2007) 834 68 356 410 (2007) 11 (2007) crude and refined oil 23,564 km; liquid petroleum gas 74,980 km (2006) 48,068 km 48,068 km 1.435-m gauge (2006) 1,042,300 km 415,600 km (includes 17,000 km of expressways) 626,700 km (2006) 636 km Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint Lawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with United States (2007) 175 bulk carrier 60, cargo 13, carrier 1, chemical tanker 10, combination ore/oil 1, container 2, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 64, petroleum tanker 12, roll on/roll off 6 17 (Germany 3, Netherlands 1, Norway 3, US 10) 206 (Australia 9, Bahamas 84, Barbados 9, Cambodia 2, Cyprus 2, Denmark 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 44, Liberia 7, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 6, Norway 7, Norway 3, Panama 18, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Spain 1, Spain 3, Taiwan 2, Vanuatu 5) (2008) Fraser River Port, Halifax, Hamilton, Montreal, Port-Cartier, Quebec City, Saint John (New Brunswick), Sept-Isles, Vancouver Canadian Forces: Land Forces Command (LFC), Maritime Command (MARCOM), Air Command (AIRCOM), Canada Command (homeland security) (2008) 17 years of age for male and female voluntary military service (with parental consent); 16 years of age for reserve and military college applicants; Canadian citizenship or permanent residence status required; maximum 34 years of age; service obligation 3-9 years (2008) 16 8,072,010 16 7,813,462 (2008 est.) 16 6,646,281 16 6,417,924 (2008 est.) 227,435 215,556 (2008 est.) 1.1% of GDP (2005 est.) managed maritime boundary disputes with the US at Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Gulf of Maine including the disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; Canada, the US, and other countries dispute the status of the Northwest Passage; US works closely with Canada to intensify security measures for monitoring and controlling legal and illegal movement of people, transport, and commodities across the international border; sovereignty dispute with Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland; commencing the collection of technical evidence for submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in support of claims for continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from its declared baselines in the Arctic, as stipulated in Article 76, paragraph 8, of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market and export to US; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; increasing ecstasy production, some of which is destined for the US; vulnerable to narcotics money laundering because of its mature financial services sector Cape Verde The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cape Verde subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following independence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification with Guinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continues to exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments. Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century caused significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result, Cape Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one. Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents. Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal 16 00 N 24 00 W Political Map of the World 4,033 sq km 4,033 sq km 0 sq km slightly larger than Rhode Island 0 km 965 km measured from claimed archipelagic baselines 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic Atlantic Ocean 0 m Mt. Fogo 2,829 m salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum 11.41% 0.74% 87.85% (2005) 30 sq km (2003) prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active soil erosion; deforestation due to demand for wood used as fuel; water shortages; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing 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 none of the selected agreements strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site 426,998 (July 2008 est.) 36.1% (male 77,533/female 76,489) 57.4% (male 120,208/female 125,009) 6.5% (male 10,226/female 17,533) (2008 est.) 20.6 years 19.9 years 21.5 years (2008 est.) 0.595% (2008 est.) 23.95 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 6.26 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -11.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.58 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 42.55 deaths/1,000 live births 48.66 deaths/1,000 live births 36.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 71.33 years 67.99 years 74.76 years (2008 est.) 3.17 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.035% (2001 est.) 775 (2001) 225 (as of 2001) Cape Verdean(s) Cape Verdean Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1% Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs), Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene) Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words) age 15 and over can read and write 76.6% 85.8% 69.2% (2003 est.) Republic of Cape Verde Cape Verde Republica de Cabo Verde Cabo Verde republic Praia 14 55 N 23 31 W UTC-1 (4 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 17 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao Miguel, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal 5 July 1975 (from Portugal) Independence Day, 5 July (1975) 25 September 1992; a major revision on 23 November 1995 substantially increased the powers of the president; a 1999 revision created the position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica) based on the legal system of Portugal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President Pedro Verona PIRES (since 22 March 2001) Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1 February 2001) Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 12 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2011); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president Pedro PIRES reelected president; percent of vote - Pedro PIRES (PAICV) 51.2%, Carlos VIEGA (MPD) 48.8% unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 22 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2011) percent of vote by party - PAICV 52.3%, MPD 44%, UCID 2.7%; seats by party - PAICV 41, MPD 29, UCID 2 Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV [Jose Maria Pereira NEVES, chairman]; Democratic Alliance for Change or ADM [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO] (a coalition of PCD, PTS, and UCID); Democratic Christian Party or PDC [Manuel RODRIGUES]; Democratic Renovation Party or PRD [Victor FIDALGO]; Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean Union or UCID [Antonio MONTEIRO]; Movement for Democracy or MPD [Agostinho LOPES]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO]; Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS [Isaias RODRIGUES]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Joao ALEM] environmentalists; political pressure groups ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Fatima Lima VEIGA 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 965-6820 [1] (202) 965-1207 Boston Ambassador Marianne M. MYLES Rua Abilio Macedo n6, Praia C. P. 201, Praia [238] 2-60-89-00 [238] 2-61-13-55 five unequal horizontal bands; the top-most band of blue - equal to one half the width of the flag - is followed by three bands of white, red, and white, each equal to 1/12 of the width, and a bottom stripe of blue equal to one quarter of the flag width; a circle of 10, yellow, five-pointed stars, each representing one of the islands, is centered on the red stripe and positioned 3/8 of the length of the flag from the hoist side This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for about three-fourths of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of food production in GDP is low. About 82% of food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by foreign aid and remittances from emigrants; remittances supplement GDP by more than 20%. Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Future prospects depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, the encouragement of tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program. Cape Verde became a member of the WTO in July 2008. $1.603 billion (2007 est.) $1.428 billion (2007 est.) 6.9% (2007 est.) $3,200 (2007 est.) 9.3% 16.7% 74% (2007 est.) 120,600 (1990) 21% (2000 est.) 30% (2000) 4.4% (2007 est.) 37% of GDP (2007 est.) $436.1 million $449.7 million (2007 est.) bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair 7.5% (2007 est.) 47 million kWh (2006 est.) 43.71 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 2,117 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 1,785 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) -$132.6 million (2007 est.) $76.5 million f.o.b. (2007 est.) fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides Spain 37.2%, Portugal 29.9%, Morocco 7%, US 6.6% (2007) $743.6 million f.o.b. (2007 est.) foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels Portugal 40.7%, Netherlands 10.9%, France 6.5%, Spain 5.6%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.9%, Brazil 4.7%, Italy 4.7% (2007) $398 million (31 December 2007 est.) $325 million (2002) $160.6 million (2005) Cape Verdean escudo (CVE) Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 81.235 (2007), 87.946 (2006), 88.67 (2005), 88.808 (2004), 97.703 (2003) calendar year 71,600 (2006) 148,000 (2007) effective system, extensive modernization from 1996-2000 following partial privatization in 1995 major service provider is Cabo Verde Telecom (CVT); fiber-optic ring, completed in 2001, links all islands providing Internet access and ISDN services; cellular service introduced in 1998; broadband services launched in 2004 238 landing point for the Atlantis-2 fiber-optic transatlantic telephone cable that provides links to South America, Senegal, and Europe; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) 22: AM 0, FM 22 (plus 12 repeaters), shortwave 0 (2001) 1 (plus 7 repeaters) (2001) .cv 20 (2008) 37,000 (2007) 8 (2007) 8 1 2 4 1 (2007) 1,350 km 932 km 418 km (2000) 8 cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 5 2 (Spain 1, UK 1) (2008) Porto Grande People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP): Army, Coast Guard (includes maritime air wing) (2007) 18 years of age (est.) for selective compulsory military service; 14-month conscript service obligation (2006) 16 103,650 16 103,553 (2008 est.) 16 83,082 16 88,832 (2008 est.) 5,566 5,441 (2008 est.) 0.7% of GDP (2005) none used as a transshipment point for Latin American cocaine destined for Western Europe; the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center Cayman Islands The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries, and were administered by Jamaica after 1863. In 1959, the islands became a territory within the Federation of the West Indies, but when the Federation dissolved in 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to remain a British dependency. Caribbean, three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica 19 30 N 80 30 W Central America and the Caribbean 262 sq km 262 sq km 0 sq km 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 160 km 12 nm 200 nm tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April) low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs Caribbean Sea 0 m The Bluff (Cayman Brac) 43 m fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism 3.85% 0% 96.15% (2005) hurricanes (July to November) no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments important location between Cuba and Central America 47,862 most of the population lives on Grand Cayman (July 2008 est.) 19.9% (male 4,774/female 4,759) 71.1% (male 16,594/female 17,434) 9% (male 2,022/female 2,279) (2008 est.) 37.8 years 37.4 years 38.2 years (2008 est.) 2.449% (2008 est.) 12.43 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 4.83 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 16.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2008 est.) 1.02 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 7.1 deaths/1,000 live births 8.16 deaths/1,000 live births 6.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 80.32 years 77.68 years 83 years (2008 est.) 1.89 children born/woman (2008 est.) Caymanian(s) Caymanian mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20% Church of God 26%, United Church 11.8% (Presbyterian and Congregational), Roman Catholic 11%, Baptist 8.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.2%, Anglican 5.7%, Pentacostal 5.3%, other Christian 2.7%, non-denominational 5.8%, other 3.8%, none 9.8%, unspecified 1.1% (1999 census) English 95%, Spanish 3.2%, other 1.8% (1999 census) age 15 and over has ever attended school 98% 98% 98% (1970 est.) none Cayman Islands overseas territory of the UK British crown colony George Town (on Grand Cayman) 19 18 N 81 23 W UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western none (overseas territory of the UK) Constitution Day, first Monday in July 1959; revised 1962, 1972, and 1994 British common law and local statutes 18 years of age; universal Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Stuart JACK (since 23 November 2005) Leader of Government Business Kurt TIBBETTS (since 18 May 2005) Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor, four members elected by the Legislative Assembly) the monarch is hereditary; the governor is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or coalition is appointed by the governor Leader of Government Business unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats; 3 appointed members from the Executive Council and 15 elected by popular vote; to serve four-year terms) last held 11 May 2005 (next to be held in 2009) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPM 9, UDP 5, independent 1 Summary Court; Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal United Democratic Party or UDP [McKeeva BUSH]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Kurt TIBBETTS]; note - no national teams (loose groupings of political organizations) were formed for the 2000 elections National Trust environmentalists Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WFTU none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of the UK) blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 68,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 2003, including almost 500 banks, 800 insurers, and 5,000 mutual funds. A stock exchange was opened in 1997. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 2.1 million in 2003, with about half from the US. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world. $1.939 billion (2004 est.) $NA 0.9% (2004 est.) $43,800 (2004 est.) 1.4% 3.2% 95.4% (1994 est.) 23,450 (2004) 1.4% 12.6% 86% (1995) 4.4% (2004) 4.4% (2004) $423.8 million $392.6 million (2004) vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture 546.1 million kWh (2007 est.) 546.1 million kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 2,767 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 2,818 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) $2.52 million (2004) turtle products, manufactured consumer goods mostly US (2006) $866.9 million (2004) foodstuffs, manufactured goods US, Netherlands Antilles, Japan (2006) $70 million (1996) $390,000 (2004) Caymanian dollar (KYD) Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 0.8496 (2006) 1 April - 31 March 38,000 (2002) 33,800 (2004) reasonably good system liberalization of telecom market in 2003; introduction of competition in the mobile-cellular market in 2004 345 landing point for the MAYA-1 submarine telephone cable network that provides links to the US and parts of Central and South America; submarine cable provides connectivity to Jamaica; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) 5: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (2004) 4 with cable system (2004) .ky 4,648 (2008) 22,000 (2007) 3 (2007) 2 2 (2007) 1 1 (2007) 785 km 785 km (2007) 109 bulk carrier 30, cargo 2, chemical tanker 42, petroleum tanker 15, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 3, vehicle carrier 7 107 (Denmark 3, Germany 15, Greece 16, Italy 4, Japan 13, Norway 1, Singapore 10, UK 3, US 42) (2008) Cayman Brac, George Town no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (2007) 16 11,790 (2008 est.) 16 9,577 (2008 est.) 336 336 (2008 est.) defense is the responsibility of the UK none offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to the US and Europe Central African Republic The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was established in 1993 and lasted for one decade. President Ange-Felix PATASSE's civilian government was plagued by unrest, and in March 2003 he was deposed in a military coup led by General Francois BOZIZE, who established a transitional government. Though the government has the tacit support of civil society groups and the main parties, a wide field of candidates contested the municipal, legislative, and presidential elections held in March and May of 2005 in which General BOZIZE was affirmed as president. The government still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist. Unrest in neighboring nations, Chad, Sudan, and the DRC, continues to affect stability in the Central African Republic as well. Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo 7 00 N 21 00 E Africa 622,984 sq km 622,984 sq km 0 sq km slightly smaller than Texas 5,203 km Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest Oubangui River 335 m Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower 3.1% 0.15% 96.75% (2005) 20 sq km (2003) hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished the country's reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands Law of the Sea landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa 4,444,330 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2008 est.) 41.3% (male 922,053/female 911,601) 54.6% (male 1,206,121/female 1,221,158) 4.1% (male 71,597/female 111,800) (2008 est.) 18.7 years 18.4 years 19 years (2008 est.) 1.509% (2008 est.) 33.13 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 18.04 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.64 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 82.13 deaths/1,000 live births 88.84 deaths/1,000 live births 75.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 44.22 years 44.14 years 44.29 years (2008 est.) 4.23 children born/woman (2008 est.) 13.5% (2003 est.) 260,000 (2003 est.) 23,000 (2003 est.) very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria meningococcal meningitis (2008) Central African(s) Central African Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2% indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15% animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages age 15 and over can read and write 48.6% 64.8% 33.5% (2000 est.) Central African Republic none Republique Centrafricaine none Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire CAR republic Bangui 4 22 N 18 35 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga 13 August 1960 (from France) Republic Day, 1 December (1958) ratified by popular referendum 5 December 2004; effective 27 December 2004 based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 21 years of age; universal President Francois BOZIZE (since 15 March 2003 coup) Prime Minister Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (since 22 January 2008) Council of Ministers under the new constitution, the president elected to a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held 13 March and 8 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010); prime minister appointed by the political party with a parliamentary majority Francois BOZIZE elected president; percent of second round balloting - Francois BOZIZE (KNK) 64.6%, Martin ZIGUELE (MLPC) 35.4% unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (105 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 13 March 2005 and 8 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - KNK 42, MLPC 11, RDC 8, PSD 4, FPP 2, ADP 2, LONDO 1, independents 34, other 1 Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (3 judges appointed by the president, 3 by the president of the National Assembly, and 3 by fellow judges); Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Inferior Courts Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Jacques MBOLIEDAS]; Central African Democratic Rally or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Forum for Modernity or FODEM [Charles MASSI]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Londo Association or LONDO; Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [Ange-Felix PATASSE] (the party of deposed president); National Convergence or KNK; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; People's Union for the Republic or UPR [Pierre Sammy MAKFOY]; National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE] Monam (combating gender-base violence) ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Emmanuel TOUABOY 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 483-7800 [1] (202) 332-9893 Ambassador Frederick B. COOK Avenue David Dacko, Bangui B. P. 924, Bangui [236] 61 02 00 [236] 61 44 94 the embassy is currently operating with a minimal staff four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; a yellow five-pointed star to the hoist side of the blue band Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates more than half of GDP. Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry, for 40%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. Factional fighting between the government and its opponents remains a drag on economic revitalization. Distribution of income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs. $3.007 billion (2007 est.) $1.714 billion (2007 est.) 4% (2007 est.) $700 (2007 est.) 55% 20% 25% (2001 est.) 1.857 million (2006) 8% (23% for Bangui) (2001 est.) 0.7% 47.7% (1993) 61.3 (1993) 0.9% (2007 est.) $250 million $273 million (2007 est.) timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles 3% (2002) 110 million kWh (2006 est.) 102.3 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 2,322 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 2,057 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006) -$77 million (2007 est.) $146.7 million f.o.b. (2007 est.) diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco Belgium 22.7%, Indonesia 19.3%, Italy 7.7%, France 7.1%, Spain 6.9%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 6.8%, China 4.9%, Turkey 4.7% (2007) $237.3 million f.o.b. (2007 est.) food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals France 16.6%, Netherlands 13%, Cameroon 9.7%, US 6.3% (2007) $1.153 billion (2007 est.) ODA, $95.29 million; note - traditional budget subsidies from France (2005 est.) Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 481.8 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003) calendar year 12,000 (2006) 130,000 (2007) limited telephone service; fixed-line connections for well less than 1 per 100 persons coupled with mobile-cellular usage of only about 3 per 100 persons; most fixed-line and cellular telephone services are concentrated in Bangui network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication 236 satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) 7: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2001) 1 (2001) .cf 21 (2008) 13,000 (2006) 51 (2007) 3 1 2 (2007) 48 1 10 24 13 (2007) 24,307 km (2000) 2,800 km (primarily on the Oubangui and Sangha rivers) (2006) Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga Central African Armed Forces (Forces Armees Centrafricaines, FACA): Ground Forces, General Directorate of Gendarmerie Inspection (DGIG), Military Air Service, National Police (2008) 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2006) 16 1,032,828 16 999,330 (2008 est.) 16 534,141 16 495,303 (2008 est.) 54,655 54,420 (2008 est.) 1.1% of GDP (2006 est.) periodic skirmishes over water and grazing rights among related pastoral populations along the border with southern Sudan persist 7,900 (Sudan); 3,700 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); note - UNHCR resumed repatriation of Southern Sudanese refugees in 2006 197,000 (ongoing unrest following coup in 2003) (2007) Central African Republic is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; the majority of victims are children trafficked within the country for sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, street vending, and forced agricultural, mine, market and restaurant labor; to a lesser extent, children are trafficked from the Central African Republic to Cameroon, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo; rebels conscript children into armed forces within the country Tier 2 Watch List - Central African Republic is on the Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in 2007; efforts to address trafficking through vigorous law enforcement measures and victim protection efforts were minimal, though awareness about trafficking appeared to be increasing in the country; the government does not actively investigate cases, work to identify trafficking victims among vulnerable populations, or rescue and provide care to victims; the government has not taken measures to reduce demand for commercial sex acts (2008) Chad Chad, part of France's African holdings until 1960, endured three decades of civil warfare as well as invasions by Libya before a semblance of peace was finally restored in 1990. The government eventually drafted a democratic constitution, and held flawed presidential elections in 1996 and 2001. In 1998, a rebellion broke out in northern Chad, which has sporadically flared up despite several peace agreements between the government and the rebels. In 2005, new rebel groups emerged in western Sudan and made probing attacks into eastern Chad, despite signing peace agreements in December 2006 and October 2007. Power remains in the hands of an ethnic minority. In June 2005, President Idriss DEBY held a referendum successfully removing constitutional term limits and won another controversial election in 2006. Sporadic rebel campaigns continued throughout 2006 and 2007, and the capital experienced a significant rebel threat in early 2008. Central Africa, south of Libya 15 00 N 19 00 E Africa 1.284 million sq km 1,259,200 sq km 24,800 sq km slightly more than three times the size of California 5,968 km Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197 km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) tropical in south, desert in north broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south Djourab Depression 160 m Emi Koussi 3,415 m petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad), gold, limestone, sand and gravel, salt 2.8% 0.02% 97.18% (2005) 300 sq km (2003) hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution; desertification Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel 10,111,337 (July 2008 est.) 47% (male 2,408,638/female 2,346,984) 50.1% (male 2,317,406/female 2,746,104) 2.9% (male 123,561/female 168,644) (2008 est.) 16.4 years 15.2 years 17.5 years (2008 est.) 2.195% (2008 est.) 41.61 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 16.39 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -3.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 0.73 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 100.36 deaths/1,000 live births 106.48 deaths/1,000 live births 94 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 47.43 years 46.4 years 48.5 years (2008 est.) 5.43 children born/woman (2008 est.) 4.8% (2003 est.) 200,000 (2003 est.) 18,000 (2003 est.) very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria schistosomiasis meningococcal meningitis (2008) Chadian(s) Chadian Sara 27.7%, Arab 12.3%, Mayo-Kebbi 11.5%, Kanem-Bornou 9%, Ouaddai 8.7%, Hadjarai 6.7%, Tandjile 6.5%, Gorane 6.3%, Fitri-Batha 4.7%, other 6.4%, unknown 0.3% (1993 census) Muslim 53.1%, Catholic 20.1%, Protestant 14.2%, animist 7.3%, other 0.5%, unknown 1.7%, atheist 3.1% (1993 census) French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic 25.7% 40.8% 12.8% (2000 est.) Republic of Chad Chad Republique du Tchad/Jumhuriyat Tshad Tchad/Tshad republic N'Djamena 12 06 N 15 02 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 18 regions (regions, singular - region); Batha, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi, Guera, Hadjer-Lamis, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mandoul, Mayo-Kebbi Est, Mayo-Kebbi Ouest, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile, Ville de N'Djamena, Wadi Fira 11 August 1960 (from France) Independence Day, 11 August (1960) passed by referendum 31 March 1996; a June 2005 referendum removed constitutional term limits based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno (since 4 December 1990) Prime Minister Youssof Saleh ABBAS (since 16 April 2008) Council of State, members appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister president elected by popular vote to serve five-year term; if no candidate receives at least 50% of the total vote, the two candidates receiving the most votes must stand for a second round of voting; last held 3 May 2006 (next to be held by May 2011); prime minister appointed by the president Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno reelected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY 64.7%, Delwa Kassire KOUMAKOYE 15.1%, Albert Pahimi PADACKE 7.8%, Mahamat ABDOULAYE 7.1%, Brahim KOULAMALLAH 5.3%; note - a June 2005 national referendum altered the constitution removing presidential term limits and permitting Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno to run for reelection unicameral National Assembly (155 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); note - the 1996 constitution called for a Senate that has never been formed National Assembly - last held 21 April 2002 (next to be held by 2009); note - legislative elections, originally scheduled for 2006, were first delayed by National Assembly action and subsequently by an accord, signed in August 2007, between government and opposition parties percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MPS 110, RDP 12, FAR 9, RNDP 5, UNDR 5, URD 3, other 11 Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Magistrate Courts Federation Action for the Republic or FAR [Ngarledjy YORONGAR]; National Rally for Development and Progress or RNDP [Delwa Kassire KOUMAKOYE]; National Union for Democracy and Renewal or UNDR [Saleh KEBZABO]; Party for Liberty and Development or PLD [Ibni Oumar Mahamat SALEH]; Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS [Mahamat Saleh AHMAT, chairman]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Lol Mahamat CHOUA]; Union for Renewal and Democracy or URD [Gen. Wadal Abdelkader KAMOUGUE] rebel groups ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Mahamat Adam BECHIR 2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 462-4009 [1] (202) 265-1937 Ambassador Louis NIGRO Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena B. P. 413, N'Djamena [235] 251-62-11, [235] 251-70-09, [235] 251-77-59 [235] 251-56-54 three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flags of Andorra and Moldova, both of which have a national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France Chad's primarily agricultural economy will continue to be boosted by major foreign direct investment projects in the oil sector that began in 2000. At least 80% of Chad's population relies on subsistence farming and livestock raising for its livelihood. Chad's economy has long been handicapped by its landlocked position, high energy costs, and a history of instability. Chad relies on foreign assistance and foreign capital for most public and private sector investment projects. A consortium led by two US companies has been investing $3.7 billion to develop oil reserves - estimated at 1 billion barrels - in southern Chad. Chinese companies are also expanding exploration efforts and plan to build a refinery. The nation's total oil reserves have been estimated to be 1.5 billion barrels. Oil production came on stream in late 2003. Chad began to export oil in 2004. Cotton, cattle, and gum arabic provide the bulk of Chad's non-oil export earnings. $15.26 billion (2007 est.) $7.095 billion (2007 est.) 1.3% (2007 est.) $1,500 (2007 est.) 21.5% 47.8% 30.6% (2007 est.) 3.747 million (2006) 80% (subsistence farming, herding, and fishing) 20% (2006 est.) 80% (2001 est.) 4% (2007 est.) 11.4% of GDP (2007 est.) $1.864 billion $1.749 billion (2007 est.) cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca); cattle, sheep, goats, camels oil, cotton textiles, meatpacking, brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials 2% (2007 est.) 95 million kWh (2006 est.) 88.35 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 156,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) 1,352 bbl/day (2006 est.) 176,700 bbl/day (2005) 1,492 bbl/day (2005) 1.5 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) -$171 million (2007 est.) $4.201 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) oil, cattle, cotton, gum arabic US 89.5%, Japan 3.7%, China 3.4% (2007) $1.158 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods, foodstuffs, textiles France 20.4%, Cameroon 16.1%, US 10.9%, China 10%, Germany 7.5%, Saudi Arabia 4.4% (2007) $969 million (31 December 2007 est.) $1.6 billion (2005 est.) ODA, $379.8 million (2005) Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 480.1 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003) calendar year 13,000 (2006) 918,400 (2007) primitive system with high costs and low telephone density; fixed-line connections for only about 1 per 1000 persons coupled with mobile-cellular usage of only about 9 per 100 persons fair system of radiotelephone communication stations 235 satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) 11: AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 5 (2001) 1 (2001) .td 5 (2008) 60,000 (2006) 55 (2007) 7 2 3 1 1 (2007) 48 16 21 11 (2007) oil 250 km (2007) 33,400 km 267 km 33,133 km (2002) Chari and Legone rivers are navigable only in wet season (2006) Armed Forces: Chadian National Army (Armee Nationale du Tchad, ANT), Chadian Air Force (Force Aerienne Tchadienne, FAT), Gendarmerie (2008) 20 years of age for conscripts, with 3-year service obligation; 18 years of age for volunteers; no minimum age restriction for volunteers with consent from a guardian; women are subject to 1 year of compulsory military or civic service at age of 21 (2004) 16 1,906,545 16 2,258,758 (2008 est.) 16 1,066,565 16 1,279,318 (2008 est.) 116,824 117,831 (2008 est.) 4.2% of GDP (2006) since 2003, Janjawid armed militia and the Sudanese military have driven hundreds of thousands of Darfur residents into Chad; Chad remains an important mediator in the Sudanese civil conflict, reducing tensions with Sudan arising from cross-border banditry; Chadian Aozou rebels reside in southern Libya; 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 234,000 (Sudan); 54,200 (Central African Republic) 178,918 (2007) Chad is a source, transit, and destination country for children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; the majority of children are trafficked within Chad for involuntary domestic servitude, forced cattle herding, forced begging, forced labor in petty commerce or the fishing industry, or for commercial sexual exploitation; to a lesser extent, Chadian children are also trafficked to Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Nigeria for cattle herding; children may also be trafficked from Cameroon and the Central African Republic to Chad's oil producing regions for sexual exploitation Tier 2 Watch List - Chad is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in 2007; Chad was destabilized during 2007 by civil conflict leading to a declared state of emergency in February 2008, and a steady influx of refugees fleeing Sudan and the Central African Republic; the government demonstrated insufficient overall efforts to combat trafficking; Chad has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Chile Prior to the coming of the Spanish in the 16th century, northern Chile was under Inca rule while Araucanian Indians (also known as Mapuches) inhabited central and southern Chile. Although Chile declared its independence in 1810, decisive victory over the Spanish was not achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-83), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia and won its present northern regions. It was not until the 1880s that the Araucanian Indians were completely subjugated. A three-year-old Marxist government of Salvador ALLENDE was overthrown in 1973 by a military coup led by Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until a freely elected president was installed in 1990. Sound economic policies, maintained consistently since the 1980s, have contributed to steady growth, reduced poverty rates by over half, and have helped secure the country's commitment to democratic and representative government. Chile has increasingly assumed regional and international leadership roles befitting its status as a stable, democratic nation. Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru 30 00 S 71 00 W South America 756,950 sq km 748,800 sq km 8,150 sq km includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana 6,339 km Argentina 5,308 km, Bolivia 860 km, Peru 171 km 6,435 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200/350 nm temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east Pacific Ocean 0 m Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 m copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower 2.62% 0.43% 96.95% (2005) 19,000 sq km (2003) severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis widespread deforestation and mining threaten natural resources; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage 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, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Atacama Desert is one of world's driest regions 16,454,143 (July 2008 est.) 23.6% (male 1,987,962/female 1,899,489) 67.6% (male 5,556,867/female 5,563,666) 8.8% (male 602,789/female 843,370) (2008 est.) 31.1 years 30.1 years 32.1 years (2008 est.) 0.905% (2008 est.) 14.82 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 5.77 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.72 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births 8.7 deaths/1,000 live births 7.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 77.15 years 73.88 years 80.59 years (2008 est.) 1.95 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.3% (2003 est.) 26,000 (2003 est.) 1,400 (2003 est.) Chilean(s) Chilean white and white-Amerindian 95.4%, Mapuche 4%, other indigenous groups 0.6% (2002 census) Roman Catholic 70%, Evangelical 15.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other Christian 1%, other 4.6%, none 8.3% (2002 census) Spanish (official), Mapudungun, German, English age 15 and over can read and write 95.7% 95.8% 95.6% (2002 census) Republic of Chile Chile Republica de Chile Chile republic Santiago 33 27 S 70 40 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins second Sunday in October; ends second Sunday in March 15 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Arica y Parinacota, Atacama, Biobio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Los Rios, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana (Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica 18 September 1810 (from Spain) Independence Day, 18 September (1810) 11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 1989, 1991, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, and 2005 based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codes influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; note - in June 2005, Chile completed overhaul of its criminal justice system to a new, US-style adversarial system 18 years of age; universal and compulsory President Michelle BACHELET Jeria (since 11 March 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Michelle BACHELET Jeria (since 11 March 2006) Cabinet appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 11 December 2005, with runoff election held 15 January 2006 (next to be held in December 2009) Michelle BACHELET Jeria elected president; percent of vote - Michelle BACHELET Jeria 53.5%; Sebastian PINERA Echenique 46.5% bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (38 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve eight-year terms; one-half elected every four years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Senate - last held 11 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2009); Chamber of Deputies - last held 11 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2009) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPD 20 (PDC 6, PS 8, PPD 3, PRSD 3), APC 17 (UDI 9, RN 8), independent 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPD 65 (PDC 21, PPD 22, PS 15, PRSD 7), APC 54 (UDI 34, RN 20), independent 1; note - as of 8 January 2008: Senate - seats by party - CPD 18, (PDC 5, PS 8, PPD 2, PRSD 3), APC 16 (UDI 9, RN 7), independent 4; Chamber of Deputies - seats by party - CPD 57 (PDC 16, PPD 19, PS 15, PRSD 7), APC 53 (UDI 33, RN 20), independent 10. Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is elected every three years by the 20-member court); Constitutional Tribunal Alliance for Chile (Alianza) or APC (including National Renewal or RN [Carlos LARRAIN Pena] and Independent Democratic Union or UDI [Hernan LARRAIN Fernandez]); Coalition of Parties for Democracy (Concertacion) or CPD (including Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Soledad ALVEAR], Socialist Party or PS [Camilo ESCALONA Medina], Party for Democracy or PPD [Sergio BITAR Chacra], Radical Social Democratic Party or PRSD [Jose Antonio GOMEZ Urrutia]); Communist Party or PC [Guillermo TEILLIER]; Humanist Party [Marilen CABRERA Olmos] Roman Catholic Church; United Labor Central or CUT includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor confederations revitalized university student federations at all major universities APEC, BIS, CAN (associate), FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Mariano FERNANDEZ 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 785-1746 [1] (202) 887-5579 Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico) Ambassador Paul E. SIMONS Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago APO AA 34033 [56] (2) 330-3000 [56] (2) 330-3710, 330-3160 two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red represents the blood spilled to achieve independence design was influenced by the US flag Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade. During the early 1990s, Chile's reputation as a role model for economic reform was strengthened when the democratic government of Patricio AYLWIN - which took over from the military in 1990 - deepened the economic reform initiated by the military government. Growth in real GDP averaged 8% during 1991-97, but fell to half that level in 1998 because of tight monetary policies implemented to keep the current account deficit in check and because of lower export earnings - the latter a product of the global financial crisis. A severe drought exacerbated the recession in 1999, reducing crop yields and causing hydroelectric shortfalls and electricity rationing, and Chile experienced negative economic growth for the first time in more than 15 years. Despite the effects of the recession, Chile maintained its reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. Between 2000 and 2007 growth ranged between 2%-6%. Throughout these years Chile maintained a low rate of inflation with GDP growth coming from high copper prices, solid export earnings (particularly forestry, fishing, and mining), and growing domestic consumption. President BACHELET in 2006 established an Economic and Social Stabilization Fund to hold excess copper revenues so that social spending can be maintained during periods of copper shortfalls. This fund probably surpassed $20 billion at the end of 2007. Chile continues to attract foreign direct investment, but most foreign investment goes into gas, water, electricity and mining. Unemployment has exhibited a downward trend over the past two years, dropping to 7.8% and 7.0% at the end of 2006 and 2007, respectively. Chile deepened its longstanding commitment to trade liberalization with the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, which took effect on 1 January 2004. Chile claims to have more bilateral or regional trade agreements than any other country. It has 57 such agreements (not all of them full free trade agreements), including with the European Union, Mercosur, China, India, South Korea, and Mexico. $232.8 billion (2007 est.) $163.8 billion (2007 est.) 5.1% (2007 est.) $14,300 (2007 est.) 4.8% 51.2% 44% (2007 est.) 7.167 million (2007 est.) 13.6% 23.4% 63% (2003) 7% (2007 est.) 18.2% (2005) 1.4% 45% (2003) 54.9 (2003) 4.4% (2007 est.) 20.6% of GDP (2007 est.) $44.96 billion $30.51 billion (2007 est.) 4.1% of GDP (2007 est.) grapes, apples, pears, onions, wheat, corn, oats, peaches, garlic, asparagus, beans; beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles 11.1% (2007 est.) 50.37 billion kWh (2006 est.) 45.52 billion kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 1.628 billion kWh (2007 est.) 11,610 bbl/day (2007 est.) 253,000 bbl/day (2006 est.) 32,500 bbl/day (2005) 222,900 bbl/day (2006 est.) 150 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 1.8 billion cu m (2007 est.) 4.2 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 2.4 billion cu m (2007 est.) 97.97 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $7.2 billion (2007 est.) $67.64 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) copper, fruit, fish products, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine China 14.8%, US 12.5%, Japan 10.5%, Netherlands 5.8%, South Korea 5.7%, Italy 5.1%, Brazil 5% (2007) $43.99 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, electrical and telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery, vehicles, natural gas US 16.7%, China 11.2%, Brazil 10.3%, Argentina 9.9% (2007) $16.84 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $57.6 billion (31 December 2007) $0 (2006) Chilean peso (CLP) Chilean pesos (CLP) per US dollar - 526.25 (2007), 530.29 (2006), 560.09 (2005), 609.37 (2004), 691.43 (2003) calendar year 3.379 million (2007) 13.955 million (2007) privatization begun in 1988; most advanced telecommunications infrastructure in South America; modern system based on extensive microwave radio relay facilities; fixed-line connections have dropped in recent years as mobile-cellular usage continues to increase, reaching a level of 85 telephones per 100 persons extensive microwave radio relay links; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations 56 submarine cables provide links to the US and to Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) 261: AM 180 (8 inactive), FM 64, shortwave 17 (1 inactive) (1998) 63 (plus 121 repeaters) (1997) .cl 847,215 (2008) 5.57 million (2007) 358 (2007) 79 5 8 22 25 19 (2007) 279 2 12 49 216 (2007) gas 2,550 km; gas/liquid petroleum gas 42 km; liquid petroleum gas 539 km; oil 1,002 km; refined products 757 km; unknown (oil/water) 97 km (2007) 6,585 km 2,831 km 1.676-m gauge (1,317 km electrified) 3,754 km 1.000-m gauge (2006) 80,505 km 16,745 km (includes 2,414 km of expressways) 63,760 km (2004) 44 bulk carrier 9, cargo 7, chemical tanker 8, container 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 3 40 (Argentina 7, Brazil 1, Cyprus 1, Isle of Man 6, Marshall Islands 4, Norway 2, Panama 12, Singapore 6, Venezuela 1) (2008) Coronel, Huasco, Lirquen, Puerto Ventanas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Valparaiso Army of the Nation, Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile, includes naval air, marine corps, and Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine Directorate (Directemar)), Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Chile, FACh), Carabineros Corps (Cuerpo de Carabineros) (2008) 18-45 years of age for voluntary male and female military service, although the right to compulsory recruitment is retained; service obligation - 12 months for Army, 22 months for Navy and Air Force (2008) 16 4,242,912 16 4,182,509 (2008 est.) 16 3,542,448 16 3,500,059 (2008 est.) 147,518 141,139 (2008 est.) 2.7% of GDP (2006) Chile and Peru rebuff Bolivia's reinvigorated claim to restore the Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, but Chile has offered instead unrestricted but not sovereign maritime access through Chile to Bolivian gas and other commodities; Chile rejects Peru's unilateral legislation to change its latitudinal maritime boundary with Chile to an equidistance line with a southwestern axis favoring Peru, in October 2007, Peru took its maritime complaint with Chile to the ICJ; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims; the joint boundary commission, established by Chile and Argentina in 2001, has yet to map and demarcate the delimited boundary in the inhospitable Andean Southern Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur) transshipment country for cocaine destined for Europe and the region; economic prosperity and increasing trade have made Chile more attractive to traffickers seeking to launder drug profits, especially through the Iquique Free Trade Zone, but a recent anti-money-laundering law improves controls; imported precursors passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising, making Chile a significant consumer of cocaine China For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, his successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight. Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam 35 00 N 105 00 E Asia 9,596,960 sq km 9,326,410 sq km 270,550 sq km slightly smaller than the US 22,117 km Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km, India 3,380 km, Kazakhstan 1,533 km, North Korea 1,416 km, Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Mongolia 4,677 km, Nepal 1,236 km, Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605 km, Russia (northwest) 40 km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 km Hong Kong 30 km, Macau 0.34 km 14,500 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east Turpan Pendi -154 m Mount Everest 8,850 m coal, iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, mercury, tin, tungsten, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc, uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest) 14.86% 1.27% 83.87% (2005) 545,960 sq km (2003) frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts; land subsidence air pollution (greenhouse gases, sulfur dioxide particulates) from reliance on coal produces acid rain; water shortages, particularly in the north; water pollution from untreated wastes; deforestation; estimated loss of one-fifth of agricultural land since 1949 to soil erosion and economic development; desertification; trade in endangered species Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, 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 none of the selected agreements world's fourth largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US); Mount Everest on the border with Nepal is the world's tallest peak 1,330,044,544 (July 2008 est.) 20.1% (male 142,085,665/female 125,300,391) 71.9% (male 491,513,378/female 465,020,030) 8% (male 50,652,480/female 55,472,661) (2008 est.) 33.6 years 33.1 years 34.2 years (2008 est.) 0.629% (2008 est.) 13.71 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 7.03 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -0.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.11 male(s)/female 1.13 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 21.16 deaths/1,000 live births 19.43 deaths/1,000 live births 23.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 73.18 years 71.37 years 75.18 years (2008 est.) 1.77 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.1% (2003 est.) 840,000 (2003 est.) 44,000 (2003 est.) intermediate bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria leptospirosis rabies highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) Chinese (singular and plural) Chinese Han Chinese 91.5%, Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Uyghur, Tujia, Yi, Mongol, Tibetan, Buyi, Dong, Yao, Korean, and other nationalities 8.5% (2000 census) Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Christian 3%-4%, Muslim 1%-2% officially atheist (2002 est.) Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages (see Ethnic groups entry) age 15 and over can read and write 90.9% 95.1% 86.5% (2000 census) People's Republic of China China Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo Zhongguo PRC Communist state Beijing 39 55 N 116 23 E UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) despite its size, all of China falls within one time zone 23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 4 municipalities (shi, singular and plural) Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang; (see note on Taiwan) Guangxi, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Xinjiang Uygur, Xizang (Tibet) Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianjin China considers Taiwan its 23rd province; see separate entries for the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau 221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty); 1 January 1912 (Manchu Dynasty replaced by a Republic); 1 October 1949 (People's Republic established) Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, 1 October (1949) most recent promulgation 4 December 1982 based on civil law system; derived from Soviet and continental civil code legal principles; legislature retains power to interpret statutes; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003); Vice President XI Jinping (since 15 March 2008) Premier WEN Jiabao (since 16 March 2003); Executive Vice Premier LI Keqiang (17 March 2008), Vice Premier HUI Liangyu (since 17 March 2003), Vice Premier ZHANG Deijiang (since 17 March 2008), and Vice Premier WANG Qishan (since 17 March 2008) State Council appointed by National People's Congress (NPC) president and vice president elected by National People's Congress for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held 15-17 March 2008 (next to be held in mid-March 2013); premier nominated by president, confirmed by National People's Congress HU Jintao elected president by National People's Congress with a total of 2,963 votes; XI Jinping elected vice president with a total of 2,919 votes unicameral National People's Congress or Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (2,987 seats; members elected by municipal, regional, and provincial people's congresses, and People's Liberation Army to serve five-year terms) last held December 2007-February 2008; date of next election - NA percent of vote - NA; seats - 2,987 Supreme People's Court (judges appointed by the National People's Congress); Local People's Courts (comprise higher, intermediate, and basic courts); Special People's Courts (primarily military, maritime, railway transportation, and forestry courts) Chinese Communist Party or CCP [HU Jintao]; eight registered small parties controlled by CCP the China Democracy Party; the Falungong spiritual movement no substantial political opposition groups exist, although the government has identified the organizations listed above as subversive groups ADB, AfDB (nonregional members), APEC, APT, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, CDB, EAS, FAO, G-24 (observer), G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SCO, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Ambassador ZHOU Wenzhong 2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 328-2500 [1] (202) 328-2582 Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco Ambassador Clark T. RANDT, Jr. 55 An Jia Lou Lu, 100600 Beijing PSC 461, Box 50, FPO AP 96521-0002 [86] (10) 8531-3000 [86] (10) 8531-3300 Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau, Shanghai, Shenyang red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner China's economy during the last quarter century has changed from a centrally planned system that was largely closed to international trade to a more market-oriented economy that has a rapidly growing private sector and is a major player in the global economy. Reforms started in the late 1970s with the phasing out of collectivized agriculture, and expanded to include the gradual liberalization of prices, fiscal decentralization, increased autonomy for state enterprises, the foundation of a diversified banking system, the development of stock markets, the rapid growth of the non-state sector, and the opening to foreign trade and investment. China has generally implemented reforms in a gradualist or piecemeal fashion, including the sale of minority shares in four of China's largest state banks to foreign investors and refinements in foreign exchange and bond markets in 2005. After keeping its currency tightly linked to the US dollar for years, China in July 2005 revalued its currency by 2.1% against the US dollar and moved to an exchange rate system that references a basket of currencies. Cumulative appreciation of the renminbi against the US dollar since the end of the dollar peg reached 15% in January 2008. The restructuring of the economy and resulting efficiency gains have contributed to a more than tenfold increase in GDP since 1978. Measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis, China in 2007 stood as the second-largest economy in the world after the US, although in per capita terms the country is still lower middle-income. Annual inflows of foreign direct investment in 2007 rose to $75 billion. By the end of 2007, more than 5,000 domestic Chinese enterprises had established direct investments in 172 countries and regions around the world. The Chinese government faces several economic development challenges: (a) to sustain adequate job growth for tens of millions of workers laid off from state-owned enterprises, migrants, and new entrants to the work force; (b) to reduce corruption and other economic crimes; and (c) to contain environmental damage and social strife related to the economy's rapid transformation. Economic development has been more rapid in coastal provinces than in the interior, and approximately 200 million rural laborers have relocated to urban areas to find work. One demographic consequence of the "one child" policy is that China is now one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world. Deterioration in the environment - notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the water table, especially in the north - is another long-term problem. China continues to lose arable land because of erosion and economic development. In 2007 China intensified government efforts to improve environmental conditions, tying the evaluation of local officials to environmental targets, publishing a national climate change policy, and establishing a high level leading group on climate change, headed by Premier WEN Jiabao. The Chinese government seeks to add energy production capacity from sources other than coal and oil as its double-digit economic growth increases demand. Chinese energy officials in 2007 agreed to purchase five third generation nuclear reactors from Western companies. More power generating capacity came on line in 2006 as large scale investments - including the Three Gorges Dam across the Yangtze River - were completed. $7.099 trillion (2007 est.) $3.251 trillion (2007 est.) 11.9% (2007 est.) $5,400 (2007 est.) 11.3% 48.6% 40.1% (2007 est.) 800.7 million (2007 est.) 43% 25% 32% (2006 est.) 4% unemployment in urban areas; substantial unemployment and underemployment in rural areas (2007 est.) 8% 21.5 million rural population live below the official "absolute poverty" line (approximately $90 per year); and an additional 35.5 million rural population above that but below the official "low income" line (approximately $125 per year) (2006 est.) 1.6% 34.9% (2004) 47 (2007) 4.8% (2007 est.) 42.7% of GDP (2007 est.) $674.3 billion $651.6 billion (2007 est.) 18.4% of GDP (2007 est.) rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, apples, cotton, oilseed; pork; fish mining and ore processing, iron, steel, aluminum, and other metals, coal; machine building; armaments; textiles and apparel; petroleum; cement; chemicals; fertilizers; consumer products, including footwear, toys, and electronics; food processing; transportation equipment, including automobiles, rail cars and locomotives, ships, and aircraft; telecommunications equipment, commercial space launch vehicles, satellites 13.4% (2007 est.) 3.256 trillion kWh (2007) 2.859 trillion kWh (2006) 14.04 billion kWh (2007 est.) 4.771 billion kWh (2007 est.) 3.725 million bbl/day (2008 est.) 7.578 million bbl/day (2007 est.) 79,060 bbl/day (2007) 3.19 million bbl/day (2007) 16 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 69.27 billion cu m (2007 est.) 70.51 billion cu m (2007 est.) 2.69 billion cu m (2007 est.) 3.92 billion cu m (2007 est.) 2.265 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $371.8 billion (2007 est.) $1.22 trillion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery, electrical products, data processing equipment, apparel, textile, steel, mobile phones US 19.1%, Hong Kong 15.1%, Japan 8.4%, South Korea 4.6%, Germany 4% (2007) $904.6 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and equipment, oil and mineral fuels, plastics, LED screens, data processing equipment, optical and medical equipment, organic chemicals, steel, copper Japan 14%, South Korea 10.9%, Taiwan 10.5%, US 7.3%, Germany 4.7% (2007) $1.534 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) $363 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $1.641 billion (FY07) Renminbi (RMB); note - also referred to by the unit yuan (CNY) Renminbi yuan (RMB) per US dollar - 7.61 (2007), 7.97 (2006), 8.1943 (2005), 8.2768 (2004), 8.277 (2003) calendar year 365.4 million (2007) 547.286 million (2007) domestic and international services are increasingly available for private use; unevenly distributed domestic system serves principal cities, industrial centers, and many towns; nonetheless, by the end of 2006, more than 95% of China's villages had been connected to the telephone network; China continues to develop its telecommunications infrastructure, and is partnering with foreign providers to expand its global reach; 3 of China's 6 major telecommunications operators are part of an international consortium which, in December 2006, signed an agreement with Verizon Business to build the first next-generation fiber optic submarine cable system directly linking the US mainland and China interprovincial fiber-optic trunk lines and cellular telephone systems have been installed; mobile-cellular subscribership is increasing rapidly; the number of Internet users reached 253 million in 2008; a domestic satellite system with 55 earth stations is in place 86 a number of submarine cables provide connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US; satellite earth stations - 7 (5 Intelsat - 4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean; 1 Intersputnik - Indian Ocean region; and 1 Inmarsat - Pacific and Indian Ocean regions) (2007) 673: AM 369, FM 259, shortwave 45 (1998) 3,240 (of which 209 are operated by China Central Television, 31 are provincial TV stations, and nearly 3,000 are local city stations) (1997) .cn 14.306 million (2008) 253 million (2008) 467 (2007) 403 58 128 130 20 67 (2007) 64 4 4 13 17 26 (2007) 35 (2007) gas 26,344 km; oil 17,240 km; refined products 6,106 km (2007) 75,438 km 75,438 km 1.435-m gauge (20,151 km electrified) (2005) 1,930,544 km 1,575,571 km (includes 41,005 km of expressways) 354,973 km (2005) 124,000 km navigable (2006) 1,826 barge carrier 4, bulk carrier 451, cargo 689, carrier 2, chemical tanker 69, combination ore/oil 1, container 162, liquefied gas 44, passenger 8, passenger/cargo 83, petroleum tanker 244, refrigerated cargo 33, roll on/roll off 10, specialized tanker 9, vehicle carrier 17 20 (Ecuador 1, Greece 2, Hong Kong 12, Indonesia 1, Japan 2, South Korea 1, Norway 1) 1,441 (Bahamas 10, Bangladesh 1, Belize 71, Bermuda 10, Bolivia 1, Cambodia 193, Cyprus 10, France 5, Georgia 10, Germany 2, Honduras 3, Hong Kong 324, India 1, Indonesia 2, Kiribati 15, South Korea 1, Liberia 11, Malta 12, Marshall Islands 7, Mongolia 1, Norway 36, Panama 532, Philippines 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 94, Sierra Leone 15, Singapore 14, Thailand 1, Tuvalu 16, unknown 39) (2008) Dalian, Guangzhou, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin People's Liberation Army (PLA): Ground Forces, Navy (includes marines and naval aviation), Air Force (includes airborne forces), and Second Artillery Corps (strategic missile force); People's Armed Police (PAP); PLA Reserve Force (2008) 18-22 years of age for selective compulsory military service, with 24-month service obligation; no minimum age for voluntary service (all officers are volunteers); 18-19 years of age for women high school graduates who meet requirements for specific military jobs (2007) 16 375,009,345 16 354,314,328 (2008 est.) 16 313,321,639 16 295,951,438 (2008 est.) 10,760,380 9,710,032 (2008 est.) 4.3% of GDP (2006) continuing talks and confidence-building measures work toward reducing tensions over Kashmir that nonetheless remains militarized with portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; China and India continue their security and foreign policy dialogue started in 2005 related to the dispute over most of their rugged, militarized boundary, regional nuclear proliferation, and other matters; China claims most of India's Arunachal Pradesh to the base of the Himalayas; lacking any treaty describing the boundary, Bhutan and China continue negotiations to establish a common boundary alignment to resolve territorial disputes due to cartographic discrepancies; Chinese maps show an international boundary symbol off the coasts of the littoral states of the South China Seas, where China has interrupted Vietnamese hydrocarbon exploration; China asserts sovereignty over the Spratly Islands together with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" eased tensions in the Spratly's but is not the legally binding "code of conduct" sought by some parties; Vietnam and China continue to expand construction of facilities in the Spratly's and in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord on marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; China occupies some of the Paracel Islands also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; China and Taiwan continue to reject both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared equidistance line in the East China Sea, the site of intensive hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation; certain islands in the Yalu and Tumen rivers are in dispute with North Korea; North Korea and China seek to stem illegal migration to China by North Koreans, fleeing privations and oppression, by building a fence along portions of the border and imprisoning North Koreans deported by China; China and Russia have demarcated the once disputed islands at the Amur and Ussuri confluence and in the Argun River in accordance with their 2004 Agreement; China and Tajikistan have begun demarcating the revised boundary agreed to in the delimitation of 2002; the decade-long demarcation of the China-Vietnam land boundary is expected to be completed by the end of 2008, while the maritime boundary delimitation and fisheries agreements in the Gulf of Tonkin, ratified in June 2004, have been implemented; citing environmental, cultural, and social concerns, China has reconsidered construction of 13 dams on the Salween River, but energy-starved Burma, with backing from Thailand, remains intent on building five hydro-electric dams downstream despite regional and international protests; Chinese and Hong Kong authorities met in March 2008 to resolve ownership and use of lands recovered in Shenzhen River channelization, including 96-hectare Lok Ma Chau Loop; Hong Kong developing plans to reduce 2,000 out of 2,800 hectares of its restricted Closed Area by 2010 300,897 (Vietnam); estimated 30,000-50,000 (North Korea) 90,000 (2007) China is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor; the majority of trafficking in China occurs within the country's borders, but there is also considerable international trafficking of Chinese citizens to Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America; Chinese women are lured abroad through false promises of legitimate employment, only to be forced into commercial sexual exploitation, largely in Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan; women and children are trafficked to China from Mongolia, Burma, North Korea, Russia, and Vietnam for forced labor, marriage, and prostitution; some North Korean women and children seeking to leave their country voluntarily cross the border into China and are then sold into prostitution, marriage, or forced labor Tier 2 Watch List - China is on the Tier 2 Watch List for the fourth consecutive year for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly in terms of punishment of trafficking crimes and the protection of Chinese and foreign victims of trafficking; victims are sometimes punished for unlawful acts that were committed as a direct result of their being trafficked, such as violations of prostitution or immigration/emigration controls; the Chinese Government continued to treat North Korean victims of trafficking solely as economic migrants, routinely deporting them back to horrendous conditions in North Korea; additional challenges facing the Chinese Government include the enormous size of its trafficking problem and the significant level of corruption and complicity in trafficking by some local government officials (2008) major transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden Triangle region of Southeast Asia; growing domestic drug abuse problem; source country for chemical precursors, despite new regulations on its large chemical industry Christmas Island Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement began by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park. Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia 10 30 S 105 40 E Southeast Asia 135 sq km 135 sq km 0 sq km about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC 0 km 138.9 km 12 nm 12 nm 200 nm tropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau Indian Ocean 0 m Murray Hill 361 m phosphate, beaches 0% 0% 100% (mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a national park) (2005) the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean 1,402 (July 2007 est.) 0% (2008 est.) Christmas Islander(s) Christmas Island Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10% no indigenous population (2001) Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997) English (official), Chinese, Malay Territory of Christmas Island Christmas Island non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Attorney-General's Department The Settlement 10 25 S 105 43 E UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) none (territory of Australia) none (territory of Australia) Australia Day, 26 January (1788) Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 1958) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992 under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general Administrator Neil LUCAS (since 30 January 2006) the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held 20 October 2007 (next to be held in 2009) percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9 Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court none none none none (territory of Australia) none (territory of Australia) territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper hoist to lower fly; the upper triangle is green with a yellow image of the Golden Bosun Bird superimposed, while the lower triangle is blue with the Southern Cross constellation, representing Australia, superimposed; a centered yellow disk displays a green map of the island the flag of Australia is used for official purposes Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened. With the support of the government, a $34 million casino opened in 1993, but closed in 1998. The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island, expected to begin operations in the near future. $NA $NA $NA tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) $NA phosphate Australia, NZ (2006) $NA consumer goods principally Australia (2006) $NA Australian dollar (AUD) Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003) 1 July - 30 June service provided by the Australian network GSM mobile telephone service replaced older analog system in February 2005 61 satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat provides telephone and telex service) (2005) 3: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2006) 0 (TV broadcasts received via satellite from mainland Australia) (2006) .cx 1,821 (2008) 464 (2001) 1 (2007) 1 1 (2007) 140 km 30 km 110 km (2007) Flying Fish Cove defense is the responsibility of Australia none Clipperton Island This isolated island was named for John CLIPPERTON, a pirate who made it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in 1855, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventually awarded the island to France, which took possession in 1935. Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico 10 17 N 109 13 W Political Map of the World 6 sq km 6 sq km 0 sq km about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC 0 km 11.1 km 12 nm 200 nm tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, wet season (May to October) coral atoll Pacific Ocean 0 m Rocher Clipperton 29 m fish 0% 0% 100% (all coral) (2005) 0 sq km reef 12 km in circumference uninhabited none Clipperton Island none Ile Clipperton sometimes called Ile de la Passion possession of France; administered directly by the Minister of Overseas France the laws of France, where applicable, apply the flag of France is used Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is tuna fishing. none; offshore anchorage only defense is the responsibility of France none Cocos (Keeling) Islands There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William KEELING discovered the islands in 1609, but they remained uninhabited until the 19th century. From the 1820s to 1978, members of the CLUNIE-ROSS family controlled the islands and the copra produced from local coconuts. Annexed by the UK in 1857, the Cocos Islands were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island. Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway from Australia to Sri Lanka 12 30 S 96 50 E Southeast Asia 14 sq km 14 sq km 0 sq km includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC 0 km 26 km 12 nm 200 nm tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year flat, low-lying coral atolls Indian Ocean 0 m unnamed location 5 m fish 0% 0% 100% (2005) cyclone season is October to April fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation; site of a World War I naval battle in November 1914 between the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney and the German raider SMS Emden; after being heavily damaged in the engagement, the Emden was beached by her captain on North Keeling Island 596 (July 2007 est.) 0% (2008 est.) Cocos Islander(s) Cocos Islander Europeans, Cocos Malays Sunni Muslim 80%, other 20% (2002 est.) Malay (Cocos dialect), English Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands Cocos (Keeling) Islands non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Attorney-General's Department West Island 12 10 S 96 50 E UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) none (territory of Australia) none (territory of Australia) Australia Day, 26 January (1788) Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 (23 November 1955) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992 based upon the laws of Australia and local laws Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by the Australian governor general Administrator (nonresident) Neil LUCAS (since 30 January 2006) the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats) held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held in May 2007 (next to be held in May 2009) Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court none The Cocos Islands Youth Support Centre none none (territory of Australia) none (territory of Australia) the flag of Australia is used Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia. There is a small tourist industry. $NA the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers; tourism employs others 60% (2000 est.) $NA $NA vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts copra products and tourism $NA copra Australia (2006) $NA foodstuffs Australia (2006) $NA Australian dollar (AUD) Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003) 1 July - 30 June 287 (1992) connected within Australia's telecommunication system; a local mobile-cellular network is in operation 61 telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat) (2001) 3: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2004) 4 (2007) .cc 1 (2007) 1 1 (2007) 22 km 10 km 12 km (2006) Port Refuge defense is the responsibility of Australia; the territory has a five-person police force none Colombia Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A 40-year conflict between government forces and anti-government insurgent groups and illegal paramilitary groups - both heavily funded by the drug trade - escalated during the 1990s. The insurgents lack the military or popular support necessary to overthrow the government, and violence has been decreasing since about 2002, but insurgents continue attacks against civilians and large swaths of the countryside are under guerrilla influence. More than 32,000 former paramilitaries had demobilized by the end of 2006 and the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) as a formal organization had ceased to function. Still, some renegades continued to engage in criminal activities. The Colombian Government has stepped up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, and now has a presence in every one of its administrative departments. However, neighboring countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders. Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama 4 00 N 72 00 W South America 1,138,910 sq km 1,038,700 sq km 100,210 sq km includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank slightly less than twice the size of Texas 6,309 km Brazil 1,644 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 1,800 km, Venezuela 2,050 km 3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km) 12 nm 200 nm 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains Pacific Ocean 0 m Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevation petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower 2.01% 1.37% 96.62% (2005) 9,000 sq km (2003) highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands Law of the Sea only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea 45,013,672 (July 2008 est.) 29.4% (male 6,688,530/female 6,531,768) 65.1% (male 14,292,647/female 15,017,204) 5.5% (male 1,072,644/female 1,410,881) (2008 est.) 26.8 years 25.9 years 27.8 years (2008 est.) 1.405% (2008 est.) 19.86 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 5.54 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -0.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.76 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 19.51 deaths/1,000 live births 23.18 deaths/1,000 live births 15.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 72.54 years 68.71 years 76.5 years (2008 est.) 2.49 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.7% (2003 est.) 190,000 (2003 est.) 3,600 (2003 est.) high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever leptospirosis (2008) Colombian(s) Colombian mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1% Roman Catholic 90%, other 10% Spanish age 15 and over can read and write 92.8% 92.9% 92.7% (2004 est.) Republic of Colombia Colombia Republica de Colombia Colombia republic; executive branch dominates government structure Bogota 4 36 N 74 05 W UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) 32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada 20 July 1810 (from Spain) Independence Day, 20 July (1810) 5 July 1991; amended many times based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US procedures was enacted into law in 2004 and reached full implemention in January 2008; judicial review of executive and legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August 2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS (since 7 August 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August 2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS (since 7 August 2002) Cabinet consists of a coalition of the three largest parties that supported President URIBE's reelection - the PSUN, PC, and CR - and independents president and vice president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 28 May 2006 (next to be held in May 2010) President Alvaro URIBE Velez reelected president; percent of vote - Alvaro URIBE Velez 62%, Carlos GAVIRIA Diaz 22%, Horacio SERPA Uribe 12%, other 4% bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (166 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Senate - last held 12 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2010); House of Representatives - last held 12 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2010) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PSUN 20, PC 18, PL 18, CR 15, PDI 10, other parties 21; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PL 35, PSUN 33, PC 29, CR 20, PDA 8, other parties 41 four roughly coequal, supreme judicial organs; Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (highest court of criminal law; judges are selected by their peers from the nominees of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms); Council of State (highest court of administrative law; judges are selected from the nominees of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms); Constitutional Court (guards integrity and supremacy of the constitution; rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the constitution, and international treaties); Superior Judicial Council (administers and disciplines the civilian judiciary; resolves jurisdictional conflicts arising between other courts; members are elected by three sister courts and Congress for eight-year terms) Colombian Conservative Party or PC [Efrain Jose CEPEDA Sarabia]; Alternative Democratic Pole or PDA [Carlos GAVIRIA Diaz]; Liberal Party or PL [Cesar GAVIRIA Trujillo]; Radical Change or CR [German VARGAS Lleras]; Social National Unity Party or U Party [Carlos GARCIA Orjuela] Colombia has 15 formally recognized political parties, and numerous unofficial parties that did not meet the vote threshold in the March 2006 legislative elections required for recognition National Liberation Army or ELN; Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia BCIE, CAN, Caricom (observer), CDB, FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Carolina BARCO Isakson 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 387-8338 [1] (202) 232-8643 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Washington, DC Ambassador William R. BROWNFIELD Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50, Bogota, D.C. Carrera 45 No. 24B-27, Bogota, D.C. [57] (1) 315-0811 [57] (1) 315-2197 three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center Colombia's economy has experienced positive growth over the past five years despite a serious armed conflict. In fact, 2007 is regarded by policy makers and the private sector as one of the best economic years in recent history, after 2005. The economy continues to improve in part because of austere government budgets, focused efforts to reduce public debt levels, an export-oriented growth strategy, improved domestic security, and high commodity prices. Ongoing economic problems facing President URIBE include reforming the pension system, reducing high unemployment, and funding new exploration to offset declining oil production. The government's economic reforms and democratic security strategy, coupled with increased investment, have engendered a growing sense of confidence in the economy. However, the business sector continues to be concerned about failure of the US Congress to approve the signed FTA. $327.7 billion (2007 est.) $171.6 billion (2007 est.) 8.2% (2007 est.) $7,400 (2007 est.) 11.5% 36% 52.5% (2007 est.) 20.5 million (2007 est.) 22.7% 18.7% 58.5% (2000 est.) 11.2% (2007 est.) 49.2% (2005) 7.9% 34.3% (2004) 53.8 (2005) 5.5% (2007 est.) 22.5% of GDP (2007 est.) $63.69 billion $64.96 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2007 est.) 52.8% of GDP (2007 est.) coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds 9.8% (2007 est.) 51.83 billion kWh (2006 est.) 39.58 billion kWh (2006 est.) 876.7 million kWh (2007 est.) 39.4 million kWh (2007 est.) 550,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) 265,400 bbl/day (2006 est.) 276,100 bbl/day (2005) 12,480 bbl/day (2005) 1.506 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 7.22 billion cu m (2006 est.) 7.22 billion cu m (2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 122.9 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) -$5.862 billion (2007 est.) $30.58 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) petroleum, coffee, coal, nickel, emeralds, apparel, bananas, cut flowers US 35.4%, Venezuela 17.4%, Ecuador 4.3% (2007) $31.17 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity US 26.2%, China 10.1%, Mexico 9.3%, Brazil 7.3%, Venezuela 4.2% (2007) $20.95 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $41.39 billion (30 June 2007) $511.1 million (2005) Colombian peso (COP) Colombian pesos (COP) per US dollar - 2,013.8 (2007), 2,358.6 (2006), 2,320.75 (2005), 2,628.61 (2004), 2,877.65 (2003) calendar year 7.936 million (2007) 33.941 million (2007) modern system in many respects; telecommunications sector liberalized during the 1990s; multiple providers of both fixed-line and mobile-cellular services; fixed-line connections stand at about 18 per 100 persons; mobile cellular usage is about 75 per 100 persons; competition among cellular service providers is resulting in falling local and international calling rates and contributing to the steep decline in the market share of fixed line services nationwide microwave radio relay system; domestic satellite system with 41 earth stations; fiber-optic network linking 50 cities 57 submarine cables provide links to the US, parts of the Caribbean, and Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 10 (6 Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 3 fully digitalized international switching centers) (2007) 515: AM 454, FM 34, shortwave 27 (1999) 60 (1997) .co 1.554 million (2008) 12.1 million (2007) 934 (2007) 103 2 8 39 42 12 (2007) 831 1 34 216 580 (2007) 2 (2007) gas 4,329 km; oil 6,140 km; refined products 3,145 km (2007) 3,304 km 150 km 1.435-m gauge 3,154 km 0.914-m gauge (2006) 164,257 km (2005) 18,000 km (2006) 17 cargo 13, petroleum tanker 3, specialized tanker 1 6 (Antigua and Barbuda 2, Panama 4) (2008) Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Turbo National Army (Ejercito Nacional), National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Naval Aviation, Naval Infantry (Infanteria de Marina, Colmar), and Coast Guard), Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Colombia, FAC) (2008) 18-24 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; service obligation - 18 months (2004) 16 11,478,109 16 11,809,279 (2008 est.) 16 8,056,336 16 9,919,952 (2008 est.) 442,403 433,192 (2008 est.) 3.4% of GDP (2005 est.) in December 2007, ICJ allocates San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina islands to Colombia under 1928 Treaty but does not rule on 82°W meridian as maritime boundary with Nicaragua; managed dispute with Venezuela over maritime boundary and Venezuelan-administered Los Monjes Islands near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics, guerrilla, and paramilitary activities penetrate all neighboring borders and have caused Colombian citizens to flee mostly into neighboring countries; Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Jamaica, and the US assert various claims to Bajo Nuevo and Serranilla Bank 1.8-3.5 million (conflict between government and illegal armed groups and drug traffickers) (2007) illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis; world's leading coca cultivator with 167,000 hectares in coca cultivation in 2007, a 6% increase over 2006, producing a potential of 535 metric tons of pure cocaine; the world's largest producer of coca derivatives; supplies cocaine to most of the US market and the great majority of other international drug markets; in 2007, aerial eradication dispensed herbicide to treat over 153,000 hectares with another 67,000 hectares manually eradicated, but aggressive replanting on the part of coca growers means Colombia remains a key producer; a significant portion of non-US narcotics proceeds are either laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso exchange; important supplier of heroin to the US market; opium poppy cultivation is estimated to have fallen 25% between 2006 and 2007 with a corresponding estimated 27% decline in the yield of pure heroin to 1.9 metric tons; (2007) Comoros Comoros has endured more than 20 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power in a bloodless coup, and helped negotiate the 2000 Fomboni Accords power-sharing agreement in which the federal presidency rotates among the three islands, and each island maintains its own local government. AZALI won the 2002 Presidential election, and each island in the archipelago elected its own president. AZALI stepped down in 2006 and President SAMBI took office. Since 2006, Anjouan's President Mohamed BACAR has refused to work effectively with the Union presidency. In 2007, BACAR effected Anjouan's de-facto secession from the Union, refusing to step down in favor of fresh Anjouanais elections when Comoros' other islands held legitimate elections in July. The African Union (AU) initially attempted to resolve the political crisis by applying sanctions and a naval blockade on Anjouan, but in March 2008, AU and Comoran soldiers seized the island. The move was generally welcomed by the island's inhabitants. Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique 12 10 S 44 15 E Africa 2,170 sq km 2,170 sq km 0 sq km slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 340 km 12 nm 200 nm tropical marine; rainy season (November to May) volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills Indian Ocean 0 m Le Karthala 2,360 m NEGL 35.87% 23.32% 40.81% (2005) cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel 731,775 (July 2008 est.) 42.4% (male 155,662/female 154,520) 54.6% (male 197,178/female 202,231) 3% (male 10,203/female 11,981) (2008 est.) 18.7 years 18.5 years 19 years (2008 est.) 2.803% (2008 est.) 35.78 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 7.76 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.85 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 68.58 deaths/1,000 live births 76.65 deaths/1,000 live births 60.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 63.1 years 60.72 years 65.55 years (2008 est.) 4.9 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.12% (2001 est.) Comoran(s) Comoran Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2% Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic) age 15 and over can read and write 56.5% 63.6% 49.3% (2003 est.) Union of the Comoros Comoros Union des Comores Comores republic Moroni 11 42 S 43 14 E UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 3 islands and 4 municipalities*; Grande Comore, Anjouan, Domoni*, Fomboni*, Moheli, Moroni*, Mutsamudu* 6 July 1975 (from France) Independence Day, 6 July (1975) 23 December 2001 French and Islamic law in a new consolidated code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI (since 26 May 2006) President Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI (since 26 May 2006) Council of Ministers appointed by the president as defined by the 2001 constitution, the presidency rotates every four years among the elected presidents from the three main islands in the Union; election last held 14 May 2006 (next to be held by May 2010); prime minister appointed by the president; note - the post of prime minister has been vacant since May 2002 Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI elected president; percent of vote - Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI 58.0%, Ibrahim HALIDI 28.3%, Mohamed DJAANFAMI 13.7% unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats; 15 deputies are selected by the individual islands' local assemblies and 18 by universal suffrage; to serve for five years); last held 18 and 25 April 2004 (next to be held in 2009) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CdIA 12, CRC 6; note - 15 additional seats are filled by deputies from local island assemblies Supreme Court or Cour Supremes (two members appointed by the president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one elected by the Council of each island, and others are former presidents of the republic) Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros or CRC [AZALI Assowmani]; Camp of the Autonomous Islands or CdIA (a coalition of parties organized by the islands' presidents in opposition to the Union President); Front National pour la Justice or FNJ [Ahmed RACHID] (Islamic party in opposition); Mouvement pour la Democratie et le Progress or MDP-NGDC [Abbas DJOUSSOUF]; Parti Comorien pour la Democratie et le Progress or PCDP [Ali MROUDJAE]; Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND [Omar TAMOU, Abdoulhamid AFFRAITANE] environmentalists ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AMF, AU, COMESA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Representative to the US and Ambassador to the UN Mohamed TOIHIRI Mission to the US, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 418, New York, NY 10017 [1] (212) 750-1637 the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Madagascar is accredited to Comoros four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mahore (Mayotte - territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros) the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government - which is hampered by internal political disputes - is struggling to upgrade education and technical training, privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, improve health services, diversify exports, promote tourism, and reduce the high population growth rate. The political problems caused the economy to contract in 2007. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help supplement GDP. $1.262 billion (2007 est.) $442 million (2007 est.) -1% (2007 est.) $1,100 (2007 est.) 40% 4% 56% (2001 est.) 144,500 (1996 est.) 80% 20% (1996 est.) 20% (1996 est.) 60% (2002 est.) 3% (2007 est.) $27.6 million $NA (2001 est.) vanilla, cloves, ylang-ylang, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca) fishing, tourism, perfume distillation -2% (1999 est.) 20 million kWh (2006 est.) 18.6 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 712.3 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 755.4 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) $8 million (2007 est.) $32 million f.o.b. (2006) vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), cloves, copra Turkey 38%, France 27.5%, Singapore 9.2%, Saudi Arabia 4.1% (2007) $143 million f.o.b. (2006) rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, cement, transport equipment France 18.2%, UAE 10.8%, South Africa 8.5%, Pakistan 7.2%, Kenya 5.7%, China 5.4%, India 5% (2007) $232 million (2000 est.) $25.23 million (2005 est.) Comoran franc (KMF) Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 361.4 (2007), 391.8 (2006), 395.6 (2005), 396.21 (2004), 435.9 (2003) the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677 Comoran francs per euro calendar year 19,100 (2006) 40,000 (2007) sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations; fixed-line connections only about 3 per 100 persons; mobile cellular usage about 5 per 100 persons HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay 269 HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion 6: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) .km 8 (2008) 21,000 (2006) 4 (2007) 4 1 3 (2007) 880 km 673 km 207 km (2002) 136 bulk carrier 15, cargo 87, carrier 2, chemical tanker 5, container 2, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 8, specialized tanker 1 68 (Bangladesh 2, Bulgaria 2, Cyprus 1, Greece 6, India 2, Kenya 1, Kuwait 1, Lebanon 4, Norway 1, Pakistan 4, Philippines 1, Russia 12, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 1, Syria 4, Turkey 8, Ukraine 8, UAE 7, US 2) (2008) Mayotte, Mutsamudu National Development Army (AND): Comoran Security Force; Comoran Federal Police (2008) 16 167,850 16 167,362 (2008 est.) 16 121,550 16 131,015 (2008 est.) 7,901 7,894 (2008 est.) 2.8% of GDP (2006) claims French-administered Mayotte and challenges France's and Madagascar's claims to Banc du Geyser, a drying reef in the Mozambique Channel; in May 2008, African Union forces are called in to assist the Comoros military recapture Anjouan Island from rebels who seized it in 2001 Cook Islands Named after Captain COOK, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965, residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems. Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand 21 14 S 159 46 W Oceania 236.7 sq km 236.7 sq km 0 sq km 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 120 km 12 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south Pacific Ocean 0 m Te Manga 652 m NEGL 16.67% 8.33% 75% (2005) typhoons (November to March) Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection none of the selected agreements the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands, where most of the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km 12,271 (July 2008 est.) 28.2% (male 1,834/female 1,624) 62.9% (male 3,973/female 3,747) 8.9% (male 542/female 551) 29.8 years 29 years 30.4 years (2001 census) 16.71 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.07 male(s)/female (2001 census) 3.1 children born/woman (2008 est.) Cook Islander(s) Cook Islander Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census) Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Roman Catholic 16.8%, Seventh-Day Adventists 7.9%, Church of Latter Day Saints 3.8%, other Protestant 5.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001 census) English (official), Maori 95% 2001 census counted a resident population of 15,017 none Cook Islands Harvey Islands self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands self-governing parliamentary democracy Avarua 21 12 S 159 46 W UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) none none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action) Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965) 4 August 1965 based on New Zealand law and English common law NA years of age; universal (adult) Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New Zealand High Commissioner Brian DONNELLY (since 21 February 2008), representative of New Zealand Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December 2004); Deputy Prime Minister Terepai MAOATE (since 9 August 2005) Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister bicameral Parliament consisting of a Legislative Assembly (or lower house) (24 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and a House of Ariki (or upper house) made up of traditional leaders the House of Ariki advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence but has no legislative powers last held 26 September 2006 (next to be held by 2011) percent of vote by party - Demo 51.9%, CIP 45.5%, independent 2.7%; seats by party - Demo 15, CIP 8, independent 1 High Court Cook Islands Party or CIP [Henry PUNA]; Democratic Party or Demo [Dr. Terepai MAOATE] Reform Conference (lobby for political system changes) various groups lobbying for political change ACP, ADB, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMSO, IOC, ITUC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture, employing about one-third of the working population, provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Black pearls are the Cook Islands' leading export. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth. $183.2 million (2005 est.) $183.2 million (2005 est.) 0.1% (2005 est.) $9,100 (2005 est.) 15.1% 9.6% 75.3% (2004) 6,820 (2001) 29% 15% 56% (1995) 13.1% (2005) 2.1% (2005 est.) $70.95 million $69.05 million (FY05/06) copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts 1% (2002) 30 million kWh (2006 est.) 27.9 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 463.7 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 475.5 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) $26.67 million (2005) $5.222 million (2005) copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing Australia 34%, Japan 27%, NZ 25%, US 8% (2006) $81.04 million (2005) foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods NZ 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6% (2006) $141 million (1996 est.) $13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995) NZ dollar (NZD) NZ dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004), 1.7221 (2003) 1 April - 31 March 6,200 (2002) 1,500 (2002) Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable 682 satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) 2: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) 1 (outer islands receive satellite broadcasts) (2004) .ck 2,234 (2008) 3,600 (2002) 9 (2007) 2 2 (2007) 7 2 4 1 (2007) 320 km 33 km 287 km (2003) 26 cargo 14, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 8, roll on/roll off 2 17 (Latvia 1, Lithuania 1, NZ 1, Nigeria 1, Norway 5, Sweden 8) (2008) Avatiu no regular military forces; National Police Department (2007) 157 133 (2008 est.) defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request none Coral Sea Islands Scattered over more than three-quarters of a million square kilometers of ocean, the Coral Sea Islands were declared a territory of Australia in 1969. They are uninhabited except for a small meteorological staff on the Willis Islets. Automated weather stations, beacons, and a lighthouse occupy many other islands and reefs. Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia 18 00 S 152 00 E Oceania less than 3 sq km less than 3 sq km 0 sq km includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 780,000 sq km, with the Willis Islets the most important 0 km 3,095 km 3 nm 200 nm tropical sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) Pacific Ocean 0 m unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m NEGL 0% 0% 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2005) 0 sq km occasional tropical cyclones no permanent fresh water resources important nesting area for birds and turtles no indigenous inhabitants there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station on Willis Island (July 2007 est.) Coral Sea Islands Territory Coral Sea Islands territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Attorney-General's Department the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply administered from Canberra by the Australian Attorney-General's Department none (territory of Australia) none (territory of Australia) the flag of Australia is used no economic activity there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland none; offshore anchorage only defense is the responsibility of Australia none Costa Rica Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including: disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance by natives, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two and a half centuries. In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Two years later it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic development. Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread. Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama 10 00 N 84 00 W Central America and the Caribbean 51,100 sq km 50,660 sq km 440 sq km includes Isla del Coco slightly smaller than West Virginia 639 km Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km 1,290 km 12 nm 200 nm 200 nm tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes Pacific Ocean 0 m Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m hydropower 4.4% 5.87% 89.73% (2005) 1,080 sq km (2003) occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling Marine Life Conservation four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65 4,195,914 (July 2008 est.) 27.2% (male 584,782/female 557,952) 66.8% (male 1,416,456/female 1,384,692) 6% (male 116,461/female 135,571) (2008 est.) 27.1 years 26.7 years 27.6 years (2008 est.) 1.388% (2008 est.) 17.71 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 4.31 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 9.01 deaths/1,000 live births 9.92 deaths/1,000 live births 8.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 77.4 years 74.79 years 80.14 years (2008 est.) 2.17 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.6% (2003 est.) 12,000 (2003 est.) 900 (2003 est.) intermediate bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A dengue fever (2008) Costa Rican(s) Costa Rican white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1% Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2% Spanish (official), English age 15 and over can read and write 94.9% 94.7% 95.1% (2000 census) Republic of Costa Rica Costa Rica Republica de Costa Rica Costa Rica democratic republic San Jose 9 56 N 84 05 W UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Independence Day, 15 September (1821) 7 November 1949 based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal and compulsory President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May 2006); First Vice President Laura CHINCHILLA (since 8 May 2006); Second Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May 2006); First Vice President Laura CHINCHILLA (since 8 May 2006); Second Vice President (vacant) Cabinet selected by the president president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 5 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2010) Oscar ARIAS Sanchez elected president; percent of vote - Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (PLN) 40.9%; Otton SOLIS (PAC) 39.8%, Otto GUEVARA Guth (PML) 8%, Ricardo TOLEDO (PUSC) 3% unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 5 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2010) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLN 25, PAC 17, PML 6, PUSC 5, PASE 1, PFA 1, PRN 1, PUN 1 Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for renewable eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly) Authentic Member from Heredia [Jose SALAS]; Citizen Action Party or PAC [Epsy CAMPBELL Barr]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Gerardo Justo OROZCO Alvarez]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Marco NUNEZ Gonzalez]; General Union Party or PUGEN [Carlos Alberto FERNANDEZ Vega]; Homeland First or PP [Juan Jose VARGAS Fallas]; Independent Worker Party or PIO [Jose Alberto CUBERO Carmona]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Juan Carlos CHAVEZ Mora]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National Liberation Party or PLN [Francisco Antonio PACHECO Fernandez]; National Patriotic Party or PPN [Daniel Enrique REYNOLDS Vargas]; National Restoration Party or PRN [Fabio Enrique DELGADO Hernandez]; National Union Party or PUN [Arturo ACOSTA Mora]; Nationalist Democratic Alliance or ADN [Jose Miguel VILLALOBOS Umana]; Patriotic Union or UP [Jose Miguel CORRALES Bolanos]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Luis FISHMAN Zonzinski]; Union for Change Party or UPC [Antonio ALVAREZ Desanti]; United Leftist Coalition or IU [Humberto VARGAS Carbonel] Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party affiliate); Costa Rican Exporter's Chamber or CADEXCO; Costa Rican Solidarity Movement; Costa Rican Union of Private Sector Enterprises or UCCAEP [Rafael CARRILLO]; Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association of Educators or ANDE; National Association of Public and Private Employees or ANEP [Albino VARGAS]; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert BROWN] BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Tomas DUENAS 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 234-2945 [1] (202) 265-4795 Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa (temporarily closed), Washington, DC San Francisco Ambassador Peter CIANCHETTE Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose APO AA 34020 [506] 519-2000 [506] 519-2305 five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has remained around 20% for nearly 20 years, and the strong social safety net that had been put into place by the government has eroded due to increased financial constraints on government expenditures. Immigration from Nicaragua has increasingly become a concern for the government. The estimated 300,000-500,000 Nicaraguans estimated to be in Costa Rica legally and illegally are an important source of (mostly unskilled) labor, but also place heavy demands on the social welfare system. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and high education levels, as well as the fiscal incentives offered in the free-trade zones. Exports have become more diversified in the past 10 years due to the growth of the high-tech manufacturing sector, which is dominated by the microprocessor industry. Tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange, as Costa Rica's impressive biodiversity makes it a key destination for ecotourism. The government continues to grapple with its large internal and external deficits and sizable internal debt. Reducing inflation remains a difficult problem because of rising import prices, labor market rigidities, and fiscal deficits. Tax and public expenditure reforms will be necessary to close the budget gap. In October 2007, a national referendum voted in favor of the US-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). $45.77 billion (2007 est.) $26.24 billion (2007 est.) 6.8% (2007 est.) $11,100 (2007 est.) 8.6% 29.4% 62.1% (2007 est.) 1.92 million this official estimate excludes Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica (2007 est.) 14% 22% 64% (2006 est.) 4.6% (2007 est.) 16% (2006 est.) 1% 37.4% (2003) 49.8 (2003) 9.4% (2007 est.) 21.6% of GDP (2007 est.) $3.976 billion $3.808 billion (2007 est.) 46.6% of GDP (2007 est.) bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef; timber microprocessors, food processing, medical equipment, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products 7.3% (2007 est.) 8.521 billion kWh (2006 est.) 7.779 billion kWh (2006 est.) 39.55 million kWh (2007 est.) 203.2 million kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2004) 45,600 bbl/day (2006 est.) 2,115 bbl/day (2005) 43,110 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) -$1.499 billion (2007 est.) $9.268 billion (2007 est.) bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar; seafood; electronic components, medical equipment US 25.7%, China 14.1%, Netherlands 10.9%, UK 6.3%, Mexico 5% (2007) $12.26 billion (2007 est.) raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum, construction materials US 41%, Mexico 6.1%, Venezuela 5.7%, Japan 5.4%, China 5.1%, Brazil 4.3% (2007) $4.114 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $7.416 billion (30 June 2007) $29.51 million (2005) Costa Rican colon (CRC) Costa Rican colones (CRC) per US dollar - 519.53 (2007), 511.3 (2006), 477.79 (2005), 437.91 (2004), 398.66 (2003) calendar year 1.437 million (2007) 1.503 million (2007) good domestic telephone service in terms of breadth of coverage; restricted cellular telephone service; state-run monopoly provider is struggling with the demand for new lines, resulting in long waiting times point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available 506 landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable and the MAYA-1 submarine cable that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) 135: AM 65, FM 51, shortwave 19 (2002) 20 (plus 43 repeaters) (2002) .cr 16,440 (2008) 1.5 million (2007) 151 (2007) 36 2 2 21 11 (2007) 115 19 96 (2007) refined products 242 km (2007) 278 km 278 km 1.067-m gauge none of the railway network is in use (2007) 35,330 km 8,621 km 26,709 km (2004) 730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2007) 1 passenger/cargo 1 (2008) Caldera, Puerto Limon no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security, Government, and Police (2008) 16 1,134,205 16 1,095,763 (2008 est.) 16 958,013 16 925,727 (2008 est.) 40,767 38,899 (2008 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2006) the ICJ has given Costa Rica until January 2008 to reply and Nicaragua until July 2008 to rejoin before rendering its decision on the navigation, security, and commercial rights of Costa Rican vessels on the Río San Juan over which Nicaragua retains sovereignty 9,699 to 11,500 (Colombia) (2007) Costa Rica is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; women and girls from neighboring states, Russia, Uzbekistan, and the Philippines are trafficked into the country for sexual exploitation; Costa Rica also serves as a transit point for victims trafficked to North America and Europe; the government identifies child sex tourism as a serious problem; men, women, and children are also trafficked within the country for forced labor in fishing and construction, and as domestic servants Tier 2 Watch List - Costa Rica is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly in terms of its failure to improve its inadequate assistance to victims; while Costa Rican officials recognize human trafficking as a serious problem, the lack of a stronger response by the government is of concern (2008) transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis in remote areas; domestic cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising; significant consumption of amphetamines Cote d'Ivoire Close ties to France since independence in 1960, the development of cocoa production for export, and foreign investment made Cote d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the West African states, but did not protect it from political turmoil. In December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Cote d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government. Junta leader Robert GUEI blatantly rigged elections held in late 2000 and declared himself the winner. Popular protest forced him to step aside and brought Laurent GBAGBO into power. Ivorian dissidents and disaffected members of the military launched a failed coup attempt in September 2002. Rebel forces claimed the northern half of the country, and in January 2003 were granted ministerial positions in a unity government under the auspices of the Linas-Marcoussis Peace Accord. President GBAGBO and rebel forces resumed implementation of the peace accord in December 2003 after a three-month stalemate, but issues that sparked the civil war, such as land reform and grounds for citizenship, remained unresolved. In March 2007 President GBAGBO and former New Force rebel leader Guillaume SORO signed the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. As a result of the agreement, SORO joined GBAGBO's government as Prime Minister and the two agreed to reunite the country by dismantling the zone of confidence separating North from South, integrate rebel forces into the national armed forces, and hold elections. Several thousand French and UN troops remain in Cote d'Ivoire to help the parties implement their commitments and to support the peace process. Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia 8 00 N 5 00 W Africa 322,460 sq km 318,000 sq km 4,460 sq km slightly larger than New Mexico 3,110 km Burkina Faso 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km, Liberia 716 km, Mali 532 km 515 km 12 nm 200 nm 200 nm tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October) mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest Gulf of Guinea 0 m Mont Nimba 1,752 m petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, gold, nickel, tantalum, silica sand, clay, cocoa beans, coffee, palm oil, hydropower 10.23% 11.16% 78.61% (2005) 730 sq km (2003) coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during the rainy season torrential flooding is possible deforestation (most of the country's forests - once the largest in West Africa - have been heavily logged); water pollution from sewage and industrial and agricultural effluents 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 none of the selected agreements most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal region; apart from the capital area, the forested interior is sparsely populated 20,179,602 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2008 est.) 40.9% (male 4,161,238/female 4,092,593) 56.3% (male 5,790,503/female 5,568,621) 2.8% (male 285,116/female 281,531) (2008 est.) 19 years 19.2 years 18.9 years (2008 est.) 2.156% (2008 est.) 32.73 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 11.17 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 69.76 deaths/1,000 live births 77.06 deaths/1,000 live births 62.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 54.64 years 53.95 years 55.35 years (2008 est.) 4.23 children born/woman (2008 est.) 7% (2003 est.) 570,000 (2003 est.) 47,000 (2003 est.) very high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and yellow fever schistosomiasis rabies highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) Ivoirian(s) Ivoirian Akan 42.1%, Voltaiques or Gur 17.6%, Northern Mandes 16.5%, Krous 11%, Southern Mandes 10%, other 2.8% (includes 130,000 Lebanese and 14,000 French) (1998) Muslim 38.6%, Christian 32.8%, indigenous 11.9%, none 16.7% (2008 est) the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%) French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken age 15 and over can read and write 48.7% 60.8% 38.6% (2000 est.) Republic of Cote d'Ivoire Cote d'Ivoire Republique de Cote d'Ivoire Cote d'Ivoire pronounced coat-div-whar Ivory Coast republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960 the government is currently operating under a power-sharing agreement mandated by international mediators Yamoussoukro 6 49 N 5 17 W UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) although Yamoussoukro has been the official capital since 1983, Abidjan remains the commercial and administrative center; the US, like other countries, maintains its Embassy in Abidjan 19 regions; Agneby, Bafing, Bas-Sassandra, Denguele, Dix-Huit Montagnes, Fromager, Haut-Sassandra, Lacs, Lagunes, Marahoue, Moyen-Cavally, Moyen-Comoe, N'zi-Comoe, Savanes, Sud-Bandama, Sud-Comoe, Vallee du Bandama, Worodougou, Zanzan 7 August 1960 (from France) Independence Day, 7 August (1960) approved by referendum 23 July 2000 based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal President Laurent GBAGBO (since 26 October 2000) Prime Minister Guillaume SORO (since 4 April 2007) Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - under the current power-sharing agreement the prime minister and the president share the authority to appoint ministers president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 26 October 2000 (next to be held 30 November 2008; elections were to be held in 2005 but have been repeatedly postponed by the government; the UN Security Council has extended the government's mandate); prime minister appointed by the president Laurent GBAGBO elected president; percent of vote - Laurent GBAGBO 59.4%, Robert GUEI 32.7%, Francis WODIE 5.7%, other 2.2% unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (225 seats; members are elected in single- and multi-district elections by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections last held 10 December 2000 with by-elections on 14 January 2001 (next to be held in November 2008 after the government postponed the elections in 2005 and 2006) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FPI 96, PDCI-RDA 94, RDR 5, PIT 4, other 2, independents 22, vacant 2 a Senate that was scheduled to be created in the October 2006 elections never took place Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consists of four chambers: Judicial Chamber for criminal cases, Audit Chamber for financial cases, Constitutional Chamber for judicial review cases, and Administrative Chamber for civil cases; there is no legal limit to the number of members Citizen's Democratic Union or UDCY [Theodore MEL EG]; Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire or PDCI [Henri Konan BEDIE]; Ivorian Popular Front or FPI [Pascale Affi N'GUESSAN]; Ivorian Worker's Party or PIT [Francis WODIE]; Opposition Movement of the Future or MFA [Innocent Augustin ANAKY]; Rally of the Republicans or RDR [Alassane OUATTARA]; Union for Democracy and Peace in Cote d'Ivoire or UDPCI [Toikeuse MABRI]; over 144 smaller registered parties Federation of University and High School Students of Cote d'Ivoire or FESCI [Serges KOFFI]; Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace or RHDP [Alphonse DJEDJE MADY]; Young Patriots [Charles BLE GOUDE] ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Yao Charles KOFFI 3421 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 797-0300 [1] (202) 244-3088 Ambassador Wanda L. NESBITT Cocody Riviera Golf 01, Abidjan B. P. 1712, Abidjan 01 [225] 22 49 40 00 [225] 22 49 43 32 three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white, and red; design was based on the flag of France Cote d'Ivoire is the world's largest producer and exporter of cocoa beans and a significant producer and exporter of coffee and palm oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for these products, and, to a lesser extent, in climatic conditions. Despite government attempts to diversify the economy, it is still heavily dependent on agriculture and related activities, engaging roughly 68% of the population. Since 2006, oil and gas production have become more important engines of economic activity than cocoa. According to IMF statistics, earnings from oil and refined products were $1.3 billion in 2006, while cocoa-related revenues were $1 billion during the same period. Cote d'Ivoire's offshore oil and gas production has resulted in substantial crude oil exports and provides sufficient natural gas to fuel electricity exports to Ghana, Togo, Benin, Mali and Burkina Faso. Oil exploration by a number of consortiums of private companies continues offshore, and President GBAGBO has expressed hope that daily crude output could reach 200,000 barrels per day (b/d) by the end of the decade. Since the end of the civil war in 2003, political turmoil has continued to damage the economy, resulting in the loss of foreign investment and slow economic growth. GDP grew by 1.8% in 2006 and 1.7% in 2007. Per capita income has declined by 15% since 1999. $32.85 billion (2007 est.) $19.6 billion (2007 est.) 1.6% (2007 est.) $1,700 (2007 est.) 28.1% 21.5% 50.5% (2007 est.) 6.907 million (68% agricultural) (2007 est.) 68% (2007 est.) unemployment may have climbed to 40-50% as a result of the civil war 42% (2006 est.) 2% 34% (2002) 44.6 (2002) 1.9% (2007 est.) 8.8% of GDP (2007 est.) $3.884 billion $4.106 billion (2007 est.) 75.2% of GDP (2007 est.) coffee, cocoa beans, bananas, palm kernels, corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sweet potatoes, sugar, cotton, rubber; timber foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, truck and bus assembly, textiles, fertilizer, building materials, electricity, ship construction and repair -1.8% (2007 est.) 5.274 billion kWh (2006 est.) 3.177 billion kWh (2006 est.) 1.066 billion kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 54,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) 25,950 bbl/day (2006 est.) 84,940 bbl/day (2005) 71,850 bbl/day (2005) 100 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 1.3 billion cu m (2006 est.) 1.3 billion cu m (2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) -$146 million (2007 est.) $8.476 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) cocoa, coffee, timber, petroleum, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, fish Germany 9.7%, Nigeria 9.2%, Netherlands 8.4%, France 7.3%, US 7%, Burkina Faso 4.4% (2007) $5.932 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) fuel, capital equipment, foodstuffs Nigeria 31.1%, France 16.7%, China 7.3% (2007) $2.519 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $13.79 billion (31 December 2007 est.) ODA, $60 million (2007 est.) Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 481.83 (2007), 522.89 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003) since 1 January 1999, the XOF franc has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF francs per euro calendar year 730,000 (2007) 7.05 million (2007) well developed by African standards; telecommunications sector privatized in late 1990s and operational fixed-lines have more than quadrupled since that time; with multiple cellular service providers competing in the market, cellular usage has increased sharply to roughly 40 per 100 persons open-wire lines and microwave radio relay; 90% digitalized 225 landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2007) 14: AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (1998) 14 (1998) .ci 5,569 (2008) 300,000 (2006) 34 (2007) 7 1 2 4 (2007) 27 8 14 5 (2007) condensate 102 km; gas 245 km; oil 112 km (2007) 660 km 660 km 1.000 meter gauge an additional 622 km of this railroad extends into Burkina Faso (2006) 80,000 km 6,500 km 73,500 km includes intercity and urban roads; another 20,000 km of dirt roads are in poor condition and 150,000 km of dirt roads are impassable (2006) 980 km (navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoons) (2006) Abidjan, Espoir, San-Pedro Cote d'Ivoire Defense and Security Forces (FDSC): Army, Navy, Air Force (2006) 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2008) 16 4,369,735 16 4,287,042 (2008 est.) 16 2,393,104 16 2,381,607 (2008 est.) 234,032 230,799 (2008 est.) 1.6% of GDP (2005 est) despite the presence of over 9,000 UN forces (UNOCI) in Cote d'Ivoire since 2004, ethnic conflict still leaves displaced hundreds of thousands of Ivorians in and out of the country as well as driven out migrants from neighboring states who worked in Ivorian cocoa plantations; the March 2007 peace deal between Ivorian rebels and the government brought significant numbers of rebels out of hiding in neighboring states 25,615 (Liberia) 709,000 (2002 coup; most IDPs are in western regions) (2007) Cote d'Ivoire is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children trafficked for forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; trafficking within the country is more prevalent than international trafficking and the majority of victims are children; women and girls are trafficked from northern areas to southern cities for domestic servitude, restaurant labor, and sexual exploitation; boys are trafficked internally for agricultural and service labor and transnationally for forced labor in agriculture, mining, construction, and in the fishing industry; women and girls are trafficked to and from other West and Central African countries for domestic servitude and forced street vending Tier 2 Watch List - Cote d'Ivoire is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking in 2007, particularly with regard to its law enforcement efforts and protection of sex trafficking victims; in addition, Ivoirian law does not prohibit all forms of trafficking, and Cote d'Ivoire has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for local consumption; utility as a narcotic transshipment point to Europe reduced by ongoing political instability; while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leave the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center Croatia The lands that today comprise Croatia were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the close of World War I. In 1918, the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became a federal independent Communist state under the strong hand of Marshal TITO. Although Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, it took four years of sporadic, but often bitter, fighting before occupying Serb armies were mostly cleared from Croatian lands. Under UN supervision, the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was returned to Croatia in 1998. Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia 45 10 N 15 30 E Europe 56,542 sq km 56,414 sq km 128 sq km slightly smaller than West Virginia 1,982 km Bosnia and Herzegovina 932 km, Hungary 329 km, Serbia 241 km, Montenegro 25 km, Slovenia 455 km 5,835 km (mainland 1,777 km, islands 4,058 km) 12 nm 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border, low mountains and highlands near Adriatic coastline and islands Adriatic Sea 0 m Dinara 1,830 m oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, gypsum, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, hydropower 25.82% 2.19% 71.99% (2005) 110 sq km (2003) destructive earthquakes air pollution (from metallurgical plants) and resulting acid rain is damaging the forests; coastal pollution from industrial and domestic waste; landmine removal and reconstruction of infrastructure consequent to 1992-95 civil strife Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits; most Adriatic Sea islands lie off the coast of Croatia - some 1,200 islands, islets, ridges, and rocks 4,491,543 (July 2008 est.) 15.8% (male 363,551/female 345,132) 67.2% (male 1,501,949/female 1,517,962) 17% (male 295,229/female 467,720) (2008 est.) 40.8 years 38.9 years 42.6 years (2008 est.) -0.043% (2008 est.) 9.64 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 11.66 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.63 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 6.49 deaths/1,000 live births 6.51 deaths/1,000 live births 6.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 75.13 years 71.49 years 78.97 years (2008 est.) 1.41 children born/woman (2008 est.) less than 0.1% (2001 est.) 200 (2001 est.) fewer than 10 (2001 est.) intermediate bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A tickborne encephalitis highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) Croat(s), Croatian(s) Croatian Croat 89.6%, Serb 4.5%, other 5.9% (including Bosniak, Hungarian, Slovene, Czech, and Roma) (2001 census) Roman Catholic 87.8%, Orthodox 4.4%, other Christian 0.4%, Muslim 1.3%, other and unspecified 0.9%, none 5.2% (2001 census) Croatian 96.1%, Serbian 1%, other and undesignated 2.9% (including Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and German) (2001 census) age 15 and over can read and write 98.1% 99.3% 97.1% (2001 census) Republic of Croatia Croatia Republika Hrvatska Hrvatska People's Republic of Croatia, Socialist Republic of Croatia presidential/parliamentary democracy Zagreb 45 48 N 16 00 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 20 counties (zupanije, zupanija - singular) and 1 city* (grad - singular); Bjelovarsko-Bilogorska, Brodsko-Posavska, Dubrovacko-Neretvanska (Dubrovnik-Neretva), Istarska (Istria), Karlovacka, Koprivnicko-Krizevacka, Krapinsko-Zagorska, Licko-Senjska (Lika-Senj), Medimurska, Osjecko-Baranjska, Pozesko-Slavonska (Pozega-Slavonia), Primorsko-Goranska, Sibensko-Kninska, Sisacko-Moslavacka, Splitsko-Dalmatinska (Split-Dalmatia), Varazdinska, Viroviticko-Podravska, Vukovarsko-Srijemska, Zadarska, Zagreb*, Zagrebacka 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia) Independence Day, 8 October (1991); note - 25 June 1991 was the day the Croatian Parliament voted for independence; following a three-month moratorium to allow the European Community to solve the Yugoslav crisis peacefully, Parliament adopted a decision on 8 October 1991 to sever constitutional relations with Yugoslavia adopted on 22 December 1990; revised 2000, 2001 based on Austro-Hungarian law system with Communist law influences; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed) President Stjepan (Stipe) MESIC (since 18 February 2000) Prime Minister Ivo SANADER (since 9 December 2003); Deputy Prime Ministers Jadranka KOSOR (since 23 December 2003) and Damir POLANCEC (since 15 February 2005), Djurdja ADLESIC (since 12 January 2008), Slobodan UZELAC (since 12 January 2008) Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and approved by the parliamentary Assembly president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 16 January 2005 (next to be held in January 2010); the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president and then approved by the Assembly Stjepan MESIC reelected president; percent of vote - Stjepan MESIC 66%, Jadranka KOSOR 34% in the second round unicameral Assembly or Sabor (153 seats; members elected from party lists by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 25 November 2007 (next to be held in November 2011) percent of vote by party - NA; number of seats by party - HDZ 66, SDP 56, HNS 7, HSS 6, HDSSB 3, IDS 3, SDSS 3, other 9 Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; judges for both courts appointed for eight-year terms by the Judicial Council of the Republic, which is elected by the Assembly Croatian Democratic Congress of Slavonia and Baranja or HDSSB [Vladimir SISLJAGIC]; Croatian Democratic Union or HDZ [Ivo SANADER]; Croatian Party of the Right or HSP [Anto DJAPIC]; Croatian Peasant Party or HSS [Josip FRISCIC]; Croatian Pensioner Party or HSU [Vladimir JORDAN]; Croatian People's Party or HNS [Vesna PUSIC]; Croatian Social Liberal Party or HSLS [Djurdja ADLESIC]; Independent Democratic Serb Party or SDSS [Vojislav STANIMIROVIC]; Istrian Democratic Assembly or IDS [Ivan JAKOVCIC]; Social Democratic Party of Croatia or SDP [Zoran MILANOVIC] human rights groups ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Ambassador Kolinda GRABAR-KITAROVIC 2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 588-5899 [1] (202) 588-8936 Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Ambassador Robert A. BRADTKE 2 Thomas Jefferson Street, 10010 Zagreb use street address [385] (1) 661-2200 [385] (1) 661-2373 three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue superimposed by the Croatian coat of arms (red and white checkered) Once one of the wealthiest of the Yugoslav republics, Croatia's economy suffered badly during the 1991-95 war as output collapsed and the country missed the early waves of investment in Central and Eastern Europe that followed the fall of the Berlin Wall. Since 2000, however, Croatia's economic fortunes have begun to improve slowly, with moderate but steady GDP growth between 4% and 6% led by a rebound in tourism and credit-driven consumer spending. Inflation over the same period has remained tame and the currency, the kuna, stable. Nevertheless, difficult problems still remain, including a stubbornly high unemployment rate, a growing trade deficit and uneven regional development. The state retains a large role in the economy, as privatization efforts often meet stiff public and political resistance. While macroeconomic stabilization has largely been achieved, structural reforms lag because of deep resistance on the part of the public and lack of strong support from politicians. The EU accession process should accelerate fiscal and structural reform. $69.59 billion (2007 est.) $51.36 billion (2007 est.) 5.7% (2007 est.) $15,500 (2007 est.) 7.2% 31.7% 61.2% (2007 est.) 1.749 million (2007 est.) 2.7% 32.8% 64.5% (2004) 11.8% (2007 est.) 11% (2003) 3.4% 24.5% (2003 est.) 29 (2001) 4.5% (2007 est.) 30.1% of GDP (2007 est.) $22.56 billion $23.92 billion (2007 est.) 47.8% of GDP (2007 est.) wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, barley, alfalfa, clover, olives, citrus, grapes, soybeans, potatoes; livestock, dairy products chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated metal, electronics, pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum, paper, wood products, construction materials, textiles, shipbuilding, petroleum and petroleum refining, food and beverages, tourism 5.3% (2007 est.) 12.41 billion kWh (2006 est.) 15.57 billion kWh (2006 est.) 3.306 billion kWh (2006 est.) 8.374 billion kWh (2006 est.) 23,620 bbl/day (2007 est.) 101,800 bbl/day (2006 est.) 43,680 bbl/day (2005) 112,200 bbl/day (2005) 79.15 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 1.58 billion cu m (2006 est.) 2.73 billion cu m (2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 1.103 billion cu m (2005) 28.54 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) -$4.85 billion (2007 est.) $12.62 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) transport equipment, textiles, chemicals, foodstuffs, fuels Italy 19.3%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 13.9%, Germany 10.2%, Slovenia 8.4%, Austria 6.2% (2007) $25.99 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery, transport and electrical equipment; chemicals, fuels and lubricants; foodstuffs Italy 16.1%, Germany 14.4%, Russia 10.1%, China 6.2%, Slovenia 6%, Austria 5.3% (2007) $13.67 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $46.3 billion (30 June 2007) ODA, $125.4 million (2005) kuna (HRK) kuna (HRK) per US dollar - 5.3735 (2007), 5.8625 (2006), 5.9473 (2005), 6.0358 (2004), 6.7035 (2003) calendar year 1.825 million (2007) 5.035 million (2007) the telecommunications network has improved steadily since the mid-1990s; the number of fixed telephone lines holding steady at about 40 per 100 persons; the number of cellular telephone subscriptions exceeds the population more than 90 percent of local lines are digital 385 digital international service is provided through the main switch in Zagreb; Croatia participates in the Trans-Asia-Europe (TEL) fiber-optic project, which consists of 2 fiber-optic trunk connections with Slovenia and a fiber-optic trunk line from Rijeka to Split and Dubrovnik; the ADRIA-1 submarine cable provides connectivity to Albania and Greece (2007) 119: AM 16, FM 98, shortwave 5 (1999) 36 (plus 321 repeaters) (1995) .hr 1.111 million (2008) 1.995 million (2007) 68 (2007) 23 2 6 2 4 9 (2007) 45 1 7 37 (2007) 2 (2007) gas 1,556 km; oil 583 km (2007) 2,726 km 2,726 km 1.435-m gauge (1,199 km electrified) (2006) 28,788 km (includes 877 km of expressways) (2006) 785 km (2007) 80 bulk carrier 25, cargo 11, chemical tanker 3, passenger/cargo 30, petroleum tanker 8, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 2 30 (Bahamas 1, Belize 2, Liberia 2, Malta 9, Marshall Islands 6, Panama 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7) (2008) Omisalj, Ploce, Rijeka, Sibenik, Vukovar (on Danube) Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia (Oruzane Snage Republike Hrvatske, OSRH), consists of five major commands directly subordinate to a General Staff: Ground Forces (Hrvatska Kopnena Vojska, HKoV), Naval Forces (Hrvatska Ratna Mornarica, HRM), Air Force (Hrvatsko Ratno Zrakoplovstvo, HRZ), Joint Education and Training Command, Logistics Command; Military Police Force supports each of the three Croatian military forces (2008) 18-27 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age with consent for voluntary service; 6-month conscript service obligation; full conversion to professional military service by 2010 (2006) 16 1,035,712 16 1,037,896 (2008 est.) 16 771,323 16 855,937 (2008 est.) 27,500 25,893 (2008 est.) 2.39% of GDP (2005 est.) dispute remains with Bosnia and Herzegovina over several small disputed sections of the boundary related to maritime access that hinders ratification of the 1999 border agreement; the Croatia-Slovenia land and maritime boundary agreement, which would have ceded most of Pirin Bay and maritime access to Slovenia and several villages to Croatia, remains un-ratified and in dispute; Slovenia also protests Croatia's 2003 claim to an exclusive economic zone in the Adriatic; as a European Union peripheral state, Slovenia imposed a hard border Schengen regime with non-member Croatia in December 2007 2,900-7,000 (Croats and Serbs displaced in 1992-95 war) (2007) transit point along the Balkan route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe; has been used as a transit point for maritime shipments of South American cocaine bound for Western Europe Cuba The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the European discovery of the island by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492 and following its development as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to work the coffee and sugar plantations, and Havana became the launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule, marked initially by neglect, became increasingly repressive, provoking an independence movement and occasional rebellions that were harshly suppressed. It was US intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 that finally overthrew Spanish rule. The subsequent Treaty of Paris established Cuban independence, which was granted in 1902 after a three-year transition period. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959; his iron rule held the subsequent regime together for nearly five decades. He stepped down as president in February 2008 in favor of his younger brother Raul CASTRO. Cuba's Communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The country is now slowly recovering from a severe economic downturn in 1990, following the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies, worth $4 billion to $6 billion annually. Cuba portrays its difficulties as the result of the US embargo in place since 1961. Illicit migration to the US - using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, air flights, or via the southwest border - is a continuing problem. The US Coast Guard intercepted 2,864 individuals attempting to cross the Straits of Florida in fiscal year 2006. Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida 21 30 N 80 00 W Central America and the Caribbean 110,860 sq km 110,860 sq km 0 sq km slightly smaller than Pennsylvania 29 km US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and remains part of Cuba 3,735 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October) mostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains in the southeast Caribbean Sea 0 m Pico Turquino 2,005 m cobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land 27.63% 6.54% 65.83% (2005) 8,700 sq km (2003) the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to November (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common air and water pollution; biodiversity loss; deforestation 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, Wetlands Marine Life Conservation largest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the Greater Antilles 11,423,952 (July 2008 est.) 18.5% (male 1,088,311/female 1,030,499) 70.5% (male 4,029,381/female 4,025,154) 10.9% (male 569,002/female 681,605) (2008 est.) 36.8 years 36.1 years 37.5 years (2008 est.) 0.251% (2008 est.) 11.27 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 7.19 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -1.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 5.93 deaths/1,000 live births 6.64 deaths/1,000 live births 5.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 77.27 years 75.02 years 79.64 years (2008 est.) 1.6 children born/woman (2008 est.) less than 0.1% (2003 est.) 3,300 (2003 est.) fewer than 200 (2003 est.) intermediate bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A dengue fever (2008) Cuban(s) Cuban white 65.1%, mulatto and mestizo 24.8%, black 10.1% (2002 census) nominally 85% Roman Catholic prior to CASTRO assuming power; Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also represented Spanish age 15 and over can read and write 99.8% 99.8% 99.8% (2002 census) illicit emigration is a continuing problem; Cubans attempt to depart the island and enter the US using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, direct flights, or falsified visas; Cubans also use non-maritime routes to enter the US including direct flights to Miami and over-land via the southwest border Republic of Cuba Cuba Republica de Cuba Cuba Communist state Havana 23 07 N 82 21 W UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 14 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 special municipality* (municipio especial); Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Ciudad de La Habana, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla de la Juventud*, La Habana, Las Tunas, Matanzas, Pinar del Rio, Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa Clara 20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US from 1898 to 1902); not acknowledged by the Cuban Government as a day of independence Triumph of the Revolution, 1 January (1959) 24 February 1976; amended July 1992 and June 2002 based on Spanish civil law and influenced by American legal concepts, with large elements of Communist legal theory; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 16 years of age; universal President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (president since 24 February 2008); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Jose Ramon MACHADO Ventura (since 24 February 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (president since 24 February 2008); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Jose Ramon MACHADO Ventura (since 24 February 2008) Council of Ministers proposed by the president of the Council of State and appointed by the National Assembly or the 31-member Council of State, elected by the Assembly to act on its behalf when it is not in session president and vice presidents elected by the National Assembly for a term of five years; election last held 24 February 2008 (next to be held in 2013) Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz elected president; percent of legislative vote - 100%; Gen. Jose Ramon MACHADO Ventura elected vice president; percent of legislative vote - 100% unicameral National Assembly of People's Power or Asemblea Nacional del Poder Popular (number of seats in the National Assembly is based on population; 614 seats; members elected directly from slates approved by special candidacy commissions to serve five-year terms) last held 20 January 2008 (next to be held in January 2013) Cuba's Communist Party is the only legal party, and officially sanctioned candidates run unopposed People's Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo Popular (president, vice president, and other judges are elected by the National Assembly) Cuban Communist Party or PCC [Fidel CASTRO Ruz, first secretary] Human Rights Watch; National Association of Small Farmers ACP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since 1962), OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO none; note - Cuba has an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer Jorge BOLANOS Suarez; address: Cuban Interests Section, Swiss Embassy, 2630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone: [1] (202) 797-8518; FAX: [1] (202) 797-8521 none; note - the US has an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Chief of Mission Jonathan D. FARRAR; address: USINT, Swiss Embassy, Calzada between L and M Streets, Vedado, Havana; telephone: [53] (7) 833-3551 through 3559 (operator assistance required); FAX: [53] (7) 833-1653; protecting power in Cuba is Switzerland five equal horizontal bands of blue (top, center, and bottom) alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center The government continues to balance the need for economic loosening against a desire for firm political control. It has rolled back limited reforms undertaken in the 1990s to increase enterprise efficiency and alleviate serious shortages of food, consumer goods, and services. The average Cuban's standard of living remains at a lower level than before the downturn of the 1990s, which was caused by the loss of Soviet aid and domestic inefficiencies. Since late 2000, Venezuela has been providing oil on preferential terms, and it currently supplies about 100,000 barrels per day of petroleum products. Cuba has been paying for the oil, in part, with the services of Cuban personnel in Venezuela, including some 20,000 medical professionals. In 2007, high metals prices continued to boost Cuban earnings from nickel and cobalt production. Havana continued to invest in the country's energy sector to mitigate electrical blackouts that had plagued the country since 2004. $125.5 billion (2007 est.) $45.58 billion (2007 est.) 6.5% (2007 est.) $11,000 (2007 est.) 5.2% 25% 69.8% (2007 est.) 4.956 million state sector 78%, non-state sector 22% (2007 est.) 20% 19.4% 60.6% (2005) 1.8% (2007 est.) 3.1% (2007 est.) 13.1% of GDP (2007 est.) $41.84 billion $43.9 billion (2007 est.) 36.8% of GDP (2007 est.) sugar, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes, beans; livestock sugar, petroleum, tobacco, construction, nickel, steel, cement, agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals 2.5% (2007 est.) 16.97 billion kWh (2007 est.) 14.02 billion kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 61,300 bbl/day (2008 est.) 203,500 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2006) 123,200 bbl/day (2005) 124 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 1.058 billion cu m (2006) 1.058 billion cu m (2006) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 70.79 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $240 million (2007 est.) $3.734 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) sugar, nickel, tobacco, fish, medical products, citrus, coffee China 27.5%, Canada 26.9%, Netherlands 11.1%, Spain 4.7% (2007) $10.08 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) petroleum, food, machinery and equipment, chemicals Venezuela 29.6%, China 13.4%, Spain 10.4%, Canada 6%, US 5.1% (2007) $4.247 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $16.79 billion (convertible currency); another $15-20 billion owed to Russia (31 December 2007 est.) $87.8 million (2005 est.) Cuban peso (CUP) and Convertible peso (CUC) Cuban pesos (CUP) per US dollar - 0.9259 (2007), 0.9231 (2006) Cuba has two currencies in circulation: the Cuban peso (CUP) and the convertible peso (CUC); in April 2005 the official exchange rate changed from $1 per CUC to $1.08 per CUC (0.93 CUC per $1), both for individuals and enterprises; individuals can buy 24 Cuban pesos (CUP) for each CUC sold, or sell 25 Cuban pesos for each CUC bought; enterprises, however, must exchange CUP and CUC at a 1:1 ratio. calendar year 1.043 million (2007) 198,300 (2007) greater investment beginning in 1994 and the establishment of a new Ministry of Information Technology and Communications in 2000 has resulted in improvements in the system; wireless service is expensive and must be paid in convertible pesos which effectively limits mobile cellular subscribership national fiber-optic system under development; 95% of switches digitized by end of 2006; fixed telephone line density remains low, at less than 10 per 100 inhabitants; domestic cellular service expanding but remains at only about 2 per 100 persons 53 fiber-optic cable laid to but not linked to US network; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) (2007) 225: AM 169, FM 55, shortwave 1 (1998) 58 (1997) .cu 3,664 (2008) 1.31 million private citizens are prohibited from buying computers or accessing the Internet without special authorization; foreigners may access the Internet in large hotels but are subject to firewalls; some Cubans buy illegal passwords on the black market or take advantage of public outlets to access limited email and the government-controlled "intranet" (2007) 165 (2007) 70 7 9 18 5 31 (2007) 95 1 23 71 (2007) gas 49 km; oil 230 km (2007) 4,226 km 4,226 km 1.435-m gauge (140 km electrified) an additional 7,742 km of track is used by sugar plantations; about 65% of this track is standard gauge; the rest is narrow gauge (2006) 60,858 km 29,820 km (includes 638 km of expressway) 31,038 km (2000) 240 km (2007) 11 bulk carrier 2, cargo 3, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 2 1 (Spain 1) 13 (Bahamas 1, Cyprus 1, Netherlands Antilles 1, Panama 10) (2008) Cienfuegos, Havana, Matanzas Revolutionary Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias, FAR): Revolutionary Army (ER; includes Territorial Militia Troops, MTT), Revolutionary Navy (Marina de Guerra Revolucionaria, MGR; includes Marine Corps), Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Force (DAAFAR), Youth Labor Army (EJT) (2008) 17-28 years of age for compulsory military service; 2-year service obligation; both sexes subject to military service (2006) 16 3,094,388 16 3,024,876 (2008 est.) 16 2,543,044 16 2,481,823 (2008 est.) 79,945 76,014 (2008 est.) 3.8% of GDP (2006 est.) the collapse of the Soviet Union deprived the Cuban Army of its major economic and logistic support, and had a significant impact on equipment numbers and serviceability; the army remains well trained and professional in nature; while the lack of replacement parts for its existing equipment and the current severe shortage of fuel have increasingly affected operational capabilities, Cuba remains able to offer considerable resistance to any regional power (2008) US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to US and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the facility can terminate the lease Cuba is principally a source country for women and children trafficked within the country for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and possibly for forced labor; the country is a destination for sex tourism, including child sex tourism, which is a problem in many areas of the country; some Cuban nationals willingly migrate to the United States, but are subsequently exploited for forced labor by their smugglers; Cuba is also a transit point for the smuggling of migrants from China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Lebanon, and other nations to the United States and Canada Tier 3 - Cuba does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; exact information about trafficking in Cuba is difficult to obtain because the government does not acknowledge or condemn human trafficking as a problem in Cuba; tangible efforts to prosecute offenders, protect victims, or prevent human trafficking activity do not appear to have been made during 2007; Cuba has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) territorial waters and air space serve as transshipment zone for US- and European-bound drugs; established the death penalty for certain drug-related crimes in 1999 Cyprus A former British colony, Cyprus became independent in 1960 following years of resistance to British rule. Tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head in December 1963, when violence broke out in the capital of Nicosia. Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers in 1964, sporadic intercommunal violence continued forcing most Turkish Cypriots into enclaves throughout the island. In 1974, a Greek Government-sponsored attempt to seize control of Cyprus was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled more than a third of the island. In 1983, the Turkish-held area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC), but it is recognized only by Turkey. The latest two-year round of UN-brokered talks - between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to reach an agreement to reunite the divided island - ended when the Greek Cypriots rejected the UN settlement plan in an April 2004 referendum. The entire island entered the EU on 1 May 2004, although the EU acquis - the body of common rights and obligations - applies only to the areas under direct government control, and is suspended in the areas administered by Turkish Cypriots. However, individual Turkish Cypriots able to document their eligibility for Republic of Cyprus citizenship legally enjoy the same rights accorded to other citizens of European Union states. The election of a new Cypriot president in 2008 served as the impetus for the UN to encourage both the Turkish and Cypriot Governments to reopen unification negotiations. Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey 35 00 N 33 00 E Middle East 9,250 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in north Cyprus) 9,240 sq km 10 sq km about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut 150.4 km (approximately) Akrotiri 47.4 km, Dhekelia 103 km (approximately) 648 km 12 nm 24 nm 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast Mediterranean Sea 0 m Mount Olympus 1,951 m copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment 10.81% 4.32% 84.87% (2005) 400 sq km (2003) moderate earthquake activity; droughts water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall, sea water intrusion to island's largest aquifer, increased salination in the north); water pollution from sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of wildlife habitats from urbanization Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, 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 none of the selected agreements the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia) 792,604 (July 2008 est.) 19.5% (male 78,922/female 75,523) 68.5% (male 275,223/female 267,798) 12% (male 41,592/female 53,546) (2008 est.) 35.3 years 34.3 years 36.4 years (2008 est.) 0.522% (2008 est.) 12.56 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 7.76 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 6.75 deaths/1,000 live births 8.34 deaths/1,000 live births 5.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 78.15 years 75.75 years 80.67 years (2008 est.) 1.79 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.1% (2003 est.) fewer than 1,000 (1999 est.) Cypriot(s) Cypriot Greek 77%, Turkish 18%, other 5% (2001) Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, other (includes Maronite and Armenian Apostolic) 4% Greek, Turkish, English age 15 and over can read and write 97.6% 98.9% 96.3% (2001 census) Republic of Cyprus Cyprus Kypriaki Dimokratia/Kibris Cumhuriyeti Kypros/Kibris the Turkish Cypriot community, which administers the northern part of the island, refers to itself as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC) republic a separation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the island began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified after the Turkish intervention in July 1974 that followed a Greek junta-supported coup attempt gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized government; on 15 November 1983 Turkish Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTASH declared independence and the formation of a "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC), which is recognized only by Turkey Nicosia (Lefkosia) 35 10 N 33 22 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos; note - Turkish Cypriot area's administrative divisions include Kyrenia, all but a small part of Famagusta, and small parts of Lefkosia (Nicosia) 16 August 1960 (from UK); note - Turkish Cypriots proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 and independence in 1983, but these proclamations are only recognized by Turkey Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriots celebrate 15 November (1983) as Independence Day 16 August 1960 from December 1963, the Turkish Cypriots no longer participated in the government; negotiations to create the basis for a new or revised constitution to govern the island and for better relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held intermittently since the mid-1960s; in 1975, following the 1974 Turkish intervention, Turkish Cypriots created their own constitution and governing bodies within the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus," which became the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)" when the Turkish Cypriots declared their independence in 1983; a new constitution for the "TRNC" passed by referendum on 5 May 1985, although the "TRNC" remains unrecognized by any country other than Turkey based on English common law, with civil law modifications; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal President Dimitris CHRISTOFIAS (since 28 February 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the 1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot President Dimitris CHRISTOFIAS (since 28 February 2008) Council of Ministers appointed jointly by the president and vice president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 17 and 24 February 2008 (next to be held in February 2013) Dimitris CHRISTOFIAS elected president; percent of vote (first round) - Ioannis KASOULIDIS 33.5%, Dimitris CHRISTOFIAS 33.3%, Tassos PAPADOPOULOS 31.8%; (second round) Dimitris CHRISTOFIAS 53.4%, Ioannis KASOULIDIS 46.6% Mehmet Ali TALAT became "president" of the "TRNC", 24 April 2005, after "presidential" elections on 17 April 2005; results - Mehmet Ali TALAT 55.6%, Dervis EROGLU 22.7%; Ferdi Sabit SOYER is "TRNC prime minister" and heads the Council of Ministers (cabinet) in coalition with "Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister" Turgay AVCI unicameral - area under government control: House of Representatives or Vouli Antiprosopon (80 seats, 56 assigned to the Greek Cypriots, 24 to Turkish Cypriots; note - only those assigned to Greek Cypriots are filled; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Assembly of the Republic or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) area under government control: last held 21 May 2006 (next to be held 2011); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: last held 14 December 2003 (next to be held in 2008) area under government control: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - AKEL 31.1%, DISY 30.3%, DIKO 17.9%, EDEK 8.9%, EURO.KO 5.8%, Greens 2.0%; seats by party - AKEL (Communist) 18, DISY 18, DIKO 11, EDEK 5, EURO.KO 3, Greens 1; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Assembly of the Republic - percent of vote by party - CTP 35.8%, UBP 32.3%, Peace and Democratic Movement 13.4%, DP 12.3%; seats by party - CTP 19, UBP 18, Peace and Democratic Movement 6, DP 7; note - "TRNC" seats by party as of September 2006 - CTP 25, OP 3, UBP 13, DP 6, BDH 1, independents 2 Supreme Court (judges are appointed jointly by the president and vice president) there is also a Supreme Court in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots area under government control: Democratic Party or DIKO [Marios KAROYIAN]; Democratic Rally or DISY [Nikos ANASTASIADHIS]; European Democracy or EURO.DI [Prodromos PRODROMOU] (evolved from For Europe which merged with New Horizons); European Party or EURO.KO [Demetris SYLLOURIS]; Fighting Democratic Movement or ADIK [Dinos MIKHAILIDIS]; Green Party of Cyprus [George PERDIKIS]; Movement for Social Democrats or EDEK [Yannakis OMIROU]; Political Movement of Hunters [Michalis PAFITANIS]; Progressive Party of the Working People or AKEL (Communist Party) [Dimitris CHRISTOFIAS]; United Democrats or EDI [Michalis PAPAPETROU] Area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Communal Liberation Party or TKP [Huseyin ANGOLEMLI]; Cyprus Socialist Party or KSP [Kazim ONGEN]; Democratic Party or DP [Serder DENKTASH]; Freedom and Reform Party or OP [Turgay AVCI]; National Unity Party or UBP [Tahsin ERTUGRULOGLU]; Nationalist Justice Party or MAP [Ata TEPE]; New Party or YP [Huseyin TURAN]; Our Party or BP [Okyay SADIKOGLU]; Patriotic Unity Movement or YBH [Oguz OZEN]; Peace and Democratic Movement or BDH [Mustafa AKINCI]; Renewal Progress Party or YAP [Ertugrul HASIPOGLU]; Republican Turkish Party or CTP [Ferdi Sabit SOYER]; United Cyprus Party or BKP [Isset IZCAN] Confederation of Cypriot Workers or SEK (pro-West); Confederation of Revolutionary Labor Unions or Dev-Is; Federation of Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions or Turk-Sen; Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation or PEO (Communist controlled) Australia Group, C, CE, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (associate member), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Andreas KAKOURIS 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 462-5772, 462-0873 [1] (202) 483-6710 New York representative of the Turkish Cypriot community in the US is Hilmi AKIL; office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC; telephone [1] (202) 887-6198 Ambassador Frank C. URBANCIC, Jr. corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, 2407 Engomi, Nicosia P. O. Box 24536, 1385 Nicosia [357] (22) 393939 [357] (22) 780944 white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" flag has a white field with narrow horizontal red stripes positioned a small distance from the top and bottom edges between which is centered a red crescent and a red five-pointed star The area of the Republic of Cyprus under government control has a market economy dominated by the service sector, which accounts for 78% of GDP. Tourism, financial services, and real estate are the most important sectors. Erratic growth rates over the past decade reflect the economy's reliance on tourism, which often fluctuates with political instability in the region and economic conditions in Western Europe. Nevertheless, the economy in the area under government control grew by an average of 3.6% per year during the period of 2000-06, well above the EU average. Cyprus joined the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM2) in May 2005 and adopted the euro as its national currency on 1 January 2008. An aggressive austerity program in the preceding years, aimed at paving the way for the euro, helped turn a soaring fiscal deficit (6.3% in 2003) into a surplus of 1.5% in 2007. As in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots, water shortages are a perennial problem; a few desalination plants are now on line. After 10 years of drought, the country received substantial rainfall from 2001-04 alleviating immediate concerns. Rainfall in 2005 and 2006, however, was well below average, making water rationing a necessity in 2007. $21.4 billion (2007 est.) $21.3 billion (2007 est.) 4.4% (2007 est.) $27,100 (2007 est.) 2.7% 19.2% 78% (2007 est.) 393,000 (2007 est.) 8.5% 20.5% 71% (2006 est.) 3.9% (2007 est.) 29 (2005) 2.4% (2007 est.) 20.8% of GDP (2007 est.) $9.996 billion $9.304 billion (2007 est.) 59.6% of GDP (2007 est.) citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, vegetables; poultry, pork, lamb; dairy, cheese tourism, food and beverage processing, cement and gypsum production, ship repair and refurbishment, textiles, light chemicals, metal products, wood, paper, stone, and clay products 3.8% (2007 est.) 4.52 billion kWh (2007 est.) 4.151 billion kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) 57,830 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 55,970 bbl/day (2005) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006) -$2.144 billion (2007 est.) $1.495 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) citrus, potatoes, pharmaceuticals, cement, and clothing Greece 21.1%, UK 14.3%, Germany 6.6% (2007) $7.84 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, intermediate goods, machinery, transport equipment Greece 17.7%, Italy 10.2%, UK 9.6%, Germany 9.4%, Israel 6.5%, France 5.4%, China 5.3%, Netherlands 4.1% (2007) $6.507 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $26.97 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $25.9 million (2006) $15 million (2006) Cypriot pound (CYP); euro (EUR) after 1 January 2008 Cypriot pounds (CYP) per US dollar -: 0.4286 (2007), 0.4586 (2006), 0.4641 (2005), 0.4686 (2004), 0.5174 (2003) calendar year 376,000 (area under government control) (2007); 86,228 (area administered by Turkish Cypriots) (2002) 962,200 (area under government control) (2007); 147,522 (area administered by Turkish Cypriots) (2002) excellent in both area under government control and area administered by Turkish Cypriots open-wire, fiber-optic cable, and microwave radio relay 357 (area administered by Turkish Cypriots uses the country code of Turkey - 90) a number of submarine cables, including the SEA-ME-WE-3, combine to provide connectivity to Western Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; tropospheric scatter; satellite earth stations - 8 (3 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean, 2 Eutelsat, 2 Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat) 103: area under government control: AM 5, FM 76, shortwave 0; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: AM 1, FM 20, shortwave 1 (2004) 10: area under government control: 8; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 2 (plus 4 relay) (2004) .cy 143,099 (2008) 380,000 (2007) 16 (2007) 13 7 2 3 1 (2007) 3 1 2 (2007) 10 (2007) 14,630 km (area under government control: 12,280 km; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 2,350 km) area under government control: 7,979 km (includes 257 km of expressways); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 1,370 km area under government control: 4,301 km; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 980 km (2006) 858 bulk carrier 295, cargo 182, chemical tanker 63, container 193, liquefied gas 10, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 24, petroleum tanker 58, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 12, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 5 690 (Austria 1, Belgium 2, Canada 2, Chile 1, China 10, Cuba 1, Denmark 4, Estonia 5, Germany 189, Greece 259, Hong Kong 2, India 2, Iran 10, Ireland 3, Israel 4, Italy 7, Japan 21, South Korea 1, Latvia 1, Lebanon 1, Netherlands 22, Norway 18, Philippines 1, Poland 18, Portugal 1, Russia 50, Singapore 3, Slovenia 4, Spain 6, Sweden 2, Syria 2, Ukraine 4, UAE 9, UK 19, US 5) 256 (Antigua and Barbuda 18, Bahamas 25, Belize 1, Burma 1, Cambodia 7, Comoros 1, Georgia 1, Germany 2, Gibraltar 1, Greece 7, Liberia 63, Malta 31, Marshall Islands 37, Netherlands 8, Netherlands Antilles 21, Panama 19, Poland 1, Russia 2, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Samoa 1, Singapore 1, Tonga 1, Turkey 2, UK 2, unknown 1) (2008) area under government control: Larnaca, Limassol, Vasilikos; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Famagusta, Kyrenia Republic of Cyprus: Greek Cypriot National Guard (Ethniki Forea, EF; includes air and naval elements); northern Cyprus: Turkish Cypriot Security Force (GKK) (2007) 18-50 years of age for compulsory military service for all Greek Cypriot males in Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG); 17 years of age for voluntary service; females are not conscripted; age of military eligibility 17 to 50; length of normal service is 25 months with a minimum of 3 months (2006) Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG): 16 199,767 16 190,665 (2008 est.) Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG): 16 165,042 16 158,869 (2008 est.) 6,482 6,208 (2008 est.) 3.8% of GDP (2005 est.) hostilities in 1974 divided the island into two de facto autonomous entities, the internationally recognized Cypriot Government and a Turkish-Cypriot community (north Cyprus); the 1,000-strong UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has served in Cyprus since 1964 and maintains the buffer zone between north and south; on 1 May 2004, Cyprus entered the European Union still divided, with the EU's body of legislation and standards (acquis communitaire) suspended in the north; Turkey protests Cypriot Government creating hydrocarbon blocks and maritime boundary with Lebanon in March 2007 210,000 (both Turkish and Greek Cypriots; many displaced for over 30 years) (2007) Cyprus is primarily a destination country for a large number of women trafficked from Eastern and Central Europe, the Philippines, and the Dominican Republic for the purpose of sexual exploitation; traffickers continued to fraudulently recruit victims for work as dancers in cabarets and nightclubs on short-term "artiste" visas, for work in pubs and bars on employment visas, or for illegal work on tourist or student visas Tier 2 Watch List - Cyprus is on the Tier 2 Watch List for a third consecutive year for failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking during 2007; although Cyprus passed a new trafficking law and opened a government trafficking shelter, these efforts are outweighed by its failure to show tangible and critically needed progress in the areas of law enforcement, victim protection, and the prevention of trafficking (2008) minor transit point for heroin and hashish via air routes and container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey; some cocaine transits as well; despite a strengthening of anti-money-laundering legislation, remains vulnerable to money laundering; reporting of suspicious transactions in offshore sector remains weak Czech Republic Following the First World War, the closely related Czechs and Slovaks of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire merged to form Czechoslovakia. During the interwar years, the new country's leaders were frequently preoccupied with meeting the demands of other ethnic minorities within the republic, most notably the Sudeten Germans and the Ruthenians (Ukrainians). After World War II, a truncated Czechoslovakia fell within the Soviet sphere of influence. In 1968, an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country's leaders to liberalize Communist party rule and create "socialism with a human face." Anti-Soviet demonstrations the following year ushered in a period of harsh repression. With the collapse of Soviet authority in 1989, Czechoslovakia regained its freedom through a peaceful "Velvet Revolution." On 1 January 1993, the country underwent a "velvet divorce" into its two national components, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. Central Europe, southeast of Germany 49 45 N 15 30 E Europe 78,866 sq km 77,276 sq km 1,590 sq km slightly smaller than South Carolina 1,989 km Austria 362 km, Germany 815 km, Poland 615 km, Slovakia 197 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of very hilly country Elbe River 115 m Snezka 1,602 m hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite, timber 38.82% 3% 58.18% (2005) 240 sq km (2003) flooding air and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia and in northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks; acid rain damaging forests; efforts to bring industry up to EU code should improve domestic pollution 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 Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube in central Europe 10,220,911 (July 2008 est.) 13.8% (male 723,521/female 684,786) 71.2% (male 3,653,679/female 3,619,872) 15.1% (male 604,419/female 934,634) (2008 est.) 39.8 years 38.2 years 41.6 years (2008 est.) -0.082% (2008 est.) 8.89 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 10.69 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.65 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 3.83 deaths/1,000 live births 4.17 deaths/1,000 live births 3.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 76.62 years 73.34 years 80.08 years (2008 est.) 1.23 children born/woman (2008 est.) less than 0.1% (2001 est.) 2,500 (2001 est.) fewer than 10 (2001 est.) Czech(s) Czech Czech 90.4%, Moravian 3.7%, Slovak 1.9%, other 4% (2001 census) Roman Catholic 26.8%, Protestant 2.1%, other 3.3%, unspecified 8.8%, unaffiliated 59% (2001 census) Czech 94.9%, Slovak 2%, other 2.3%, unidentified 0.8% (2001 census) 99% 99% 99% (2003 est.) Czech Republic Czech Republic Ceska Republika Cesko parliamentary democracy Prague 50 05 N 14 28 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 13 regions (kraje, singular - kraj) and 1 capital city* (hlavni mesto); Jihocesky (South Bohemia), Jihomoravsky (South Moravia), Karlovarsky, Kralovehradecky, Liberecky, Moravskoslezsky (Moravia-Silesia), Olomoucky, Pardubicky, Plzensky (Pilsen), Praha (Prague)*, Stredocesky (Central Bohemia), Ustecky, Vysocina, Zlinsky 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia) Czech Founding Day, 28 October (1918) ratified 16 December 1992, effective 1 January 1993 civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to bring it in line with Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory 18 years of age; universal President Vaclav KLAUS (since 7 March 2003) Prime Minister Mirek TOPOLANEK (since 9 January 2007); Deputy Prime Ministers Petr NECAS (since 9 January 2007), Martin BURSIK (since 9 January 2007), and Alexandr VONDRA (since 9 January 2007) Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister president elected by Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); last successful election held 15 February 2008 (after earlier elections held 8 and 9 February 2008 were inconclusive; next election to be held in February 2013); prime minister appointed by the president Vaclav KLAUS reelected president on 15 February 2008; Vaclav KLAUS 141 votes, Jan SVEJNAR 111 votes (third round; combined votes of both chambers of parliament) bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Poslanecka Snemovna (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Senate - last held in two rounds 17-18 and 24-25 October 2008 (next to be held in October 2010); Chamber of Deputies - last held 2-3 June 2006 (next to be held by June 2010) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ODS 35, CSSD 29, KDU-CSL 7, others 8, independents 2; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - ODS 35.4%, CSSD 32.3%, KSCM 12.8%, KDU-CSL 7.2%, Greens 6.3%, other 6%; seats by party - ODS 81, CSSD 74, KSCM 26, KDU-CSL 13, Greens 6; note - seats by party as of December 2007 - ODS 81, CSSD 72, KSCM 26, KDU-CSL 13, Greens 6, unaffiliated 2 (former CSSD members) Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; chairman and deputy chairmen are appointed by the president for a 10-year term Association of Independent Candidates-European Democrats or SNK-ED [Helmut DOHNALEK]; Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party or KDU-CSL [Jiri CUNEK]; Civic Democratic Party or ODS [Mirek TOPOLANEK]; Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia or KSCM [Vojtech FILIP]; Czech Social Democratic Party or CSSD [Jiri PAROUBEK]; Union of Freedom-Democratic Union or US-DEU [Jan CERNY]; Green Party [Martin BURSIK]; Independent Democrats (NEZDEM) [Vladimir ZELEZNY]; Party of Open Society (SOS) [Pavel NOVACEK]; Path of Change [Jiri LOBKOWITZ] Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions or CMKOS [Milan STECH] ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Ambassador Petr KOLAR 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 274-9100 [1] (202) 966-8540 Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Ambassador Richard W. GRABER Trziste 15, 118 01 Prague 1 use embassy street address [420] 257 022 000 [420] 257 022 809 two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia The Czech Republic is one of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist states of Central and Eastern Europe. Growth in 2000-07 was supported by exports to the EU, primarily to Germany, and a strong recovery of foreign and domestic investment. Domestic demand is playing an ever more important role in underpinning growth as the availability of credit cards and mortgages increases. The current account deficit has declined to around 3.3% of GDP as demand for automotive and other products from the Czech Republic remains strong in the European Union. Rising inflation from higher food and energy prices are a risk to balanced economic growth. Significant increases in social spending in the run-up to June 2006 elections prevented, the government from meeting its goal of reducing its budget deficit to 3% of GDP in 2007. Negotiations on pension and additional healthcare reforms are continuing without clear prospects for agreement and implementation. Intensified restructuring among large enterprises, improvements in the financial sector, and effective use of available EU funds should strengthen output growth. The pro-business Civic Democratic Party-led government approved reforms in 2007 designed to cut spending on some social welfare benefits and reform the tax system with the aim of eventually reducing the budget deficit to 2.3% of GDP by 2010. Parliamentary approval for any additional reforms could prove difficult, however, because of the parliament's even split. The government withdrew a 2010 target date for euro adoption and instead aims to meet the eurozone criteria around 2012. $251 billion (2007 est.) $175.3 billion (2007 est.) 6.6% (2007 est.) $24,500 (2007 est.) 2.7% 38.7% 58.6% (2007 est.) 5.36 million (2007 est.) 4.1% 37.6% 58.3% (2003) 6.6% (2007 est.) 4.3% 22.4% (1996) 26 (2005) 2.9% (2007 est.) 24.1% of GDP (2007 est.) $72.1 billion $74.98 billion (2007 est.) 26% of GDP (2007 est.) wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, poultry metallurgy, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, glass, armaments 9.8% (2007 est.) 82.88 billion kWh (2007 est.) 61.52 billion kWh (2006 est.) 26.36 billion kWh (2007 est.) 10.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) 13,530 bbl/day (2007 est.) 207,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) 27,360 bbl/day (2005) 224,600 bbl/day (2005) 15 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 172 million cu m (2007 est.) 8.622 billion cu m (2007 est.) 402 million cu m (2007 est.) 8.628 billion cu m (2007 est.) 3.964 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) -$4.534 billion (2007 est.) $122.3 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and transport equipment 52%, raw materials and fuel 9%, chemicals 5% (2003) Germany 30.7%, Slovakia 8.7%, Poland 5.9%, France 5.4%, UK 5.1%, Italy 4.9%, Austria 4.6% (2007) $116.6 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and transport equipment 46%, raw materials and fuels 15%, chemicals 10% (2003) Germany 31.8%, Netherlands 6.7%, Slovakia 6.4%, Poland 6.3%, Austria 5.1%, China 5.1%, Russia 4.5%, Italy 4.4%, France 4.1% (2007) $34.59 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $74.7 billion (31 December 2007) $278.7 million in available EU structural adjustment and cohesion funds (2004) Czech koruna (CZK) koruny (CZK) per US dollar - 20.53 (2007), 22.596 (2006), 23.957 (2005), 25.7 (2004), 28.209 (2003) calendar year 2.888 million (2006) 13.075 million (2007) privatization and modernization of the Czech telecommunication system got a late start but is advancing steadily; access to the fixed-line telephone network expanded throughout the 1990s but the number of fixed line connections has been dropping since then; mobile telephone usage increased sharply beginning in the mid-1990s and the number of cellular telephone subscriptions now greatly exceeds the population virtually all exchanges now digital; existing copper subscriber systems enhanced with Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) equipment to accommodate Internet and other digital signals; trunk systems include fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay 420 satellite earth stations - 6 (2 Intersputnik - Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions, 1 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 1 Globalstar) (2007) 352: AM 31, FM 304, shortwave 17 (2000) 150 (plus 1,434 repeaters) (2000) .cz 2.434 million (2008) 4.4 million (2007) 122 (2007) 45 2 10 13 2 18 (2007) 77 1 26 50 (2007) 1 (2007) gas 7,010 km; oil 547 km; refined products 94 km (2007) 9,597 km 9,597 km 1.435-m gauge (3,041 km electrified) (2006) 128,512 km 128,512 km (includes 657 km of expressways) (2007) 664 km (principally on Elbe, Vltava, Oder, and other navigable rivers, lakes, and canals) (2006) 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) Decin, Prague, Usti nad Labem Army of the Czech Republic (ACR): Joint Forces Command (includes Army and Air Forces), Support and Training Forces Command (2008) 18-28 years of age for voluntary and 19-28 for compulsory military service (2008) 16 2,522,383 16 2,425,095 (2008 est.) 16 2,100,789 16 2,018,101 (2008 est.) 63,124 59,786 (2008 est.) 1.46% of GDP (2007 est.) while threats of international legal action never materialized in 2007, 915,220 Austrians, with the support of the popular Freedom Party, signed a petition in January 2008, demanding that Austria block the Czech Republic's accession to the EU unless Prague closes its controversial Soviet-style nuclear plant in Temelin, bordering Austria transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and minor transit point for Latin American cocaine to Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for local and regional markets; susceptible to money laundering related to drug trafficking, organized crime; significant consumer of ecstasy Congo, Democratic Republic of the Established as a Belgian colony in 1908, the Republic of the Congo gained its independence in 1960, but its early years were marred by political and social instability. Col. Joseph MOBUTU seized power and declared himself president in a November 1965 coup. He subsequently changed his name - to MOBUTU Sese Seko - as well as that of the country - to Zaire. MOBUTU retained his position for 32 years through several sham elections, as well as through the use of brutal force. Ethnic strife and civil war, touched off by a massive inflow of refugees in 1994 from fighting in Rwanda and Burundi, led in May 1997 to the toppling of the MOBUTU regime by a rebellion backed by Rwanda and Uganda and fronted by Laurent KABILA. He renamed the country the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but in August 1998 his regime was itself challenged by a second insurrection again backed by Rwanda and Uganda. Troops from Angola, Chad, Namibia, Sudan, and Zimbabwe intervened to support KABILA's regime. A cease-fire was signed in July 1999 by the DRC, Congolese armed rebel groups, Angola, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zimbabwe but sporadic fighting continued. Laurent KABILA was assassinated in January 2001 and his son, Joseph KABILA, was named head of state. In October 2002, the new president was successful in negotiating the withdrawal of Rwandan forces occupying eastern Congo; two months later, the Pretoria Accord was signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and establish a government of national unity. A transitional government was set up in July 2003. Joseph KABILA as president and four vice presidents represented the former government, former rebel groups, the political opposition, and civil society. The transitional government held a successful constitutional referendum in December 2005 and elections for the presidency, National Assembly, and provincial legislatures in 2006. KABILA was inaugurated president in December 2006. The National Assembly was installed in September 2006. Its president, Vital KAMERHE, was chosen in December. Provincial assemblies were constituted in early 2007, and elected governors and national senators in January 2007. Central Africa, northeast of Angola 0 00 N 25 00 E Africa 2,345,410 sq km 2,267,600 sq km 77,810 sq km slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US 10,730 km Angola 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of Angola's discontiguous Cabinda Province), Burundi 233 km, Central African Republic 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Rwanda 217 km, Sudan 628 km, Tanzania 459 km, Uganda 765 km, Zambia 1,930 km 37 km 12 nm boundaries with neighbors tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator - wet season (April to October), dry season (December to February); south of Equator - wet season (November to March), dry season (April to October) vast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in east Atlantic Ocean 0 m Pic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley) 5,110 m cobalt, copper, niobium, tantalum, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium, coal, hydropower, timber 2.86% 0.47% 96.67% (2005) 110 sq km (2003) periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); in the east, in the Great Rift Valley, there are active volcanoes poaching threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; deforestation; refugees responsible for significant deforestation, soil erosion, and wildlife poaching; mining of minerals (coltan - a mineral used in creating capacitors, diamonds, and gold) causing environmental damage Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands Environmental Modification straddles equator; has narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo River and is only outlet to South Atlantic Ocean; dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands 66,514,504 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2008 est.) 47.1% (male 15,711,817/female 15,594,449) 50.4% (male 16,672,399/female 16,875,468) 2.5% (male 674,766/female 985,607) (2008 est.) 16.3 years 16.1 years 16.5 years (2008 est.) 3.236% (2008 est.) 43 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 11.88 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.68 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 83.11 deaths/1,000 live births 91.14 deaths/1,000 live births 74.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 53.98 years 52.22 years 55.8 years (2008 est.) 6.28 children born/woman (2008 est.) 4.2% (2003 est.) 1.1 million (2003 est.) 100,000 (2003 est.) very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria, plague, and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) schistosomiasis rabies (2008) Congolese (singular and plural) Congolese or Congo over 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu; the four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of the population Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other (includes syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs) 10% French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba age 15 and over can read and write French, Lingala, Kingwana, or Tshiluba 67.2% 80.9% 54.1% (2001 est.) Democratic Republic of the Congo none Republique Democratique du Congo none Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville, Congo/Kinshasa, Zaire DRC republic Kinshasa 4 19 S 15 18 E UTC+1 (six hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 10 provinces (provinces, singular - province) and 1 city* (ville); Bandundu, Bas-Congo, Equateur, Kasai-Occidental, Kasai-Oriental, Katanga, Kinshasa*, Maniema, Nord-Kivu, Orientale, Sud-Kivu according to the Constitution adopted in December 2005, the current administrative divisions will be subdivided into 26 new provinces by 2009 30 June 1960 (from Belgium) Independence Day, 30 June (1960) 18 February 2006 a new constitution was adopted by referendum 18 December 2005; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal and compulsory President Joseph KABILA (since 17 January 2001); note - following the assassination of his father, Joseph KABILA succeeded to the presidency which he retained through the 2003-06 transition; he was subsequently elected president in October 2006 Prime Minister Adolphe MUZITO (since 10 October 2008) Ministers of State appointed by the president under the new constitution the president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held 30 July 2006 and 29 October 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister appointed by the president Joseph KABILA elected president; percent of vote (second round) - Joseph KABILA 58%, Jean-Pierre BEMBA Gombo 42% Joseph KABILA succeeded his father, Laurent Desire KABILA, following the latter's assassination in January 2001; negotiations with rebel leaders led to the establishment of a transitional government in July 2003 with free elections held on 30 July 2006 and 29 October 2006 confirming Joseph KABILA as president bicameral legislature consists of a National Assembly (500 seats; 61 members elected by majority vote in single-member constituencies, 439 members elected by open list proportional-representation in multi-member constituencies; to serve five-year terms) and a Senate (108 seats; members elected by provincial assemblies to serve five-year terms) National Assembly - last held 30 July 2006 (next to be held in 2011); Senate - last held 19 January 2007 (next to be held by 2012) National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPRD 111, MLC 64, PALU 34, MSR 27, FR 26, RCD 15, independents 63, others 160 (includes 63 political parties that won 10 or fewer seats); Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPRD 22, MLC 14, FR 7, RCD 7, PDC 6, CDC 3, MSR 3, PALU 2, independents 26, others 18 (political parties that won a single seat) Constitutional Court; Appeals Court or Cour de Cassation; Council of State; High Military Court; plus civil and military courts and tribunals Christian Democrat Party or PDC [Jose ENDUNDO]; Congolese Rally for Democracy or RCD [Azarias RUBERWA]; Convention of Christian Democrats or CDC; Forces of Renewal or FR [Mbusa NYAMWISI]; Movement for the Liberation of the Congo or MLC [Jean-Pierre BEMBA]; People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy or PPRD [Joseph KABILA]; Social Movement for Renewal or MSR [Pierre LUMBI]; Unified Lumumbist Party or PALU [Antoine GIZENGA]; Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Etienne TSHISEKEDI]; Union of Mobutuist Democrats or UDEMO [MOBUTU Nzanga] MONUC - UN organization working with the government; FARDC (Forces Armees de la Republique du Congo) - Army of the Democratic Republic of the Congo which commits atrocities on citizens; FDLA (Forces Democratiques de Liberation du Rwanda) - Rwandan militia group ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (suspended), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Faida MITIFU 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009: note - Consular Office at 1726 M Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20036 [1] (202) 234-7690, 7691 [1] (202) 234-2609 Ambassador William GARVELINK 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa Unit 31550, APO AE 09828 [243] (81) 225-5872 [243] (81) 301-0561 sky blue field divided diagonally from the lower hoist corner to upper fly corner by a red stripe bordered by two narrow yellow stripes; a yellow, five-pointed star appears in the upper hoist corner The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - a nation endowed with vast potential wealth - is slowly recovering from two decades of decline. Conflict, which began in August 1998, dramatically reduced national output and government revenue, increased external debt, and resulted in the deaths of more than 3.5 million people from violence, famine, and disease. Foreign businesses curtailed operations due to uncertainty about the outcome of the conflict, lack of infrastructure, and the difficult operating environment. Conditions began to improve in late 2002 with the withdrawal of a large portion of the invading foreign troops. The transitional government reopened relations with international financial institutions and international donors, and President KABILA has begun implementing reforms, although progress is slow and the International Monetary Fund curtailed their program for the DRC at the end of March 2006 because of fiscal overruns. Much economic activity still occurs in the informal sector, and is not reflected in GDP data. Renewed activity in the mining sector, the source of most export income, boosted Kinshasa's fiscal position and GDP growth. Government reforms and improved security may lead to increased government revenues, outside budget assistance, and foreign direct investment, although an uncertain legal framework, corruption, and a lack of transparency in government policy are continuing long-term problems. $19.03 billion (2007 est.) $10.14 billion (2007 est.) 7% (2007 est.) $300 (2007 est.) 55% 11% 34% (2000 est.) 15 million (2006 est.) 16.7% (2007 est.) $700 million $2 billion (2006 est.) coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products mining (diamonds, gold, copper, cobalt, coltan zinc), mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and beverages), cement, commercial ship repair 7.243 billion kWh (2006 est.) 5.158 billion kWh (2006 est.) 1.799 billion kWh (2006 est.) 6 million kWh (2006 est.) 22,160 bbl/day (2007 est.) 10,460 bbl/day (2006 est.) 19,820 bbl/day (2005) 8,220 bbl/day (2006 est.) 180 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 991.1 million cu m (1 January 2008 est.) -$402 million (2007 est.) $1.587 billion f.o.b. (2006) diamonds, copper, crude oil, coffee, cobalt Belgium 23.6%, China 21.7%, US 9.8%, Finland 9.1%, Brazil 9.1%, France 6.8%, Zambia 6% (2007) $2.263 billion f.o.b. (2006) foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment, fuels South Africa 22.5%, Belgium 10.3%, Zambia 8.9%, Zimbabwe 7.5%, France 6.8%, Kenya 6.3%, US 4.1%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.1% (2007) $10 billion (2006 est.) $1.828 billion (2005) Congolese franc (CDF) Congolese francs (CDF) per US dollar - NA (2007), 464.69 (2006), 437.86 (2005), 401.04 (2004), 405.34 (2003) calendar year 9,700 (2006) 6.592 million (2007) inadequate; state-owned fixed-line operator has been unable to expand fixed-line connections and there are now fewer than 10,000 connections - less than 1 per 1000 persons; given the backdrop of a wholly inadequate fixed-line infrastructure, the use of cellular services has surged and subscribership in 2007 reached 6.6 million - 10 per 100 persons barely adequate wire and microwave radio relay service in and between urban areas; domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations 243 satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) 16: AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 2 (2001) 4 (2001) .cd 3,211 (2008) 230,400 (2007) 237 (2007) 26 4 2 17 2 1 (2007) 211 17 95 99 (2007) gas 62 km; oil 71 km (2007) 5,138 km 3,987 km 1.067-m gauge (858 km electrified); 125 km 1.000-m gauge; 1,026 km 0.600-m gauge (2006) 153,497 km 2,794 km 150,703 km (2004) 15,000 km (2005) 1 petroleum tanker 1 1 (Congo, Republic of the 1) (2008) Banana, Boma, Bukavu, Bumba, Goma, Kalemie, Kindu, Kinshasa, Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Army, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2008) 18-45 years of age for military service 16 14,101,263 (2008 est.) 16 8,562,989 (2008 est.) 783,762 780,922 (2008 est.) 2.5% of GDP (2006) heads of the Great Lakes states and UN pledged in 2004 to abate tribal, rebel, and militia fighting in the region, including northeast Congo, where the UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), organized in 1999, maintains over 16,500 uniformed peacekeepers; members of Uganda's Lords Resistance Army forces continue to seek refuge in Congo's Garamba National Park as peace talks with the Uganda government evolve; the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area; Uganda and DROC dispute Rukwanzi island in Lake Albert and other areas on the Semliki River with hydrocarbon potential; boundary commission continues discussions over Congolese-administered triangle of land on the right bank of the Lunkinda river claimed by Zambia near the DROC village of Pweto 132,295 (Angola); 37,313 (Rwanda); 17,777 (Burundi); 13,904 (Uganda); 6,181 (Sudan); 5,243 (Republic of Congo) 1.4 million (fighting between government forces and rebels since mid-1990s; most IDPs are in eastern provinces) (2007) Democratic Republic of the Congo is a source and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; much of this trafficking occurs within the country's unstable eastern provinces and is perpetrated by armed groups outside government control Tier 2 Watch List - Democratic Republic of the Congo is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007; while some significant initial advances were noted, the government's capacity to apprehend, convict, or imprison traffickers remained weak; the government lacks sufficient financial, technical, and human resources to effectively address not only trafficking crimes, but also to provide basic levels of security in some parts of the country (2008) one of Africa's biggest producers of cannabis, but mostly for domestic consumption; while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leaves the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center Denmark Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. However, the country has opted out of certain elements of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), European defense cooperation, and issues concerning certain justice and home affairs. Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes two major islands (Sjaelland and Fyn) 56 00 N 10 00 E Europe 43,094 sq km 42,394 sq km 700 sq km includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of metropolitan Denmark (the Jutland Peninsula, and the major islands of Sjaelland and Fyn), but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts 68 km Germany 68 km 7,314 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers low and flat to gently rolling plains Lammefjord -7 m Yding Skovhoej 173 m petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, chalk, stone, gravel and sand 52.59% 0.19% 47.22% (2005) 4,490 sq km (2003) flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g., parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant emissions; nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking and surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes and pesticides 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 Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greater Copenhagen 5,484,723 (July 2008 est.) 18.4% (male 516,735/female 490,532) 65.9% (male 1,818,681/female 1,796,753) 15.7% (male 374,388/female 487,634) (2008 est.) 40.3 years 39.4 years 41.2 years (2008 est.) 0.295% (2008 est.) 10.71 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 10.25 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 2.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births 4.44 deaths/1,000 live births 4.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 78.13 years 75.8 years 80.59 years (2008 est.) 1.74 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.2% (2003 est.) 5,000 (2003 est.) fewer than 100 (2003 est.) Dane(s) Danish Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Christian (includes Protestant and Roman Catholic) 3%, Muslim 2% Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority) English is the predominant second language age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 99% (2003 est.) Kingdom of Denmark Denmark Kongeriget Danmark Danmark constitutional monarchy Copenhagen 55 40 N 12 35 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October applies to continental Denmark only, not to the North Atlantic components metropolitan Denmark - 5 regions (regioner, singular - region); Hovedstaden, Midtjylland, Nordjylland, Sjaelland, Syddanmark an extensive local government reform merged 271 municipalities into 98 and 13 counties into five regions, effective 1 January 2007 980 (approximately) first organized as a unified state; in 1849 became a constitutional monarchy none designated; Constitution Day, 5 June (1849) is generally viewed as the National Day 5 June 1953 constitution allowed for a unicameral legislature and a female chief of state civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born 26 May 1968) Prime Minister Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN (since 27 November 2001) Council of State appointed by the monarch the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch unicameral People's Assembly or Folketinget (179 seats, including 2 from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms unless the Folketinget is dissolved earlier) last held 13 November 2007 (next to be held in 2011) percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 26.2%, Social Democrats 25.5%, Danish People's Party 13.9%, Socialist People's Party 13.0%, Conservative People's Party 10.4%, Social Liberal Party 5.1%, New Alliance 2.8%, Red-Green Alliance 2.2%, other 0.9%; seats by party - Liberal Party 46, Social Democrats 45, Danish People's Party 25, Socialist People's Party 23, Conservative People's Party 18, Social Liberal Party 9, New Alliance 5, Red-Green Alliance 4; note - does not include the two seats from Greenland and the two seats from the Faroe Islands Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch for life) Christian Democrats [Bjarne Hartung KIRKEGAARD] (was Christian People's Party); Conservative Party [Bendt BENDTSEN] (sometimes known as Conservative People's Party); Danish People's Party [Pia KJAERSGAARD]; Liberal Party [Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN]; New Alliance [Naser KHADER]; Red-Green Unity List (Alliance) [collective leadership] (bloc includes Left Socialist Party, Communist Party of Denmark, Socialist Workers' Party); Social Democratic Party [Helle THORNING-SCHMIDT]; Social Liberal Party [Margrethe VESTAGER]; Socialist People's Party [Villy SOEVNDAL] Danish Free Press Society (freedom of speech); Danish National Socialist Movement or DNSB [Jonni HANSEN] (neo-Nazi organization) human rights groups ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Ambassador Friis Arne PETERSEN 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 234-4300 [1] (202) 328-1470 Chicago, New York Ambassador James P. CAIN Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen PSC 73, APO AE 09716 [45] 33 41 71 00 [45] 35 43 02 23 red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side; the banner is referred to as the Dannebrog (Danish flag) the shifted design element was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden The Danish economy has in recent years undergone strong expansion fueled primarily by private consumption growth, but also supported by exports and investments. This thoroughly modern market economy features high-tech agriculture, up-to-date small-scale and corporate industry, extensive government welfare measures, comfortable living standards, a stable currency, and high dependence on foreign trade. Unemployment is low and capacity constraints are limiting growth potential. Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy and enjoys a comfortable balance of payments surplus. Government objectives include streamlining the bureaucracy and further privatization of state assets. The government has been successful in meeting, and even exceeding, the economic convergence criteria for participating in the third phase (a common European currency) of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), but so far Denmark has decided not to join 15 other EU members in the euro. Nonetheless, the Danish krone remains pegged to the euro. Economic growth gained momentum in 2004 and the upturn continued through 2007. The controversy over caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad printed in a Danish newspaper in September 2005 led to boycotts of some Danish exports to the Muslim world, especially exports of dairy products, but the boycotts did not have a significant impact on the overall Danish economy. Because of high GDP per capita, welfare benefits, a low Gini index, and political stability, the Danish living standards are among the highest in the world. A major long-term issue will be the sharp decline in the ratio of workers to retirees. $203.3 billion (2007 est.) $311.9 billion (2007 est.) 1.7% (2007 est.) $37,200 (2007 est.) 1.3% 25.7% 73% (2007 est.) 2.86 million (2007 est.) 3% 21% 76% (2004 est.) 2.8% (2007 est.) 2% 24% (2000 est.) 24 (2005) 1.7% (2007 est.) 22.9% of GDP (2007 est.) $170.6 billion $156.8 billion (2007 est.) 26% of GDP (2007 est.) barley, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets; pork, dairy products; fish iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, food processing, machinery and transportation equipment, textiles and clothing, electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products, shipbuilding and refurbishment, windmills, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment 0.5% (2007 est.) 36.99 billion kWh (2007 est.) 34.68 billion kWh (2006 est.) 11.38 billion kWh (2007 est.) 10.43 billion kWh (2007 est.) 313,800 bbl/day (2007 est.) 190,600 bbl/day (2007 est.) 320,000 bbl/day (2006) 164,000 bbl/day (2006 est.) 1.188 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 9.223 billion cu m (2007 est.) 4.555 billion cu m (2007 est.) 4.517 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 70.51 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $4.279 billion (2007 est.) $101.2 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, pharmaceuticals, furniture, windmills Germany 17.4%, Sweden 14.5%, UK 8%, US 6.1%, Norway 5.7%, France 4.8%, Netherlands 4.8% (2007) $102 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and equipment, raw materials and semimanufactures for industry, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, consumer goods Germany 21.6%, Sweden 14.4%, Netherlands 7.1%, Norway 6%, China 5.4%, UK 5.3%, Italy 4.1%, France 4% (2007) $34.32 billion (2006 est.) $492.6 billion (30 June 2007) ODA, $2.236 billion (2006) Danish krone (DKK) Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003) calendar year 2.824 million (2007) 6.243 million (2007) excellent telephone and telegraph services buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form trunk network, 4 cellular mobile communications systems 45 a series of fiber-optic submarine cables link Denmark with Canada, Faroe Islands, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and UK; satellite earth stations - 18 (6 Intelsat, 10 Eutelsat, 1 Orion, 1 Inmarsat (Blaavand-Atlantic-East)); note - the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) share the Danish earth station and the Eik, Norway, station for worldwide Inmarsat access 357: AM 2, FM 355, shortwave 0 (1998) 26 (plus 51 repeaters) (1998) .dk 3.642 million (2008) 3.5 million (2007) 91 (2007) 28 2 7 4 12 3 (2007) 63 3 60 (2007) condensate 11 km; gas 4,073 km; oil 617 km; oil/gas/water 2 km (2007) 2,644 km 2,644 km 1.435-m gauge (636 km electrified) (2007) 72,362 km 72,362 km (includes 1,032 km of expressways) (2006) 400 km (2007) 327 bulk carrier 8, cargo 63, carrier 2, chemical tanker 78, container 84, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 42, petroleum tanker 29, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 8, specialized tanker 4 26 (Canada 1, Germany 1, Germany 9, Greece 4, Iceland 2, Norway 3, Sweden 6) 534 (Antigua and Barbuda 19, Bahamas 67, Belgium 4, Brazil 2, Cayman Islands 3, Cyprus 4, Egypt 1, Estonia 1, France 2, Germany 1, Gibraltar 7, Hong Kong 24, Isle of Man 29, Italy 3, Jamaica 2, Liberia 12, Lithuania 5, Luxembourg 1, Malta 30, Marshall Islands 10, Mexico 2, Netherlands 29, Netherlands Antilles 2, Norway 25, Panama 40, Portugal 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 16, Singapore 87, South Africa 1, Spain 1, Spain 1, Sweden 4, Togo 1, UAE 1, UK 62, US 31, Venezuela 1) (2008) Aalborg, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Ensted, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Kalundborg Defense Command: Army Operational Command, Admiral Danish Fleet, Island Command Greenland, Tactical Air Command, Home Guard (2008) 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscripts serve an initial training period that varies from 4 to 12 months according to specialization; reservists are assigned to mobilization units following completion of their conscript service; women eligible to volunteer for military service (2004) 16 1,235,067 16 1,215,418 (2008 est.) 16 1,012,716 16 996,436 (2008 est.) 36,561 34,603 (2008 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2006; 1.28% 2007 est.) Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm; Faroese continue to study proposals for full independence; sovereignty dispute with Canada over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland Dhekelia By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers - Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The larger of these is the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the Eastern Sovereign Base Area. Eastern Mediterranean, on the southeast coast of Cyprus near Famagusta 34 59 N 33 45 E Middle East 130.8 sq km 130.8 sq km 0 sq km area surrounds three Cypriot enclaves about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC 103 km (approximately) Cyprus 103 km (approximately) 27.5 km temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters netting and trapping of small migrant songbirds in the spring and autumn British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus; of the Sovereign Base Area land 60% is privately owned and farmed, 20% is owned by the Ministry of Defense, and 20% is SBA Crown land approximately 15,700 live on the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia including 7,700 Cypriots, 3,600 Service and UK Based Contract personnel, and 4,400 dependents English, Greek Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area Dhekelia a special form of UK overseas territory; administered by an administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus Episkopi Cantonment (base administrative center for Akrotiri and Dhekelia); located in Akrotiri 34 40 N 32 51 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council 1960, effective 16 August 1960, functions as a basic legal document the Sovereign Base Area Administration has its own court system to deal with civil and criminal matters; laws applicable to the Cypriot population are, as far as possible, the same as the laws of the Republic of Cyprus Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) Administrator Air Vice-Marshal Richard LACEY (since 26 April 2006); note - reports to the British Ministry of Defense none; the monarch is hereditary; the administrator is appointed by the monarch none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of the UK) the flag of the UK is used Economic activity is limited to providing services to the military and their families located in Dhekelia. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. none euro (EUR) adopted 1 January 2008; note - the Cypriot pound (CYP) formerly used euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.4286 (2007), 0.46019 (2006), 0.4641 (2005), 0.4686 (2004), 0.5174 (2003) 1: AM NA, FM 1 (located in Akrotiri), shortwave NA (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1 and Radio 2 service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia) (2006) 0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia) (2006) includes Dhekelia Garrison and Ayios Nikolaos Station connected by a roadway Djibouti The French Territory of the Afars and the Issas became Djibouti in 1977. Hassan Gouled APTIDON installed an authoritarian one-party state and proceeded to serve as president until 1999. Unrest among the Afars minority during the 1990s led to a civil war that ended in 2001 following the conclusion of a peace accord between Afar rebels and the Issa-dominated government. In 1999, Djibouti's first multi-party presidential elections resulted in the election of Ismail Omar GUELLEH; he was re-elected to a second and final term in 2005. Djibouti occupies a strategic geographic location at the mouth of the Red Sea and serves as an important transshipment location for goods entering and leaving the east African highlands. The present leadership favors close ties to France, which maintains a significant military presence in the country, but also has strong ties with the US. Djibouti hosts the only US military base in sub-Saharan Africa and is a front-line state in the global war on terrorism. Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia 11 30 N 43 00 E Africa 23,000 sq km 22,980 sq km 20 sq km slightly smaller than Massachusetts 516 km Eritrea 109 km, Ethiopia 349 km, Somalia 58 km 314 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm desert; torrid, dry coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains Lac Assal -155 m Moussa Ali 2,028 m geothermal areas, gold, clay, granite, limestone, marble, salt, diatomite, gypsum, pumice, petroleum 0.04% 0% 99.96% (2005) 10 sq km (2003) earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods inadequate supplies of potable water; limited arable land; desertification; endangered species Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly wasteland; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in Africa 506,221 (July 2008 est.) 43.3% (male 110,089/female 109,331) 53.1% (male 139,164/female 129,614) 3.6% (male 9,068/female 8,955) (2008 est.) 18.2 years 18.6 years 17.7 years (2008 est.) 1.945% (2008 est.) 38.61 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 19.16 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 99.13 deaths/1,000 live births 106.65 deaths/1,000 live births 91.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 43.31 years 41.89 years 44.77 years (2008 est.) 5.14 children born/woman (2008 est.) 2.9% (2003 est.) 9,100 (2003 est.) 690 (2003 est.) high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever malaria highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) Djiboutian(s) Djiboutian Somali 60%, Afar 35%, other 5% (includes French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian) Muslim 94%, Christian 6% French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar age 15 and over can read and write 67.9% 78% 58.4% (2003 est.) Republic of Djibouti Djibouti Republique de Djibouti/Jumhuriyat Jibuti Djibouti/Jibuti French Territory of the Afars and Issas, French Somaliland republic Djibouti 11 35 N 43 09 E UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 6 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); Ali Sabieh, Arta, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjourah 27 June 1977 (from France) Independence Day, 27 June (1977) multiparty constitution approved by referendum 4 September 1992 based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and Islamic law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations 18 years of age; universal President Ismail Omar GUELLEH (since 8 May 1999) Prime Minister Mohamed Dileita DILEITA (since 4 March 2001) Council of Ministers responsible to the president president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 April 2005 (next to be held by April 2011); prime minister appointed by the president Ismail Omar GUELLEH reelected president; percent of vote - Ismail Omar GUELLEH 100% unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (65 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) last held 8 February 2008 (next to be held 2013) percent of vote by party - NA; seats - UMP (coalition of parties associated with President Ismail Omar GUELLAH) 65 Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Democratic National Party or PND [ADEN Robleh Awaleh]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Abdillahi HAMARITEH]; Djibouti Development Party or PDD [Mohamed Daoud CHEHEM]; Front pour la Restauration de l'Unite Democratique or FRUD [Ali Mohamed DAOUD]; People's Progress Assembly or RPP [Ismail Omar GUELLEH] (governing party); Peoples Social Democratic Party or PPSD [Moumin Bahdon FARAH]; Republican Alliance for Democracy or ARD; Union for a Presidential Majority or UMP (a coalition of parties including RPP, FRUD, PND, and PPSD); Union for Democracy and Justice or UDJ Union for Presidential Majority UMP (coalition includes RPP, FRUD, PPSD and PND); Union for Democratic Changeover or UAD (opposition coalition includes ARD, MRDD, and UDJ) ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Roble OLHAYE Oudine Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 [1] (202) 331-0270 [1] (202) 331-0302 Ambassador James C. SWAN Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti B. P. 185, Djibouti [253] 35 39 95 [253] 35 39 40 two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star in the center The economy is based on service activities connected with the country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in the Horn of Africa. Two-thirds of Djibouti's inhabitants live in the capital city; the remainder are mostly nomadic herders. Scanty rainfall limits crop production to fruits and vegetables, and most food must be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. Imports and exports from landlocked neighbor Ethiopia represent 85% of port activity at Djibouti's container terminal. Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. An unemployment rate of nearly 60% continues to be a major problem. While inflation is not a concern, due to the fixed tie of the Djiboutian franc to the US dollar, the artificially high value of the Djiboutian franc adversely affects Djibouti's balance of payments. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% between 1999 and 2006 because of recession, civil war, and a high population growth rate (including immigrants and refugees). Faced with a multitude of economic difficulties, the government has fallen in arrears on long-term external debt and has been struggling to meet the stipulations of foreign aid donors. $1.738 billion (2007 est.) $841 million (2007 est.) 5.2% (2007 est.) $2,300 (2007 est.) 3.2% 14.9% 81.9% (2006) 282,000 (2000) 59% in urban areas, 83% in rural areas (2007 est.) 42% (2007 est.) 5% (2007 est.) $135 million $182 million (1999 est.) fruits, vegetables; goats, sheep, camels, animal hides construction, agricultural processing 3% (1996 est.) 250 million kWh (2006 est.) 232.5 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 12,170 bbl/day (2006 est.) 19.18 bbl/day (2005) 11,810 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) -$212 million (2007 est.) $340 million f.o.b. (2006) reexports, hides and skins, coffee (in transit) Somalia 66.4%, Ethiopia 21.5%, Yemen 3.4% (2007) $1.555 billion f.o.b. (2006) foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products Saudi Arabia 21%, India 18.1%, China 9.4%, Ethiopia 4.7%, Malaysia 4.6%, Japan 4.2% (2007) $428 million (2006) $78.6 million (2005) Djiboutian franc (DJF) Djiboutian francs (DJF) per US dollar - 177.71 (2007), 174.75 (2006), 177.72 (2005), 177.72 (2004), 177.72 (2003) calendar year 10,800 (2005) 45,000 (2007) telephone facilities in the city of Djibouti are adequate, as are the microwave radio relay connections to outlying areas of the country microwave radio relay network; mobile cellular coverage is primarily limited to the area in and around Djibouti city 253 landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable with links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean and 1 Arabsat); Medarabtel regional microwave radio relay telephone network (2007) 3: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001) 1 (2001) .dj 161 (2008) 11,000 (2006) 13 (2007) 3 1 1 1 (2007) 10 2 5 3 (2007) 100 km (Djibouti segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway) 100 km 1.000-m gauge railway under joint control of Djibouti and Ethiopia but remains largely inoperable (2006) 3,065 km 1,226 km 1,839 km (2000) Djibouti the International Maritime Bureau reports offshore waters in the Gulf of Aden are high risk for piracy; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crew, passengers, and cargo are held for ransom Djibouti National Army (includes Navy and Air Force) 18 years of age for voluntary military service; 16-25 years of age for voluntary military training; no conscription (2008) 16 111,274 16 105,168 (2008 est.) 16 54,460 16 51,684 (2008 est.) 5,618 5,609 (2008 est.) 3.8% of GDP (2006) Djibouti maintains economic ties and border accords with "Somaliland" leadership while maintaining some political ties to various factions in Somalia; Kuwait is chief investor in the 2008 restoration and upgrade of the Ethiopian-Djibouti rail link 8,642 (Somalia) (2007) Dominican Republic Explored and claimed by Christopher COLUMBUS on his first voyage in 1492, the island of Hispaniola became a springboard for Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland. In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, which in 1804 became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821, but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. In 1861, the Dominicans voluntarily returned to the Spanish Empire, but two years later they launched a war that restored independence in 1865. A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative rule followed, capped by the dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas TRUJILLO from 1930-61. Juan BOSCH was elected president in 1962, but was deposed in a military coup in 1963. In 1965, the United States led an intervention in the midst of a civil war sparked by an uprising to restore BOSCH. In 1966, Joaquin BALAGUER defeated BOSCH in an election to become president. BALAGUER maintained a tight grip on power for most of the next 30 years when international reaction to flawed elections forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then, regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition candidates have won the presidency. Former President (1996-2000) Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna won election to a second term in 2004 following a constitutional amendment allowing presidents to serve more than one term. Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti 19 00 N 70 40 W Central America and the Caribbean 48,730 sq km 48,380 sq km 350 sq km slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire 360 km Haiti 360 km 1,288 km measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines 6 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed Lago Enriquillo -46 m Pico Duarte 3,175 m nickel, bauxite, gold, silver 22.49% 10.26% 67.25% (2005) 2,750 sq km (2003) lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs; deforestation Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands Law of the Sea shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti 9,507,133 (July 2008 est.) 31.8% (male 1,537,981/female 1,482,546) 62.4% (male 3,029,349/female 2,905,471) 5.8% (male 255,898/female 295,888) (2008 est.) 24.7 years 24.6 years 24.8 years (2008 est.) 1.495% (2008 est.) 22.65 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 5.3 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -2.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 26.93 deaths/1,000 live births 29.01 deaths/1,000 live births 24.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 73.39 years 71.61 years 75.24 years (2008 est.) 2.78 children born/woman (2008 est.) 1.7% (2003 est.) 88,000 (2003 est.) 7,900 (2003 est.) high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever and malaria leptospirosis (2008) Dominican(s) Dominican mixed 73%, white 16%, black 11% Roman Catholic 95%, other 5% Spanish age 15 and over can read and write 87% 86.8% 87.2% (2002 census) Dominican Republic The Dominican Republica Dominicana La Dominicana democratic republic Santo Domingo 18 28 N 69 54 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 31 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 district* (distrito); Azua, Bahoruco, Barahona, Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*, Duarte, El Seibo, Elias Pina, Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samana, San Cristobal, San Jose de Ocoa, San Juan, San Pedro de Macoris, Sanchez Ramirez, Santiago, Santiago Rodriguez, Santo Domingo, Valverde 27 February 1844 (from Haiti) Independence Day, 27 February (1844) 28 November 1966; amended 25 July 2002 based on French civil codes; Criminal Procedures Code modified in 2004 to include important elements of an accusatory system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age, universal and compulsory; married persons regardless of age; note - members of the armed forces and national police cannot vote President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16 August 2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro (since 16 August 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16 August 2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro (since 16 August 2004) Cabinet nominated by the president president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second consecutive term); election last held 16 May 2008 (next to be held in May 2012) Leonel FERNANDEZ reelected president; percent of vote - Leonel FERNANDEZ 53.6%, Miguel VARGAS 41%, Amable ARISTY less than 5% bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (32 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Diputados (178 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Senate - last held 16 May 2006 (next to be held in May 2010); House of Representatives - last held 16 May 2006 (next to be held in May 2010) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLD 22, PRD 6, PRSC 4; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLD 96, PRD 60, PRSC 22 Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the National Judicial Council comprised of the president, the leaders of both chambers of congress, the president of the Supreme Court, and an additional non-governing party congressional representative) Dominican Liberation Party or PLD [Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna]; Dominican Revolutionary Party or PRD [Ramon ALBURQUERQUE]; National Progressive Front [Vincent CASTILLO, Pelegrin CASTILLO]; Social Christian Reformist Party or PRSC [Enrique ANTUN] Citizen Participation Group (Participacion Ciudadania); Collective of Popular Organizations or COP; Foundation for Institution-Building and Justice (FINJUS) ACP, BCIE, Caricom (observer), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (suspended), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Flavio Dario ESPINAL Jacobo 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 332-6280 [1] (202) 265-8057 Anchorage, Boston, Chicago, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico) Ambassador P. Robert FANNIN corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo Domingo Unit 5500, APO AA 34041-5500 [1] (809) 221-2171 [1] (809) 686-7437 a centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms featuring a shield supported by an olive branch (left) and a palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross; above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD (God, Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon The Dominican Republic has enjoyed strong GDP growth since 2005, with double digit growth in 2006. In 2007, exports were bolstered by the nearly 50% increase in nickel prices; however, prices are expected to fall in 2008, contributing to a slowdown in GDP growth for the year. Although the country has long been viewed primarily as an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, in recent years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer due to growth in tourism and free trade zones. The economy is highly dependent upon the US, the source of nearly three-fourths of exports, and remittances represent about a tenth of GDP, equivalent to almost half of exports and three-quarters of tourism receipts. With the help of strict fiscal targets agreed to in the 2004 renegotiation of an IMF standby loan, President FERNANDEZ has stabilized the country's financial situation, lowering inflation to less than 6%. A fiscal expansion is expected for 2008 prior to the elections in May and for Tropical Storm Noel reconstruction. Although the economy is growing at a respectable rate, high unemployment and underemployment remains an important challenge. The country suffers from marked income inequality; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GNP, while the richest 10% enjoys nearly 40% of national income. The Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) came into force in March 2007, which should boost investment and exports and reduce losses to the Asian garment industry. $61.67 billion (2007 est.) $36.4 billion (2007 est.) 8.5% (2007 est.) $6,600 (2007 est.) 11.7% 23.8% 64.4% (2007 est.) 4.027 million (2007 est.) 17% 24.3% 58.7% (1998 est.) 15.6% (2007 est.) 42.2% (2004) 1.4% 41.1% (2004) 51.6 (2004) 6.1% (2007 est.) 18.8% of GDP (2007 est.) $7.423 billion $7.259 billion (2007 est.) 41% of GDP (2007 est.) sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, beef, eggs tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco 2.4% (2007 est.) 13.37 billion kWh (2006 est.) 11.81 billion kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 12 bbl/day (2004) 117,300 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 116,600 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 250 million cu m (2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 239.8 million cu m (2005) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) -$2.231 billion (2007 est.) $7.237 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) ferronickel, sugar, gold, silver, coffee, cocoa, tobacco, meats, consumer goods US 66.4%, Belgium 3.7%, Finland 3.2% (2007) $13.82 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals US 46%, Venezuela 8.1%, Mexico 5.9%, Colombia 4.7% (2007) $2.562 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $10.21 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $76.99 million (2005) Dominican peso (DOP) Dominican pesos (DOP) per US dollar - 33.113 (2007), 33.406 (2006), 30.409 (2005), 42.12 (2004), 30.831 (2003) calendar year 907,000 (2007) 5.513 million (2007) relatively efficient system based on island-wide microwave radio relay network fixed telephone line density is about 10 per 100 persons; multiple providers of mobile cellular service with a subscribership of roughly 60 per 100 persons 809 landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) 180: AM 120, FM 56, shortwave 4 (1998) 25 (2003) .do 105,546 (2008) 1.677 million (2007) 34 (2007) 15 3 4 4 3 1 (2007) 19 3 5 11 (2007) 517 km 375 km 1.435-m gauge 142 km 0.762-m gauge additional 1,226 km operated by sugar companies in 1.076 m, 0.889 m, and 0.762-m gauges (2006) 19,705 km 9,872 km 9,833 km (2002) 1 cargo 1 1 (Panama 1) (2008) Boca Chica, Caucedo, Puerto Plata, Rio Haina, Santo Domingo Army, Navy, Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Dominicana, FAD) (2007) 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2007) 16 2,440,203 16 2,326,694 (2008 est.) 16 2,020,490 16 1,883,875 (2008 est.) 96,971 93,116 (2008 est.) 0.8% of GDP (2006) Haitian migrants cross the porous border into the Dominican Republic to find work; illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage each year to Puerto Rico to find better work the Dominican Republic is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; a large number of Dominican women are trafficked into prostitution and sexual exploitation in Western Europe, Australia, Central and South America, and Caribbean destinations; a significant number of women, boys, and girls are trafficked within the country for sexual exploitation and domestic servitude Tier 2 Watch List - for a second consecutive year, the Dominican Republic is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly in terms of not adequately investigating and prosecuting public officials who may be complicit with trafficking activity, and inadequate government efforts to protect trafficking victims; the government has taken measures to reduce demand for commercial sex acts with children through criminal prosecutions (2008) transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; has become a transshipment point for ecstasy from the Netherlands and Belgium destined for US and Canada; substantial money laundering activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor the Dominican Republic for illicit financial transactions; significant amphetamine consumption Dominica Dominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonized by Europeans due chiefly to the fierce resistance of the native Caribs. France ceded possession to Great Britain in 1763, which made the island a colony in 1805. In 1980, two years after independence, Dominica's fortunes improved when a corrupt and tyrannical administration was replaced by that of Mary Eugenia CHARLES, the first female prime minister in the Caribbean, who remained in office for 15 years. Some 3,000 Carib Indians still living on Dominica are the only pre-Columbian population remaining in the eastern Caribbean. Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago 15 25 N 61 20 W Central America and the Caribbean 754 sq km 754 sq km 0 sq km slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 148 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall rugged mountains of volcanic origin Caribbean Sea 0 m Morne Diablatins 1,447 m timber, hydropower, arable land 6.67% 21.33% 72% (2005) flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be expected during the late summer months Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling none of the selected agreements known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its spectacular, lush, and varied flora and fauna, which are protected by an extensive natural park system; the most mountainous of the Lesser Antilles, its volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters and include Boiling Lake, the second-largest, thermally active lake in the world 72,514 (July 2008 est.) 24.7% (male 9,175/female 8,762) 65.1% (male 24,192/female 22,995) 10.2% (male 3,178/female 4,212) (2008 est.) 29.4 years 29 years 29.8 years (2008 est.) 0.196% (2008 est.) 15.73 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 8.32 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -5.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.76 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 14.12 deaths/1,000 live births 19 deaths/1,000 live births 9.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 75.33 years 72.39 years 78.41 years (2008 est.) 2.1 children born/woman (2008 est.) Dominican(s) Dominican black 86.8%, mixed 8.9%, Carib Amerindian 2.9%, white 0.8%, other 0.7% (2001 census) Roman Catholic 61.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 6%, Pentecostal 5.6%, Baptist 4.1%, Methodist 3.7%, Church of God 1.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.2%, other Christian 7.7%, Rastafarian 1.3%, other or unspecified 1.6%, none 6.1% (2001 census) English (official), French patois age 15 and over has ever attended school 94% 94% 94% (2003 est.) Commonwealth of Dominica Dominica parliamentary democracy Roseau 15 18 N 61 24 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter 3 November 1978 (from UK) Independence Day, 3 November (1978) 3 November 1978 based on English common law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President Nicholas J. O. LIVERPOOL (since October 2003) Prime Minister Roosevelt SKERRIT (since 8 January 2004) Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister president elected by the House of Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 1 October 2003 (next to be held in October 2008); prime minister appointed by the president Nicholas LIVERPOOL elected president; percent of legislative vote - NA% unicameral House of Assembly (30 seats; 9 members appointed, 21 elected by popular vote; to serve five-year terms) last held 5 May 2005 (next to be held by 5 August 2010); note - tradition dictates that the election will be held within five years of the last election, but technically it is five years from the first seating of parliament (12 May 2005) plus a 90-day grace period percent of vote by party - DLP 52.1%, UWP 43.6%, DFP 3.2%, other 1.1%; seats by party - DLP 12, UWP 8, independent 1 Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the Court of Appeal and the High Court (located in Saint Lucia; one of the six judges must reside in Dominica and preside over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction) Dominica Freedom Party or DFP [Charles SAVARIN]; Dominica Labor Party or DLP [Roosevelt SKERRIT]; Dominica United Workers Party or UWP [Earl WILLIAMS] Dominica Liberation Movement or DLM (a small leftist party) ACCT, ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador (vacant); note - Judith Ann ROLLE (Charge d'Affaires) 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 [1] (202) 364-6781 [1] (202) 364-6791 New York the US does not have an embassy in Dominica; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Dominica green, with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white and the horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 green, five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes) The Dominican economy depends on agriculture, primarily bananas, and remains highly vulnerable to climatic conditions and international economic developments. Tourism has increased as the government seeks to promote Dominica as an "ecotourism" destination. In 2003, the government began a comprehensive restructuring of the economy - including elimination of price controls, privatization of the state banana company, and tax increases - to address Dominica's economic and financial crisis of 2001-02 and to meet IMF targets. This restructuring paved the way for the current economic recovery - real growth for 2006 reached a two-decade high - and will help to reduce the debt burden, which remains at about 100% of GDP. In order to diversify the island's production base, the government is attempting to develop an offshore financial sector and is researching Dominica's capability to export geothermal energy. $648 million (2007 est.) $311 million (2007 est.) 0.9% (2007 est.) $9,000 (2007 est.) 17.7% 32.8% 49.5% (2004 est.) 25,000 (2000 est.) 40% 32% 28% (2000 est.) 23% (2000 est.) 30% (2002 est.) 2.7% (2007 est.) $73.9 million $84.4 million (2001) bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts, cocoa; forest and fishery potential not exploited soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes -10% (1997 est.) 90 million kWh (2006 est.) 83.7 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 850.5 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 669.6 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) -$72 million (2007 est.) $94 million f.o.b. (2006) bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges China 24.4%, Jamaica 10.3%, Antigua and Barbuda 10.1%, Guyana 8.5%, UK 8.2%, Trinidad and Tobago 5.5%, Saint Lucia 4.6%, Saint Kitts & Nevis 4% (2007) $296 million f.o.b. (2006) manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food, chemicals US 24.1%, China 21.2%, Trinidad and Tobago 13.2%, Japan 11.1% (2007) $213 million (2004) $15.17 million (2005 est.) East Caribbean dollar (XCD) East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) 1 July - 30 June 21,000 (2004) 41,800 (2004) fully automatic network 767 landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; microwave radio relay and SHF radiotelephone links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; VHF and UHF radiotelephone links to Saint Lucia 6: AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 0 (2003) 1 (2004) .dm 29 (2008) 26,500 (2006) 2 (2007) 2 2 (2007) 780 km 393 km 387 km (2000) 53 bulk carrier 14, cargo 27, chemical tanker 3, petroleum tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 1 47 (Australia 2, Estonia 7, Greece 10, India 2, Latvia 1, Norway 1, Russia 3, Saudi Arabia 2, Singapore 7, Syria 2, Turkey 5, Ukraine 4, UAE 1) (2008) Portsmouth, Roseau no regular military forces; Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (includes Coast Guard) (2008) 16 18,584 (2008 est.) 16 15,648 (2008 est.) 756 713 (2008 est.) Dominica is the only Caribbean state to challenge Venezuela's sovereignty claim over Aves Island and joins the other island nations in challenging whether the feature sustains human habitation, a criterion under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which permits Venezuela to extend its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf claims over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; minor cannabis producer; anti-money-laundering enforcement is weak, making the country particularly vulnerable to money laundering Ecuador What is now Ecuador formed part of the northern Inca Empire until the Spanish conquest in 1533. Quito became a seat of Spanish colonial government in 1563 and part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada in 1717. The territories of the Viceroyalty - New Granada (Colombia), Venezuela, and Quito - gained their independence between 1819 and 1822 and formed a federation known as Gran Colombia. When Quito withdrew in 1830, the traditional name was changed in favor of the "Republic of the Equator." Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. Although Ecuador marked 25 years of civilian governance in 2004, the period has been marred by political instability. Protests in Quito have contributed to the mid-term ouster of Ecuador's last three democratically elected Presidents. In 2007, a Constituent Assembly was elected to draft a new constitution; Ecuador's twentieth since gaining independence. Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru 2 00 S 77 30 W South America 283,560 sq km 276,840 sq km 6,720 sq km includes Galapagos Islands slightly smaller than Nevada 2,010 km Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km 2,237 km 200 nm 100 nm from 2,500-m isobath tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente) Pacific Ocean 0 m Chimborazo 6,267 m petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower 5.71% 4.81% 89.48% (2005) 8,650 sq km (2003) frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; floods; periodic droughts deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastes in ecologically sensitive areas of the Amazon Basin and Galapagos Islands Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands none of the selected agreements Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world 13,927,650 (July 2008 est.) 32.1% (male 2,274,986/female 2,189,437) 62.7% (male 4,355,909/female 4,381,141) 5.2% (male 340,861/female 385,316) (2008 est.) 24.2 years 23.7 years 24.7 years (2008 est.) 0.935% (2008 est.) 21.54 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 4.21 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -7.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.88 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 21.35 deaths/1,000 live births 25.61 deaths/1,000 live births 16.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 76.81 years 73.94 years 79.84 years (2008 est.) 2.59 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.3% (2003 est.) 21,000 (2003 est.) 1,700 (2003 est.) high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever leptospirosis (2008) Ecuadorian(s) Ecuadorian mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish and others 7%, black 3% Roman Catholic 95%, other 5% Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua) age 15 and over can read and write 91% 92.3% 89.7% (2001 census) Republic of Ecuador Ecuador Republica del Ecuador Ecuador republic Quito 0 13 S 78 30 W UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) 24 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Santa Elena, Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe 24 May 1822 (from Spain) Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809) 10 August 1998 based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate persons ages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007); Vice President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 15 January 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007); Vice President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 15 January 2007) Cabinet appointed by the president the president and vice president are elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a four-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 15 October 2006 with a runoff election on 26 November 2006 (next to be held in October 2010) Rafael CORREA Delgado elected president; percent of vote - Rafael CORREA Delgado 56.7%; Alvaro NOBOA 43.3% unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (100 seats; members are elected through a party-list proportional representation system to serve four-year terms) last held 15 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRIAN 28; PSP 24; PSC 13; ID 7; PRE 6; MUPP-NP 6; RED 5; UDC 5; other 6; note - defections by members of National Congress are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties; as of 29 November 2007, Congress is on indefinite recess while a Constituent Assembly is convened Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (according to the Constitution, new justices are elected by the full Supreme Court; in December 2004, however, Congress successfully replaced the entire court via a simple-majority resolution) Alianza PAIS Movement [Rafael Vicente CORREA Delgado]; Christian Democratic Union or UDC [Diego ORDONEZ Guerrero]; Democratic Left or ID [Andres PAEZ Benalcazar]; Ethical and Democratic Network or RED [Leon ROLDOS]; Institutional Renewal and National Action Party or PRIAN [Alvaro NOBOA]; Pachakutik Plurinational Unity Movement - New Country or MUPP-NP [Jorge GUAMAN]; Patriotic Society Party or PSP [Lucio GUTIERREZ Borbua]; Popular Democratic Movement or MPD [Ciro GUZMAN Aldaz]; Roldosist Party or PRE [Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz, director]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Pascual DEL CIOPPO]; Socialist Party - Broad Front or PS-FA [Gustavo AYALA Cruz] Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or CONAIE [Marlon SANTI, president]; Coordinator of Social Movements or CMS [F. Napoleon SANTOS]; Federation of Indigenous Evangelists of Ecuador or FEINE [Marco MURILLO, president]; National Federation of Indigenous Afro-Ecuatorianos and Peasants or FENOCIN [Pedro DE LA CRUZ, president] CAN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINURCAT, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Luis Benigno GALLEGOS Chiriboga 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 234-7200 [1] (202) 667-3482 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Jersey City (New Jersey), Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Washington, DC Ambassador Heather HODGES Avenida Avigiras E12-170 y Avenida Eloy Alfaro, Quito Avenida Guayacanes N52-205 y Avenida Avigiras [593] (2) 398-5000 [593] (2) 398-5100 Guayaquil three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms Ecuador is substantially dependent on its petroleum resources, which have accounted for more than half of the country's export earnings and one-fourth of public sector revenues in recent years. In 1999/2000, Ecuador suffered a severe economic crisis, with GDP contracted by more than 6%, with a significant increase in poverty. The banking system also collapsed, and Ecuador defaulted on its external debt later that year. In March 2000, Congress approved a series of structural reforms that also provided for the adoption of the US dollar as legal tender. Dollarization stabilized the economy, and positive growth returned in the years that followed, helped by high oil prices, remittances, and increased non-traditional exports. From 2002-06 the economy grew 5.5%, the highest five-year average in 25 years. The poverty rate declined but remained high at 38% in 2006. In 2006 the government of Alfredo PALACIO (2005-07) seized the assets of Occidental Petroleum for alleged contract violations and imposed a windfall revenue tax on foreign oil companies, leading to the suspension of free trade negotiations with the US. These measures, combined with chronic underinvestment in the state oil company, Petroecuador, led to a drop in petroleum production in 2007. PALACIO's successor, Rafael CORREA, raised the specter of debt default - but Ecuador has paid its debt on time. He also decreed a higher windfall revenue tax on private oil companies, then sought to renegotiate their contracts to overcome the debilitating effect of the tax. This generated economic uncertainty; private investment has dropped and economic growth has slowed significantly. $98.71 billion (2007 est.) $44.18 billion (2007 est.) 2% (2007 est.) $7,200 (2007 est.) 6.7% 35.1% 58.2% (2007 est.) 4.51 million (urban) (2007 est.) 8% 24% 68% (2001) 8.8% (2007 est.) 38.3% (2006) 2% 35% data for urban households only (October 2006) 46 data are for urban households (2006) 2.3% (2007 est.) 21.9% of GDP (2007 est.) $13.46 billion planned $11.96 billion (2007 est.) 33.1% of GDP (2007 est.) bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals 1.4% (2007 est.) 14.84 billion kWh (2006 est.) 12.9 billion kWh (2006 est.) 38.53 million kWh (2006 est.) 861 million kWh (2006 est.) 511,600 bbl/day (2007 est.) 160,500 bbl/day (2006 est.) 421,700 bbl/day (2005 est.) 47,060 bbl/day (2005) 4.517 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 280 million cu m (2006 est.) 280 million cu m (2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 9.369 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.) $1.064 billion (2007 est.) $14.37 billion (2007 est.) petroleum, bananas, cut flowers, shrimp, cacao, coffee, hemp, wood, fish US 41.9%, Peru 8.5%, Chile 4.9%, Russia 4.8%, Colombia 4.7% (2007) $12.76 billion (2007 est.) industrial materials, fuels and lubricants, nondurable consumer goods US 23.7%, Colombia 10.3%, China 7.6%, Brazil 5.3%, Japan 4.3% (2007) $3.521 billion (30 November 2007 est.) $17.12 billion (31 December 2007) $209.5 million (2005) US dollar (USD) the US dollar is used; the sucre was eliminated in 2000 calendar year 1.805 million (2007) 10.086 million (2007) generally elementary but being expanded fixed-line services provided by three state-owned enterprises; plans to transfer the state-owned operators to private ownership have repeatedly failed; fixed-line density stands at about 13 per 100 persons; mobile cellular use has surged and has a subscribership of nearly 75 per 100 persons 593 landing point for the PAN-AM submarine telecommunications cable that provides links to the west coast of South America, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, and extending onward to Aruba and the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) 456: AM 392, FM 35, shortwave 29 (2001) 7 (plus 14 repeaters) (2000) .ec 45,404 (2008) 1.549 million (2006) 406 (2007) 104 4 3 17 26 54 (2007) 302 34 268 (2007) 1 (2007) extra heavy crude oil 578 km; gas 71 km; oil 1,389 km; refined products 1,185 km (2007) 966 km 966 km 1.067-m gauge (2006) 43,670 km 6,472 km 37,198 km (2006) 1,500 km (most inaccessible) (2006) 37 cargo 1, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger 8, petroleum tanker 24, refrigerated cargo 1, specialized tanker 1 1 (US 1) 5 (China 1, Panama 4) (2008) Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, Manta, Puerto Bolivar Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry, Naval Aviation, Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana, FAE) (2007) 20 years of age for selective conscript military service; 12-month service obligation (2008) 16 3,536,602 16 3,559,188 (2008 est.) 16 3,030,664 16 3,037,892 (2008 est.) 144,821 139,091 (2008 est.) 2.8% of GDP (2006) organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia penetrate across Ecuador's shared border, which thousands of Colombians also cross to escape the violence in their home country 11,526 (Colombia); note - UNHCR estimates as many as 250,000 Columbians are seeking asylum in Ecuador, many of whom do not register as refugees for fear of deportation (2007) significant transit country for cocaine originating in Colombia and Peru, with over half of the US-bound cocaine passing through Ecuadorian Pacific waters; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics; attractive location for cash-placement by drug traffickers laundering money because of dollarization and weak anti-money-laundering regime; increased activity on the northern frontier by trafficking groups and Colombian insurgents Egypt The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C., and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the Mamluks took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517. Following the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, Egypt became an important world transportation hub, but also fell heavily into debt. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882, but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Partially independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty with the overthrow of the British-backed monarchy in 1952. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have altered the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to meet the demands of Egypt's growing population through economic reform and massive investment in communications and physical infrastructure. Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula 27 00 N 30 00 E Africa 1,001,450 sq km 995,450 sq km 6,000 sq km slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico 2,665 km Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 266 km, Libya 1,115 km, Sudan 1,273 km 2,450 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta Qattara Depression -133 m Mount Catherine 2,629 m petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc 2.92% 0.5% 96.58% (2005) 34,220 sq km (2003) periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash floods, landslides; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms, sandstorms agricultural land being lost to urbanization and windblown sands; increasing soil salination below Aswan High Dam; desertification; oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, and marine habitats; other water pollution from agricultural pesticides, raw sewage, and industrial effluents; limited natural fresh water resources away from the Nile, which is the only perennial water source; rapid growth in population overstraining the Nile and natural resources 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 none of the selected agreements controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics; dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues; prone to influxes of refugees 81,713,520 (July 2008 est.) 31.8% (male 13,292,961/female 12,690,711) 63.5% (male 26,257,440/female 25,627,390) 4.7% (male 1,636,560/female 2,208,455) (2008 est.) 24.5 years 24.1 years 24.9 years (2008 est.) 1.682% (2008 est.) 22.12 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 5.09 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.74 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 28.36 deaths/1,000 live births 30.06 deaths/1,000 live births 26.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 71.85 years 69.3 years 74.52 years (2008 est.) 2.72 children born/woman (2008 est.) less than 0.1% (2001 est.) 12,000 (2001 est.) 700 (2003 est.) intermediate bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever schistosomiasis highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) Egyptian(s) Egyptian Egyptian 99.6%, other 0.4% (2006 census) Muslim (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9%, other Christian 1% Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes age 15 and over can read and write 71.4% 83% 59.4% (2005 est.) Arab Republic of Egypt Egypt Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah Misr United Arab Republic (with Syria) republic Cairo 30 03 N 31 15 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Friday in April; ends last Thursday in September 26 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar (Red Sea), Al Buhayrah (El Beheira), Al Fayyum (El Faiyum), Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah (Alexandria), Al Isma'iliyah (Ismailia), Al Jizah (Giza), Al Minufiyah (El Monofia), Al Minya, Al Qahirah (Cairo), Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid (New Valley), As Suways (Suez), Ash Sharqiyah, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf (Beni Suef), Bur Sa'id (Port Said), Dumyat (Damietta), Janub Sina' (South Sinai), Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh (Western Desert), Qina (Qena), Shamal Sina' (North Sinai), Suhaj (Sohag) 28 February 1922 (from UK) Revolution Day, 23 July (1952) 11 September 1971; amended 22 May 1980, 25 May 2005, and 26 March 2007 based on Islamic and civil law (particularly Napoleonic codes); judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations 18 years of age; universal and compulsory President Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK (since 14 October 1981) Prime Minister Ahmed Mohamed NAZIF (since 9 July 2004) Cabinet appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for six-year term (no term limits); note - a national referendum in May 2005 approved a constitutional amendment that changed the presidential election to a multicandidate popular vote; previously the president was nominated by the People's Assembly and the nomination was validated by a national, popular referendum; last referendum held 26 September 1999; first election under terms of constitutional amendment held 7 September 2005; next election scheduled for 2011 Hosni MUBARAK reelected president; percent of vote - Hosni MUBARAK 88.6%, Ayman NOUR 7.6%, Noman GOMAA 2.9% bicameral system consists of the People's Assembly or Majlis al-Sha'b (454 seats; 444 elected by popular vote, 10 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) and the Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura that traditionally functions only in a consultative role but 2007 constitutional amendments could grant the Council new powers (264 seats; 176 elected by popular vote, 88 appointed by the president; members serve six-year terms; mid-term elections for half of the elected members) People's Assembly - three-phase voting - last held 7 and 20 November, 1 December 2005;(next to be held November-December 2010); Advisory Council - last held June 2007 (next to be held May-June 2010) People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDP 311, NWP 6, Tagammu 2, Tomorrow Party 1, independents 112 (12 seats to be determined by rerun elections, 10 seats appointed by President); Advisory Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDP 84, Tagammu 1, independents 3 Supreme Constitutional Court National Democratic Party or NDP (governing party) [Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK]; National Progressive Unionist Grouping or Tagammu [Rifaat EL-SAID]; New Wafd Party or NWP [Mahmoud ABAZA]; Tomorrow Party [Moussa Mustafa MOUSSA] formation of political parties must be approved by the government; only parties with representation in elected bodies are listed Muslim Brotherhood (technically illegal) despite a constitutional ban against religious-based parties and political activity, the technically illegal Muslim Brotherhood constitutes Hosni MUBARAK's potentially most significant political opposition ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, BSEC (observer), CAEU, COMESA, EBRD, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador (designate) Sameh SHOUKRY 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 895-5400 [1] (202) 244-4319 Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco Ambassador Margaret SCOBEY 8 Kamal El Din Salah St., Garden City, Cairo Unit 64900, Box 15, APO AE 09839-4900; 5 Tawfik Diab Street, Garden City, Cairo [20] (2) 2797-3300 [20] (2) 2797-3200 three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the national emblem (a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist side with a shield superimposed on its chest above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; design is based on the Arab Liberation flag and similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars in the white band, Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band, and Yemen, which has a plain white band Occupying the northeast corner of the African continent, Egypt is bisected by the highly fertile Nile valley, where most economic activity takes place. In the last 30 years, the government has reformed the highly centralized economy it inherited from President Gamel Abdel NASSER. In 2005, Prime Minister Ahmed NAZIF's government reduced personal and corporate tax rates, reduced energy subsidies, and privatized several enterprises. The stock market boomed, and GDP grew about 5% per year in 2005-06, and topped 7% in 2007. Despite these achievements, the government has failed to raise living standards for the average Egyptian, and has had to continue providing subsidies for basic necessities. The subsidies have contributed to a sizeable budget deficit - roughly 7.5% of GDP in 2007 - and represent a significant drain on the economy. Foreign direct investment has increased significantly in the past two years, but the NAZIF government will need to continue its aggressive pursuit of reforms in order to sustain the spike in investment and growth and begin to improve economic conditions for the broader population. Egypt's export sectors - particularly natural gas - have bright prospects. $405.4 billion (2007 est.) $127.9 billion (2007 est.) 7.1% (2007 est.) $5,000 (2007 est.) 13.8% 38.1% 48% (2007 est.) 22.1 million (2007 est.) 32% 17% 51% (2001 est.) 9.1% (2007 est.) 20% (2005 est.) 3.7% 29.5% (2000) 34.4 (2001) 9.5% (2007 est.) 21.2% of GDP (2007 est.) $35.05 billion $44.83 billion (2007 est.) 105.8% of GDP (2007 est.) cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals, light manufactures 7.5% (2007 est.) 109.1 billion kWh (2006 est.) 96.2 billion kWh (2006 est.) 557 million kWh (2006 est.) 208 million kWh (2006 est.) 664,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) 652,700 bbl/day (2006 est.) 204,700 bbl/day (2005 est.) 140,000 bbl/day (2005) 3.7 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 47.5 billion cu m (2007 est.) 31.8 billion cu m (2007 est.) 15.7 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 1.656 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $500.9 million (2007 est.) $24.45 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) crude oil and petroleum products, cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals US 9.7%, Italy 9.5%, Spain 7.6%, Syria 5.5%, Saudi Arabia 4.9%, UK 4.2% (2007) $44.95 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, wood products, fuels US 11.7%, China 9.7%, Italy 6.4%, Germany 6.3%, Saudi Arabia 4.7%, Russia 4.3% (2007) $31.37 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $29.2 billion (30 June 2007) ODA, $925.9 million (2005) Egyptian pound (EGP) Egyptian pounds (EGP) per US dollar - 5.67 (2007), 5.725 (2006), 5.78 (2005), 6.1962 (2004), 5.8509 (2003) 1 July - 30 June 11.229 million (2007) 30.065 million (2007) large system; underwent extensive upgrading during 1990s and is reasonably modern; Telecom Egypt, the landline monopoly, has been increasing service availability and in 2007 fixed-line density stood at 14 per 100 persons; as of 2007 there were three mobile-cellular networks and service is expanding rapidly principal centers at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah, Ismailia, Suez, and Tanta are connected by coaxial cable and microwave radio relay 20 landing point for both the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks; linked to the international submarine cable FLAG (Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe); satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean, 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat); tropospheric scatter to Sudan; microwave radio relay to Israel; a participant in Medarabtel (2007) 59: AM 42 (plus 15 repeaters), FM 14, shortwave 3 (1999) 98 (September 1995) .eg 175,342 (2008) 8.62 million (2007) 88 (2007) 72 15 36 16 5 (2007) 16 1 3 5 7 (2007) 3 (2007) condensate 483 km; condensate/gas 74 km; gas 6,466 km; liquid petroleum gas 957 km; oil 5,518 km; oil/gas/water 37 km; refined products 895 km (2007) 5,063 km 5,063 km 1.435-m gauge (62 km electrified) (2006) 92,370 km 74,820 km 17,550 km (2004) 3,500 km includes Nile River, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in delta; Suez Canal (193.5 km including approaches) navigable by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 17.68 m (2006) 67 bulk carrier 11, cargo 28, container 2, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 13, roll on/roll off 9 10 (Denmark 1, Greece 8, Lebanon 1) 58 (Cambodia 13, Georgia 12, Honduras 3, North Korea 1, Malta 1, Moldova 1, Panama 17, Saint Kitts and Nevis 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Saudi Arabia 1, Sierra Leone 3, Togo 1) (2008) Ayn Sukhnah, Alexandria, Damietta, El Dekheila, Sidi Kurayr, Suez Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command 18-30 years of age for male conscript military service; service obligation 12-36 months, followed by a 9-year reserve obligation (2008) 16 21,247,777 16 20,406,408 (2008 est.) 16 18,153,158 16 17,405,837 (2008 est.) 825,300 786,590 (2008 est.) 3.4% of GDP (2005 est.) while Sudan retains claim to the Hala'ib Triangle north of the 1899 Treaty boundary along the 22nd Parallel, both states withdrew their military presence in the 1990s and Egypt has invested in and effectively administers the area; Egypt no longer shows its administration of the Bir Tawil trapezoid in Sudan on its maps; Gazan breaches in the security wall with Egypt in January 2008 highlight difficulties in monitoring the Sinai border 60,000 to 80,000 (Iraq); 70,198 (Palestinian Territories); 12,157 (Sudan) (2007) Egypt is a transit country for women trafficked from Eastern European countries to Israel for sexual exploitation, and is a source for children trafficked within the country for commercial sexual exploitation and domestic servitude, although the extent to which children are trafficked internally is unknown; children were also recruited for domestic and agricultural work; some of these children face conditions of involuntary servitude, such as restrictions on movement, non-payment of wages, threats, and physical or sexual abuse Tier 2 Watch List - Egypt is on the Tier 2 Watch List for the third year in a row because it did not provide evidence of increasing efforts to investigate and prosecute traffickers; however, in July 2007, the government established the "National Coordinating Committee to Combat and Prevent Trafficking in Persons," which improved inter-governmental coordination on anti-trafficking initiatives; Egypt made no discernible efforts to punish trafficking crimes in 2007 and the Egyptian penal code does not prohibit all forms of trafficking; Egypt did not increase its services to trafficking victims during the reporting period (2008) transit point for cannabis, heroin, and opium moving to Europe, Israel, and North Africa; transit stop for Nigerian drug couriers; concern as money laundering site due to lax enforcement of financial regulations El Salvador El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war, which cost about 75,000 lives, was brought to a close in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for military and political reforms. Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras 13 50 N 88 55 W Central America and the Caribbean 21,040 sq km 20,720 sq km 320 sq km slightly smaller than Massachusetts 545 km Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km 307 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau Pacific Ocean 0 m Cerro El Pital 2,730 m hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land 31.37% 11.88% 56.75% (2005) 450 sq km (2003) known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands Law of the Sea smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on Caribbean Sea 7,066,403 (July 2008 est.) 35.8% (male 1,291,147/female 1,237,453) 59% (male 1,987,671/female 2,179,620) 5.2% (male 162,100/female 208,412) (2008 est.) 22.2 years 21.1 years 23.4 years (2008 est.) 1.679% (2008 est.) 25.72 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 5.53 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -3.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 22.19 deaths/1,000 live births 25.06 deaths/1,000 live births 19.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 72.06 years 68.45 years 75.84 years (2008 est.) 3.04 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.7% (2003 est.) 29,000 (2003 est.) 2,200 (2003 est.) high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever leptospirosis (2008) Salvadoran(s) Salvadoran mestizo 90%, white 9%, Amerindian 1% Roman Catholic 57.1%, Protestant 21.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.9%, Mormon 0.7%, other religions 2.3%, none 16.8% (2003 est.) Spanish, Nahua (among some Amerindians) age 10 and over can read and write 80.2% 82.8% 77.7% (2003 est.) Republic of El Salvador El Salvador Republica de El Salvador El Salvador republic San Salvador 13 42 N 89 12 W UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) 14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, San Vicente, Santa Ana, Sonsonate, Usulutan 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Independence Day, 15 September (1821) 20 December 1983 based on civil and Roman law with traces of common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez (since 1 June 2004); Vice President Ana Vilma Albanez DE ESCOBAR (since 1 June 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez (since 1 June 2004); Vice President Ana Vilma Albanez DE ESCOBAR (since 1 June 2004) Council of Ministers selected by the president president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held 21 March 2004 (next to be held in March 2009) Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez elected president; percent of vote - Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez 57.7%, Schafik HANDAL 35.6%, Hector SILVA 3.9%, other 2.8% unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (84 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve three-year terms) last held 12 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2009) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ARENA 34, FMLN 32, PCN 10, PDC 6, CD 2 Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (15 judges are selected by the Legislative Assembly; the 15 judges are assigned to four Supreme Court chambers - constitutional, civil, penal, and administrative conflict) Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Rodolfo PARKER]; Democratic Convergence or CD [Ruben ZAMORA] (formerly United Democratic Center or CDU); Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN [Medardo GONZALEZ]; National Conciliation Party or PCN [Ciro CRUZ ZEPEDA]; National Republican Alliance or ARENA [Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez]; Popular Social Christian Party or PPSC [Rene AGUILUZ]; Revolutionary Democratic Front or FDR [Julio Cesar HERNANDEZ Carcamo] labor organizations - Electrical Industry Union of El Salvador or SIES; Federation of the Construction Industry, Similar Transport and other activities, or FESINCONTRANS; National Confederation of Salvadoran Workers or CNTS; National Union of Salvadoran Workers or UNTS; Port Industry Union of El Salvador or SIPES; Salvadoran Union of Ex-Petrolleros and Peasant Workers or USEPOC; Salvadoran Workers Central or CTS; Workers Union of Electrical Corporation or STCEL; business organizations - National Association of Small Enterprise or ANEP; Salvadoran Assembly Industry Association or ASIC; Salvadoran Industrial Association or ASI BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Rene Antonio LEON Rodriguez 1400 16th Street, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 265-9671 [1] (202) 234-3763 Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Elizabeth (New Jersey), Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York (2), Nogales (Arizona), Santa Ana (California), San Francisco, Washington (DC), Woodbridge (Virginia), Woodstock (Georgia) Ambassador Charles L. GLAZER Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad, San Salvador Unit 3116, APO AA 34023; 3450 San Salvador Place, Washington, DC 20521-3450 [503] 2501-2999 [503] 2501-2150 three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band The smallest country in Central America, El Salvador has the third largest economy, but growth has been modest in recent years. Robust growth in non-traditional exports have offset declines in the maquila exports, while remittances and external aid offset the trade deficit from high oil prices and strong import demand for consumer and intermediate goods. El Salvador leads the region in remittances per capita with inflows equivalent to nearly all export income. Implementation in 2006 of the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), which El Salvador was the first to ratify, has strengthened an already positive export trend. With the adoption of the US dollar as its currency in 2001, El Salvador lost control over monetary policy and must concentrate on maintaining a disciplined fiscal policy. The current government has pursued economic diversification, with some success in promoting textile production, international port services, and tourism through tax incentives. It is committed to opening the economy to trade and investment, and has embarked on a wave of privatizations extending to telecom, electricity distribution, banking, and pension funds. In late 2006, the government and the Millennium Challenge Corporation signed a five-year, $461 million compact to stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty in the country's northern region through investments in education, public services, enterprise development, and transportation infrastructure. $41.63 billion (2007 est.) $20.37 billion (2007 est.) 4.7% (2007 est.) $6,000 (2007 est.) 10.8% 30.8% 58.4% (2007 est.) 2.913 million (2007 est.) 19% 23% 58% (2006 est.) 6.2% official rate; but the economy has much underemployment (2007 est.) 30.7% (2006 est.) 0.7% 38.8% (2002) 52.4 (2002) 4.6% (2007 est.) 16.1% of GDP (2007 est.) $3.659 billion $3.709 billion (2007 est.) 37.3% of GDP (2007 est.) coffee, sugar, corn, rice, beans, oilseed, cotton, sorghum; beef, dairy products; shrimp food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals 3.4% (2007 est.) 5.338 billion kWh (2007 est.) 4.426 billion kWh (2007 est.) 8.64 million kWh (2007 est.) 11.08 million kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 44,330 bbl/day (2006 est.) 4,963 bbl/day (2006) 45,210 bbl/day (2006) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) -$1.119 billion (2007 est.) $4.035 billion (2007 est.) offshore assembly exports, coffee, sugar, shrimp, textiles, chemicals, electricity US 51%, Guatemala 13.6%, Honduras 11.2%, Nicaragua 5.5% (2007) $8.108 billion (2007 est.) raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels, foodstuffs, petroleum, electricity US 35.7%, Mexico 9.8%, Guatemala 8.5%, China 4.7% (2007) $2.199 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $9.574 billion (December 2007) $267.6 million of which $55 million from US (2005) US dollar (USD) the US dollar became El Salvador's currency in 2001 calendar year 1.08 million (2007) 6.137 million (2007) multiple mobile-cellular service providers are expanding services rapidly and in 2007 mobile-cellular density stood at nearly 90 per 100 persons; growth in fixed-line services has slowed in the face of mobile-cellular competition nationwide microwave radio relay system 503 satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System (2007) 196: AM 52, FM 144, shortwave 0 (2005) 5 (1997) .sv 11,434 (2008) 700,000 (2006) 65 (2007) 4 1 1 2 (2007) 61 1 12 48 (2007) 1 (2007) 562 km 562 km 0.914-m gauge railways not in operation since 2005 because of disuse and high costs that led to a lack of maintenance (2007) 10,886 km 2,827 km (includes 327 km of expressways) 8,059 km (2000) Rio Lempa partially navigable for small craft (2007) Acajutla, Puerto Cutuco Salvadoran Army (ES), Salvadoran Navy (FNES), Salvadoran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Salvadorena, FAS) (2008) 18 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 16 years of age for voluntary service; service obligation - 8 months, but 11 months for officers and NCOs (2008) 16 1,634,816 16 1,775,474 (2008 est.) 16 1,168,406 16 1,519,375 (2008 est.) 73,915 71,252 (2008 est.) 5% of GDP (2006) International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras boundary, in 1992, with final agreement by the parties in 2006 after an Organization of American States (OAS) survey and a further ICJ ruling in 2003; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca advocating Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not identified in the ICJ decision, off Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca transshipment point for cocaine; small amounts of marijuana produced for local consumption; significant use of cocaine Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule. This tiny country, composed of a mainland portion plus five inhabited islands, is one of the smallest on the African continent. President Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO has ruled the country since 1979 when he seized power in a coup. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991, the 1996 and 2002 presidential elections - as well as the 1999 and 2004 legislative elections - were widely seen as flawed. The president exerts almost total control over the political system and has discouraged political opposition. Equatorial Guinea has experienced rapid economic growth due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves, and in the last decade has become Sub-Saharan Africa's third largest oil exporter. Despite the country's economic windfall from oil production resulting in a massive increase in government revenue in recent years, there have been few improvements in the population's living standards. Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon 2 00 N 10 00 E Africa 28,051 sq km 28,051 sq km 0 sq km slightly smaller than Maryland 539 km Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km 296 km 12 nm 200 nm tropical; always hot, humid coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic Atlantic Ocean 0 m Pico Basile 3,008 m petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay 4.63% 3.57% 91.8% (2005) violent windstorms, flash floods tap water is not potable; deforestation Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements insular and continental regions widely separated 616,459 (July 2008 est.) 42% (male 131,696/female 127,253) 53.8% (male 162,458/female 169,445) 4.2% (male 11,394/female 14,213) (2008 est.) 18.9 years 18.3 years 19.5 years (2008 est.) 2.732% (2008 est.) 37.04 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 9.72 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 83.75 deaths/1,000 live births 84.85 deaths/1,000 live births 82.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 61.23 years 60.36 years 62.13 years (2008 est.) 5.16 children born/woman (2008 est.) 3.4% (2001 est.) 5,900 (2001 est.) 370 (2001 est.) very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria (2008) Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s) Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean Fang 85.7%, Bubi 6.5%, Mdowe 3.6%, Annobon 1.6%, Bujeba 1.1%, other 1.4% (1994 census) nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices Spanish 67.6% (official), other 32.4% (includes French (official), Fang, Bubi) (1994 census) age 15 and over can read and write 87% 93.4% 80.5% (2000 est.) Republic of Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial/Republique de Guinee equatoriale Guinea Ecuatorial/Guinee equatoriale Spanish Guinea republic Malabo 3 45 N 8 47 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas 12 October 1968 (from Spain) Independence Day, 12 October (1968) approved by national referendum 17 November 1991; amended January 1995 partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup) Prime Minister Ignacio Milan TANG (since 8 July 2008); Council of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits); election last held 15 December 2002 (next to be held in December 2009); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected president; percent of vote - Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO 97.1%, Celestino Bonifacio BACALE 2.2%; elections marred by widespread fraud unicameral House of People's Representatives or Camara de Representantes del Pueblo (100 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 25 April 2004 (next to be held 4 May 2008) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDGE 98, CPDS 2 Parliament has little power since the constitution vests all executive authority in the president Supreme Tribunal Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS [Placido MICO Abogo]; Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE (ruling party) [Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO]; Party for Progress of Equatorial Guinea or PPGE [Severo MOTO]; Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE [Avelino MOCACHE]; Popular Union or UP ASODEGUE (Madrid-based pressure group for democratic reform); Global Witness (anti-corruption) ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, CPLP (associate), FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer) Ambassador Purificacion ANGUE ONDO 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 518-5700 [1] (202) 518-5252 Ambassador (vacant) K-3, Carreterade Aeropuerto, al lado de Restaurante El Paraiso, Malabo; note - relocated embassy is opened for limited functions; inquiries should continue to be directed to the US Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon B.P. 817, Yaounde, Cameroon; US Embassy Yaounde, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520 [237] 2220-1500 [237] 2220-1572 three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice) The discovery and exploitation of large oil reserves have contributed to dramatic economic growth in recent years. Forestry, farming, and fishing are also major components of GDP. Subsistence farming predominates. Although pre-independence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the neglect of the rural economy under successive regimes has diminished potential for agriculture-led growth (the government has stated its intention to reinvest some oil revenue into agriculture). A number of aid programs sponsored by the World Bank and the IMF have been cut off since 1993, because of corruption and mismanagement. No longer eligible for concessional financing because of large oil revenues, the government has been trying to agree on a "shadow" fiscal management program with the World Bank and IMF. Government officials and their family members own most businesses. Undeveloped natural resources include titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold. Growth remained strong in 2007, led by oil. $15.54 billion (2007 est.) $10.49 billion (2007 est.) 12.4% (2007 est.) $28,200 (2007 est.) 2.9% 92.2% 4.8% (2007 est.) 30% (1998 est.) 6% (2007 est.) 37.9% of GDP (2007 est.) $4.963 billion $2.494 billion (2007 est.) 1.6% of GDP (2007 est.) coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca), bananas, palm oil nuts; livestock; timber petroleum, fishing, sawmilling, natural gas 10.1% (2007 est.) 27 million kWh (2006 est.) 25.11 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 368,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) 918.3 bbl/day (2006 est.) 375,400 bbl/day (2005) 1,070 bbl/day (2005) 1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 1.3 billion cu m (2006 est.) 1.3 billion cu m (2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 36.81 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $415 million (2007 est.) $9.904 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) petroleum, methanol, timber, cocoa US 20.6%, China 18.8%, Spain 13.9%, Taiwan 13.4%, France 7.5%, Japan 6.5%, Portugal 6.4% (2007) $3.083 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) petroleum sector equipment, other equipment US 19.6%, Spain 13.7%, Cote d'Ivoire 11.9%, France 9.6%, China 7.7%, Italy 6.6%, UK 6.4%, Netherlands 4.1% (2007) $3.846 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $338 million (31 December 2007 est.) $39 million (2005) Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 481.83 (2007), 522.4 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003) calendar year 10,000 (2005) 220,000 (2007) digital fixed-line network in most major urban areas and good mobile coverage fixed-line density is about 2 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing and in 2007 stood at about 40 percent of the population 240 international communications from Bata and Malabo to African and European countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2007) 8: AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 5 (2001) 1 (2001) .gq 9 (2008) 8,000 (2006) 5 (2007) 5 1 1 1 2 (2007) condensate 42 km; condensate/gas 5 km; gas 80 km; oil 54 km (2007) 2,880 km (2000) 1 cargo 1 (2008) Bata, Malabo National Guard (Guardia Nacional (Army), with Coast Guard (Navy) and Air Wing) (2008) 18 years of age (est.) for compulsory military service (2008) 16 136,725 16 138,018 (2008 est.) 16 101,712 16 104,381 (2008 est.) 6,784 6,543 (2008 est.) 0.1% of GDP (2006 est.) in 2002, ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but a dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River and imprecisely defined maritime coordinates in the ICJ decision delay final delimitation; UN urges Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane and lesser islands and to create a maritime boundary in the hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay Equatorial Guinea is primarily a destination country for children trafficked for the purpose of forced labor and possibly for the purpose of sexual exploitation; children have been trafficked from nearby countries for domestic servitude, market labor, ambulant vending, and possibly sexual exploitation; women may also be trafficked to Equatorial Guinea from Cameroon, Benin, other neighboring countries, and China for sexual exploitation Tier 2 Watch List - Equatorial Guinea is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking, particularly in the areas of prosecuting and convicting trafficking offenders and failing to formalize mechanisms to provide assistance to victims; although the government made some effort to enforce laws against child labor exploitation, it failed to report any trafficking prosecutions or convictions in 2007; the government continued to lack shelters or formal procedures for providing care to victims (2008) Eritrea Eritrea was awarded to Ethiopia in 1952 as part of a federation. Ethiopia's annexation of Eritrea as a province 10 years later sparked a 30-year struggle for independence that ended in 1991 with Eritrean rebels defeating governmental forces; independence was overwhelmingly approved in a 1993 referendum. A two-and-a-half-year border war with Ethiopia that erupted in 1998 ended under UN auspices in December 2000. Eritrea currently hosts a UN peacekeeping operation that is monitoring a 25 km-wide Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) on the border with Ethiopia. An international commission, organized to resolve the border dispute, posted its findings in 2002. However, both parties have been unable to reach agreement on implementing the decision. On 30 November 2007, the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission remotely demarcated the border by coordinates and dissolved itself, leaving Ethiopia still occupying several tracts of disputed territory, including the town of Badme. Eritrea accepted the EEBC's "virtual demarcation" decision and called on Ethiopia to remove its troops from the TSZ which it states is Eritrean territory. Ethiopia has not accepted the virtual demarcation decision. Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti and Sudan 15 00 N 39 00 E Africa 121,320 sq km 121,320 sq km 0 sq km slightly larger than Pennsylvania 1,626 km Djibouti 109 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Sudan 605 km 2,234 km (mainland on Red Sea 1,151 km, islands in Red Sea 1,083 km) 12 nm hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually, heaviest June to September); semiarid in western hills and lowlands dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending highlands, descending on the east to a coastal desert plain, on the northwest to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling plains near Kulul within the Denakil depression -75 m Soira 3,018 m gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, possibly oil and natural gas, fish 4.78% 0.03% 95.19% (2005) 210 sq km (2003) frequent droughts; locust swarms deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; overgrazing; loss of infrastructure from civil warfare Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection none of the selected agreements strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes; Eritrea retained the entire coastline of Ethiopia along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia on 24 May 1993 5,502,026 (July 2008 est.) 43% (male 1,188,496/female 1,178,520) 53.4% (male 1,437,653/female 1,502,449) 3.5% (male 89,634/female 105,274) (2008 est.) 18.3 years 17.9 years 18.7 years (2008 est.) 2.631% (2008 est.) 34.94 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 8.63 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.85 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 44.34 deaths/1,000 live births 50.09 deaths/1,000 live births 38.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 61.38 years 59.35 years 63.46 years (2008 est.) 4.84 children born/woman (2008 est.) 2.7% (2003 est.) 60,000 (2003 est.) 6,300 (2003 est.) high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria (2008) Eritrean(s) Eritrean Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea coast dwellers) 3%, other 3% Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant Afar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages age 15 and over can read and write 58.6% 69.9% 47.6% (2003 est.) State of Eritrea Eritrea Hagere Ertra Ertra Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia transitional government following a successful referendum on independence for the Autonomous Region of Eritrea on 23-25 April 1993, a National Assembly, composed entirely of the People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ, was established as a transitional legislature; a Constitutional Commission was also established to draft a constitution; ISAIAS Afworki was elected president by the transitional legislature; the constitution, ratified in May 1997, did not enter into effect, pending parliamentary and presidential elections; parliamentary elections were scheduled in December 2001, but were postponed indefinitely; currently the sole legal party is the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) Asmara (Asmera) 15 20 N 38 56 E UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 6 regions (zobatat, singular - zoba); Anseba, Debub (Southern), Debubawi K'eyih Bahri (Southern Red Sea), Gash Barka, Ma'akel (Central), Semenawi Keyih Bahri (Northern Red Sea) 24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia) Independence Day, 24 May (1993) a transitional constitution, decreed on 19 May 1993, was replaced by a new constitution adopted on 23 May 1997, but not yet implemented primary basis is the Ethiopian legal code of 1957, with revisions; new civil, commercial, and penal codes have not yet been promulgated; government also issues unilateral proclamations setting laws and policies; also relies on customary and post-independence-enacted laws and, for civil cases involving Muslims, Islamic law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government and is head of the State Council and National Assembly President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993) State Council is the collective executive authority; members appointed by the president president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); the most recent and only election held 8 June 1993 (next election date uncertain as the National Assembly did not hold a presidential election in December 2001 as anticipated) ISAIAS Afworki elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - ISAIAS Afworki 95%, other 5% unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) in May 1997, following the adoption of the new constitution, 75 members of the PFDJ Central Committee (the old Central Committee of the EPLF), 60 members of the 527-member Constituent Assembly, which had been established in 1997 to discuss and ratify the new constitution, and 15 representatives of Eritreans living abroad were formed into a Transitional National Assembly to serve as the country's legislative body until countrywide elections to a National Assembly were held; although only 75 of 150 members of the Transitional National Assembly were elected, the constitution stipulates that once past the transition stage, all members of the National Assembly will be elected by secret ballot of all eligible voters; National Assembly elections scheduled for December 2001 were postponed indefinitely High Court - regional, subregional, and village courts; also have military and special courts People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ [ISAIAS Afworki] (the only party recognized by the government); note - a National Assembly committee drafted a law on political parties in January 2001, but the full National Assembly has yet to debate or vote on it Eritrean Democratic Party (EDP) [HAGOS, Mesfin]; Eritrean Islamic Jihad or EIJ (includes Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement or EIJM also known as the Abu Sihel Movement); Eritrean Islamic Salvation or EIS (also known as the Arafa Movement); Eritrean Liberation Front or ELF [ABDULLAH Muhammed]; Eritrean National Alliance or ENA (a coalition including EIJ, EIS, ELF, and a number of ELF factions) [HERUY Tedla Biru]; Eritrean Public Forum or EPF [ARADOM Iyob] ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, LAS (observer), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Ambassador GHIRMAI Ghebremariam 1708 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 319-1991 [1] (202) 319-1304 Oakland (California) Ambassador Ronald MCMULLEN 179 Ala Street, Asmara P. O. Box 211, Asmara [291] (1) 120004 [291] (1) 127584 red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is centered on the hoist side of the red triangle Since independence from Ethiopia in 1993, Eritrea has faced the economic problems of a small, desperately poor country, accentuated by the recent implementation of restrictive economic policies. Eritrea has a command economy under the control of the sole political party, the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ). Like the economies of many African nations, the economy is largely based on subsistence agriculture, with 80% of the population involved in farming and herding. The Ethiopian-Eritrea war in 1998-2000 severely hurt Eritrea's economy. GDP growth fell to zero in 1999 and to -12.1% in 2000. The May 2000 Ethiopian offensive into northern Eritrea caused some $600 million in property damage and loss, including losses of $225 million in livestock and 55,000 homes. The attack prevented planting of crops in Eritrea's most productive region, causing food production to drop by 62%. Even during the war, Eritrea developed its transportation infrastructure, asphalting new roads, improving its ports, and repairing war-damaged roads and bridges. Since the war ended, the government has maintained a firm grip on the economy, expanding the use of the military and party-owned businesses to complete Eritrea's development agenda. The government strictly controls the use of foreign currency, limiting access and availability. Few private enterprises remain in Eritrea. Eritrea's economy is heavily dependent on taxes paid by members of the diaspora. Erratic rainfall and the delayed demobilization of agriculturalists from the military continue to interfere with agricultural production, and Eritrea's recent harvests have not been able to meet the food needs of the country. The government continues to place its hope for additional revenue on the development of several international mining projects. Despite difficulties for international companies in working with the Eritrean government, a Canadian mining company signed a contract with the GSE in 2007 and plans to begin mineral extraction in 2010. Eritrea also anticipates opening a free trade zone at the port of Massawa in 2008. Eritrea's economic future depends upon its ability to master social problems such as illiteracy, unemployment, and low skills, and more importantly, on the government's willingness to support a true market economy. $3.619 billion (2007 est.) $1.316 billion (2007 est.) 1.3% (2007 est.) $800 (2007 est.) 17.5% 23.2% 59.3% (2007 est.) 80% 20% (2004 est.) 50% (2004 est.) 17% (2007 est.) 19.1% of GDP (2007 est.) $234.6 million $471.4 million (2007 est.) sorghum, lentils, vegetables, corn, cotton, tobacco, sisal; livestock, goats; fish food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles, light manufacturing, salt, cement 2% (2007 est.) 253 million kWh (2006 est.) 216 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 5,186 bbl/day (2006 est.) 54.74 bbl/day (2005) 4,924 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) -$205 million (2007 est.) $12 million f.o.b. (2007 est.) livestock, sorghum, textiles, food, small manufactures Italy 34.4%, China 16.2%, Sudan 15.2%, France 9.4%, Saudi Arabia 5.2%, Australia 4.4% (2007) $573 million f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery, petroleum products, food, manufactured goods Saudi Arabia 19.1%, Italy 15.1%, China 11.1%, Turkey 8.3%, Germany 7.2%, Ukraine 5.1% (2007) $23 million (31 December 2007 est.) $311 million (2000 est.) $355.2 million (2005) nakfa (ERN) nakfa (ERN) per US dollar - 15.5 (2007), 15.4 (2006), 14.5 (2005), 13.788 (2004), 13.878 (2003) the official exchange rate is 15 nakfa to the dollar calendar year 37,500 (2006) 70,000 (2007) inadequate; combined fixed-line and mobile cellular subscribership is only about 2 per 100 persons inadequate; most telephones are in Asmara; government is seeking international tenders to improve the system (2002) 291 note - international connections exist 4: AM 2, FM NA, shortwave 2 (2000) 2 (2006) .er 1,074 (2008) 120,000 (2007) 18 (2007) 4 2 2 (2007) 14 1 1 6 4 2 (2007) 1 (2007) 306 km 306 km 0.950-m gauge (2006) 4,010 km 874 km 3,136 km (2000) 5 cargo 2, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2008) Assab, Massawa Eritrean Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force (2008) 18-40 years of age for male and female voluntary and compulsory military service; 16-month conscript service obligation (2006) 16 1,108,836 16 1,096,120 (2008 est.) 16 715,531 16 731,511 (2008 est.) 60,490 60,639 (2008 est.) 6.3% of GDP (2006 est.) Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by 2002 Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission's (EEBC) delimitation decision but, neither party responded to the revised line detailed in the November 2006 EEBC Demarcation Statement; UN Peacekeeping Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), which has monitored the 25-km-wide Temporary Security Zone in Eritrea since 2000, is extended for six months in 2007 despite Eritrean restrictions on its operations and reduced force of 17,000; Sudan accuses Eritrea of supporting eastern Sudanese rebel groups 32,000 (border war with Ethiopia from 1998-2000; most IDPs are near the central border region) (2007) Estonia After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US - it regained its freedom in 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with Western Europe. It joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004. Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia 59 00 N 26 00 E Europe 45,226 sq km 43,211 sq km 2,015 sq km includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined 633 km Latvia 343 km, Russia 290 km 3,794 km 12 nm limits fixed in coordination with neighboring states maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south Baltic Sea 0 m Suur Munamagi 318 m oil shale, peat, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, sea mud 12.05% 0.35% 87.6% (2005) 40 sq km (2003) sometimes flooding occurs in the spring air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; however, the amount of pollutants emitted to the air have fallen steadily, the emissions of 2000 were 80% less than in 1980; the amount of unpurified wastewater discharged to water bodies in 2000 was one-20th the level of 1980; in connection with the start-up of new water purification plants, the pollution load of wastewater decreased; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas need to be monitored; coastal seawater is polluted in certain locations Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore lie more than 1,500 islands 1,307,605 (July 2008 est.) 14.9% (male 100,143/female 94,450) 67.5% (male 420,896/female 462,072) 17.6% (male 76,171/female 153,873) (2008 est.) 39.6 years 36.2 years 43.2 years (2008 est.) -0.632% (2008 est.) 10.28 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 13.35 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -3.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.5 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 7.45 deaths/1,000 live births 8.62 deaths/1,000 live births 6.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 72.56 years 67.16 years 78.3 years (2008 est.) 1.42 children born/woman (2008 est.) 1.1% (2001 est.) 7,800 (2003 est.) fewer than 200 (2003 est.) intermediate bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A tickborne encephalitis (2008) Estonian(s) Estonian Estonian 67.9%, Russian 25.6%, Ukrainian 2.1%, Belarusian 1.3%, Finn 0.9%, other 2.2% (2000 census) Evangelical Lutheran 13.6%, Orthodox 12.8%, other Christian (including Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal) 1.4%, unaffiliated 34.1%, other and unspecified 32%, none 6.1% (2000 census) Estonian (official) 67.3%, Russian 29.7%, other 2.3%, unknown 0.7% (2000 census) age 15 and over can read and write 99.8% 99.8% 99.8% (2000 census) Republic of Estonia Estonia Eesti Vabariik Eesti Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic parliamentary republic Tallinn 59 26 N 24 43 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 15 counties (maakonnad, singular - maakond): Harjumaa (Tallinn), Hiiumaa (Kardla), Ida-Virumaa (Johvi), Jarvamaa (Paide), Jogevamaa (Jogeva), Laanemaa (Haapsalu), Laane-Virumaa (Rakvere), Parnumaa (Parnu), Polvamaa (Polva), Raplamaa (Rapla), Saaremaa (Kuressaare), Tartumaa (Tartu), Valgamaa (Valga), Viljandimaa (Viljandi), Vorumaa (Voru) counties have the administrative center name following in parentheses 20 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 was the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia; 20 August 1991 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union adopted 28 June 1992 based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations 18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens President Toomas Hendrik ILVES (since 9 October 2006) Prime Minister Andrus ANSIP (since 12 April 2005) Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament president elected by Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if a candidate does not secure two-thirds of the votes after three rounds of balloting in the Parliament, then an electoral assembly (made up of Parliament plus members of local governments) elects the president, choosing between the two candidates with the largest percentage of votes; election last held 23 September 2006 (next to be held in the fall of 2011); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament Toomas Hendrik ILVES elected president on 23 September 2006 by a 345-member electoral assembly; ILVES received 174 votes to incumbent Arnold RUUTEL's 162; remaining 9 ballots left blank or invalid unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 4 March 2007 (next to be held in March 2011) percent of vote by party - Estonian Reform Party 27.8%, Center Party of Estonia 26.1%, Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica 17.9%, Social Democratic Party 10.6%, Estonian Greens 7.1%, Estonian People's Union 7.1%, other 5%; seats by party - Estonian Reform Party 31, Center Party 29, Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica 19, Social Democratic Party 10, Estonian Greens 6, Estonian People's Union 6 National Court (chairman appointed by Parliament for life) Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) [Edgar SAVISAAR]; Estonian Greens (Rohelised) [Marek STRANDBERG]; Estonian People's Union (Rahvaliit) [Villu REILJAN]; Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) [Andrus ANSIP]; Estonian United Russian People's Party or EUVRP [Yevgeniy TOMBERG]; Social Democratic Party (formerly People's Party Moodukad or Moderates) [Ivari PADAR]; Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica (Isamaa je Res Publica Liit) [Mart LAAR] Nochnoy Dozor/Night Watch anti-fascist movement (leader Alexander KOROBOV) Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Vaino REINART 2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 588-0101 [1] (202) 588-0108 New York Ambassador Stanley Davis PHILLIPS Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn use embassy street address [372] 668-8100 [372] 668-8265 pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white Estonia, a 2004 European Union entrant, has a modern market-based economy and one of the highest per capita income levels in Central Europe. The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and strong trade ties with Finland, Sweden, and Germany. The current government has pursued relatively sound fiscal policies, resulting in balanced budgets and low public debt. In 2007, however, a large current account deficit and rising inflation put pressure on Estonia's currency, which is pegged to the euro, highlighting the need for growth in export-generating industries. $28.69 billion (2007 est.) $21.28 billion (2007 est.) 7.1% (2007 est.) $21,800 (2007 est.) 3% 28.5% 68.5% (2007 est.) 687,000 (2007 est.) 11% 20% 69% (1999 est.) 4.7% (2007 est.) 5% (2003) 2.5% 27.6% (2003) 34 (2005) 6.6% (2007 est.) 31.9% of GDP (2007 est.) $7.854 billion $7.171 billion (2007 est.) 3.4% of GDP (2007 est.) potatoes, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textiles; information technology, telecommunications 7.7% (2007 est.) 9.158 billion kWh (2006 est.) 7.331 billion kWh (2006 est.) 3.179 billion kWh (2007 est.) 400 million kWh (2007 est.) 7,430 bbl/day (2007 est.) 30,440 bbl/day (2006 est.) 7,000 bbl/day (2005) 28,170 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 1.48 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 1.48 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) -$3.771 billion (2007 est.) $11.08 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and equipment 33%, wood and paper 15%, textiles 14%, food products 8%, furniture 7%, metals, chemical products (2001) Finland 17.9%, Sweden 13.2%, Latvia 11.4%, Russia 8.9%, Lithuania 5.8%, Germany 5.2%, US 4.1% (2007) $14.75 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and equipment 33.5%, chemical products 11.6%, textiles 10.3%, foodstuffs 9.4%, transportation equipment 8.9% (2001) Finland 15.9%, Germany 12.8%, Sweden 10.1%, Russia 10%, Latvia 7.6%, Lithuania 6.9%, Poland 4.5% (2007) $3.27 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $24.82 billion (30 June 2007) $135.5 million (2004) Estonian kroon (EEK) krooni (EEK) per US dollar - 11.535 (2007), 12.473 (2006), 12.584 (2005), 12.596 (2004), 13.856 (2003) the krooni is pegged to the euro calendar year 495,500 (2007) 1.982 million (2007) foreign investment in the form of joint business ventures greatly improved telephone service; substantial fiber-optic cable systems carry telephone, TV, and radio traffic in the digital mode; Internet services are widely available; schools and libraries are connected to the Internet, a large percentage of the population files income-tax returns online, and online voting was used for the first time in the 2005 local elections a wide range of high quality voice, data, and Internet services is available throughout the country 372 fiber-optic cables to Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet-switched service; 2 international switches are located in Tallinn (2001) 98: AM 0, FM 98, shortwave 0 (2001) 3 (2001) .ee 645,495 (2008) 780,000 (2007) 19 (2007) 12 1 7 1 3 (2007) 7 1 2 1 3 (2007) 1 (2007) gas 859 km (2007) 968 km 968 km 1.520 m/1.524-m gauge (2006) 57,016 km 12,926 km (includes 99 km of expressways) 44,090 km (2005) 320 km (2006) 29 cargo 5, passenger/cargo 21, petroleum tanker 2, chemical tanker 1 4 (Denmark 1, Germany 1, Norway 2) 85 (Antigua and Barbuda 23, Belize 6, Cyprus 5, Dominica 7, Finland 2, Latvia 2, Liberia 1, Malta 11, Norway 1, Panama 5, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 16, Sweden 2, Vanuatu 1) (2008) Kuivastu, Kunda, Muuga, Tallinn, Virtsu Estonian Defense Forces: Land Force, Navy, Air Force (Eesti Ohuvagi), Volunteer Defense League (Kaitseliit, KL) (2008) 19-28: compulsory military service for men between 19 and 28; conscription lasts 11 months for junior NCOs and reserve platoon leaders; reserve officers and designated specialists have a different conscript service obligation; Estonia has committed to retaining conscription for men up to 2010 and, unlike Latvia and Lithuania, has no plan to transition to a contract armed forces; 17 years of age for volunteers; reserve commitment up to the age of 60 (2006) 16 306,273 16 317,852 (2008 est.) 16 218,448 16 264,187 (2008 est.) 8,322 7,846 (2008 est.) 2% of GDP (2005 est.) Russia recalled its signature to the 1996 technical border agreement with Estonia in 2005, rather than concede to Estonia's appending prepared a unilateral declaration referencing Soviet occupation and territorial losses; Russia demands better accommodation of Russian-speaking population in Estonia; Estonian citizen groups continue to press for realignment of the boundary based on the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty that would bring the now divided ethnic Setu people and parts of the Narva region within Estonia; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Estonia must implement the strict Schengen border rules with Russia growing producer of synthetic drugs; increasingly important transshipment zone for cannabis, cocaine, opiates, and synthetic drugs since joining the European Union and the Schengen Accord; potential money laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking is a concern, as is possible use of the gambling sector to launder funds; major use of opiates and ecstasy Ethiopia Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule with the exception of the 1936-41 Italian occupation during World War II. In 1974, a military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile SELASSIE (who had ruled since 1930) and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups, uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problems, the regime was finally toppled in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). A constitution was adopted in 1994, and Ethiopia's first multiparty elections were held in 1995. A border war with Eritrea late in the 1990s ended with a peace treaty in December 2000. The Eritrea-Ethiopia Border Commission in November 2007 remotely demarcated the border by geographical coordinates, but final demarcation of the boundary on the ground is currently on hold because of Ethiopian objections to an international commission's finding requiring it to surrender territory considered sensitive to Ethiopia. Eastern Africa, west of Somalia 8 00 N 38 00 E Africa 1,127,127 sq km 1,119,683 sq km 7,444 sq km slightly less than twice the size of Texas 5,328 km Djibouti 349 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 861 km, Somalia 1,600 km, Sudan 1,606 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley Denakil Depression -125 m Ras Dejen 4,533 m small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas, hydropower 10.01% 0.65% 89.34% (2005) 2,900 sq km (2003) geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water shortages in some areas from water-intensive farming and poor management Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 24 May 1993; the Blue Nile, the chief headstream of the Nile by water volume, rises in T'ana Hayk (Lake Tana) in northwest Ethiopia; three major crops are believed to have originated in Ethiopia: coffee, grain sorghum, and castor bean 82,544,840 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2008 est.) 46% (male 18,922,334/female 19,017,593) 51.4% (male 20,749,002/female 21,656,509) 2.7% (male 947,323/female 1,252,077) (2008 est.) 16.9 years 16.6 years 17.2 years (2008 est.) 3.212% (2008 est.) 43.97 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 11.83 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) NA repatriation of Ethiopian refugees residing in Sudan is expected to continue for several years; some Sudanese, Somali, and Eritrean refugees, who fled to Ethiopia from the fighting or famine in their own countries, continue to return to their homes (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.76 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 82.64 deaths/1,000 live births 94.08 deaths/1,000 live births 70.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 54.99 years 52.54 years 57.51 years (2008 est.) 6.17 children born/woman (2008 est.) 4.4% (2003 est.) 1.5 million (2003 est.) 120,000 (2003 est.) high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever malaria meningococcal meningitis rabies schistosomiasis (2008) Ethiopian(s) Ethiopian Oromo 32.1%, Amara 30.1%, Tigraway 6.2%, Somalie 5.9%, Guragie 4.3%, Sidama 3.5%, Welaita 2.4%, other 15.4% (1994 census) Christian 60.8% (Orthodox 50.6%, Protestant 10.2%), Muslim 32.8%, traditional 4.6%, other 1.8% (1994 census) Amarigna 32.7%, Oromigna 31.6%, Tigrigna 6.1%, Somaligna 6%, Guaragigna 3.5%, Sidamigna 3.5%, Hadiyigna 1.7%, other 14.8%, English (major foreign language taught in schools) (1994 census) age 15 and over can read and write 42.7% 50.3% 35.1% (2003 est.) Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ethiopia Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik Ityop'iya Abyssinia, Italian East Africa FDRE federal republic Addis Ababa 9 02 N 38 42 E UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 9 ethnically based states (kililoch, singular - kilil) and 2 self-governing administrations* (astedaderoch, singular - astedader); Adis Abeba* (Addis Ababa), Afar, Amara (Amhara), Binshangul Gumuz, Dire Dawa*, Gambela Hizboch (Gambela Peoples), Hareri Hizb (Harari People), Oromiya (Oromia), Sumale (Somali), Tigray, Ye Debub Biheroch Bihereseboch na Hizboch (Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples) 1000 BC (approximately); oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world - at least 2,000 years National Day (defeat of MENGISTU regime), 28 May (1991) ratified 8 December 1994, effective 22 August 1995 based on civil law; currently transitional mix of national and regional courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President GIRMA Woldegiorgis (since 8 October 2001) Prime Minister MELES Zenawi (since August 1995) Council of Ministers as provided for in the December 1994 constitution; ministers are selected by the prime minister and approved by the House of People's Representatives president elected by the House of People's Representatives for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 9 October 2007 (next to be held in October 2013); prime minister designated by the party in power following legislative elections GIRMA Woldegiorgis elected president; percent of vote by the House of People's Representatives - 79% bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Federation (or upper chamber responsible for interpreting the constitution and federal-regional issues) (108 seats; members are chosen by state assemblies to serve five-year terms) and the House of People's Representatives (or lower chamber responsible for passing legislation) (547 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote from single-member districts to serve five-year terms) last held 15 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010) percent of vote - NA; seats by party - EPRDF 327, CUD 109, UEDF 52, SPDP 23, OFDM 11, BGPDUF 8, ANDP 8, independent 1, others 6, undeclared 2 some seats still remain vacant as detained opposition MPs did not take their seats Federal Supreme Court (the president and vice president of the Federal Supreme Court are recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the House of People's Representatives; for other federal judges, the prime minister submits to the House of People's Representatives for appointment candidates selected by the Federal Judicial Administrative Council) Afar National Democratic Party or ANDP; Benishangul Gumuz People's Democratic Unity Front or BGPDUF [Mulualem BESSE]; Coalition for Unity and Democratic Party or CUDP [AYELE Chamisso] (awarded to AYELE by the National Electoral Board on 11 January 2008, but AYELE has virtually no support among former CUD MPs, other CUD MPs must now be affiliated with their original CUD-precursor parties); Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front or EPRDF [MELES Zenawi] (an alliance of Amhara National Democratic Movement or ANDM, Oromo People's Democratic Organization or OPDO, the South Ethiopian People's Democratic Front or SEPDF, and Tigrayan Peoples' Liberation Front or TPLF); Gurage Nationalities' Democratic Movement or GNDM; Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement or OFDM [BULCHA Demeksa]; Omoro People's Congress or OPC [IMERERA Gudina]; Somali People's Democratic Party or SPDP; United Ethiopian Democratic Forces or UEDF [BEYENE Petros] Ethiopian People's Patriotic Front or EPPF; Ogaden National Liberation Front or ONLF; Oromo Liberation Front or OLF [DAOUD Ibsa] ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Ambassador Samuel ASSEFA 3506 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 364-1200 [1] (202) 587-0195 Los Angeles New York Ambassador Donald Y. YAMAMOTO Entoto Street, Addis Ababa P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa [251] 11-517-40-00 [251] 11-517-40-01 three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from the angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on the three bands; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the three main colors of her flag were so often adopted by other African countries upon independence that they became known as the pan-African colors Ethiopia's poverty-stricken economy is based on agriculture, accounting for almost half of GDP, 60% of exports, and 80% of total employment. The agricultural sector suffers from frequent drought and poor cultivation practices. Coffee is critical to the Ethiopian economy with exports of some $350 million in 2006, but historically low prices have seen many farmers switching to qat to supplement income. The war with Eritrea in 1998-2000 and recurrent drought have buffeted the economy, in particular coffee production. In November 2001, Ethiopia qualified for debt relief from the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, and in December 2005 the IMF voted to forgive Ethiopia's debt to the body. Under Ethiopia's constitution, the state owns all land and provides long-term leases to the tenants; the system continues to hamper growth in the industrial sector as entrepreneurs are unable to use land as collateral for loans. Drought struck again late in 2002, leading to a 3.3% decline in GDP in 2003. Normal weather patterns helped agricultural and GDP growth recover during 2004-07. $56.05 billion (2007 est.) $19.43 billion (2007 est.) 11.1% (2007 est.) $700 (2007 est.) 47% 13.2% 39.8% (2007 est.) 27.27 million (1999) 80% 8% 12% (1985) 38.7% (FY05/06 est.) 3.9% 25.5% (2000) 30 (2000) 17.2% (2007 est.) 25.9% of GDP (2007 est.) $3.231 billion $3.785 billion (2007 est.) 44.5% of GDP (2007 est.) cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseed, cotton, sugarcane, potatoes, qat, cut flowers; hides, cattle, sheep, goats; fish food processing, beverages, textiles, leather, chemicals, metals processing, cement 11% (2007 est.) 3.268 billion kWh (2006 est.) 2.941 billion kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 7.334 bbl/day (2007 est.) 30,450 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 29,820 bbl/day (2005) 428,000 bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 24.92 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) -$826.8 million (2007 est.) $1.288 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) coffee, qat, gold, leather products, live animals, oilseeds Germany 8.2%, Saudi Arabia 7%, US 6.9%, Djibouti 6.6%, China 6.5%, Italy 6.5%, Japan 5.9%, Netherlands 4.8% (2007) $5.165 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) food and live animals, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, machinery, motor vehicles, cereals, textiles Saudi Arabia 17%, China 15.9%, India 7.8%, Italy 5.1% (2007) $1.294 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $2.621 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $1.6 billion (FY05/06) birr (ETB) birr (ETB) per US dollar - 8.96 (2007), 8.69 (2006), 8.68 (2005), 8.6356 (2004), 8.5997 (2003) since 24 October 2001, exchange rates are determined on a daily basis via interbank transactions regulated by the Central Bank 8 July - 7 July 880,100 (2007) 1.208 million (2007) inadequate telephone system; the number of fixed lines and mobile telephones is increasing from a very small base; combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is only about 2 per 100 persons open-wire; microwave radio relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service 251 open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) 9: AM 8, FM 0, shortwave 1 (2001) 1 (plus 24 repeaters) (2001) .et 128 (2008) 291,000 (2007) 84 (2007) 15 3 5 5 1 1 (2007) 69 3 5 11 29 21 (2007) 699 km (Ethiopian segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad) 699 km 1.000-m gauge railway under joint control of Djibouti and Ethiopia but remains largely inoperable (2006) 36,469 km 6,980 km 29,489 km (2004) 9 cargo 8, roll on/roll off 1 (2008) Ethiopia is landlocked and uses ports of Djibouti in Djibouti and Berbera in Somalia Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF): Ground Forces, Ethiopian Air Force (ETAF) (2008) Ethiopia is landlocked and has no navy; following the secession of Eritrea, Ethiopian naval facilities remained in Eritrean possession 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; theoretically, no compulsory military service, but the military can conduct call-ups when necessary and compliance is compulsory (2008) 16 17,666,967 16 17,530,211 (2008 est.) 16 10,060,775 16 9,854,710 (2008 est.) 887,061 896,048 (2008 est.) 3% of GDP (2006) Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by the 2002 Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission's (EEBC) delimitation decision, but neither party responded to the revised line detailed in the November 2006 EEBC Demarcation Statement; UN Peacekeeping Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), which has monitored the 25-km-wide Temporary Security Zone in Eritrea since 2000, is extended for six months in 2007 despite Eritrean restrictions on its operations and reduced force of 17,000; the undemarcated former British administrative line has little meaning as a political separation to rival clans within Ethiopia's Ogaden and southern Somalia's Oromo region; Ethiopian forces invaded southern Somalia and routed Islamist Courts from Mogadishu in January 2007; "Somaliland" secessionists provide port facilities in Berbera and trade ties to landlocked Ethiopia; civil unrest in eastern Sudan has hampered efforts to demarcate the porous boundary with Ethiopia 66,980 (Sudan); 16,576 (Somalia); 13,078 (Eritrea) 200,000 (border war with Eritrea from 1998-2000, ethnic clashes in Gambela, and ongoing Ethiopian military counterinsurgency in Somali region; most IDPs are in Tigray and Gambela Provinces) (2007) transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and Southeast Asia and destined for Europe, as well as cocaine destined for markets in southern Africa; cultivates qat (khat) for local use and regional export, principally to Djibouti and Somalia (legal in all three countries); the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money laundering center Europa Island This heavily wooded island has been a French possession since 1897; it is the site of a small military garrison that staffs a weather station. 22 20 S 40 22 E 28 sq km 28 sq km 0 sq km about one-sixth the size of Washington, DC 22.2 km low, flat, and sandy 100% mangrove swamp and dry woodlands wildlife sanctuary for seabirds and sea turtles a small French military garrison and a few meteorologists on each possession; visited by scientists 1 (2006) aids to navigation - lighthouses: 18m claimed by Madagascar European Union Following the two devastating World Wars of the first half of the 20th century, a number of European leaders in the late 1940s became convinced that the only way to establish a lasting peace was to unite the two chief belligerent nations - France and Germany - both economically and politically. In 1950, the French Foreign Minister Robert SCHUMAN proposed an eventual union of all Europe, the first step of which would be the integration of the coal and steel industries of Western Europe. The following year the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was set up when six members, Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, signed the Treaty of Paris. The ECSC was so successful that within a few years the decision was made to integrate other parts of the countries' economies. In 1957, the Treaties of Rome created the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), and the six member states undertook to eliminate trade barriers among themselves by forming a common market. In 1967, the institutions of all three communities were formally merged into the European Community (EC), creating a single Commission, a single Council of Ministers, and the European Parliament. Members of the European Parliament were initially selected by national parliaments, but in 1979 the first direct elections were undertaken and they have been held every five years since. In 1973, the first enlargement of the EC took place with the addition of Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The 1980s saw further membership expansion with Greece joining in 1981 and Spain and Portugal in 1986. The 1992 Treaty of Maastricht laid the basis for further forms of cooperation in foreign and defense policy, in judicial and internal affairs, and in the creation of an economic and monetary union - including a common currency. This further integration created the European Union (EU). In 1995, Austria, Finland, and Sweden joined the EU, raising the membership total to 15. Europe between the North Atlantic Ocean in the west and Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine to the east Europe 4,324,782 sq km 4,191,579 sq km 133,203 sq km less than one-half the size of the US 12,440.8 km Albania 282 km, Andorra 120.3 km, Belarus 1,050 km, Croatia 999 km, Holy See 3.2 km, Liechtenstein 34.9 km, Macedonia 394 km, Moldova 450 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Norway 2,348 km, Russia 2,257 km, San Marino 39 km, Serbia 945 km, Switzerland 1,811 km, Turkey 446 km, Ukraine 1,257 km data for European Continent only 65,992.9 km cold temperate; potentially subarctic in the north to temperate; mild wet winters; hot dry summers in the south fairly flat along the Baltic and Atlantic coast; mountainous in the central and southern areas Lammefjord, Denmark -7 m Mont Blanc 4,807 m iron ore, natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, lead, zinc, bauxite, uranium, potash, salt, hydropower, arable land, timber, fish 168,050 sq km (2003 est.) flooding along coasts; avalanches in mountainous area; earthquakes in the south; volcanic eruptions in Italy; periodic droughts in Spain; ice floes in the Baltic Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 82, Tropical Timber 94 Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds 491,018,683 (July 2008 est.) 15.7% (male 37,208,905/female 35,254,445) 67.2% (male 155,807,769/female 153,690,235) 17.1% (male 32,592,595/female 46,273,197) (2008 est.) note - see individual country entries of member states 0.11% (2008 est.) 10.25 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 10.39 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.68 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 6.38 deaths/1,000 live births 7.23 deaths/1,000 live births 5.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 77.32 years 74 years 80.84 years (2008 est.) 1.5 children born/woman (2008 est.) note - see individual country entries of member states note - see individual country entries of member states note - see individual country entries of member states Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, Gaelic, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish only official languages are listed; German, the major language of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, is the most widely spoken mother tongue - over 19% of the EU population; English is the most widely spoken language - about 49% of the EU population is conversant with it (2007) Brussels (Belgium), Strasbourg (France), Luxembourg 50 50 N 4 20 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October the Council of the European Union meets in Brussels, Belgium, the European Parliament meets in Brussels and Strasbourg, France, and the Court of Justice of the European Communities meets in Luxembourg 7 February 1992 (Maastricht Treaty signed establishing the EU); 1 November 1993 (Maastricht Treaty entered into force) Europe Day 9 May (1950); note - a Union-wide holiday, the day that Robert SCHUMAN proposed the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community to achieve an organized Europe based on a series of treaties: the Treaty of Paris, which set up the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1951; the Treaties of Rome, which set up the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) in 1957; the Single European Act in 1986; the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht) in 1992; the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1997; and the Treaty of Nice in 2003; note - a new draft Constitutional Treaty, signed on 29 October 2004 in Rome, gave member states two years for ratification either by parliamentary vote or national referendum before it was scheduled to take effect on 1 November 2006; defeat in French and Dutch referenda in May-June 2005 dealt a severe setback to the ratification process; in June 2007, the European Council agreed on a clear and concise mandate for an Intergovernmental Conference to form a political agreement and put it into legal form; this agreement, known as the Reform Treaty, would have served as a constitution and was presented to the European Council in October 2007 for individual country ratification; it was rejected by Irish voters in June 2008, again stalling the ratification process comparable to the legal systems of member states; first supranational law system 18 years of age; universal President of the European Commission Jose Manuel DURAO BARROSO (since 22 November 2004) European Commission (composed of 27 members, one from each member country; each commissioner responsible for one or more policy areas) the president of the European Commission is designated by member governments and is confirmed by the European Parliament; working from member state recommendations, the Commission president then assembles a "college" of Commission members; the European Parliament confirms the entire Commission for a five-year term; the last confirmation process was held 18 November 2004 (next to be held in 2009) European Parliament approved the European Commission by an approval vote of 449 to 149 with 82 abstentions the European Council brings together heads of state and government and the president of the European Commission and meets at least four times a year; its aim is to provide the impetus for the major political issues relating to European integration and to issue general policy guidelines two legislative bodies consisting of the Council of the European Union (27 member-state ministers having 345 votes; the number of votes is roughly proportional to member-states' population; note - the Council is the main decision-making body of the EU) and the European Parliament (785 seats, as of 1 January 2007; seats allocated among member states by proportion to population; members elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year term) last held 10-13 June 2004 (next to be held June 2009) percent of vote - NA; seats by party - EPP-ED 268, PES 202, ALDE 88, Greens/EFA 42, EUL/NGL 41, IND/DEM 36, UEN 27, independents 28; note - seats by party as of 1 December 2007 - EPP-ED 275, PES 217, ALDE 104, UEN 44, Greens/EFA 42, EUL/NGL 41, IND/DEM 24, independents 34, 4 unaccounted for Court of Justice of the European Communities (ensures that the treaties are interpreted and applied uniformly throughout the EU; resolve constitutional issues among the EU institutions) - 27 justices (one from each member state) appointed for a six-year term; note - for the sake of efficiency, the court can sit with 13 justices known as the "Grand Chamber"; Court of First Instance - 27 justices appointed for a six-year term Confederal Group of the European United Left-Nordic Green Left or EUL/NGL [Francis WURTZ]; European People's Party-European Democrats or EPP-ED [Joseph DAUL]; Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe or ALDE [Graham R. WATSON]; Group of Greens/European Free Alliance or Greens/EFA [Monica FRASSONI and Daniel Marc COHN-BENDIT]; Identity, Tradition, Sovereignty Group or ITS [Bruno GOLLNISCH]; Independence/Democracy Group or IND/DEM [Jens-Peter BONDE and Nigel FARAGE]; Socialist Group in the European Parliament or PES [Martin SCHULZ]; Union for Europe of the Nations Group or UEN [Brian CROWLEY and Cristiana MUSCARDINI] ARF (dialogue member), ASEAN (dialogue member), IDA, OAS (observer), PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), UN (observer) Australian Group, CBSS, CERN, FAO, EBRD, G-10, LAIA, NSG (observer), OECD, UNRWA, WCO, WTO, ZC (observer) BIS EBRD, WADB (nonregional member) Ambassador John BRUTON 2300 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037 [1] (202) 862-9500 [1] (202) 429-1766 Ambassador Kristen SILVERBERG 13 Zinnerstraat/Rue Zinner, B-1000 Brussels same as above [32] (2) 508-2111 [32] (2) 508-2063 blue field with 12 five-pointed gold stars arranged in a circle in the center, representing the union of the peoples of Europe; the number of stars is fixed Internally, the EU is attempting to lower trade barriers, adopt a common currency, and move toward convergence of living standards. Internationally, the EU aims to bolster Europe's trade position and its political and economic power. Because of the great differences in per capita income among member states (from $7,000 to $69,000) and historic national animosities, the EU faces difficulties in devising and enforcing common policies. For example, since 2003 Germany and France have flouted the member states' treaty obligation to prevent their national budgets from running more than a 3% deficit. In 2004 and 2007, the EU admitted 10 and two countries, respectively, that are, in general, less advanced technologically and economically than the other 15. Eleven established EU member states introduced the euro as their common currency on 1 January 1999 (Greece did so two years later), but the UK, Sweden, and Denmark chose not to participate. Of the 12 most recent member states, only Slovenia (1 January 2007) and Cyprus and Malta (1 January 2008) have adopted the euro; the remaining nine are legally required to adopt the currency upon meeting EU's fiscal and monetary convergence criteria. $14.43 trillion (2007 est.) $16.62 trillion (2007 est.) 3% (2007 est.) $32,700 (2007 est.) 2.1% 27.1% 70.7% (2006 est.) 222.7 million (2006 est.) 4.4% 27.1% 67.1% the remainder is in miscellaneous public and private sector industries and services (2002 est.) 8.5% (2006 est.) note - see individual country entries of member states 2.8% 25.2% (2001 est.) 30.7 (2003 est.) 1.8% (2006 est.) 21.5% of GDP (2006 est.) wheat, barley, oilseeds, sugar beets, wine, grapes; dairy products, cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry; fish among the world's largest and most technologically advanced, the European Union industrial base includes: ferrous and non-ferrous metal production and processing, metal products, petroleum, coal, cement, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, rail transportation equipment, passenger and commercial vehicles, construction equipment, industrial equipment, shipbuilding, electrical power equipment, machine tools and automated manufacturing systems, electronics and telecommunications equipment, fishing, food and beverage processing, furniture, paper, textiles, tourism 3.2% (2006 est.) 3.056 trillion kWh (2007 est.) 2.858 trillion kWh (2007 est.) 2.674 million bbl/day (2007) 14.39 million bbl/day (2007) 6.979 million bbl/day (2001) 17.71 million bbl/day (2001) 6.144 billion bbl (1 January 2008) 197.8 billion cu m (2007 est.) 500.1 billion cu m (2007 est.) 76.48 billion cu m (2005 est.) 361.2 billion cu m (2005 est.) 2.476 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $NA $1.33 trillion; note - external exports, excluding intra-EU trade (2005) machinery, motor vehicles, aircraft, plastics, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, fuels, iron and steel, nonferrous metals, wood pulp and paper products, textiles, meat, dairy products, fish, alcoholic beverages. US 23.3%, Switzerland 7.6%, Russia 5.2%, China 4.8% (2006) $1.466 trillion; note - external imports, excluding intra-EU trade (2005) machinery, vehicles, aircraft, plastics, crude oil, chemicals, textiles, metals, foodstuffs, clothing US 13.8%, China 13.4%, Russia 8.2%, Japan 6.2% (2006) $NA euro, British pound, Bulgarian lev, Czech koruna, Danish krone, Estonian kroon, Hungarian forint, Latvian lat, Lithuanian litas, Polish zloty, Romanian leu, Slovak koruna, Swedish krona euros per US dollar - 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003) 238 million (2005) 466 million (2005) note - see individual country entries of member states 14,656: AM 930, FM 13,655, shortwave 71 (1998); note - sum of individual country radio broadcast stations; there is also a European-wide station (Euroradio) 2,700 (1995); note - sum of individual country television broadcast stations excluding repeaters; there is also a European-wide station (Eurovision) .eu (effective 2005); note - see country entries of member states for individual country codes 31,693 (2008); note - this sum reflects the number of internet hosts assigned the .eu internet country code 247 million (2006) 3,393 (2006) 1,991 110 347 545 420 569 (2007) 1,373 2 5 30 267 1,043 (2007) 100 (2007) 236,436 km 28,250 km 200,401 km 7,771 km 23 km (2007) 5,454,446 km (2008) 52,332 km (2006) Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Braila (Romania), Bremen (Germany), Burgas (Bulgaria), Constanta (Romania), Copenhagen (Denmark), Galati (Romania), Gdansk (Poland), Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands, Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille (France), Naples (Italy), Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Riga (Latvia), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Stockholm (Sweden), Talinn (Estonia), Tulcea (Romania), Varna (Bulgaria) the five-nation Eurocorps - created in 1992 by France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, and Luxembourg - has deployed troops and police on peacekeeping missions to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and assumed command of the ISAF in Afghanistan in August 2004; Eurocorps directly commands the 5,000-man Franco-German Brigade, the Multinational Command Support Brigade, and EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina; in November 2004, the EU Council of Ministers formally committed to creating 13 1,500-man battle groups by the end of 2007, to respond to international crises on a rotating basis; 22 of the EU's 25 nations have agreed to supply troops; France, Italy, and the UK formed the first of three battle groups in 2005; Norway, Sweden, Estonia, and Finland established the Nordic Battle Group effective 1 January 2008; nine other groups are to be formed; a rapid-reaction naval EU Maritime Task Group was stood up in March 2007 (2007) as a political union, the EU has no border disputes with neighboring countries, but Estonia has no land boundary agreements with Russia, Slovenia disputes its land and maritime boundaries with Croatia, and Spain has territorial and maritime disputes with Morocco and with the UK over Gibraltar; the EU has set up a Schengen area - consisting of 22 EU member states that have signed the convention implementing the Schengen agreements or "acquis" (1985 and 1990) on the free movement of persons and the harmonization of border controls in Europe; these agreements became incorporated into EU law with the implementation of the 1997 Treaty of Amsterdam on 1 May 1999; in addition, non-EU states Iceland and Norway (as part of the Nordic Union) have been included in the Schengen area since 1996 (full members in 2001), and Switzerland since 2008 bringing the total current membership to 25; the UK (since 2000) and Ireland (since 2002) take part in only some aspects of the Schengen area, especially with respect to police and criminal matters; nine of the 12 new member states that joined the EU since 2004 joined Schengen on 21 December 2007; of the three remaining EU states, Cyprus is expected to join by 2009, while Romania and Bulgaria continue to enhance their border security systems Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Although first sighted by an English navigator in 1592, the first landing (English) did not occur until almost a century later in 1690, and the first settlement (French) was not established until 1764. The colony was turned over to Spain two years later and the islands have since been the subject of a territorial dispute, first between Britain and Spain, then between Britain and Argentina. The UK asserted its claim to the islands by establishing a naval garrison there in 1833. Argentina invaded the islands on 2 April 1982. The British responded with an expeditionary force that landed seven weeks later and after fierce fighting forced an Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982. Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina 51 45 S 59 00 W South America 12,173 sq km 12,173 sq km 0 sq km includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands slightly smaller than Connecticut 0 km 1,288 km 12 nm 200 nm 200 nm cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 24 inches in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains Atlantic Ocean 0 m Mount Usborne 705 m fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss 0% 0% 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (2005) strong winds persist throughout the year overfishing by unlicensed vessels is a problem; reindeer were introduced to the islands in 2001 for commercial reasons; this is the only commercial reindeer herd in the world unaffected by the 1986 Chornobyl disaster deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season 3,140 (July 2008 est.) 0.011% (2008 est.) Falkland Islander(s) Falkland Island British Christian 67.2%, none 31.5%, other 1.3% (2006 census) English none Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina Stanley 51 42 S 57 51 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends third Sunday in April none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) 3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998 English common law 18 years of age; universal Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) Governor Alan HUCKLE (since 25 August 2006); Chief Executive Dr. Tim THOROGOOD (since 3 January 2008) Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats; 2 members are ex officio and 8 are elected by popular vote; to serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor last held 17 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2009) percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8 Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction none; all independents Falkland Islands Association (supports freedom of the people from external causes) UPU none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising was once the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, but today fishing contributes the bulk of economic activity. In 1987, the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falkland Islands' exclusive fishing zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year, which help support the island's health, education, and welfare system. Squid accounts for 75% of the fish taken. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands in 1993, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day; to date, no exploitable site has been identified. An agreement between Argentina and the UK in 1995 seeks to defuse licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign interest in exploiting potential oil reserves. Tourism, especially eco-tourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 30,000 visitors in 2001. Another large source of income is interest paid on money the government has in the bank. The British military presence also provides a sizeable economic boost. $75 million (2002 est.) $NA $25,000 (2002 est.) 95% 1,724 (est.) (1996) 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing) 5% (1996) 0% (full employment); labor shortage (2001) 3.6% (1998) $66.2 million $67.9 million (FY98/99 est.) fodder and vegetable crops; sheep, dairy products; fish, squid fish and wool processing; tourism 16 million kWh (2006 est.) 14.88 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 252.3 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 248.9 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) $125 million (2004 est.) wool, hides, meat, fish, squid Spain 81.9%, US 6%, UK 4.5% (2006) $90 million (2004 est.) fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing UK 72.5%, US 15.1%, Netherlands 8.5% (2006) $NA $0 (1997 est.) Falkland pound (FKP) Falkland pounds (FKP) per US dollar - 0.4993 (2007), 0.5434 (2006), 0.5504 (2005), 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003) the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound 1 April - 31 March 2,400 (2002) 0 (2001) government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands 500 satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries 8: AM 1, FM 7, shortwave 0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1 and Radio 2 service) (2006) 2 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite service to members of UK Forces as well as islanders); cable television is available in Stanley (2006) .fk 91 (2008) 1,900 (2002) 6 (2007) 2 1 1 (2007) 4 4 (2007) 440 km 50 km 390 km (2008) Stanley no regular military forces defense is the responsibility of the UK Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force; UK continues to reject Argentine requests for sovereignty talks Faroe Islands The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high degree of self government was attained in 1948. Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Iceland and Norway 62 00 N 7 00 W Europe 1,399 sq km 1,399 sq km 0 sq km (some lakes and streams) eight times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 1,117 km 3 nm 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast Atlantic Ocean 0 m Slaettaratindur 882 m fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas 2.14% 0% 97.86% (2005) 0 sq km Marine Dumping -associate member to the London Convention and Ship Pollution archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands 48,668 (July 2008 est.) 21.9% (male 5,489/female 5,166) 64% (male 16,650/female 14,482) 14.1% (male 3,233/female 3,648) (2008 est.) 36.7 years 36 years 37.5 years (2008 est.) 0.376% (2008 est.) 13.25 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 8.67 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -0.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.07 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.15 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female 1.09 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 6.46 deaths/1,000 live births 6.69 deaths/1,000 live births 6.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 79.29 years 76.86 years 81.89 years (2008 est.) 2.45 children born/woman (2008 est.) Faroese (singular and plural) Faroese Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran 83.8%, other and unspecified 16.2% (2006 administrative data) Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish 99% probably, the same as Denmark proper none Faroe Islands none Foroyar part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948 Torshavn 62 01 N 6 46 W UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 34 municipalities none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Olaifest (Olavasoka), 29 July 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution) the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply 18 years of age; universal Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chief administrative officer (since 1 November 2001) Prime Minister Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN (since 24 September 2008) Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012) Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN elected prime minister; percent of parliamentary vote - NA unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms) last held 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012) percent of vote by party - Union Party 21%, Social Democratic Party 19.4%, Republican Party 23.3%, People's Party 20.1%, Center Party 8.4%, Self-Government Party 7.2%, other 0.6%; seats by party - Republican Party 8, Union Party 7, Social Democratic Party 6, People's Party 7, Center Party 3, Independence Party 2 election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 13 November 2007 (next to be held no later than November 2011); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, Union Party 1 none Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; People's Party [Jorgen NICLASEN]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN] Sea Shepard [Paul WATSON] (preservation of small whales) conservationists Arctic Council, FAO, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UPU none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) The Faroese economy is dependent on fishing, which makes the economy vulnerable to price swings. Since 2003 the Faroese economy has picked up as a result of higher prices for fish and for housing. Unemployment is minimal and government finances are relatively sound. Oil finds close to the Islands give hope for economically recoverable deposits, which could eventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and lessen dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (about 15% of GDP) from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living not far below the Danes and other Scandinavians. $1 billion (2001 est.) $1.7 billion (2005 est.) 2.4% (2005 est.) $31,000 (2001 est.) 27% 11% 62% (1999) 24,250 (October 2000) 33% 33% 34% (October 2000) 2.1% (2006) 1.8% (2005) $588 million $623 million (2005) milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts 8% (1999 est.) 295 million kWh (2006 est.) 274.4 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 4,628 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 4,636 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) $634 million f.o.b. (2006) fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999) Denmark 29.6%, UK 24.5%, Norway 13.3%, Nigeria 10.5%, Netherlands 6.8% (2007) $751 million c.i.f. (2006) consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, machinery and transport equipment 29%, fuels, fish, salt (1999) Denmark 51.9%, Norway 21.6%, Sweden 5%, UK 4.6% (2007) $64 million (1999) $105 million; note - annual subsidy from Denmark (2005) Danish krone (DKK) Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003) calendar year 23,000 (2006) 50,000 (2006) good international communications; good domestic facilities digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed 298 satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable 14: AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) 3 (plus 43 repeaters) (September 1995) .fo 8,516 (2008) 34,000 (2006) 1 (2007) 1 1 (2007) 463 km (2006) 12 cargo 9, passenger/cargo 3 5 (Iceland 1, Norway 4) (2008) Torshavn, Vagur no regular military forces 16 11,725 (2008 est.) 16 9,735 (2008 est.) 400 387 (2008 est.) defense is the responsibility of Denmark because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources have not been realized, earlier Faroese proposals for full independence have been deferred; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm Micronesia, Federated States of In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory under US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the US, which was amended and renewed in 2004. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid. Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia 6 55 N 158 15 E Oceania 702 sq km 702 sq km 0 sq km (fresh water only) includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie) four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only) 0 km 6,112 km 12 nm 200 nm tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk Pacific Ocean 0 m Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate 5.71% 45.71% 48.58% (2005) typhoons (June to December) overfishing, climate change, pollution Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection none of the selected agreements four major island groups totaling 607 islands 107,665 (July 2008 est.) 35.3% (male 19,344/female 18,687) 61.8% (male 33,142/female 33,389) 2.9% (male 1,320/female 1,783) (2008 est.) 21.6 years 21.1 years 22.1 years (2008 est.) -0.191% (2008 est.) 23.66 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 4.53 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -21.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 27.03 deaths/1,000 live births 29.8 deaths/1,000 live births 24.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 70.65 years 68.79 years 72.61 years (2008 est.) 2.98 children born/woman (2008 est.) Micronesian(s) Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese Chuukese 48.8%, Pohnpeian 24.2%, Kosraean 6.2%, Yapese 5.2%, Yap outer islands 4.5%, Asian 1.8%, Polynesian 1.5%, other 6.4%, unknown 1.4% (2000 census) Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%, other 3% English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi age 15 and over can read and write 89% 91% 88% (1980 est.) Federated States of Micronesia none Federated States of Micronesia none Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts FSM constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force May 2004 Palikir 6 55 N 158 09 E UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship) Constitution Day, 10 May (1979) 10 May 1979 based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007) Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the eight executive departments president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators at large for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 11 May 2007 (next to be held May 2011); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for president and vice president failed Emanuel MORI elected president; percent of Congress vote - NA; Alik L. ALIK elected vice president; percent of Congress vote - NA unicameral Congress (14 seats; 4 - one elected from each state to serve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population to serve two-year terms; members elected by popular vote) last held 6 March 2007 (next to be held in March 2009) percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14 Supreme Court no formal parties ACP, ADB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO Ambassador Yosiwo GEORGE 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 223-4383 [1] (202) 223-4391 Honolulu, Tamuning (Guam) Ambassador Miriam K. HUGHES 101 Upper Pics Road, Kolonia P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, 96941 [691] 320-2187 [691] 320-2186 light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remote location, a lack of adequate facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. Under the original terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US provided $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001; the level of aid has been subsequently reduced. The Amended Compact of Free Association with the US guarantees the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) millions of dollars in annual aid through 2023, and establishes a Trust Fund into which the US and the FSM make annual contributions in order to provide annual payouts to the FSM in perpetuity after 2023. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US assistance but also to the current slow growth of the private sector. $277 million; note - supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually (2002 est.) $232 million (2005) 0.3% (2005 est.) $2,300 (2005 est.) 28.9% 15.2% 55.9% (2004 est.) 37,410 (2000) 0.9% 34.4% 64.7% two-thirds are government employees (FY05 est.) 22% (2000 est.) 26.7% (2000) 2.2% (2005) $127.3 million ($69 million less grants) $144.2 million (FY05 est.) black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca), sakau (kava), betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens; fish tourism, construction; fish processing, specialized aquaculture; craft items (from shell, wood, and pearls) 192 million kWh (2002) 178.6 million kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2002) -$34.3 million (FY05 est.) $14 million (f.o.b.) (2004 est.) fish, garments, bananas, black pepper, sakau (kava), betel nut Japan, US, Guam (2006) $132.7 million f.o.b. (2004) food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages US, Japan, Hong Kong (2006) $60.8 million (FY05 est.) $106.4 million (2005) US dollar (USD) the US dollar is used 1 October - 30 September 8,700 (2007) 27,400 (2007) adequate system islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes), satellite (Intelsat) ground stations, and some coaxial and fiber-optic cable; cellular service available on Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap 691 satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002) 6: AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) 3 (cable TV also available) (2004) .fm 866 (2008) 15,000 (2007) 6 (2007) 6 4 2 (2007) 240 km 42 km 198 km (2000) 3 cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2 (2008) Tomil Harbor no regular military forces 16 26,686 (2008 est.) 16 21,748 (2008 est.) 1,310 1,262 (2008 est.) defense is the responsibility of the US none major consumer of cannabis Fiji Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987, caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). The coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji, led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. Re-elected in May 2006, QARASE was ousted in a December 2006 military coup led by Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA, who initially appointed himself acting president. In January 2007, BAINIMARAMA was appointed interim prime minister. Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand 18 00 S 175 00 E Oceania 18,270 sq km 18,270 sq km 0 sq km slightly smaller than New Jersey 0 km 1,129 km measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines 12 nm 200 nm 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation mostly mountains of volcanic origin Pacific Ocean 0 m Tomanivi 1,324 m timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower 10.95% 4.65% 84.4% (2005) 30 sq km (2003) cyclonic storms can occur from November to January deforestation; soil erosion Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands none of the selected agreements includes 332 islands; approximately 110 are inhabited 931,741 (July 2008 est.) 30.6% (male 145,430/female 139,498) 64.8% (male 302,460/female 301,344) 4.6% (male 19,413/female 23,596) (2008 est.) 25.2 years 24.7 years 25.7 years (2008 est.) 1.388% (2008 est.) 22.15 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 5.66 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -2.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.82 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 11.88 deaths/1,000 live births 13.07 deaths/1,000 live births 10.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 70.44 years 67.9 years 73.1 years (2008 est.) 2.68 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.1% (2003 est.) 600 (2003 est.) fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Fijian(s) Fijian Fijian 57.3% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 37.6%, Rotuman 1.2%, other 3.9% (European, other Pacific Islanders, Chinese) (2007 census) Christian 53% (Methodist 34.5%, Roman Catholic 7.2%, Assembly of God 3.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.6%, other 4.9%), Hindu 34% (Sanatan 25%, Arya Samaj 1.2%, other 7.8%), Muslim 7% (Sunni 4.2%. other 2.8%), other or unspecified 5.6%, none 0.3% (1996 census) English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani age 15 and over can read and write 93.7% 95.5% 91.9% (2003 est.) Republic of the Fiji Islands Fiji Republic of the Fiji Islands/Matanitu ko Viti Fiji/Viti republic Suva (on Viti Levu) 18 08 S 178 25 E UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western 10 October 1970 (from UK) Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970) enacted on 25 July 1997 to encourage multiculturalism and make multiparty government mandatory; effective 28 July 1998 based on British system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 21 years of age; universal President Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda (since 18 July 2000); note - ILOILOVATU was reaffirmed as president by the Great Council of Chiefs in a statement issued on 22 December, and reappointed by the coup leader Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA in January 2007 Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since 10 September 2000); note - although QARASE is still the legal prime minister, he has been confined to his home island; the president appointed Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA interim prime minister under the military regime Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament; note - coup leader Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA has appointed an interim cabinet president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president; election last held 8 March 2006 Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda elected president by the Great Council of Chiefs; percent of vote - NA bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (32 seats; 14 appointed by the president on the advice of the Great Council of Chiefs, 9 appointed by the president on the advice of the Prime Minister, 8 on the advice of the Opposition Leader, and 1 appointed on the advice of the council of Rotuma) and the House of Representatives (71 seats; 23 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnic Indians, 3 reserved for other ethnic groups, 1 reserved for the council of Rotuma constituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and 25 open seats; members serve five-year terms) House of Representatives - last held 6-13 May 2006 (next to be held in 2011) House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - SDL 44.6%, FLP 39.2%, UPP 0.8%, independents 4.9%, other 10.5%; seats by party - SDL 36, FLP 31, UPP 2, independents 2 Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court of Appeal; High Court; Magistrates' Courts Dodonu Ni Taukei Party or DNT [Fereti S. DEWA]; Fiji Democratic Party or FDP [Filipe BOLE] (a merger of the Christian Democrat Alliance or VLV [Poesci Waqalevu BUNE], Fijian Association Party or FAP, Fijian Political Party or SVT (primarily Fijian) [Sitiveni RABUKA], and New Labor Unity Party or NLUP [Ofa SWANN]); Fiji Labor Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDHRY]; General Voters Party or GVP (became part of United General Party); Girmit Heritage Party or GHP; Justice and Freedom Party or AIM; Lio 'On Famor Rotuma Party or LFR; National Federation Party or NFP (primarily Indian) [Pramond RAE]; Nationalist Vanua Takolavo Party or NVTLP [Saula TELAWA]; Party of National Unity or PANU [Ponipate LESAVUA]; Party of the Truth or POTT; United Fiji Party/Sogosogo Duavata ni Lewenivanua or SDL [Laisenia QARASE]; United Peoples Party or UPP [Millis Mick BEDDOES] Group Against Racial Discrimination or GARD [Dr. Anirudk SINGH] (for restoration of a democratic government); Viti Landowners Association ACP, ADB, C (suspended), CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador (vacant); note - Penijamini R. LOMALOMA (Charge d'Affaires) 2000 M Street, NW, Suite 710, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 466-8320 [1] (202) 466-8325 Ambassador C. Steven McGANN 31 Loftus Street, Suva P. O. Box 218, Suva [679] 331-4466 [679] 330-0081 light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies, though still with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports, remittances from Fijians working abroad, and a growing tourist industry - with 400,000 to 500,000 tourists annually - are the major sources of foreign exchange. Fiji's sugar has special access to European Union markets, but will be harmed by the EU's decision to cut sugar subsidies. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity but is not efficient. Fiji's tourism industry was damaged by the December 2006 coup and is facing an uncertain recovery time. The coup has created a difficult business climate. Tourist arrivals for 2007 are estimated to be down almost 6%, with substantial job losses in the service sector. In July 2007 the Reserve Bank of Fiji announced the economy was expected to contract by 3.1% in 2007. Fiji's current account deficit reached 23% of GDP in 2006. The EU has suspended all aid until the interim government takes steps toward new elections. Long-term problems include low investment, uncertain land ownership rights, and the government's inability to manage its budget. Overseas remittances from Fijians working in Kuwait and Iraq have decreased significantly. $5.079 billion (2007 est.) $3.409 billion (2007 est.) -4.4% (2007 est.) $3,900 (2007 est.) 8.9% 13.5% 77.6% (2004 est.) 117,500 (2006 est.) 70% 30% (2001 est.) 7.6% (1999) 25.5% (FY90/91) 4.8% (2007) $1.363 billion $1.376 billion (2006) sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries 928 million kWh (2007 est.) 1.016 billion kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 9,971 bbl/day (2006 est.) 2,848 bbl/day (2005) 10,900 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) -$507 million (2007 est.) $1.202 billion f.o.b. (2006) sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil US 17.3%, UK 11.3%, Australia 10%, Samoa 5.4%, Tonga 4.7%, NZ 4.5%, Japan 4.1% (2007) $3.12 billion c.i.f. (2006) manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, chemicals Singapore 30.4%, Australia 21.6%, NZ 17.7%, China 4.5% (2007) $127 million (2004 est.) $63.96 million (2005) Fijian dollar (FJD) Fijian dollars (FJD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.7313 (2006), 1.691 (2005), 1.7331 (2004), 1.8958 (2003) calendar year 108,400 (2007) 437,000 (2007) modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communications center telephone or radio telephone links to almost all inhabited islands; most towns and large villages have automatic telephone exchanges and direct dialing; combined fixed and mobile-cellular density is about 60 per 100 persons 679 access to important cable links between US and Canada as well as between NZ and Australia; satellite earth stations - 2 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean) (2007) 53: AM 13, FM 40, shortwave 0 (1998) .fj 12,592 (2008) 80,000 (2006) 28 (2007) 3 1 1 1 (2007) 25 7 18 (2007) 597 km 597 km 0.600-m gauge belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation; used to haul sugarcane during harvest season (May to December) (2006) 3,440 km 1,692 km 1,748 km (2000) 203 km 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges (2006) 9 passenger 3, passenger/cargo 4, roll on/roll off 2 1 (Australia 1) (2008) Lautoka, Suva Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF): Land Forces, Naval Forces (2008) 18 years of age for voluntary military service; reserve obligation to age 45 (2006) 16 242,567 16 238,556 (2008 est.) 16 189,282 16 202,350 (2008 est.) 9,077 8,728 (2008 est.) 2.2% of GDP (2005 est.) none Fiji is a source country for children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and a destination country for a small number of women from China and India trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation Tier 3 - Fiji does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government has demonstrated no action to investigate or prosecute traffickers, assist victims, take steps to reduce the demand for commercial sex acts, or support any anti-trafficking information or education campaigns; Fiji has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Finland Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries, and an autonomous grand duchy of Russia after 1809. It won its complete independence in 1917. During World War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and resist invasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory. In the subsequent half century, the Finns made a remarkable transformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is now among the highest in Western Europe. A member of the European Union since 1995, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999. Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia 64 00 N 26 00 E Europe 338,145 sq km 304,473 sq km 33,672 sq km slightly smaller than Montana 2,654 km Norway 727 km, Sweden 614 km, Russia 1,313 km 1,250 km 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 nm) 24 nm 12 nm; extends to continental shelf boundary with Sweden 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation cold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills Baltic Sea 0 m Haltiatunturi 1,328 m timber, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, nickel, gold, silver, limestone 6.54% 0.02% 93.44% (2005) 640 sq km (2003) air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations 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 Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain 5,244,749 (July 2008 est.) 16.6% (male 443,738/female 427,875) 66.8% (male 1,773,232/female 1,731,808) 16.6% (male 349,826/female 518,270) (2008 est.) 41.8 years 40.3 years 43.4 years (2008 est.) 0.112% (2008 est.) 10.39 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 10 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 0.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.68 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births 3.81 deaths/1,000 live births 3.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 78.82 years 75.31 years 82.46 years (2008 est.) 1.73 children born/woman (2008 est.) less than 0.1% (2003 est.) 1,500 (2003 est.) fewer than 100 (2003 est.) Finn(s) Finnish Finn 93.4%, Swede 5.6%, Russian 0.5%, Estonian 0.3%, Roma (Gypsy) 0.1%, Sami 0.1% (2006) Lutheran Church of Finland 82.5%, Orthodox Church 1.1%, other Christian 1.1%, other 0.1%, none 15.1% (2006) Finnish 91.5% (official), Swedish 5.5% (official), other 3% (small Sami- and Russian-speaking minorities) (2006) age 15 and over can read and write 100% 100% 100% (2000 est.) Republic of Finland Finland Suomen tasavalta/Republiken Finland Suomi/Finland republic Helsinki 60 10 N 24 56 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 6 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Aland, Etela-Suomen Laani (Southern Finland), Ita-Suomen Laani (Eastern Finland), Lansi-Suomen Laani (Western Finland), Lappi (Lapland), Oulun Laani 6 December 1917 (from Russia) Independence Day, 6 December (1917) 1 March 2000 civil law system based on Swedish law; the president may request the Supreme Court to review laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations 18 years of age; universal President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000) Prime Minister Matti VANHANEN (since 24 June 2003); Deputy Prime Minister Jyrki KATAINEN (since 19 April 2007) Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to parliament president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 15 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2012); the president appoints the prime minister and deputy prime minister from the majority party or the majority coalition after parliamentary elections and the parliament must approve the appointment; Prime Minister VANHANEN reelected 17 April 2007 percent of vote - Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 46.3%, Sauli NIINISTO (Kok) 24.1%, Matti Vanhanen (Kesk) 18.6%, Heidi HAUTALA (VIHR) 3.5%; a runoff election between HALONEN and NIINISTO was held 29 January 2006 - HALONEN 51.8%, NIINISTO 48.2%; Matti VANHANEN reelected prime minister; election results 121-71 government coalition - Kesk, KOK, VIHR, and SFP unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms) last held 18 March 2007 (next to be held March 2011) percent of vote by party - Kesk 23.1%, Kok 22.3%, SDP 21.4%, VAS 8.8%, VIHR 8.5%, KD 4.9%, SFP 4.5%, True Finns 4.1%, other 3.4%; seats by party - Kesk 51, Kok 50, SDP 45, VAS 17, VIHR 15, SFP 9, KD 7, True Finns 5, other 1 Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president) Center Party or Kesk [Matti VANHANEN]; Christian Democrats or KD [Paivi RASANEN]; Green Party or VIHR [Tarja CRONBERG]; Left Alliance or VAS [Martti KORHONEN] (composed of People's Democratic League and Democratic Alternative); National Coalition (conservative) Party or Kok [Jyrki KATAINEN]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Eero HEINALUOMA]; Swedish People's Party or SFP [Stefan WALLIN]; True Finns [Timo SOINI] ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Ambassador Pekka LINTU 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 298-5800 [1] (202) 298-6030 Los Angeles, New York Ambassador Barbara BARRETT Itainen Puistotie 14B, 00140 Helsinki APO AE 09723 [358] (9) 616250 [358] (9) 6162 5800 white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy with per capita output roughly that of the UK, France, Germany, and Italy. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally the wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronics industries. Trade is important; exports equal nearly two-fifths of GDP. Finland excels in high-tech exports, e.g., mobile phones. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an important export earner, provides a secondary occupation for the rural population. High unemployment remains a persistent problem. In 2007 Russia announced plans to impose high tariffs on raw timber exported to Finland. The Finnish pulp and paper industry will be threatened if these duties are put into place in 2008 and 2009, and the matter is now being handled by the European Union. $188.4 billion (2007 est.) $245 billion (2007 est.) 4.5% (2007 est.) $36,000 (2007 est.) 3.1% 32.6% 64.3% (2007 est.) 2.675 million (2007 est.) agriculture and forestry 4.4%, industry 18.6%, construction 6%, commerce 16.3%, finance, insurance, and business services 13.9%, transport and communications 7.6%, public services 33.2% (2004) 6.9% (2007 est.) 4% 22.6% (2000) 26 (2005) 2.5% (2007 est.) 20.3% of GDP (2007 est.) $62.02 billion $58.16 billion (2007) 35.9% of GDP (2007 est.) barley, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish metals and metal products, electronics, machinery and scientific instruments, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing 8.1% (2007 est.) 77.02 billion kWh (2007 est.) 86.04 billion kWh (2006 est.) 2.86 billion kWh (2007 est.) 15.42 billion kWh (2007 est.) 8,951 bbl/day (2007 est.) 228,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) 126,300 bbl/day (January-September 2007 est.) 281,300 bbl/day (January-September 2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 4.581 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 4.576 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006) $11.4 billion (2007 est.) $89.91 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals; timber, paper, pulp Germany 10.9%, Sweden 10.7%, Russia 10.3%, US 6.4%, UK 5.8%, Netherlands 5.6% (2007) $78.05 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, grains Germany 15.8%, Russia 14%, Sweden 13.7%, Netherlands 6.8%, China 5.5%, UK 4.9% (2007) $8.385 billion (2007) $271.2 billion (30 June 2007) ODA, $1.023 billion (2007) euro (EUR) euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003) calendar year 1.74 million (2007) 6.08 million (2007) modern system with excellent service digital fiber-optic fixed-line network and an extensive cellular network provide domestic needs 358 submarine cables provide links to Estonia and Sweden; satellite earth stations - access to Intelsat transmission service via a Swedish satellite earth station, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Finland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) 189: AM 2, FM 186, shortwave 1 (1998) 120 (plus 431 repeaters) (1999); note - On 1 September 2007, Finland became one of the first countries in the world to broadcast all television signals digitally .fi; note - Aland Islands assigned .ax 3.877 million (2008) 3.6 million (2007) 148 (2007) 76 2 27 10 22 15 (2007) 72 4 68 (2007) gas 694 km (2007) 5,741 km 5,741 km 1.524-m gauge (2,619 km electrified) (2006) 78,821 km 50,854 km (includes 700 km of expressways) 27,967 km (2008) 7,842 km includes Saimaa Canal system of 3,577 km; southern part leased from Russia (2006) 98 bulk carrier 3, cargo 28, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6, container 3, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 18, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 27, vehicle carrier 2 8 (Estonia 2, Germany 1, Norway 3, Sweden 2) 47 (Bahamas 9, Germany 4, Gibraltar 3, Netherlands 14, Norway 1, Panama 2, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Sweden 12, UK 1) (2008) Hamina, Helsinki, Kokkola, Kotka, Naantali, Pori, Raahe, Rauma, Turku Finnish Defense Forces (FDF): Army, Navy (includes Coastal Defense Forces), Air Force (Suomen Ilmavoimat) (2007) 18 years of age for male voluntary and compulsory national military and nonmilitary service; service obligation 6-12 months (2008) 16 1,169,910 16 1,121,187 (2008 est.) 16 965,131 16 923,224 (2008 est.) 34,152 32,870 (2008 est.) 2% of GDP (2005 est.) various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia and other areas ceded to the Soviet Union, but the Finnish Government asserts no territorial demands France Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a hybrid presidential-parliamentary governing system resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier more purely parliamentary administrations. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of a common exchange currency, the euro, in January 1999. At present, France is at the forefront of efforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplement progress toward an EU foreign policy. Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain 46 00 N 2 00 E Europe 643,427 sq km; 547,030 sq km (metropolitan France) 640,053 sq km; 545,630 sq km (metropolitan France) 3,374 sq km; 1,400 sq km (metropolitan France) the first numbers include the overseas regions of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion slightly less than the size of Texas metropolitan France - total: 2,889 km Andorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573 km French Guiana - total: 1,183 km Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km 3,427 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm (does not apply to the Mediterranean) 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east Rhone River delta -2 m Mont Blanc 4,807 m coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar, fluorspar, gypsum, timber, fish 33.46% 2.03% 64.51% French Guiana - arable land 0.13%, permanent crops 0.04%, other 99.83% (90% forest, 10% other); Guadeloupe - arable land 11.70%, permanent crops 2.92%, other 85.38%; Martinique - arable land 9.09%, permanent crops 10.0%, other 80.91%; Reunion - arable land 13.94%, permanent crops 1.59%, other 84.47% (2005) 26,000 sq km (2003) flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural runoff 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, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements largest West European nation 62,150,775 in metropolitan France (July 2008 est.) 18.6% (male 6,091,571/female 5,803,127) 65.2% (male 20,884,919/female 20,849,988) 16.3% (male 4,335,996/female 6,092,189) (2008 est.) 39.2 years 37.7 years 40.7 years (2008 est.) 0.574% (2008 est.) 12.73 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 8.48 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.71 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 3.36 deaths/1,000 live births 3.69 deaths/1,000 live births 3.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 80.87 years 77.68 years 84.23 years (2008 est.) 1.98 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.4% (2003 est.) 120,000 (2003 est.) fewer than 1,000 (2003 est.) Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women) French Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4% French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish) age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 99% (2003 est.) French Republic France Republique francaise France republic Paris 48 52 N 2 20 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October applies to metropolitan France only, not to its overseas departments, collectivities, or territories 26 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, Basse-Normandie (Lower Normandy), Bourgogne (Burgundy), Bretagne (Brittany), Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Corse (Corsica), Franche-Comte, Guadeloupe, Guyane (French Guiana), Haute-Normandie (Upper Normandy), Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Martinique, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Reunion, Rhone-Alpes France is divided into 22 metropolitan regions (including the "territorial collectivity" of Corse or Corsica) and 4 overseas regions (including French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion) and is subdivided into 96 metropolitan departments and 4 overseas departments (which are the same as the overseas regions) Clipperton Island, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Wallis and Futuna the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica; New Caledonia has been considered a "sui generis" collectivity of France since 1999, a unique status falling between that of an independent country and a French overseas department 486 (Frankish tribes unified); 843 (Western Francia established from the division of the Carolingian Empire) Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note - although often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, the celebration actually commemorates the holiday held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille (on 14 July 1789) and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are Fete Nationale (National Holiday) and quatorze juillet (14th of July) adopted by referendum 28 September 1958, effective 4 October 1958 amended concerning election of president in 1962; amended to comply with provisions of 1992 EC Maastricht Treaty, 1997 Amsterdam Treaty, 2003 Treaty of Nice; amended to tighten immigration laws in 1993; amended in 2000 to change the seven-year presidential term to a five-year term; amended in 2005 to make the EU constitutional treaty compatible with the Constitution of France and to ensure that the decision to ratify EU accession treaties would be made by referendum civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007) Prime Minister Francois FILLON (since 17 May 2007) Council of Ministers appointed by the president at the suggestion of the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (changed from seven-year term in October 2000); election last held 22 April and 6 May 2007 (next to be held spring 2012); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly majority and appointed by the president Nicolas SARKOZY wins the election; First Round: percent of vote - Nicolas SARKOZY 31.18%, Segolene ROYAL 25.87%, Francois BAYROU 18.57%, Jean-Marie LE PEN 10.44%, others 13.94%; Second Round: SARKOZY 53.1% and ROYAL 46.9% bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (331 seats, 305 for metropolitan France, 9 for overseas departments, 5 for dependencies, and 12 for French nationals abroad; members are indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve six-year terms; one third elected every three years); note - between 2006 and 2011, 15 new seats will be added to the Senate for a total of 348 seats - 326 for metropolitan France and overseas departments, 2 for New Caledonia, 2 for Mayotte, 1 for Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, 1 for Saint-Barthelemy, 1 for Saint-Martin, 3 for overseas territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad; starting in 2008, members will be indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve six-year terms, with one-half elected every three years; and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (577 seats, 555 for metropolitan France, 15 for overseas departments, 7 for dependencies; members are elected by popular vote under a single-member majority system to serve five-year terms) Senate - last held 26 September 2004 (next to be held in September 2008); National Assembly - last held 10 and 17 June 2007 (next to be held in June 2012) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 156, PS 97, UDF (now MoDem) 33, PCF 23, RDSE 15, other 7; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - UMP 46.37%, PS 42.25%, miscellaneous left wing parties 2.47%, PCF 2.28%, NC 2.12%, PRG 1.65%, miscellaneous right wing parties 1.17%, the Greens 0.45, other 1.24%; seats by party - UMP 313, PS 186, NC 22, miscellaneous left wing parties 15, PCF 15, miscellaneous right wing parties 9, PRG 7, the Greens 4, other 6 Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de Cassation (judges are appointed by the president from nominations of the High Council of the Judiciary); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel (three members appointed by the president, three appointed by the president of the National Assembly, and three appointed by the president of the Senate); Council of State or Conseil d'Etat Democratic Movement or MoDem [Francois BAYROU] (previously Union for French Democracy or UDF); Democratic and Social European Rally or RDSE [Pierre LAFFITTE] (mainly Radical Republican and Socialist Parties, and PRG); French Communist Party or PCF [Marie-George BUFFET]; Greens [Cecile DUFLOT]; Left Radical Party or PRG [Jean-Michel BAYLET] (previously Radical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left Radical Movement or MRG); Movement for France or MPF [Philippe DE VILLIERS]; National Front or FN [Jean-Marie LE PEN]; New Center or NC [Herve MORIN]; Rally for France or RPF [Charles PASQUA]; Republican and Citizen Movement or MRC [Jean Pierre CHEVENEMENT and Georges SARRE]; Socialist Party or PS [Francois HOLLANDE]; Union for a Popular Movement or UMP [Patrick DEVEDJIAN, Jean-Claude GAUDIN, Jean-Pierre RAFFARIN, Pierre MEHAIGNERIE]; Radical Party [Jean-Louis BORLOO] Confederation Francaise Democratique du Travail or CFDT, left-leaning labor union with approximately 803,000 members; Confederation Generale des Cadres or CGC, independent white-collar union with 196,000 members; Confederation Generale du Travail or CGT, historically communist labor union with approximately 700,000 members; Confederation Generale du Travail - Force Ouvriere or FO, independent labor union with an estimated 300,000 members; Mouvement des Entreprises de France or MEDEF, employers' union with 750,000 companies as members (claimed) ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FZ, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Ambassador Pierre VIMONT 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 944-6000 [1] (202) 944-6166 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, Washington, DC Ambassador Craig R. STAPLETON 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08 PSC 116, APO AE 09777 [33] (1) 43-12-22-22 [33] (1) 42 66 97 83 Marseille, Strasbourg three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the "Le drapeau tricolore" (French Tricolor), the origin of the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution; the design and/or colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, Luxembourg, and Netherlands; the official flag for all French dependent areas France is in the midst of transition from a well-to-do modern economy that has featured extensive government ownership and intervention to one that relies more on market mechanisms. The government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, banks, and insurers, and has ceded stakes in such leading firms as Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales. It maintains a strong presence in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries. The telecommunications sector is gradually being opened to competition. France's leaders remain committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that reduce income disparity and the impact of free markets on public health and welfare. Widespread opposition to labor reform has in recent years hampered the government's ability to revitalize the economy. In 2007, the government launched divisive labor reform efforts that will continue into 2008. France's tax burden remains one of the highest in Europe (nearly 50% of GDP in 2005). France brought the budget deficit within the eurozone's 3%-of-GDP limit for the first time in 2007 and has reduced unemployment to roughly 8%. With at least 75 million foreign tourists per year, France is the most visited country in the world and maintains the third largest income in the world from tourism. $2.075 trillion (2007 est.) $2.56 trillion (2007 est.) 2.1% (2007 est.) $32,600 (2007 est.) 2.2% 20.6% 77.2% (2007 est.) 27.91 million (2007 est.) 4.1% 24.4% 71.5% (1999) 7.9% (2007 est.) 6.2% (2004) 3% 24.8% (2004) 28 (2005) 1.5% (2007 est.) 21.5% of GDP (2007 est.) $1.287 trillion $1.356 trillion (2007 est.) 63.9% of GDP (2007 est.) wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; beef, dairy products; fish machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics; textiles, food processing; tourism 1.8% (2007 est.) 537.9 billion kWh (2007 est.) 447.3 billion kWh (2006 est.) 67.6 billion kWh (2007 est.) 10.78 billion kWh (2007 est.) 69,680 bbl/day (2007 est.) 1.95 million bbl/day (2007 est.) 584,700 bbl/day (2005) 2.465 million bbl/day (2005) 119.8 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 953 million cu m (2007 est.) 42.69 billion cu m (2007 est.) 966 million cu m (2007 est.) 42.9 billion cu m (2007 est.) 7.277 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) -$31.25 billion (2007 est.) $546 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beverages Germany 14.9%, Spain 9.3%, Italy 8.9%, UK 8.1%, Belgium 7.3%, US 6.1%, Netherlands 4.1% (2007) $600.9 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics, chemicals Germany 18.9%, Belgium 11.4%, Italy 8.4%, Spain 7.1%, Netherlands 7%, UK 5.6%, US 4.4%, China 4% (2007) $115.7 billion (2006 est.) $4.396 trillion (30 June 2007) ODA, $10.6 billion (2006) euro (EUR) euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003) calendar year 35.533 million; 34.8 million (metropolitan France) (2007) 56.719 million; 55.358 million (metropolitan France) (2007) highly developed extensive cable and microwave radio relay; extensive introduction of fiber-optic cable; domestic satellite system 33 numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and US; satellite earth stations - more than 3 (2 Intelsat (with total of 5 antennas - 2 for Indian Ocean and 3 for Atlantic Ocean), NA Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat - Atlantic Ocean region); HF radiotelephone communications with more than 20 countries 3,543 approximately: AM 41, FM about 3,500 (this figure is an approximation and includes many repeaters), shortwave 2 (1998) 584 (plus 9,676 repeaters) (1995) .fr (metropolitan France);.gf (French Guiana); .gp (Guadeloupe); .mq (Martinique); .re (Reunion) 14.256 million; 14,256,000 (metropolitan France) (2008) 31.295 million; 30.838 million (metropolitan France) (2007) 476 (2007) 292 14 27 97 80 74 (2007) 184 4 72 108 (2007) 3 (2007) gas 14,665 km; oil 3,032 km; refined products 4,947 km (2007) 29,370 km 29,203 km 1.435-m gauge (14,778 km electrified) 167 km 1.000-m gauge (2006) 951,500 km 951,500 km (metropolitan France; includes 10,950 km of expressways) there are another 5,100 km of roadways in overseas departments (2006) 8,500 km (1,686 km accessible to craft of 3,000 metric tons) 138 bulk carrier 2, cargo 1, chemical tanker 32, container 25, liquefied gas 12, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 33, petroleum tanker 23, roll on/roll off 7 38 (Belgium 6, China 5, Denmark 2, Germany 1, Italy 2, Japan 1, NZ 1, Norway 5, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 2, Sweden 9, Switzerland 1, Switzerland 2) 127 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Australia 1, Bahamas 30, Belgium 2, Bermuda 1, Hong Kong 1, Indonesia 1, Isle of Man 1, Italy 2, Liberia 5, Luxembourg 17, Malta 5, Morocco 14, Netherlands 1, Norway 3, Panama 5, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Singapore 1, Taiwan 1, UK 23, Wallis and Futuna 6) (2008) Bordeaux, Calais, Dunkerque, Le Havre, Marseille, Nantes, Paris, Rouen, Strasbourg Army (Armee de Terre; includes Marines, Foreign Legion, Army Light Aviation), Navy (Marine Nationale, includes Naval Air), Air Force (Armee de l'Air, includes Air Defense), National Gendarmerie (2008) 17-40 years of age for male or female voluntary military service); no conscription; 12-month service obligation; women serve in noncombat military posts (2005) 16 14,646,427 16 14,379,630 (2008 est.) 16 12,110,718 16 11,849,988 (2008 est.) 401,379 382,409 (2008 est.) 2.6% of GDP (2005 est.) Madagascar claims the French territories of Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; territorial dispute between Suriname and the French overseas department of French Guiana; France asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land); France and Vanuatu claim Matthew and Hunter Islands, east of New Caledonia transshipment point for South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics French Guiana French Guiana was originally inhabited by a number of indigenous American people. It was settled by the French during the 17th century. After the Treaty of Paris in 1763, Louis XV sent 12,000 settlers to French Guiana to colonise the region. One and a half years later only a few hundred survived. Its infamous Île du Diable (Devil's Island) was the site of penal settlements from 1852 until 1951. More than 70,000 French convicts were deported to French Guiana between 1852 and 1939. In 1809 a Portuguese-British naval squadron took French Guiana for the Portuguese Empire. With the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1814 the region was handed back to the French, though a Portuguese presence remained until 1817. A border dispute with Brazil arose in the late 19th century over a vast area of jungle, leading to the short-lived pro-French independent state of Counani in the disputed territory and some fighting between settlers, before the dispute was resolved largely in favour of Brazil by the arbitration of the Swiss government. In 1946, French Guiana became an overseas department of France. The 1970s saw the settlement of Hmong refugees from Laos. A movement for increased autonomy from France gained some momentum in the 1970s and 1980s, but has since abated. Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname 4 00 N 53 00 W South America 91,000 sq km 89,150 sq km 1,850 sq km slightly smaller than Indiana 1,183 km Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km 4.8 km tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains gold deposits, petroleum, kaolin, niobium, tantalum, clay 0.13% 0.04% 99.83% (90% forest, 10% other) 23.9 (2005-2010 UN) 3.7 (2005-2010 UN) 3.71 (2007) black, white, mulatto, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian Roman Catholic, Protestant, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, pagan French, Creole patois conservationists; gold mining pressure groups; hunting pressure groups French overseas region Guyane 594 .gf 3,760 km (460 km navigable by small oceangoing vessels and coastal and river steamers, 3,300 km by native craft) (2006) area claimed by French Guiana between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa) small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption; minor transshipment point to Europe French Polynesia The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during the 19th century. In September 1995, France stirred up widespread protests by resuming nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll after a three-year moratorium. The tests were suspended in January 1996. In recent years, French Polynesia's autonomy has been considerably expanded. Oceania, archipelagoes in the South Pacific Ocean about half way between South America and Australia 15 00 S 140 00 W Oceania 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls) 3,660 sq km 507 sq km slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut 0 km 2,525 km 12 nm 200 nm tropical, but moderate mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs Pacific Ocean 0 m Mont Orohena 2,241 m timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower 0.75% 5.5% 93.75% (2005) 10 sq km (2003) occasional cyclonic storms in January includes five archipelagoes (four volcanic, one coral); Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru 283,019 (July 2008 est.) 24.8% (male 35,903/female 34,364) 68.6% (male 100,700/female 93,492) 6.6% (male 9,374/female 9,186) (2008 est.) 28.7 years 29 years 28.4 years (2008 est.) 1.425% (2008 est.) 16.16 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 4.67 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 2.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.08 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 7.7 deaths/1,000 live births 8.84 deaths/1,000 live births 6.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 76.51 years 74.07 years 79.08 years (2008 est.) 1.95 children born/woman (2008 est.) French Polynesian(s) French Polynesian Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4% Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6% French 61.1% (official), Polynesian 31.4% (official), Asian languages 1.2%, other 0.3%, unspecified 6% (2002 census) age 14 and over can read and write 98% 98% 98% (1977 est.) Overseas Lands of French Polynesia French Polynesia Pays d'outre-mer de la Polynesie Francaise Polynesie Francaise French Colony of Oceania overseas lands of France; overseas territory of France from 1946-2004 Papeete 17 32 S 149 34 W UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) none (overseas lands of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are five archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, Iles Sous-le-Vent none (overseas lands of France) Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) the laws of France, where applicable, apply 18 years of age; universal President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Adolphe COLRAT (since 7 July 2008) President of French Polynesia Gaston TONG SANG (since 15 April 2008); President of the Territorial Assembly Antony GEROS (since 9 May 2004) Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the territorial government and the president of the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly for five-year terms (no term limits) unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (57 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 27 January 2008 (first round) and 10 February 2008 (second round) (next to be held NA 2013) percent of vote by party - Our Home alliance 45.2%, Union for Democracy alliance 37.2%, Popular Rally (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) 17.2% other 0.5%; seats by party - Our Home alliance 27, Union for Democracy alliance 20, Popular Rally 10 one seat was elected to the French Senate on 27 September 1998 (next to be held in September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; two seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held in 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP/RPR 1, UMP 1 Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif Alliance for a New Democracy or ADN [Nicole BOUTEAU and Philip SCHYLE](includes the parties The New Star and This Country is Yours); Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia (Tavini Huiraatira) [Oscar TEMARU]; New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api) [Emile VERNAUDON]; Our Home alliance; People's Rally for the Republic of Polynesia or RPR (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) [Gaston FLOSSE]; Union for Democracy alliance or UPD [Oscar TEMARU] FZ, ITUC, PIF (associate member), SPC, UPU, WMO none (overseas lands of France) none (overseas lands of France) two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white band; centered on the white band is a disk with a blue and white wave pattern on the lower half and a gold and white ray pattern on the upper half; a stylized red, blue, and white ship rides on the wave pattern; the French flag is used for official occasions under certain acts of France, French Polynesia has acquired autonomy in all areas except those relating to police and justice, monetary policy, tertiary education, immigration, and defense and foreign affairs; the duties of its president are fashioned after those of the French prime minister Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence agricultural economy to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. With the halt of French nuclear testing in 1996, the military contribution to the economy fell sharply. Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. Other sources of income are pearl farming and deep-sea commercial fishing. The small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural products. The territory benefits substantially from development agreements with France aimed principally at creating new businesses and strengthening social services. $4.58 billion (2003 est.) $3.8 billion (2002) 5.1% (2002) $17,500 (2003 est.) 3.1% 19% 77.8% (2005) 65,930 (December 2005) 13% 19% 68% (2002) 11.7% (2005) 1.1% (2006 est.) $865 million $644.1 million (1999) fish; coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits, coffee; poultry, beef, dairy products tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates 475 million kWh (2006 est.) 441.8 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 6,082 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 6,271 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) $211 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) cultured pearls, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat France 46.3%, Japan 20.8%, Niger 12.8%, US 12.5% (2006) $1.706 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) fuels, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment France 52.7%, Singapore 14.9%, NZ 6.8%, US 6.6% (2006) $NA $579.8 million (2004) Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF) Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 87.59 (2007), 94.97 (2006), 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003) pegged at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the euro calendar year 53,600 (2006) 174,800 (2007) 689 satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) 18: AM 2, FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998) 7 (plus 17 repeaters) (1997) .pf 14,070 (2008) 75,000 (2007) 54 (2007) 37 2 5 27 3 (2007) 17 9 8 (2007) 1 (2007) 2,590 km 1,735 km 855 km (1999) 15 cargo 6, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 5, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1 2 (Wallis and Futuna 2) (2008) Papeete no regular military forces; Gendarmerie and National Police Force (2007) 16 79,540 (2008 est.) 16 64,287 (2008 est.) 2,699 2,589 (2008 est.) defense is the responsibility of France none French Southern and Antarctic Lands In February 2007, the Iles Eparses became an integral part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF). The Southern Lands are now divided into five administrative districts, two of which are archipelagos, Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen; the third is a district composed of two volcanic islands, Ile Saint-Paul and Ile Amsterdam; the fourth, Iles Eparses, consists of five scattered tropical islands around Madagascar. They contain no permanent inhabitants and are visited only by researchers studying the native fauna, scientists at the various scientific stations, fishermen, and military personnel. The fifth district is the Antarctic portion, which consists of "Adelie Land," a thin slice of the Antarctic continent discovered and claimed by the French in 1840. Ile Amsterdam: Discovered but not named in 1522 by the Spanish, the island subsequently received the appellation of Nieuw Amsterdam from a Dutchman; it was claimed by France in 1843. A short-lived attempt at cattle farming began in 1871. A French meteorological station established on the island in 1949 is still in use. Ile Saint Paul: Claimed by France since 1893, the island was a fishing industry center from 1843 to 1914. In 1928, a spiny lobster cannery was established, but when the company went bankrupt in 1931, seven workers were abandoned. Only two survived until 1934 when rescue finally arrived. Iles Crozet: A large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau, Iles Crozet is divided into two main groups: L'Occidental (the West), which includes Ile aux Cochons, Ilots des Apotres, Ile des Pingouins, and the reefs Brisants de l'Heroine; and L'Oriental (the east), which includes Ile d'Est and Ile de la Possession (the largest island of the Crozets). Discovered and claimed by France in 1772, the islands were used for seal hunting and as a base for whaling. Originally administered as a dependency of Madagascar, they became part of the TAAF in 1955. Iles Kerguelen: This island group, discovered in 1772, is made up of one large island (Ile Kerguelen) and about 300 smaller islands. A permanent group of 50 to 100 scientists resides at the main base at Port-aux-Francais. Adelie Land: The only non-insular district of the TAAF is the Antarctic claim known as "Adelie Land." The US Government does not recognize it as a French dependency. Bassas da India: A French possession since 1897, this atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide. Europa Island: This heavily wooded island has been a French possession since 1897; it is the site of a small military garrison that staffs a weather station. Glorioso Islands: A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse. Juan de Nova Island: Named after a famous 15th century Spanish navigator and explorer, the island has been a French possession since 1897. It has been exploited for its guano and phosphate. Presently a small military garrison oversees a meteorological station. Tromelin Island: First explored by the French in 1776, the island came under the jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, it serves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is the site of an important meteorological station. southeast and east of Africa, islands in the southern Indian Ocean, some near Madagascar and others about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia; note - French Southern and Antarctic Lands include Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island in the southern Indian Ocean, along with the French-claimed sector of Antarctica, "Adelie Land"; the US does not recognize the French claim to "Adelie Land" Antarctic Region, Africa 7,781 sq km 7,781 sq km 0 sq km excludes "Adelie Land" claim of about 500,000 sq km in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): less than one-half the size of Washington, DC Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): more than 10 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Iles Crozet: about twice the size of Washington, DC Iles Kerguelen: a little larger than Delaware Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): land area about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Europa Island (Iles Eparses): about one-sixth the size of Washington, DC Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): about seven times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC 0 km Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 28 km Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): Iles Kerguelen: 2,800 km Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): 35.2 km Europa Island (Iles Eparses): 22.2 km Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): 35.2 km Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): 24.1 km Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): 3.7 km 12 nm 200 nm from Iles Kerguelen and Iles Eparses (does not include the rest of French Southern and Antarctic Lands) Juan de Nova Island and Tromelin Island claim a continental shelf of 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul: oceanic with persistent westerly winds and high humidity Iles Crozet: windy, cold, wet, and cloudy Iles Kerguelen: oceanic, cold, overcast, windy Iles Eparses: tropical Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): a volcanic island with steep coastal cliffs; the center floor of the volcano is a large plateau Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): triangular in shape, the island is the top of a volcano, rocky with steep cliffs on the eastern side; has active thermal springs Iles Crozet: a large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau is divided into two groups of islands Iles Kerguelen: the interior of the large island of Ile Kerguelen is composed of rugged terrain of high mountains, hills, valleys, and plains with a number of peninsulas stretching off its coasts Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): atoll, awash at high tide; shallow (15 m) lagoon Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island: low, flat, and sandy Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): low, flat, sandy; likely volcanic seamount Indian Ocean 0 m Mont de la Dives on Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) 867 m fish, crayfish Glorioso Islands and Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) have guano, phosphates, and coconuts Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) - 100% trees, grasses, ferns, and moss; Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) - 100% grass, ferns, and moss; Iles Crozet - 100% tossock grass, heath, and fern; Iles Kerguelen - 100% tossock grass and Kerguelen cabbage; Bassas da India (Iles Eparses) - 100% rock, coral reef, and sand; Europa Island (Iles Eparses) - 100% mangrove swamp and dry woodlands; Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses) - 100% lush vegetation and coconut palms; Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses) - 90% forest, 10% other; Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) - 100% grasses and scattered brush (2005) 0 sq km Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are inactive volcanoes; Iles Eparses subject to periodic cyclones; Bassas da India is a maritime hazard since it is under water for a period of three hours prior to and following the high tide and surrounded by reefs introduction of foreign species on Iles Crozet has caused severe damage to the original ecosystem; overfishing of Patagonian Toothfish around Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen islands component is widely scattered across remote locations in the southern Indian Ocean Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): the atoll is a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano Europa Island and Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): wildlife sanctuary for seabirds and sea turtles Glorioso Island (Iles Eparses): the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones in the western Indian Ocean; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises) no indigenous inhabitants Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): has no permanent residents but has a meteorological station Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): is uninhabited but is frequently visited by fishermen and has a scientific research cabin for short stays Iles Crozet: are uninhabited except for 18 to 30 people staffing the Alfred Faure research station on Ile del la Possession Iles Kerguelen: 50 to 100 scientists are located at the main base at Port-aux-Francais on Ile Kerguelen Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): uninhabitable Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): a small French military garrison and a few meteorologists on each possession; visited by scientists Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): uninhabited, except for visits by scientists Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands French Southern and Antarctic Lands Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises TAAF overseas territory of France since 1955; administered from Paris by Administrateur Superieur Eric PILLOTON (since 10 April 2007) none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are five administrative districts named Iles Crozet, Iles Eparses, Iles Kerguelen, Ile Saint-Paul et Ile Amsterdam; the fifth district is the "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US the laws of France, where applicable, apply President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007), represented by Senior Administrator Rollon MOUCHEL-BLAISOT (16 October 2008) UPU none (overseas territory of France) none (overseas territory of France) the flag of France is used Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and geophysical research stations, military bases, and French and other fishing fleets. The fish catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported to France and Reunion. .tf 38 (2008) one or more meteorological stations on each possession; note - meteorological station on Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) is important for forecasting cyclones 4 (one each on Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island in the Iles Eparses district) (2006) none; offshore anchorage only aids to navigation - lighthouses: Europa Island 18m; Juan de Nova Island (W side) 37m; Tromelin Island (NW point) 11m (all in the Iles Eparses district) defense is the responsibility of France French claim to "Adelie Land" in Antarctica is not recognized by the US Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): claimed by Madagascar Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): claimed by Mauritius Gabon Only two autocratic presidents have ruled Gabon since independence from France in 1960. The current president of Gabon, El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba - one of the longest-serving heads of state in the world - has dominated the country's political scene for four decades. President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s. However, allegations of electoral fraud during local elections in 2002-03 and the presidential elections in 2005 have exposed the weaknesses of formal political structures in Gabon. Gabon's political opposition remains weak, divided, and financially dependent on the current regime. Despite political conditions, a small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous and stable African countries. Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea 1 00 S 11 45 E Africa 267,667 sq km 257,667 sq km 10,000 sq km slightly smaller than Colorado 2,551 km Cameroon 298 km, Republic of the Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350 km 885 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm tropical; always hot, humid narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south Atlantic Ocean 0 m Mont Iboundji 1,575 m petroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower 1.21% 0.64% 98.15% (2005) 70 sq km (2003) deforestation; poaching Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements a small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity 1,485,832 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2008 est.) 42.1% (male 314,078/female 311,900) 53.9% (male 399,586/female 401,602) 3.9% (male 24,388/female 34,278) (2008 est.) 18.6 years 18.4 years 18.9 years (2008 est.) 1.954% (2008 est.) 35.75 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 12.59 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -3.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.71 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 52.65 deaths/1,000 live births 61.27 deaths/1,000 live births 43.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 53.52 years 52.5 years 54.57 years (2008 est.) 4.68 children born/woman (2008 est.) 8.1% (2003 est.) 48,000 (2003 est.) 3,000 (2003 est.) very high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria (2008) Gabonese (singular and plural) Gabonese Bantu tribes, including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Bapounou, Nzebi, Obamba); other Africans and Europeans, 154,000, including 10,700 French and 11,000 persons of dual nationality Christian 55%-75%, animist, Muslim less than 1% French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi age 15 and over can read and write 63.2% 73.7% 53.3% (1995 est.) Gabonese Republic Gabon Republique gabonaise Gabon republic; multiparty presidential regime Libreville 0 23 N 9 27 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem 17 August 1960 (from France) Independence Day, 17 August (1960) adopted 14 March 1991 based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 21 years of age; universal President El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba (since 2 December 1967) Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe NDONG (since 20 January 2006) Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits); election last held 27 November 2005 (next to be held in 2012); prime minister appointed by the president President El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba reelected; percent of vote - El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba 79.2%, Pierre MAMBOUNDOU 13.6%, Zacharie MYBOTO 6.6% bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (91 seats; members elected by members of municipal councils and departmental assemblies to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (120 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms) Senate - last held 26 January and 9 February 2003 (next to be held by January 2009); National Assembly - last held 17 and 24 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2011) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 53, RNB 20, PGP 4, ADERE 3, RDP 1, CLR 1, independents 9; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 82, RPG 8, UPG 8, UGDD 4, ADERE 3, CLR 2, PGP-Ndaot 2, PSD 2, independents 4, others 5 Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consisting of three chambers - Judicial, Administrative, and Accounts; Constitutional Court; Courts of Appeal; Court of State Security; County Courts Circle of Liberal Reformers or CLR [General Jean Boniface ASSELE]; Congress for Democracy and Justice or CDJ [Jules Aristide Bourdes OGOULIGUENDE]; Democratic and Republican Alliance or ADERE [Divungui-di-Ndinge DIDJOB]; Gabonese Democratic Party or PDG (former sole party) [Simplice Nguedet MANZELA]; Gabonese Party for Progress or PGP [Benoit Mouity NZAMBA]; Gabonese Union for Democracy and Development or UGDD [Zacherie MYBOTO]; National Rally of Woodcutters or RNB; National Rally of Woodcutters-Rally for Gabon or RNB-RPG (Bucherons) [Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE]; Party of Development and Social Solidarity or PDS [Seraphin Ndoat REMBOGO]; People's Unity Party or PUP [Louis Gaston MAYILA]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Pierre Claver MAGANGA-MOUSSAVOU]; Union for Democracy and Social Integration or UDIS; Union of Gabonese Patriots or UPG [Pierre MAMBOUNDOU] ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Carlos BOUNGOU Suite 200, 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 797-1000 [1] (202) 332-0668 New York Ambassador Eunice S. REDDICK Boulevard du Bord de Mer, Libreville Centre Ville, B. P. 4000, Libreville; pouch:2270 Libreville Place, Washington, DC 20521-2270 [241] 76 20 03 through 76 20 04, after hours - 07380171 [241] 74 55 07 three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most of sub-Saharan African nations. but because of high income inequality, a large proportion of the population remains poor. Gabon depended on timber and manganese until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s. The oil sector now accounts for 50% of GDP. Gabon continues to face fluctuating prices for its oil, timber, and manganese exports. Despite the abundance of natural wealth, poor fiscal management hobbles the economy. The devaluation of the CFA franc - its currency - by 50% in January 1994 sparked a one-time inflationary surge, to 35%; the rate dropped to 6% in 1996. The IMF provided a one-year standby arrangement in 1994-95, a three-year Enhanced Financing Facility (EFF) at near commercial rates beginning in late 1995, and stand-by credit of $119 million in October 2000. Those agreements mandated progress in privatization and fiscal discipline. France provided additional financial support in January 1997 after Gabon met IMF targets for mid-1996. In 1997, an IMF mission to Gabon criticized the government for overspending on off-budget items, overborrowing from the central bank, and slipping on its schedule for privatization and administrative reform. The rebound of oil prices since 1999 have helped growth, but drops in production have hampered Gabon from fully realizing potential gains, and will continue to temper the gains for most of this decade. In December 2000, Gabon signed a new agreement with the Paris Club to reschedule its official debt. A follow-up bilateral repayment agreement with the US was signed in December 2001. Gabon signed a 14-month Stand-By Arrangement with the IMF in May 2004, and received Paris Club debt rescheduling later that year. Short-term progress depends on an upbeat world economy and fiscal and other adjustments in line with IMF policies. $20.44 billion (2007 est.) $11.3 billion (2007 est.) 6.2% (2007 est.) $14,000 (2007 est.) 6.1% 58% 35.9% (2007 est.) 582,000 (2007 est.) 60% 15% 25% 21% (2006 est.) 5% (2007 est.) 24.2% of GDP (2007 est.) $3.536 billion $2.347 billion (2007 est.) 52.8% of GDP (2007 est.) cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber; cattle; okoume (a tropical softwood); fish petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, gold; chemicals, ship repair, food and beverages, textiles, lumbering and plywood, cement 5.2% (2007 est.) 1.671 billion kWh (2006 est.) 1.365 billion kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 243,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) 13,170 bbl/day (2006 est.) 255,500 bbl/day (2005) 2,485 bbl/day (2005) 2 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 100 million cu m (2006 est.) 100 million cu m (2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $1.552 billion (2007 est.) $6.956 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) crude oil 77%, timber, manganese, uranium (2001) US 32.5%, China 15.8%, France 9.4%, Malaysia 6%, Trinidad and Tobago 5% (2007) $2.107 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, construction materials France 27.7%, US 19.1%, Belgium 5.4%, Netherlands 4.7%, China 4.1% (2007) $1.238 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $4.895 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $53.87 million (2005) Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 481.83 (2007), 522.89 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003) calendar year 26,500 (2007) 1.169 million (2007) adequate service by African standards and improving with the help of a growing mobile cell network system with multiple providers; mobile-cellular subscribership reached 80 per 100 persons in 2007 adequate system of cable, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, radiotelephone communication stations, and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations 241 landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) 17: AM 6, FM 7 (plus 11 repeaters), shortwave 4 (2001) 4 (plus 4 repeaters) (2001) .ga 88 (2008) 145,000 (2007) 53 (2007) 10 1 1 7 1 (2007) 43 7 13 23 (2007) gas 384 km; oil 1,427 km (2007) 814 km 814 km 1.435-m gauge (2006) 9,170 km 937 km 8,233 km (2004) 1,600 km (310 km on Ogooue River) (2007) 2 (Cambodia 1, Panama 1) (2008) Gamba, Libreville, Lucinda, Port-Gentil Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police 20 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2007) 16 331,181 16 332,498 (2008 est.) 16 192,717 16 188,539 (2008 est.) 16,558 16,577 (2008 est.) 3.4% of GDP (2005 est.) UN urges Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane Island and lesser islands and to establish a maritime boundary in hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay 7,178 (Republic of Congo) (2007) Gabon is predominantly a destination country for children trafficked from other African countries for the purpose of forced labor; girls are primarily trafficked for domestic servitude, forced market vending, forced restaurant labor, and sexual exploitation, while boys are trafficked for forced street hawking and forced labor in small workshops Tier 2 Watch List - Gabon is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in 2007, particularly in terms of efforts to convict and punish trafficking offenders; the government has not reported the convictions or sentences of any trafficking offenders; the government did not take steps to reduce demand for commercial sex acts (2008) Gaza Strip The September 1993 Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements provided for a transitional period of Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Under a series of agreements signed between May 1994 and September 1999, Israel transferred to the Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for Palestinian-populated areas of the West Bank and Gaza. Negotiations to determine the permanent status of the West Bank and Gaza stalled following the outbreak of an intifada in September 2000, as Israeli forces reoccupied most Palestinian-controlled areas. In April 2003, the Quartet (US, EU, UN, and Russia) presented a roadmap to a final settlement of the conflict by 2005 based on reciprocal steps by the two parties leading to two states, Israel and a democratic Palestine. The proposed date for a permanent status agreement was postponed indefinitely due to violence and accusations that both sides had not followed through on their commitments. Following Palestinian leader Yasir ARAFAT's death in late 2004, Mahmud ABBAS was elected PA president in January 2005. A month later, Israel and the PA agreed to the Sharm el-Sheikh Commitments in an effort to move the peace process forward. In September 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew all its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip and withdrew settlers and redeployed soldiers from four small northern West Bank settlements. Nonetheless, Israel controls maritime, airspace, and most access to the Gaza Strip. A November 2005 PA-Israeli agreement authorized the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt under joint PA and Egyptian control. In January 2006, the Islamic Resistance Movement, HAMAS, won control of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). The international community refused to accept the HAMAS-led government because it did not recognize Israel, would not renounce violence, and refused to honor previous peace agreements between Israel and the PA. HAMAS took control of the PA government in March 2006, but President ABBAS had little success negotiating with HAMAS to present a political platform acceptable to the international community so as to lift economic sanctions on Palestinians. The PLC was unable to convene throughout most of 2006 as a result of Israel's detention of many HAMAS PLC members and Israeli-imposed travel restrictions on other PLC members. Violent clashes took place between Fatah and HAMAS supporters in the Gaza Strip in 2006 and early 2007, resulting in numerous Palestinian deaths and injuries. ABBAS and HAMAS Political Bureau Chief MISHAL in February 2007 signed the Mecca Agreement in Saudi Arabia that resulted in the formation of a Palestinian National Unity Government (NUG) headed by HAMAS member Ismail HANIYA. However, fighting continued in the Gaza Strip, and in June, HAMAS militants succeeded in a violent takeover of all military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip. ABBAS dismissed the NUG and through a series of Presidential decrees formed a PA government in the West Bank led by independent Salam FAYYAD. HAMAS rejected the NUG's dismissal and has called for resuming talks with Fatah, but ABBAS has ruled out negotiations until HAMAS agrees to a return of PA control over the Gaza Strip and recognizes the FAYYAD-led government. FAYYAD and his PA government initiated a series of security and economic reforms to improve conditions in the West Bank. ABBAS participated in talks with Israel's Prime Minister OLMERT and secured the release of some Palestinian prisoners and previously withheld customs revenue. During a November 2007 international meeting in Annapolis Maryland, ABBAS and OLMERT agreed to resume peace negotiations with the goal of reaching a final peace settlement by the end of 2008. Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Israel 31 25 N 34 20 E Middle East 360 sq km 360 sq km 0 sq km slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC 62 km Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km 40 km Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain Mediterranean Sea 0 m Abu 'Awdah (Joz Abu 'Auda) 105 m arable land, natural gas 29% 21% 50% (2002) 150 sq km; note - includes West Bank (2003) droughts desertification; salination of fresh water; sewage treatment; water-borne disease; soil degradation; depletion and contamination of underground water resources strategic strip of land along Mideast-North African trade routes has experienced an incredibly turbulent history; the town of Gaza itself has been besieged countless times in its history 1,500,202 (July 2008 est.) 44.7% (male 343,988/female 325,856) 52.7% (male 403,855/female 386,681) 2.7% (male 16,196/female 23,626) (2008 est.) 17.2 years 17 years 17.4 years (2008 est.) 3.422% (2008 est.) 37.75 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 3.53 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.69 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 19 deaths/1,000 live births 20.22 deaths/1,000 live births 17.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 73.16 years 71.6 years 74.83 years (2008 est.) 5.19 children born/woman (2008 est.) Palestinian Arab Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 99.3%, Christian 0.7% Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by many Palestinians), English (widely understood) age 15 and over can read and write 92.4% 96.7% 88% (2004 est.) none Gaza Strip none Qita Ghazzah High population density, limited land access, and strict internal and external security controls have kept economic conditions in the Gaza Strip - the smaller of the two areas under the Palestinian Authority (PA)- even more degraded than in the West Bank. The beginning of the second intifada in September 2000 sparked an economic downturn, largely the result of Israeli closure policies; these policies, which were imposed to address security concerns in Israel, disrupted labor and trade access to and from the Gaza Strip. In 2001, and even more severely in 2003, Israeli military measures in PA areas resulted in the destruction of capital, the disruption of administrative structures, and widespread business closures. The Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in September 2005 offered some medium-term opportunities for economic growth, but continued Israeli-imposed crossings closures, which became more restrictive after Hamas violently took over the territory in June 2007, have resulted in widespread private sector layoffs and shortages of most goods. $5.034 billion (includes West Bank) (2006 est.) $5.328 billion (includes West Bank) (2006 est.) -8% (includes West Bank) (2006 est.) $1,100 (includes West Bank) (2006 est.) 8% 13% 79% (includes West Bank) (2006 est.) 267,000 (2006) 12% 18% 70% (2005) 34.8% (2006) 80% (2007 est.) 3.6% (includes West Bank) (2006) $1.149 billion $2.31 billion includes West Bank (2006) olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products generally small family businesses that produce textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis had established some small-scale modern industries in an industrial center, but operations ceased prior to Israel's evacuation of Gaza Strip settlements 2.4% (includes West Bank) (2005) 140,000 kWh (2005) 230,000 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2005) 90,000 kWh; note - from Israeli Electric Company (2005) $301 million f.o.b.; (includes West Bank) (2005) citrus, flowers, textiles Israel, Egypt, West Bank (2006) $2.44 billion c.i.f.; (includes West Bank) (2005) food, consumer goods, construction materials Israel, Egypt, West Bank (2006) $NA $1.4 billion; (includes West Bank) (2006 est.) new Israeli shekel (ILS) new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 4.14 (2007), 4.4565 (2006), 4.4877 (2005), 4.482 (2004), 4.5541 (2003) calendar year 350,400 (includes West Bank) (2007) 1.026 million (includes West Bank) (2007) Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for fixed line services; the Palestinian JAWAL company provides cellular services 970 10: AM 0, FM 10, shortwave 0 (2008) 1 (2008) .ps; note - same as West Bank 355,500 (includes West Bank) (2007) 2 (2007) 1 1 (2007) 1 1 (2007) 1 (2007) see entry for West Bank Gaza in accordance with the peace agreement, the Palestinian Authority is not permitted conventional military forces; there are, however, public security forces (2008) 16 337,670 (2008 est.) 16 291,467 (2008 est.) 19,275 18,309 (2008 est.) West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel removed settlers and military personnel from the Gaza Strip in August 2005 1.017 million (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)) (2007) Georgia The region of present-day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D. and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. An attempt by the incumbent Georgian government to manipulate national legislative elections in November 2003 touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. New elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his National Movement party. Progress on market reforms and democratization has been made in the years since independence, but this progress has been complicated by Russian assistance and support to the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Georgian military action in South Ossetia in early August 2008 led to a Russian military response that not only occupied the breakaway areas, but large portions of Georgia proper as well. Russian troops pulled back from most occupied Georgian territory, but in late August 2008 Russia unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This action was strongly condemned by most of the world's nations and international organizations. Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia 42 00 N 43 30 E Asia 69,700 sq km 69,700 sq km 0 sq km slightly smaller than South Carolina 1,461 km Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 km 310 km 12 nm 200 nm warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (Kolkhida Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; good soils in river valley flood plains, foothills of Kolkhida Lowland Black Sea 0 m Mt'a Shkhara 5,201 m forests, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth 11.51% 3.79% 84.7% (2005) 4,690 sq km (2003) earthquakes air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them 4,630,841 (July 2008 est.) 16.3% (male 402,961/female 352,735) 67.1% (male 1,496,802/female 1,610,725) 16.6% (male 307,795/female 459,823) (2008 est.) 38.3 years 35.8 years 40.7 years (2008 est.) -0.325% (2008 est.) 10.62 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 9.51 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -4.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.13 male(s)/female 1.14 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.67 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 16.78 deaths/1,000 live births 18.81 deaths/1,000 live births 14.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 76.51 years 73.21 years 80.26 years (2008 est.) 1.43 children born/woman (2008 est.) less than 0.1% (2001 est.) 3,000 (2003 est.) fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Georgian(s) Georgian Georgian 83.8%, Azeri 6.5%, Armenian 5.7%, Russian 1.5%, other 2.5% (2002 census) Orthodox Christian 83.9%, Muslim 9.9%, Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%, Catholic 0.8%, other 0.8%, none 0.7% (2002 census) Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7% Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia age 15 and over can read and write 100% 100% 100% (2004 est.) none Georgia none Sak'art'velo Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic republic T'bilisi 41 43 N 44 47 E UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 1 city (k'alak'i), and 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika) Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika (Bat'umi) the administrative centers of the two autonomous republics are shown in parentheses 9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union) Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union adopted 24 August 1995 based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25 January 2004); the president is both the chief of state and head of government for the power ministries: state security (includes interior) and defense President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25 January 2004); Prime Minister Grigol MGALOBLISHVILI (since 1 November 2008); the president is both the chief of state and head of government for the power ministries: state security (includes interior) and defense; the prime minister is head of the remaining ministries of government Cabinet of Ministers president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 5 January 2008 (next to be held January 2013) Mikheil SAAKASHVILI reelected president; percent of vote - Mikheil SAAKASHVILI 53.5%, Levan GACHECHILADZE 25.7%, Badri PATARKATSISHVILI 7.1% unicameral Parliament or Parlamenti (also known as Supreme Council or Umaghlesi Sabcho) (235 seats; 150 members elected by proportional representation, 75 from single-seat constituencies, and 10 represent displaced persons from Abkhazia; to serve five-year terms) last held 21 May 2008 (next to be held in spring 2012) percent of vote by party - National Movement-Democratic Front 59.2%, National Council-New Rights 17.7%, other parties 23.1%; seats by party - National Movement-Democratic Front 120, National Council-New Rights 16 Supreme Court (judges elected by the Supreme Council on the president's or chairman of the Supreme Court's recommendation); Constitutional Court; first and second instance courts Burjanadze-Democrats [Nino BURJANADZE]; Georgian People's Front [Nodar NATADZE]; Georgian United Communist Party or UCPG [Panteleimon GIORGADZE]; Georgia's Way Party [Salome ZOURABICHVILI]; Greens [Giorgi GACHECHILADZE]; Industry Will Save Georgia (Industrialists) or IWSG [Georgi TOPADZE]; Labor Party [Shalva NATELASHVILI]; National Council-New Rights (a bloc uniting a nine-party alliance with New Rights); National Democratic Party or NDP [Bachuki KARDAVA]; National Movement-Democratic Front [Mikheil SAAKASHVILI] (bloc composed of National Movement and Burjanadze-Democrats); National Movement [Mikheil SAAKASHVILI]; New Rights [David GAMKRELIDZE]; Republican Party [David USUPASHVILI]; Socialist Party or SPG [Irakli MINDELI]; Traditionalists [Akaki ASATIANI]; Union of National Forces-Conservatives [Koba DAVITASHVILI and Zviad DZIDZIGURI] Georgian independent deputies from Abkhaz government in exile; separatists in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia ACCT (observer), ADB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Vasil SIKHARULIDZE 2209 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 387-2390 [1] (202) 393-4537 Ambassador John F. TEFFT 11 George Balanchine Street, T'bilisi 0131 7060 T'bilisi Place, Washington, DC 20521-7060 [995] (32) 27-70-00 [995] (32) 53-23-10 white rectangle, in its central portion a red cross connecting all four sides of the flag; in each of the four corners is a small red bolnur-katskhuri cross; the five-cross flag appears to date back to the 14th century Georgia's economy has sustained robust GDP growth of close to 10% in 2006 and 12% in 2007, based on strong inflows of foreign investment and robust government spending. However, a widening trade deficit and higher inflation are emerging risks to the economy. Areas of recent improvement include increasing foreign direct investment as well as growth in the construction, banking services and mining sectors. Georgia's main economic activities include the cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese and copper; and output of a small industrial sector producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, aircraft and chemicals. The country imports nearly all its needed supplies of natural gas and oil products. It has sizeable hydropower capacity, a growing component of its energy supplies. Despite the severe damage the economy suffered due to civil strife in the 1990s, Georgia, with the help of the IMF and World Bank, has made substantial economic gains since 2000, achieving positive GDP growth and curtailing inflation. Georgia's GDP growth neared 10% in 2006 and 2007 despite restrictions on commerce with Russia. Areas of recent improvement include increased foreign direct investment as well as growth in the construction, banking services, and mining sectors. In addition, the reinvigorated privatization process has met with success. However, a widening trade deficit and higher inflation are emerging risks to the economy. Georgia has suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues; however, the new government is making progress and has reformed the tax code, improved tax administration, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on corruption. Government revenues have increased nearly four fold since 2003. Due to improvements in customs and financial (tax) enforcement, smuggling is a declining problem. Georgia has overcome the chronic energy shortages of the past by renovating hydropower plants and by bringing newly available natural gas supplies from Azerbaijan. It also has an increased ability to pay for more expensive gas imports from Russia. The country is pinning its hopes for long-term growth on a determined effort to reduce regulation, taxes and corruption in order to attract foreign investment. The construction on the Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Baku-T'bilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline, and the Kars-Akhalkalaki Railroad are part of a strategy to capitalize on Georgia's strategic location between Europe and Asia and develop its role as a transit point for gas, oil and other goods. $20.6 billion (2007 est.) $10.29 billion (2007 est.) 12% (2007 est.) $4,400 (2007 est.) 13% 28.7% 58.3% (2007 est.) 2.02 million (2007 est.) 55.6% 8.9% 35.5% (2006 est.) 13.6% (2006 est.) 31% (2006) 2.4% 27% (2005) 40.4 (2003) 9.3% (2007 est.) 29.4% of GDP (2007 est.) $3.68 billion $3.08 billion (2007 est.) citrus, grapes, tea, hazelnuts, vegetables; livestock steel, aircraft, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining (manganese and copper), chemicals, wood products, wine 13.4% (2007 est.) 7.116 billion kWh (2006 est.) 6.694 billion kWh (2006 est.) 635 million kWh (2007 est.) 532 million kWh (2007 est.) 979.1 bbl/day (2007 est.) 12,980 bbl/day (2006 est.) 2,492 bbl/day (2005) 15,820 bbl/day (2005) 35 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 10 million cu m (2007 est.) 1.49 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 1.48 billion cu m (2007 est.) 8.495 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) -$2.044 billion (2007 est.) $2.104 billion (2007 est.) scrap metal, wine, mineral water, ores, vehicles, fruits and nuts Turkey 13%, US 11.2%, Azerbaijan 6.3%, UK 5.4%, Bulgaria 5.1%, Ukraine 5%, Armenia 4.8%, Turkmenistan 4.5%, Canada 4.2% (2007) $4.977 billion (2007 est.) fuels, vehicles, machinery and parts, grain and other foods, pharmaceuticals Turkey 14%, Russia 12.3%, Ukraine 8.5%, Azerbaijan 7.3%, Germany 6.8%, US 5%, Bulgaria 4.6% (2007) $1.361 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $4.5 billion (2007) ODA, $309.8 million (2005 est.) lari (GEL) laris (GEL) per US dollar - 1.7 (2007), 1.78 (2006), 1.8127 (2005), 1.9167 (2004), 2.1457 (2003) calendar year 544,000 (2007) 2.4 million (2007) fixed-line telecommunications network has only limited coverage outside Tbilisi; multiple mobile-cellular providers provide services to an increasing subscribership throughout the country cellular telephone networks now cover the entire country; urban telephone density is about 20 per 100 people; rural telephone density is about 4 per 100 people; intercity facilities include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi; nationwide pager service is available 995 the Georgia-Russia fiber optic submarine cable provides connectivity to Russia; international service is available by microwave, landline, and satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service are available 23: AM 7, FM 12, shortwave 4 (1998) 12 (plus repeaters) (1998) .ge 27,905 (2008) 360,000 (2007) 23 (2007) 19 1 7 5 4 2 (2007) 4 1 2 1 (2007) 3 (2007) gas 1,591 km; oil 1,253 km (2007) 1,612 km 1,575 km 1.520-m gauge (1,575 electrified) 37 km 0.912-m gauge (37 electrified) (2006) 20,329 km 7,854 km (includes 13 km of expressways) 12,475 km (2006) 191 bulk carrier 18, cargo 148, carrier 2, chemical tanker 1, container 4, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 4, vehicle carrier 2 153 (China 10, Cyprus 1, Egypt 12, Germany 2, Greece 5, Hong Kong 2, Israel 2, Lebanon 4, Monaco 4, Nigeria 1, Romania 16, Russia 12, Syria 49, Turkey 14, Ukraine 18, UAE 1) (2008) Bat'umi, P'ot'i large parts of transportation network are in poor condition because of lack of maintenance and repair Georgian Armed Forces: Land Forces, Navy (includes coast guard), Air and Air Defense Forces, National Guard (2008) 18-34 years of age for compulsory and voluntary active duty military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2005) 16 1,113,251 16 1,168,021 (2008 est.) 16 910,720 16 967,566 (2008 est.) 35,917 34,566 (2008 est.) 0.59% of GDP (2005 est.) a CIS peacekeeping force of Russian troops is deployed in the Abkhazia region of Georgia together with a UN military observer group; a Russian peacekeeping battalion is deployed in South Ossetia Russia and Georgia agree on delimiting 80% of their common border, leaving certain small, strategic segments and the maritime boundary unresolved; OSCE observers monitor volatile areas such as the Pankisi Gorge in the Akhmeti region and the Argun Gorge in Abkhazia; UN Observer Mission in Georgia has maintained a peacekeeping force in Georgia since 1993; Meshkheti Turks scattered throughout the former Soviet Union seek to return to Georgia; boundary with Armenia remains undemarcated; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy from the Georgian government; Azerbaijan and Georgia continue to discuss the alignment of their boundary at certain crossing areas 1,100 (Russia) 220,000-240,000 (displaced from Abkhazia and South Ossetia) (2007) limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates via Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia Germany As Europe's largest economy and second most populous nation, Germany is a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key Western economic and security organizations, the EC, which became the EU, and NATO, while the Communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German unification in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring Eastern productivity and wages up to Western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU countries introduced a common European exchange currency, the euro. Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark 51 00 N 9 00 E Europe 357,021 sq km 349,223 sq km 7,798 sq km slightly smaller than Montana 3,621 km Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 646 km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577 km, Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km 2,389 km 12 nm 200 nm 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm mountain (foehn) wind lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south Neuendorf bei Wilster -3.54 m Zugspitze 2,963 m coal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel, uranium, potash, salt, construction materials, timber, arable land 33.13% 0.6% 66.27% (2005) 4,850 sq km (2003) flooding emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to air pollution; acid rain, resulting from sulfur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in eastern Germany; hazardous waste disposal; government established a mechanism for ending the use of nuclear power over the next 15 years; government working to meet EU commitment to identify nature preservation areas in line with the EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive 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 none of the selected agreements strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to the Baltic Sea 82,369,552 (July 2008 est.) 13.8% (male 5,826,066/female 5,524,568) 66.2% (male 27,763,917/female 26,739,934) 20% (male 6,892,743/female 9,622,320) (2008 est.) 43.4 years 42.2 years 44.7 years (2008 est.) -0.044% (2008 est.) 8.18 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 10.8 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 2.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.72 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 4.03 deaths/1,000 live births 4.46 deaths/1,000 live births 3.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 79.1 years 76.11 years 82.26 years (2008 est.) 1.41 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.1% (2001 est.) 43,000 (2001 est.) fewer than 1,000 (2003 est.) German(s) German German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of Greek, Italian, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish) Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 3.7%, unaffiliated or other 28.3% German age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 99% (2003 est.) second most populous country in Europe after Russia Federal Republic of Germany Germany Bundesrepublik Deutschland Deutschland German Empire, German Republic, German Reich federal republic Berlin 52 31 N 13 24 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 16 states (Laender, singular - Land); Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bayern (Bavaria), Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania), Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony), Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia), Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate), Saarland, Sachsen (Saxony), Sachsen-Anhalt (Saxony-Anhalt), Schleswig-Holstein, Thueringen (Thuringia); note - Bayern, Sachsen, and Thueringen refer to themselves as free states (Freistaaten, singular - Freistaat) 18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; unification of West Germany and East Germany took place 3 October 1990; all four powers formally relinquished rights 15 March 1991 Unity Day, 3 October (1990) 23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution of the united Germany 3 October 1990 civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President Horst KOEHLER (since 1 July 2004) Chancellor Angela MERKEL (since 22 November 2005) Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) appointed by the president on the recommendation of the chancellor president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term) by a Federal Convention, including all members of the Federal Assembly and an equal number of delegates elected by the state parliaments; election last held 23 May 2004 (next scheduled for 23 May 2009); chancellor elected by an absolute majority of the Federal Assembly for a four-year term; Bundestag vote for Chancellor last held 22 November 2005 (next will follow the national elections to be held by autumn 2009) Horst KOEHLER elected president; received 604 votes of the Federal Convention against 589 for Gesine SCHWAN; Angela MERKEL elected chancellor; vote by Federal Assembly 397 to 202 with 12 abstentions bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Federal Assembly or Bundestag (614 seats; elected by popular vote under a system combining direct and proportional representation; a party must win 5% of the national vote or three direct mandates to gain proportional representation and caucus recognition; to serve four-year terms) and the Federal Council or Bundesrat (69 votes; state governments are directly represented by votes; each has three to six votes depending on population and are required to vote as a block) Bundestag - last held on 18 September 2005 (next to be held no later than autumn 2009); note - there are no elections for the Bundesrat; composition is determined by the composition of the state-level governments; the composition of the Bundesrat has the potential to change any time one of the 16 states holds an election Bundestag - percent of vote by party - CDU/CSU 35.2%, SPD 34.3%, FDP 9.8%, Left 8.7%, Greens 8.1%, other 3.9%; seats by party - CDU/CSU 225, SPD 222, FDP 61, Left 53, Greens 51, independents 2 Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (half the judges are elected by the Bundestag and half by the Bundesrat) Alliance '90/Greens [Claudia ROTH and Cem OEZDEMIR]; Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Angela MERKEL]; Christian Social Union or CSU [Horst SEEHOFER]; Free Democratic Party or FDP [Guido WESTERWELLE]; Left Party or Die Linke [Lothar BISKY and Oskar LAFONTAINE]; Social Democratic Party or SPD [Franz MUENTEFERING] business associations and employers' organizations; religious, trade unions, immigrant, expellee, and veterans groups ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Ambassador Klaus SCHARIOTH 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 298-4000 [1] (202) 298-4249 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco Ambassador William R. TIMKEN, Jr. Pariser Platz 2, 10117 Berlin; note - new embassy opened 4 July 2008 PSC 120, Box 1000, APO AE 09265, clayallee 170, 14195 Berlin [49] (030) 2385174 [49] (030) 8305-1215 Duesseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold Germany's affluent and technologically powerful economy - the fifth largest in the world in PPP terms - showed considerable improvement in 2007 with 2.6% growth. After a long period of stagnation with an average growth rate of 0.7% between 2001-05 and chronically high unemployment, stronger growth led to a considerable fall in unemployment to about 8% near the end of 2007. Among the most important reasons for Germany's high unemployment during the past decade were macroeconomic stagnation, the declining level of investment in plant and equipment, company restructuring, flat domestic consumption, structural rigidities in the labor market, lack of competition in the service sector, and high interest rates. The modernization and integration of the eastern German economy continues to be a costly long-term process, with annual transfers from west to east amounting to roughly $80 billion. The former government of Chancellor Gerhard SCHROEDER launched a comprehensive set of reforms of labor market and welfare-related institutions. The current government of Chancellor Angela MERKEL has initiated other reform measures, such as a gradual increase in the mandatory retirement age from 65 to 67 and measures to increase female participation in the labor market. Germany's aging population, combined with high chronic unemployment, has pushed social security outlays to a level exceeding contributions, but higher government revenues from the cyclical upturn in 2006-07 and a 3% rise in the value-added tax pushed Germany's budget deficit well below the EU's 3% debt limit. Corporate restructuring and growing capital markets are setting the foundations that could help Germany meet the long-term challenges of European economic integration and globalization, although some economists continue to argue the need for change in inflexible labor and services markets. Growth may fall below 2% in 2008 as the strong euro, high oil prices, tighter credit markets, and slowing growth abroad take their toll. $2.807 trillion (2007 est.) $3.322 trillion (2007 est.) 2.5% (2007 est.) $34,100 (2007 est.) 0.9% 30.1% 69% (2007 est.) 43.54 million (2007 est.) 2.8% 33.4% 63.8% (1999) 9% this is the International Labor Organization's estimated rate for international comparisons; Germany's Federal Employment Office estimated a seasonally adjusted rate of 10.8% (2007 est.) 11% (2001 est.) 3.2% 22.1% (2000) 28 (2005) 2.3% (2007 est.) 18.5% of GDP (2007 est.) $1.454 trillion $1.453 trillion (2007 est.) 64.9% of GDP (2007 est.) potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbages; cattle, pigs, poultry among the world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages, shipbuilding, textiles 5.2% (2007 est.) 594.7 billion kWh (2007 est.) 549.1 billion kWh (2006 est.) 62.51 billion kWh (2007 est.) 46.13 billion kWh (2007 est.) 148,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) 2.456 million bbl/day (2007 est.) 563,400 bbl/day (2005) 3.026 million bbl/day (2005) 367 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 17.96 billion cu m (2007 est.) 97.44 billion cu m (2007 est.) 12.22 billion cu m (2007 est.) 88.35 billion cu m (2007 est.) 254.8 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) $254.5 billion (2007 est.) $1.354 trillion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery, vehicles, chemicals, metals and manufactures, foodstuffs, textiles France 9.7%, US 7.5%, UK 7.3%, Italy 6.7%, Netherlands 6.4%, Austria 5.4%, Belgium 5.3%, Spain 5% (2007) $1.075 trillion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery, vehicles, chemicals, foodstuffs, textiles, metals Netherlands 12%, France 8.6%, Belgium 7.8%, China 6.2%, Italy 5.8%, UK 5.6%, US 4.5%, Austria 4.4% (2007) $136.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $4.489 trillion (30 June 2007) ODA, $10.44 billion (2006) euro (EUR) euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003) calendar year 53.75 million (2007) 97.151 million (2007) Germany has one of the world's most technologically advanced telecommunications systems; as a result of intensive capital expenditures since reunification, the formerly backward system of the eastern part of the country, dating back to World War II, has been modernized and integrated with that of the western part Germany is served by an extensive system of automatic telephone exchanges connected by modern networks of fiber-optic cable, coaxial cable, microwave radio relay, and a domestic satellite system; cellular telephone service is widely available, expanding rapidly, and includes roaming service to many foreign countries 49 Germany's international service is excellent worldwide, consisting of extensive land and undersea cable facilities as well as earth stations in the Inmarsat, Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik satellite systems (2001) 842: AM 51, FM 787, shortwave 4 (1998) 373 (plus 8,042 repeaters) (1995) .de 22.606 million (2008) 42.5 million (2007) 550 (2007) 331 14 52 58 72 135 (2007) 219 1 3 34 181 (2007) 28 (2007) condensate 37 km; gas 25,094 km; oil 3,546 km; refined products 3,828 km (2007) 48,215 km 47,962 km 1.435-m gauge (20,278 km electrified) 229 km 1.000-m gauge (16 km electrified); 24 km 0.750-m gauge (2006) 644,480 km 644,480 km (includes 12,400 km of expressways) includes local roads (2006) 7,467 km Rhine River carries most goods; Main-Danube Canal links North Sea and Black Sea (2006) 393 bulk carrier 2, cargo 43, chemical tanker 13, container 284, liquefied gas 5, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 27, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off 3 11 (China 2, Cyprus 2, Denmark 1, Finland 4, Netherlands 1, Sweden 1) 2,998 (Antigua and Barbuda 941, Australia 2, Bahamas 44, Bermuda 22, Brazil 6, Bulgaria 63, Burma 1, Canada 3, Cayman Islands 15, Cyprus 189, Denmark 9, Denmark 1, Estonia 1, Finland 1, France 1, Georgia 2, Gibraltar 129, Hong Kong 6, India 2, Indonesia 1, Isle of Man 56, Jamaica 4, Liberia 849, Luxembourg 5, Malaysia 1, Malta 91, Marshall Islands 235, Mongolia 4, Morocco 2, Netherlands 75, Netherlands Antilles 43, Norway 1, NZ 1, Panama 44, Portugal 2, Portugal 18, Russia 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Singapore 24, Slovakia 3, Spain 1, Spain 4, Sri Lanka 5, Sweden 5, Turkey 1, UK 76, US 5) (2008) Bremen, Bremerhaven, Duisburg, Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Lubeck, Rostock, Wilhemshaven Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr): Army (Heer), Navy (Deutsche Marine, includes naval air arm), Air Force (Luftwaffe), Central Medical Service (Zentraler Sanitaetsdienst) (2008) 18 years of age (conscripts serve a 9-month tour of compulsory military service) (2004) 16 19,594,118 16 18,543,955 (2008 est.) 16 15,906,930 16 15,051,183 (2008 est.) 442,972 420,801 (2008 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2005 est.) none source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for and consumer of Southwest Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine, and European-produced synthetic drugs; major financial center Ghana Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. Ghana endured a long series of coups before Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS took power in 1981 and banned political parties. After approving a new constitution and restoring multiparty politics in 1992, RAWLINGS won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996, but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in 2000. John KUFUOR succeeded him and was reelected in 2004. Kufuor is constitutionally barred from running for a third term in upcoming Presidential elections, which are scheduled for December 2008. Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo 8 00 N 2 00 W Africa 239,460 sq km 230,940 sq km 8,520 sq km slightly smaller than Oregon 2,094 km Burkina Faso 549 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo 877 km 539 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area Atlantic Ocean 0 m Mount Afadjato 880 m gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, limestone 17.54% 9.22% 73.24% (2005) 310 sq km (2003) dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds occur from January to March; droughts recurrent drought in north severely affects agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands Marine Life Conservation Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake 23,382,848 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2008 est.) 37.8% (male 4,470,382/female 4,360,359) 58.7% (male 6,852,363/female 6,866,470) 3.6% (male 386,150/female 447,124) (2008 est.) 20.4 years 20.2 years 20.7 years (2008 est.) 1.928% (2008 est.) 29.22 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 9.39 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -0.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 52.31 deaths/1,000 live births 56.64 deaths/1,000 live births 47.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 59.49 years 58.65 years 60.35 years (2008 est.) 3.78 children born/woman (2008 est.) 3.1% (2003 est.) 350,000 (2003 est.) 30,000 (2003 est.) very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and yellow fever schistosomiasis meningococcal meningitis highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) Ghanaian(s) Ghanaian Akan 45.3%, Mole-Dagbon 15.2%, Ewe 11.7%, Ga-Dangme 7.3%, Guan 4%, Gurma 3.6%, Grusi 2.6%, Mande-Busanga 1%, other tribes 1.4%, other 7.8% (2000 census) Christian 68.8% (Pentecostal/Charismatic 24.1%, Protestant 18.6%, Catholic 15.1%, other 11%), Muslim 15.9%, traditional 8.5%, other 0.7%, none 6.1% (2000 census) Asante 14.8%, Ewe 12.7%, Fante 9.9%, Boron (Brong) 4.6%, Dagomba 4.3%, Dangme 4.3%, Dagarte (Dagaba) 3.7%, Akyem 3.4%, Ga 3.4%, Akuapem 2.9%, other 36.1% (includes English (official)) (2000 census) age 15 and over can read and write 57.9% 66.4% 49.8% (2000 census) Republic of Ghana Ghana Gold Coast constitutional democracy Accra 5 33 N 0 13 W UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western 6 March 1957 (from UK) Independence Day, 6 March (1957) approved 28 April 1992 based on English common law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President John Agyekum KUFUOR (since 7 January 2001); Vice President Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (since 7 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President John Agyekum KUFUOR (since 7 January 2001); Vice President Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (since 7 January 2001) Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject to approval by Parliament president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 7 December 2004 (next to be held 7 December 2008) John Agyekum KUFUOR reelected president in election; percent of vote - John KUFUOR 52.4%, John ATTA-MILLS 44.6% unicameral Parliament (230 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 7 December 2004 (next to be held 7 December 2008) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NPP 128, NDC 94, PNC 4, CPP 3, independent 1 Supreme Court Convention People's Party or CPP [Ladi NYLANDER]; Democratic Freedom Party or DFP [Alhaji Abudu Rahman ISSAKAH]; Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere or EGLE; Great Consolidated Popular Party or GCPP [Dan LARTEY]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [Dr. Kwabena ADJEI]; New Patriotic Party or NPP [Peter MAC-MANU]; People's National Convention or PNC [Alhaji Amed RAMADAN]; Reform Party [Kyeretwie OPUKU]; United Renaissance Party or URP [Charles WAYO] Christian Aid (water rights); Committee for Joint Action or CJA (education reform); National Coalition Against the Privatization of Water or CAP (water rights); Oxfam (water rights); Public Citizen (water rights); Students Coalition Against EPA [Kwabena Ososukene OKAI] (education reform); Third World Network (education reform) ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF (associate member), OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Dr. Kwame BAWUAH-EDUSEI 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 785-1379 [1] (202) 785-1430 New York Ambassador Donald G. TEITELBAUM 24 4th Circular Rd. Cantonments, Accra P. O. Box 194, Accra [233] (21) 741-000 [233] (21) 741-389 three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band Well endowed with natural resources, Ghana has roughly twice the per capita output of the poorest countries in West Africa. Even so, Ghana remains heavily dependent on international financial and technical assistance. Gold and cocoa production, and individual remittances, are major sources of foreign exchange. The domestic economy continues to revolve around agriculture, which accounts for about 35% of GDP and employs about 55% of the work force, mainly small landholders. Ghana opted for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) program in 2002, and is also benefiting from the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative that took effect in 2006. Thematic priorities under its current Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy, which also provides the framework for development partner assistance, are: macroeconomic stability; private sector competitiveness; human resource development; and good governance and civic responsibility. Sound macro-economic management along with high prices for gold and cocoa helped sustain GDP growth in 2007. Ghana signed a Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact in 2006, which aims to assist in transforming Ghana's agricultural sector. $31.13 billion (2007 est.) $14.86 billion (2007 est.) 5.5% (2007 est.) $1,400 (2007 est.) 37.3% 25.3% 37.5% (2006 est.) 11.29 million (2007 est.) 56% 15% 29% (2005 est.) 11% (2000 est.) 28.5% (2007 est.) 2.2% 30.1% (1999) 39.4 (2005-06) 10.7% (2007 est.) 31.6% of GDP (2007 est.) $4.262 billion $5.481 billion (2007 est.) 58.5% of GDP (2007 est.) cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas; timber mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing, cement, small commercial ship building 7.8% (2007 est.) 8.204 billion kWh (2006 est.) 6.76 billion kWh (2006 est.) 755 million kWh (2006 est.) 629 million kWh (2006 est.) 7,571 bbl/day (2007 est.) 49,300 bbl/day (2006 est.) 5,709 bbl/day (2005) 45,520 bbl/day (2005) 15 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 22.65 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) -$1.549 billion (2007 est.) $4.162 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, diamonds, horticulture Netherlands 11%, UK 9%, France 6.2%, US 5.9%, Germany 4.6%, Belgium 4.4% (2007) $8.053 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs Nigeria 15.1%, China 14.9%, UK 5.2%, US 5.1% (2007) $2.204 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $4.891 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $1.316 billion in loans and grants (2007) Ghana cedi (GHC) cedis (GHC) per US dollar - 0.95 (2007), 9,174.8 (2006), 9,072.5 (2005), 9,004.6 (2004), 8,677.4 (2003) in 2007 Ghana revalued its currency with 10,000 old cedis equal to 1 new cedis calendar year 376,500 (2007) 7.604 million (2007) outdated and unreliable fixed-line infrastructure heavily concentrated in Accra; competition among multiple mobile-cellular providers has spurred growth with subscribership about 35 per 100 persons and rising primarily microwave radio relay; wireless local loop has been installed 233 landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay link to Panaftel system connects Ghana to its neighbors (2007) 89: AM 0, FM 86, shortwave 3 (2007) 7 (2007) .gh 24,018 (2008) 650,000 (2007) 12 (2007) 7 1 4 2 (2007) 5 3 2 (2007) oil 13 km; refined products 316 km (2007) 953 km 953 km 1.067-m gauge (2006) 62,221 km 9,955 km 52,266 km (2006) 1,293 km 168 km for launches and lighters on Volta, Ankobra, and Tano rivers; 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways on Lake Volta (2007) 4 petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3 1 (Brazil 1) (2008) Tema Ghanaian Army, Ghanaian Navy, Ghanaian Air Force (2007) 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) 16 5,802,096 16 5,729,939 (2008 est.) 16 3,737,481 16 3,729,699 (2008 est.) 273,265 267,204 (2008 est.) 0.8% of GDP (2006 est.) Ghana struggles to accommodate returning nationals who worked in the cocoa plantations and escaped fighting in Cote d'Ivoire 35,653 (Liberia); 8,517 (Togo) (2007) illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; major transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and, to a lesser extent, South American cocaine destined for Europe and the US; widespread crime and money laundering problem, but the lack of a well developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money laundering center; significant domestic cocaine and cannabis use Gibraltar Strategically important, Gibraltar was reluctantly ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830. In a referendum held in 1967, Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency. The subsequent granting of autonomy in 1969 by the UK led to Spain closing the border and severing all communication links. A series of talks were held by the UK and Spain between 1997 and 2002 on establishing temporary joint sovereignty over Gibraltar. In response to these talks, the Gibraltar Government called a referendum in late 2002 in which the majority of citizens voted overwhelmingly against any sharing of sovereignty with Spain. Since the referendum, tripartite talks on other issues have been held with Spain, the UK, and Gibraltar, and in September 2006 a three-way agreement was signed. Spain agreed to remove restrictions on air movements, to speed up customs procedures, to implement international telephone dialing, and to allow mobile roaming agreements. Britain agreed to pay increased pensions to Spaniards who had been employed in Gibraltar before the border closed. Spain will be allowed to open a cultural institute from which the Spanish flag will fly. A new noncolonial constitution came into effect in 2007, but the UK retains responsibility for defense, foreign relations, internal security, and financial stability. Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain 36 08 N 5 21 W Europe 6.5 sq km 6.5 sq km 0 sq km a little less than one half the size of Rhode Island 1.2 km Spain 1.2 km 12 km 3 nm Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar Mediterranean Sea 0 m Rock of Gibraltar 426 m none 0% 0% 100% (2005) limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinking water) and adequate desalination plant strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea 28,002 (July 2008 est.) 16.9% (male 2,426/female 2,309) 66.6% (male 9,507/female 9,153) 16.5% (male 2,103/female 2,504) (2008 est.) 40.3 years 39.8 years 40.7 years (2008 est.) 0.125% (2008 est.) 10.71 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 9.46 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 4.91 deaths/1,000 live births 5.46 deaths/1,000 live births 4.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 80.06 years 77.17 years 83.09 years (2008 est.) 1.65 children born/woman (2008 est.) Gibraltarian(s) Gibraltar Spanish, Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese, German, North Africans Roman Catholic 78.1%, Church of England 7%, other Christian 3.2%, Muslim 4%, Jewish 2.1%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 0.9%, none 2.9% (2001 census) English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese 80% minimum none Gibraltar overseas territory of the UK Gibraltar 36 08 N 5 21 W UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of the UK) National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or go with Spain 5 June 2006; came into force 2 January 2007 the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply 18 years of age; universal; and British citizens who have been residents six months or more Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Sir Robert FULTON (since 27 October 2006) Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996) Council of Ministers appointed from among the 17 elected members of the Parliament by the governor in consultation with the chief minister the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor unicameral Parliament (18 seats: 17 members elected by popular vote, 1 for the Speaker appointed by Parliament; to serve four-year terms) last held 11 October 2007 (next to be held not later than October 2011) percent of vote by party - GSD 49.3%, GSLP 31.8%, Gibraltar Liberal Party 13.6%; seats by party - GSD 10, GSLP 4, Gibraltar Liberal Party 3 Supreme Court; Court of Appeal Gibraltar Liberal Party [Joseph GARCIA]; Gibraltar Social Democrats or GSD [Peter CARUANA]; Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP [Joseph John BOSSANO] Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives Organization; Women's Association Interpol (subbureau), UPU none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of the UK) two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band Self-sufficient Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international conference center. The British military presence has been sharply reduced and now contributes about 7% to the local economy, compared with 60% in 1984. The financial sector, tourism (almost 5 million visitors in 1998), shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. The financial sector, the shipping sector, and tourism each contribute 25%-30% of GDP. Telecommunications accounts for another 10%. In recent years, Gibraltar has seen major structural change from a public to a private sector economy, but changes in government spending still have a major impact on the level of employment. $1.066 billion (2005 est.) $1.066 billion (2005 est.) 7% (2005 est.) $38,200 (2005 est.) 12,690 (including non-Gibraltar laborers) (2001) negligible 40% 60% (2001) 3% (2005 est.) 2.9% (2005) $455.1 million $423.6 million (2005 est.) 15.7% of GDP (2005 est.) none tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco 142 million kWh (2006 est.) 142 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 22,620 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 25,080 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) $271 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) (principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods 41%, other 8% UK 30.8%, Spain 22.7%, Germany 13.7%, Turkmenistan 10.4%, Switzerland 8.3%, Italy 6.7% (2006) $2.967 billion c.i.f. (2004 est.) fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs Spain 23.4%, Russia 12.3%, Italy 12%, UK 9%, France 8.9%, Netherlands 6.8%, US 4.7% (2006) $NA $NA Gibraltar pound (GIP) Gibraltar pounds (GIP) per US dollar - 0.4993 (2007), 0.5434 (2006), 0.5504 (2005), 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003) the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound 1 July - 30 June 24,512 (2002) 9,797 (2002) adequate, automatic domestic system and adequate international facilities automatic exchange facilities 350 radiotelephone; microwave radio relay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) 6: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998) 1 (plus 3 repeaters) (1997) .gi 1,904 (2008) 6,200 (2002) 1 (2007) 1 1 (2007) 29 km 29 km (2007) 240 bulk carrier 5, cargo 125, chemical tanker 51, container 43, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 10, roll on/roll off 5 225 (Belgium 2, Cyprus 1, Denmark 7, Finland 3, Germany 129, Greece 6, Iceland 1, Morocco 4, Netherlands 21, Norway 33, Sweden 13, UAE 3, UK 2) 7 (Liberia 5, Panama 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) Gibraltar Royal Gibraltar Regiment 16 6,308 (2008 est.) 16 5,244 (2008 est.) 190 185 (2008 est.) defense is the responsibility of the UK; the Royal Gibraltar Regiment replaced the last British regular infantry forces in 1992 in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement; the government of Gibraltar insists on equal participation in talks between the UK and Spain; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar even greater autonomy Glorioso Islands A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse. 11 30 S 47 20 E 5 sq km 5 sq km 0 sq km about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC 35.2 km low, flat, and sandy guano, phosphates, and coconuts 100% lush vegetation and coconut palms the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system a small French military garrison and a few meteorologists on each possession; visited by scientists 1 (2006) claimed by Madagascar Greece Greece achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. In World War II, Greece was first invaded by Italy (1940) and subsequently occupied by Germany (1941-44); fighting endured in a protracted civil war between supporters of the king and Communist rebels. Following the latter's defeat in 1949, Greece joined NATO in 1952. A military dictatorship, which in 1967 suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country, lasted seven years. The 1974 democratic elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. In 1981, Greece joined the EC (now the EU); it became the 12th member of the European Economic and Monetary Union in 2001. Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey 39 00 N 22 00 E Europe 131,940 sq km 130,800 sq km 1,140 sq km slightly smaller than Alabama 1,228 km Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km, Macedonia 246 km 13,676 km 12 nm 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands Mediterranean Sea 0 m Mount Olympus 2,917 m lignite, petroleum, iron ore, bauxite, lead, zinc, nickel, magnesite, marble, salt, hydropower potential 20.45% 8.59% 70.96% (2005) 14,530 sq km (2003) severe earthquakes air pollution; water pollution Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, 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 Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago of about 2,000 islands 10,722,816 (July 2008 est.) 14.3% (male 789,137/female 742,469) 66.6% (male 3,568,101/female 3,575,572) 19.1% (male 898,337/female 1,149,200) (2008 est.) 41.5 years 40.4 years 42.6 years (2008 est.) 0.146% (2008 est.) 9.54 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 10.42 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 2.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 5.25 deaths/1,000 live births 5.77 deaths/1,000 live births 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 79.52 years 76.98 years 82.21 years (2008 est.) 1.36 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.2% (2001 est.) 9,100 (2001 est.) fewer than 100 (2003 est.) Greek(s) Greek Greek 93%, other (foreign citizens) 7% (2001 census) percents represent citizenship, since Greece does not collect data on ethnicity Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7% Greek 99% (official), other 1% (includes English and French) age 15 and over can read and write 96% 97.8% 94.2% (2001 census) Hellenic Republic Greece Elliniki Dhimokratia Ellas or Ellada Kingdom of Greece parliamentary republic Athens 37 59 N 23 44 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October 51 prefectures (nomoi, singular - nomos) and 1 autonomous region*; Achaia, Agion Oros* (Mt. Athos), Aitolia kai Akarnania, Argolis, Arkadia, Arta, Attiki, Chalkidiki, Chanion, Chios, Dodekanisos, Drama, Evros, Evrytania, Evvoia, Florina, Fokidos, Fthiotis, Grevena, Ileia, Imathia, Ioannina, Irakleion, Karditsa, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkyra, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani, Kyklades, Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lefkas, Lesvos, Magnisia, Messinia, Pella, Pieria, Preveza, Rethynnis, Rodopi, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakynthos 1829 (from the Ottoman Empire) Independence Day, 25 March (1821) 11 June 1975; amended March 1986 and April 2001 based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil, criminal, and administrative courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations 18 years of age; universal and compulsory President Karolos PAPOULIAS (since 12 March 2005) Prime Minister Konstandinos (Kostas) KARAMANLIS (since 7 March 2004) Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister president elected by parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 February 2005 (next to be held by February 2010); according to the Greek Constitution, presidents may only serve two terms; president appoints leader of the party securing plurality of vote in election to become prime minister and form a government Karolos PAPOULIAS elected president; number of parliamentary votes, 279 out of 300 unicameral Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon (300 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections last held 16 September 2007 (next to be held by 2011) percent of vote by party - ND 41.8%, PASOK 38.1%, KKE 8.2%, Synaspismos 5%, LAOS 3.8%, other 3.1%; seats by party - ND 152, PASOK 102, KKE 22, Synaspismos 14, LAOS 10 Supreme Judicial Court; Special Supreme Tribunal; all judges appointed for life by the president after consultation with a judicial council Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) [Alekos ALAVANOS]; Communist Party of Greece or KKE [Aleka PAPARIGA]; New Democracy or ND (conservative) [Konstandinos KARAMANLIS]; Panhellenic Socialist Movement or PASOK [Yiorgos PAPANDREOU]; Popular Orthodox Rally or LAOS [Yeoryios KARATZAFERIS] Civil Servants Confederation or ADEDY [Spyros PAPASPYROS]; Federation of Greek Industries or SEV [Dimitris DASKALOPOULOS]; General Confederation of Greek Workers or GSEE [Ioannis PANAGOPOULOS] Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Ambassador Alexandros P. MALLIAS 2217 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 939-1300 [1] (202) 939-1324 Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Tampa Atlanta, Houston Ambassador Daniel V. SPECKHARD 91 Vasilisis Sophias Avenue, 10160 Athens PSC 108, APO AE 09842-0108 [30] (210) 721-2951 [30] (210) 645-6282 Thessaloniki nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country Greece has a capitalist economy with the public sector accounting for about 40% of GDP and with per capita GDP at least 75% of the leading euro-zone economies. Tourism provides 15% of GDP. Immigrants make up nearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in agricultural and unskilled jobs. Greece is a major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to about 3.3% of annual GDP. The Greek economy grew by nearly 4.0% per year between 2003 and 2007, due partly to infrastructural spending related to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, and in part to an increased availability of credit, which has sustained record levels of consumer spending. Greece violated the EU's Growth and Stability Pact budget deficit criteria of no more than 3% of GDP from 2001 to 2006, but finally met that criteria in 2007. Public debt, inflation, and unemployment are above the euro-zone average, but are falling. The Greek Government continues to grapple with cutting government spending, reducing the size of the public sector, and reforming the labor and pension systems, in the face of often vocal opposition from the country's powerful labor unions and the general public. The economy remains an important domestic political issue in Greece and, while the ruling New Democracy government has had some success in improving economic growth and reducing the budget deficit, Athens faces long-term challenges in its effort to continue its economic reforms, especially social security reform and privatization. $327.6 billion (2007 est.) $314.6 billion (2007 est.) 4% (2007 est.) $30,600 (2007 est.) 3.6% 24.5% 71.9% (2007 est.) 4.92 million (2007 est.) 12% 20% 68% (2004 est.) 8.3% (2007 est.) 2.5% 26% (2000 est.) 33 (2005) 2.9% (2007 est.) 25.7% of GDP (2007 est.) $115.2 billion $124.1 billion (2007 est.) 89.5% of GDP (2007 est.) wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco, potatoes; beef, dairy products tourism, food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, metal products; mining, petroleum 2.2% (2007 est.) 59.33 billion kWh (2007 est.) 55.98 billion kWh (2006 est.) 269 million kWh (2007 est.) 5.894 billion kWh (2007 est.) 4,265 bbl/day (2007 est.) 441,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) 125,100 bbl/day (2005) 527,200 bbl/day (2005) 10 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 24 million cu m (2007 est.) 4.069 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 4.1 billion cu m (2007 est.) 1.982 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) -$44.4 billion (2007 est.) $23.91 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) food and beverages, manufactured goods, petroleum products, chemicals, textiles Germany 11.6%, Italy 10.8%, Cyprus 6.6%, Bulgaria 6.5%, UK 5.5%, Romania 4.5%, France 4.2%, US 4.2% (2007) $80.79 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery, transport equipment, fuels, chemicals Germany 12.9%, Italy 11.7%, Russia 5.6%, France 5.6%, China 5%, Netherlands 5% (2007) $3.658 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $86.72 billion (31 December 2007) $424 million (2006) $8 billion annually from EU (2000-06); Greece will receive about $3.8 billion per year between 2007-13 under the EU's Community Support Funds IV euro (EUR) euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003) calendar year 6.227 million (2007) 11.997 million (2007) adequate, modern networks reach all areas; good mobile telephone and international service microwave radio relay trunk system; extensive open-wire connections; submarine cable to offshore islands 30 landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Europe, Middle East, and Asia; a number of smaller submarine cables provide connectivity to various parts of Europe, the Middle East, and Cyprus; tropospheric scatter; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat - Indian Ocean region) 118: AM 26, FM 88, shortwave 4 (1998) 36 (plus 1,341 repeaters); also 2 stations in the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (1995) .gr 1.626 million (2008) 2.54 million (2007) 81 (2007) 66 5 15 20 17 9 (2007) 15 3 12 (2007) 9 (2007) gas 1,166 km; oil 94 km (2007) 2,571 km 1,565 km 1.435-m gauge (764 km electrified) 961 km 1.000-m gauge; 22 km 0.750-m gauge 23 km combined 1.435 m and 1.000-m gauges (three rail system) (2006) 117,533 km 107,895 km (includes 880 km of expressways) 9,638 km (2005) 6 km Corinth Canal (6 km) crosses the Isthmus of Corinth; shortens sea voyage by 325 km (2007) 869 bulk carrier 260, cargo 66, carrier 1, chemical tanker 66, combination ore/oil 2, container 45, liquefied gas 10, passenger 13, passenger/cargo 115, petroleum tanker 274, roll on/roll off 15, specialized tanker 2 64 (Belgium 16, Cyprus 7, Turkey 1, UK 32, US 8) 2,357 (Antigua and Barbuda 3, Bahamas 209, Barbados 12, Belize 1, Bermuda 9, Brazil 1, Cambodia 3, Cayman Islands 16, China 2, Comoros 6, Cyprus 259, Denmark 4, Dominica 10, Egypt 8, Georgia 5, Gibraltar 6, Honduras 4, Hong Kong 22, Isle of Man 50, Italy 6, Jamaica 6, North Korea 1, Lebanon 2, Liberia 358, Maldives 1, Malta 452, Marshall Islands 269, Norway 3, Panama 510, Philippines 4, Portugal 4, Russia 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 71, Sao Tome and Principe 1, Saudi Arabia 3, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 15, Slovakia 2, Turkey 1, UAE 3, Uruguay 1, Vanuatu 1, Venezuela 3, unknown 5) (2008) Agioitheodoroi, Aspropyrgos, Pachi, Piraeus, Thessaloniki Hellenic Army (Ellinikos Stratos, ES), Hellenic Navy (Ellinikos Polemiko Navtiko, EPN), Hellenic Air Force (Elliniki Polimiki Aeroporia, EPA) (2007) 19-45 years of age for compulsory military service; during wartime the law allows for recruitment beginning January of the year of inductee's 18th birthday, thus including 17 year olds; 17 years of age for volunteers; conscript service obligation - 1 year for all services; women are eligible for voluntary military service (2008) 16 2,535,174 16 2,517,273 (2008 est.) 16 2,084,469 16 2,065,956 (2008 est.) 53,858 50,488 (2008 est.) 4.3% of GDP (2005 est.) Greece and Turkey continue discussions to resolve their complex maritime, air, territorial, and boundary disputes in the Aegean Sea; Cyprus question with Turkey; Greece rejects the use of the name Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia; the mass migration of unemployed Albanians still remains a problem for developed countries, chiefly Greece and Italy a gateway to Europe for traffickers smuggling cannabis and heroin from the Middle East and Southwest Asia to the West and precursor chemicals to the East; some South American cocaine transits or is consumed in Greece; money laundering related to drug trafficking and organized crime Greenland Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 81% ice-capped. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland was made an integral part of Denmark in 1953. It joined the European Community (now the EU) with Denmark in 1973, but withdrew in 1985 over a dispute centered on stringent fishing quotas. Greenland was granted self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament; the law went into effect the following year. Denmark continues to exercise control of Greenland's foreign affairs in consultation with Greenland's Home Rule Government. Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada 72 00 N 40 00 W Arctic Region 2,166,086 sq km 2,166,086 sq km (410,449 sq km ice-free, 1,755,637 sq km ice-covered) (2000 est.) slightly more than three times the size of Texas 0 km 44,087 km 3 nm 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast Atlantic Ocean 0 m Gunnbjorn 3,700 m coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, diamonds, gold, platinum, niobium, tantalite, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas 0% 0% 100% (2005) continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island protection of the arctic environment; preservation of the Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast; close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital, Nuuk; world's second largest ice cap 57,564 (July 2008 est.) 23.5% (male 6,867/female 6,634) 69.9% (male 21,683/female 18,575) 6.6% (male 1,892/female 1,913) (2008 est.) 33.5 years 34.9 years 31.8 years (2008 est.) 0.064% (2008 est.) 14.87 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 8.23 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -5.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.02 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.17 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 1.12 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 11.2 deaths/1,000 live births 12.84 deaths/1,000 live births 9.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 69.46 years 66.81 years 72.25 years (2008 est.) 2.22 children born/woman (2008 est.) 100 (1999) Greenlander(s) Greenlandic Greenlander 88% (Inuit and Greenland-born whites), Danish and others 12% (2000) Evangelical Lutheran Greenlandic (East Inuit), Danish, English age 15 and over can read and write 100% 100% 100% (2001 est.) none Greenland none Kalaallit Nunaat part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979 parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy Nuuk (Godthab) 64 11 N 51 45 W UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Greenland is divided into four time zones 3 districts (landsdele); Avannaa (Nordgronland), Tunu (Ostgronland), Kitaa (Vestgronland) there are 18 municipalities in Greenland none (extensive self-rule as part of the Kingdom of Denmark; foreign affairs is the responsibility of Denmark, but Greenland actively participates in international agreements relating to Greenland) June 21 (longest day) 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution) the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply 18 years of age; universal Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Soren MOLLER (since April 2005) Prime Minister Hans ENOKSEN (since 14 December 2002) Home Rule Government is elected by the parliament (Landstinget) on the basis of the strength of parties the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; prime minister is elected by parliament (usually the leader of the majority party); Hans ENOKSEN reelected prime minister government coalition - Siumut and Inuit Ataqatigiit unicameral Parliament or Landstinget (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) last held on 15 November 2005 (next to be held by December 2009) percent of vote by party - Siumut 30.7%, Demokratiit 22.8%, IA 22.6%, Atassut Party 19.1%; Katusseqatigiit 4.1%, other 0.7%; seats by party - Siumut 10, Demokratiit 7, IA 7, Atassut 6, Katusseqatigiit 1 two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 13 November 2007 (next to be held in November 2011); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Siumut 1, Inuit Ataqatigiit 1 High Court or Landsret (appeals can be made to the Ostre Landsret or Eastern Division of the High Court or Supreme Court in Copenhagen) Atassut Party (Solidarity) [Finn KARLSEN] (a conservative party favoring continuing close relations with Denmark); Demokratiit [Per BERTHELSEN]; Inuit Ataqatigiit or IA (Eskimo Brotherhood) [Josef MOTZFELDT] (a leftist party favoring complete independence from Denmark rather than home rule); Kattusseqatigiit (Candidate List) (an independent right-of-center party with no official platform); Siumut (Forward Party) [Hans ENOKSEN] (a social democratic party advocating more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark) conservationists; environmentalists Arctic Council, NC, NIB, UPU none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white The economy remains critically dependent on exports of fish and a substantial subsidy from the Danish Government, which supplies about half of government revenues. The public sector, including publicly owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays the dominant role in the economy. Several interesting hydrocarbon and mineral exploration activities are ongoing. Press reports in early 2007 indicated that two international aluminum companies were considering building smelters in Greenland to take advantage of local hydropower potential. Tourism is the only sector offering any near-term potential, and even this is limited due to a short season and high costs. Air Greenland began summer-season direct flights to the US east coast in May 2007, potentially opening a major new tourism market. $1.1 billion (2001 est.) $1.7 billion (2005) 2% (2005 est.) $20,000 (2001 est.) 32,120 (2004) 9.3% (2005 est.) 1% (2005 est.) $1.36 billion $1.27 billion (2005) forage crops, garden and greenhouse vegetables; sheep, reindeer; fish fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut); gold, niobium, tantalite, uranium, iron and diamond mining; handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards 305 million kWh (2006 est.) 283.7 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 3,927 bbl/day (2006 est.) 149.5 bbl/day (2005) 4,089 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) $480 million f.o.b. (2006) fish and fish products 94% (prawns 63%) (2001 est.) Denmark 61.8%, Japan 9.9%, Canada 7.3%, China 5.8% (2007) $712 million c.i.f. (2006) machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, petroleum products Denmark 68.1%, Sweden 19.3%, Canada 2.5% (2007) $25 million (1999) $512 million; note - subsidy from Denmark (2005) Danish krone (DKK) Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003) calendar year 36,000 (2006) 66,400 (2007) adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables and microwave radio relay; totally digitalized in 1995 microwave radio relay and satellite 299 satellite earth stations - 15 (12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean)) (2000) 17: AM 5, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998) 1 (plus some local low-power stations, and 3 Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) stations (1997) .gl 14,132 (2008) 52,000 (2007) 14 (2007) 9 2 1 1 5 (2007) 5 1 2 2 (2007) although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport takes place either by sea or air (2005) 2 cargo 1, passenger 1 (2008) Sisimiut no regular military forces 16 15,221 (2008 est.) 16 10,739 (2008 est.) 534 503 (2008 est.) defense is the responsibility of Denmark managed dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Canada's Ellesmere Island and Greenland Grenada Carib Indians inhabited Grenada when COLUMBUS discovered the island in 1498, but it remained uncolonized for more than a century. The French settled Grenada in the 17th century, established sugar estates, and imported large numbers of African slaves. Britain took the island in 1762 and vigorously expanded sugar production. In the 19th century, cacao eventually surpassed sugar as the main export crop; in the 20th century, nutmeg became the leading export. In 1967, Britain gave Grenada autonomy over its internal affairs. Full independence was attained in 1974, making Grenada one of the smallest independent countries in the Western Hemisphere. Grenada was seized by a Marxist military council on 19 October 1983. Six days later the island was invaded by US forces and those of six other Caribbean nations, which quickly captured the ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. Free elections were reinstituted the following year and have continued since that time. Hurricane Ivan struck Grenada in September of 2004 causing severe damage. Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago 12 07 N 61 40 W Central America and the Caribbean 344 sq km 344 sq km 0 sq km twice the size of Washington, DC 0 km 121 km 12 nm 200 nm tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds volcanic in origin with central mountains Caribbean Sea 0 m Mount Saint Catherine 840 m timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors 5.88% 29.41% 64.71% (2005) lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling none of the selected agreements the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada 90,343 (July 2008 est.) 32.4% (male 14,725/female 14,524) 64.7% (male 30,911/female 27,502) 3% (male 1,310/female 1,371) (2008 est.) 22.4 years 22.9 years 21.9 years (2008 est.) 0.406% (2008 est.) 21.61 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 6.31 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -11.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.12 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 1.08 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 13.58 deaths/1,000 live births 13.25 deaths/1,000 live births 13.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 65.6 years 63.74 years 67.47 years (2008 est.) 2.27 children born/woman (2008 est.) Grenadian(s) Grenadian black 82%, mixed black and European 13%, European and East Indian 5%, and trace of Arawak/Carib Amerindian Roman Catholic 53%, Anglican 13.8%, other Protestant 33.2% English (official), French patois age 15 and over can read and write 96% (2003 est.) none Grenada parliamentary democracy Saint George's 12 03 N 61 45 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petite Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick 7 February 1974 (from UK) Independence Day, 7 February (1974) 19 December 1973 based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Carlyle Arnold GLEAN (since 27 November 2008) Prime Minister Tillman THOMAS (since 9 July 2008) Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (13 seats, 10 appointed by the government and 3 by the leader of the opposition) and the House of Representatives (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held on 8 July 2008 (next to be held in 2013) House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDC 11, NNP 4 Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of a court of Appeal and a High Court of Justice (a High Court judge is assigned to and resides in Grenada) Grenada United Labor Party or GULP [Gloria Payne BANFIELD]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [Tillman THOMAS]; New National Party or NNP [Keith MITCHELL] Committee for Human Rights in Grenada or CHRG; New Jewel Movement Support Group; The British Grenada Friendship Society; The New Jewel 19 Committee ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTO Ambassador Denis G. ANTOINE 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 265-2561 [1] (202) 265-2468 New York the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Grenada Lance-aux-Epines Stretch, Saint George's P. O. Box 54, Saint George's [1] (473) 444-1173 through 1177 [1] (473) 444-4820 a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a red border around the flag; there are seven yellow, five-pointed stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven administrative divisions Grenada relies on tourism as its main source of foreign exchange, especially since the construction of an international airport in 1985. Strong performances in construction and manufacturing, together with the development of an offshore financial industry, have also contributed to growth in national output. Grenada has rebounded from the devastating effects of Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Emily (2005), but is now saddled with the debt burden from the rebuilding process. The agricultural sector, particularly nutmeg and cocoa cultivation, has gradually recovered, and the tourism sector has seen substantial increases in foreign direct investment as the regional share of the tourism market increases. $1.108 billion (2007 est.) $590 million (2007 est.) 3.1% (2007 est.) $10,500 (2007 est.) 5.4% 18% 76.6% (2003) 42,300 (1996) 24% 14% 62% (1999 est.) 12.5% (2000) 32% (2000) 3.7% (2007 est.) $85.8 million $102.1 million (1997) bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, mace, citrus, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, vegetables food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction 0.7% (1997 est.) 167.2 million kWh (2006 est.) 144.2 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 2,043 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 1,844 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) -$138 million (2007 est.) $38 million (2006) bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace Jamaica 92.8%, Saint Lucia 1.3%, US 1.2% (2007) $343 million (2006) food, manufactured goods, machinery, chemicals, fuel Trinidad and Tobago 36.5%, US 23.3%, Italy 4.1% (2007) $347 million (2004) $44.87 million (2005) East Caribbean dollar (XCD) East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) calendar year 27,700 (2006) 46,200 (2006) automatic, islandwide telephone system interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links 473 landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; SHF radiotelephone links to Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to Trinidad 15: AM 2, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) 2 (1997) .gd 9 (2008) 23,000 (2007) 3 (2007) 3 1 1 1 (2007) 1,127 km 687 km 440 km (2000) Saint George's no regular military forces; Royal Grenada Police Force (includes Coast Guard) (2007) 16 27,309 (2008 est.) 16 20,249 (2008 est.) 1,034 970 (2008 est.) none small-scale cannabis cultivation; lesser transshipment point for marijuana and cocaine to US Guadeloupe First landed upon by Europeans in 1493 during Christopher Columbus's second trip to America, and settled in 1635 by the French Company of the American Islands, Guadeloupe was annexed to the kingdom of France in 1674. It was then seized by the British in 1759, but France regained control in 1763 in return for abandoning their claims in Canada. In 1810 the British once more seized the island, ceding it to Sweden, who in 1814 ceded it back to France. French control was finally acknowledged in the 1815 Treaty of Vienna, and it has remained an overseas department of France to this day. Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Puerto Rico 16 15 N 61 35 W Central America and the Caribbean 1,628 sq km 1,628 sq km 0 sq km 4.8 km subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven other islands are volcanic in origin 11.70% 2.92% 85.38% hurricanes (cyclones), flooding, volcanic activity black, white, mulatto, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian Roman Catholic, Protestant, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, pagan French, Creole patois Christian Movement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe or KLPG; General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers or CGT-G; General Union of Guadeloupe Workers or UGTG; Movement for an Independent Guadeloupe or MPGI; The Socialist Renewal Movement overseas region of France 590 tropospheric scatter from Antigua and Barbuda; microwave radio relay and SHF radiotelephone links to Dominica (2007); undersea fiber-optic cable provides voice and data connectivity to Rwanda .gp Guam Guam was ceded to the US by Spain in 1898. Captured by the Japanese in 1941, it was retaken by the US three years later. The military installation on the island is one of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific. Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines 13 28 N 144 47 E Oceania 541.3 sq km 541.3 sq km 0 sq km three times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 125.5 km 12 nm 200 nm tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season (January to June), rainy season (July to December); little seasonal temperature variation volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills in center, mountains in south Pacific Ocean 0 m Mount Lamlam 406 m aquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped) 3.64% 18.18% 78.18% (2005) frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons (June - December) extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean 175,877 (July 2008 est.) 28.2% (male 25,644/female 23,910) 64.8% (male 58,034/female 55,900) 7% (male 5,801/female 6,588) (2008 est.) 28.9 years 28.7 years 29.2 years (2008 est.) 1.373% (2008 est.) 18.37 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 4.65 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.88 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 6.55 deaths/1,000 live births 7.22 deaths/1,000 live births 5.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 78.93 years 75.86 years 82.19 years (2008 est.) 2.55 children born/woman (2008 est.) Guamanian(s) (US citizens) Guamanian Chamorro 37.1%, Filipino 26.3%, other Pacific islander 11.3%, white 6.9%, other Asian 6.3%, other ethnic origin or race 2.3%, mixed 9.8% (2000 census) Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.) English 38.3%, Chamorro 22.2%, Philippine languages 22.2%, other Pacific island languages 6.8%, Asian languages 7%, other languages 3.5% (2000 census) age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 99% (1990 est.) Territory of Guam Guam Guahan Guahan organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior Hagatna (Agana) 13 28 N 144 44 E UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) none (territory of the US) none (territory of the US) Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521) Organic Act of Guam, 1 August 1950 modeled on US; US federal laws apply 18 years of age; universal; US citizens, but do not vote in US presidential elections President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001) Governor Felix P. CAMACHO (since 6 January 2003); Lieutenant Governor Dr. Michael W. CRUZ (since 1 January 2007) heads of executive departments; appointed by the governor with the consent of the Guam legislature under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as Guam, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year term (can serve two consecutive terms, then must wait a full term before running again); election last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held in November 2010) Felix P. CAMACHO reelected governor; Dr. Michael W. CRUZ elected lieutenant governor; percent of vote - NA unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held in November 2008) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 8, Democratic Party 7 Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held in November 2008); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 1 Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president); Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms by the governor) Democratic Party [leader Michael PHILLIPS]; Republican Party [Philip J. FLORES] (controls the legislature) Guam Federation of Teachers' Union; Guam Waterworks Authority Workers activists; indigenous groups IOC, SPC, UPU none (territory of the US) none (territory of the US) territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the national flag The economy depends largely on US military spending and tourism. Total US grants, wage payments, and procurement outlays amounted to $1.3 billion in 2004. Over the past 30 years, the tourist industry has grown to become the largest income source following national defense. The Guam economy continues to experience expansion in both its tourism and military sectors. $2.5 billion (2005 est.) $2.773 billion (2001) $15,000 (2005 est.) 62,050 (2002 est.) 26% 10% 64% (2004 est.) 11.4% (2002 est.) 23% (2001 est.) 2.5% (2005 est.) $319.6 million $427.8 million (2002 est.) fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles 1.789 billion kWh (2006 est.) 1.664 billion kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 12,780 bbl/day (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 13,530 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) $45 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, food and beverage products Japan 67.2%, Singapore 11.6%, UK 4.8% (2006) $701 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods Singapore 50%, South Korea 21.4%, Japan 14%, Hong Kong 4.6% (2006) $NA Guam receives large transfer payments from the US Federal Treasury into which Guamanians pay no income or excise taxes; under the provisions of a special law of Congress, the Guam Treasury, rather than the US Treasury, receives federal income taxes paid by military and civilian Federal employees stationed in Guam (2001 est.) US dollar (USD) the US dollar is used 1 October - 30 September 65,500 (2003) 98,000 (2004) modern system, integrated with US facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers modern digital system, including cellular mobile service and local access to the Internet 671 major landing point for submarine cables between Asia and the US (Guam is a trans-Pacific communications hub for major carriers linking the US and Asia); satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) 16: AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 2 (2005) 3 (2006) .gu 36 (2008) 65,000 (2005) 5 (2007) 4 2 1 1 (2007) 1 1 (2007) 1,045 km (2007) Apra Harbor 1,665 1,547 (2008 est.) defense is the responsibility of the US none Guatemala The Mayan civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments, as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the conflict, which had left more than 100,000 people dead and had created, by some estimates, some 1 million refugees. Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize 15 30 N 90 15 W Central America and the Caribbean 108,890 sq km 108,430 sq km 460 sq km slightly smaller than Tennessee 1,687 km Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km 400 km 12 nm 200 nm 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau Pacific Ocean 0 m Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower 13.22% 5.6% 81.18% (2005) 1,300 sq km (2003) numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution 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, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements no natural harbors on west coast 13,002,206 (July 2008 est.) 40.1% (male 2,653,915/female 2,565,841) 56.2% (male 3,539,874/female 3,762,471) 3.7% (male 222,303/female 257,802) (2008 est.) 19.2 years 18.6 years 19.7 years (2008 est.) 2.11% (2008 est.) 28.55 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 5.19 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -2.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 28.79 deaths/1,000 live births 31.21 deaths/1,000 live births 26.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 69.99 years 68.22 years 71.86 years (2008 est.) 3.59 children born/woman (2008 est.) 1.1% (2003 est.) 78,000 (2003 est.) 5,800 (2003 est.) intermediate bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever and malaria (2008) Guatemalan(s) Guatemalan Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) and European 59.4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q'eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%, other 0.1% (2001 census) Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca) age 15 and over can read and write 69.1% 75.4% 63.3% (2002 census) Republic of Guatemala Guatemala Republica de Guatemala Guatemala constitutional democratic republic Guatemala 14 37 N 90 31 W UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in April; ends last Friday in September; note - there is no DST planned for 2007-2009 22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Independence Day, 15 September (1821) 31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986; note - suspended 25 May 1993 by former President Jorge SERRANO; reinstated 5 June 1993 following ouster of president; amended November 1993 civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal; note - active duty members of the armed forces may not vote and are restricted to their barracks on election day President Alvaro COLOM Caballeros (since 14 January 2008); Vice President Rafael ESPADA (since 14 January 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Alvaro COLOM Caballeros (since 14 January 2008); Vice President Rafael ESPADA (since 14 January 2008) Council of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 9 September 2007; runoff held 4 November 2007 (next to be held September 2011) Alvaro COLOM Caballeros elected president; percent of vote - Alvaro COLOM Caballeros 52.8%, Otto PEREZ Molina 47.2% unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica (158 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 9 September 2007 (next to be held in September 2011) percent of vote by party - UNE 30.4%, GANA 23.4%, PP 18.9%, FRG 9.5%, PU 5.1%, other 12.7%; seats by party - UNE 48, GANA 37, PP 30, FRG 15, PU 8, CASA 5, EG 4, PAN 4, UCN 4, URNG 2, UD 1 Constitutional Court or Corte de Constitucionalidad is Guatemala's highest court (five judges are elected for concurrent five-year terms); Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (13 members serve concurrent five-year terms and elect a president of the Court each year from among their number; the president of the Supreme Court of Justice also supervises trial judges around the country, who are named to five-year terms) Center of Social Action or CASA [Eduardo SUGER]; Democracy Front or FRENTE [Alfonso CABRERA]; Democratic Union or UD [Manuel CONDE Orellana]; Encounter for Guatemala or EG [Nineth MONTENGRO]; Grand National Alliance or GANA [Alfredo VILLA]; Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity or URNG [Hector NUILA]; Guatemalan Republican Front or FRG [Efrain RIOS Montt]; National Advancement Party or PAN [Ruben Dario MORALES]; National Unity for Hope or UNE [Alvaro COLOM Caballeros]; Patriot Party or PP [Ret. Gen. Otto PEREZ Molina]; Unionista Party or PU [Fritz GARCIA]; Unity of National Change or UCN [Sidney SHAW] Agrarian Owners Group or UNAGRO; Alliance Against Impunity or AAI; Committee for Campesino Unity or CUC; Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations or CACIF; Mutual Support Group or GAM BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Francisco VILLAGRAN de Leon 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 745-4952 [1] (202) 745-1908 Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Providence, San Francisco Ambassador Stephen G. MCFARLAND 7-01 Avenida Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City APO AA 34024 [502] 2326-4000 [502] 2326-4654 three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath Guatemala is the most populous of the Central American countries with a GDP per capita roughly one-half that of Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. The agricultural sector accounts for about one-tenth of GDP, two-fifths of exports, and half of the labor force. Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products, with sugar exports benefiting from increased global demand for ethanol. The 1996 signing of peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment, and Guatemala since then has pursued important reforms and macroeconomic stabilization. On 1 July 2006, the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) entered into force between the US and Guatemala and has since spurred increased investment in the export sector. The distribution of income remains highly unequal with about 56% of the population below the poverty line. Other ongoing challenges include increasing government revenues, negotiating further assistance from international donors, upgrading both government and private financial operations, curtailing drug trafficking and rampant crime, and narrowing the trade deficit. Given Guatemala's large expatriate community in the United States, it is the top remittance recipient in Central America, with inflows serving as a primary source of foreign income equivalent to nearly two-thirds of exports. $64.76 billion (2007 est.) $33.69 billion (2007 est.) 5.7% (2007 est.) $5,100 (2007 est.) 13.3% 25.8% 60.9% (2007 est.) 3.958 million (2007 est.) 50% 15% 35% (1999 est.) 3.2% (2005 est.) 56.2% (2004 est.) 0.9% 43.4% (2002) 55.1 (2007) 6.8% (2007 est.) 17.1% of GDP (2007 est.) $4.38 billion $4.872 billion (2007 est.) 20.9% of GDP (2007 est.) sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism 4.8% (2007 est.) 7.643 billion kWh (2006 est.) 6.617 billion kWh (2006 est.) 131.9 million kWh (2007 est.) 8.11 million kWh (2007 est.) 15,820 bbl/day (2007 est.) 74,230 bbl/day (2006 est.) 15,560 bbl/day (2006 est.) 72,960 bbl/day (2006 est.) 83.07 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 2.96 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.) -$1.663 billion (2007 est.) $6.94 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) coffee, sugar, petroleum, apparel, bananas, fruits and vegetables, cardamom US 42.2%, El Salvador 9.6%, Honduras 8.6%, Mexico 6.5%, Costa Rica 4.5% (2007) $12.62 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, grain, fertilizers, electricity US 34.9%, Mexico 9.9%, China 6.8%, El Salvador 4.6%, Costa Rica 4.1% (2007) $4.139 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $5.908 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $253.6 million (2005 est.) quetzal (GTQ), US dollar (USD), others allowed quetzales (GTQ) per US dollar - 7.6833 (2007), 7.6026 (2006), 7.6339 (2005), 7.9465 (2004), 7.9409 (2003) calendar year 1.355 million (2006) 10.15 million (2007) fairly modern network centered in the city of Guatemala state-owned telecommunications company privatized in the late 1990s opening the way for competition; fixed-line teledensity 11 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity 80 per 100 persons 502 landing point for both the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the SAM-1 fiber optic submarine cable system that together provide connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) 632: AM 130, FM 487, shortwave 15 (2000) 26 (plus 27 repeaters) (1997) .gt 124,095 (2008) 1.32 million (2006) 402 (2007) 12 3 2 4 3 (2007) 390 1 6 82 301 (2007) oil 480 km (2007) 886 km 886 km 0.914-m gauge (2006) 14,095 km 4,863 km (includes 75 km of expressways) 9,232 km (2000) 990 km 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during high-water season (2007) Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomas de Castilla Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force 18-50: all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 50 are liable for military service; conscript service obligation varies from 12 to 24 months; women can serve as officers (2007) 16 2,861,696 16 3,062,967 (2008 est.) 16 2,310,272 16 2,622,450 (2008 est.) 161,550 159,760 (2008 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2006) annual ministerial meetings under the OAS-initiated Agreement on the Framework for Negotiations and Confidence Building Measures continue to address Guatemalan land and maritime claims in Belize and the Caribbean Sea; the Line of Adjacency created under the 2002 Differendum serves in lieu of the contiguous international boundary to control squatting in the sparsely inhabited rain forests of Belize's border region; Mexico must deal with thousands of impoverished Guatemalans and other Central Americans who cross the porous border looking for work in Mexico and the United States undetermined (the UN does not estimate there are any IDPs, although some NGOs estimate over 200,000 IDPs as a result of over three decades of internal conflict that ended in 1996) (2007) Guatemala is a source, transit, and destination country for Guatemalans and Central Americans trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; human trafficking is a significant and growing problem in the country; Guatemalan women and children are trafficked within the country for commercial sexual exploitation, primarily to Mexico and the United States; Guatemalan men, women, and children are also trafficked within the country, and to Mexico and the United States, for forced labor Tier 2 Watch List - for a second consecutive year, Guatemala is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons, particularly with respect to ensuring that trafficking offenders are appropriately prosecuted for their crimes; while prosecutors initiated trafficking prosecutions, they continued to face problems in court with application of Guatemala's comprehensive anti-trafficking law; the government made modest improvements to its protection efforts, but assistance remained inadequate overall in 2007 (2008) major transit country for cocaine and heroin; in 2005, cultivated 100 hectares of opium poppy after reemerging as a potential source of opium in 2004; potential production of less than 1 metric ton of pure heroin; marijuana cultivation for mostly domestic consumption; proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a major staging area for drugs (particularly for cocaine); money laundering is a serious problem; corruption is a major problem Guernsey Guernsey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy, which held sway in both France and England. The islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. Guernsey is a British crown dependency, but is not part of the UK. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation. Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France 49 28 N 2 35 W Europe 78 sq km 78 sq km 0 sq km includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands about one-half the size of Washington, DC 0 km 50 km 3 nm 12 nm temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast mostly level with low hills in southwest Atlantic Ocean 0 m unnamed location on Sark 114 m cropland large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port 65,726 (July 2008 est.) 14.6% (male 4,849/female 4,727) 67.5% (male 22,013/female 22,380) 17.9% (male 4,988/female 6,769) (2008 est.) 42.1 years 41 years 43 years (2008 est.) 0.228% (2008 est.) 8.57 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 10.09 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 3.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.74 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 4.53 deaths/1,000 live births 5.05 deaths/1,000 live births 3.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 80.65 years 77.64 years 83.76 years (2008 est.) 1.4 children born/woman (2008 est.) Channel Islander(s) Channel Islander UK and Norman-French descent with small percentages from other European countries Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts Bailiwick of Guernsey Guernsey British crown dependency parliamentary democracy Saint Peter Port 49 27 N 2 32 W UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October none (British crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 10 parishes including Castel, Forest, Saint Andrew, Saint Martin, Saint Peter Port, Saint Pierre du Bois, Saint Sampson, Saint Saviour, Torteval, Vale none (British crown dependency) Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply; justice is administered by the Royal Court 18 years of age; universal Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Fabian MALBON (since 28 October 2005) Chief Minister Lyndon TROTT (since 1 May 2008) Policy Council elected by the States of Deliberation the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch; chief minister is elected by States of Deliberation Lyndon TROTT elected chief minister, percent of vote of the States of Deliberation NA unicameral States of Deliberation (45 seats; members are elected by popular vote for four years); note - Alderney and Sark have parliaments last held 23 April 2008 (next to be held in 2012) percent of vote - NA; seats - all independents Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the bailiff) none; all independents Stop Traffic Endangering Pedestrian Safety or STEPS; No More Masts [Colin FALLAIZE] UPU none (British crown dependency) none (British crown dependency) white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross Financial services - banking, fund management, insurance - account for about 23% of employment and about 55% of total income in this tiny, prosperous Channel Island economy. Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Financial services, construction, retail, and the public sector have been growing. Light tax and death duties make Guernsey a popular tax haven. The evolving economic integration of the EU nations is changing the environment under which Guernsey operates. $2.742 billion (2005) $2.742 billion (2005) 3% (2005 est.) $44,600 (2005) 3% 10% 87% (2000) 31,470 (March 2006) 0.9% (March 2006 est.) 3.4% (June 2006) $563.6 million $530.9 million (2005) tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, fruit; Guernsey cattle tourism, banking 0 kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2002) $NA tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables UK; note - regarded as internal trade (2006) $NA coal, gasoline, oil, machinery and equipment UK; note - regarded as internal trade (2006) $NA $NA Guernsey pound the British pound is also legal tender Guernsey pound 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003) the Guernsey pound is at par with the British pound calendar year 45,100 (2005) 43,800 (2004) none 1 submarine cable 2: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) 1 (1997) .gg 156 (2008) 36,000 (2005) 2 (2007) 2 1 1 (2007) Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson 379 353 (2008 est.) defense is the responsibility of the UK none Guinea-Bissau Since independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has experienced considerable political and military upheaval. In 1980, a military coup established authoritarian dictator Joao Bernardo 'Nino' VIEIRA as president. Despite setting a path to a market economy and multiparty system, VIEIRA's regime was characterized by the suppression of political opposition and the purging of political rivals. Several coup attempts through the 1980s and early 1990s failed to unseat him. In 1994 VIEIRA was elected president in the country's first free elections. A military mutiny and resulting civil war in 1998 eventually led to VIEIRA's ouster in May 1999. In February 2000, a transitional government turned over power to opposition leader Kumba YALA, after he was elected president in transparent polling. In September 2003, after only three years in office, YALA was ousted by the military in a bloodless coup, and businessman Henrique ROSA was sworn in as interim president. In 2005, former President VIEIRA was re-elected president pledging to pursue economic development and national reconciliation. Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Senegal 12 00 N 15 00 W Africa 36,120 sq km 28,000 sq km 8,120 sq km slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut 724 km Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km 350 km 12 nm 200 nm tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east Atlantic Ocean 0 m unnamed location in the northeast corner of the country 300 m fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, clay, granite, limestone, unexploited deposits of petroleum 8.31% 6.92% 84.77% (2005) 250 sq km (2003) hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season; brush fires deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishing Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements this small country is swampy along its western coast and low-lying inland 1,503,182 (July 2008 est.) 41% (male 307,353/female 308,726) 55.9% (male 404,747/female 436,245) 3.1% (male 18,819/female 27,292) (2008 est.) 19.2 years 18.6 years 19.8 years (2008 est.) 2.035% (2008 est.) 36.4 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 16.05 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.69 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 101.64 deaths/1,000 live births 111.74 deaths/1,000 live births 91.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 47.52 years 45.71 years 49.39 years (2008 est.) 4.72 children born/woman (2008 est.) 10% (2003 est.) 17,000 (2001 est.) 1,200 (2001 est.) very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and yellow fever schistosomiasis meningococcal meningitis (2008) Guinean(s) Guinean African 99% (includes Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1% Muslim 50%, indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 10% Portuguese (official), Crioulo, African languages age 15 and over can read and write 42.4% 58.1% 27.4% (2003 est.) Republic of Guinea-Bissau Guinea-Bissau Republica da Guine-Bissau Guine-Bissau Portuguese Guinea republic Bissau 11 51 N 15 35 W UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao); Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali; note - Bolama may have been renamed Bolama/Bijagos 24 September 1973 (declared); 10 September 1974 (from Portugal) Independence Day, 24 September (1973) 16 May 1984; amended 4 May 1991, 4 December 1991, 26 February 1993, 9 June 1993, and in 1996 based on French civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President Joao Bernardo 'Nino' VIEIRA (since 1 October 2005) Prime Minister Carlos CORREIA (since 5 August 2008) president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 24 July 2005 (next to be held in 2010); prime minister appointed by the president after consultation with party leaders in the legislature Joao Bernardo VIEIRA elected president; percent of vote, second ballot - Joao Bernardo VIEIRA 52.4%, Malam Bacai SANHA 47.6% unicameral National People's Assembly or Assembleia Nacional Popular (100 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 28 March 2004 (next to be held 16 November 2008) percent of vote by party - PAIGC 31.5%, PRS 24.8%, PUSD 16.1%, UE 4.1%, APU 1.3%, 13 other parties 22.2%; seats by party - PAIGC 45, PRS 35, PUSD 17, UE 2, APU 1 Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal da Justica (consists of nine justices appointed by the president and serve at his pleasure; final court of appeals in criminal and civil cases); Regional Courts (one in each of nine regions; first court of appeals for Sectoral Court decisions; hear all felony cases and civil cases valued at more than $1,000); 24 Sectoral Courts (judges are not necessarily trained lawyers; they hear civil cases valued at less than $1,000 and misdemeanor criminal cases) African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde or PAIGC [Carlos GOMES Junior]; Party for Social Renewal or PRS [Kumba YALA]; Democratic Social Front or FDS; Electoral Union or UE; Guinea-Bissau Civic Forum/Social Democracy or FCGSD [Antonieta Rosa GOMES]; Guinea-Bissau Democratic Party or PDG; Guinea-Bissau Socialist Democratic Party or PDSG [Serifo BALDE]; Labor and Solidarity Party or PST [Iancuba INDJAI]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Victor MANDINGA]; Party for Renewal and Progress or PRP; Progress Party or PP [Ibrahima SOW]; Union for Change or UM [Amine SAAD]; Union of Guinean Patriots or UPG [Francisca VAZ]; United Platform or UP (coalition formed by PCD, FDS, FLING, and RGB-MB); United Popular Alliance or APU; United Social Democratic Party or PUSD ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO none; note - Guinea-Bissau does not have official representation in Washington, DC the US Embassy suspended operations on 14 June 1998 in the midst of violent conflict between forces loyal to then President VIEIRA and military-led junta; the US Ambassador to Senegal is accredited to Guinea-Bissau two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia One of the five poorest countries in the world, Guinea-Bissau depends mainly on farming and fishing. Cashew crops have increased remarkably in recent years, and the country now ranks sixth in cashew production. Guinea-Bissau exports fish and seafood along with small amounts of peanuts, palm kernels, and timber. Rice is the major crop and staple food. However, intermittent fighting between Senegalese-backed government troops and a military junta destroyed much of the country's infrastructure and caused widespread damage to the economy in 1998; the civil war led to a 28% drop in GDP that year, with partial recovery in 1999-2002. Before the war, trade reform and price liberalization were the most successful part of the country's structural adjustment program under IMF sponsorship. The tightening of monetary policy and the development of the private sector had also begun to reinvigorate the economy. Because of high costs, the development of petroleum, phosphate, and other mineral resources is not a near-term prospect. Offshore oil prospecting is underway in several sectors but has not yet led to commercially viable crude deposits. The inequality of income distribution is one of the most extreme in the world. The government and international donors continue to work out plans to forward economic development from a lamentably low base. In December 2003, the World Bank, IMF, and UNDP were forced to step in to provide emergency budgetary support in the amount of $107 million for 2004, representing over 80% of the total national budget. Government drift and indecision, however, resulted in continued low growth in 2002-06. Higher raw material prices boosted growth to 3.7% in 2007. $826.4 million (2007 est.) $343 million (2007 est.) 2.7% (2007 est.) $600 (2007 est.) 62% 12% 26% (1999 est.) 480,000 (1999) 82% 18% (2000 est.) 0.5% 42.4% (1991) 3.8% (2007 est.) $NA $NA rice, corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), cashew nuts, peanuts, palm kernels, cotton; timber; fish agricultural products processing, beer, soft drinks 4.7% (2003 est.) 60 million kWh (2006 est.) 55.8 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 2,520 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 2,560 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) -$6 million (2007 est.) $133 million f.o.b. (2006) cashew nuts, shrimp, peanuts, palm kernels, sawn lumber Brazil 56.2%, India 33.6%, Nigeria 8.3% (2007) $200 million f.o.b. (2006) foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products Portugal 21.7%, Senegal 16.8%, France 6%, Pakistan 4.7% (2007) $941.5 million (2000 est.) $79.12 million (2005) Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003) since 1 January 1999, the XOF franc has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF francs per euro calendar year 4,600 (2007) 296,200 (2007) small system combination of microwave radio relay, open-wire lines, radiotelephone, and cellular communications; fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity reached 20 per 100 in 2007 245 5: AM 1 (transmitter out of service), FM 4, shortwave 0 (2001) .gw 82 (2008) 37,000 (2006) 27 (2007) 3 1 1 1 (2007) 24 1 4 19 (2007) 3,455 km 965 km 2,490 km (2002) rivers are navigable for some distance; many inlets and creeks give shallow-water access to much of interior (2007) Bissau, Buba, Cacheu, Farim People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP): Army, Navy, Air Force; paramilitary force 18 years of age for selective compulsory military service (2006) 16 344,087 16 347,886 (2008 est.) 16 188,605 16 195,429 (2008 est.) 16,634 16,841 (2008 est.) 3.1% of GDP (2005 est.) in 2006, political instability within Senegal's Casamance region resulted in thousands of Senegalese refugees, cross-border raids, and arms smuggling into Guinea-Bissau 7,454 (Senegal) (2007) Guinea-Bissau is a source country for children trafficked primarily for forced begging and forced agricultural labor to other West African countries Tier 2 Watch List - for the second year in a row, Guinea-Bissau is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons, as evidenced by the continued failure to pass an anti-trafficking law and inadequate efforts to investigate or prosecute trafficking crimes or convict and punish trafficking offenders (2008) increasingly important transit country for South American cocaine enroute to Europe; enabling environment for trafficker operations thanks to pervasive corruption; archipelago-like geography around the capital facilitates drug smuggling Guinea Guinea has had only two presidents since gaining its independence from France in 1958. Lansana CONTE came to power in 1984 when the military seized the government after the death of the first president, Sekou TOURE. Guinea did not hold democratic elections until 1993 when Gen. CONTE (head of the military government) was elected president of the civilian government. He was reelected in 1998 and again in 2003, though all the polls have been marred by irregularities. Guinea has maintained its internal stability despite spillover effects from conflict in Sierra Leone and Liberia. As those countries have rebuilt, Guinea's own vulnerability to political and economic crisis has increased. Declining economic conditions and popular dissatisfaction with corruption and bad governance prompted two massive strikes in 2006; a third nationwide strike in early 2007 sparked violent protests in many Guinean cities and prompted two weeks of martial law. To appease the unions and end the unrest, CONTE named a new prime minister in March 2007. Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone 11 00 N 10 00 W Africa 245,857 sq km 245,857 sq km 0 sq km slightly smaller than Oregon 3,399 km Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km 320 km 12 nm 200 nm generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior Atlantic Ocean 0 m Mont Nimba 1,752 m bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish, salt 4.47% 2.64% 92.89% (2005) 950 sq km (2003) hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led to environmental damage Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their sources in the Guinean highlands 9,806,509 (July 2008 est.) 42.9% (male 2,126,575/female 2,080,048) 53.7% (male 2,628,675/female 2,633,876) 3.4% (male 148,159/female 189,176) (2008 est.) 18.4 years 18.2 years 18.7 years (2008 est.) 2.492% (2008 est.) 37.84 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 11.29 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -1.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 67.41 deaths/1,000 live births 71.02 deaths/1,000 live births 63.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 56.58 years 55.12 years 58.08 years (2008 est.) 5.25 children born/woman (2008 est.) 3.2% (2003 est.) 140,000 (2003 est.) 9,000 (2003 est.) very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and yellow fever schistosomiasis meningococcal meningitis aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2008) Guinean(s) Guinean Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10% Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7% French (official); note - each ethnic group has its own language age 15 and over can read and write 29.5% 42.6% 18.1% (2003 est.) Republic of Guinea Guinea Republique de Guinee Guinee French Guinea republic Conakry 9 33 N 13 42 W UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 33 prefectures and 1 special zone (zone special)*; Beyla, Boffa, Boke, Conakry*, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Dubreka, Faranah, Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia, Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola, Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele, Tougue, Yomou 2 October 1958 (from France) Independence Day, 2 October (1958) 23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale) based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations 18 years of age; universal President Lansana CONTE (head of military government since 5 April 1984, elected president 19 December 1993) Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane SOUARE (since 23 May 2008) Council of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits); candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president; election last held 21 December 2003 (next to be held in December 2010); the prime minister is appointed by the president Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote - Lansana CONTE 95.3%, Mamadou Bhoye BARRY 4.6% unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; members are elected by a mixed system of direct popular vote and proportional party lists) last held 30 June 2002 (next to be held in 2008) percent of vote by party - PUP 61.6%, UPR 26.6%, other 11.8%; seats by party - PUP 85, UPR 20, other 9 legislative elections were due in 2007 but have been postponed Court of First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme National Union for Progress or UPN [Mamadou Bhoye BARRY]; Party for Unity and Progress or PUP (the governing party) [Lansana CONTE]; People's Party of Guinea or PPG [Charles Pascal TOLNO]; Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE]; Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea or UFDG [Cellou Dalein DIALLO]; Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE]; Union for Progress of Guinea or UPG [Jean-Marie DORE, secretary-general]; Union for Progress and Renewal or UPR [Ousmane BAH] National Confederation of Guinean Workers-Labor Union of Guinean Workers or CNTG-USTG Alliance (includes National Confederation of Guinean Workers or CNTG [Rabiatou Sarah DIALLO] and Labor Union of Guinean Workers or USTG [Dr. Ibrahima FOFANA]); National Council of Civil Society Organizations of Guinea or CNOSCG [Ben Sekou SYLLA]; Syndicate of Guinean Teachers and Researchers or SLECG [Dr. Louis M'Bemba SOUMAH] ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Mory Karamoko KABA 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 483-9420 [1] (202) 483-8688 Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Elizabeth RASPOLIC Koloma, Conakry, east of Hamdallaye Circle B. P. 603, Transversale No. 2, Centre Administratif de Koloma, Commune de Ratoma, Conakry [224] 65-10-40-00 [224] 65-10-42-97 three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The country has almost half of the world's bauxite reserves and is the second-largest bauxite producer. The mining sector accounts for over 70% of exports. Long-run improvements in government fiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. Investor confidence has been sapped by rampant corruption, a lack of electricity and other infrastructure, a lack of skilled workers, and the political uncertainty due to the failing health of President Lansana CONTE. Guinea is trying to reengage with the IMF and World Bank, which cut off most assistance in 2003, and is working closely with technical advisors from the U.S. Treasury Department, the World Bank and IMF, seeking to return to a fully funded program. Growth rose slightly in 2006-07, primarily due to increases in global demand and commodity prices on world markets, but the standard of living fell. The Guinea franc depreciated sharply as the prices for basic necessities like food and fuel rose beyond the reach of most Guineans. Dissatisfaction with economic conditions prompted nationwide strikes in February and June 2006. $10.96 billion (2007 est.) $4.714 billion (2007 est.) 1.5% (2007 est.) $1,100 (2007 est.) 23.8% 38.6% 37.6% (2007 est.) 3.7 million (2006 est.) 76% 24% (2006 est.) 47% (2006 est.) 1.9% 41% (2006) 38.1 (2006) 23.4% (2007 est.) 11.3% of GDP (2007 est.) $347.1 million $742.7 million (2007 est.) rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber bauxite, gold, diamonds, iron; alumina refining; light manufacturing, and agricultural processing 7.6% (2007 est.) 800 million kWh excludes electricity generated at interior mining sites (2006 est.) 744 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 8,559 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 8,811 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) -$424 million (2007 est.) $1.128 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products Russia 10.8%, Ukraine 9.6%, Spain 8.8%, US 7.5%, Germany 7.4%, South Korea 7.2%, France 7%, Ireland 5.5%, China 5% (2007) $1.202 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs China 10%, France 7%, Netherlands 6.3% (2007) $119 million (31 December 2007 est.) $3.351 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $182.1 million (2005) Guinean franc (GNF) Guinean francs (GNF) per US dollar - 4,122.8 (2007), 5,350 (2006), 3,644.3 (2005), 2,225 (2004), 1,984.9 (2003) calendar year 26,300 (2005) 189,000 (2005) inadequate system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system Conakry reasonably well served; coverage elsewhere remains inadequate and large companies tend to rely on their own systems for nationwide links; combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is about 2 per 100 persons 224 satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) 8: AM 0, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2006) 6 (2001) .gn 16 (2008) 50,000 (2006) 16 (2007) 5 1 1 3 (2007) 11 6 3 2 (2007) 837 km 175 km 1.435-m gauge 662 km 1.000-m gauge (2006) 44,348 km 4,342 km 40,006 km (2003) 1,300 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft) (2005) Conakry, Kamsar Armed Forces: Army, Navy (Marine Guineenne, includes Marines), Air Force, Presidential Guard (2008) 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2006) 16 2,230,049 16 2,193,236 (2008 est.) 16 1,268,193 16 1,259,913 (2008 est.) 106,967 104,631 (2008 est.) 1.7% of GDP (2006) conflicts among rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in neighboring states have spilled over into Guinea, resulting in domestic instability; Sierra Leone considers Guinea's definition of the flood plain limits to define the left bank boundary of the Makona and Moa rivers excessive and protests Guinea's continued occupation of these lands, including the hamlet of Yenga, occupied since 1998 21,856 (Liberia); 5,259 (Sierra Leone); 3,900 (Cote d'Ivoire) 19,000 (cross-border incursions from Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone) (2007) Guinea is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; the majority of victims are children, and internal trafficking is more prevalent than transnational trafficking; within the country, girls are trafficked primarily for domestic servitude and sexual exploitation, while boys are trafficked for forced agricultural labor, and as forced beggars, street vendors, shoe shiners, and laborers in gold and diamond mines; some Guinean men are also trafficked for agricultural labor within Guinea; transnationally, girls are trafficked into Guinea for domestic servitude and likely also for sexual exploitation Tier 2 Watch List - Guinea is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking over 2006; Guinea demonstrated minimal law enforcement efforts for a second year in a row, while protection efforts diminished over efforts in 2006; the government did not report any trafficking convictions in 2007; due to a lack of resources, the government does not provide shelter services for trafficking victims; the government took no measures to reduce the demand for commercial sexual exploitation (2008) Guyana Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to black settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. This ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, and since then it has been ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. After his death five years later, his wife, Janet JAGAN, became president but resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was reelected in 2001 and again in 2006. Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela 5 00 N 59 00 W South America 214,970 sq km 196,850 sq km 18,120 sq km slightly smaller than Idaho 2,949 km Brazil 1,606 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km 459 km 12 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January) mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south Atlantic Ocean 0 m Mount Roraima 2,835 m bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish 2.23% 0.14% 97.63% (2005) 1,500 sq km (2003) flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 none of the selected agreements the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively 770,794 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2008 est.) 25.9% (male 101,712/female 97,907) 68.7% (male 267,239/female 262,188) 5.4% (male 17,610/female 24,138) (2008 est.) 28.2 years 27.7 years 28.7 years (2008 est.) 0.211% (2008 est.) 17.85 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 8.29 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -7.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.73 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 30.43 deaths/1,000 live births 33.87 deaths/1,000 live births 26.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 66.43 years 63.81 years 69.18 years (2008 est.) 2.03 children born/woman (2008 est.) 2.5% (2003 est.) 11,000 (2003 est.) 1,100 (2003 est.) high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever and malaria leptospirosis (2008) Guyanese (singular and plural) Guyanese East Indian 43.5%, black (African) 30.2%, mixed 16.7%, Amerindian 9.1%, other 0.5% (2002 census) Hindu 28.4%, Pentecostal 16.9%, Roman Catholic 8.1%, Anglican 6.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 5%, Methodist 1.7%, Jehovah Witness 1.1%, other Christian 17.7%, Muslim 7.2%, other 4.3%, none 4.3% (2002 census) English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Urdu age 15 and over has ever attended school 98.8% 99.1% 98.5% (2003 est.) Cooperative Republic of Guyana Guyana British Guiana republic Georgetown 6 48 N 58 10 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo 26 May 1966 (from UK) Republic Day, 23 February (1970) 6 October 1980 based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 11 August 1999); note - assumed presidency after resignation of President Janet JAGAN and was reelected in 2001, and again in 2006 Prime Minister Samuel HINDS (since October 1992, except for a period as chief of state after the death of President Cheddi JAGAN on 6 March 1997) Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the legislature president elected by popular vote as leader of a party list in parliamentary elections, which must be held at least every five years (no term limits); elections last held 28 August 2006 (next to be held by August 2011); prime minister appointed by the president President Bharrat JAGDEO reelected; percent of vote 54.6% unicameral National Assembly (65 seats; members elected by popular vote, also not more than 4 non-elected non-voting ministers and 2 non-elected non-voting parliamentary secretaries appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms) last held 28 August 2006 (next to be held by August 2011) percent of vote by party - PPP/C 54.6%, PNC/R 34%, AFC 8.1%, other 3.3%; seats by party - PPP/C 36, PNC/R 22, AFC 5, other 2 Supreme Court of Judicature, consisting of the High Court and the Judicial Court of Appeal, with right of final appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice Alliance for Change or AFC [Raphael TROTMAN and Khemraj RAMJATTAN]; Guyana Action Party or GAP [Paul HARDY]; Justice for All Party [C.N. SHARMA]; People's National Congress/Reform or PNC/R [Robert Herman Orlando CORBIN]; People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C [Bharrat JAGDEO]; Rise, Organize, and Rebuild or ROAR [Ravi DEV]; The United Force or TUF [Manzoor NADIR]; The Unity Party [Joey JAGAN]; Vision Guyana [Peter RAMSAROOP]; Working People's Alliance or WPA [Rupert ROOPNARAINE] Amerindian People's Association; Guyana Bar Association; Guyana Citizens Initiative; Guyana Human Rights Association; Guyana Public Service Union or GPSU; Private Sector Commission; Trades Union Congress ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Bayney KARRAN 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 265-6900 [1] (202) 232-1297 New York Ambassador John Melvin JONES US Embassy, 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown; US Embassy, 3170 Georgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3170 [592] 225-4900 through 4909 [592] 225-8497 green, with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow, black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border between the yellow and the green The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in 2001-07, based on expansion in the agricultural and mining sectors, a more favorable atmosphere for business initiatives, a more realistic exchange rate, fairly low inflation, and the continued support of international organizations. Economic recovery since the 2005 flood-related contraction has been buoyed by increases in remittances and foreign direct investment. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure. The government is juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment. In March 2007, the Inter-American Development Bank, Guyana's principal donor, canceled Guyana's nearly $470 million debt, equivalent to nearly 48% of GDP. The bauxite mining sector should benefit in the near term from restructuring and partial privatization, and the state-owned sugar industry will conduct efficiency increasing modernizations. Export earnings from agriculture and mining have fallen sharply, while the import bill has risen, driven by higher energy prices. Guyana's entrance into the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) in January 2006 will broaden the country's export market, primarily in the raw materials sector. $2.819 billion (2007 est.) $1.039 billion (2007 est.) 5.3% (2007 est.) $3,700 (2007 est.) 31.1% 21.7% 47.1% (2007 est.) 418,000 (2001 est.) 9.1% (understated) (2000) 1.3% 33.8% (1999) 43.2 (1999) 12.3% (2007 est.) 34.9% of GDP (2007 est.) $446.2 million $531.2 million (2007 est.) sugarcane, rice, shrimp, fish, vegetable oils; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining -26.4% (2007 est.) 901 million kWh (2006 est.) 747 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 10,440 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 10,960 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) -$157 million (2007 est.) $683 million f.o.b. (2007 est.) sugar, gold, bauxite, alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum, timber Canada 18.7%, US 16.5%, UK 9.1%, Portugal 7.6%, Trinidad and Tobago 5.2%, France 4.7%, Netherlands 4.6%, Jamaica 4% (2007) $1.006 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food Trinidad and Tobago 26.2%, US 20.5%, Cuba 7.2%, China 7.1%, UK 5.4% (2007) $313 million (31 December 2007 est.) $1.2 billion (2002) $136.8 million (2005) Guyanese dollar (GYD) Guyanese dollars (GYD) per US dollar - 201.89 (2007), 200.28 (2006), 200.79 (2005), 198.31 (2004), 193.88 (2003) calendar year 110,100 (2005) 281,400 (2005) fair system for long-distance service microwave radio relay network for trunk lines; fixed-line teledensity is about 15 per 100 persons; many areas still lack fixed-line telephone services; mobile-cellular teledensity reached 37 per 100 persons in 2005 592 tropospheric scatter to Trinidad; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) 4: AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998) 3 (1 public station; 2 private stations which relay US satellite services) (1997) .gy 6,218 (2008) 190,000 (2007) 93 (2007) 9 3 6 (2007) 84 1 14 69 (2007) 7,970 km 590 km 7,380 km (2000) Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km respectively (2006) 8 cargo 6, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1 3 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, unknown 1) (2008) Georgetown Guyana Defense Force: Army (includes Coast Guard, Air Corps) (2007) 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) 16 220,797 (2008 est.) 16 150,623 (2008 est.) 6,713 6,451 (2008 est.) 1.8% of GDP (2006) all of the area west of the Essequibo River is claimed by Venezuela preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before UNCLOS that Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela extends into their waters; Suriname claims a triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyne; Guyana seeks arbitration under provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to resolve the long-standing dispute with Suriname over the axis of the territorial sea boundary in potentially oil-rich waters Guyana is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; most trafficking appears to take place in remote mining camps in the country's interior; some women and girls are trafficked from northern Brazil; reporting from other nations suggests Guyanese women and girls are trafficked for sexual exploitation to neighboring countries and Guyanese men and boys are subject to labor exploitation in construction and agriculture; trafficking victims from Suriname, Brazil, and Venezuela transit Guyana en route to Caribbean destinations Tier 2 Watch List - for a second consecutive year, Guyana is on the Tier 2 Watch List for failing to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking, particularly in the area of law enforcement actions against trafficking offenders; the government has yet to produce an anti-trafficking conviction under the comprehensive Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, which became law in 2005; the government operates no shelters for trafficking victims, but did include limited funding for anti-trafficking NGOs in its 2008 budget; the government did not make any effort to reduce demand for commercial sex acts during 2007 (2008) transshipment point for narcotics from South America - primarily Venezuela - to Europe and the US; producer of cannabis; rising money laundering related to drug trafficking and human smuggling Haiti The native Taino Amerindians - who inhabited the island of Hispaniola when it was discovered by COLUMBUS in 1492 - were virtually annihilated by Spanish settlers within 25 years. In the early 17th century, the French established a presence on Hispaniola, and in 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the island, which later became Haiti. The French colony, based on forestry and sugar-related industries, became one of the wealthiest in the Caribbean, but only through the heavy importation of African slaves and considerable environmental degradation. In the late 18th century, Haiti's nearly half million slaves revolted under Toussaint L'OUVERTURE. After a prolonged struggle, Haiti became the first black republic to declare its independence in 1804. The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti has been plagued by political violence for most of its history. After an armed rebellion led to the forced resignation and exile of President Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE in February 2004, an interim government took office to organize new elections under the auspices of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Continued violence and technical delays prompted repeated postponements, but Haiti finally did inaugurate a democratically elected president and parliament in May of 2006. Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic 19 00 N 72 25 W Central America and the Caribbean 27,750 sq km 27,560 sq km 190 sq km slightly smaller than Maryland 360 km Dominican Republic 360 km 1,771 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm to depth of exploitation tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds mostly rough and mountainous Caribbean Sea 0 m Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m bauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, hydropower 28.11% 11.53% 60.36% (2005) 920 sq km (2003) lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; periodic droughts extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land is being cleared for agriculture and used as fuel); soil erosion; inadequate supplies of potable water Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection Hazardous Wastes shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic) 8,924,553 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2008 est.) 41.8% (male 1,881,509/female 1,851,591) 54.7% (male 2,386,761/female 2,495,233) 3.5% (male 135,695/female 173,764) (2008 est.) 18.5 years 18.1 years 19 years (2008 est.) 2.493% (2008 est.) 35.69 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 10.15 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -0.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 62.33 deaths/1,000 live births 66.88 deaths/1,000 live births 57.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 57.56 years 55.83 years 59.35 years (2008 est.) 4.79 children born/woman (2008 est.) 5.6% (2003 est.) 280,000 (2003 est.) 24,000 (2003 est.) high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever dengue fever and malaria leptospirosis (2008) Haitian(s) Haitian black 95%, mulatto and white 5% Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% roughly half of the population practices voodoo French (official), Creole (official) age 15 and over can read and write 52.9% 54.8% 51.2% (2003 est.) Republic of Haiti Haiti Republique d'Haiti/Repiblik d' Ayiti Haiti/Ayiti republic Port-au-Prince 18 32 N 72 20 W UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins first Sunday in April; ends last Sunday in October 10 departments (departements, singular - departement); Artibonite, Centre, Grand 'Anse, Nippes, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est 1 January 1804 (from France) Independence Day, 1 January (1804) approved March 1987; suspended June 1988 with most articles reinstated March 1989; constitutional government ousted in a military coup in September 1991, although in October 1991, military government claimed to be observing the constitution; returned to constitutional rule in October 1994; constitution, while technically in force between 2004-2006, was not enforced; returned to constitutional rule in May 2006 based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 18 years of age; universal President Rene PREVAL (since 14 May 2006) Prime Minister Michele PIERRE-LOUIS (since 5 September 2008) Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 7 February 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister appointed by the president, ratified by the National Assembly Rene PREVAL elected president; percent of vote - Rene PREVAL 51% bicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale consists of the Senate (30 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies (99 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); note - in reestablishing the Senate, the candidate in each department receiving the most votes in the last election serves six years, the candidate with the second most votes serves four years, and the candidate with the third most votes serves two years Senate - last held 21 April 2006 with run-off elections on 3 December 2006 (next regular election, for one third of seats, to be held in 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held 21 April 2006 with run-off elections on 3 December 2006 and 29 April 2007 (next regular election to be held in 2010) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - L'ESPWA 11, FUSION 5, OPL 4, FL 3, LAAA 2, UNCRH 2, PONT 2, ALYANS 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - L'ESPWA 23, FUSION 17, FRN 12, OPL 10, ALYANS 10, LAAA 5, MPH 3, MOCHRENA 3, other 10; results for six other seats contested on 3 December 2006 remain unknown Supreme Court or Cour de Cassation Artibonite in Action or LAAA [Youri LATORTUE]; Assembly of Progressive National Democrats or RDNP [Leslie MANIGAT]; Convention for Democratic Unity or KID [Evans PAUL]; Cooperative Action to Build Haiti or KONBA [Evans LESCOUFALIR]; Democratic Alliance or ALYANS [Evans PAUL] (coalition composed of KID and PPRH); Effort and Solidarity to Create an Alternative for the People or ESKAMP [Joseph JASME]; For Us All or PONT [Jean-Marie CHERESTAL]; Front for Hope or L'ESPWA [Rene PREVAL] (alliance of ESKAMP, PLB, and grass-roots organizations Grand-Anse Resistance Committee, the Central Plateau Peasants' Group, and Kombit Sudest); Haitian Christian Democratic Party or PDCH [Osner FEVRY and Marie-Denise CLAUDE]; Haitian Democratic and Reform Movement or MODEREH [Dany TOUSSAINT and Pierre Soncon PRINCE]; Heads Together or Tet-Ansanm [Dr. Gerard BLOT]; Independent Movement for National Reconciliation or MIRN [Luc FLEURINORD]; Justice for Peace and National Development or JPDN [Rigaud DUPLAN]; Fanmi Lavalas or FL [Rudy HERIVEAUX]; Liberal Party of Haiti or PLH [Gehy MICHEL]; Merging of Haitian Social Democratic Parties or FUSION or FPSDH [Serge GILLES] (coalition of Ayiti Capable, Haitian National Revolutionary Party, and National Congress of Democratic Movements); Mobilization for Haiti's Development or MPH [Samir MOURRA]; Mobilization for National Development or MDN [Hubert de RONCERAY]; Movement for National Reconstruction or MRN [Jean Henold BUTEAU]; Movement for the Installation of Democracy in Haiti or MIDH [Marc BAZIN]; National Christian Union for the Reconstruction of Haiti or UNCRH [Marie Claude GERMAIN]; National Front for the Reconstruction of Haiti or FRN [Guy PHILIPPE]; New Christian Movement for a New Haiti or MOCHRENA [Luc MESADIEU]; Open the Gate Party or PLB [Anes LUBIN]; Popular Party for the Renewal of Haiti or PPRH [Claude ROMAIN]; Struggling People's Organization or OPL [Edgard LEBLANC]; Union of Nationalist and Progressive Haitians or UNITE [Edouard FRANCISQUE] Autonomous Organizations of Haitian Workers or CATH [Fignole ST-CYR]; Confederation of Haitian Workers or CTH; Federation of Workers Trade Unions or FOS; General Organization of Independent Haitian Workers [Patrick NUMAS]; Grand-Anse Resistance Committee, or KOREGA; National Popular Assembly or APN; Papaye Peasants Movement or MPP [Chavannes JEAN-BAPTISTE]; Popular Organizations Gathering Power or PROP; Protestant Federation of Haiti; Roman Catholic Church ACP, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Raymond JOSEPH 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 332-4090 [1] (202) 745-7215 Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico) Ambassador Janet A. SANDERSON Tabarre 41, Route de Tabarre, Port-au-Prince use mailing address [509] 229-8000 [509] 229-8028 two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength) Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with 80% of the population living under the poverty line and 54% in abject poverty. Two-thirds of all Haitians depend on the agricultural sector, mainly small-scale subsistence farming, and remain vulnerable to damage from frequent natural disasters, exacerbated by the country's widespread deforestation. A macroeconomic program developed in 2005 with the help of the International Monetary Fund helped the economy grow 3.5% in 2007, the highest growth rate since 1999. US economic engagement under the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) Act, passed in December 2006, has boosted the garment and automotive parts exports and investment by providing tariff-free access to the US. Haiti suffers from high inflation, a lack of investment because of insecurity and limited infrastructure, and a severe trade deficit. In 2005, Haiti paid its arrears to the World Bank, paving the way for reengagement with the Bank. The government relies on formal international economic assistance for fiscal sustainability. Remittances are the primary source of foreign exchange, equaling nearly a quarter of GDP and more than twice the earnings from exports. $11.38 billion (2007 est.) $5.435 billion (2007 est.) 3.2% (2007 est.) $1,300 (2007 est.) 28% 20% 52% (2004 est.) 3.6 million shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (1995) 66% 9% 25% (1995) widespread unemployment and underemployment; more than two-thirds of the labor force do not have formal jobs (2002 est.) 80% (2003 est.) 0.7% 47.7% (2001) 59.2 (2001) 8.5% (2007 est.) 28.9% of GDP (2006 est.) $815.9 million $802.2 million (2007 est.) coffee, mangoes, sugarcane, rice, corn, sorghum; wood sugar refining, flour milling, textiles, cement, light assembly based on imported parts 2.5% (2007 est.) 549 million kWh (2006 est.) 330 million kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 12,370 bbl/day (2006 est.) 0 bbl/day (2005) 11,980 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) -$467 million (2007 est.) $522 million f.o.b. (2007 est.) apparel, manufactures, oils, cocoa, mangoes, coffee US 72.9%, Dominican Republic 8.8%, Canada 3.3% (2007) $1.734 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) food, manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, raw materials US 41.2%, Netherlands Antilles 14.9%, China 4.7%, Brazil 4.4% (2007) $444 million (31 December 2007 est.) $1.475 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $515 million (2005 est.) gourde (HTG) gourdes (HTG) per US dollar - 37.138 (2007), 40.232 (2006), 40.449 (2005), 38.352 (2004), 42.367 (2003) 1 October - 30 September 150,000 (2006) 2.2 million (2007) domestic facilities barely adequate; international facilities slightly better; telephone density in Haiti remains the lowest in the Latin American and Caribbean region coaxial cable and microwave radio relay trunk service; combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is about 25 per 100 persons 509 satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) 67: AM 41, FM 26, shortwave 0 (1999) 2 (plus a cable TV service) (1997) .ht 7 (2008) 1 million (2007) 14 (2007) 4 1 3 (2007) 10 1 9 (2007) 4,160 km 1,011 km 3,149 km (2000) Cap-Haitien no regular military forces - small Coast Guard; the regular Haitian Armed Forces (FAdH) - Army, Navy, and Air Force - have been demobilized but still exist on paper unless they are constitutionally abolished (2007) 16 2,047,083 16 2,047,953 (2008 est.) 16 1,303,743 16 1,332,316 (2008 est.) 105,655 104,376 (2008 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2006) since 2004, about 8,000 peacekeepers from the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) maintain civil order in Haiti; despite efforts to control illegal migration, Haitians cross into the Dominican Republic and sail to neighboring countries; Haiti claims US-administered Navassa Island Caribbean transshipment point for cocaine en route to the US and Europe; substantial bulk cash smuggling activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor Haiti for illicit financial transactions; pervasive corruption; significant consumer of cannabis Heard Island and McDonald Islands These uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic islands were transferred from the UK to Australia in 1947. Populated by large numbers of seal and bird species, the islands have been designated a nature preserve. islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica 53 06 S 72 31 E Antarctic Region 412 sq km 412 sq km 0 sq km slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC 0 km 101.9 km 12 nm 200 nm antarctic Heard Island - 80% ice-covered, bleak and mountainous, dominated by a large massif (Big Ben) and an active volcano (Mawson Peak); McDonald Islands - small and rocky Indian Ocean 0 m Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m fish 0% 0% 100% (2005) 0 sq km Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island Mawson Peak on Heard Island is the highest Australian mountain (at 2,745 meters, it is taller than Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia proper), and one of only two active volcanoes located in Australian territory, the other being McDonald Island; in 1992, McDonald Island broke its dormancy and began erupting; it has erupted several times since, the most recent being in 2005 uninhabited Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands Heard Island and McDonald Islands HIMI territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply none (territory of Australia) none (territory of Australia) the flag of Australia is used The islands have no indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing in the surrounding waters. .hm none; offshore anchorage only defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols none Vatican City Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid 19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the pope's holdings were further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between a series of "prisoner" popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy. In 1984, a concordat between the Holy See and Italy modified certain of the earlier treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the Italian state religion. Present concerns of the Holy See include religious freedom, international development, the environment, the Middle East, China, the decline of religion in Europe, terrorism, interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization. About one billion people worldwide profess the Catholic faith. Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy) 41 54 N 12 27 E Europe 0.44 sq km 0.44 sq km 0 sq km about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC 3.2 km Italy 3.2 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to May) with hot, dry summers (May to September) urban; low hill unnamed location 19 m unnamed location 75 m none 0% 0% 100% (urban area) (2005) 0 sq km Climate Change Air Pollution, Environmental Modification landlocked; enclave in Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; beyond the territorial boundary of Vatican City, the Lateran Treaty of 1929 grants the Holy See extraterritorial authority over 23 sites in Rome and five outside of Rome, including the Pontifical Palace at Castel Gandolfo (the Pope's summer residence) 824 (July 2008 est.) 0.003% (2008 est.) none none Italians, Swiss, other Roman Catholic Italian, Latin, French, various other languages 100% 100% 100% The Holy See (State of the Vatican City) Holy See (Vatican City) Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano) Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano) ecclesiastical Vatican City 41 54 N 12 27 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October none 11 February 1929 (from Italy); note - the three treaties signed with Italy on 11 February 1929 acknowledged, among other things, the full sovereignty of the Vatican and established its territorial extent; however, the origin of the Papal States, which over the years have varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to the 8th century Coronation Day of Pope BENEDICT XVI, 24 April (2005) new Fundamental Law promulgated by Pope JOHN PAUL II on 26 November 2000, effective 22 February 2001 (replaces the first Fundamental Law of 1929) based on Code of Canon Law and revisions to it limited to cardinals less than 80 years old Pope BENEDICT XVI (since 19 April 2005) Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio BERTONE (since 15 September 2006) Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City appointed by the pope pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election last held 19 April 2005 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope Joseph RATZINGER elected Pope BENEDICT XVI unicameral Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City there are three tribunals responsible for civil and criminal matters within Vatican City; three other tribunals rule on issues pertaining to the Holy See judicial duties were established by the Motu Proprio of Pope PIUS XII on 1 May 1946 none none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers) CE (observer), IAEA, Interpol, IOM (observer), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO (observer), UPU, WFTU, WIPO, WTO (observer) Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Pietro SAMBI 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 333-7121 [1] (202) 337-4036 Ambassador Mary Ann GLENDON Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00153 Rome PSC 59, Box 66, APO AE 09624 [39] (06) 4674-3428 [39] (06) 575-8346 two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the arms of the Holy See, consisting of the crossed keys of Saint Peter surmounted by the three-tiered papal tiara, centered in the white band This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by an annual contribution (known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholic dioceses throughout the world; by the sale of postage stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos; by fees for admission to museums; and by the sale of publications. Investments and real estate income also account for a sizable portion of revenue. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome. $NA essentially services with a small amount of industry; nearly all dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and the approximately 3,000 lay workers live outside the Vatican $310 million $307 million (2006) printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps; a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy euro (EUR) euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003) calendar year 5,120 (2005) automatic digital exchange connected via fiber optic cable to Telecom Italia network 39 uses Italian system 9: AM 4, FM 3, shortwave 2 (2004) 1 (2005) .va 55 (2008) 93 (2000) Pontifical Swiss Guard (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera Pontificia) (2007) defense is the responsibility of Italy; ceremonial and limited security duties performed by Pontifical Swiss Guard none Honduras Once part of Spain's vast empire in the New World, Honduras became an independent nation in 1821. After two and a half decades of mostly military rule, a freely elected civilian government came to power in 1982. During the 1980s, Honduras proved a haven for anti-Sandinista contras fighting the Marxist Nicaraguan Government and an ally to Salvadoran Government forces fighting leftist guerrillas. The country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which killed about 5,600 people and caused approximately $2 billion in damage. Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the Gulf of Fonseca (North Pacific Ocean), between El Salvador and Nicaragua 15 00 N 86 30 W Central America and the Caribbean 112,090 sq km 111,890 sq km 200 sq km slightly larger than Tennessee 1,520 km Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua 922 km 820 km 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm natural extension of territory or to 200 nm subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains Caribbean Sea 0 m Cerro Las Minas 2,870 m timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish, hydropower 9.53% 3.21% 87.26% (2005) 800 sq km (2003) frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; extremely susceptible to damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbean coast urban population expanding; deforestation results from logging and the clearing of land for agricultural purposes; further land degradation and soil erosion hastened by uncontrolled development and improper land use practices such as farming of marginal lands; mining activities polluting Lago de Yojoa (the country's largest source of fresh water), as well as several rivers and streams, with heavy metals 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 none of the selected agreements has only a short Pacific coast but a long Caribbean shoreline, including the virtually uninhabited eastern Mosquito Coast 7,639,327 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2008 est.) 38.7% (male 1,508,835/female 1,446,530) 57.8% (male 2,210,187/female 2,203,620) 3.5% (male 121,839/female 148,316) (2008 est.) 20 years 19.7 years 20.4 years (2008 est.) 2.024% (2008 est.) 26.93 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 5.36 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) -1.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.82 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 24.61 deaths/1,000 live births 27.63 deaths/1,000 live births 21.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 69.37 years 67.81 years 71.01 years (2008 est.) 3.38 children born/woman (2008 est.) 1.8% (2003 est.) 63,000 (2003 est.) 4,100 (2003 est.) high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever and malaria leptospirosis (2008) Honduran(s) Honduran mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European) 90%, Amerindian 7%, black 2%, white 1% Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant 3% Spanish, Amerindian dialects age 15 and over can read and write 80% 79.8% 80.2% (2001 census) Republic of Honduras Honduras Republica de Honduras Honduras democratic constitutional republic Tegucigalpa 14 06 N 87 13 W UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November 18 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Atlantida, Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Independence Day, 15 September (1821) 11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982; amended many times rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law with increasing influence of English common law; recent judicial reforms include abandoning Napoleonic legal codes in favor of the oral adversarial system; accepts ICJ jurisdiction with reservations 18 years of age; universal and compulsory President Jose Manuel ZELAYA Rosales (since 27 January 2006); Vice President Elvin Ernesto SANTOS Ordonez (since 27 January 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Jose Manuel ZELAYA Rosales (since 27 January 2006); Vice President Elvin Ernesto SANTOS Ordonez (since 27 January 2006) Cabinet appointed by president president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 27 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2009) Jose Manuel ZELAYA Rosales elected president - 49.8%, Porfirio "Pepe" LOBO Sosa 46.1%, other 4.1% unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (128 seats; members are elected proportionally to the number of votes their party's presidential candidate receives to serve four-year terms) last held 27 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2009) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PL 62, PN 55, PUD 5, PDC 4, PINU 2 Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (15 judges are elected for seven-year terms by the National Congress) Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Felicito AVILA]; Democratic Unification Party or PUD [Cesar HAM]; Liberal Party or PL [Patricia RODAS]; National Innovation and Unity Party or PINU [Jorge AQUILAR Paredes]; National Party of Honduras or PN [Porfirio LOBO] Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras or CODEH; Confederation of Honduran Workers or CTH; Coordinating Committee of Popular Organizations or CCOP; General Workers Confederation or CGT; Honduran Council of Private Enterprise or COHEP; National Association of Honduran Campesinos or ANACH; National Union of Campesinos or UNC; Popular Bloc or BP; United Confederation of Honduran Workers or CUTH BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ambassador Roberto FLORES BERMUDEZ Suite 4-M, 3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 966-7702 [1] (202) 966-9751 Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco (honorary) Boston, Detroit, Jacksonville Ambassador Hugo LLORENS Avenida La Paz, Apartado Postal No. 3453, Tegucigalpa American Embassy, APO AA 34022, Tegucigalpa [504] 236-9320, 238-5114 [504] 238-4357 three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with five blue, five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band Honduras, the second poorest country in Central America and one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, with an extraordinarily unequal distribution of income and massive unemployment, is banking on expanded trade under the US-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and on debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Despite improvements in tax collections, the government's fiscal deficit is growing due to increases in current expenditures and financial losses from the state energy and telephone companies. Honduras is the fastest growing remittance destination in the region with inflows representing over a quarter of GDP, equivalent to nearly three-quarters of exports. The economy relies heavily on a narrow range of exports, notably bananas and coffee, making it vulnerable to natural disasters and shifts in commodity prices, however, investments in the maquila and non-traditional export sectors are slowly diversifying the economy. Growth remains dependent on the economy of the US, its largest trading partner, and on reduction of the high crime rate, as a means of attracting and maintaining investment. $32.26 billion (2007 est.) $12.28 billion (2007 est.) 6.3% (2007 est.) $4,300 (2007 est.) 13.4% 28.1% 58.6% (2007 est.) 2.779 million (2007 est.) 34% 23% 43% (2003 est.) 27.8% (2007 est.) 50.7% (2004) 1.2% 42.2% (2003) 53.8 (2003) 6.9% (2007 est.) 30.4% of GDP (2007 est.) $2.344 billion $2.631 billion; including capital expenditures of $106 million (2007 est.) 24.1% of GDP (2007 est.) bananas, coffee, citrus; beef; timber; shrimp, tilapia, lobster; corn, African palm sugar, coffee, textiles, clothing, wood products 4.4% (2007 est.) 5.753 billion kWh (2006 est.) 4.233 billion kWh (2006 est.) 0 kWh (2007 est.) 11.8 million kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 46,830 bbl/day (2006 est.) 417.9 bbl/day (2005) 44,040 bbl/day (2005) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) -$1.225 billion (2007 est.) $5.594 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) coffee, shrimp, bananas, gold, palm oil, fruit, lobster, lumber US 67.2%, El Salvador 4.9%, Guatemala 3.9% (2007) $8.556 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) machinery and transport equipment, industrial raw materials, chemical products, fuels, foodstuffs US 52.4%, Guatemala 7.1%, El Salvador 5.2%, Mexico 4.5%, Costa Rica 4.2% (2007) $2.546 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $3.411 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $680.8 million (2005) lempira (HNL) lempiras (HNL) per US dollar - 18.9 (2007), 18.895 (2006), 18.92 (2005), 18.206 (2004), 17.345 (2003) calendar year 713,600 (2006) 2.241 million (2006) inadequate system beginning in 2003, private sub-operators allowed to provide fixed-lines in order to expand telephone coverage; fixed-line teledensity has increased to about 10 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone service has been increasing rapidly and subscribership in 2006 exceeded 30 per 100 persons 504 landing point for both the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the MAYA-1 fiber optic submarine cable system that together provide connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System 306: AM 241, FM 53, shortwave 12 (1998) 11 (plus 17 repeaters) (1997) .hn 13,370 (2008) 344,100 (2006) 112 (2007) 12 3 2 4 3 (2007) 100 2 15 83 (2007) 699 km 279 km 1.067-m gauge; 420 km 0.914-m gauge (2006) 13,600 km 2,775 km 10,825 km (2000) 465 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2007) 123 bulk carrier 10, cargo 57, chemical tanker 6, container 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 25, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1 42 (Bangladesh 1, Canada 1, China 3, Egypt 3, Greece 4, Hong Kong 1, Israel 1, Japan 4, South Korea 6, Lebanon 1, Mexico 1, Singapore 12, Taiwan 2, Tanzania 1, Vietnam 1) (2008) La Ceiba, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo, Tela Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry), Honduran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Hondurena, FAH) (2008) 18 years of age for voluntary 2 to 3-year military service (2004) 16 1,868,940 16 1,825,770 (2008 est.) 16 1,359,406 16 1,371,418 (2008 est.) 90,876 87,292 (2008 est.) 0.6% of GDP (2006 est.) International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras border in 1992 with final settlement by the parties in 2006 after an Organization of American States (OAS) survey and a further ICJ ruling in 2003; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca with consideration of Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not mentioned in the ICJ ruling, off Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca; Honduras claims the Belizean-administered Sapodilla Cays off the coast of Belize in its constitution, but agreed to a joint ecological park around the cays should Guatemala consent to a maritime corridor in the Caribbean under the OAS-sponsored 2002 Belize-Guatemala Differendum; memorials and countermemorials were filed by the parties in Nicaragua's 1999 and 2001 proceedings against Honduras and Colombia at the ICJ over the maritime boundary and territorial claims in the western Caribbean Sea - final public hearings are scheduled for 2007 transshipment point for drugs and narcotics; illicit producer of cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally for local consumption; corruption is a major problem; some money-laundering activity Hong Kong Occupied by the UK in 1841, Hong Kong was formally ceded by China the following year; various adjacent lands were added later in the 19th century. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK on 19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 1 July 1997. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system would not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong would enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years. Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China 22 15 N 114 10 E Southeast Asia 1,092 sq km 1,042 sq km 50 sq km six times the size of Washington, DC 30 km China 30 km 733 km 3 nm subtropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north South China Sea 0 m Tai Mo Shan 958 m outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar 5.05% 1.01% 93.94% (2001) 20 sq km (1998 est.) occasional typhoons air and water pollution from rapid urbanization Marine Dumping (associate member), Ship Pollution (associate member) more than 200 islands 7,018,636 (July 2008 est.) 12.6% (male 463,300/female 422,945) 74.4% (male 2,535,246/female 2,684,495) 13% (male 425,500/female 487,150) (2008 est.) 41.7 years 41.4 years 42 years (2008 est.) 0.532% (2008 est.) 7.37 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) 6.6 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) 4.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) 1.08 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.87 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2008 est.) 2.93 deaths/1,000 live births 3.11 deaths/1,000 live births 2.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) 81.77 years 79.07 years 84.69 years (2008 est.) 1 children born/woman (2008 est.) 0.1% (2003 est.) 2,600 (2003 est.) fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Chinese/Hong Konger Chinese/Hong Kong Chinese 95%, Filipino 1.6%, Indonesian 1.3%, other 2.1% (2006 census) eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10% Chinese (Cantonese) 89.2% (official), other Chinese dialects 6.4%, English 3.2% (official), other 1.2% (2001 census) age 15 and over has ever attended school 93.5% 96.9% 89.6% (2002) Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Hong Kong Xianggang Tebie Xingzhengqu Xianggang HK special administrative region of China limited democracy none (special administrative region of China) none (special administrative region of China) National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 1 July 1997 is celebrated as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day Basic Law, approved in March 1990 by China's National People's Congress, is Hong Kong's "mini-constitution" based on English common law direct election - 18 years of age for a number of non-executive positions; universal for permanent residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years; indirect election - limited to about 220,000 members of functional constituencies and an 800-member election committee drawn from broad regional groupings, central government bodies, and municipal organizations President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) Chief Executive Donald TSANG (since 24 June 2005) Executive Council consists of 15 official members and 16 non-official members chief executive elected for five-year term by 800-member electoral committee; last held on 25 March 2007 (next to be held in 2012) Donald TSANG elected chief executive receiving 84.1% of the vote of the election committee; Alan LEONG received 15.9% unicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO (60 seats; 30 seats indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 30 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms) last held 7 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2012) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by parties - pro-Beijing 37; pro-democracy 23 Court of Final Appeal in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood or ADPL [Frederick FUNG Kin-kee]; Citizens Party [Alex CHAN Kai-chung]; Civic Party [KUAN Hsin-chi]; Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong or DAB [TAM Yiu Cheng]; Democratic Party [Albert HO]; Frontier Party [Emily LAU Wai-hing]; League of Social Democrats [Raymond WONG]; Liberal Party [James TIEN Pei-chun] political blocs include: pro-democracy - ADPL, Democratic Party, Frontier Party, League of Social Democrats; pro-Beijing - DAB, Liberal Party, The Alliance (a group of five generally pro-government and pro-business Legco members from functional constituencies); there is no political party ordinance, so there are no registered political parties; politically active groups register as societies or companies Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Confederation of Trade Unions or CTU (pro-democracy) [LAU Chin-shek, president; LEE Cheuk-yan, general secretary]; Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Federation of Trade Unions or FTU (pro-China) [CHENG Yiu-tong, executive councilor]; Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China [Szeto WAH, chairman]; Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union [CHEUNG Man-kwong, president]; Neighborhood and Workers' Service Center or NWSC (pro-democracy); The Alliance [Bernard CHARNWUT, executive committee member] ADB, APEC, BIS, ICC, IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITUC, UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WMO, WTO none (special administrative region of China); Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington and two other cities carries out normal liaison and communication with the US Government and other US entities Consul General Joseph A. DONOVAN, Jr. 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong PSC 461, Box 1, FPO AP 96521-0006 [852] 2523-9011 [852] 2845-1598 red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in the center Hong Kong has a free market economy highly dependent on international trade. In 2006, the total value of goods and services trade, including the sizable share of reexports, was equivalent to 400% of GDP. The territory has become increasingly integrated with mainland China over the past few years through trade, tourism, and financial links. The mainland has long been Hong Kong's largest trading partner, accounting for 46% of Hong Kong's total trade by value in 2006. As a result of China's easing of travel restrictions, the number of mainland tourists to the territory has surged from 4.5 million in 2001 to 13.6 million in 2006, when they outnumbered visitors from all other countries combined. Hong Kong has also established itself as the premier stock market for Chinese firms seeking to list abroad. Bolstered by several successful initial public offerings in early 2007, by September 2007 mainland companies accounted for one-third of the firms listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and more than half of the Exchange's market capitalization. During the past decade, as Hong Kong's manufacturing industry moved to the mainland, its service industry has grown rapidly and now accounts for 91% of the territory's GDP. Hong Kong's natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. GDP growth averaged a strong 5% from 1989 to 2007, despite the economy suffering two recessions during the Asian financial crisis in 1997-98 and the global downturn in 2001-02. Hong Kong continues to link its currency closely to the US dollar, maintaining an arrangement established in 1983. $293.3 billion (2007 est.) $206.7 billion (2007 est.) 6.4% (2007 est.) $42,000 (2007 est.) 0.1% 8.1% 91.7% (2007 est.) 3.64 million (2007 est.) manufacturing 6.5%, construction 2.1%, wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels 43.3%, financing, insurance, and real estate 20.7%, transport and communications 7.8%, community and social services 19.5% above data exclude public sector (2007 est.) 4% (2007 est.) 53.3 (2007) 2% (2007 est.) 20.3% of GDP (2007 est.) $36.9 billion $29.4 billion (FY07-08 est.) 12.5% of GDP (2007 est.) fresh vegetables; poultry, pork; fish textiles, clothing, tourism, banking, shipping, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks -0.8% (2007 est.) 36.61 billion kWh (2007 est.) 38.02 billion kWh (2006 est.) 4.035 billion kWh (2007 est.) 10.96 billion kWh (2007 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) 293,100 bbl/day (2006 est.) 22,420 bbl/day (2006) 314,700 bbl/day (2006) 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 2.69 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (2007 est.) 2.69 billion cu m (2007 est.) 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) $28.04 billion (2007 est.) $345.9 billion f.o.b., including reexports (2007 est.) electrical machinery and appliances, textiles, apparel, footwear, watches and clocks, toys, plastics, precious stones, printed material China 48.7%, US 13.7%, Japan 4.5% (2007) $365.6 billion (2007 est.) raw materials and semi-manufactures, consumer goods, capital goods, foodstuffs, fuel (most is re-exported) China 46.3%, Japan 10%, Taiwan 7.1%, Singapore 6.8%, US 4.9%, South Korea 4.2% (2007) $152.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $588 billion (2007 est.) $6.95 million (2004) Hong Kong dollar (HKD) Hong Kong dollars (HKD) per US dollar - 7.802 (2007), 7.7678 (2006), 7.7773 (2005), 7.788 (2004), 7.7868 (2003) 1 April - 31 March 3.875 million (2007) 10.55 million (2007) modern facilities provide excellent domestic and international services microwave radio relay links and extensive fiber-optic network 852 multiple international submarine cables provide connections to Asia, US, Australia, the Middle East, and Western Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China 14: AM 5, FM 9, shortwave 0 (2004) 55 (2 TV networks, each broadcasting on 2 channels) (2007) .hk 817,766 (2008) 3.961 million (2007) 2 (2007) 2 1 1 (2007) 5 (2007) 2,009 km 2,009 km (2007) 1,114 barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 525, cargo 142, carrier 3, chemical tanker 68, combination ore/oil 2, container 205, liquefied gas 22, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 114, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 9, vehicle carrier 7 703 (Belgium 3, Canada 44, China 324, Denmark 24, France 1, Germany 6, Greece 22, Indonesia 7, Iran 15, Japan 111, South Korea 3, Norway 40, Philippines 1, Portugal 1, Russia 2, Singapore 18, Syria 1, Taiwan 11, UAE 1, UK 39, US 29) 357 (Bahamas 30, Bermuda 4, Cambodia 8, China 12, Cyprus 2, Georgia 2, Honduras 1, India 1, Jamaica 1, Kiribati 4, Liberia 44, Malaysia 14, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 4, Mexico 1, Netherlands Antilles 2, Norway 20, Panama 130, Philippines 1, Portugal 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Seychelles 1, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 47, Tuvalu 7, UK 2, Vietnam 1, unknown 8) (2008) Hong Kong no regular indigenous military forces; Hong Kong garrison of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) includes elements of the PLA Ground Forces, PLA Navy, and PLA Air Force; these forces are under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission in Beijing and under administrative control of the adjacent Guangzhou Military Region (2007) 16 1,772,820 16 1,941,448 (2008 est.) 16 1,438,165 16 1,561,252 (2008 est.) 42,173 38,753 (2008 est.) defense is the responsibility of China none despite strenuous law enforcement efforts, faces difficult challenges in controlling transit of heroin and methamphetamine to regional and world markets; modern banking system provides conduit for money laundering; rising indigenous use of synthetic drugs, especially among young people Howland Island Discovered by the US early in the 19th century, the island was officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US and British companies mined for guano until about 1890. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began on this island, similar to the effort on nearby Baker Island, but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The famed American aviatrix Amelia EARHART disappeared while seeking out Howland Island as a refueling stop during her 1937 round-the-world flight; Earhart Light, a day beacon near the middle of the west coast, was named in her memory. The island was established as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1974. island in the North Pacific Ocean 1,815 nm (3,361 km) southwest of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and Australia 0 48 N 176 38 W 138.6 sq km 2.6 sq km (emergent) 136 sq km about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC 0 km 6.4 km 12 nm 200 nm equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef; depressed central area Pacific Ocean 0 m unnamed location 3 m guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife 0% 0% 100% (2001) 0 sq km the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard no natural fresh water resources scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; closed to the public uninhabited none Howland Island unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system the laws of the US, where applicable, apply the flag of the US is used no economic activity one airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia EARHART and Fred NOONAN - they left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen again; the airstrip is no longer serviceable none; offshore anchorage only Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast that was partially destroyed during World War II, but has since been rebuilt; named in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard none Hungary Hungary became a Christian kingdom in A.D. 1000 and for many centuries served as a bulwark against Ottoman Turkish expansion in Europe. The kingdom eventually became part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed during World War I. The country fell under Communist rule following World War II. In 1956, a revolt and an announced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive military intervention by Moscow. Under the leadership of Janos KADAR in 1968, Hungary began liberalizing its economy, introducing so-called "Goulash Communism." Hungary held its first multiparty elections in 1990 and initiated a free market economy. It joined NATO in 1999 and the EU in 2004. Central Europe, northwest of Romania 47 00 N 20 00 E Europe 93,030 sq km 92,340 sq km 690 sq km slightly smaller than Indiana 2,185 km Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km, Serbia 166 km, Slovakia 676 km, Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km 0 km (landlocked) none (landlocked) temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the Slovakian border Tisza River 78 m Kekes 1,014 m bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land 49.58% 2.06% 48.36% (2005) 2,300 sq km (2003) the upgrading of Hungary's standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution to meet EU requirements will require large investments 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 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, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western E