The 1998 CIA World Factbook
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Title: The 1998 CIA World Factbook
Author: United States. Central Intelligence Agency
Release date: December 1, 1999 [eBook #2016]
Most recently updated: October 3, 2025
Language: English
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The CIA World Factbook 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Countries are listed in alphabetical order. Notes and
appendixes follow the country listings.
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Arctic Ocean
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Atlantic Ocean
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas, The
Bahrain
Baker Island
Bangladesh
Barbados
Bassas da India
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Bouvet Island
Brazil
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burma
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Clipperton Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Congo, Republic of the
Cook Islands
Coral Sea Islands
Costa Rica
Cote d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Europa Island
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Guiana
French Polynesia
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Gabon
Gambia, The
Gaza Strip
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Glorioso Islands
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Holy See (Vatican City)
Honduras
Hong Kong
Howland Island
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indian Ocean
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Jan Mayen
Japan
Jarvis Island
Jersey
Johnston Atoll
Jordan
Juan de Nova Island
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kingman Reef
Kiribati
Korea, North
Korea, South
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Man, Isle of
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia, Federated States of
Midway Islands
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Nauru
Navassa Island
Nepal
Netherlands
Netherlands Antilles
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Oman
Pacific Ocean
Pakistan
Palau
Palmyra Atoll
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paracel Islands
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn Islands
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Reunion
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia and Montenegro
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Spain
Spratly Islands
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tromelin Island
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Vietnam
Virgin Islands
Wake Island
Wallis and Futuna
West Bank
Western Sahara
World
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Notes and Definitions
Appendixes
Appendix A: Abbreviations
Appendix B: United Nations System
Appendix C: International Organizations and Groups
Appendix D: Selected International Environmental Agreements
Appendix E: Weights and Measures
Appendix F: Cross-Reference List of Country Data Codes
Appendix G: Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Codes
Appendix H: Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names
History
Contributors and Copyright Information
Purchase Information
______________________________________________________________________
AFGHANISTAN
@Afghanistan:Geography
Location: Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran
Geographic coordinates: 33 00 N, 65 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total: 647,500 sq km
land: 647,500 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,529 km
border countries: China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km,
Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers
Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Amu Darya 258 m
highest point: Nowshak 7,485 m
Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, talc,
barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious
stones
Land use:
arable land: 12%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 46%
forests and woodland: 3%
other: 39% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 30,000 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains;
flooding
Environment-current issues: soil degradation; overgrazing;
deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for
fuel and building materials); desertification
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban
signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation
Geography-note: landlocked
@Afghanistan:People
Population: 24,792,375 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 5,425,510; female 5,216,954)
15-64 years: 54% (male 6,978,549; female 6,494,253)
65 years and over: 3% (male 357,780; female 319,329) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 4.21% (1998 est.)
note: this rate reflects the continued return of refugees
Birth rate: 42.37 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 17.4 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 17.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 143.63 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 46.83 years
male: 47.35 years
female: 46.29 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.01 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Afghan(s)
adjective: Afghan
Ethnic groups: Pashtun 38%, Tajik 25%, Uzbek 6%, Hazara 19%, minor
ethnic groups (Aimaks, Turkmen, Baloch, and others)
Religions: Sunni Muslim 84%, Shi'a Muslim 15%, other 1%
Languages: Pashtu 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%, Turkic languages
(primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily
Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 31.5%
male: 47.2%
female: 15% (1995 est.)
@Afghanistan:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Islamic State of Afghanistan; note-the
self-proclaimed Taliban government refers to the country as Islamic
Emirate of Afghanistan
conventional short form: Afghanistan
local long form: Dowlat-e Eslami-ye Afghanestan
local short form: Afghanestan
former: Republic of Afghanistan
Data code: AF
Government type: transitional government
National capital: Kabul
Administrative divisions: 30 provinces (velayat, singular-velayat);
Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni,
Ghowr, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabol, Kandahar, Kapisa, Konar,
Kondoz, Laghman, Lowgar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Oruzgan, Paktia, Paktika,
Parvan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Takhar, Vardak, Zabol
note: there may be two new provinces of Nurestan (Nuristan) and Khowst
Independence: 19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign
affairs)
National holiday: Victory of the Muslim Nation, 28 April; Remembrance
Day for Martyrs and Disabled, 4 May; Independence Day, 19 August
Constitution: none
Legal system: a new legal system has not been adopted but all factions
tacitly agree they will follow Shari'a (Islamic law)
Suffrage: undetermined; previously males 15-50 years of age
Executive branch: on 27 September 1996, the ruling members of the
Afghan Government were displaced by members of the Islamic Taliban
movement; the Islamic State of Afghanistan has no functioning
government at this time, and the country remains divided among
fighting factions
note: the Taliban have declared themselves the legitimate government
of Afghanistan; the UN has deferred a decision on credentials and the
Organization of the Islamic Conference has left the Afghan seat vacant
until the question of legitimacy can be resolved through negotiations
among the warring factions; the country is essentially divided along
ethnic lines; the Taliban controls the capital of Kabul and
approximately two-thirds of the country including the predominately
ethnic Pashtun areas in southern Afghanistan; opposing factions have
their stronghold in the ethnically diverse north-General DOSTAM's
National Islamic Movement controls several northcentral provinces and
Commander MASOOD controls the ethnic Tajik majority areas of the
northeast
Legislative branch: non-functioning as of June 1993
Judicial branch: non-functioning as of March 1995, although there are
local Shari'a (Islamic law) courts throughout the country
Political parties and leaders: Taliban (Religious Students Movement),
Mohammad OMAR; United Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan
[comprised of Jumbesh-i-Melli Islami (National Islamic Movement),
Abdul Rashid DOSTAM; Jamiat-i-Islami (Islamic Society), Burhanuddin
RABBANI and Ahmad Shah MASOOD; and Hizbi Wahdat-Khalili faction
(Islamic Unity Party), Abdul Karim KHALILI]; other smaller parties are
Hizbi Islami-Gulbuddin (Islamic Party), Gulbuddin HIKMATYAR faction;
Hizbi Islami-Khalis (Islamic Party), Yunis KHALIS faction;
Ittihad-i-Islami Barai Azadi Afghanistan (Islamic Union for the
Liberation of Afghanistan), Abdul Rasul SAYYAF;
Harakat-Inqilab-i-Islami (Islamic Revolutionary Movement), Mohammad
Nabi MOHAMMADI; Jabha-i-Najat-i-Milli Afghanistan (Afghanistan
National Liberation Front), Sibghatullah MOJADDEDI;
Mahaz-i-Milli-Islami (National Islamic Front), Sayed Ahamad GAILANI;
Hizbi Wahdat-Akbari faction (Islamic Unity Party), Mohammad Akbar
AKBARI; Harakat-i-Islami (Islamic Movement), Mohammed Asif MOHSENI
Political pressure groups and leaders: tribal elders represent
traditional Pashtun leadership; Afghan refugees in Pakistan,
Australia, US, and elsewhere have organized politically; Peshawar,
Pakistan-based groups such as the Coordination Council for National
Unity and Understanding in Afghanistan (CUNUA), Ishaq GAILANI; Writers
Union of Free Afghanistan (WUFA), A. Rasul AMIN; Mellat (Social
Democratic Party), leader NA
International organization participation: AsDB, CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO,
G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
Intelsat, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
note: embassy operations suspended 21 August 1997
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
chancery: 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-3770
FAX: [1] (202) 328-3516
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US embassy in Kabul has
been closed since January 1989 due to security concerns
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white,
and black with a gold emblem centered on the three bands; the emblem
features a temple-like structure with Islamic inscriptions above and
below, encircled by a wreath on the left and right and by a bolder
Islamic inscription above, all of which are encircled by two crossed
scimitars
note: the Taliban uses a plain white flag
@Afghanistan:Economy
Economy-overview: Afghanistan is an extremely poor, landlocked
country, highly dependent on farming and livestock raising (sheep and
goats). Economic considerations have played second fiddle to political
and military upheavals during more than 18 years of war, including the
nearly 10-year Soviet military occupation (which ended 15 February
1989). During the war one-third of the population fled the country,
with Pakistan and Iran sheltering a combined peak of more than 6
million refugees. Now, only 750,000 registered Afghan refugees remain
in Pakistan and about 1.2 million in Iran. Another 1 million have
probably moved into and around urban areas within Afghanistan. Gross
domestic product has fallen substantially over the past 18 years
because of the loss of labor and capital and the disruption of trade
and transport. Much of the population continues to suffer from
insufficient food, clothing, housing, and medical care. Inflation
remains a serious problem throughout the country, with one estimate
putting the rate at 240% in Kabul in 1996. Numerical data are likely
to be either unavailable or unreliable.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$19.3 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: NA%
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$800 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 53%
industry: 28.5%
services: 18.5% (1990)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 240% (1996 est.)
Labor force:
total: 7.1 million
by occupation: agriculture and animal husbandry 67.8%, industry 10.2%,
construction 6.3%, commerce 5.0%, services and other 10.7% (1980 est.)
Unemployment rate: 8% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture,
shoes, fertilizer, and cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, oil,
coal, copper
Electricity-capacity: 494,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 655 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 37 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: wheat, fruits, nuts, karakul pelts; wool, mutton
Exports:
total value: $80 million (1996 est.)
commodities: fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides
and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems
partners: FSU, Pakistan, Iran, Germany, India, UK, Belgium,
Luxembourg, Czechoslovakia
Imports:
total value: $150 million (1996 est.)
commodities: food and petroleum products; most consumer goods
partners: FSU, Pakistan, Iran, Japan, Singapore, India, South Korea,
Germany
Debt-external: $2.3 billion (March 1991 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA; about $45 million in UN aid plus additional bilateral
aid and aid in kind (1997)
note: US provided $450 million in bilateral assistance (1985-93); US
continues to contribute to multilateral assistance through the UN
programs of food aid, immunization, land mine removal, and a wide
range of aid to refugees and displaced persons
Currency: 1 afghani (AF) = 100 puls
Exchange rates: afghanis (Af) per US$1-17,000 (December 1996), 7,000
(January 1995), 1,900 (January 1994), 1,019 (March 1993), 850 (1991);
note-these rates reflect the free market exchange rates rather than
the official exchange rate, which was fixed at 50.600 afghanis to the
dollar until 1996, when it rose to 2,262.65 per dollar, and finally
became fixed again at 3,000.00 per dollar on April 1996
Fiscal year: 21 March-20 March
Communications
Telephones: 31,200 (1983 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: very limited telephone and telegraph service
international: satellite earth stations-1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
linked only to Iran and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 0, shortwave 2
Radios: 1.8 million (1996 est.); note-about 60% of families own a
radio
Television broadcast stations: NA
note: one television station run by Jumbesh faction provides
intermittent service
Televisions: 100,000 (1993 est.)
@Afghanistan:Transportation
Railways:
total: 24.6 km
broad gauge: 9.6 km 1.524-m gauge from Gushgy (Turkmenistan) to
Towraghondi; 15 km 1,524-m gauge from Termiz (Uzbekistan) to Kheyrabad
transshipment point on south bank of Amu Darya
Highways:
total: 21,000 km
paved: 2,793 km
unpaved: 18,207 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 1,200 km; chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to
about 500 DWT
Pipelines: petroleum products-Uzbekistan to Bagram and Turkmenistan to
Shindand; natural gas 180 km
Ports and harbors: Kheyrabad, Shir Khan
Airports: 44 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 11
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 33
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 10 (1997 est.)
Heliports: 3 (1997 est.)
@Afghanistan:Military
Military branches: NA; note-the military does not exist on a national
basis; some elements of the former Army, Air and Air Defense Forces,
National Guard, Border Guard Forces, National Police Force (Sarandoi),
and tribal militias still exist but are factionalized among the
various groups
Military manpower-military age: NA years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: NA
Military manpower-fit for military service:
males: NA
Military manpower-reaching military age annually:
males: NA
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Afghanistan:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: support to Islamic militants worldwide by some
factions; question over which group should hold Afghanistan's seat at
the UN
Illicit drugs: world's second-largest illicit opium producer after
Burma (cultivation in 1997-39,150 hectares, a 3% increase over 1996;
potential production in 1997-1,265 metric tons, a 3% increase over
1996) and a major source of hashish
______________________________________________________________________
ALBANIA
@Albania:Geography
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian
Sea, between Greece and Serbia and Montenegro
Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 28,750 sq km
land: 27,400 sq km
water: 1,350 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 720 km
border countries: Greece 282 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia 151 km, Serbia and Montenegro 287 km (114 km with Serbia,
173 km with Montenegro)
Coastline: 362 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry
summers; interior is cooler and wetter
Terrain: mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
highest point: Maja e Korabit 2,753 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper,
timber, nickel
Land use:
arable land: 21%
permanent crops: 5%
permanent pastures: 15%
forests and woodland: 38%
other: 21% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 3,410 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along
southwestern coast
Environment-current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water
pollution from industrial and domestic effluents
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links
Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)
@Albania:People
Population: 3,330,754 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 572,430; female 532,917)
15-64 years: 61% (male 941,076; female 1,086,541)
65 years and over: 6% (male 82,184; female 115,606) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.97% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 21.35 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 7.45 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 45.01 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.64 years
male: 65.58 years
female: 71.94 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.57 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Albanian(s)
adjective: Albanian
Ethnic groups: Albanian 95%, Greeks 3%, other 2% (Vlachs, Gypsies,
Serbs, and Bulgarians) (1989 est.)
note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from 1%
(official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization)
Religions: Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10%
note: all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious
observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing
private religious practice
Languages: Albanian (Tosk is the official dialect), Greek
Literacy:
definition: age 9 and over can read and write
total population: 72%
male: 80%
female: 63% (1955 est.)
@Albania:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Albania
conventional short form: Albania
local long form: Republika e Shqiperise
local short form: Shqiperia
former: People's Socialist Republic of Albania
Data code: AL
Government type: emerging democracy
National capital: Tirana
Administrative divisions: 36 districts (rrethe, singular-rreth);
Berat, Bulquize, Delvine, Devoll (Bilisht), Dibre (Peshkopi), Durres,
Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Gramsh, Has (Krume), Kavaje, Kolonje
(Erseke), Korce, Kruje, Kucove, Kukes, Lac, Lezhe, Librazhd, Lushnje,
Malesia e Madhe (Koplik), Mallakaster (Ballsh), Mat (Burrel), Mirdite
(Rreshen), Peqin, Permet, Pogradec, Puke, Sarande, Shkoder, Skrapar
(Corovode), Tepelene, Tirane, Tropoje (Bajram Curri), Vlore
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their
administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name
following in parentheses)
Independence: 28 November 1912 (from Ottoman Empire)
National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1912)
Constitution: an interim basic law was approved by the People's
Assembly on 29 April 1991; a draft constitution was rejected by
popular referendum in the fall of 1994 and a new draft is pending
Legal system: has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President of the Republic Rexhep MEIDANI (since 24
July 1997)
head of government: Prime Minister Fatos NANO (since 24 July 1997)
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and
approved by the president
elections: president elected by the People's Assembly for a five-year
term; election last held 24 July 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); prime
minister appointed by the president
election results: Rexhep MEIDANI elected president; People's Assembly
vote by number - total votes 122, for 110, against 3, abstained 2,
invalid 7
Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly or Kuvendi Popullor
(155 seats; most members are elected by direct popular vote and some
by proportional vote for four-year terms)
elections: last held 29 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2000)
election results: percent of vote by party-PS 53.36%, PD 25.33%, PSD
2.5%, PBDNJ 2.78%, PBK 2.36%, PAD 2.85%, PR 2.25%, PLL 3.09%, PDK
1.00%, PBSD 0.84%; seats by party-PS 101, PD 27, PSD 8, PBDNJ 4, PBK
3, PAD 2, PR 2, PLL 2, PDK 1, PBSD 1, PUK 1, independents 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chairman of the Supreme Court is
elected by the People's Assembly for a four-year term
Political parties and leaders: Albanian Socialist Party or PS
(formerly the Albania Workers Party) [Fatos NANO, chairman];
Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; Albanian Republican Party or PR
[Fatmir MEHDIU]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI];
Unity for Human Rights Party or PBDNJ [Vasil MELO, chairman]; National
Front (Balli Kombetar) or PBK [Hysen SELFO]; Movement of Legality
Party or PLL [Guri DUROLLARI]; Party of National Unity or PUK [Idajet
BEQIRI]; Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Zef BUSHATI]; PBSD;
Democratic Party of the Right or PDD [Petrit KALAKULA]; Democratic
Alliance or PAD [Neritan CEKA]; Social Democratic Union Party or USdS
[Teodor LACO]; Albanian United Right or DBSH
International organization participation: BSEC, CCC, CE, CEI, EAPC,
EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user),
Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, OIC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UNOMIG, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Petrit BUSHATI
chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942
FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Marisa R. LINO (15 July 1996)
embassy: Rruga E. Labinoti 103, Tirana
mailing address: PSC 59, Box 100 (A), APO AE 09624
telephone: [355] (42) 328-75, 335-20
FAX: [355] (42) 322-22
Flag description: red with a black two-headed eagle in the center
@Albania:Economy
Economy-overview: An extremely poor country by European standards,
Albania is making the difficult transition to a more open-market
economy. The economy rebounded in 1993-95 after a severe depression
accompanying the collapse of the previous centrally planned system in
1990 and 1991. However, a weakening of government resolve to maintain
stabilization policies in the election year of 1996 contributed to
renewal of inflationary pressures, spurred by the budget deficit which
exceeded 12%. The collapse of financial pyramid schemes in early
1997-which had attracted deposits from a substantial portion of
Albania's adult population - triggered severe social unrest which led
to more than 1,500 deaths, widespread destruction of property, and an
8% drop in GDP. The new government installed in July 1997 has taken
strong measures to restore public order and to revive economic
activity and trade. The economy continues to be bolstered by
remittances of some 20% of the labor force which works abroad, mostly
in Greece and Italy. These remittances supplement GDP and help offset
the large foreign trade deficit. Most agricultural land was privatized
in 1992, substantially improving peasant incomes.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$4.5 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: -8% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$1,370 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 56%
industry: 21%
services: 23% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 40% (1997 est.)
Labor force:
total: 1.692 million (1994 est.) (including 352,000 emigrant workers
and 261,000 domestically unemployed)
by occupation: agriculture (nearly all private) 49.5%, private sector
22.2%, state (nonfarm) sector 28.3% (including state-owned industry
7.8%); note-includes only those domestically employed
Unemployment rate: 14% (October 1997) officially, but likely to be as
high as 28%
Budget:
revenues: $624 million
expenditures: $996 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil,
cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower
Industrial production growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)
Electricity-capacity: 1.892 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 4.435 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 1,314 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: wide range of temperate-zone crops and livestock
Exports:
total value: $228 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.)
commodities: asphalt, metals and metallic ores, electricity, crude
oil, vegetables, fruits, tobacco
partners: Italy, Greece, Germany, Belgium, US
Imports:
total value: $879 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.)
commodities: machinery, consumer goods, grains
partners: Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, The Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia
Debt-external: $645 million (1996)
Economic aid:
recipient: $630 million pledged 1997
Currency: 1 lek (L) = 100 qintars
Exchange rates: leke (L) per US$1-152.28 (January 1998), 148.93
(1997), 104.50 (1996), 92.70 (1995), 94.62 (1994), 102.06 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 55,000
Telephone system:
domestic: obsolete wire system; no longer provides a telephone for
every village; in 1992, following the fall of the communist
government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used it
to build fences
international: inadequate; international traffic carried by microwave
radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece
Radio broadcast stations: AM 17, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 577,000 (1991 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 9
Televisions: 300,000 (1993 est.)
@Albania:Transportation
Railways:
total: 670 km
standard gauge: 670 km 1.435-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 18,000 km
paved: 5,400 km
unpaved: 12,600 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 43 km plus Albanian sections of Lake Scutari, Lake Ohrid,
and Lake Prespa (1990)
Pipelines: crude oil 145 km; petroleum products 55 km; natural gas 64
km (1991)
Ports and harbors: Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore
Merchant marine:
total: 8 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 36,582 GRT/54,832
DWT (1997 est.)
Airports: 9 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1997 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1997 est.)
@Albania:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Interior
Ministry Troops, Border Guards
Military manpower-military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 749,633 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service:
males: 609,986 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-reaching military age annually:
males: 32,367 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $42 million (1996)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.5% to 2.0% (1996)
@Albania:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: the Albanian Government supports protection of
the rights of ethnic Albanians outside of its borders but has
downplayed them to further its primary foreign policy goal of regional
cooperation; Albanian majority in Kosovo seeks independence from
Serbian Republic; Albanians in The Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia claim discrimination in education, access to public-sector
jobs and representation in government
Illicit drugs: increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest
Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and
cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium
and cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking
organizations active in Central and Eastern Europe
______________________________________________________________________
ALGERIA
@Algeria:Geography
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between
Morocco and Tunisia
Geographic coordinates: 28 00 N, 3 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 2,381,740 sq km
land: 2,381,740 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 6,343 km
border countries: Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km,
Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km
Coastline: 998 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 32-52 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: 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
Terrain: mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow,
discontinuous coastal plain
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Chott Melrhir -40 m
highest point: Tahat 3,003 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates,
uranium, lead, zinc
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 13%
forests and woodland: 2%
other: 82% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 5,550 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mud
slides
Environment-current issues: 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
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban
Geography-note: second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan)
@Algeria:People
Population: 30,480,793 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 38% (male 5,923,087; female 5,709,614)
15-64 years: 58% (male 8,931,896; female 8,752,014)
65 years and over: 4% (male 542,012; female 622,170) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.14% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 27.51 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 5.63 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 45.44 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.93 years
male: 67.78 years
female: 70.12 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.38 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Algerian(s)
adjective: Algerian
Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1%
Religions: Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
Languages: Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 61.6%
male: 73.9%
female: 49% (1995 est.)
@Algeria:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria
conventional short form: Algeria
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash
Shabiyah
local short form: Al Jaza'ir
Data code: AG
Government type: republic
National capital: Algiers
Administrative divisions: 48 provinces (wilayas, 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
Independence: 5 July 1962 (from France)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 1 November (1954)
Constitution: 19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised 3
November 1988, 23 February 1989, and 28 November 1996; note-referendum
approving the revisions of 28 November 1996 was signed into law 7
December 1996
Legal system: 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
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Liamine ZEROUAL (appointed president 31
January 1994, elected president 16 November 1995)
head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed OUYAHIA (since 31 December
1995)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 16 November 1995 (next to be held NA 2000); prime
minister appointed by the president
election results: Liamine ZEROUAL elected president; percent of
vote-Liamine ZEROUAL 61.3%
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the National
People's Assembly or Al-Majlis Ech-Chaabi Al-Watani (380 seats;
members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the
Council of Nations (144 seats; one-third of the members appointed by
the president, two-thirds elected by indirect vote; members serve
six-year terms; created as a result of the constitutional revision of
November 1996)
elections: National People's Assembly-last held 5 June 1997 (next to
be held NA 2001); elections for two-thirds of the Council of
Nations-last held 25 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2003)
election results: National People's Assembly-percent of vote by
party-NA%; seats by party-RND 156, MSP 69, FLN 62, Nahda Movement 34,
FFS 20, RCD 19, PT 4, Republican Progressive Party 3, Union for
Democracy and Freedoms 1, Liberal Social Party 1, independents 11;
Council of Nations-percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party-RND
80, FLN 10, FFS 4, MSP 2 (remaining 48 seats appointed by the
president, party breakdown NA)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: Islamic Salvation Front (FIS, outlawed
April 1992), Ali BENHADJ, Dr. Abassi MADANI, Rabeh KEBIR (self-exile
in Germany); National Liberation Front (FLN), Boualem BENHAMOUDA,
secretary general; Socialist Forces Front (FFS), Hocine Ait AHMED,
secretary general (self-exile in Switzerland); Movement of a Peaceful
Society (MSP or Hamas), Mahfoud NAHNAH, chairman; Rally for Culture
and Democracy (RCD), Said SAADI, secretary general; Algerian Renewal
Party (PRA), Noureddine BOUKROUH, chairman; Nahda Movement (Al Nahda),
Abdallah DJABALLAH, president; Democratic National Rally (RND),
Abdelkader BENSALAH, chairman; Movement for Democracy in Algeria
(MDA), Ahmed Ben BELLA; Workers Party (PT), Louisa HANOUN; Republican
Progressive Party, Khadir DRISS; Union for Democracy and Freedoms,
Mouley BOUKHALAFA; Liberal Social Party, Ahmed KHELIL
note: the government established a multiparty system in September 1989
and, as of 31 December 1990, over 50 legal parties existed; a new
party law was enacted in March 1997
International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF,
AMU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,
ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO,
Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAS
(observer), OAU, OIC, OPEC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ramtane LAMAMRA
chancery: 2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-2800
FAX: [1] (202) 667-2174
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Cameron HUME
embassy: 4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, Algiers
mailing address: B. P. Box 549, Alger-Gare, 16000 Algiers
telephone: [213] (2) 69-11-86, 69-12-55, 69-18-54, 69-38-75
FAX: [213] (2) 69-39-79
Flag description: two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and
white with a red, five-pointed star within a red crescent; the
crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam (the
state religion)
@Algeria:Economy
Economy-overview: The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the
economy, accounting for roughly 57% of government revenues, 25% of
GDP, and almost all export earnings. Algeria has the fifth-largest
reserves of natural gas in the world and is the second largest gas
exporter; it ranks fourteenth for oil reserves. Algiers' efforts to
reform one of the most centrally planned economies in the Arab world
began after the 1986 collapse of world oil prices plunged the country
into a severe recession. In 1989, the government launched a
comprehensive, IMF-supported program to achieve economic stabilization
and to introduce market mechanisms into the economy. Despite
substantial progress toward economic adjustment, in 1992 the reform
drive stalled as Algiers became embroiled in political turmoil. In
September 1993, a new government was formed, and one priority was the
resumption and acceleration of the structural adjustment process.
Burdened with a heavy foreign debt, Algiers concluded a one-year
standby arrangement with the IMF in April 1994 and the following year
signed onto a three-year extended fund facility. Progress on economic
reform, a Paris Club debt rescheduling in 1995, and oil and gas sector
expansion have contributed to a recovery since 1995. Investments in
developing hydrocarbon resources are likely to maintain growth and
export earnings. Continuing but gradual government efforts to attract
foreign and domestic investment outside that sector seek to diversify
the economy and tackle problems of high unemployment and falling
living standards, problems as yet untouched by the macroeconomic
turnaround.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$120.4 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 2.5% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$4,000 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 12%
industry: 50%
services: 38% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 7% (1997 est.)
Labor force:
total: 7.8 million (1996 est.)
by occupation: government 29.5%, agriculture 22%, construction and
public works 16.2%, industry 13.6%, commerce and services 13.5%,
transportation and communication 5.2% (1989)
Unemployment rate: 28% (1997 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $13.7 billion
expenditures: $13.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.1
million (1996 est.)
Industries: petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining,
electrical, petrochemical, food processing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 6.007 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 19.1 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 630 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus,
fruits; sheep, cattle
Exports:
total value: $13.1 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
commodities: petroleum and natural gas 97%
partners: Italy 18.8%, US 14.8%, France 11.8%, Spain 8%, Germany 7.9%
(1995 est.)
Imports:
total value: $10 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
commodities: capital goods, food and beverages, consumer goods
partners: France 29%, Spain 10.5%, Italy 8.2%, US 8%, Germany 5.6%
(1995 est.)
Debt-external: $33 billion (1997 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $420 million (1996)
Currency: 1 Algerian dinar (DA) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Algerian dinars (DA) per US$1-58.969 (January 1998),
57.707 (1997), 54.749 (1996), 47.663 (1995), 35.059 (1994), 23.345
(1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 862,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: good service in north but sparse in south; domestic
satellite system with 12 earth stations (20 additional domestic earth
stations are planned)
international: 5 submarine cables; microwave radio relay to Italy,
France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial cable to Morocco and
Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel; satellite earth stations-2
Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik, and 1
Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 26, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 6 million (1991 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 18
Televisions: 2 million (1993 est.)
@Algeria:Transportation
Railways:
total: 4,772 km
standard gauge: 3,616 km 1.435-m gauge (301 km electrified; 215 km
double track)
narrow gauge: 1,156 km 1.055-m gauge
Highways:
total: 102,424 km
paved: 70,570 km (including 608 km of expressways)
unpaved: 31,854 km (1995 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 6,612 km; petroleum products 298 km; natural gas
2,948 km
Ports and harbors: Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Beni Saf, Dellys,
Djendjene, Ghazaouet, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda, Tenes
Merchant marine:
total: 78 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 928,965 GRT/1,094,104 DWT
ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 27, chemical tanker 7, liquefied gas
tanker 11, oil tanker 5, roll-on/roll-off cargo 13, short-sea
passenger 5, specialized tanker 1 (1997 est.)
Airports: 136 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 50
over 3,047 m: 8
2,438 to 3,047 m: 24
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 86
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 24
914 to 1,523 m: 40
under 914 m: 19 (1997 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1997 est.)
@Algeria:Military
Military branches: National Popular Army, Navy, Air Force, Territorial
Air Defense, National Gendarmerie
Military manpower-military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 7,949,708 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service:
males: 4,871,931 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-reaching military age annually:
males: 347,952 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $1.3 billion (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.7% (1994)
@Algeria:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: part of southeastern region claimed by Libya
______________________________________________________________________
AMERICAN SAMOA
(territory of the US)
@American Samoa:Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about
one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 14 20 S, 170 00 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total: 199 sq km
land: 199 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island
Area-comparative: slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 116 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual
rainfall averages 124 inches; rainy season from November to April, dry
season from May to October; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal
plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Lata 966 m
Natural resources: pumice, pumicite
Land use:
arable land: 5%
permanent crops: 10%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 70%
other: 15% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: typhoons common from December to March
Environment-current issues: 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
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: 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
@American Samoa:People
Population: 62,093 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 39% (male 12,575; female 11,824)
15-64 years: 56% (male 17,513; female 17,477)
65 years and over: 5% (male 1,364; female 1,340) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.74% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 27.31 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 4.03 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 4.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 10.47 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.23 years
male: 70.95 years
female: 79.77 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.72 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: American Samoan(s)
adjective: American Samoan
Ethnic groups: Samoan (Polynesian) 89%, Caucasian 2%, Tongan 4%, other
5%
Religions: Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%,
Protestant denominations and other 30%
Languages: Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian
languages), English
note: most people are bilingual
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97%
male: 98%
female: 97% (1980 est.)
@American Samoa:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa
conventional short form: American Samoa
abbreviation: AS
Data code: AQ
Dependency status: unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US;
administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the
Interior
Government type: NA
National capital: Pago Pago
Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US); there are no
first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government,
but there are three political districts
Independence: none (territory of the US)
National holiday: Territorial Flag Day, 17 April (1900)
Constitution: ratified 1966, in effect 1967
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President of the US William Jefferson CLINTON (since
20 January 1993) and Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January
1993)
head of government: Governor Tauese P. SUNIA (since 3 January 1997)
and Lieutenant Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 3 January 1997)
cabinet: NA
elections: governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 3 November
1996 (next to be held 7 November 2000)
election results: Tauese P. SUNIA elected governor of American Samoa;
percent of vote - Tauese P. SUNIA (Democrat) 51%, Peter REID
(independent) 49%
Legislative branch: bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of
the House of Representatives (21 seats-20 of which 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 who serve four-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives-last held 5 November 1996 (next to
be held NA November 1998); Senate-last held 3 November 1996 (next to
be held 7 November 2000)
election results: House of Representatives-percent of vote by
party-NA; seats by party - NA; Senate-percent of vote by party-NA;
seats by party-NA
note: American Samoa elects one delegate to the US House of
Representatives; elections last held 5 November 1996 (next to be held
NA November 1998); results - Eni R. F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA (Democrat)
reelected as delegate
Judicial branch: High Court, chief justice and associate justices are
appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party; Republican Party
International organization participation: ESCAP (associate), Interpol
(subbureau), IOC, SPC
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of the US)
Flag description: blue with a white triangle edged in red that is
based on the outer 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 staff and a war club
@American Samoa:Economy
Economy-overview: This is 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 the
great bulk of its foreign trade. 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. According to one observer,
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, a developing sector, may be held
back in 1998 by the financial difficulties in East Asia.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$150 million (1995 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: NA%
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$2,600 (1995 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA %
Labor force:
total: 14,400 (1990)
by occupation: government 33%, tuna canneries 34%, other 33% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 12% (1991)
Budget:
revenues: $97 million ($43 million in local revenue and $54 million in
grant revenue)
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90/91)
Industries: tuna canneries (largely dependent on foreign fishing
vessels), handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 33,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 105 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 1,830 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit,
yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy farming
Exports:
total value: $318 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities: canned tuna 93%
partners: US 99.6%
Imports:
total value: $418 million (c.i.f., 1992)
commodities: materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products
7%, machinery and parts 6%
partners: US 62%, Japan 9%, NZ 7%, Australia 11%, Fiji 4%, other 7%
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: important financial support from the US
Currency: 1 US dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September
Communications
Telephones: 9,000 (1994 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: good telex, telegraph, facsimile and cellular phone
services; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station
international: satellite earth station-1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 12,000 (1994 est.)
@American Samoa:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 350 km
paved: 150 km
unpaved: 200 km
Ports and harbors: Aunu'u (new construction), Auasi, Faleosao, Ofu,
Pago Pago, Ta'u
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 4 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 2
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.)
@American Samoa:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of the US
@American Samoa:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
ANDORRA
@Andorra:Geography
Location: Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain
Geographic coordinates: 42 30 N, 1 30 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 450 sq km
land: 450 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 125 km
border countries: France 60 km, Spain 65 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers
Terrain: rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Riu Valira 840 m
highest point: Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m
Natural resources: hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 56%
forests and woodland: 22%
other: 20% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: snowslides, avalanches
Environment-current issues: deforestation; overgrazing of mountain
meadows contributes to soil erosion
Environment-international agreements:
party to: none of the selected agreements
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: landlocked
@Andorra:People
Population: 64,716 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 14% (male 4,819; female 4,474)
15-64 years: 73% (male 25,448; female 22,028)
65 years and over: 13% (male 4,041; female 3,906) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.5% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 10.48 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 5.35 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 9.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.09 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 83.45 years
male: 80.54 years
female: 86.54 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.23 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Andorran(s)
adjective: Andorran
Ethnic groups: Spanish 61%, Andorran 30%, French 6%, other 3%
Religions: Roman Catholic (predominant)
Languages: Catalan (official), French, Castilian
Literacy: NA
@Andorra:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Principality of Andorra
conventional short form: Andorra
local long form: Principat d'Andorra
local short form: Andorra
Data code: AN
Government type: parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that
retains as its heads of state a coprincipality; the two princes are
the president of France and Spanish bishop of Seo de Urgel, who are
represented locally by officials called veguers
National capital: Andorra la Vella
Administrative divisions: 7 parishes (parroquies, singular-parroquia);
Andorra, Canillo, Encamp, La Massana, Les Escaldes, Ordino, Sant Julia
de Loria
Independence: 1278
National holiday: Mare de Deu de Meritxell, 8 September
Constitution: Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in
1991; adopted 14 March 1993
Legal system: based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial
review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: French Coprince Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995) and
Spanish Episcopal Coprince Monseigneur Juan MARTI Alanis (since 31
January 1971); note-each coprince is represented by a veguer (French:
Jean-Pierre COURTOIS; Spanish: Francesc BADIA Battalla)
head of government: Executive Council President Marc FORNE Molne
(since 21 December 1994)
cabinet: Executive Council designated by the executive council
president
elections: executive council president elected by the General Council
and formally appointed by the coprinces; election last held 16
February 1997 (next to be held NA 2001)
election results: Marc FORNE Molne elected executive council
president; percent of General Council vote-NA
Legislative branch: 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 7 parishes; members serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 16 February 1997 (next to be held February 2001)
election results: percent of vote by party-UL 57%, AND 21%, IDN 7%, ND
7%, other 8%; seats by party-UL 16, AND 6, ND 2, IDN 2, UPO 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Andorra at Perpignan (France) two
civil judges appointed by the veguers, one appeals judge appointed by
the coprinces alternately; Ecclesiastical Court of the Bishop of Seo
de Urgel (Spain); Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal des Cortes
presided over by the two civil judges, one appeals judge, the veguers,
and two members of the General Council
Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Group or AND [Oscar
RIBAS Reig]; Liberal Union or UL [Francesc CERQUEDA]; New Democracy or
ND [Jaume BARTOMEU Cassany]; Andorran National Coalition or CNA
[Antoni CERQUEDA Gispert]; National Democratic Initiative or IDN
[Vincenc MATEU Zamora]; Liberal Party of Andorra (Partit Liberal
d'Andorra) or PLA [Marc FORNE]; Unio Parroquial d'Ordino or UDO
note: there are two other small parties
International organization participation: CE, ECE, ICRM, IFRCS,
Interpol, IOC, ITU, OSCE, UN, UNESCO, WHO, WIPO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Juli MINOVES-TRIQUELL (also Permanent
Representative to the UN)
chancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064
FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy
in Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the Consulate
General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina
Elisenda, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; telephone: (343) 280-2227; FAX:
(343) 205-7705; note-Consul General Maurice S. PARKER makes periodic
visits to Andorra
Flag description: 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 that do not have a national coat of arms in
the center
@Andorra:Economy
Economy-overview: Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do
economy, accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 10 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 "tax haven" status, also
contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is
limited by a scarcity of arable land, and most food has to be
imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising.
Manufacturing 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.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$1.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: NA%
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$18,000 (1995 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: 0%
Budget:
revenues: $138 million
expenditures: $177 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1993)
Industries: tourism (particularly skiing), sheep, timber, tobacco,
banking
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 35,000 kW (1992)
Electricity-production: 140 million kWh (1992)
Electricity-consumption per capita: NA kWh; note-Andorra exports most
of its electricity to France and Spain
Agriculture-products: small quantities of tobacco, rye, wheat, barley,
oats, vegetables; sheep raising
Exports:
total value: $47 million (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: electricity, tobacco products, furniture
partners: France 49%, Spain 47%
Imports:
total value: $1 billion (1995)
commodities: consumer goods, food
partners: France, Spain, US 4.2%
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes; 1 peseta (Pta) = 100
centimos; the French and Spanish currencies are used
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1-6.0836 (January 1998),
5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632
(1993); Spanish pesetas (Ptas) per US$1-153.94 (January 1998), 146.41
(1997), 126.66 (1996), 124.69 (1995), 133.96 (1994), 127.26 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 21,258 (1983 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: modern system with microwave radio relay connections between
exchanges
international: landline circuits to France and Spain
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 10,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 7,000 (1991 est.)
@Andorra:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 269 km
paved: 198 km
unpaved: 71 km (1991 est.)
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: none
@Andorra:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of France and Spain
@Andorra:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
ANGOLA
Introduction
Current issues: Civil war has been the norm since independence from
Portugal on 11 November 1975. A cease-fire between the government and
(UNITA) lasted from 31 May 1991 until October 1992 when UNITA refused
to accept its defeat in internationally monitored elections and
fighting resumed throughout much of the country. The two sides signed
another peace accord on 20 November 1994 and the cease-fire is
generally holding, but military tensions and banditry persist. The
peace accord provided for the integration of former UNITA insurgents
into the Angolan armed forces and the government. A Government of
National Unity and Reconciliation was installed in April 1997 and
military integration was declared complete in June 1997, although
UNITA filled fewer than half of the military positions allocated to
the rebels. Efforts which began in May 1997 to extend government into
UNITA-occupied areas are proceeding slowly. The original 7,200-man UN
peacekeeping force began a phased drawdown in late 1996 and all UN
military components are scheduled to depart by 30 June 1998 except for
through 1998.
@Angola:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between
Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic coordinates: 12 30 S, 18 30 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 1,246,700 sq km
land: 1,246,700 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,198 km
border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km of which
220 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province, Republic of
the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km
Coastline: 1,600 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 20 nm
Climate: semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool,
dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)
Terrain: narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m
Natural resources: petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper,
feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 23%
forests and woodland: 43%
other: 32% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 750 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on
the plateau
Environment-current issues: the 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
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Law of the Sea
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change
Geography-note: Cabinda is separated from rest of country by the
Democratic Republic of the Congo
@Angola:People
Population: 10,864,512 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 2,471,108; female 2,401,631)
15-64 years: 52% (male 2,864,152; female 2,831,209)
65 years and over: 3% (male 137,432; female 158,980) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.84% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 43.58 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 16.79 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 132.44 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 47.86 years
male: 45.6 years
female: 50.23 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.2 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Angolan(s)
adjective: Angolan
Ethnic groups: Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico
(mixed European and Native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%
Religions: indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15%
(1998 est.)
Languages: Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 42%
male: 56%
female: 28% (1998 est.)
@Angola:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Angola
conventional short form: Angola
local long form: Republica de Angola
local short form: Angola
former: People's Republic of Angola
Data code: AO
Government type: transitional government, nominally a multiparty
democracy with a strong presidential system
National capital: Luanda
Administrative divisions: 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
Independence: 11 November 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 11 November (1975)
Constitution: 11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August
1980, 6 March 1991, and 26 August 1992
Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law;
recently modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use
of free markets
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September
1979)
head of government: Prime Minister Fernando Franca VAN DUNEM (since 8
June 1996)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: President DOS SANTOS originally elected without opposition
under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first
multiparty elections in 28-29 September 1992, the last elections to be
held, (next to be held NA); prime minister appointed by the president
and answerable to the Assembly
election results: DOS SANTOS received 49.6% of the total vote, making
a run-off election necessary between him and second-place finisher
Jonas SAVIMBI; the run-off was not held and SAVIMBI's National Union
for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) repudiated the results of
the first election; the civil war was resumed
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia
Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve
four-year terms)
elections: last held 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA)
election results: percent of vote by party-MPLA 54%, UNITA 34%, others
12%; seats by party-NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Tribunal da Relacao, judges of the
Supreme Court are appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: Popular Movement for the Liberation of
Angola or MPLA [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS], is the ruling party and has
been in power since 1975; National Union for the Total Independence of
Angola or UNITA [Jonas SAVIMBI], is the largest opposition party and
engaged in years of armed resistance before joining the current unity
government in April 1997
note: about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 elections
but won few seats and have little influence in the National Assembly
Political pressure groups and leaders: Front for the Liberation of the
Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC
note: FLEC is waging a small-scale, highly factionalized, armed
struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC
(observer), ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer),
OAU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio dos Santos FRANCA "N'dalu"
chancery: 1050 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 760, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156
FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Donald K. STEINBERG
embassy: No. 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne, Miramar, Luanda
mailing address: International mail: Caixa Postal 6484, Luanda; Pouch:
American Embassy Luanda, Department of State, Washington, DC
20521-2550
telephone: [244] (2) 345-481, 346-418
FAX: [244] (2) 346-924
Flag description: 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:Economy
Economy-overview: Angola is an economy in disarray because of more
than 20 years of nearly continuous warfare. Despite its abundant
natural resources, output per capita is among the world's lowest.
Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for 85% of the
population. Oil production and the supporting activities are vital to
the economy, contributing about 50% to GDP. Notwithstanding the
signing of a peace accord in November 1994, sporadic violence
continues, millions of land mines remain, and many farmers are
reluctant to return to their fields. As a result, much of the
country's food must still be imported. To take advantage of its rich
resources-gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries,
arable land, and large oil deposits-Angola will need to implement the
peace agreement and reform government policies. Despite the high
inflation and political difficulties, total output grew an estimated
9% in 1996, largely due to increased oil production and higher oil
prices.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$8.2 billion (1996 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 9% (1996 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$800 (1996 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 12%
industry: 56%
services: 32% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 92% (mid-1997 est.)
Labor force:
total: 2.783 million economically active
by occupation: agriculture 85%, industry and services 15% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate: extensive unemployment and underemployment
affecting more than half the population (1997 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $928 million
expenditures: $2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $963
million (1992 est.)
Industries: petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar,
bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish
processing; food processing; brewing; tobacco products; sugar;
textiles
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 617,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 18.62 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 185 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton,
manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest
products; fish
Exports:
total value: $4 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.)
commodities: crude oil 90%, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas,
coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton
partners: US 70%, EU
Imports:
total value: $1.7 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: capital equipment (machinery and electrical equipment),
vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles and clothing;
substantial military supplies
partners: Portugal, Brazil, US, France, Spain
Debt-external: $12.5 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $451 million (1994)
Currency: 1 kwanza (NKz) = 100 lwei
Exchange rates: kwanza (NKz) per US$1-265,000 (August 1997), 201,994
(November 1996)
note: the exchange rate is set by the National Bank of Angola (BNA);
adjusted by BNA on 19 July 1997 at 265,000 kwanzas per US$1; black
market rate was then 360,000 kwanzas per US$1
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 78,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: telephone service limited mostly to government and
business use; HF radiotelephone used extensively for military links
domestic: limited system of wire, microwave radio relay, and
tropospheric scatter
international: satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 17, FM 13, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 6
Televisions: 50,000 (1993 est.)
@Angola:Transportation
Railways:
total: 2,952 km limited trackage in use because of land mines still in
place from the civil war (1997 est.)
narrow gauge: 2,798 km 1.067-m gauge; 154 km 0.600-m gauge
Highways:
total: 72,626 km
paved: 18,157 km
unpaved: 54,469 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 1,295 km navigable
Pipelines: crude oil 179 km
Ports and harbors: Ambriz, Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Malongo, Namibe,
Porto Amboim, Soyo
Merchant marine:
total: 10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 48,384 GRT/78,357 DWT
ships by type: cargo 9, oil tanker 1 (1997 est.)
Airports: 252 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 32
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 220
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 32
914 to 1,523 m: 101
under 914 m: 82 (1997 est.)
@Angola:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, National
Police Force
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 2,476,766 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service:
males: 1,246,349 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-reaching military age annually:
males: 105,283 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $1.2 billion (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 31% (1993)
@Angola:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: increasingly used as a transshipment point for cocaine
and heroin destined for Western Europe and other African states
______________________________________________________________________
ANGUILLA
(dependent territory of the UK)
@Anguilla:Geography
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 63 10 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 91 sq km
land: 91 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about half the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 61 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
Terrain: flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m
Natural resources: salt, fish, lobster
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some
commercial salt ponds)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July
to October)
Environment-current issues: supplies of potable water sometimes cannot
meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
@Anguilla:People
Population: 11,147 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 28% (male 1,558; female 1,511)
15-64 years: 65% (male 3,713; female 3,545)
65 years and over: 7% (male 359; female 461) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.25% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 17.04 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 5.47 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 20.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 20.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.37 years
male: 74.39 years
female: 80.43 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.98 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Anguillan(s)
adjective: Anguillan
Ethnic groups: black
Religions: Anglican 40%, Methodist 33%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%,
Baptist 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, other 12%
Languages: English (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 12 and over can read and write
total population: 95%
male: 95%
female: 95% (1984 est.)
@Anguilla:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Anguilla
Data code: AV
Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK
Government type: NA
National capital: The Valley
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Anguilla Day, 30 May
Constitution: Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Governor Alan HOOLE (since 1 November 1995)
head of government: Chief Minister Hubert HUGHES (since 16 March 1994)
cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among the
elected members of the House of Assembly
elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor appointed
by the queen; chief minister appointed by the governor from among the
members of the House of Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats total, 7
elected by direct popular vote; members serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 16 March 1994 (next to be held March 1999)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-ANA 2,
AUP 2, ADP 2, independent 1
Judicial branch: High Court, judge provided by Eastern Caribbean
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Anguilla National Alliance or ANA
[Osbourne FLEMING]; Anguilla United Party or AUP [Hubert HUGHES];
Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP [Victor BANKS]
International organization participation: Caricom (observer), CDB,
Interpol (subbureau), OECS (associate), ECLAC (associate)
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent territory of
the UK)
Flag description: 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:Economy
Economy-overview: Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy
depends heavily on high-class tourism, offshore banking, lobster
fishing, and remittances from emigrants. The economy, and especially
the tourism sector, suffered a setback in late 1995 due to the effects
of Hurricane Luis in September but recovered in 1996. Anguillan
officials have put substantial effort into developing the offshore
financing sector. A comprehensive package of financial services
legislation was enacted in late 1994. In the medium term, prospects
for the economy will depend on the tourism sector and, therefore, on
continuing income growth in the industrialized nations.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$75 million (1996 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 3.4% (1996 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$7,200 (1996 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 3.6% (1996 est.)
Labor force:
total: 4,400 (1992)
by occupation: commerce 36%, services 29%, construction 18%,
transportation and utilities 10%, manufacturing 3%,
agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4%
Unemployment rate: 7% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $13.5 million (1993)
expenditures: $17.6 million, including capital expenditures of
$740,000 (1995 est.)
Industries: tourism, boat building, offshore financial services
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: NA kW
Electricity-production: NA kWh
Electricity-consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture-products: pigeon peas, corn, sweet potatoes; sheep, goats,
pigs, cattle, poultry; fishing (including lobster)
Exports:
total value: $1.8 million (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities: lobster, fish, livestock, salt
partners: NA
Imports:
total value: $52.7 million (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities: NA
partners: NA
Debt-external: $8.5 million (1996 est.)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1-2.7000 (fixed
rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 890
Telephone system:
domestic: modern internal telephone system
international: microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin
(Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 2,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: NA
@Anguilla:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 105 km
paved: 65 km
unpaved: 40 km (1992 est.)
Ports and harbors: Blowing Point, Road Bay
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 3 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 2
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.)
@Anguilla:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
@Anguilla:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
ANTARCTICA
@Antarctica:Geography
Location: continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle
Geographic coordinates: 90 00 S, 0 00 E
Map references: Antarctic Region
Area:
total: 14 million sq km
land: 14 million sq km (280,000 sq km ice-free, 13.72 million sq km
ice-covered) (est.)
note: second-smallest continent (after Australia)
Area-comparative: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Land boundaries: 0 km
note: see entry on International disputes
Coastline: 17,968 km
Maritime claims: none, but see entry on International disputes
Climate: 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
Terrain: about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock,
with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain
ranges up to about 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
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Vinson Massif 5,140 m
Natural resources: none presently exploited; iron ore, chromium,
copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and
hydrocarbons have been found in small, uncommercial quantities
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: 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
Environment-current issues: in 1995 it was reported that the ozone
shield, which protects the Earth's surface from harmful ultraviolet
radiation, had dwindled to the lowest level recorded over Antarctica
since 1975 when measurements were first taken
Environment-international agreements:
party to: none of the selected agreements
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: the coldest, windiest, highest, 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
@Antarctica:People
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note-there are seasonally
staffed research stations; Summer (January) population-over 4,115
total; Argentina 207, Australia 268, Belgium 13, Brazil 80, Chile 256,
China NA, Ecuador NA, Finland 11, France 78, Germany 32, Greenpeace
12, India 60, Italy 210, Japan 59, South Korea 14, Netherlands 10, NZ
264, Norway 23, Peru 39, Poland NA, South Africa 79, Spain 43, Sweden
10, UK 116, Uruguay NA, US 1,666, former USSR 565 (1989-90); Winter
(July) population-over 1,046 total; Argentina 150, Australia 71,
Brazil 12, Chile 73, China NA, France 33, Germany 19, Greenpeace 5,
India 1, Japan 38, South Korea 14, NZ 11, Poland NA, South Africa 12,
UK 69, Uruguay NA, US 225, former USSR 313 (1989-90); Year-round
stations-42 total; Argentina 6, Australia 3, Brazil 1, Chile 3, China
2, Finland 1, France 1, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 2, South Korea 1, NZ
1, Poland 1, South Africa 3, UK 5, Uruguay 1, US 3, former USSR 6
(1990-91); Summer-only stations-over 38 total; Argentina 7, Australia
3, Chile 5, Germany 3, India 1, Italy 1, Japan 4, NZ 2, Norway 1, Peru
1, South Africa 1, Spain 1, Sweden 2, UK 1, US numerous, former USSR 5
(1989-90); note-the disintegration of the former USSR has placed the
status and future of its Antarctic facilities in doubt; stations may
be subject to closings at any time because of ongoing economic
difficulties
@Antarctica:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Antarctica
Data code: AY
Government type: 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. Administration
is carried out through consultative member meetings-the 18th Antarctic
Treaty Consultative Meeting was in Japan in April 1993. Currently,
there are 42 treaty member nations: 26 consultative and 16 acceding.
Consultative (voting) members include the seven nations that claim
portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and
19 nonclaimant nations. The US and some other nations that have made
no claims have reserved the right to do so. The US does not recognize
the claims of others. The year in parentheses indicates when an
acceding nation was voted to full consultative (voting) status, while
no date indicates the country was an original 1959 treaty signatory.
Claimant nations are-Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand,
Norway, and the UK. Nonclaimant consultative nations are-Belgium,
Brazil (1983), China (1985), Ecuador (1990), Finland (1989), Germany
(1981), India (1983), Italy (1987), Japan, South Korea (1989),
Netherlands (1990), Peru (1989), Poland (1977), South Africa, Spain
(1988), Sweden (1988), Uruguay (1985), the US, and Russia. Acceding
(nonvoting) members, with year of accession in parentheses,
are-Austria (1987), Bulgaria (1978), Canada (1988), Colombia (1988),
Cuba (1984), Czech Republic (1993), Denmark (1965), Greece (1987),
Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), North Korea (1987), Papua New Guinea
(1981), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1993), Switzerland (1990), and
Ukraine (1992). 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 in 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; 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 activities 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-more than 170 recommendations adopted at treaty
consultative meetings and ratified by governments include-Agreed
Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora (1964);
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 was subsequently
rejected; 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 five specific annexes on marine pollution, fauna,
and flora, environmental impact assessments, waste management, and
protected areas; it also prohibits all activities relating to mineral
resources except scientific research; 27 parties have ratified the
Protocol as of April 1998
Legal system: US law, including certain criminal offenses by or
against US nationals, such as murder, may apply to areas not under
jurisdiction of other countries. 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 or scientific
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 Departments of Treasury, Commerce,
Transportation, and Interior share enforcement responsibilities.
Public Law 95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, requires
expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify, in advance, the
Office of Oceans and Polar Affairs, Room 5801, 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 (703) 306-1031.
@Antarctica:Economy
Economy-overview: No economic activity at present except for fishing
off the coast and small-scale tourism, both based abroad.
Communications
Telephones: NA
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: NA
@Antarctica:Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage
Airports: 18 (1997 est.); 39 landing facilities at different locations
operated by 16 national governments party to the Treaty; two
additional air facilities operated by commercial (nongovernmental)
tourist organizations; helicopter pads at 33 of these locations;
runways at 13 locations are gravel, sea ice, glacier ice, or compacted
snow surface suitable for wheeled fixed-wing aircraft; no paved
runways; 14 locations have snow-surface skiways limited to use by
ski-equipped planes-8 runways/skiways greater than 3,000 m, 12
runways/skiways 1,000 to 3,000 m, 2 runways/skiways less than 1,000 m,
and 5 of unspecified or variable length; airports generally subject to
severe restrictions and limitations resulting from extreme seasonal
and geographic conditions; airports do not meet ICAO standards;
advance approval from the respective governmental or nongovernmental
operating organization required for landing (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 18
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 5 (1997 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1997 est.)
@Antarctica:Military
Military-note: 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
@Antarctica:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Antarctic Treaty defers claims (see Antarctic
Treaty Summary above); sections (some overlapping) claimed by
Argentina, Australia, Chile, France (Adelie Land), New Zealand (Ross
Dependency), Norway (Queen Maud Land), and UK; the US and most other
nations do not recognize the territorial claims of other nations and
have made no claims themselves (the US reserves the right to do so);
no formal claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west
and 150 degrees west
______________________________________________________________________
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
@Antigua and Barbuda:Geography
Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North
Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates: 17 03 N, 61 48 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 440 sq km
land: 440 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Redonda
Area-comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 153 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands with some higher
volcanic areas
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Boggy Peak 402 m
Natural resources: negligible; pleasant climate fosters tourism
Land use:
arable land: 18%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 9%
forests and woodland: 11%
other: 62% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October);
periodic droughts
Environment-current issues: 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
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
@Antigua and Barbuda:People
Population: 64,006 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 26% (male 8,482; female 8,200)
15-64 years: 68% (male 21,695; female 22,042)
65 years and over: 6% (male 1,548; female 2,039) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.39% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 16.72 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 5.87 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -6.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 21.35 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.19 years
male: 68.82 years
female: 73.69 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.74 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s)
adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan
Ethnic groups: black, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, Syrian
Religions: Anglican (predominant), other Protestant sects, some Roman
Catholic
Languages: English (official), local dialects
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of
schooling
total population: 89%
male: 90%
female: 88% (1960 est.)
@Antigua and Barbuda:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Antigua and Barbuda
Data code: AC
Government type: parliamentary democracy
National capital: Saint John's
Administrative divisions: 6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*,
Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint
Peter, Saint Philip
Independence: 1 November 1981 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 November (1981)
Constitution: 1 November 1981
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952),
represented by Governor General James B. CARLISLE (since NA 1993)
head of government: Prime Minister Lester Bryant BIRD (since 8 March
1994)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on the
advice of the prime minister
elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor general
chosen by the queen on the advice of the prime minister; prime
minister appointed by the governor general
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate
(17-member body appointed by the governor general) and the House of
Representatives (17 seats; members are elected by proportional
representation to serve five-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives-last held 8 March 1994 (next to be
held NA 1999)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-ALP 11,
UPP 5, independent 1
Judicial branch: 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
Political parties and leaders: Antigua Labor Party or ALP [Lester
Bryant BIRD]; United Progressive Party or UPP [Baldwin SPENCER], a
coalition of three opposition political parties-the United National
Democratic Party or UNDP; the Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement or
ACLM; and the Progressive Labor Movement or PLM
Political pressure groups and leaders: Antigua Trades and Labor Union
or ATLU [William ROBINSON]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Hugh
MARSHALL]
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU,
NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WFTU,
WHO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Lionel Alexander HURST
chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] (202) 362-5211
FAX: [1] (202) 362-5225
consulate(s) general: Miami
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy
in Antigua and Barbuda (embassy closed 30 June 1994); the US
Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda
Flag description: 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 and Barbuda:Economy
Economy-overview: Tourism continues to be by far the dominant activity
in the economy accounting directly or indirectly to more than half of
GDP. Increased tourist arrivals have helped spur growth in the
construction and transport sectors. The dual island nation's
agricultural production is mainly directed to the domestic market; the
sector is constrained by the limited water supply and labor shortages
that reflect the pull 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 about half of all tourist arrivals.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$470 million (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 3.3% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$7,400 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.8%
industry: 18.9%
services: 77.3% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2.5% (1996)
Labor force:
total: 30,000
by occupation: commerce and services 82%, agriculture 11%, industry 7%
(1983)
Unemployment rate: 5%-10%(1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $107 million
expenditures: $132 million, including capital expenditures of $18
million (1995)
Industries: tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing,
alcohol, household appliances)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 26,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 95 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 1,458 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts,
cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock
Exports:
total value: $45 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.)
commodities: petroleum products 48%, manufactures 23%, food and live
animals 4%, machinery and transport equipment 17%
partners: OECS 26%, Barbados 15%, Guyana 4%, Trinidad and Tobago 2%,
US 0.3%
Imports:
total value: $350.8 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.)
commodities: food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment,
manufactures, chemicals, oil
partners: US 27%, UK 16%, Canada 4%, OECS 3%, other 50%
Debt-external: $225 million (1996 est.)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1-2.7000 (fixed
rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 6,700
Telephone system:
domestic: good automatic telephone system
international: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth station-1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Saba (Netherlands
Antilles) and Guadeloupe
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 2, shortwave 2
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: 28,000 (1993 est.)
@Antigua and Barbuda:Transportation
Railways:
total: 77 km
narrow gauge: 64 km 0.760-m gauge; 13 km 0.610-m gauge (used almost
exclusively for handling sugarcane)
Highways:
total: 250 km (1996 est.)
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports and harbors: Saint John's
Merchant marine:
total: 440 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,025,920 GRT/2,690,028
DWT
ships by type: bulk 12, cargo 295, chemical tanker 6, combination bulk
1, container 89, liquefied gas tanker 2, oil tanker 4, refrigerated
cargo 10, roll-on/roll-off cargo 20, vehicle carrier 1
note: a flag of convenience registry: Germany owns 11 ships, Slovenia
3, Cyprus 2, and US 1 (1997 est.)
Airports: 3 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.)
@Antigua and Barbuda:Military
Military branches: Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force, Royal
Antigua and Barbuda Police Force (includes the Coast Guard)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $1.4 million (FY90/91)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1% (FY90/91)
@Antigua and Barbuda:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: considered a long-time but relatively minor
transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe and
recent transshipment point for heroin from Europe to the US;
potentially more significant as a drug money-laundering center
______________________________________________________________________
ARCTIC OCEAN
@Arctic Ocean:Geography
Location: body of water mostly north of the Arctic Circle
Geographic coordinates: 90 00 N, 0 00 E
Map references: Arctic Region
Area:
total: 14.056 million sq km
note: 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
Area-comparative: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US;
smallest of the world's four oceans (after Pacific Ocean, Atlantic
Ocean, and Indian Ocean)
Coastline: 45,389 km
Climate: 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
Terrain: central surface covered by a perennial drifting polar icepack
that averages about 3 meters in thickness, although pressure ridges
may be three times that size; 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
land masses; 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 Lomonsov Ridge)
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Fram Basin -4,665 m
highest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources: sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits,
polymetallic nodules, oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals
and whales)
Natural hazards: ice islands occasionally break away from northern
Ellesmere Island; icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenland
and extreme northeastern Canada; permafrost in islands; virtually
icelocked from October to June; ships subject to superstructure icing
from October to May
Environment-current issues: endangered marine species include walruses
and whales; fragile ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from
disruptions or damage
Environment-international agreements:
party to: none of the selected agreements
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: 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
@Arctic Ocean:Government
Data code: none; the US Government has not approved a standard for
hydrographic codes-see the Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Data
Codes appendix
@Arctic Ocean:Economy
Economy-overview: Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of
natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals.
Communications
Telephone system:
international: no submarine cables
@Arctic Ocean:Transportation
Ports and harbors: Churchill (Canada), Murmansk (Russia), Prudhoe Bay
(US)
Transportation-note: sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land
routes; the Northwest Passage (North America) and Northern Sea Route
(Eurasia) are important seasonal waterways
@Arctic Ocean:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states);
Svalbard is the focus of a maritime boundary dispute between Norway
and Russia
______________________________________________________________________
ARGENTINA
@Argentina:Geography
Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean,
between Chile and Uruguay
Geographic coordinates: 34 00 S, 64 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total: 2,766,890 sq km
land: 2,736,690 sq km
water: 30,200 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US
Land boundaries:
total: 9,665 km
border countries: Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,224 km, Chile 5,150 km,
Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 579 km
Coastline: 4,989 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in
southwest
Terrain: rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling
plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Salinas Chicas -40 m
highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,962 m
Natural resources: fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin,
copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium
Land use:
arable land: 9%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 52%
forests and woodland: 19%
other: 19% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 17,000 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: 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
Environment-current issues: erosion results from inadequate flood
controls and improper land use practices; irrigated soil degradation;
desertification; air pollution in Buenos Aires and other major cities;
water pollution in urban areas; rivers becoming polluted due to
increased pesticide and fertilizer use
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life
Conservation
Geography-note: second-largest country in South America (after
Brazil); strategic location relative to sea lanes between South
Atlantic and South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel,
Drake Passage)
@Argentina:People
Population: 36,265,463 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 27% (male 5,078,061; female 4,888,883)
15-64 years: 62% (male 11,299,155; female 11,315,522)
65 years and over: 11% (male 1,526,682; female 2,157,160) (July 1998
est.)
Population growth rate: 1.3% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 19.96 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 7.67 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 19.03 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.54 years
male: 70.9 years
female: 78.34 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.68 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Argentine(s)
adjective: Argentine
Ethnic groups: white 85%, mestizo, Amerindian, or other nonwhite
groups 15%
Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 90% (less than 20% practicing),
Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 6%
Languages: Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.2%
male: 96.2%
female: 96.2% (1995 est.)
@Argentina:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Argentine Republic
conventional short form: Argentina
local long form: Republica Argentina
local short form: Argentina
Data code: AR
Government type: republic
National capital: Buenos Aires
Administrative divisions: 23 provinces (provincias,
singular-provincia), and 1 federal district* (distrito federal);
Buenos Aires; Catamarca; Chaco; Chubut; Cordoba; Corrientes; Distrito
Federal*; 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
note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica
Independence: 9 July 1816 (from Spain)
National holiday: Revolution Day, 25 May (1810)
Constitution: 1 May 1853; revised August 1994
Legal system: mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Carlos Saul MENEM (since 8 July 1989); Vice
President Carlos RUCKAUF (since 8 July 1995); note-the president is
both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Carlos Saul MENEM (since 8 July 1989);
Vice President Carlos RUCKAUF (since 8 July 1995); note-the president
is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by
popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 14 May 1995 (next
to be held 1999)
election results: Carlos Saul MENEM reelected president; percent of
vote-NA
Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional
consists of the Senate (72 seats; formerly, three members appointed by
each of the provincial legislatures; presently transitioning to
one-third of the members being elected every three years to a
nine-year term) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; one-half of
the members elected every two years to four-year terms)
elections: Senate-last held NA May 1995 (next to be held NA 1998);
Chamber of Deputies-last held 26 October 1997 (next to be held NA
1999)
election results: Senate-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by
party-PJ 39, UCR 1, others 32; Chamber of Deputies-percent of vote by
party-NA; seats by party-PJ 119, UCR 69, Frepaso 36, other 33
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), the nine Supreme Court
judges are appointed by the president with approval of the Senate
Political parties and leaders: Justicialist Party or PJ [Carlos Saul
MENEM] (Peronist umbrella political organization); Radical Civic Union
or UCR [Fernando DE LA RUA]; Union of the Democratic Center or UCD
(conservative party); Dignity and Independence Political Party or
MODIN (right-wing party); Front for a Country in Solidarity or Frepaso
(a four party coalition) [leader Carlos ALVAREZ]; Action for the
Republic [Domingo CAVALLO]; New Leadership [Gustavo BELIZ]; several
provincial parties
Political pressure groups and leaders: Peronist-dominated labor
movement; General Confederation of Labor or CGT (Peronist-leaning
umbrella labor organization); Argentine Industrial Union
(manufacturers' association); Argentine Rural Society (large
landowners' association); Argentine Association of Pharmaceutical Labs
(CILFA); business organizations; students; the Roman Catholic Church;
the Armed Forces
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),
Australia Group, BCIE, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G- 6, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24,
G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,
LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MINUGUA, MINURSO, MIPONUH, MTCR, NSG (observer),
OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNPREDEP, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Diego Ramiro GUELAR
chancery: 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 939-6400 through 6403
FAX: [1] (202) 332-3171
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James R. CHEEK has retired; replacement
to be appointed in 1998
embassy: 4300 Colombia, 1425 Buenos Aires
mailing address: International mail: use street address; APO address:
Unit 4334, APO AA 34034
telephone: [54] (1) 777-4533, 4534
FAX: [54] (1) 777-0197
Flag description: 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:Economy
Economy-overview: Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a
highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector,
and a diversified industrial base. Nevertheless, following decades of
mismanagement and statist policies, the economy in the late 1980s was
plagued with huge external debts and recurring bouts of
hyperinflation. Elected in 1989, in the depths of recession, President
MENEM has implemented a comprehensive economic restructuring program
that has put Argentina on a path of stable, sustainable growth.
Argentina's currency has traded at par with the US dollar since April
1991, and inflation has fallen to its lowest level in 50 years.
Argentines have responded to price stability by repatriating capital
and investing in domestic industry. Growth averaged more than 8%
between 1991 and 1994, then fell 4.6% in 1995, largely in reaction to
the Mexican peso crisis. The economy has since recovered strongly.
However, unemployment remains nearly 14%, and Buenos Aires still
depends on foreign capital to meet the bulk of its financing needs.
The IMF has urged additional economic reforms to ensure equitable
long-term growth.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$348.2 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 8.4% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$9,700 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 7%
industry: 36%
services: 57% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 0.3% (1997)
Labor force:
total: 14.5 million (1995 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 12%, industry 31%, services 57% (1985 est.)
Unemployment rate: 13.7% (October 1997)
Budget:
revenues: $55 billion
expenditures: $59 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997
est.)
Industries: food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables,
textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel
Industrial production growth rate: 8.7% (1997 est.)
Electricity-capacity: 19.61 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 65.72 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 1,960 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: wheat, corn, sorghum, soybeans, sugar beets;
livestock
Exports:
total value: $25.4 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
commodities: meat, wheat, corn, oilseed, manufactures, fuels
partners: Brazil 26.1%, US 8.5%, Chile 7.0%, Netherlands 5.7%, Italy
3.5% (1995)
Imports:
total value: $30.3 billion (c.i.f., 1997)
commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, transport
equipment, agricultural products
partners: Brazil 20.8%, US 20.7%, Italy 6.3%, Germany 6.2%, France
5.2% (1995)
Debt-external: $115 billion (1997 est.)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 nuevo peso argentino = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: pesos per US$1-0.99950 (January 1998), 0.99950 (1997),
0.99966 (1996), 0.99975 (1995), 0.99901 (1994), 0.99895 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 4.6 million (1990)
Telephone system: 12,000 public telephones; extensive modern system
but many families do not have telephones; despite extensive use of
microwave radio relay, the telephone system frequently grounds out
during rainstorms, even in Buenos Aires
domestic: microwave radio relay and a domestic satellite system with
40 earth stations serve the trunk network
international: satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 260, FM 100, shortwave 6
Radios: 22.3 million (1991 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 231
Televisions: 7.165 million (1991 est.)
@Argentina:Transportation
Railways:
total: 37,910 km
broad gauge: 24,124 km 1.676-m gauge (142 km electrified)
standard gauge: 2,765 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 11,021 km 1.000-m gauge (26 km electrified)
Highways:
total: 218,276 km
paved: 63,518 km (including 567 km of expressways)
unpaved: 154,758 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 11,000 km navigable
Pipelines: crude oil 4,090 km; petroleum products 2,900 km; natural
gas 9,918 km
Ports and harbors: Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Comodoro Rivadavia,
Concepcion del Uruguay, La Plata, Mar del Plata, Necochea, Rio
Gallegos, Rosario, Santa Fe, Ushuaia
Merchant marine:
total: 34 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 268,492 GRT/388,524 DWT
ships by type: cargo 11, container 2, oil tanker 13, railcar carrier
1, refrigerated cargo 6, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1997 est.)
Airports: 1,411 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 137
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 25
1,524 to 2,437 m: 55
914 to 1,523 m: 44
under 914 m: 8 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1,274
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 65
914 to 1,523 m: 635
under 914 m: 570 (1997 est.)
@Argentina:Military
Military branches: Argentine Army, Navy of the Argentine Republic
(includes Naval Aviation, Marines, and Coast Guard), Argentine Air
Force, National Gendarmerie, National Aeronautical Police Force
Military manpower-military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 9,056,532 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service:
males: 7,344,910 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-reaching military age annually:
males: 332,008 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $4.6 billion (1997)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.5% (1997)
@Argentina:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: short section of the southwestern boundary
with Chile is indefinite; claims UK-administered Falkland Islands
(Islas Malvinas); claims UK-administered South Georgia and the South
Sandwich Islands; territorial claim in Antarctica
Illicit drugs: increasing use as a transshipment country for cocaine
headed for Europe and the US
______________________________________________________________________
ARMENIA
Introduction
Current issues: Armenia's leaders remain preoccupied by Armenia's
10-year conflict with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave.
Although a cease-fire has been in effect since May 1994, the sides
have not made substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution. In
January 1998, differences between President TER-PETROSSIAN and members
of his cabinet over the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process came to a head.
With the prime minister and defense and security ministers arrayed
against him, an isolated TER-PETROSSIAN resigned the presidency on 3
February 1998. Robert KOCHARIAN, TER-PETROSSIAN's prime minister, was
elected president in March 1998. Concerns about Armenia's economic
performance rose in 1997 with a slowdown in growth and an increase in
inflation.
@Armenia:Geography
Location: Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey
Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 45 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total: 29,800 sq km
land: 28,400 sq km
water: 1,400 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 1,254 km
border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan
exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: highland continental, hot summers, cold winters
Terrain: high Armenian Plateau with mountains; little forest land;
fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Debed River 400 m
highest point: Aragats Lerr 4,095 m
Natural resources: small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc,
alumina
Land use:
arable land: 17%
permanent crops: 3%
permanent pastures: 24%
forests and woodland: 15%
other: 41% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 2,870 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts
Environment-current issues: soil pollution from toxic chemicals such
as DDT; energy blockade, the result of conflict with Azerbaijan, has
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
without adequate (IAEA-recommended) safety and backup systems
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: landlocked
@Armenia:People
Population: 3,421,775 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 26% (male 460,191; female 441,906)
15-64 years: 65% (male 1,092,652; female 1,139,916)
65 years and over: 9% (male 119,464; female 167,646) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.36% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 13.52 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 8.82 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -8.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 40.77 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 66.73 years
male: 62.45 years
female: 71.23 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.69 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Armenian(s)
adjective: Armenian
Ethnic groups: Armenian 93%, Azeri 3%, Russian 2%, other (mostly
Yezidi Kurds) 2% (1989)
note: as of the end of 1993, virtually all Azeris had emigrated from
Armenia
Religions: Armenian Orthodox 94%
Languages: Armenian 96%, Russian 2%, other 2%
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 98% (1989 est.)
@Armenia:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Armenia
conventional short form: Armenia
local long form: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun
local short form: Hayastan
former: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic; Armenian Republic
Data code: AM
Government type: republic
National capital: Yerevan
Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (marzer, singular-marz) and 1
city* (k'aghak'ner, singular - k'aghak'); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir,
Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor,
Yerevan*
Independence: 28 May 1918 (First Armenian Republic); 23 September 1991
(from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Referendum Day, 21 September
Constitution: adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Robert KOCHARIAN (since 30 March 1998)
head of government: Prime Minister Armen DARBINYAN (since 10 April
1998)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
special election last held 30 March 1998 (next election to be held
March 2003); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Robert KOCHARIAN elected president; percent of
vote-Robert KOCHARIAN 59%, Karen DEMIRCHYAN 41%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or
Azgayin Zhoghov (190 seats; members serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 5 July 1995 (next to be held NA July 1999)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by
party-Republican Bloc 159 (ANM 63, DLP-Hanrapetutyun Bloc 6, Republic
Party 4, CDU 3, Intellectual Armenia 3, Social Democratic Party 2,
independents 78), SWM 8, ACP 7, NDU 5, NSDU 3, DLP 1, ARF 1, other 4,
vacant 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court
Political parties and leaders: Armenian National Movement or ANM [Vano
SIRADEGIAN, chairman]; National Democratic Union or NDU [Vazgen
MANUKIAN]; Intellectual Armenia [H. TOKMAJIAN]; Social Democratic
(Hnchakian) Party [Yeghia NACHARIAN]; Shamiram Women's Movement or SWM
[Maria NERSISSIAN]; Armenian Communist Party or ACP [Sergey BADALYAN];
Union of National Self-Determination or NSDU [Paruir HAIRIKIAN,
chairman]; Armenian Revolutionary Federation ("Dashnak" Party) or ARF;
Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Azat ARSHAKYN, chairman];
Democratic Liberal Party [Orthosis GYONJIAN, chairman]; Republican
Party [Andranik MARKARYAN]
International organization participation: BSEC, CCC, CE (guest), CIS,
EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM (observer), OSCE,
PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
(applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Rouben SHUGARIAN
chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976
FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter TOMSEN
embassy: 18 General Baghramian Avenue, Yerevan
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [374] (2) 524-661, 521-611
FAX: [374] (2) 151-550, 151-511
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and
gold
@Armenia:Economy
Economy-overview: Under the old Soviet central planning system,
Armenia had developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine
tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics in
exchange for raw materials and energy. Since the implosion of the USSR
in December 1991, Armenia has switched to small-scale agriculture away
from the large agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet area. The
agricultural sector has long-term needs for more investment and
updated technology. The privatization of industry has been at a slower
pace, but ahead of most of the rest of the CIS. Armenia is a food
importer and its mineral deposits (gold, bauxite) are small. The
ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the ethnic Armenian-dominated
region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the embargoes imposed by Azerbaijan and
Turkey contributed to a severe economic decline in the early 1990s. By
1994, however, the Armenian Government had launched an ambitious
IMF-sponsored economic program that has resulted in positive growth
rates in 1995-97. Armenia also managed to slash inflation and to
privatize most small and medium-sized enterprises. The chronic energy
shortages Armenia suffered in recent years has been partially offset
by the energy supplied by one of its nuclear power plants at Metsamor,
which in 1996 supplied about 40% of the country's energy needs,
according to the Armenian Government. Moreover, Armenia is expanding
its energy imports from Iran.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$9.5 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 2.7% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$2,750 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 38%
industry: 32%
services: 30% (1996 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 13.2% (1997 est.)
Labor force:
total: 1.6 million (1997)
by occupation: manufacturing, mining, and construction 25%,
agriculture 38%, services 37%
Unemployment rate: 10.6% officially registered unemployed, but large
numbers of underemployed (June 1997)
Budget:
revenues: $322 million
expenditures: $424 million, including capital expenditures of $80
million (1998 est.)
Industries: much of industry is shut down; metal-cutting machine
tools, forging-pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted
wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, washing machines, chemicals,
trucks, watches, instruments, microelectronics
Industrial production growth rate: 0.7% (1997 est.)
Electricity-capacity: 2.768 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 6.3 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 1,570 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; vineyards
near Yerevan are famous for brandy and other liqueurs; minor livestock
sector
Exports:
total value: $290 million (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities: gold and jewelry, aluminum, transport equipment,
electrical equipment, scrap metal
partners: Iran, Russia, Turkmenistan, Georgia
Imports:
total value: $727 million (c.i.f., 1996)
commodities: grain, other foods, fuel, other energy
partners: Iran, Russia, Turkmenistan, Georgia, US, EU
Debt-external: $820 million (of which $75 million to Russia) (1997
est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: commitments (excluding Russia), $1,385 million ($675 million in
disbursements) (1992-95)
Currency: 1 dram = 100 luma (introduced new currency in November 1993)
Exchange rates: dram per US$1-499.89 (November 1997), 414.04 (1996),
405.91 (1995), 288.65 (1994), 9.11 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 650,000
Telephone system: joint venture agreement to install fiber-optic cable
and construct facilities for cellular telephone service is in the
implementation phase
domestic: NA
international: international connections to other former Soviet
republics are by landline or microwave radio relay and to other
countries by satellite and by leased connection through the Moscow
international gateway switch; satellite earth station-1 Intelsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 3, shortwave NA (1991)
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
note: 100% of population receives Armenian and Russian TV programs
Televisions: NA
@Armenia:Transportation
Railways:
total: 825 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial
lines
broad gauge: 825 km 1.520-m gauge (1992)
Highways:
total: 8,580 km
paved: 8,580 km
unpaved: 0 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: NA km
Pipelines: natural gas 900 km (1991)
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 11 (1996 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 5
over 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1996 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.)
@Armenia:Military
Military branches: Army, Air Force, Air Defense Force, Security Forces
(internal and border troops)
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 914,134 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service:
males: 726,938 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-reaching military age annually:
males: 31,814 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: 33.3 billion drams (1998);
note-conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using
prevailing exchange rates could produce misleading results
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Armenia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Armenia supports ethnic Armenians in the
Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in the longstanding, separatist
conflict against the Azerbaijani Government; traditional demands on
former Armenian lands in Turkey have subsided
Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis mostly for domestic
consumption; used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs to
Western Europe and the US
______________________________________________________________________
ARUBA
(part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
@Aruba:Geography
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
Geographic coordinates: 12 30 N, 69 58 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 193 sq km
land: 193 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 68.5 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m
Natural resources: negligible; white sandy beaches
Land use:
arable land: 11%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: 89% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
@Aruba:People
Population: 68,325 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 7,775; female 7,114)
15-64 years: 69% (male 22,616; female 24,700)
65 years and over: 9% (male 2,523; female 3,597) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.47% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 13.74 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 6.4 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.96 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.92 years
male: 73.22 years
female: 80.81 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.81 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Aruban(s)
adjective: Aruban
Ethnic groups: mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%
Religions: Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim,
Confucian, Jewish
Languages: Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch,
English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish
Literacy: NA
@Aruba:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Aruba
Data code: AA
Dependency status: part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full
autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the
Netherlands Antilles
Government type: parliamentary
National capital: Oranjestad
Administrative divisions: none (part of the Kingdom of the
Netherlands)
Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; in 1990,
Aruba requested and received from the Netherlands cancellation of the
agreement to automatically give independence to the island in 1996)
National holiday: Flag Day, 18 March
Constitution: 1 January 1986
Legal system: based on Dutch civil law system, with some English
common law influence
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard of the Netherlands
(since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Olindo KOOLMAN
(since 1 January 1992)
head of government: Prime Minister Jan (Henny) H. EMAN (since 29 July
1994) and Deputy Prime Minister Glenbert F. CROES
cabinet: Council of Ministers (elected by the Staten)
elections: the queen is a constitutional monarch; governor general
appointed for a six-year term by the queen; prime minister and deputy
prime minister elected by the Staten for a four-year term; election
last held 12 July 1997 (next to be held by December 2001)
election results: inconclusive; no party won majority in December 1997
parliamentary elections; no new government formed as of May 1998
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats;
members elected by direct popular vote and serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 12 December 1997 (next to be held by NA December
2001)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-AVP 10,
MEP 9, OLA 2; although elections were held 12 December 1997, a new
government had not been formed as of May 1998
Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice; judges are appointed by
the Netherlands monarch
Political parties and leaders: Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson
ODUBER]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Jan (Henny) H. EMAN]; National
Democratic Action or ADN [Pedro Charro KELLY]; New Patriotic Party or
PPN [Eddy WERLEMEN]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET];
Aruban Democratic Party or PDA [Leo BERLINSKI]; Democratic Action '86
or AD '86 [Arturo ODUBER]; Aruban Liberal Party or OLA [Glenbert
CROES]
International organization participation: ECLAC (associate), Interpol,
IOC, UNESCO (associate), WCL, WToO (associate)
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (represented by the Kingdom
of the Netherlands)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Consul General James L. WILLIAMS
embassy: J.B. Gorsiraweg #1, Curacao
mailing address: P.O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao
telephone: [599] (9) 461-3066
FAX: 461-6489
Flag description: 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
@Aruba:Economy
Economy-overview: Tourism is the mainstay of the Aruban economy,
although offshore banking and oil refining and storage are also
important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade
has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities.
Construction has boomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985
level. In addition, the reopening of the country's oil refinery in
1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings, has
further spurred growth. Aruba's small labor force and less than 1%
unemployment rate have led to a large number of unfilled job vacancies
despite sharp rises in wage rates in recent years.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$1.4 billion (1996 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 4% (1996 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$21,000 (1996 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 3.2% (1996)
Labor force: NA
by occupation: most employment is in the tourist industry (1996)
Unemployment rate: 0.6% (1996 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $376 million
expenditures: $409 million, including capital expenditures of $107
million (1997 est.)
Industries: tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 90,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 340 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 5,154 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: aloes; livestock; fishing
Exports:
total value: $1.7 billion (including oil re-exports) (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities: mostly refined petroleum products
partners: US 64%, EU
Imports:
total value: $2 billion (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities: food, consumer goods, manufactures, petroleum products,
crude oil for refining and reexport
partners: US 8%, EU
Debt-external: $669 million (December 1995)
Economic aid: the Netherlands provided a 1996 aid package of $224
million to Aruba, the Netherlands Antilles, and Suriname
Currency: 1 Aruban florin (Af.) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Aruban florins (Af.) per US$1-1.7900 (fixed rate since
1986)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 22,922 (1993 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: more than adequate
international: 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten (Netherlands
Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay links
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 19,000 (1993 est.)
@Aruba:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
note: most coastal roads are paved, while unpaved roads serve large
tracts of the interior
Ports and harbors: Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas
Merchant marine:
total: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 18,365 GRT/29,170
DWT (1997 est.)
Airports: 2 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.)
@Aruba:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the
Netherlands
@Aruba:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: drug money-laundering center and transit point for
narcotics bound for the US and Europe; added to the US list of major
drug producing or drug transit countries in December 1996
______________________________________________________________________
ASHMORE AND CARTIER ISLANDS
(territory of Australia)
@Ashmore and Cartier Islands:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of
Australia
Geographic coordinates: 12 14 S, 123 05 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 5 sq km
land: 5 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and
Cartier Island
Area-comparative: about eight times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 74.1 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: tropical
Terrain: low with sand and coral
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (all grass and sand)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime
hazards
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in
August 1983
@Ashmore and Cartier Islands:People
Population:
note: there are only seasonal caretakers
@Ashmore and Cartier Islands:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Data code: AT
Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from Canberra
by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport, and
Territories
Legal system: relevant laws of the Northern Territory of Australia
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia)
Flag description: the flag of Australia is used
@Ashmore and Cartier Islands:Economy
Economy-overview: no economic activity
@Ashmore and Cartier Islands:Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
@Ashmore and Cartier Islands:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic
visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
@Ashmore and Cartier Islands:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
ATLANTIC OCEAN
@Atlantic Ocean:Geography
Location: body of water between Africa, Europe, Antarctica, and the
Western Hemisphere
Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 25 00 W
Map references: World
Area:
total: 82.217 million sq km
note: includes Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Davis Strait,
Denmark Strait, Drake Passage, Gulf of Mexico, Mediterranean Sea,
North Sea, Norwegian Sea, Scotia Sea, Weddell Sea, and other tributary
water bodies
Area-comparative: slightly less than nine times the size of the US;
second-largest of the world's four oceans (after the Pacific Ocean,
but larger than Indian Ocean or Arctic Ocean)
Coastline: 111,866 km
Climate: 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
Terrain: surface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea, Denmark
Strait, and 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
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Puerto Rico Trench -8,605 m
highest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources: oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and
whales), sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic
nodules, precious stones
Natural hazards: 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; icebergs from
Antarctica occur in the extreme southern Atlantic Ocean; ships subject
to superstructure icing in extreme northern Atlantic from October to
May and extreme southern Atlantic from May to October; persistent fog
can be a maritime hazard from May to September
Environment-current issues: 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
Environment-international agreements:
party to: none of the selected agreements
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: 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
@Atlantic Ocean:Government
Data code: none; the US Government has not approved a standard for
hydrographic codes-see the Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Data
Codes appendix
@Atlantic Ocean:Economy
Economy-overview: 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, the dredging of aragonite sands
(The Bahamas), and production of crude oil and natural gas (Caribbean
Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea).
Communications
Telephone system:
international: numerous submarine cables with most between continental
Europe and the UK, between North America and the UK, and in the
Mediterranean; numerous direct links across Atlantic via satellite
networks
@Atlantic Ocean:Transportation
Ports and harbors: 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), Piraeus (Greece), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Rotterdam
(Netherlands), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Stockholm (Sweden)
Transportation-note: Kiel Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway are two
important waterways
@Atlantic Ocean:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
______________________________________________________________________
AUSTRALIA
@Australia:Geography
Location: Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South
Pacific Ocean
Geographic coordinates: 27 00 S, 133 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total: 7,686,850 sq km
land: 7,617,930 sq km
water: 68,920 sq km
note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than the US
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 25,760 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east;
tropical in north
Terrain: mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m
highest point: Mount Kosciusko 2,229 m
Natural resources: bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, silver,
uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds,
natural gas, petroleum
Land use:
arable land: 6%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 54%
forests and woodland: 19%
other: 21% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 21,070 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: cyclones along the coast; severe droughts
Environment-current issues: 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
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine
Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Desertification
Geography-note: world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country;
population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts;
regular, tropical, invigorating, sea breeze known as "the Doctor"
occurs along the west coast in the summer
@Australia:People
Population: 18,613,087 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 21% (male 2,023,147; female 1,926,206)
15-64 years: 66% (male 6,251,159; female 6,105,381)
65 years and over: 13% (male 1,005,196; female 1,301,998) (July 1998
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.93% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 13.47 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 6.89 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.26 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.89 years
male: 76.95 years
female: 82.98 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.82 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Australian(s)
adjective: Australian
Ethnic groups: Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%
Religions: Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 24.3%,
non-Christian 11%
Languages: English, native languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100% (1980 est.)
@Australia:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia
conventional short form: Australia
Data code: AS
Government type: democratic, federal-state system recognizing the
British monarch as sovereign
National capital: Canberra
Administrative divisions: 6 states and 2 territories*; Australian
Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland,
South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia
Dependent areas: Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos
(Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald
Islands, Norfolk Island
Independence: 1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)
National holiday: Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
Constitution: 9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901
Legal system: based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952),
represented by Governor General Sir William DEANE (since 16 February
1996)
head of government: Prime Minister John Winston HOWARD (since 11 March
1996); Deputy Prime Minister Timothy Andrew FISCHER (since 11 March
1996)
cabinet: Cabinet selected from among the members of Federal Parliament
by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor general
appointed by the queen; following legislative elections, the leader of
the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually
appointed prime minister by the governor general for a three-year term
Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the
Senate (76 seats-12 from each of the six states and two from each of
the two territories; one-half of the members elected every three years
by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of
Representatives (148 seats; members elected by popular vote on the
basis of proportional representation to serve three-year terms; no
state can have fewer than five representatives)
elections: Senate-last held 2 March 1996 (next to be held by March
1999); House of Representatives-last held 2 March 1996 (next to be
held by March 1999)
election results: Senate-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by
party-Liberal-National 37, Labor 29, Australian Democrats 8, Greens 1,
independent 1; note-subsequent to the election, there has been a
change in the distribution of seats; the new distribution is as
follows-Liberal-National 37, Labor 28, Australian Democrats 7, Greens
2, independents 2; House of Representatives-percent of vote by
party-NA; seats by party-Liberal-National 94, Labor 49, independent 5
note: it is widely anticipated that the prime minister will call
elections in late 1998
Judicial branch: High Court, the Chief Justice and six other justices
are appointed by the governor general
Political parties and leaders:
government: coalition of Liberal Party, John Winston HOWARD, and
National Party, Timothy Andrew FISCHER
opposition: Australian Labor Party, Kim BEAZLEY; Australian Democratic
Party, Meg LEES; Green Party, Bob BROWN
Political pressure groups and leaders: Australian Democratic Labor
Party (anti-Communist Labor Party splinter group); Peace and Nuclear
Disarmament Action (Nuclear Disarmament Party splinter group)
International organization participation: AG (observer), ANZUS, APEC,
AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G- 8, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINUGUA,
MTCR, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Andrew Sharp PEACOCK
chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000
FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, and
San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Genta Hawkins HOLMES
embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital
Territory 2600
mailing address: APO AP 96549
telephone: [61] (6) 270-5000
FAX: [61] (6) 270-5970
consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney
Flag description: 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; the remaining half is a representation of the Southern Cross
constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four,
larger, seven-pointed stars
@Australia:Economy
Economy-overview: Australia has a prosperous Western-style capitalist
economy, with a per capita GDP at the level of the highly
industrialized West European countries. Rich in natural resources,
Australia is a major exporter of agricultural products, minerals,
metals, and fossil fuels. Commodities account for 57% of the value of
total exports, so that a downturn in world commodity prices can have a
big impact on the economy. The government is pushing for increased
exports of manufactured goods, but competition in international
markets continues to be severe. Australia has suffered from the low
growth and high unemployment characterizing the OECD countries in the
early 1990s, but the economy has expanded at reasonably steady rates
in recent years. In addition to high unemployment, short-term economic
problems include a balancing of output growth and inflationary
pressures and the stimulation of exports to offset rising imports,
especially given the economic crisis in Asia.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$394 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 3.3% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$21,400 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 4%
industry: 31%
services: 65% (1997 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 1% (1997 est.)
Labor force:
total: 9.2 million (December 1997)
by occupation: services 73%, industry 22%, agriculture 5% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate: 8.4% (1997)
Budget:
revenues: $89.35 billion
expenditures: $91.92 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY97/98 est.)
Industries: mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food
processing, chemicals, steel
Industrial production growth rate: 1.2% (1995)
Electricity-capacity: 38.83 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 163.082 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 8,901 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep,
poultry
Exports:
total value: $68 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
commodities: coal, gold, meat, wool, alumina, iron ore, wheat,
machinery and transport equipment
partners: Japan 20%, ASEAN 16%, South Korea 9%, US 9%, NZ 8%, UK,
Taiwan, Hong Kong, China (1997)
Imports:
total value: $67 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment, computers and office
machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and
petroleum products
partners: US 22%, Japan 17%, UK 6%, China 5%, NZ 5% (1994/95)
Debt-external: $150 billion (December 1996)
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $1.43 billion (FY97/98)
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1-1.4865 (February
1998), (1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3668 (1994),
1.4704 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
Communications
Telephones: 8.7 million (1987 est.)
Telephone system: excellent domestic and international service
domestic: domestic satellite system
international: submarine cables to New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and
Indonesia; satellite earth stations-10 Intelsat (4 Indian Ocean and 6
Pacific Ocean), 2 Inmarsat (Indian and Pacific Ocean Regions)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 258, FM 67, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 134 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 9.2 million (1992 est.)
@Australia:Transportation
Railways:
total: 38,563 km (2,914 km electrified; 172 km dual gauge)
broad gauge: 6,083 km 1.600-m gauge
standard gauge: 16,752 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 15,728 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways:
total: 913,000 km
paved: 353,331 km (including 1,3630 km of expressways)
unpaved: 559,669 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 8,368 km; mainly by small, shallow-draft craft
Pipelines: crude oil 2,500 km; petroleum products 500 km; natural gas
5,600 km
Ports and harbors: Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Devonport
(Tasmania), Fremantle, Geelong, Hobart (Tasmania), Launceston
(Tasmania), Mackay, Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville
Merchant marine:
total: 64 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,122,604 GRT/3,045,417
DWT
ships by type: bulk 31, cargo 3, chemical tanker 4, combination bulk
1, container 5, liquefied gas tanker 4, oil tanker 10, passenger 1,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 5 (1997 est.)
Airports: 419 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 259
over 3,047 m: 8
2,438 to 3,047 m: 13
1,524 to 2,437 m: 111
914 to 1,523 m: 119
under 914 m: 8 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 160
1,524 to 2,437 m: 22
914 to 1,523 m: 123
under 914 m: 15 (1997 est.)
@Australia:Military
Military branches: Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal
Australian Air Force
Military manpower-military age: 17 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 4,873,392 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service:
males: 4,206,104 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-reaching military age annually:
males: 128,524 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $8.2 billion (FY97/98)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1.9% (FY97/98)
@Australia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: territorial claim in Antarctica (Australian
Antarctic Territory)
Illicit drugs: 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
______________________________________________________________________
AUSTRIA
@Austria:Geography
Location: Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia
Geographic coordinates: 47 20 N, 13 20 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 83,858 sq km
land: 82,738 sq km
water: 1,120 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Maine
Land boundaries:
total: 2,562 km
border countries: 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
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent
rain in lowlands and snow in mountains; cool summers with occasional
showers
Terrain: in the west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the
eastern and northern margins mostly flat or gently sloping
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Neusiedler See 115 m
highest point: Grossglockner 3,797 m
Natural resources: iron ore, oil, timber, magnesite, lead, coal,
lignite, copper, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 17%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 23%
forests and woodland: 39%
other: 20% (1996 est.)
Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: 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
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol
Geography-note: 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
@Austria:People
Population: 8,133,611 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 17% (male 709,890; female 673,696)
15-64 years: 68% (male 2,783,569; female 2,707,113)
65 years and over: 15% (male 471,924; female 787,419) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.05% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 9.89 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 10.05 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.31 years
male: 74.13 years
female: 80.67 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.37 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Austrian(s)
adjective: Austrian
Ethnic groups: German 99.4%, Croatian 0.3%, Slovene 0.2%, other 0.1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 78%, Protestant 5%, other 17%
Languages: German
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99% (1974 est.)
male: NA%
female: NA%
@Austria:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Austria
conventional short form: Austria
local long form: Republik Oesterreich
local short form: Oesterreich
Data code: AU
Government type: federal republic
National capital: Vienna
Administrative divisions: 9 states (bundeslaender,
singular-bundesland); Burgenland, Kaernten, Niederoesterreich,
Oberoesterreich, Salzburg, Steiermark, Tirol, Vorarlberg, Wien
Independence: 1156 (from Bavaria)
National holiday: National Day, 26 October (1955)
Constitution: 1920; revised 1929 (reinstated 1 May 1945)
Legal system: civil law system with Roman law origin; judicial review
of legislative acts by the Constitutional Court; separate
administrative and civil/penal supreme courts; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; compulsory for presidential
elections
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Thomas KLESTIL (since 8 July 1992)
head of government: Chancellor Viktor KLIMA (since 28 January 1997);
Vice Chancellor Wolfgang SCHUESSEL (since 22 April 1995)
cabinet: Council of Ministers chosen by the president on the advice of
the chancellor
elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;
presidential election last held 24 May 1992 (next to be held 19 April
1998); chancellor chosen by the president from the majority party in
the National Council; vice chancellor chosen by the president on the
advice of the chancellor
election results: Thomas KLESTIL elected president; percent of vote,
second ballot-Thomas KLESTIL 57%, Rudolf STREICHER 43%
Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung
consists of Federal Council or Bundesrat (64 members; members
represent each of the provinces on the basis of population, but with
each province having at least three representatives; members serve a
four- or six-year term) and the National Council or Nationalrat (183
seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year
terms)
elections: National Council-last held 17 December 1995 (next to be
held Fall 1999)
election results: National Council-percent of vote by party-SPOe
38.3%, OeVP 28.3%, FPOe 22.1%, LF 5.3%, Greens 4.6%, other 1.4%; seats
by party-SPOe 71, OeVP 53, FPOe 40, LF 10, Greens 9
Judicial branch: Supreme Judicial Court or Oberster Gerichtshof;
Administrative Court or Verwaltungsgerichtshof; Constitutional Court
or Verfassungsgerichtshof
Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party of Austria or
SPOe [Viktor KLIMA, chairman]; Austrian People's Party or OeVP
[Wolfgang SCHUESSEL, chairman]; Freedom Party of Austria or FPOe
[Joerg HAIDER, chairman]; Communist Party or KPOe [Walter BEIER,
chairman]; The Greens or GA [Madeleine PETROVIC, parliamentary caucus
floor leader and Alexander VAN DER BELLEN, party spokesman]; Liberal
Forum or LF [Heide SCHMIDT]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Federal Chamber of Trade and
Commerce; Austrian Trade Union Federation (primarily Socialist) or
OeGB; three composite leagues of the Austrian People's Party or OeVP
representing business, labor, and farmers; OeVP-oriented League of
Austrian Industrialists or VOeI; Roman Catholic Church, including its
chief lay organization, Catholic Action
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB,
Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD,
ECE, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,
ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol,
IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINUGUA, MINURSO, MTCR, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS
(observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP,
UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO,
UNU, UPU, WCL, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Helmut TUERK
chancery: 3524 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008-3035
telephone: [1] (202) 895-6700
FAX: [1] (202) 895-6750
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kathryn Walt HALL
embassy: Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1091, Vienna
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [43] (1) 313-39
FAX: [43] (1) 310-0682
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white,
and red
@Austria:Economy
Economy-overview: Austria, a member of the European Union since 1
January 1995, has a well-developed market economy with a high standard
of living. With exports of goods and services reaching over 40% of
GDP, Austria's economy is closely integrated with other EU member
countries, especially with Germany. Austria's entry into the EU has
drawn an influx of foreign investors attracted by Austria's access to
the single European market. Austria is well on its way to meeting all
Maastricht convergence criteria for monetary union, through
privatization efforts, the 1996-98 budget consolidation programs, and
austerity measures, which were expected to bring total public sector
deficit down to 3% of GDP in 1997 and public debt in line with the 60%
of GDP required by the EU. Cuts mainly affect the civil service and
Austria's generous social system, the two major causes of the
government deficit. To meet increased competition from both the EU and
Central European countries, Austria will need to emphasize
knowledge-based sectors of the economy and deregulate the service
sector, particularly telecommunications and the energy sector.
Economic prospects are expected to brighten in 1998 with GDP growth
projected to be 2.5%.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$174.1 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 2.1% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$21,400 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.5%
industry: 31.6%
services: 66.9% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 1.3% (1997)
Labor force:
total: 3.646 million (1996)
by occupation: services 66.1%, industry and crafts 29.6%, agriculture
and forestry 1.3% (salaried employees, 1996)
note: an estimated 150,000 Austrians are employed abroad; foreign
laborers in Austria number 298,000 (1996)
Unemployment rate: 7.1% (January 1998)
Budget:
revenues: $53.6 billion
expenditures: $61.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.)
Industries: food, iron and steel, machines, textiles, chemicals,
electrical, paper and pulp, tourism, mining, motor vehicles
Industrial production growth rate: 1% (1996)
Electricity-capacity: 15.65 million kW (1996)
Electricity-production: 54.8 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 6,900 kWh (1996)
Agriculture-products: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, wine, fruit,
dairy products; cattle, pigs, poultry; sawn wood
Exports:
total value: $57.8 billion (1996)
commodities: machinery and equipment, iron and steel, lumber,
textiles, paper products, chemicals
partners: EU 64.7% (Germany 37.7%, Italy 8.5%), Eastern Europe 14.9%,
Japan 1.5%, US 3.1% (1996)
Imports:
total value: $67.3 billion (1996)
commodities: petroleum, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, vehicles,
chemicals, textiles and clothing, pharmaceuticals
partners: EU 70.7% (Germany 42.8%, Italy 8.7%), Eastern Europe 10%,
Japan 2.4%, US 4.5% (1996)
Debt-external: $29.4 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $480 million; assistance to central and eastern Europe
$400 million (1996)
Currency: 1 Austrian schilling (AS) = 100 groschen
Exchange rates: Austrian schillings (AS) per US$1-12.776 (January
1998), 12.204 (1997), 10.587 (1996), 10.081 (1995), 11.422 (1994),
11.632 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 3.47 million (1986 est.)
note: 88% of all households had telephones in the 1993 census
Telephone system:
domestic: highly developed and efficient
international: satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean
and 1 Indian Ocean) and 2 Eutelsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 105 (repeaters 684), shortwave 0
Radios: 70% of all households indicated that they had radios in the
1993 census
Television broadcast stations: 57 (repeaters 914)
Televisions: 2,418,584 (1984 est.)
note: 91% of households indicated that they had televisions in the
1993 census
@Austria:Transportation
Railways:
total: 5,636 km
standard gauge: 5,294 km 1.435-m gauge (3,263 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 342 km 1.000-m and 0.760-m gauge (84 km electrified)
(1996)
Highways: 129,055 km
paved: 129,055 km (including 1,607 km of expressways)
unpaved: 0 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 356 km (1996)
Pipelines: crude oil 777 km; natural gas 909.1 km
Ports and harbors: Linz, Vienna, Enns, Krems
Merchant marine:
total: 25 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 84,103 GRT/114,616 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 19, combination bulk 2, container 1,
refrigerated cargo 2 (1997 est.)
Airports: 55 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 20
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 10 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 35
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 31 (1997 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1997 est.)
@Austria:Military
Military branches: Army (includes Flying Division)
Military manpower-military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 2,098,409 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service:
males: 1,744,035 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-reaching military age annually:
males: 46,854 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $1.8 billion (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 0.83% (1998 est.)
@Austria:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and
South American cocaine destined for Western Europe
______________________________________________________________________
AZERBAIJAN
Introduction
Current issues: Azerbaijan continues to be plagued by an unresolved
10-year-old conflict with Armenian separatists over its
Nagorno-Karabakh region. The Karabakh Armenians have declared
independence and seized almost 20% of the country's territory,
creating almost 1 million Azerbaijani refugees in the process. Both
sides have generally observed a Russian-mediated cease-fire in place
since May 1994.
@Azerbaijan:Geography
Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran
and Russia
Geographic coordinates: 40 30 N, 47 30 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total: 86,600 sq km
land: 86,100 sq km
water: 500 sq km
note: 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
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Maine
Land boundaries:
total: 2,013 km
border countries: 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
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
note: Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (800 km, est.)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: dry, semiarid steppe
Terrain: large, flat Kur-Araz Lowland (much of it below sea level)
with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag (Karabakh) Upland
in west; Baku lies on Abseron (Apsheron) Peninsula that juts into
Caspian Sea
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m
highest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous
metals, alumina
Land use:
arable land: 18%
permanent crops: 5%
permanent pastures: 25%
forests and woodland: 11%
other: 41% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 10,000 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: droughts; some lowland areas threatened by rising
levels of the Caspian Sea
Environment-current issues: local scientists consider the Abseron
(Apsheron) Peninsula (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea
to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of
severe air, water, and soil pollution; soil pollution results from the
use of DDT as a pesticide and also from toxic defoliants used in the
production of cotton
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Climate Change, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity
Geography-note: landlocked
@Azerbaijan:People
Population: 7,855,576 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 32% (male 1,300,236; female 1,247,027)
15-64 years: 61% (male 2,336,568; female 2,468,679)
65 years and over: 7% (male 195,322; female 307,744) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.7% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 22.2 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 9.41 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -5.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 81.64 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 63.3 years
male: 59.01 years
female: 67.81 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.72 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Azerbaijani(s)
adjective: Azerbaijani
Ethnic groups: Azeri 90%, Dagestani Peoples 3.2%, Russian 2.5%,
Armenian 2.3%, other 2% (1995 est.)
note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh
region
Religions: Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox
2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.)
note: religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan; actual
practicing adherents are much lower
Languages: Azeri 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97%
male: 99%
female: 96% (1989 est.)
@Azerbaijan:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Azerbaijani Republic
conventional short form: Azerbaijan
local long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi
local short form: none
former: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: AJ
Government type: republic
National capital: Baku (Baki)
Administrative divisions: 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, Ali Bayramli Sahari*, Astara
Rayonu, Baki Sahari*, Balakan Rayonu, Barda Rayonu, Beylaqan Rayonu,
Bilasuvar Rayonu, Cabrayil Rayonu, Calilabad Rayonu, Daskasan Rayonu,
Davaci Rayonu, Fuzuli Rayonu, Gadabay Rayonu, Ganca Sahari*, Goranboy
Rayonu, Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu, Imisli Rayonu, Ismayilli
Rayonu, Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu, Lacin Rayonu, Lankaran
Rayonu, Lankaran Sahari*, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli Rayonu, Mingacevir
Sahari*, Naftalan Sahari*, Naxcivan Muxtar Respublikasi**, Neftcala
Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, Qax Rayonu, Qazax Rayonu, Qobustan
Rayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu, Qusar Rayonu, Saatli Rayonu,
Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, Saki Sahari*, Salyan Rayonu, Samaxi
Rayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu, Siyazan Rayonu, Sumqayit Sahari*,
Susa Rayonu, Susa Sahari*, Tartar Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu,
Xacmaz Rayonu, Xankandi Sahari*, Xanlar Rayonu, Xizi Rayonu, Xocali
Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, Yardimli Rayonu, Yevlax Rayonu, Yevlax
Sahari*, Zangilan Rayonu, Zaqatala Rayonu, Zardab Rayonu
Independence: 30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 28 May
Constitution: adopted 12 November 1995
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Heydar ALIYEV (since 18 June 1993)
head of government: Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 26 November
1996)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed
by the National Assembly
elections: president elected by popular vote to a five-year term;
election last held 3 October 1993 (next to be held October 1998);
prime minister and first deputy prime ministers appointed by the
president and confirmed by the National Assembly
election results: Heydar ALIYEV elected president; percent of
vote-Heydar ALIYEV 97%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125
seats; members serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 12 and 26 November 1995 (next to be held NA 2000)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-YAP and
allies 115, AXC 4, AMIP 3, YMP 1, vacant 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: New Azerbaijan Party or YAP [Heydar
ALIYEV, chairman]; Azerbaijan Popular Front or AXC [Abulfaz ELCHIBEY,
chairman]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan or AMIP
[Etibar MAMMADOV, chairman]; Musavat Party or YMP [Isa GAMBAR,
chairman]; People's Democratic Party of Azerbaijan [Rafig TURABXANLY];
People's Freedom Party [Yunus OGUZ, chairman]; Democratic Party of
Independence of Azerbaijan [Vagit KERIMOV]; Communist Party of
Azerbaijan (CPA-2) [Firudin HASANOV]; Social Democratic Party of
Azerbaijan or SDP [Zardusht ALIZADE, chairman]; Liberal Party of
Azerbaijan [Lala HAJIYEVA]; Vahdat Party [Leyla YUNUSOV, Gadzhi
ALIZADE]; Azerbaijan Muslim Democratic Party (former Islamic Party)
[Haji Mekhti SHAMILLI]; Azerbaijan Democratic Party or ADP [Ilyas
ISMAYLOV]; Civic Solidarity [Sabir RUSTAMXANLI]; Ana Vatan Party
[Fazail AGAMALI]
Political pressure groups and leaders: self-proclaimed Armenian
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; Talysh independence movement; Sadval,
Lezgin movement
International organization participation: BSEC, CCC, CE (guest), CIS,
EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM (observer),
OIC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Hafiz Mir Jalal PASHAYEV
chancery: (temporary) Suite 700, 927 15th Street NW, Washington, DC
20005 or P. O. Box 28790, Washington, DC 20038-8790
telephone: [1] (202) 842-0001
FAX: [1] (202) 842-0004
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Stanley ESCUDERO
embassy: Azadliq Prospekti 83, Baku
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [9] (9412) 98-03-35
FAX: [9] (9412) 96-04-69
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and
green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red
band
@Azerbaijan:Economy
Economy-overview: Azerbaijan is less developed industrially than
either Armenia or Georgia, the other Transcaucasian states. It
resembles the Central Asian states in its majority nominally Muslim
population, high structural unemployment, and low standard of living.
The economy's most prominent products are oil, cotton, and gas.
Production from the Caspian oil and gas field has been in decline for
several years, but the negotiation of more than a dozen
production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with foreign firms, which have
thus far committed $30 billion to oil field 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. Azerbaijan
shares all the formidable problems of the ex-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. A major
short-term obstacle to economic progress, including stepped up foreign
investment, is the continuing conflict with Armenia over the ethnic
Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Trade with Russia and
the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance while
trade is building up with the nations of Europe, Turkey, Iran, and the
UAE. A serious long-term challenge is the maintenance of the
competitiveness of non-oil exports in world markets.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$11.9 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 5.8% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$1,460 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 30%
industry: 23%
services: 47% (1996 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 3.7% (1997 est.)
Labor force:
total: 2.789 million
by occupation: agriculture and forestry 32%, industry and construction
26%, other 42% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 20% (1996 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $565 million
expenditures: $682 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.)
Industries: petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield
equipment; steel, iron ore, cement; chemicals and petrochemicals;
textiles
Industrial production growth rate: 0.3% (1997 est.)
Electricity-capacity: 5.239 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 16.051 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 2,200 kWh (1996 est.)
Agriculture-products: cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables,
tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats
Exports:
total value: $789 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.)
commodities: oil and gas, chemicals, oilfield equipment, textiles,
cotton
partners: CIS, European countries, Turkey
Imports:
total value: $1.3 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.)
commodities: machinery and parts, consumer durables, foodstuffs,
textiles
partners: CIS, European countries, Turkey
Debt-external: $100 million (of which $75 million to Russia)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $14 million (1993)
note: commitments, 1992-95, $1,000 million ($185 million in
disbursements); wheat from Turkey
Currency: 1 manat = 100 gopik
Exchange rates: manats per US$1-3,936.00 (September 1997), 4,301.26
(1996), 4,413.54 (1995), 1,570.23 (1994), 99.98 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 710,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: 202,000 persons waiting for telephone installations
(January 1991 est.)
domestic: telephone service is of poor quality and inadequate; a joint
venture to establish a cellular telephone system in the Baku area is
operational
international: cable and microwave radio relay connections to former
Soviet republics; connection through Moscow international gateway
switch to other countries; satellite earth stations-1 Intelsat and 1
Intersputnik (Intelsat provides service to Turkey and through Turkey
to 200 more countries; Intersputnik provides direct service to New
York)
Radio broadcast stations: 1 state-owned radio broadcast station
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2
note: domestic and Russian TV programs are received locally and
Turkish and Iranian TV is received from an Intelsat satellite through
a receive-only earth station
Televisions: NA
@Azerbaijan:Transportation
Railways:
total: 2,125 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial
lines
broad gauge: 2,125 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (1993)
Highways:
total: 57,770 km
paved: 54,188 km
unpaved: 3,582 km (1995 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 1,130 km; petroleum products 630 km; natural gas
1,240 km
Ports and harbors: Baku (Baki)
Airports: 69 (1996 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 29
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 17
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 40
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 33 (1996 est.)
@Azerbaijan:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border
Guards
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 2,011,076 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service:
males: 1,616,412 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-reaching military age annually:
males: 71,922 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: 105.7 billion manats (1998 est.);
note-conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the
current exchange rate could produce misleading results
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Azerbaijan:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Armenia supports ethnic Armenians in the
Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in the longstanding, separatist
conflict against the Azerbaijani Government; Caspian Sea boundaries
are not yet determined among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and
Turkmenistan
Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly
for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program;
transshipment point for opiates to Western Europe
______________________________________________________________________
BAHAMAS, THE
The Bahamas
The Bahamas
@Bahamas, The:Geography
Location: Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean,
southeast of Florida
Geographic coordinates: 24 15 N, 76 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 13,940 sq km
land: 10,070 sq km
water: 3,870 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3,542 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
(measured from the archipelagic straight baselines)
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
Terrain: long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island 63 m
Natural resources: salt, aragonite, timber
Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 32%
other: 67% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: hurricanes and other tropical storms that cause
extensive flood and wind damage
Environment-current issues: coral reef decay; solid waste disposal
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive
island chain
@Bahamas, The:People
Population: 279,833 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 28% (male 39,239; female 38,708)
15-64 years: 67% (male 91,208; female 95,198)
65 years and over: 5% (male 6,444; female 9,036) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.39% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 21.03 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 5.44 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 18.97 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74 years
male: 70.65 years
female: 77.42 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.33 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Bahamian(s)
adjective: Bahamian
Ethnic groups: black 85%, white 15%
Religions: Baptist 32%, Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 19%, Methodist
6%, Church of God 6%, other Protestant 12%, none or unknown 3%, other
2%
Languages: English, Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write but definition of
literacy not available
total population: 98.2%
male: 98.5%
female: 98% (1995 est.)
@Bahamas, The:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas
conventional short form: The Bahamas
Data code: BF
Government type: commonwealth
National capital: Nassau
Administrative divisions: 21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands,
Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour,
Green Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long
Island, Marsh Harbour, Mayaguana, N
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